For Families

PDF DocumentStudent Code of Conduct

PDF Document2018 Resource Guide - Oakland Schools — This comprehensive resource guide contains a directory of support programs and agencies available to all ages and all needs.

Google Account

All Ferndale School students have google accounts. Using a Single Sign-On process, students can access most learning resources by clicking Sign On Using Google buttons where available and entering student account info.

Students' Google/Network Login Information can be found on the MISTAR Student Profile page (you must search for student first) under the Network Login section. This is where you can locate students' email addresses and associated password.

Parents also have access to view this information on the MISTAR Parent Portal, under Network Login.

MISTAR & Communications

If you are not receiving communications from Remind via either email, phone, or text, you may need to update your contact information in MISTAR. To do this, or to use MISTAR for anything else, access your account through the MISTAR Student Connect Portal or MISTAR Parent Portal.

This section aims to provide parents with support in navigating the two main learning platforms being used in Ferndale Schools (grades 6-12) during this virtual school year: Google Classroom and Canvas.

As always, student grades from assignments, tests and quizzes are posted in MiStar. You may ask yourself , “I see my student has a missing assignment in MISTAR, but where do I find it?”

Step 1: Ask your student

Step 2: Check the provided guidance

Step 3: Ask your teacher through remind/email
Remind Help »

Google Classroom:

Below you see an example of a google classroom homepage. We are focusing our attention on the top of the homepage. When you open up google classroom you are immediately sent to the classroom's Stream. This is where teachers may post messages, home pages, assignments, and links to other material. In order to find a specific assignment that may be missing in MiStar, you want to select Classwork from this top navigation menu.

Once you have clicked on Classwork, all of the assignments that have been posted in that google classroom should be posted below, along with the Due date.  Submitted items will also Submitted On date in place of the Due date. Colorful icons mean work is not submitted, while grayed-out icons mean that assignment has already been submitted.

Canvas:

Student Introduction Video

Canvas is another learning platform that you may look to find your student’s assignment. Below you will find an example of a student’s home page for a Canvas classroom. In Canvas, there are multiple ways to find the work your student needs to complete. There is the “To Do” section in the right margin when on the Home tab which shows classwork that a student has not yet completed for the current course.

There is also the assignments page that will show all of the students' assignments in that particular class. The assignments page shows both assignments that have been completed and assignments that have not been completed.

Remind

Remind is a communication tool that enables Ferndale Schools administrators and teachers to connect with each other and with students and families in an automated and real-time manner. Remind uses email, text, and telephone calls to help us communicate with individuals or groups quickly and safely.

You can also adjust your notification settings to receive communications in the ways that you prefer. After setting up your Remind account, you can choose to receive messages via:

  • email
  • text
  • automated phone calls

Ferndale parents are automatically added to Ferndale’s Remind, with your students’ names and buildings attached to your profile. This ensures that parents receive messages related to all students in your household. All you have to do is log onto the Remind website and create your account using the email address Ferndale has on file for you, or Get the Remind App.

Please note that your contact information is loaded into Remind based on what we have on file in the MISTAR system for you. If you need to change your phone or email address, log in to the MISTAR Parent Portal and click My Information in the upper right corner of the screen to review and update your information. Updates in MISTAR will take up to 24 hours to reflect in Remind.

Learn more about Remind and Get Help

Please update your phone number and email address in Parent Portal. Parent Portal syncs with Remind, and this will ensure the school district has your most up-to-date contact information on record. If you just update in Remind, the district will not have your updated information. Please note it may take up to 24 hours for your information to be updated in Remind.

Step One

Login to Parent Portal

Step Two

click the “My Information” link in the top, right corner.

Step Three

select the parent/guardian you wish to modify, click the "Edit" button on the far right side.

Step Four

Modify contact information and directory preferences and then hit the “submit” button in the top, left corner.

DISCLOSURE OF IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION

Immunizations are an important part of keeping our children healthy. Schools and State and Local health departments must monitor immunization levels to ensure that all communities are protected from potentially life-threatening diseases and, if necessary, respond promptly to an emerging public health threat. It is important that disease threats be minimized through the monitoring of students being immunized.

Sharing immunization and personally identifiable information including the students name, Date of Birth, gender, and address with local and state health departments will help to keep your child safe from vaccine preventable diseases. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, requires written parental consent before personally identifiable information from your child’s education records is disclosed to the health department. If your child is 18 or over, he or she is an “eligible student” and must provide consent for disclosures of information from his or her education records. You may withdraw your consent to share this information in writing at any time.

College & Career Resources

College/Career Search

  • Career Cruising - Career Cruising is a self-exploration and planning program that helps people of all ages achieve their potential in school, career and life.
  • Big Future.org - Big Future by the College Board gives students free, comprehensive college planning resources. Students can make college plans, compare schools, access scholarships, and much more.
  • Chegg - Search free scholarships, browse course reviews, get 24/7 study help and rent textbooks for a fraction of the cost of your bookstore - all in one big education-redefining student hub.
  • College Score Card - The College Scorecard is an online tool, created by the United States government, for consumers to compare the cost and value of higher education institutions in the United States. It displays data in five areas:
    • cost
    • graduation rate
    • employment rate
    • average amount borrowed
    • loan default rate
  • MI Talent.org - An online marketplace connecting Michigan's job seekers and employers serves as a central hub linking all public and private stakeholders.
  • Oak Park Career Center - The Oak Park Michigan Works office offers career and employment resources.
  • Apprenticeships - Get assistance in making knowledgeable decisions concerning your professional future and career with USDOL approved registered apprenticeship programs in Michigan.
  • College Board - A mission-driven organization representing over 6000 of the world's leading colleges, schools, and other educational organizations. The site features scholarship and SAT planning resources, as well as scorecards for colleges around the world.

Financial Aid

Graduating Seniors should start filling out your financial aid on January 1st.  Please do not wait. There are certain state aid deadlines of March 1st, but the sooner you complete your FAFSA, the better.  See your counselor if you have questions about this. 

PDF DocumentFinancial Aid Night Presentation

External LinkFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)

Scholarship Search Tools