February 6, 2026
We're 100 Days In!
What a fun and full week we had! We wrapped things up on Friday by celebrating the 100th Day of School—a milestone filled with excitement, reflection, and lots of smiles across classrooms. It was wonderful to see students enjoying the celebration while also recognizing how much learning has already taken place this year.
On Wednesday, our staff spent the day engaged in professional learning, digging into patterns in our school data to better understand what’s working well and where we can continue to grow. This work directly supports our student benefit statement:
- Students experience learning that makes sense across classrooms and grades, where they clearly understand what they are learning, why it matters, and how to show mastery.
Looking Ahead 👀
We’re excited to return to a five-day school week next week and keep the momentum going! On Friday, February 13, classrooms will enjoy Valentine’s Day celebrations, and our 5th graders will take part in the annual Valentine’s Day Dance Party, a much-loved tradition and highlight of their final year in elementary school.
Please also consider volunteering for our Heritage Day in May to share about different cultures to expand our learners' perspectives. More details and the link to volunteer is below!
Upcoming Dates
Feb 2 - 13 - To Love a Canine School-Wide Service Project
Feb 13 - 5th Grade Valentine's Dance Party
Mar 2 - 6 - Read Across America Spirit Week
Feb 16 - Schools Closed
March 18-19 - Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
- No School for Elementary Learners
March 20 - Schools Closed K-12
Heritage Day - May 28 -- Volunteer Now!
Literacy Mid-Year Assessment: Reports Sent Home 2/6!
On February 6, your child brought home their Acadience reading benchmark assessment report. This assessment is administered at the beginning, middle, and end of year to monitor students’ reading progress.
Please keep in mind that these are a few data points, and just part of the broader picture we use to understand and support your child’s learning throughout the year. A letter is also included in your child’s packet that further outlines the purpose of the Acadience assessment and how this information helps guide your child’s teacher team in personalizing instruction and setting learning goals.
Our homeroom teachers or specialists will connect with families directly if these assessments will result in any adjustments to a child’s instructional plan.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we build on the progress made during the first half of the school year!
Spring Conferences
Spring parent-teacher conferences will take place on March 18–19. Please note that the schedule differs slightly from our fall conferences, and we want to be sure families have the correct dates reflected on the district calendar.
- There will be no school for elementary students on March 18–19 for conferences
- There is no school for all K-12 students on March 20 for Eid Al-Fitr
While the format is a bit different, our conference schedule still provides ample time for teachers to connect with all families. The Spring Parent-Teacher Conference sign-up will be shared on February 20, and families may choose to meet in person or virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Fifth-grade families will also receive a letter outlining your child’s 6th-grade core academic placements prior to conferences so you have that information in advance of your meeting.
We look forward to meaningful conversations as we partner together to support each student’s growth.
5th to 6th Grade Transition Reminders
Our 5th graders just finished their Fugett Field Trip and it is time for us to begin thinking and acting on the 5th to 6th grade transition to ensure a smooth experience for your child and family. While they will always be bobcats in our eyes, they are soon to be Fugett Cougars, so we want to be sure you have all the information you need regarding the course selection process, parent information session, and more.
Dates to Know:
February 11 - Middle School 101 - Register here for the virtual information night hosted by middle school principals to provide insights into the middle school experience on February 11 at 6:30 via Teams.
February 13 - Music Course Selection Due!
February 19 - Families receive district letter with their child's core academic placements and music course selection
March 18-19 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
May 6 - Parent Information Night hosted by Fugett Middle School
Please reach out to your child's teacher or I if you have questions throughout the transition process.
In the meantime, we look forward to enjoying every minute we have left with your child!
BINGO Thank you!
Thank you for the awesome turn out to our annual BINGO event! We hope you and our Bobcats had a fun-filled evening. Thank you to all who helped make this event a success; and a special thank you to our planning team Jess June and Laura Davis for making it happen!
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
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