Fern Ave. Public School Blog

Please click here for the Free the Children bake sale information happening on Wednesday June 11th at noon .

WHO: Fern students & staff WHAT: Special drop-in lunch featuring a student favourite – spaghetti with meat sauce & Caesar salad (bread, fruit and milk included) WHEN: Thursday, June 5 WHERE: Cafeteria HOW: Bring $3.75 cash (and your appetites!) WHY:So that you might consider joining next year’s lunch program click here for full details

Our Fern Alumni French Café scheduled for this Thursday, May 29th has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and hope to have better success in the years to come. Sincerely, Bogdan Nikolajevic and the Ext. French Grade 8 Class

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario is recruiting Grade 7 students from across Ontario to serve as Legislative Pages at Queen’s Park. Each year approximately 140 young students from across Ontario are selected to participate in the Legislative Page Program. This is a unique educational experience that provides an opportunity to work in the Legislative Chamber as well as explore the history and traditions of the Legislative Assembly. Information is available at the website: http://educationportal.ontla.on.ca/en/page-program

WHO: Jennifer Kolari, M.S.W, R.S.W., author and founder of Connected Parenting is a therapist who has been helping children, teens and families get connected for 20 years. Jennifer Kolari is the Parenting expert on CBC’s Steven and Chris show, and has appeared frequently on Canada AM and Breakfast Television. Her advice can be found in many Canadian and U.S. magazines, such as Today’s Parent, Redbook, Parent Magazine and Canadian Family on the health. Her entertaining workshops and insightful strategies, shared with warmth and humour, make her a highly sought-after speaker with schools, corporations and agencies throughout North America. TOPIC: With warmth and humor, this workshop will explore the delicate bond between teens and their parents. Parents will learn to balance empathy with limit setting to strengthen and deepen their relationships with their teens. Connected Parenting will offer parents effective strategies to avoid power struggles, help their teens make safe choic

Please click here for the May Newsletter.

The Fern Fun Fair is less than three short weeks away and your fun and fabulous bake sale co-ordinators are calling on you for contributions! For those of you who have not experienced the Fern Fun Fair Bake Sale , you are in for a tasty treat. Our vintage-inspired celebration of all things sweet features a 20-foot-long table laden with your favourite decadent delights. Serving up these offerings are apron-clad Moms and Dads waiting to fill a plate OR bring your own reusable container to stock up for Spring entertaining! We are looking for single-servings of nut-free squares, cookies, cupcakes, loaves, cakes and pies. Whole contributions of pies, cakes and loaves are also welcome and will be sold as such. As we are getting started earlier this year, we are requesting an assortment of healthy breakfast items (muffins, pastries, home-made granola bars, etc.) as well. They will go nicely with a morning coffee from our café. Please contact Jan Hoard: before Thursday, June 11 and

Dear Fern Avenue School Community, After further discussion with involved officers from 11 Division, this is information from them that I can share with you regarding the concerns raised about personal safety in our neighbourhood. We speak to our children in class about safety when travelling in the neighbourhood and suggest that you reinforce the message as well. Additionally, we have requested an increased presence from our TDSB security service. If an incident occurs, please report it to the police as soon as possible. Thank you. Dear Mr. Moy, 11 Division is aware that there is concern within our community regarding some street robberies that have recently occurred in the Roncesvalles area. I want to advise you that we are investigating each and every incident that has been reported to us and we are deploying resources in the Roncesvalles area to reduce criminal activity and to help prevent future incidents. The investigative units within 11 Division are working together

TDSB Continuing Education is offering some summer school programs for students in French Immersion and Extended French. Here is a link to the information on the public website: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/ElementarySummerSchool.aspx The sites with programming in French are: Cassandra Humbercrest Westmount JB Tyrell Many thanks. Mr. A. Moy Principal Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School

On Thursday, June 5, there will be a special drop-in lunch to sample Maggie’s delicious spaghetti and Caesar salad, a student favourite, for only $3.75 cash. After that, we hope that you can’t resist signing up for next year’s lunch program. Just think about the time, stress and money you can save! Fern’s lunch program has served almost 20,000 lunches this year to rave reviews. Thanks to strong support and participation by students and parents, plus dedicated volunteers and staff, it will continue in the 2014-2015 school year. Starting this September, Fern will have full-day kindergarten, and the Food Committee, volunteers and staff look forward to welcoming these younger students into the program. Full details and an order form can be found here and hard copies will be sent home at the end of May. Families who wish to start the next school year off with healthy yet yummy lunches for their children may do so by submitting their lunch orders by Friday, June 20, 2014 . Thanks

