Fernbrook Elementary School PTO
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Welcome Back, Fernbrook Families!
We wanted to express our gratitude to our teachers, staff, and administrators for their efforts in making our student's first day of school experience nothing but amazing. It's hard to believe that we've already started another school year... only 287 more left to go until summer vacation comes again (But who is counting anyways?)
Throughout this school year, the Fernbrook PTO is here to support the entire Fernbrook community. We hope that you will join us, whether as a member, helping us with an event, or both. Information about all upcoming PTO events, activities and fundraisers will be included in our biweekly PTO Newsletter, sent out on Wednesday evenings.
Thank you in advance for your support during the 2024-2025 school year!
Join Us at Back to School Night!
This year, the Fernbrook School PTO will be hosting its first PTO Meeting (in-person) before Back to School Night.
- Wednesday, September 4, 2024 (Grades K-2) | 6:30 PM | Fernbrook Gym
- Thursday, September 5, 2025 (Grades 3-4) | 6:30 PM | Fernbrook Gym
- Thursday, September 5, 2025 (Grade 5) | 6:30 PM | Fernbrook Collaboration Lab (Former Computer Lab)
Why join the Fernbrook School PTO?
For just $20, your Annual PTO Family Membership fee (during the academic school year) goes directly to fund student learning opportunities/ programs for all of Fernbrook, as well as to contribute to school improvement projects.
Becoming a PTO member does not require participation on a committee or require you to volunteer for any events or activities. Your financial support will assist us with all the fun programs and activities for the 2024-2025 school year.
For any questions, please email the Membership Committee at: membership@fernbrookpto.org
The Fernbrook School PTO is holding a Fall Mum and Plant Sale.
Raised locally at Riverside Greenhouses, these 9" potted mums will flower all through October and will reach at least 18" wide. We will also be offering 8" Cabbage/Kale plants as well to provide a variety to your fall decor.
The deadline to submit your order is September 10, 2024.
Questions? Reach out to the Mums Fundraiser Committee at: mumfundraiser@fernbrookpto.org and they will be happy to assist you!
Room Parent Interest Information
Room Parents serve an integral role in helping organize classroom celebrations (in-Person for the Halloween Party (on October 31, 2024), the Holiday Party (on December 18, 2024) and supplies sent to school for Valentine's Day), liaise between the PTO and parents for class oriented projects (i.e. Teacher Appreciation Week), and help nurture the wonderful community that exists at Fernbrook.
Each class will have two (2) Room Parents. If you are interested please complete the Room Parent Interest Form with your information no later than September 10, 2024.
Any questions, please email the Room Parent Committee (Kelly Senn & Brittany Bassett) at: roomparents@fernbrookpto.org
Upcoming Event: Welcome Back Sundae Fun Day Event
We are excited to invite all Fernbrook families, teachers and staff members to our Welcome Back Sundae Fun Day (Ice Cream Social) event on Thursday, September 19, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on the Fernbrook blacktop. If there is inclement weather, the event will be held in the Fernbrook Gym. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, meet new families, and enjoy some delicious ice cream together.
Please note that this event is $2 per child- Fernbrook students and their siblings ($2.25 if paying by credit card). Please note that this is also not a drop off event and registration is required.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Any questions, please email the Fifth Grade Committee at: grade5committee@fernbrookpto.org
Birthday Book Club
Interested in making your child's birthday extra special this school year? Want to do something to benefit Fernbrook Elementary School? You're in luck! Sign your child up for the Birthday Book Club.
Questions? Email the Birthday Book Club Committee at: bdbookclub@fernbrookpto.org
Mabel's Labels
Mabel's Labels is a very popular brand of personalized peel and stick labels that safely go in the laundry, dishwasher and microwave. They are a reliable product that parents love and they’re perfect for all your kids’ stuff. From shoes and clothes to water bottles, sleeping bags, backpacks and more! Their large range of labels and tags suit a host of different needs, labels which are extremely durable and 100% guaranteed.
There’s even an option to buy the “Logo Label Pack" which has our Falcon school mascot, how cool is that?!
Order your Mabel's Labels, Today!
Become a Business Sponsor
Why Join the Fernbrook Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) as a business sponsor?
Your Business Sponsorship is designed to advertise your business to our school community and help raise money for the programs, events, and services the PTO organizes throughout the school year. Your assistance will help us with Cultural Arts Assemblies, Educational Materials and Large School Improvement projects, and so much more! Business Sponsorships are $250 for the year and can be applied to the General PTO fund or the Fifth Grade Committee.
Recent Fernbrook PTO Events Recap & Thank You's
New Student Scavenger Hunt:
Last week, the Scavenger Hunt Committee was able to coordinate this exciting event for new students and the incoming kindergarteners and their families. We had over 60 new families in attendance and Dr. Bernal and Mrs. Amin loved meeting everyone. In addition, if families were unable to join us, we have a Virtual Scavenger Hunt that families can view to learn more about their new school.
We would like to thank everyone who volunteered to help with this event, both live and virtual. This includes The Scavenger Hunt Committee: Lissa Alexander, Brittany Bassett and Nina Lifshey and all of our amazing Cub and Girl Scout Volunteers. Our PTO Volunteers: Melissa Issa, Dana Pineiro, Teri Fitzpatrick, Wendy Austudillo, Stephanie Levin, Marv Alexander and Nubia Gomez. And lastly, Dr. Bernal, Mrs. Amin, Ms. Moran, Mrs. Branch, Mr. Patel and Mr. Martinez, without all of you, this event would not have been as successful as it was!
A special thanks to all of the parents who came out to help the new Fernbrook students learn where everything is in our school!
Welcome Back Teacher/Staff Event:
Each year the PTO Welcomes Back our amazing teachers and staff members with a Luncheon to kick off the school year. This year, our PTO was able to secure a very generous donation from Wegmans in East Hanover, NJ. (If you are ever having a party or gathering and are in need of catering, you can’t beat Wegmans. The food is delicious, and their Catering team was so easy to work with!)
Thank you to the PTO members that coordinated this effort: Loren Darzano, Dana Pineiro, Samantha Skokandich, Brittany Bassett and Nina Lifshey. Additionally, we would also like to thank Ms. Moran, Mrs. Branch, Mr. Martinez, Mr. Patel, Dr. Bernal and Mrs. Amin with assisting us with luncheon event. We hope our amazing teachers and staff enjoyed the event!
Welcome Back Chalking Fun:
Thank you, thank you, thank you to our amazing Fernbrook parents for coming out the night before the first day of school to chalk the sidewalks and bring a big smile to our students and staff tomorrow. You are all so amazing! 💙
Thank you Marie Chahed, Mansi Patel, Carrie Salemi, Christina Jelly, Susan Phelps and an extra big thank you to Melissa Issa & Melissa Zimmerman for making it happen 🎉
Fernbrook School PTO Executive Board
Brittany Bassett | Co-President
Nina Lifshey | Co-President
Loren Darzano | Administrative Vice President
administrativevp@fernbrookpto.org
Dana Pineiro | Treasurer
Samantha Skokandich | Recording Secretary
recordingsecretary@fernbrookpto.org
Melissa Issa | Corresponding Secretary