The Bobcat Beat
February 4, 2021
As we move into the month of February, we will celebrate Black History Month. To be clear, we believe that Black History is American History and should be taught year round. We are taking this month as an opportunity to dig deeper to highlight contributions, struggles, social justice movements, and achievements made by Black Americans. Additionally, the school staff is creating engaging, (some) interactive displays throughout the school for our students to enjoy. Cyber students will be invited to visit on a Wednesday later in February or early March to walk through the hallways if they are interested in doing so.
Here are some helpful videos for students, if you are interested in sharing with your child(ren).
- Let’s Talk About Race by Vera Ahiyya @ the Tutu Teacher
- Celebrating Black History Playlist with Netflix Jr.
- The History of African American Social Dance by Camille A. Brown
- The Hidden Life of Rosa Parks by Riché D. Richardson
Check out these good reads:
Hidden Figures, Benjamin Banneker, Fifty Cents and a Dream, Freedom Summer, I Love My Hair, The Youngest Marcher, Peaceful Fights for Equal Rights, I Am Enough, Hair Love, A Taste of Colored Water - Just to name a few.
Thank you to Mrs. Harrington, Mrs. Melcher, and Mrs. Mulherin for their help with helping to decorate the cafeteria and bulletin boards near the cafeteria for our students (see below).
Return of Current Hybrid Students
As you know, our MTSS team (Multi-Tiered System of Support), along with teachers, have been recommending students to return to school four days. Multiple factors were reviewed and considered prior to recommending students (assessment data, attendance concerns, math/reading concerns, social/emotional/mental health concerns, etc).
Many might say their student is experiencing some of the factors looked at and question why they have not been recommended. We definitely understand that the Pandemic has been difficult for everyone. However, those students recommended have been the neediest and raised grave concern to teachers and the team. Our goal is to bring back as many of our students that we can while still abiding by the Chester County Health Department's recommendation of six feet of social distancing. Some of our classes are larger than others, so the number of students we were able to bring back into schools varies by class.
Morning Drop Off Reminders
Please pull up to the first teacher who is assisting with morning drop off. Do not drop your child off while you are waiting in line. He/she cannot be seen by the adults in charge as they walk next to the buildings and pass cars that are moving.
· Please wait until you pull up all the way and a signal is given for your child to exit the car.
· Students are to exit on the right hand side of the car
· Students have masks on and are ready to exit the car
· Parents remain in car unless your child cannot exit the car independently
· Please wait for the car in front of you pull away do not drive around it
Thank you for keeping all of our students safe!
FHE Super Bowl of Reading
We are hoping that you are staying safe and healthy. Since the Super Bowl will be over on Sunday, the real SOUPER Bowl will be starting! We wanted to inform you that starting February 9th we will be collecting cans, food, and monetary donations for the Chester County Food Bank. We will be collecting until February 23rd.
The class that collects the most cans in grades K-2 and grades 3-5 will receive extra recess! Throughout the process we will have progress updates throughout and a bulletin board that students can check to see which classroom is in the lead.
Please consider sending cans in with your child. We would love to give the Chester County Food Bank a large donation from our Fern Hill bobcat family! You can use the QR code (below) to make a direct donation!
Schedule for Week of February 8th
Monday & Tuesday: Cohort A in school, Cohort B remote, 4/5 day students in school
Wednesday: All students remote, 5 day students in school
Thursday & Friday: Cohort B in school, Cohort A remote, 4/5 day students in school
Calendar
Coulter's Counseling Corner
iPad Update - Please Install!
Reminder from the Nurse
Please remember to notify the teacher and the school nurse if your child has a positive Covid test or has a direct exposure to a person testing positive for Covid, even if it occurs during remote learning. You can email Wendy McGregor, RN at wmcgregor@wcasd.net. We greatly appreciate everyone in our community following the safety protocols and keeping each other safe during this time.
COVID-19 Checklist: Thank you for taking the time to complete the COVID-19 checklist each morning. Please be sure to reach out to Fern Hill's school nurse, Mrs. Wendy McGregor (wmcgregor@wcasd.net) if you have any questions. Also, please notify Mrs. McGregor if anyone in the household is not feeling well, has been exposed or has tested positive for the virus.
YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED
Reminder: Sign up for the FHE Yearbook 2020-2021: Hardcover $21 but you can set up an account and not order a book and just share your "School Day" Pictures.
School Passcode: 1015983535492295
Upload 1st Day(Virtual/Cyber/Hybrid) homeschool, Halloween Costume-Party-Drive By Parade, Holiday Party, and SNOW Day pictures to help with our yearbook memory pages.
PLEASE SNAP A FUN PIX OF YOUR STRONG BOBCAT and upload that to our Bobcat Strong Folder!
Upcoming Events
WCASD Counseling and Mental Health Professionals Service Guide
We recognize that our students at home may feel isolated. Please know that one of our main goals is to help your children feel connected to their teacher, classroom and Fern Hill! Our district has a Counseling and Mental Health Professionals Service Guide to provide supports and resources if your child is having a difficult time through all of this. This guide provides Counselor and Mental Health Professionals' contact information, services, important forms, and additional resources for parents of students Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Request for assistance - remote and cyber students
In an effort to provide additional support for students and parents during remote learning, the district has created a “Request for Academic Assistance” form for each of the WCASD schools. Students, parents and faculty may complete a form on behalf of a student who is struggling with attendance, work completion or social/emotional learning. This form will be reviewed by a member of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports Team (MTSS) to determine the available resources that can be provided. While the form is available, we still recommend reaching out directly to your child's teacher to discuss any concerns.