October 29, 2010 - Ferndale Public Schools

TONIGHT: FE PTA Halloween
Party at Coolidge, 6:30-8:30 pm,
Grades K-6, this is not a drop-off event.
FHS & FMS Students
Make State Honors Choir
Kim Schroeder, vocal music
teacher at Ferndale High School
and Ferndale Middle School is
proud to announce that all of the
students who auditioned for State
Honors Choirs were selected!
Here are the results:
MSVMA High School Region C
Honors Choir Michael Western
(12th grade) and Troy Dill-Reese
(10th gr). The State performance
will take place in December at
Anchor Bay HS.
MSVMA MS/JH State Honors Choir
Tiara Nelson (9th gr), Deonna
Davis (9th gr), Santeno Soave
(8th gr), Jeremy Turner (9th
gr), Angel Morales (8th gr) and
Parris Davis (7th gr). The State
performance will take place in
Grand Rapids in January.
1
What’s Happening in the
Ferndale Schools?
Oct 29 ......K-6 Schools, No PM Classes, Records Day
Oct 29 ...... FE PTA Halloween Party, Coolidge,
6:30-8:30 pm
Oct 29 ...... UHS Halloween/Homecoming Dance,
6:30-10 pm
Oct 30 ...... Trick-or-Treating, 4-6 pm, Downtown
Ferndale
Nov 1 ........ African-American Parent Network
Meeting, 6:30-8 pm, FHS Conf. Rm.
Nov 1 ........AP Night at CASA, 6:30-8 pm
Nov 2 ........All Schools - No School, Incl. CASA
Nov 2 ........ Coolidge/JFK/Roosevelt Parent/Teacher
Conferences, 12-3 pm & 4-7 pm
Nov 3 ........Roosevelt Building Tour, 9 am
Nov 3 ........ Coolidge/JFK/Roosevelt Parent/Teacher
Conferences, 4-7 pm
Nov 5 ........Coolidge 4th Grade Trip to Lansing
Nov 6 ........ FHS Marching Band State Finals,
Ford Field
Ferndale Friday eNews
October 29, 2010 www.ferndaleschools.org
UHS Team Wins Trophies at IVD Competition
The University High School Innovative
Vehicle Design (IVD) team designed and
produced an electric car again this year, this
time building the first carbon fiber vehicle
in Convergence competition history. The
team's design goal was to make a streetlegal
and safe vehicle, while also focusing
on minimizing overall vehicle weight. The
team's innovation was focused on material
and construction technique.
Team members Julian Jamison, Jade
McCord, Emerson Farrow, and team leader
Delaun Lofton presented the car, named
'Batmobile' to professional judges at the
2010 International Convergence Conference
last week at Cobo Hall. The UHS IVD team
won five trophies in Ambassadorship, Innovation,
Professionals Pick, and Performance
and 1st place for Presentation (third time).
IVD advisor and UHS teacher Jason Beatty
described the team's building process.
"Students fabricated (from scratch) a panelized
monocoque chassis made from panels
constructed by laminating layers of carbon
Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!
fiber on both sides of rigid foam insulation
board. The panels were constructed using
vacuum bagging techniques to ensure a
good bond between carbon fiber and foam
and to minimize weight," said Beatty. The
panels were cut to shape, bonded together,
and reinforced to form the vehicle chassis.
These techniques allowed the IVD team to
construct a very lightweight,- yet strong
vehicle. The total vehicle weight was 230 lbs
without batteries or driver.
The Batmobile's energy comes from two
deep cycle 12 V batteries. The vehicle is
also equipped with a regenerative braking
system that uses the vehicle's kinetic energy
to recharge the batteries every time the
vehicle slows down. During the competition,
sponsored by the Square One Education
Network, the Batmobile traveled 8.9 miles in
the allotted one hour driving time in spite
of losing approximately 10 minutes to a
sprocket failure. The team lived up to their
motto, "Go Light or Go Home," by building
the carbon fiber, energy efficient vehicle.

Ferndale
Fundraising
Corner
UHS is hosting
a Mom 2 Mom
sale on 11/13/10
from 8:30 am
-12 pm. Proceeds
will benefit
various student
groups. If you
would like to purchase a table
at which to sell your gently
used baby/children’s clothes,
toys and products, email
uhsmom2mom@hotmail.com.
