November 21, 2025
Weekly Recap & Conference Week Reminders
Thank you, Bobcat community, for the incredible kindness you showed throughout our Holiday Food Drive. Your generosity ensures that Fern Hill families experiencing food scarcity will enjoy a warm holiday meal this Thanksgiving and into the winter season. We are grateful for a community that always shows up for one another.
📅 Next week brings Conference Week, and we’re looking forward to connecting with you. Please keep our modified schedule in mind:
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Monday, 11/24 – Half day for students
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Tuesday, 11/25 – Half day for students
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Wednesday, 11/26 – No school for students
Our team is excited to meet with families, celebrate students’ progress and growth, and partner together for the months ahead. 🌟
While you’re in the building for conferences,
- 📚 Don’t forget to stop by the Book Fair, which will be open throughout the week. Purchasing an extra book is a great way to support your reader and our FHE Library.
- 🧥 We also encourage families to check the Lost and Found—our collection of sweaters, water bottles, and jackets is growing quickly.
- 🎄 And finally, we’re happy to share that our Giving Tree will be up during conferences. Families who wish to support a Fern Hill student in need this winter may take a tag and help ensure every child experiences a meaningful and joyful season. 💙
Upcoming Dates
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
November Conferences - It's Not Too Late!
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,
Go to https://ptcfast.com/schools/Fern_Hill_Elementary_School
Please check the box for your child's homeroom teacher. Families with multiple children will have to do the process individually for each child.
Enter your registration information.
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.
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!
Fern Hill's Guest Artist Day & Art Market!
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!
2025 Fall Conference Teacher Luncheon
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:
Fern Hill Book Fair
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.
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!
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.
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