November 7, 2025

As we head into the holiday season, we are holding our annual Holiday Food & Hygiene Drive to directly support Fern Hill families. With the halt to SNAP benefits this month, many households in our own community are feeling an increased strain. Coming together to provide food and hygiene baskets for Thanksgiving and winter break is one meaningful way we can care for one another during a season that can be challenging for many. Any contribution, big or small, truly makes a difference. See the graphic for what your child's grade level is donating -- donation bins throughout the halls are collecting goods until November 19.

Conference Sign-Ups Are Now Open!

We’re looking forward to connecting with families in November to share each child’s progress and goals. Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to partner with us.

We are also grateful to our families who are contributing to the Staff Appreciation Lunch held during conference week. Your support and kindness mean so much to our team.

Thank you for your continued care and generosity. Our Fern Hill community is stronger because of you.

Nov 11 - Veterans Day Assembly

Nov 24 - Student Half Day 12:10 Dismissal; Conferences 1-4pm

Nov 25 - Student Half Day 12:10 Dismissal; Conferences 1-4pm and 5-8pm

Nov 26 - No School for Students; Conference 8-11am

Nov 27-28 - No School for Students - Thanksgiving Break

We’re excited to share that sign-ups for caregiver-teacher conferences is now open!

Our team looks forward to connecting with you to strengthen our partnership through conversation and collaboration about your child’s growth and progress. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to celebrate learning and set goals together.

For families of students in grades 4–5, please note that with our new departmentalized model—where learners receive instruction from all grade-level teachers—you’ll schedule your conference with your child’s homeroom teacher. We’re especially excited that grades 4–5 will host student-led conferences this year to promote student ownership and collaboration in sharing their learning journey. Please be sure to choose a time when your 4th or 5th grader can attend with you.

To schedule your child's conference,

1. Go to https://ptcfast.com/schools/Fern_Hill_Elementary_School

2. Please check the box for your child's homeroom teacher. Families with multiple children will have to do the process individually for each child.

3. Enter your registration information.

4. Check your email (and spam folder) and click on the access link to select your conference time. If you would like to request a conference via zoom, type Zoom Conference in the Special Request box.

5. Click Confirm Selections & Exit. If you need to schedule a conference for another child, go back to https://ptcfast.com/schools/Fern_Hill_Elementary_School

Please contact your classroom teacher with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in the building soon!

Mrs. Jenkins is looking for artists and hobbyists to participate in Guest Artist Day and our very own Fern Hill Art Market! Being a professional artist is not required—anyone with a creative hobby is encouraged to join. We’re inviting individuals who enjoy artistic activities such as henna art, crocheting, photography, watercolor painting, and more to share their talents with our school community. If you or someone you know might be interested, please pass this information along and have them scan the QR code to fill out the interest form. Let’s celebrate the creativity that makes Fern Hill shine!

This week, we’re clearing up a common misconception about scores on the report card. A score of “4” does not mean a student got everything correct. Instead, a “4” indicates that the student is applying skills in more complex or advanced ways beyond the grade-level expectation. Most often, when a student consistently meets grade-level expectations, they earn a “3.”

A “3” is the goal. It shows your child is right where they should be. A “4” represents learning that goes deeper or more independently than what’s expected at the grade level.

As always, we are here to partner with you in supporting each child’s growth and progress. If you have questions about scoring or feedback, please reach out to your child’s teacher at any time.

Thank you to all who attended and our PTO Social committee who helped plan Fern Hill’s first adult social! We hope you enjoyed connecting with other Fern Hill families. Keep an eye out for future events this school year!

Our Fern Hill teachers and staff are quite busy at the upcoming fall conferences, so we want to keep their bellies full during the long days!

The Hospitality Committee is organizing a luncheon and snack cart forTuesday, 11/25. We greatly appreciate your support by donating drinks, dessert funding, and snacks.

Please see this Sign Up Genius for requests.

Thank you in advance for helping to feed our wonderful teachers and staff, they are very appreciative of this long standing Fern Hill tradition! Questions - reach out to sallykilleen421@gmail.com

Our Highland Orchards Thanksgiving sale is now open! We're selling fresh-baked pies and apple cider donuts at bakery prices with no mark-up. If we sell over 51 total items, Fern Hill PTO earns 20% of our total sales. It's a win-win!

Order online from now until Sunday, November 9th. No late orders or changes will be accepted after this, the bakery needs our order locked in.

Pick-up is Tuesday, November 25 (Fern Hill Elementary - half day for students)

Open to any friends, family, and neighbors if you can pick them up! For allergen information, please see Highland Orchards website.

Join Fern Hill PTO in spreading holiday cheer by donating items for the Thanksgiving and Winter food baskets for select Fern Hill families. Items will be collected from November 5 through the 19. Please see the flyer for grade specific items or click here to donate gift cards.

Soar with dragons and frolic with fairies at our upcoming book fair! Get a head start on books, games, and more at literati.com/store. Our online store is already active and runs through 11/26. Then join us at the Everglow Forest: November 17th-26th in Fern Hill’s Library for the in-person part! Students will have the opportunity to preview and shop during the school day. Families will have an opportunity to shop during conferences. Cash, check and digital gift cards are all accepted. If a family would like to participate in this activity and cannot due to financial means, please reach out to Lisa Baker, Fern Hill Caseworker at lbaker@wcasd.net by Monday November 17th.

We need volunteers!! Click here to sign-up to help with set-up, preview and shopping days!

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]

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!

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.

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.

• Fern Hill Website
• PTO Website
• Vacation Approval Request Form

• FHE: Kindergarten Lunch Duty
• FHE: 1st Grade Lunch Duty

Jennifer Southmayd

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