Ferndale Middle School News
Starting on July 1st, Ferndale Schools will be transitioning to a new communication platform, replacing Q Communication with Remind. While we understand how frustrating it is to learn a new system, this decision was made after careful deliberation and consultation with many staff and community members.
What is Remind?
If you're not already familiar with Remind, it's a classroom communication tool that makes it easy to stay involved with your child's learning. Remind is free to use, and you'll be able to get and send messages on any device—even a simple text message from your phone! Remind uses email, text, and telephone calls to help you communicate with individuals or groups quickly and safely. Many staff, parents, coaches, and students may already be experienced in using Remind.
How does this impact me?
Families are automatically signed up to receive communication from their child's school, teachers, and Ferndale Schools. In order to receive emails, telephone calls, and even text messages, all you have to do is maintain your contact information and manage your personal preferences within our student information system, MiStar. Click here to update your contact information in MiStar. If you do not remember your login information, please email mistarhelp@ferndaleschools.org.
As part of this rollout, official accounts will be created for all the educators, parents, and students in Ferndale Schools. Around the 1st of July, you'll receive an email or text message from Remind. All you need to do is follow the steps in the message to finish setting up your account. Watch a video demo here to see how Remind works »
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we roll out this new system. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.
In conjunction with Lighthouse, St David's Episcopal Church in Southfield will be distributing 20 lb boxes of fresh produce every Thursday through August. Boxes will contain potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, cabbage, apples and strawberries. The hours of the distribution are Thursdays, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. The church is located at 16200 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48076.
Thursdays 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
St David’s Episcopal Church
16200 12 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48076
Last Thursday, seven Ferndale Public Schools students graduated from the Oakland Schools Accelerated College Experience (ACE) Early College program. Congratulations to:
- Christopher Banks
- Lexie Crosby
- Sydney Embry
- Victoria Patterson
- Sage Porter
- Raffy Angelo So
- Jacoya Williams
In addition to receiving their high school diploma, they each earned approximately 60 college credits. Well done, scholars! You have made the entire Ferndale Public Schools family very proud, and we wish you all the very best of luck.
Thank you to video prodution superstar Stacey Jamison, Band Director Elon Jamison, and our fantastic student musicians for putting together the 2020 FHS Band Virtual Performance of Make Our Garden Grow. You can view the performance below or on YouTube after a fascinating 3:45 introduction by Mr. Jamison.
During times of crisis, our students need extra support to process their emotions. The Michigan Cares Portal offers Michigan families and educators FREE digital lessons designed to help students in grades K-12 develop the skills required for social, emotional, and mental well-being. This portal will be freely available until the end of the 20-21 school year.
Topic covered include:
- Mental health
- Stress management
- Time management
- Goal-setting
- Nutrition and wellness
- Anger management
- Social media use (pressures and responsible use)
- Respect
- And hundreds more!
Read More about Michigan Virtual's Social Emotional Learning
We have an unusual summer ahead of us.
Typically, during the summer, it’s important for kids to have less structure than usual, so they can relax and recharge. This year, the needs of our students may be a little different. They may need routines & structured learning opportunities in a way they didn't in years past.
Michigan Virtual is offering Online Summer Camps & Courses for grades 3-12, a safe alternative that allows students to keep learning and potentially even earn school credit.
This week, we received the results of a community survey conducted by the City of Ferndale through the Cobalt Community Research Company. This survey showed tremendous gains in the community's perception of Ferndale Schools compared to the previous time the survey was conducted in 2009. Below you will find several slides showcasing the tremendous growth.
While we are very excited to see this renewed confidence you have shown in our progress, we also want to assure you, that as an organization committed to continuous improvement we will not rest on our laurels but rather continue our efforts to provide each student with the world class education they deserve.
FMS teacher Aaron Blatt hosted an interactive writing workshop with Jack Cheng, author of the 2017 novel See You in the Cosmos. Jack took the kids through the writing process by leading the students in mapping out a character, developing a plot, and finding the character’s internal motivations. The Zoom session met for an hour and a half, and the students were engaged throughout. Jack was originally scheduled to meet the kids in person during March is Reading Month, which was cancelled due to building closures statewide. Jack generously offered to do an online writing workshop and Q&A instead, and we are so thankful he did!
Some of our student musicians have been without instruments since school closure began, and in this community, that's just not okay. So, Ferndale High School Assistant Principal Shaun Butler struck out in full protective gear to deliver instruments to the eager raconteurs. Thanks, Mr. Butler, for answering the call and bringing the love of music to those thankful students.
Ferndale School Family is looking for volunteers to be part of the District Wellness Committee. The committee will support our new Strategic Plan goal to examine, motivate, and ensure physical, mental and nutritional health and overall wellness for our entire school family. This committee will be comprised of families, community members, secondary students, and staff members. If this is of interest to you, please email Dina Rocheleau at Dina.Rocheleau@ferndaleschools.org.
Our first meeting will take place on March 23 at 4:00 pm, Ferndale High School, Room 333. Once the team meets, we will make a collective decision on what dates and times work best for the team.
The robot is complete! (for the most part). We still have a few kinks we need to work out, but it is in working condition. The drive team is practicing driving and shooting with the robot. The programming team is working on autonomous, which is the first 15 seconds of the match where the robot drives on its own using code.
Their first two competitions are coming up later this month, and are free to attend. Please come out and show your support!
- FIRST Robotics: Detroit District
- at Renaissance High School on March 13th and 14th
- FIRST Robotics: Woodhaven District
- at Woodhaven High School on March 27th and 28th
How can we help kids thrive in the world of media and tech? Managing media and tech consumption is not always easy. Now, you can receive Tech Balance text message tips and reminders to your phone.
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