WELCOME TO

Ferndale Lower Elementary

Ferndale Lower Elementary 2610 Pinecrest Ferndale, MI 48220 Phone 248-548-1950

Grades K-2

Ferndale Lower and Upper Elementary Schools have received the 2019-2020 Whole Child Award from Michigan ASCD.As a primary school, Ferndale Lower Elementary is designed with the young learner in mind. Teachers use curriculum and learning techniques based on brain-research that enhance visual learning and include music and movement while taking into consideration the individual strengths and needs of each child. Additionally, the program's reputation for excellence is based on a philosophy that fosters independence, promotes self-directed learning, and provides instruction in a project-based environment. Students attending Ferndale Lower Elementary School transition to Ferndale Upper Elementary School for grades 3-5

Bell Schedule

  • 8:28am to 3:28pm (M,T, Th,F)
  • 8:28am to 2:28pm (W)

PDF DocumentStudent Code of Conduct

Back to School Story

Our Lower Elementary team has made a helpful book for our early learners, to help explain what is going on. Look through this PDF at your next story time!

Popsicles with Principals!

PDF DocumentBack to School Story

Google SlideI'm Going to Kindergarten Story Slides

Google Slide Welcome to Kindergarten

Google DocSchool Supply List

 

School Newsletters

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Recent News

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Music & Movement Combine for Colorful Fun at FLower

This week was “Parachute Week” at Ferndale Lower! Kindergarten through second grade Music and P.E. classes combined together to do cross-curricular and cross-grade level activities with the parachute. There was so much laughter, fun, and learning! There was folk dancing, popcorn balls, mountain climbing, tents and more that incorporated essential skills of working together. Music and gym classes promote social emotional learning in a natural and organic way. It was so much fun!

 

Full Article

Elementary Students Present History & Art to Board of Education

Lower Elementary students were invited to the Board of Education meeting on Monday to teach our district stewards about history and culture with some beautiful art projects. The student work was wonderful, and the whole room enjoyed their presentations. Great work, little learners!

Full Article

PJ Party Concert & Gallery

Ferndale Lower put on their first concert in FOUR years on Thursday this week. The night was split into two concerts with 7 total first grade classes performing "Pajama Party." Music Teacher Meagan Grammatico and Art Teacher Ashley Balogh have collaborated every year where students create artwork that goes along with the theme of the concert and it is displayed in the gym!

Full Article

Kindergarten Discovers the Paintings of Miss Alma Thomas

Kindergartners at Ferndale Lower Elementary learned about expressionist painter Alma Woodsey Thomas. In addition to a talented artist, Alma Thomas was gifted teacher and dedicated community advocate for arts and culture. Alma was proudly unmarried her entire life, committing her life's ambition to the development of herself and her community with outstanding results. She was the first woman in the US to earn a BFA in Fine Arts and the first African American woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney. Read more about Alma and her many landmark accomplishments. in our full article.
 

View a Google Slides Gallery of Alma Thomas expressionist paintings that inspired the project


 

Full Article
  • 23 Mar
    • FLower: PlayLab 3:30 PM to 5:15 PM
      FLower: PlayLab
      Date: Mar 23
      Time: 3:30 PM to 5:15 PM
      Location: Ferndale Lower El (Roosevelt) - Lower El Classroom 1
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
      Classroom A1
    • FLower: Girl Scouts 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      FLower: Girl Scouts
      Date: Mar 23
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Ferndale Lower El (Roosevelt) - Lower El Media Center
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
    • FLower: Girl Scouts 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      FLower: Girl Scouts
      Date: Mar 23
      Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
      Location: Ferndale Lower El (Roosevelt) - Multiple Spaces
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
    • Ferndale Parks and Recreation: Ferndale Parks and Rec Little Eagles Basketball
      Date: Mar 23
      Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
      Location: Ferndale Lower El (Roosevelt) - Lower El Gym/Cafeteria
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
  • 24 Mar
  • 25 Mar
    • Spring Break / No School
      Date: Mar 25
      Location: All Sites - All Spaces
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
  • 26 Mar
    • Spring Break / No School
      Date: Mar 26
      Location: All Sites - All Spaces
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar
  • 27 Mar
    • Spring Break / No School
      Date: Mar 27
      Location: All Sites - All Spaces
      Calendar: Ferndale Lower Elementary Calendar

Ferndale Lower Newsletters

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  • Award-winning National School of Character
  • Awarded Michigan Expert Super Green School for incorporating sustainability into everyday practices for 5 consecutive years
  • Programs designed specifically for primary students
  • Strong intervention programs to support diverse learning needs
  • Parental involvement support and engagement programs
  • School Family atmosphere for the whole family

This program is designed for students who: 

  • Are eligible to attend kindergarten, having turned five on or before September 1st of the school year; 
  • Are developmentally young; 
  • Will benefit from classroom instruction designed with more frequent movement, reduced length of instructional periods, increased use of manipulative and motor activities, and a focus on social and emotional development;
  • The Ferndale Schools kindergarten curriculum serves as the basis for the First 5s program with instruction provided in all core content areas. Pre-reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills are emphasized as are mathematics skills.

Learn more about First Fives!

Our Staff

Lower Elementary Principal: Diana Keefe

Diana Keefe has been principal of Ferndale's Lower Elementary program since 2014. Ms. Keefe is committed to developing relationships and connecting with staff, students, parents, and the surrounding community. A high priority of hers is to forge a strong partnership with the Ferndale early childhood community, including outreach to home childcare providers, private & public preschools, and anyone involved in early childhood. She invites any parents of young children or childcare providers to contact her and set up a visit. If you are interested in meeting with Diana Keefe, please call (248) 586-8800 or email her at Diana.Keefe@ferndaleschools.org.

Administration

Name
Position
Dr. Bobbie Hayes Goodrum
Superintendent
Principal
Secretary
Secretary

First Fives

Name
Position
Teacher

Kindergarten

Name
Position
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Giovanna Santangelo
Teacher
Teacher

1st Grade

Name
Position
Teacher
Nicole Mikolajewski
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher

2nd Grade

Name
Position
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher

Art

Name
Position
Art Teacher

ESL

Name
Position
ParaProfessional

Language Arts

Name
Position
Media Specialist
Reading Intervention Specialist (K-2)
ParaProfessional
Reading Specialist
Language Arts Teacher Assistant
Language Arts Teacher Assistant
Language Arts Teacher Assistant
Language Arts Teacher Assistant
Teaching and Learning Specialist

Music

Name
Position
Music Teacher
Music Teacher

Physical Education

Name
Position
Teacher
Teacher

Special Education

Name
Position
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Elizabeth O'Halloran
Speech Pathologist
Speech Pathologist
Teacher
Deborah Holt-Foster
ParaProfessional
Delante Johnson
ParaProfessional
ParaProfessional
ParaProfessional
ParaProfessional
ParaProfessional

SACC

Name
Position
SACC Coordinator
SACC Leader
SACC Assistant
Carolann Stan-Scrimger
SACC Assistant
SACC Assistant
SACC Assistant

Social Worker

Name
Position
Social Worker

Student Services

Name
Position
Parent Liaison
Behavior Interventionist
Jenelle Gondek-Stankos
Mental Health Specialist
Mental Health Specialist
Communities In Schools Liason
Building Substitute
Instructional Aide