January 9, 2026
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Fern Hill families! 🎉 We were excited to welcome our Bobcats back for our first week of school in 2026. This week focused on resetting expectations and routines, with an emphasis on PAWS behavior across all areas of our school. We wrapped up the week with a schoolwide assembly to review expectations and launch January’s Golden Bobcat Buck Challenge—where one golden bobcat buck is awarded each day to recognize outstanding PAWS behavior. Golden Bobcat winners will be announced to our community each Friday, and we can’t wait to see our Bobcats continue to shine as we kick off 2026 together!
There’s lots of new content in this edition of the Bobcat Beat, including opportunities for our 4th and 5th graders such as Math Club, the winter session of After School Sports, and the 4th-5th grade Track Meet save-the-date. Also included is information about our upcoming Unity Week, taking place January 20–26. We have so much fun and meaningful learning ahead this year, and we’re looking forward to sharing it all with you as we continue our work together in 2026! 🐾✨
Upcoming Dates
Jan 16 - Half Day for Students; Dismissal at 12:10pm
Jan 19 - Schools Closed
Jan 30 - PTO Bingo Night
Congratulations Green Bus (#55)!
Green Bus (55) is our "Bus of the Month!" They have exceeded expectations while waiting in the Bus Room and have earned themselves a Glow in the Dark party! We can't wait to see what bus earns our next "Bus of the Month" title!
Fern Hill Math Club (Grades 4-5)
Fern Hill Math Club is back for 4th and 5th graders! This year, students will use math, problem-solving, and STEM tools to tackle real-world challenges connected to the Do Your Bit Global Goals. Math Club meets Monday mornings from late January through May, where students will collaborate, design solutions, and apply math in meaningful, hands-on ways. Space is limited—fill out the Google form to sign up and join the adventure!
After School Sports (Grades 4-5)
After School Sports, for 4th and 5th graders, will begin on Monday, January 22nd and will continue through Thursday, March 26th. Girls will meet on Mondays and boys will meet on Thursdays. Please note: we will not meet on holidays, early dismissals, half days, or snow days. Each session will hold 35 students. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Please know, that if your child was not part of our fall session, they will have priority for this session. Click here for more information and to register!
Unity Week: January 20-26
We are excited to share that our district schools will be planning and facilitating a Unity Day this school year, with the purpose of fostering a culture of kindness, acceptance, belonging, and inclusion. While all schools are united by this shared purpose, each school will design a Unity Day in a way that reflects its unique and valuable community members and voices.
Here at Fern Hill, we recognize the many ways in which our students and staff already foster a sense of belonging — through acts of kindness for classmates each day, a strong focus on building positive relationships amongst all students and staff, and instruction that not only recognizes, but prioritizes, students' identity and social-emotional development. Our Unity Day, then, will amplify our existing culture and community by considering: In what ways can our students and staff continue acting as champions of unity and inclusion?
Planned by our Fifth-Grade, Bobcat Equity Team, Fern Hill will turn to champion, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in a Unity Week! Throughout the week of MLK Day (Tuesday, 1/20-Monday, 1/26), our students and staff will learn about the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and act upon this learning to enact King's vision in our very own building. Each day's learning is outlined below as well as in the attached flyer.
Tuesday, 1/20: Start by being kind to ourselves! Wear green to show support for mental health awareness.
Wednesday, 1/21: Celebrate the unique qualities that make every student an important part of our school. Classes complete the prompt: “I belong at our school because…”
Thursday, 1/22: Buddy classes pair up to read a picture book about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students create a ‘link’ of a paper chain, including how they will promote unity at FHE and beyond.
Friday, 1/23: Students act on their unity ‘links’ by participating in a schoolwide Kindness Challenge. Each student aims to complete 3–5 acts of kindness during the day, like holding the door or including someone.
Monday, 1/26: Students and staff visit the Bobcat Equity Team’s Unity Resource Table, where buddy classes’ unity chains will be displayed, alongside student-created infographics about current community issues and ways to help.
We look forward to coming together as a community — as we do each and every week.
BINGO Sales are live!
Join us for Fern Hill’s annual BINGO night Friday, January 30 at 5:45. This fun, high energy, family night will help kick your Winter blues to the curb! Click here to purchase tickets.
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