Ferndale Middle Parent Update

Good evening, Trojan Families!

Tomorrow is our first day of school, and we can't wait to welcome our students for the 2024–2025 school year. We have an awesome year of fun and learning planned! As a reminder, our school day begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. 8:00 a.m. is the earliest drop-off time and students must be picked up by 3:40 p.m. This year, all middle schools will be using entry scanners and One Cards for student entry. Please make sure that once your student receives their OneCard, they bring it daily.

We ask that parents not walk students to class the first day. We will have teachers placed throughout the building to ensure that students make it safely to class.

Our first school day is Monday, August 26, 2024.

School Arrival Procedures:

• All car riders and walkers must be dropped off at Tower A (located on the Ferndale Blvd. side of the building). We will have staff outside in the morning to help direct traffic. Please do not drop students off in the front circle or on Chestnut St., as both provide safety concerns for our students.
• All bus riders will enter through the gym commons.
  
• This is the second year, all middle schools will be using entry scanners. The scanning system moves quickly, but as a reminder, please ensure students do not bring binders, umbrellas, or hard/metal eyeglass cases. Those items slow down scanning, and we would like to get students quickly through the entry process each morning. We ask that parents and students opt for composition books, soft eyeglass cases, notebooks, raincoats, and ponchos instead.

Dismissal Procedures:

• 6th Grader car riders (with no older siblings) can be picked up outside Tower B that runs along Ferndale Blvd.
• 7th and 8th Grader car riders (and their 6th-grade siblings) - will be picked up in the front circle near the blue awning.

During the first weeks of school, we will have staff on duty to help escort students to class and help guide parents dropping off and picking up students for arrival and dismissal.

We are excited about our upcoming athletic seasons.

The interest meeting for students will be Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 3:45 pm in the gym. 8th grade students may try out for football, 6th - 8th grade students can tryout for cheerleading, boys soccer, and boys volleyball.

Fall sports tryouts will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 through Friday, September 6, 2024 from 3:45 until 5:30. Students must have a updated physical to tryout and participate in sports. Students should bring a appropriate change of clothes and athletic shoes, water, and any other materials specified by the coaching staff.

Students will meet their coaches in the big gym when released at dismissal. Students will need athletic clothing and proper footwear. Students must have a current physical and concussion form to participate. Forms may be obtained by clicking the following link NCHSAA Participation Forms. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Hayes at (336) 819-2855 or email hayesm3@gcsnc.com.

🚘🚘All athletes should be picke-up at the gym entrance located on the Chestnut St. side of the school.

Please click the image below for the supply list.

If you’re the parent of a rising seventh-grade, please don’t forget to check one important requirement off your list before the new school year starts on August 26, 2024.

Seventh-graders are required by state law to get an updated Tdap vaccination if five or more years have passed since their last dose. They are also required to have an MCV vaccine. Your student will be asked to show proof of having the Tdap shot and MCV shot when they start school in August. If they don’t get the vaccine and show documentation of it, schools are required by law to suspend them.

Please remember these requirements as you check off your list of the many other things your family will do to get ready for the new school year. It’s just as important as getting your child’s class schedule and shopping for school supplies, so don’t wait to make an appointment.

Tdap & MCV are available at your family doctor’s office or by appointment at the Guilford County Department of Public Health offices. Call 336-641-3245 to schedule an appointment. Offices are located at 1100 E. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro and 501 E. Green Drive, High Point. In addition to this the Department of Public Health will be holding vaccination clinic during the month of August. Please see the flyer below for more information.

Greetings, GCS Families:

The Transportation Department spent the summer preparing for buses to hit the road to provide safe, efficient and reliable transportation this school year. In order to prepare you for your student’s transportation needs, we encourage all parents and guardians to claim their PowerSchool Parent Portal account. The PowerSchool Parent Portal will serve as a valuable resource to access essential transportation information for your child and you may access directions on our website at www.gcsnc.com/Page/17246. You are also encouraged to download the Here Comes the Bus app for real-time tracking, allowing you to monitor your child's bus location and estimated arrival time conveniently from your smartphone. The app can be found in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), and will be available on August 28. If you have questions or concerns about transportation, please contact our Transportation Call Center at (888) 511-4GCS (4427) or the school. Thank you.

We believe our scholars are capable of excellence, and we will hold them to a high standard for academics and behavior.

We are preparing our students for greatness, starting with academics, a positive attitude, and appropriate behavior as described in the GCS Code of Conduct and the FMS Student Handbook.

This year, GCS is going digital with its student handbook. The handbook is located online at www.gcsnc.com under Quick Links. It is also on our school's webpage under the student tab.

Cell phones should not be used or displayed during regular school hours. If any electronic devices (including earbuds, tables, smartwatches) or cell phones are confiscated, parents must come to the school to retrieve the item(s). Cell phone/electronic use includes the following:

• Texting and voice messaging
• Phone Calls (including Facetime calls)
• Taking pictures or videos
• Use of Social Media

FMS will not be responsible for lost or stolen personal property such as cell phones, toys, school supplies, or electronic devices. See Rule I-6 and Rule II-7 of the GCS Student Handbook.

The school dress code will be strictly enforced.

Here are some of the highlights of our policy:

• Students are expected to be dressed appropriately at all times.
• Pants must be worn at the waist, preferably with a belt.
• Shorts, dresses, skirts, and rompers must extend past the student's fingertips.
• No holes/rips in inappropriate places will be allowed in any clothing. For example, there can be no holes/tears in clothing above the knee unless the student wears leggings or tights under them.
• Students cannot wear spaghetti-strapped tops, tube tops, or any clothing that shows midriff or cleavage.

Start your students' year strong by ensuring that they have great attendance. What can you do now to get a headstart?

1. Re-establish routines for: morning wake-up-using alarm clocks, after-school activities, and bedtimes to ensure that they are ready for the upcoming school year.

2. Discuss transportation to and from school.

3. Complete all school paperwork and documentation and update contact information as needed.

4. Talk with your students' teachers about any special needs.

5. Stay connected with the school - webpage, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Website: https://www.gcsnc.com/ferndale_middle
Location: 701 Ferndale Boulevard, High Point, NC, USA
Phone: 336-819-2855
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FerndaleTrojanPride
Twitter: @fmstrojanpride