Fern Ave. Public School Blog

For those who borrowed a Chromebook during our remote learning in January/February, please return it to the office so we can sanitize the devices and get them back into the classrooms for students to use.

The next school council meeting will be held on March 3rd from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm .   Ms. McGovern will send out the ZOOM link on that day. Please join us!

1.  Updates to the COVID-19 School Screening Tool   The COVID-19 School Screening Tool has been changed and will now require  students and staff with any new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, even those with only one (1) symptom, must stay home until: They receive a negative COVID-19 test result.;  OR They receive an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional.;  OR  It has been 10 days since their symptom onset, and they are feeling better.  The new single-symptom screening criteria in the COVID-19 daily screening tool is now being applied and is in effect .  Parents and guardians are reminded to complete the COVID-19 School Screening Tool  for each child every day before leaving home for school or child care:  https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ .  2.  Self-Isolation Requirements for Families in a Household   The Ministry of Health has now indicated that  all individuals living in the same household are now required to self-isolate when a family member has COV

PSS is offering drop in sessions for parents to get support navigating their child’s needs in relation to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Parents/caregivers can drop in and ask questions or just listen.  The sessions happen every Tuesday at 10am-11am and Thursday at 7pm-8pm .  Every session will have 3 representatives from the different PSS Departments including: Child and Youth Services, OT/PT, Psychological Services, Social Work and Speech-Language Services.  It is not a space for therapeutic intervention, but more a space where parents can get some support in navigating their child’s needs in relation to Mental Health and Wellbeing.  Please find additional information here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/In-Person-Learning/Resources-During-Covid-19

We welcomed our TPH nurse on February 17th as she visited to ensure that we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of everyone in our building.  Did you know that TPH has provided schools with a decision tool to assist us in knowing when a student or staff member needs to be excluded from school? If you are unsure of what to do if a member of your household has a symptom, tests positive for COVID-19, or is considered a close contact of someone who has tested positive, please reach out and we will assist.  Here is the link: Decision Tool

Work, Traffic and Transit:   The City's contractor is making excellent progress with the advance works, which began on Friday, February 12 with watermain replacement and sewer relining on all traffic lanes approaching the KQQR intersection.  According to information provided by the contractor..., the following work and traffic impacts will continue into the next couple of weeks.   · Curb lane rolling closures related to the watermain replacement work on King Street West (on approach to the KQQR intersection);  · Curb lane rolling closures related to sewer relining work on Queen Street West, Roncesvalles Avenue and The Queensway (on approach to the KQQR intersection); and  · Single lane closures related to the bridge rehabilitation work on Parkside Drive  One travel lane in each direction for people driving and cycling will continue to be maintained at all times.  Depending on the work taking place, lane closures may last anywhere between a few days (or less)

The meeting minutes from the January 28, 2021 School Council meeting are now available.

Click here for the February Hearts & Minds Newsletter.

Art in Action values the relationship we have with you and your school community and we would like parents to know about our curriculum-based online classes.   Classes are filled with a sense of wonder and joy and students can engage in the tactile process of creating art which is geared for success with our step-by-step process. Throughout the online lesson, students can ask questions, interact and spark their own creativity.  Art-making allows children the ability to communicate through creative expression. Join us for this inspiring session!  For more information and to register please click here or email us at artinactiontoronto@gmail.com .

Parents/Caregivers, Students, Community Members, Superintendents, and School Staff in Parkdale - High Park are invited to a Virtual Ward 7 Forum!  Tuesday, February 23, 2021 7:00pm to 9:00pm   We will be joined by representatives from Toronto Public Health, who will be on hand to answer your questions and address your concerns. Registration is required.  If you are interested in participating, please complete the form below. The meeting will be hosted on the Zoom video conference platform.  Registrants will be sent a meeting invite with a link and call in details for the session, the day of the meeting. Please contact Robin.Pilkey@tdsb.on.ca if you have any questions.  Here is the link to sign up (also on the poster) https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd64J5meJuxYYOBlOXJnT5dGLon7UtaKGtc-HZhcLXJX1lUxw/viewform   As a reminder Robin often shares info and answer questions through the Ward 7 Facebook page. Anyone can join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/TDSBWard7Coucil

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, and awareness year round of Black lives and futures, below are some event listings and resources (including some great reading lists) put together by Fern’s parent-run Equity and Inclusion Committee.  To get in touch with us please email equitablefern@gmail.com . And save the date!  May 17th 6:30p.m. Raising Anti-Racist Kids , a free online event for Fern parents facilitated by Rania El Mugammar.  EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES   CBC Kids: A brief history of the Black Lives Matter movement (short video) https://gem.cbc.ca/media/cbc-kids-news/season-1/episode-116/38e815a-012cef2b32e   CBC Kids: White privilege, systemic racism explained (short video) https://gem.cbc.ca/media/cbc-kids-news/season-1/episode-123/38e815a-012d9e6dc7b   Plus more CBC Kids Black History videos for kids here .  NFB/ONF: Black Communities in Canada - a collection of films by Black filmmakers https://www.onf.ca/selection/nfb_celebrates_black_history_month/   ARTS A

This is the last weekend to order Fern Clothing. Please click the link below to order Fern Spirit Wear - store closes February 15th !  The clothing will be delivered to your home. https://fernavenue2021.itemorder.com/   Happy Long Weekend and Family Day.

On Thursday, Feb. 11th , the Ontario Government provided an update on the timing of March Break for the 2020-2021 school year.  The announcement indicated that March Break will be postponed until April 12-16 , 2021 as a health and safety precaution to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our school community.  This means that Fern PS will continue school as scheduled for the week of March 15-19. We recognize that March Break provides much needed rest, relaxation and a mental health recharge for our students, staff and families.

Please see below important information/updates for the return to in-person learning: Daily Screening - New TPH Screening Tool for Students:   Students must continue to be screened daily for any symptoms of COVID-19 and also follow the circumstances in which they should stay home. TPH has revised its screening tool for students, effective immediately. The update is that everyone in a household must now complete the updated COVID-19 screening daily. Please ensure your child arrives to school with a completed TDSB Student Health Pas s or TDSB Health App . We will have extra copies available through your classroom teachers or in the main office.  Get Tested:   If anyone in your household has one or more new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, they should get tested as soon as possible. Everyone in the house will need to stay home if someone in the home is sick with a COVID-19 symptom.  Pack Extra Masks:   Students are required to wear a mask properly at all times except when having a