Fernbank's Open House
Each July, Fernbank Elementary holds an Open House event the week before the new school year starts. During this program, families can find out who their child's new teacher will be, pick up information about bus routes + schedules, learn more about Fall After School Clubs, sign up for the DCSD meal plan, learn more about our parent volunteer opportunities (PTA, Foundation, and PAC), pick up preordered school supply packs, and visit their child's new classroom. Registration for Open House will open on Friday, July 17th. Families will be staggered in groups every 30 minutes from 9:30am-12:30pm. Check back here to reserve your spot!
Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 9:30am-1:00pm
Fernbank Elementary School
What to Expect at Open House
Step 1: Check In for Open House
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Enter through the front entrance of the school to check in with the Open House volunteer staff
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Pick up your map, which will direct you to the Cafeteria to start your Open House journey
Step 2: Make Your Way to the Cafeteria
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Learn more about our parent volunteer organizations at Fernbank (PTA, Fernbank Foundation, and PAC)
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Find out your child's homeroom teacher assignment
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Gather information about school bus routes or sign your child up as a walker or car rider. (Read more about transportation here.)
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Pick up information about the DCSD meal plan
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Purchase new 2026-2027 Fernwear to show your school spirit!
Step 3: Head to the Gym Next
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Pick up pre-ordered school supply packs and take them to your student's homeroom. If your student is unable to attend Open House, their preordered school supply pack will be delivered to their homeroom class prior to the first day of school.
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Learn more about this year's After School Club offerings
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Learn more about the PTA Garden (located behind the Gym) and how you can volunteer
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Add your name to the Fernbank Aftercare Program wait list (Note: Aftercare Pre-Registration closes Friday, July 17th. Learn more here.)
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Pick up information about outside aftercare programs
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Hear from Pack 6 Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts of America
Step 4: Then Meet Your Teacher!
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Visit your student's new classroom and meet their homeroom teacher
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Drop off any school supplies you picked up from the Gym or brought from home
Can't Attend Open House?
We've got you covered! Check out the resources below to help you get organized before the start of the new school year.
Join Fernbank PTA
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Join PTA for just $10/family for the year! Read more about what your PTA membership means for our Fernbank community.
Volunteer at Fernbank
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Sign up to volunteer at a Fernbank event or help with one of our many committees. Fernbank's PTA organizes school-wide community events throughout the year (ie. the Fall Picnic, Fun Run, Film at the Fern and the International Festival) and supports our teachers and staff through monthly appreciation events (ie. treat carts, salad luncheon, chili luncheon, and the cookie swap). The Fernbank Foundation fundraises throughout the year (ie. Fund the Fern, Rent the Rock, and the Annual Foundation Auction) to financially support our Fernbank community events and school-wide initiatives. These events are only made possible by our parent volunteers. Fill out our parent volunteer interest form and let us know how you would like to help!
Shop the Fernbank Store
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COMING SOON! Pre-order your 2026-2027 yearbook, purchase new Fernwear t-shirts/sweatshirts, pay your 5th grade dues, and more! Check back on Friday, July 17th for new Fernwear products.
School Supplies
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If you pre-ordered a school supply pack but are not able to attend Open House in person, our volunteers will deliver to your student's supply pack to their homeroom prior to the first day of school.
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Need to order school supplies? Find the grade level-specific supply lists here.
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The Smart Start Story Journal (Pre-K only) and Primary Story Journal (K-2nd) can be purchased through the Fernbank store here.
DCSD Meal Plan
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Register for the DCSD meal plan via SchoolCafe, or apply for free or reduced priced meals.
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Find DSCD school breakfast/lunch menus here
Bus Transportation
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Your child's teacher will attach a bus tag to their bookbag on the first day of school. The tag will indicate the color of your child's bus route as well as their closest bus stop. Again, the address written on your child's bus tag will indicate their closest bus stop, not their home address.
Other Transportation Notes
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Please notify your child's teacher on the first day of school (preferably through the SchoolStatus Connect app) how your child will typically get home. For example, "Michael will be in Aftercare Monday-Friday" or "Jessica will be a car rider Monday-Thursday and a bus rider on Fridays." If you are new to Fernbank, your child's homeroom teacher will add you to the SchoolStatus Connect app within the first day or two of school. If you do not yet have the app set up, you can email your child's teacher or send in a note with your child regarding their transportation plan.
After School Clubs
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Learn more about the After School Clubs being offered at Fernbank this Fall
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After School Club registration will take place online on Saturday, August 22nd at 9am. Please be sure to sign up for The FLASH newsletter for registration links and updates.
Thanks to our generous Community Investors, school agendas will be provided to the students in Grades 2-5!
