Fernbrook Elementary School PTO

We wanted to express our gratitude to our teachers, staff, and administrators for their efforts in making our student's first day of school experience nothing but amazing. It's hard to believe that we've already started another school year... only 287 more left to go until summer vacation comes again (But who is counting anyways?)

Throughout this school year, the Fernbrook PTO is here to support the entire Fernbrook community. We hope that you will join us, whether as a member, helping us with an event, or both. Information about all upcoming PTO events, activities and fundraisers will be included in our biweekly PTO Newsletter, sent out on Wednesday evenings.

Thank you in advance for your support during the 2026-2027 school year!

This year, the Fernbrook School PTO will be hosting its first PTO Meeting (in-person) before Back to School Night.

• Thursday, September 10, 2026 (Grades K-2) | 5:45 PM | Fernbrook Cafeteria
• Thursday, September 17, 2026 (Grades 3-4) | 5:45 PM | Fernbrook Cafeteria
• Thursday, September 17, 2026 (Grade 5) | 5:45 PM | Fernbrook Collaboration Lab

Why join the Fernbrook School PTO?

For just $25, your Annual PTO Family Membership fee (during the academic school year) goes directly to fund student learning opportunities/ programs for all of Fernbrook, as well as to contribute to school improvement projects.

Becoming a PTO member does not require participation on a committee or require you to volunteer for any events or activities. Your financial support will assist us with all the fun programs and activities for the 2026-2027 school year.

For any questions, please email the Membership Committee at: membership@fernbrookpto.org

The Fernbrook School PTO is holding a Fall Mum and Plant Sale.

Raised locally at Riverside Greenhouses, these 9" potted mums will flower all through October and will reach at least 18" wide. We will also be offering 8" Cabbage/Kale plants as well to provide a variety to your fall decor.

9″ Hardy Mums are:

• 1 for $10
• 2 for $18
• 3 for $25
• $7 for each additional Mum

8″ Cabbage & Kale are:

• 1 for $8
• 2 for $12
• 3 for $16
• $6 for each additional plant

The deadline to submit your order is September 13, 2026.

Questions? Reach out to the Mums Fundraiser Committee at: mumfundraiser@fernbrookpto.org and they will be happy to assist you!

📸 Calling All Photographers!

Love capturing special moments? The PTO is looking for 5–8 volunteer photographers to help document all the fun and excitement of the 2026–2027 school year for the yearbook! From the Welcome Back event, Annual Boo Bash, and Hero Dance, to classroom parties, the Halloween Parade, Fifth Grade events, and the Winter & Spring Concerts, we’ve got a calendar full of memorable moments that need to be captured!

By rotating volunteers, we can ensure every event is covered without overloading anyone’s schedule. Photographers must be active Fernbrook PTO members.

📧 Interested? Reach out to Nina Lifshey at yearbook@fernbrookpto.org to get involved!

Let’s make this year unforgettable, one snapshot at a time!

Room Parents serve an integral role in helping organize classroom celebrations (in-Person for the Halloween Party (on October 30, 2026), the Holiday Party (on December 17, 2026) and supplies sent to school for Valentine's Day), liaise between the PTO and parents for class oriented projects (i.e. Teacher Appreciation Week), and help nurture the wonderful community that exists at Fernbrook.

Each class will have two (2) Room Parents. If more than two volunteers express interest in serving as Room Parents for the same class, names will be drawn at random. If you are interested in becoming a Room Parent, please complete the Room Parent Interest Form with your information no later than September 18, 2026. Room Parents will be notified of their assignments on September 20, 2026 via email.

Any questions, please email the Room Parent Committee (Kelly Senn & Brittany Bassett) at: roomparents@fernbrookpto.org

Get your family photos in time for Holiday Cards and support our Fernbrook students in the process! Sessions are on Sunday, October 4, 2026 & Sunday, October 11, 2026, Brundage Preserve in Randolph. If it rains, the location will be moved to Brundage Pavilion. This includes one (1) 15- minute session for $30.

