Upper Elementary 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.
5th graders transitioned out of Ferndale Upper Elementary with a 17-minute video celebration on Thursday. The first 6 minutes is the actual "celebration" that would have been held on the playground. Thanks for a great year, and good luck to the incoming Middle Schoolers!
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
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.
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.
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.
Madelyn Porter and Tony Lucas performed at Ferndale Upper and Lower in celebration of Black History Month. Thank you for the wonderful lessons and experiences. A brief video is available on our Facebook page.
The Detroit News featured Ferndale Schools in a recent article about Social-Emotional Learning. Here's a short excerpt:
“It’s really important to know our students on a deeper level,” [Ferndale third grade teacher Jodi] Prince said. ”We know if they come to school hungry, did they sleep last night? These are the ways for students to feel they belong. It’s a strong desire to feel like they are walking into a family here.”
These rituals are part of the district’s social emotional learning curriculum, which teaches children as part of their school day to understand and manage emotions, feel and show empathy toward others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Friends of Royal Oak Township's (FOROT's) after-school Double Dutch activity at FUEL was a jumping success! Students were introduced to a creative social activity which included fun, fitness and friends. The activity created a teamwork environment through basic jump rope skills (turning and jumping in the ropes), unity circles, and encouragement from peers and volunteers. Students were confident, anxious, and impressively able to jump in the ropes from the onset. Our volunteers made it happen. Jill Echols, Tiana Starks, and Blake Howard, thank you for your time, energy and dedication to the youth, Double Dutch and our mission. #Jump4Health #FOROT4Health
Some awesome Ferndale students showcasing the importance of play. Thank you Playworks Michigan!
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