Tables are $20 each.
Buy Flower
Seeds &
Bulbs to
support
Roosevelt's
fundraiser
for a
new playground/outdoor
classroom area. Purchase
flower seeds & bulbs from
www.flowerpowerfundraising.
com! Visit the website then
go to Organizations and
type in "Roosevelt Primary
in Ferndale, MI." Roosevelt
receives half of the profit for
each item purchased. Each
purchase gets delivered
straight to your home and you
can send it as a gift to anyone
in the U.S.
Join Our Listserv -
Share with Friends!
Every week during the school year,
Ferndale Schools eNews is sent out
to our Community Relations listserv.
If you wish to receive these emails,
send an email to the Ferndale FanOut:
FPSFanOut@ferndaleschools.org.
To see all weekly eNewsletters visit
this link:
www.ferndaleschools.org/districtnews
2
Ferndale Seniors Citizens Breakfast a Success
The Ferndale Schools hosted a special breakfast this week for senior citizens living
in the Ferndale community in collaboration with the Ferndale Recreation Department.
This event was an opportunity to share the Ferndale Schools story with the
Seniors by distributing district brochures and materials, and have them meet and
talk with 19 students from both Ferndale High School and University High School.
Students shared their high school experiences, college plans and life goals with
the group. The Seniors who attended have lived in the community, some for their
entire lives. They said they were very impressed by the students and their poise,
maturity, and the opportunities both high schools provide to help students succeed
after graduation. They also planned to attend more district events, including
the upcoming concerts and fall play. The district plans to continue to host this
event again. On February 1, 2011, another community breakfast will be provided for
members of the business community, area realtors, and the Ferndale Area Chamber
of Commerce. The community, including Seniors, are welcome to attend. Please
call 248/586-8651 for more information and to RSVP.
Yearbooks on Sale at FHS
Don’t forget — The FHS yearbook, The Talon is on sale now! If you buy
your book before November 1st, you’ll save $5! That’s right; books are only
$50 but will increase to $55 on 11/1. Books will be on sale before or after
school in Rm. 331 or purchase online anytime with a credit card at www.
yearbookforever.com.
These are the days you will want to remember forever. Purchase your
yearbook today! The Talon High School Yearbook Staff
Remember to check out the Ferndale Schools
website, and become a fan of, and follow the
Ferndale Schools on Facebook and Twitter for
all the latest district news!
Check out the flyers at the
end of this newsletter!
Pg 5 | District Reporters Wanted & Trickor-Treating
in Downtown Ferndale,
Oct 30
Pg 6 | African-American Parent Network
Meeting, Nov 1
Pg 7 | Oakland County Health Department
Flyers Regarding New Vaccination
Requirements
Pg 8 | Kindergarten Options for 2011 +
Tour Dates
Pg 10 | Transition Network Meeting
for Families with Special Needs
Children, Nov 12
Pg 11 | FMS Yearbook Flyer/Sales

Coolidge Students
Say No To Drugs
Red Ribbon Week is a nation-wide celebration
of living drug-free lives that Coolidge students
participated in this past week. The purpose of
the celebration at Coolidge, according to Counselor
Kathy Wiley, is to educate the kids about
the dangers of not only illegal drugs, but also
the misuse of legal drugs. The students were all
encouraged to sign a pledge poster that stated,
“We pledge to make healthy choices, to be positive
role models for our friends, and to support
the mission of Red Ribbon Week, "No Use of
Illegal Drugs, No Illegal Use of Legal Drugs." Once
they signed the pledge, students received a red
ribbon with the message, “I have better things
to do than drugs.” Students also wore red during
the week and created awareness projects in each
of their classrooms.
Butterfly Garden Certified at Kennedy
The John F.
Kennedy School
native garden
has been certified
as a Monarch
Butterfly
Waystation. The
garden, which is
part of Kennedy's requirement to be a Michigan
Green School, provides the habitat a monarch
needs to live and reproduce. The waystation will
be a numbered site on tracking the butterflies'
annual migration. For more information, see
www.monarchwatch.org/tagmig/index.htm. The
school's vegetable garden has also had a great
harvest this year. Students and parents have had
the opportunity to buy produce from the garden,
including peppers, tomatoes, garlic, eggplant
and more, every Wednesday after school.
