Student Involvement Opportunities

  • There are many programs and extracurricular activities for your child to participate in at Fern Hill Elementary School. Please see some opportunities below and their contact information. Dr. Soutmayd will share new programs and open enrollment windows through the weekly Bobcat Beat.

    Some activities require an Activity Fee for participation. Please view the West Chester Area School District's Activity Fee website for all information and links to submit payment. 

    Chorus

    Calling all fourth and fifth grade students who are interested in a singing group! Mrs. Gruber (jgruber@wcasd.net) facilitates the choral program and would love the opportunity to work with your child and introduce them to chorus and a chance to sing with their peers. 

    • Participation in chorus does require an activity fee. 
    • Open to all fourth and fifth grade students
    • Rehearsals are held once a week before school.
    • Fourth and fifth grade chorus members perform in a Winter and Spring concert. 

    Band

    Fourth and fifth grade students are invited to join the fun, dedicated group of hard-working musicians! Band dirrector, Ms. Letherland (lletherland@wcasd.net) helps musicians of all skill sets learn to play at the beginner and intermediate level. They play a range of music from marches to current hits and there truly is an instrument for every student! There is also a district Honors Band group that students can audition for to perform with a group of musicians across the district. 

    • Participation in band does require an activity fee. 
    • Open to all fourth and fifth grade students.
    • Rehearsals are held once a week before school.
    • Fourth and fifth grade band members perform a Winter and Spring concert. 
    • Students receive a weekly small group lesson during the school day.

    Orchestra

    Third through fifth grade students are invited to pick up an instrument and join the orchestra! Orchestra director, Mr. Nixon (cnixon@wcasd.net) helps musicians of all skill sets learn to play at the beginner and intermediate level and find an instrument they enjoy. There is also a district Honors Orchestragroup that students can audition for to perform with a group of musicians across the district. 

    • Participation in the orchestra does require an activity fee. 
    • Open to all third through fifth grade students.
    • Rehearsals are held once a week before school.
    • Fourth and Fifth grade orchestra members perform a Winter and Spring concert while third grade members hold a Beginner Strings Concert in the Spring. 
    • Students receive a weekly small group lesson during the school day.

    After School Sports

    Fourth and fifth grade students are invited to participate in after-school sports to stay active and socially engage in play with peers! Mr. Tull (ctull@wcasd.net) facilitates the program and offers sessions for girls and boys that is responsive to their interests. Typically, each session runs approximately 6-8 weeks.  

    • Participation in after-school sports does require an activity fee. 
    • Open to all fourth and fifth grade students.

    Additional Student Opportunities

    • Safety Patrol is open to all fifth grade students who apply. Mrs. Dean (sdean@wcasd.net) facilitates the Safety Program. All participation is during the school day and is intended to provide fifth grade students with leadership opportunities to mentor younger students and model positive behavior in working and playing safely during arrival and dismissal.
    • Student Council is open to all fifth grade students who apply. Dr. Winfield (cwinfield@wcasd.net) facilitates the Student Council which aims to support students in developing leadership skills related to showing respect, acting responsibly, and practicing kindness. 
    • Kindness Crew is open to all fourth and fifth grade students who apply. Mrs. Heckenberger (aheckenberger@wcasd.net) and Mrs. Stefano (astefano@wcasd.net) facilitate the program to provide a leadership opportunity for students in practicing kindness and spreading their kindness throughout our building and local community.