Ferndale Schools

Join FECC in our digital Reading Room for storytime! In the reading room, click on any of the book titles to watch and listen to some of our favorite storybooks illustrating Black history, culture, and experience.

In recognition of Black History Month, Ferndale Upper Elementary has updated their "Focus Walls" with some illustrations and plaques recognizing icons of black culture. Their theme this year is "We Believe in Excellence: Portraits of Black Excellence & Joy". The display is anchored in FUEL's main hallway and includes hands, a heart, our theme, and digital portraits with descriptions created by Jen Beaudoin. Featured Black figures include Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman; Social Media Educator & Influencer Alexis Nikole; and several other athletes, artists, astronauts and immunologists.

Mrs. Beaudoin is a FUEL Language Arts Teaching Assistant, a Ferndale parent, and a local artist. You can view more of Jen's printing and fiber arts through her Needle & Knife Studio Etsy or at her instagram page: NeedleAndKnifeStudio

FHS Bands and Orchestras participating this past weekend in the District 4 Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association Solo and Ensemble Festival. Ferndale students participated in 37 event performances—about 1/3 soloists and 2/3 small ensembles—at the event in Royal Oak. Of those 37 events, 20 earned a 1 (Superior) rating, 13 earned a 2 (Excellent) rating, and 3 earned a 3 (Good) rating. All three levels of rating represent a solid level of success and musicality, a result of commitment and hard work, mostly (sometimes entirely) all on their own, without direct support from the music staff.

These students represent a large majority of the high school students in band and orchestra classes, and this year was the first year since 2019 that Solo/Ensemble went entirely as planned and in-person. Ferndale Schools Director of Bands Elon Jamison said, "Lyd [de Leeuw, Orchestra Teacher] and I are VERY proud of their hard work, representing their school and community with distinction!"

February is Black History Month, but we support Black History education and our Black community everyday. Please visit our resource page at FerndaleSchools.org/BHM to find some great ways to show your support and educate yourself. Special activities are going on in our schools this month to honor the legacy of a beautiful culture that has blossomed out of such tragic beginnings.

It's important to remember that Black History month is more than just a highlight reel of Black accomplishments and Black tragedies. As President Obama said in 2016, "We know that this should be more than just a commemoration of particular events. It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future."

We are pleased to present two distinguished new team members who are joining our district administration, as well as two familiar faces who are bringing their expertise to new positions. Please join me in welcoming them to the Ferndale Family!

From left to right: Terri Faison–Director of Human Resources, Robert Tolbert–Director of School Community Relations & Pupil Accounting, Dawn Huntley–Director of Finance, Jamie Stottlemyer–Assistant Superintendent of Operations.

Bios are linked below.

Lower Elementary music teachers Meagan Grammatico and Charissa Duncanson presented this past weekend at the Michigan Music Conference! Charissa led an engaging and fun session all about movement and mindfulness. She taught other music educators different movement activities to bring back to their classrooms.

Meagan was a part of a panel with two other music therapists called “Ask a Music Therapist.” She gave other music educators ideas on accommodations and modifications for students of all different abilities and talked about strategies to incorporate social emotional learning into the elementary music classroom. Next year, they plan to present together!

On Monday, January 23rd, the Board of Education approved the following School of Choice Enrollment windows:

April 1st–April 30th—Oakland County School of Choice

• K: 20 students
• 3rd: 10 students
• 6th: 15 students
• 7th: 15 students
• 8th: 15 students
• FHS 9th: unlimited
• FHS 10th: unlimited

March 10th–September 1st—Oakland, Wayne, Macomb County School of Choice

• UHS 9th-12th: unlimited

Early applications cannot be accepted and will need to be resubmitted during the open enrollment period, in compliance with Michigan State Law.

Ferndale Schools is currently seeking supportive teammates in several positions, including Substitute Teachers, Special Education staff, High School and Early Childhood Teachers, and an Accountant. If you or someone you know is interested in supporting your local community as a part of the Ferndale Family, applications can be submitted through Applitrack.

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To learn more about joining the Ferndale Family as an employee, browse our Employment page to discover the benefits we offer and read testimonials from parents and teachers.

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