Ferndale Upper and Lower Elementary students will pair up with buddy classes for a morning of laps, games and school spirit hosted by the Ferndale Elementary PTA
FERNDALE, Mich. – Students from Ferndale Upper Elementary (FUEL) and Ferndale Lower Elementary (Lower) will come together Wednesday, Oct. 7, for the annual K-5 Walk-A-Thon and Field Day, a half-day celebration of movement, friendship and school pride hosted by the Ferndale Elementary PTA (FE PTA).
The event takes place at Ferndale Upper Elementary, 24220 Rosewood St. in Oak Park. Lower students will walk or ride buses to FUEL for the morning, where each Lower class is paired with a FUEL buddy class. The buddy classes spend the entire morning together, giving younger students a chance to learn from and connect with the older students they will one day join.
“Field Day is one of those mornings our students remember for years,” said Katharine Jeffrey, principal of Ferndale Upper Elementary. “Watching our upper elementary students guide and cheer on their younger buddies is exactly what our FUEL family is about. Our one word this year is ‘create,’ and on Oct. 7, we’re creating community.”
Field Day features physical activity stations and a snack, all run by volunteers. The Walk-A-Thon, FE PTA’s fall fundraiser, invites classes to complete as many laps as possible around a walking course while family and friends line the route to cheer them on.
Volunteers make the day possible. The PTA is looking for parents, guardians and community members to run activity stations, help serve snacks and support classes along the Walk-A-Thon course. Volunteer forms are due Wednesday, Sept. 30, and can be completed at ferndaleschools.org/forms/8271. Anyone interested in helping can also email the Ferndale Elementary PTA at ferndale.elem.pta@gmail.com.
Every student is encouraged to collect pledges, with a goal of $10 per student. Of that, $6 covers a spirit wear shirt students can wear on field trips and school spirit days, and the rest supports FE PTA programming for both schools. Every student will receive a shirt regardless of how much they raise, and the PTA is also providing shirts for all FUEL and FLower staff.
The morning wraps up with a picnic lunch before FLower students head back to their building. Students may bring a bag lunch or order one from Food Services.
“Our Lower Elementary students look forward to this day all fall,” said Ryan Smith, principal of Ferndale Lower Elementary. “It gives our youngest learners a chance to see what’s ahead at FUEL while having a great time with their buddy class.”
Event at a glance
What | K-5 Walk-A-Thon & Field Day |
When | Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, morning (half day) |
Where | Ferndale Upper Elementary, 24220 Rosewood St., Oak Park, MI 48237 |
Who | FUEL (grades 3-5 and Montessori) and FLower students, hosted by the Ferndale Elementary PTA |
Volunteer deadline | Wednesday, Sept. 30 — ferndaleschools.org/forms/8271 |
About Ferndale Public Schools
Founded in 1887, Ferndale Public Schools serves approximately 3,100 students from the communities of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township and portions of Hazel Park. The district provides a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, offering rigorous academics, innovative learning opportunities, award-winning arts and athletics, career and technical education, and comprehensive social-emotional supports. Recognized for its commitment to equity, inclusion and student-centered learning, Ferndale Public Schools empowers every student to discover their potential, achieve academic success and become engaged members of their communities.
To learn more about Ferndale Public Schools, visit the website. To stay up to date on district news, events and announcements, visit the News page.
Media contact
Brittany Mobley, Director of Communications
Ferndale Public Schools | brittany.mobley@ferndaleschools.org