 Dear Parent/Guardian Volunteers, Due to construction and limited space, the staff appreciation luncheon initially scheduled for Thursday, June 06, 2014  has been cancelled. Thank you for your support! Vera and the Fern Avenue Staff  

Dear Fern Community, Our grade 8's will be hosting a French Café for our Fern alumni- students who graduated in the past few years from Fern. This event will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 5:00 to 6:00 inside the Fern auditorium. First 30 crepes will be free for any alumni that show up early! This will be an exclusive Fern alumni event, only students who graduated from Fern are invited. We hope this will be a great opportunity for our former students to reconnect, enjoy a few crepes and even pass a few words of wisdom to our grade 8's who are about to graduate. We would appreciate if you can spread the news! Sincerely, Monsieur Nikolajevic

The 2014 Ontario Provincial Election is fast approaching and will take place on June 12. There are many significant education issues facing teachers, parents, students, and our community including: funding, test results, school capacity, school rejuvenation, learning in a digital world, and support for special-needs students. All of these issues are directly impacted by provincial politics. These All-Candidates Meetings are your chance to learn each candidate’s view on public education, ask your own questions, and show politicians that education is important to you! TDSB Trustee Irene Atkinson, and TCDSB Trustee Barbara Poplawski have organized an evening to meet and hear from the candidates seeking election in our riding of Parkdale-High Park. Parkdale-High Park All-Candidates Meeting on Education Thursday, May 22, 2014 , 7:00–9:00 pm Lithuanian Hall , lower hall 1573 Bloor Street West Just south and west of the Dundas West subway station And the Roncesvalles-Macdonell

Today, I have been in further contact with 11 Division of the Toronto Police Service, regarding an earlier report shared here alleging that there may have been a ‘swarming’ incident occurring on school property after hours. In fact nothing has been reported to police, according to their records. Their various units have been consulting with one another and there has been no information found substantiating the claims of assault and robbery. In the future, 11 Division requests that if any information of this nature is shared or reported, that they be contacted directly. Their non-emergency radio telephone number is 416-808-2222. If it is an emergency call, please dial 9-1-1. Thank you. Mr. A. Moy Principal Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School

Dear Parents/Guardians, Once again we are experiencing technical difficulties with our SAFE ARRIVAL lines. The automated system indicates "Safe Arrival is not available." Please be advised if you leave a message we are receiving them. Thank you for your patience.

The fourth annual Fern Spring Fling held on Saturday, May 10th at the High Park Curling Club was THE event of the season! Not only was it a superb fundraiser, it was a fantastic party for the Fern parents to get together and celebrate being a part of this amazing community. There were tons of creative ’80s costumes, unbelievable dance moves, and lots of fun by all who came out. With these good vibrations, generous donations and several bid winners, we were able to raise $10,033.00, which will help support amazing programs in the school next year to help enrich our children’s school experience. Thank you to the dedicated, talented team who organized, created and sweated for months to bring the event to a whole new level of fun and total awesomeness!

Thank you to all the Fern students, parents and teachers who took the time to fill out the Power of Play Survey. Please click here to see the survey results.

Please click here for information regarding the cancellation of the All Candidates Meeting on Education sent on behalf of Trustee Irene Atkinson.

Click here for the flyer for the 100th Anniversary of Pauline Junior Public School. The celebration is Saturday, May 24 from 11-2 . Thank you, Lisa Watt Principal Pauline Junior Public School 100 Pauline Avenue Toronto, ON M6H 3M8

Dear Fern Avenue families, There was a break in into Fern Avenue School last night, Sunday, May 11th, 2014. They came in through a door on the north side of the building. The door and some windows were damaged. No further damage was done and the break in did trigger the alarm system. Please contact our security department at 416-395-4620 if you see any suspicious activity on site after hours, any time. Alternatively and as well, you could call 911. Many thanks for your continued support and vigilance. Mr. A. Moy Principal Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School

Fern Avenue Jr. and Sr. Public School will be holding a Spring Concert May 22 at 6:00-7:30. Seating will begin at 5:30. Performances by Jr. and Sr. students will include ukuleles, recorders, singing, and dancing, plus strings and band. The students have been working really hard and are looking forward to the performance.