All proceeds go into garden operations.
3
Board of Education Meeting Highlights, 10-22-2010
Finance Department Report
The district’s contracted food service company, Chartwell’s has recently
appointed Laura Shields as Director of Dining Services. Laura previously worked
as the Administrative Assistant in the food service department. In addition,
Chartwells selected Executive Chef Jeremy Burean to serve the district. Jeremy is
a graduate of Schoolcraft College’s culinary arts program and previously worked
at Dino’s in Ferndale.
The Board approved bills and accounts in the amount of $1,801,001.42 as listed
in the expense register for the period of September 1 to 30, 2010. They also
approved an additional $82,000 of the general fund balance to be reserved in
each of the following categories - building maintenance, emergency vehicle
replacement and computer equipment for a total of $280,000 in each category.
The Board accepted the audited financial statements for the Ferndale Public
Schools for the year ended June 30, 2010 as presented by independent auditors
Yeo & Yeo. J.D. Boydston, Yeo & Yeo, presented the audit results. He expressed the
audit team’s appreciation to all district staff, especially Maureen Adams, Executive
Director of Finance, and her staff. Boydston acknowledged that although schools
in Michigan faced many challenges this year, “the Ferndale Schools have done an
excellent job keeping up with changes and challenges.” He complemented the
internal controls protecting cash and assets, as well as the internal documents,
and compliance with the compliance requirements for seven federal programs,
including federal stimulus funds (ARRA).
Actual revenues were higher than expected last year, and expenses were lower
than budgeted. Boydston said, “the administration is very conservative. There
were no real surprises during the year.” The year end Fund Balance amounts to
9.2% of General Fund, which would cover 16.6 days of expenditures in a fiscal
emergency – the highest in a decade.
Gary Meier complemented Maureen Adams and her staff: “They did a wonderful
job over the summer. I appreciate it. We’re pleased that the last several years have
yielded clean audits. We also appreciate the business relationship with Yeo & Yeo.
I hope the dysfunction at the state will cease and funding will be normal. In the
meantime, we’ll take each year one at a time. Right now, we’re financially viable
and we want to continue that way, that’s very important to us.”
Human Resources Report
The Board accepted the resignation of Shelly Chapman from the position of
Special Education Director, effective October 12, 2010. The position of Special
Education Director position has been posted. Special education expert, and
retired administrator, Don Badaczewski is serving as Interim Director of Special
Education until the position is filled.
Curriculum Department Report
The Ferndale Schools have begun using Rubicon, an online curriculum mapping
and unit planning tool called the Atlas Curriculum Management System.
It is designed to support teachers and the Curriculum Team in organizing,
communicating and disseminating information to manage curriculum and share
best practices within schools, across schools and districts. The Curriculum and
Instruction Office uploaded most of the District’s existing curriculum documents
into the system prior to the start of the 2010 school year, and has used the
product to write new curriculum, including the revised Ferndale High School
Geometry Curriculum which was written in the Atlas system.
This new system may be used to search curriculum across all grades and content
areas. Barb Evoe, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction says, “We
have the capability to search by topic, thus ensuring critical content is not
inadvertently omitted from the K-12 curriculum. Likewise, we are able to look for
redundancies. We now have an efficient way to review an entire K-12 curriculum
by observing concept development from grade-to-grade.”
The Atlas product offers teachers an opportunity to attach tests, handouts,
PowerPoint presentations, web addresses, parent letters, and more to the unit
plans, making it easy to locate supplemental materials from one year to the next.
Through the use of shared curriculum maps, teachers are able to collaborate on
unit planning, execution, and pacing; it is as simple as sending an email.
Each unit concludes by offering teachers an opportunity to reflect on what
was taught and how the concepts were instructed. Evoe says, “In time, I believe
teachers will use this feature as it will eliminate the old tried and true Post It
Board Highlights continued on page 3

Board Highlights, continued
notes, which hang haphazardly out of teachers’ lesson plan books.”
