May 15, 2026

What a busy and exciting week it has been at Fern Hill!
Our 3rd graders enjoyed a fun-filled field trip to Treehouse World, while families and students had the opportunity to celebrate creativity at our school-wide Art Show on Tuesday night led by Mrs. Jenkins. With more than 2,900 pieces of artwork on display, the event truly showcased the incredible talent and imagination of our students. We also want to congratulate our 4th and 5th grade students who represented our school at the district-wide Track Meet this week with great sportsmanship and school spirit!
Looking ahead to next week:
- 5/18 – Beginner Strings & Band Concert – 6:30 PM
- 5/19 – No School – Teacher In-Service
- 5/20 – Grade 5 Field Trip to the Constitution Center
- 5/22 – Kindergarten Field Trip to Milky Way Farm
Last Call for Yearbooks!
Today, May 15, is the LAST day to guarantee your yearbook arrives with the rest of the school’s copies. Don’t miss the chance to collect signatures from teachers and classmates and remember all the special moments from this school year. To order, visit Treering.com/validate and enter passcode 1015983535492295 or scan the QR code on the flyer.
We want to thank YOU!
The Volunteer Appreciation Coffee & Connection is Friday, May 29 at 8:30 AM in the outdoor classroom!
Whether you’ve joined us on field trips, served as a homeroom parent, supported the Bobcat Bolt, helped in the lunchroom or library, participated in PTO committees, or contributed your time in countless other ways—this event is for you! Your time and dedication make Fern Hill an incredible community, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude.
Our Fern Hill staff will be there, excited to mingle, connect, and personally thank you for everything you do to support our students and school. We truly couldn’t do it without you!
We hope to see you for a cold brew and connection and to celebrate all the ways you make a difference!
Upcoming Dates
May 16 - Bobcat Block Party 3-6pm
May 18 - Beginner Band and Strings Concert @6:30PM
May 19 - No School - Teacher In-Service
May 20 - 5th Grade Field Trip
May 22 - Kindergarten Field Trip
May 25 - No School
May 26 - Senior Walk for High School Graduates
May 27 - No School
May 28 - Heritage Day
May 29 - Fun Day - Families welcome!
A note from Mr. Usilton!
We hope everyone is enjoying the spring season! As we head into the final weeks of the school year, thank you to our students, families, teachers, and staff for your continued hard work and support.
Our Track and Field Meet was a huge success, and we are proud of the teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship shown by our students. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event so special!
We are also excited for Fun Day on May 29th (rain date: June 1st). The schedule is:
- Grades 2–4: 9:30–11:30 AM
- Kindergarten & Grade 1: 1:30–3:05 PM
Parents are welcome to attend and cheer on our students, especially our 5th graders, who will take on leadership roles during the event before heading off to middle school.
As part of a Fern Hill tradition, all 5th graders are invited to help set up for Fun Day at 7:30 AM on May 29th. Breakfast, including donuts and juice, will be provided at no cost.
To celebrate their leadership and contributions throughout the year, the teachers and 5th graders will also face off in a special kickball game during one of the final days of school — always a student favorite!
Thank you for being such an important part of the Fern Hill community. We are proud of our students and look forward to a great finish to the school year!
5th Grade Reminders
There are many exciting events coming up in your child's final 5 weeks of elementary school. It's a bittersweet feeling as we have truly enjoyed working alongside this cohort of learners over the years. We want to make sure you have all of the end-of-year events in one place to ensure that your child is ready for each activity, and that you can join us as often as your schedule allows. Here's the save-the-date for all events as well as some specifics about our Promotion Ceremony on June 10 for your planning purposes. We look forward to seeing you soon to celebrate your child's elementary journey.
Promotion Ceremony
🗓️ Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00–11:00 AM
📍 Location: Fern Hill Gym/Auditorium
**To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all families, we ask that each student be limited to 5 guests. Seating is limited, and this helps us remain within fire code guidelines. Siblings who attend Fern Hill will have floor seating with their peers and do not need to be included in your 5 guest limit.
Kindergarten Registration for 2026-2027 Is Open!
In WCASD’s full-day kindergarten, learning begins with play. Through hands-on, play-based experiences, children build language skills, confidence, creativity, and friendships while learning how to work together and try new things.
It’s a joyful foundation that supports your child’s growth today and sets them up for success in the years ahead. We can’t wait to welcome your family to the WCASD Way!
PTO News
Bobcat Block Party is Tomorrow!!
Make the most of the beautiful weather and come on out to the Bobcat Block Party tomorrow, May 16 from 3-6 PM at Fern Hill! This is a free event, no ticket purchase required. There will be fun activities for all to enjoy- a moon bounce, rock and face painting, giant soccer, food vendors, and more!! We can’t wait to see you there!
2025-2026 Yearbook: Order now before it’s too late!!
As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to make sure you’ve purchased your yearbook. It’s such a special way to capture all the memories, friendships, and moments from this year that you’ll want to look back on for years to come. Don’t miss out on having a keepsake of all the fun and milestones! Click here to purchase [web.treering.com
PTO Open Meeting 5/20
Join us on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 at Fern Hill for the PTO Open meeting where we’ll share an update on all the great things we’ve done this year, answer questions, and vote for the PTO Executive Committee positions for next school year.
Join us on the PTO Board
It’s not too early to start thinking about how you’d like to be involved at Fern Hill next year! The PTO Board is a fantastic way to make a difference and be involved in our many fun events and fundraisers! Several spots will be vacant with our fifth grade families moving on. If you have any questions please reach out to Meghan Kazanjian at meghankaz@gmail.com
Fern Hill Unplugged
Calling all Fern Hill parents! We are looking for parents to join together to start a Fern Hill Chapter of West Chester Unplugged! Please reach out to Ali Haas at ahaas19603@gmail.com if you’re interested in joining. This is for parents interested in learning about and setting boundaries for technology with our kids, both at home and in school.
Scan your receipts to earn BoxTops for Fern Hill
Earning money for our school has never been easier! All you need to do is download the Box Tops app, create an account, and scan your grocery receipt. Easy and quick! Last year we earned $500 from Box Tops for Fern Hill!
Dining Night Out & Important Fundraising Dates!
Tuesday, June 2: 4-8pm. Dining Night Out at Chipotle West Chester (25% of sales @ 101 Turner Lane)
Non-WCASD Events Worth Checking Out!
Volunteer Clearances
We love having our families volunteer throughout the building. In order to volunteer, adults are required to have their clearances on file with us. Clearances can take 4-6 weeks to acquire, so please be sure to get the process started if you're looking to volunteer this Fall.
Planning a Vacation?
Fern Hill Elementary School
Principal
Email: jsouthmayd@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/fhe
Location: 915 Lincoln Avenue, West Chester, PA, USA
Phone: 484 266 1600
Twitter: @FernHillES