Hello Everyone, Thank you to our contributors and volunteers. You made our sale a HUGE SUCCESS . The bake sale and candy surpassed our goal and we will be CANCELLING the Friday, May 16th Candy/Bake Sale. Thank You to everyone who baked, donated and bought our goodies. Vera and the Grade 8 Grad Committee.

Please click here for information regarding the All Candidates Meeting that has been sent on behalf of Trustee Irene Atkinson. Thank you.

                                                  FERN AVENUE PUBLIC SCHOOL                                                   STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON                                                   THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014 If you are able to contribute your favourite dish and/or help with set-up or clean-up, please contact  Asunta Blair at 416-538-9526 or abblair@rogers.com Please drop off your dish (labelled with your name) in the staff room before 11:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. If possible provide serving utensils.  Dishes may be picked up from the staff room any time after lunch. Thank you for your support!

Dear Fern Community, Come visit the French Cafe this Wednesday, May 7 in the morning from 8:20 to 9:30 a.m . Enjoy delicious crepes served by our Grade 7 students in the auditorium. Crepes will be sold for $2 (1-2 toppings) and $3 (3-4 toppings) and all proceeds will go towards an annual French magazine subscription and also to support the grade 8 graduation. Come early to avoid disappointment- our crepes are limited. Our crepes will disappear faster than you can say “Oh là là!” Hope to see you there. Mr. Nikolajevic

There have been groups of people noticed in our schoolyard, after dark this past weekend. It is alleged that they have targeted and victimized individuals who have walked across our property, demanding money and valuables. A further allegation is that people have been struck by belt buckles wielded by the group. The police were aware of the situation through neighbours. As our own response, we also alerted the Police, who will be making an increased number of patrols including by bicycle. As well, we have notified our TDSB Security department who will also increase vigilance around the school. Please take appropriate measures given this information. Thank you. Alexander Mr. A. Moy Principal Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School

LET'S GET YOUR CHILD READY FOR KINDERGARTEN! Join us for a Welcome to Kindergarten orientation and learn about family activities that will help your child be ready for school. You and your child are invited to a WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN meeting on: Date:                Tuesday, May 27, 2014 Time:               6:15-7:15 p.m. Place:               Fern Avenue PS Auditorium Contact Info:   Vera Ciric RSVP: #           416-393-9130 School personnel and community partners will share fun activities you can do at hone with your child. You will receive a Welcome to Kindergarten bag with magnetic letters and numbers, books, crayons, scissors, paper, glue, playdough and more!

Click here for the latest newsletter from Free the Children.

Tickets for our Spring Fling Fundraiser on May 10 are going fast! If you haven’t got yours, make a mad dash to the main office tomorrow or contact Liz Leason – liz.leason@rogers.com Thank you for your support with the classroom baskets for our silent auction. · The selection of live auction items is amazing – you won’t be able to keep your hand down! : Included - A fantastic Industrial Photo. We also have: · a decadent Mother’s Day spa/wellness package · Cottage long weekend: 3 days / 2 nights · Kids bicycle + tune up from Sweet Pete’s Bike Shop · Cover shot of your child on the front page of The Little Paper · Theatre Package: 4 opened ended tickets – Soul Pepper and dinner at The Westerly. Just to mention a few. Stay tuned for more details...

Maggie’s lunches in the last month (can you believe it?!) before summer features student favourites such as beef burritos, spaghetti with Caesar salad, crispy baked fish and honey-garlic chicken with Asian noodles. Check out the menu here . If your child(ren) is not already registered, s/he can still sample Maggie’s delicious lunches. Simply fill out and submit the form with your payment. A secure deposit box is located outside the Ferncliff Daycare office (Room 103). The deadline for June order forms is Friday, May 16 to begin lunch on Monday, June 2. HOT NEWS : Keep an eye out for details about signing up for next school year’s lunch program. Also, there will be a drop-in spaghetti lunch on Thursday, June 5 for those students who aren’t in the program but would like to sample Maggie’s delicious lunch – and to entice your family to sign up for next year’s program. More information will be sent out later in May through Fern’s blog and newsletter and e-mailing families who have