Appointments will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations will be open through Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Don't miss out and book your family photo appointment today!

Questions? Please email the Family Portrait Chair (Kirsten Myron) at: familyportraits@fernbrookpto.org

Join us for our Fernbrook PTO Welcome Back Popsicles & Pals event! This fun-filled event is the perfect way for the Fernbrook community to reconnect, meet new families, and cool off with tasty popsicles while kids play and make new friends on the playground. Let’s kick off the school year together, one pop at a time!

The event will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 6:00-7:30 PM outside of Fernbrook School on the blacktop.*Note: In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 6:00-7:30 PM.

This event is free for all Fernbrook students, regardless if they are a PTO member or not. Sign up to join in the event, today!

Interested in making your child's birthday extra special this school year? Want to do something to benefit Fernbrook Elementary School? You're in luck! Sign your child up for the Birthday Book Club.

Questions? Email the Birthday Book Club Committee at: bdbookclub@fernbrookpto.org

Mabel's Labels is a very popular brand of personalized peel and stick labels that safely go in the laundry, dishwasher and microwave. They are a reliable product that parents love and they’re perfect for all your kids’ stuff. From shoes and clothes to water bottles, sleeping bags, backpacks and more! Their large range of labels and tags suit a host of different needs, labels which are extremely durable and 100% guaranteed.

There’s even an option to buy the “Logo Label Pack" which has our Falcon school mascot, how cool is that?!

Order your Mabel's Labels, Today!

Why Join the Fernbrook Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) as a business sponsor?

Your Business Sponsorship is designed to advertise your business to our school community and help raise money for the programs, events, and services the PTO organizes throughout the school year. Your assistance will help us with Cultural Arts Assemblies, Educational Materials and Large School Improvement projects, and so much more! Business Sponsorships are $250 for the year and can be applied to the General PTO fund or the Fifth Grade Committee.

Last week, the Scavenger Hunt Committee was able to coordinate this exciting event for new students and the incoming kindergarteners and their families. We had over 80 new families in attendance and Dr. Bernal and Ms. Hallick loved meeting everyone. In addition, if families were unable to join us, we have a Virtual Scavenger Hunt that families can view to learn more about their new school.

We would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help with this event, both live and virtual. This includes: Sam Skokandich, Nina Lifshey, Emily Dura, Dana Pineiro, Melissa Issa, and Brittany Bassett and all of our amazing Fernbrook parent volunteers, Cub and Girl Scout Volunteers. And lastly, Dr. Bernal, Mrs. Amin, Mrs. Leonard, Mr. Patel, Mr. Othatz and Mr. Martinez, without all of you, this event would not have been as successful as it was!

A special thanks to all of the parents who came out to help the new Fernbrook students learn where everything is in our school!

If you have any photos that you would like to include of your child/children in the Yearbook from this event, please feel free to upload them via our SmugMug Link. Thank you!

Each year the PTO Welcomes Back our amazing teachers and staff members with a Luncheon to kick off the school year. Thanks to Anthony & Sons in Succasunna for giving us great pricing and being so easy to work with, the teachers loved it all. (If you are ever having a party or gathering and are in need of catering, you can’t beat Anthony & Sons)

Thank you to the PTO members that coordinated and assisted the day of for this effort: Samantha Skokandich, Dana Pineiro, Brittany Bassett and Nina Lifshey. Additionally, we would also like to thank Mrs. Leonard, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Patel, Dr. Bernal and Ms. Hallick with assisting us with luncheon event. We hope our amazing teachers and staff enjoyed the event!

Brittany Bassett | Co-President

president@fernbrookpto.org

Nina Lifshey | Co-President

president@fernbrookpto.org

Samantha Skokandich | Administrative Vice President

administrativevp@fernbrookpto.org

correspondingsecretary@fernbrookpto.org