Alternative and Adult Education Graduation Guidelines Revised:
The Program and Technology Committee refined the graduation
requirements for Adult and/or Alternative Education students
who entered eighth grade before or during the 2005-2006 school
year. These students are not required to fulfill the Michigan Merit
requirements and therefore will graduate using the graduation
requirements in effect prior to the enactment of the Michigan Merit
Act. All students who began 8th grade after 2006 take the updated
state curriculum, which aligns with the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
Approved a new FHS Geometry Curriculum: The curriculum was
revised by Ferndale High School’s teachers of mathematics to address
the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements for Geometry designed
to provide students with a strong foundation.
Latchkey Update: School-Aged Child Care services are offered at two
locations for K-6 students as follows –
Before-School Child Care is offered at Roosevelt Primary School
for students attending Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. Parents
may drop their children off at Roosevelt as early as 6:45 am.
Students who attend Kennedy ride the bus from Roosevelt to
Kennedy in the morning. The average daily attendance is eight
students.
After-School Child Care is offered to all elementary students and
is housed in two locations: Roosevelt and Kennedy. At dismissal,
Roosevelt and Kennedy’s students go directly to the latchkey
room. Coolidge’s students ride the bus to Kennedy. Services are
provided until 6 pm daily. This fall, the average daily attendance
at Roosevelt was 26 and at Kennedy was 28 students. This is an
increase from a year ago when average daily attendance was
approximately 30 students total.
Latchkey hosted its first Special Event Camp on September
22, a Districtwide professional development day. Twenty-five
students participated in this fun-filled day. The enrollment was
almost double last year’s.
Barb Evoe says: “Overall, our K-6 latchkey programs are growing.
We believe this is due to the training and oversight the programs
were provided during the 2009-2010 school year. Our programs
offer families safe, inexpensive childcare during these financially
challenging times.”
If you would like information about Latchkey, please contact
Gretchen Abrams at 248/586-8795 or review the information on
the district website http://www.ferndaleschools.org/parents/
documents/ChildCare%20Latchkey%20Tuition%20Rate%20
Cards.pdf
Operations Department Report
Representatives from the Good Neighbors Community Garden,
located behind Jefferson Center, are considering installing a water
cistern system to catch rain water from the roof of Jefferson Center to
provide irrigation for the garden.
The Roosevelt Primary School staff and parents are currently raising
funds for the new playground plan that Principal Dina Krause
presented at the September Operations Committee meeting. They
are raising funds through a “Flower Power” fundraiser, and also raised
funds at a booth at the Ferndale Art Festival. In addition, they are in
the process of completing grant applications.
The first neighborhood meeting for residents in the Taft
Neighborhood was held in October with only two attendees. Three
more meetings are scheduled for later this year. Neighbors receive
flyers at their homes to remind them of the meetings, which have
been hosted at Taft for several years to provide a forum to update the
community on alternative education student news and give residents
an opportunity ask questions they may have. Anyone interested in
the Taft neighborhood meetings is invited to contact the Operations
Department at 248/586-8615.
4
Technology Department Report
This fall, the Technology Department added 2,000 new student
accounts to the network. Director of Technology, Melissa Auchter
reported that the process has become much “more efficient. The
process, which used to take an hour to create a new account, now it
takes 10 minutes!”
The department’s focus in early Fall is on ensuring Zangle works to
take attendance and enter assignments and grades.
Updated virus detection software. Saved $5,000 in each of the next
three years.
Rolling out Successmaker software for students who need extra
boost in reading and math. Pearson provided release free! Creating
the foundation to provide these tools at home/outside of the school
building. Training is coming soon.
Training room at Harding now allows us to do this. Part of School
Improvement Plans.
Rolling out district intranet soon – Craig’s List/Employee Exchange,
District Calendar.
Opportunity to dig deeper now. Next plan to upgrade to Windows 7!
Superintendent
Approved renewing the Traffic Regulation Agreement Request to
the City of Ferndale Police Department to enforce traffic and parking
regulations on the Ferndale High School and Ferndale Middle School
Pinecrest campus for 2010-2011, until such time as it would be
rescinded by the Board.
The Board Policy Committee also heard a legal review from Attorney
John Carlson regarding the request from City Clerks and County
Election officials to move our school elections from May to November.
The Committee will further review the matter in November, with
thoughts and recommendations going to the full Board in November.
