April 25, 2025

This week marked the completion of the Language Arts portion of our PSSA state testing. We’re so proud of our students in grades 3–5 for their focus and effort, and we’re equally grateful to all grade levels for their flexibility with adjusted specials schedules to help make testing run smoothly.

Looking ahead, students in grades 3–5 will continue testing next week with Math on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by Science for grade 5 on Thursday and Friday.

We also celebrated Autism Acceptance Spirit Week! Many of our classrooms had the opportunity to learn more about autism through visits from one of our incredible Autistic Support teachers—thank you for helping our school community grow in understanding and inclusion.

This past week also included two important evening presentations for families:

• Departmentalization in Grades 4–5 for the 2025–2026 school year

• Standards-Based Grading and Reporting for grades K–5 beginning next year

We appreciate the strong turnout and thoughtful questions! If you weren’t able to attend, recordings and slides are linked above for your reference.

And don’t forget—our Spring Concert featuring band, orchestra, and chorus is happening next Tuesday, 4/29 at Fugett Middle School. We can’t wait to celebrate our talented student musicians!

Finally, mark your calendar for May 12 in the Fern Hill Library!

• 6:00PM General PTO Meeting with special guest, Superintendent, Dr. Christopher
• He's looking forward to meeting with FHE caregivers!
• 7:00PM Departmentalization in Grades 4-5 for the 2025-2026 school year
• Join us to learn more about departmentalization for rising 4th and 5th graders next year where they will rotate classes and receive instruction from content experts!

Earlier this week, Dr. Missett, Director of Elementary Education, shared a letter with families regarding a shift to a standards-based grading and reporting system K-5.

Starting next school year, all grades (K-5) will use a Standards-Based Report Card (SBRC) which aligns with the PA State Standards. The SBRC focuses on the student’s knowledge and skills mastered at each grade level. Please keep in mind our students in grades K-2 have been assessed using standard-based grading since 2006 and almost all school districts in Chester County use a standards-based grading approach.

Dr. Sara Missett, Director of Elementary Education, shared with families of 3rd and 4th grade students that Fern Hill, Starkweather, and East Goshen will all participate in a departmentalized pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year. We hope our families of 3rd and 4th grade families will join us virtually on April 22 for an overview of departmentalization. If you're unable to make it on April 22, stay tuned for a site-based session at Fern Hill later this spring to provide more site-specific information regarding the 4th and 5th grade learner experience for next school year.

Join us on May 12 in the Fern Hill Library at 7pm for a presentation on the details and logistics of departmentalization in grades 4-5 for next school year.

After reviewing our space limitations at Fern Hill Elementary and reflecting on the overcrowding at our winter concert, we have decided to move our Spring Concert to a larger venue. This change will provide a more comfortable experience for our growing music programs and all the families coming to celebrate our students’ talents.

The Band, Orchestra, and Chorus Spring Concert will now take place at Fugett Middle School, offering more seating and a better overall experience. Additionally, this gives our young musicians the exciting opportunity to perform on the Fugett stage, helping them become familiar with their future school setting.

To help students prepare for this transition, we will hold a rehearsal at Fugett Middle School on Monday, April 28th, from 8:15–10:00 AM.

• Students should be dropped off at the Fugett Auditorium entrance at 8:15 AM.

• After rehearsal, students will be bused back to Fern Hill at 10:00 AM.

• On the evening of the concert, students should arrive at Fugett by 6:30 PM via the auditorium entrance to ensure they are ready to perform.

Check one thing off your end of school-year to-do list and purchase your 2024-2025 Fern Hill yearbook and design your custom page now. It’s never too early, but soon it may be too late! The deadline to customize your pages is April 30! Click HERE [treering.com]to order. If your student/family would like to purchase a yearbook and are experiencing financial difficulties please reach out to Lisa Baker, Home and School Visitor at lbaker@wcasd.net.

If you purchased Hersherypark tickets by the first deadline, April 4, and have not yet received them, please check your emails and Spam dated April 11 and 12. We’ve learned that some of the ticket emails were marked as spam.

Mark your calendars and join Fern Hill’s PTO and Dr. Christopher for our last public meeting this school year, Monday, May 12 at 6:00 PM in the Library. Childcare will be available at the school during the meeting for those that may need it.

Are you interested in being more involved with PTO next year? Join us on the board! Take a look at open roles, the descriptions, and add your name where you can help. No experience is necessary. If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Kazanjian at meghankaz@gmail.com.

Join us Saturday, May 31, from 12:00 - 3:00 PM on the Fern Hill Playground/Blacktop before we break for summer for ONE more great family event! In lieu of the Spring Carnival, the PTO is creating a fun-filled day with FREE activities for the kids and some items to purchase. More details are coming soon, but keep that date penciled in! (Rain Date: Sat. June 7)

We are also looking for some extra business sponsors to help support the entertainment at this event. If your family business is interested, please e-mail Heidi.Mulherin@gmail.com. Thank you!

Kindergarten lunch is in need of parent volunteers!. This is a great volunteer opportunity to be a part of the school day and help make the lunch experience smoother for all. Responsibilities include teaching students to open their packages independently, supporting cafeteria clean-up, and helping students remain seated by distributing utensils, napkins, etc.

*You must have your volunteer clearances on file with the front office prior to volunteering. For additional information and to sign up, click here.

Have a student that is graduating and you want to acknowledge them in a unique way? Consider ordering a yard sign! Signs are 18x24 and come with a stake. Single-sided are $17.99, double-sided are $23.99. A proof will be sent before printing and signs can be delivered to school, picked up, or delivered to your home. Banners and other items are available on request. Use this link to order.

Fourth grade families, your child will be receiving a t-shirt to wear to the upcoming track meet as a gift from PTO. Please click the HERE to submit your child's size. Keep in mind that they will be wearing it again next year, so you may want to size up. If you have any questions, please contact Meghan Kazanjian at meghankaz@gmail.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. 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.

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