December 12, 2025

A Look Back at a Spirited Week at FHE!
We’ve had a joyful, high-energy week of spirit days leading up to winter break, and the fun isn’t over yet—next week brings even more opportunities to show our Bobcat pride and holiday cheer!

📈Report Card Reminder
Trimester 1 report cards went live this past week. You’ll find full details and additional information further below in this newsletter.

🥫5th Grade Food Drive: Putting Math Into Action
Our fifth graders are deep into their decimal unit and applying their learning to a meaningful real-world context: supporting communities affected by natural disasters. After studying both the impact of natural disasters and the organizations that respond, students are partnering with Philabundance, our region’s branch of Feeding America, which maintains emergency food stockpiles for relief efforts.

From Monday, December 8th through Friday, December 19th, fifth graders are kindly collecting donations of the following shelf-stable items:

Peanut Butter & Jelly
Cooking Oil
Canned Tuna or Meat
Canned Fruits & Vegetables
Canned Stew & Soups
Oatmeal/Breakfast Cereal
Whole Grain Pasta
100% Juice
Rice
Boxed, Non-Refrigerated Milk

Donations may be placed in the collection area outside the 5th-grade classrooms. Students will sort and box items using their decimal knowledge—an authentic blend of math learning and service to others. Thank you for supporting this effort during a busy holiday season!

WCASD District Newsletter: December 2025

Upcoming Dates

Dec 8 - 23 - December Spirit Weeks!

Dec 23 - 1/2 Day for Students; 12:10 Dismissal

Dec 24 - Jan 2 - Winter Break - No School for Students

Jan 16 - Half Day for Students; Dismissal at 12:10pm

Jan 19 - Schools Closed

Jan 30 - PTO Bingo Night

Report Cards Now Available on Parent Portal!

Trimester 1 report cards are now live in Parent Portal. This is our first year using a K–5 Standards-Based Report Card (SBRC), and we want to highlight a few key pieces to help you better understand your child’s progress.

For a more detailed overview, you can view our Standards-Based Grading initiative on our district website.

What Standards-Based Grading Means (K–5)

Standards-Based Grading (SBG) is more than a new format—it's a clearer way to communicate what students know and can do. Instead of points or percentages, report cards now show progress toward specific grade-level standards, not just overall averages.

This shift helps families see:

What skills their child has mastered
Where they are progressing
Where they may need more support

As shared in our 7-week family series on standards-based grading, this shift in practice is not simply a new way to give grades—it focuses on learning goals and growth, not just scores.

Here’s what you’ll see on your child’s report card:

Proficiency Indicators Used in All Grades (K–5) - proficiency indicators give insight into academic performance
- 1 - Limited progress
- 2 – Progressing
- 2+ – Significant progress
- 3 – Meeting the standard consistently
- 4 – Exceeding the standard consistently
Learning-Related Behaviors (LRBs) - LRBs give families insight into work habits and learning behaviors that support academic success:
- NI – Needs Improvement
- P – Progressing
- DC – Demonstrates Consistently
Special Areas & Support Services - Art, Music, Physical Education, and Design Lab all follow the same standards-based structure.
Students receiving additional supports - Students who receive special education, reading support, or math support also receive an additional progress report from their case manager or specialist.

Stay Connected With Your Child’s Progress

Families can follow student progress throughout the trimester—not only when report cards go home. Parent Portal allows you to view assignments tied to the standards being taught and assessed. Setting up notifications can help you monitor growth in real time.

If you have questions after reviewing your child’s report card, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to continued growth throughout the school year.

BAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT!

CALLING ALL HOLIDAY BAKERS! The PTO Hospitality Committee will show appreciation to our extra sweet teachers and staff with a holiday hot chocolate and cookie bar on Thursday, December 18th. We are seeking donations of homemade/ home-baked cookies. If you'd like to contribute your baking abilities, we'd love to share your cookies with the teachers and staff.

Cookies will be dropped off to the office on 12/17 or the morning of 12/18 by 9:00 am. Please use disposable containers. Please review the available slots here and click on the button to sign up. Reach out to sallykilleen421@gmail.com or jillpodhiny@gmail.com with questions.

2025-2026 Yearbook: On sale now

Want one less thing on your to-do list in May? Order your yearbook early and save 10%—but hurry, the discount ends October 31st!

Click here to purchase [web.treering.com ]

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!

Volunteer Clearances - Get a Jump Start!

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.

Volunteer Clearances on the WCASD Website

Planning a Vacation?

If you are planning a family trip, please complete the Trip Approval Form to notify the Main Office and gain approval for your trip. The Vacation Request Form will also always be available on our Fern Hill Website under the "For Parents" section.

Trip Approval Form