Several proposed new and revised Board policies were reviewed by
the Committee, along with a recommendation to present them to the
full Board for a first reading.
Proposed New and Revised Board Policies
• Policy 2260 Nondiscrimination and Access to Educational Opportunity (Revised)
• Policy 2260.01 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on
Disability (Revised)
• Policy 2623 Student Assessment (Revised)
• Policy 3122.02 Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
(New)
• Policy 3160 Physical Examination (Revised)
• Policy 3362 Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Policy 3419.02 Privacy protections of Fully Insured Group Health Plans (Revised)
• Policy 3430.01 Family & Medical Leaves of Absence – FMLA (Revised)
• Policy 4122.02 Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
(New)
• Policy 4160 Physical Examination (Revised)
• Policy 4362 Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Policy 4419.02 Privacy Protections of Fully Insured Group Health Plans (Revised)
• Policy 4430.01 Family & Medical Leaves of Absence FMLA – (Revised)
• Policy 5136 Wireless Communication Devices (Revised)
• Policy 5517 Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Policy 6144 Investments (Revised)
• Policy 9160 Public Attendance at School Events (Revised)
The Committee also discussed the process of appointing community
members to Board Committees, as well as the feasibility of holding
a Board retreat for the purpose of participating in an MASB Board
member orientation and discussing, among other things, the district’s
long-range vision. The recommended date for the board retreat is
Monday, November 8, 2010 from 3-9 p.m., with the location to be
determined.

DISTRICT/BUILDING/DEPARTMENT
DISTRICT/BUILDING/DEPARTMENT
REPORTERS
The Ferndale Public Schools Community Relations Department publishes this weekly
The Ferndale eNewsletter Public throughout Schools the Community school year. Relations The goal is Department publishing stories publishes and photos this about weekly
eNewsletter each school’s throughout activities the each school week. year. If you The are goal a shutterbug is publishing or storyteller, stories you and are photos welcome about
to submit info about district, classroom and club activities.
each school’s activities each week. If you are a shutterbug or storyteller, you are welcome
to submit info about district, classroom and club activities.
Photos:
Check with the school office to make
Photos: sure the photos include only children
Check with whose the parents school have office granted to make the
district permission to photograph.
sure the
Electronic
photos include
transmissions
only
of
children
high
whose parents resolution have digital granted photos are the great!
district permission to photograph.
Electronic transmissions of high
resolution Email digital photos photos and stories are to great!
jstilger@ferndaleschools.org.
Email photos and stories to
jstilger@ferndaleschools.org.
Stories:
1. What was the occasion?
2. Stories: How was it connected to the
1. curriculum What was or the other occasion? learning theme?
3. What did participants and audience
2.
members
How was
say
it
about
connected
the learning
to the
experience? curriculum Include or other students, learning parents, theme?
3. teachers, What did etc. participants and audience
4. Was members there a say special about guest? the Tell learning us
about experience? the guest. Include students, parents,
5. Was it funded by a special program,
teachers, etc.
i.e. FEF?
4. Was there a special guest? Tell us
about the guest.
5. Was it funded by a special program,
i.e. FEF?
5

FPS-AAPN
Mission:
To create
partnerships with
parents, educators
and the community
for the purpose of
enhancing
academic and
social success
among African
American students
in the
Ferndale Schools.
Ferndale Public Schools African American Parent Network
Please join us at our
General Meeting
Monday,
November 1, 2010
6:30-8 PM
Ferndale High School
Main Conference Room
(881 Pinecrest, Ferndale, MI 48220)
All are welcome!
Light refreshments will be served.
Helping Parents Helping Children
Oakland County
African American
Parent Networks:
Birmingham (Groves)
Bloomfield Hills
Farmington
Ferndale
Novi
Pontiac
Rochester
Troy
Walled Lake
(Walled Lake Western)
West Bloomfield

Just like kids have grown and changed, so have vaccines.
We are now able to protect against more diseases, like Meningitis and HPV.
Viruses can change enough that you will no longer be protected. Infl uenza is like this.
You need a fl u vaccine every year to be protected.
Some vaccines protect for a short time - even years - but not your whole life.
Children 11-12 years of age need another dose to be fully protected.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, and Pertussis)
Meningococcal conjugate (Meningitis)
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) through 26 years of age
For more information, contact
Nurse on Call at 248-858-1406
Clinic Hours
Monday 12:00pm - 8:00pm Tuesday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
The Oakland County Health Division will not deny participation in its programs based on race, sex, religion, national origin, age or disability. State and Federal eligibility requirements apply for certain programs.
Zizumbo: H:\Medical Services\Vaccine Flyers 6/2010

Ferndale Public Schools
Getting Ready for Kindergarten 2011
Explore all Kindergarten options available from the Ferndale Schools:
Roosevelt Primary School
Grades K-3, Grade-Centered School
Brain-Based Learning
Enrollment open any time
Open Classroom Program*
Enrollment deadline February 28
Kindergarten Tours Schedule a Tour, Meet the Principals!
Kennedy: Nov 10, 17, Dec 8, 15, Jan 12, 26, Feb 9, 16, 23 all at 9 am
Call Kennedy at 248/547-0880
Roosevelt: Nov 3 (9 am), 17 (2 pm), Dec 1 (9 am), 15 (2 pm), Jan 5 (9 am), 19 (9 am),
Feb 2 (9 am), 9 (2 pm), 23 (2 pm) | Call Roosevelt at 248/548-1950
What to ask about when you tour for Kindergarten:
• Early Literacy programs
• Achievement records
• Brain-based learning
• School atmosphere
• Parent involvement
* Lottery Based Magnet Programs
Enrollment in Open Classroom Programs at both Roosevelt and Kennedy, and the
Multi-Age Program at Kennedy is by lottery only.
To participate in the magnet program lottery, student’s families must be district
residents or be enrolled in Kindergarten for one year through the Schools of Choice
program, have attended building tours of both Roosevelt and Kennedy, and completed
enrollment forms in the Enrollment Office by 4 pm on February 28, 2011. Notification
of placement will be mailed after the March 2011 lottery.
Be sure to learn about all of the Ferndale Schools’
Kindergarten options before making a decision about
where your child should start a quality education.
All-Day Kindergarten
John F. Kennedy School
Grades K-6, Magnet Programs
Multi-Age Program*
Enrollment deadline February 28
Open Classroom Program*
Enrollment deadline February 28
• School routines
• Project-based instruction
• Opportunities for advanced students
• Special Education programming & services
• Music, Art & Physical Education opportunities
Magnet Program Deadline
February 28, 2011
enrollment deadline for Magnet
Programs - all forms must be
turned into the enrollment
office by Feb 28 at 4 pm.
Enrollment & Pupil Services Office | Harding Administration Center | 2920 Burdette | Ferndale
Questions? Call 248/586-8686 | Visit www.ferndaleschools.org/enrollment for enrollment forms

Ferndale Public Schools
Getting Ready for
Kindergarten 2011
Roosevelt Primary School | Grades K-3
As a school family, Roosevelt Primary is committed to
providing an atmosphere conducive to early childhood
learning, teaching predictable routines, providing clear
classroom expectations, using developmentally appropriate
instruction, teaching social skills through daily conflicts,
and providing best practices in brain-based
research to help all children succeed.
Each morning, the day begins the “Brain
Smart” way with classical music playing
from the first bell until the WBEE News
is broadcast on the school-wide telecast.
The WBEE news includes the Pledge of
Allegiance, a stretch to open up the heart
for a day of learning, and then concludes
with the much-awaited Brain Tip of the Day
from Principal Dina Krause. Students enjoy
exercising to get their blood moving, brain energized and
muscles pumped for a day of learning.
Roosevelt’s Brain-Based Learning program is open to all,
and has received National and Regional recognition for
its Brain Smart Start. In 2007, the Character Education
Partnership (CEP) selected Roosevelt Primary to receive a
National Schools of Character Promising Practices Award
and the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)
selected Roosevelt Primary to receive an Education
Excellence Award.
Roosevelt Primary has two choices for Kindergarten: Brain
Based Learning and Open Classroom. In the Open Classroom
program, students are taught individual student responsibility
and instruction revolves around project-based learning and
parent involvement is a requirement. Brain Based learning
is based on current brain research, child development
information and developmentally appropriate practices the
goal of the program is to help students learn based on their
learning style, personality and individual need. The class
is designed with the young child’s brain in mind with an
emphasis on fostering a classroom family and knowing that
love is the best motivator for learning and growth.
Why Choose Ferndale
Public Schools for
Kindergarten?
• Outstanding Reputation – State and national awards for
the Brain-Smart Start, 30-years of outstanding project-based
Open Classroom, and innovative leader in establishing the
Multi-Age Program.
• Focused Attention – On the whole child – both emotional
and intellectual intelligence.
• A Strong Start! Strong early academics lead to over $1-million
in college scholarships for graduating seniors each year.
Ferndale Schools are known for the outstanding performing
arts program that starts with daily instrumental music in
elementary school and has led to five State Marching Band
Championships. Athletics benefit from outstanding, recently
renovated facilities, and celebrate the successes of our
league, regional and state champions.
John F. Kennedy School | Grades K-6
Your child will be nurtured, tutored by peers, go to camp
each year, participate in virtual “trips” abroad in 1st and
2nd grade, and learn through project-based instruction. At
Kennedy, families have two Kindergarten magnet program
options: Open Classroom and Multi-Age.
The vision of John F. Kennedy School is
to ensure that all students are given the
opportunity to learn at their level, and to
be challenged to work to their maximum
potential. The vision includes teaching
differentiating learning to meet all student
needs, including special education students
and gifted students. The vision also includes
teachers working together to create a
professional learning community with staff,
students, and parents.
The Open Classroom Program has been in existence
for 30 years and is based on a philosophy that fosters
independence, promotes individual student responsibility,
stresses self-motivation and self-confidence, and provides
instruction in a project-based environment. This program
reflects a combined partnership between school and family.
A parent participation agreement is required upon entry
and each family is asked to volunteer a minimum of 40
hours a year.
The Multi-Age Program provides flexibility of instruction
to meet individual needs of each child, promotes
responsibility for self and learning, stresses group skills
and cooperation, and delivers instruction in a multi-age
environment. Children in this program are grouped in math
and reading by their developmental level as opposed to
their chronological level. By regrouping students in varying
ways, the program allows students to accelerate as they
are ready, and helps them reach their maximum potential.
Parent participation is strongly encouraged.

Transition:
Planning
Preparation
CEUs are available!
November 12, 2010
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
TROY
COMMUNITY
CENTER
3179 Livernois
Troy, MI 48083
Partnership
To register please visit
www.oakland.k12.mi.us
For questions call Event Management at
(248) 209-2500
If you have questions about the
presentation content please call Cathie at
(248) 758-1980.
Presented by the Transition Network
Building a Bridge
to the Future
Collaboration During
Critical Times
The partners of the Oakland County Transition
Network are pleased to offer another collaborative
learning opportunity. This event will focus on
constructing a foundation in three areas: Planning,
Preparation and Partnership. Equip yourself with
the most current information from our partners,
learn about the essential pieces for planning and
preparation and hear about examples of
partnership in Oakland County.
THIS TRAINING IS SPONSORED BY:
Oakland County Regional Interagency Consumer Committee,
Oakland Schools &
Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority

FERNDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Experience it now.
Save $2.00
if you
BUY YOUR
YEARBOOK
BY: Oct. 15th, 2010
Relive it later.
EAGLES
Your student will want to relive the memories of goodtimes and friends at Ferndale Middle School. The yearbook
staff works hard taking pictures and writing captions to tell the stories of the year. Buy a copy of the 2011
yearbook so your student can have these reminders forever. The Online Website will be open for credit card
purchases starting TODAY. You can order yours right away.
On Sale: NOW $18.00
$20.00 starting January 1, 2011
To Purchase: Using a Credit Card (small service fee applies)
Go to: www.yearbookforever.com
ALSO: For cash, check or money order purchases,
Bring your completed order form and check, cash or money order
made out to Ferndale Middle School , in an envelope marked with your
Name, Grade, & Phone Number. Deliver to Main Office.
Attention Mr. Derek Adams-Yearbook Adviser
***personalization and additional options available online
Student Name: Grade
Parent Name:
Phone:
Number of yearbooks x $ each =
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
www.yearbookforever.com
Walsworth yearbooks
www.walsworthyearbooks.com