
FUEL School Newsletter
Week of October 14, 2024
Message from the Principal
Dear FUEL Families,
Wow! That is the only word I have for how amazing our students were at last week's PTA Walk-A-Thon & Field Day event - their leadership, kindness, and patience with our Lower students were truly a thing of wonder. Our students are truly finding and leading into their many strengths this year - and we are so proud of them.
This week, we invite our 2nd and 3rd grade families to the first of a series of Math Games Nights! Check out the flyer for details - come learn how to play math games (fun ones, we promise!) and take the games home with you afterwards! This is a great opportunity to practice math skills at home through play - please consider joining us over the next month.
I am also excited to attach our Essentials Quarter 1 newsletters to this week's newsletter - check them out for details on the happenings in each space. Media -- Art -- Spanish -- Gym -- Music
Save the Date: Picture Day is fast approaching - mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 22nd. We are looking for 1-2 parent volunteers to help support that day - please reach out to me or the main office if you are interested in supporting the day. Look for picture envelopes in backpacks as well!
Finally, please remember to contact me via Rooms, email, or phone if you need anything. If you are still struggling with access to Rooms or the Ferndale app, please stop in the office - our secretaries are experts and help get you set up in the app!
See you soon!
- Mrs. Jeffrey
This Week's Social Emotional Learning Focus
We are dedicated this year to working on our students’ social-emotional growth in addition to their academic growth. This week we begin with Module 2: Brain States. Our focus this week:
Brain Hand & Understanding Your Triggers
This is a FANTASTIC resource for identifying triggers both at school - and at HOME! Consider using this with your student(s) and sharing your own triggers!
Important Upcoming Dates - October
Mon. 10/14 - YMCA Sportport, 3:45-5:15 pm
Tues. 10/15 - FYA Family Math Games Night (2nd & 3rd Grade), 6-7:30 pm @ FUEL Media Center
Thurs. 10/17 - 3rd Grade/MONT Anti-Bullying Assembly, 2 pm
FRi. 10/18 - HALF DAY, 11:53 a.m. dismissal
Save the Date: FUEL PICTURE DAY - Tuesday, October 22nd
Student Groups @ FUEL
The following student groups have started (or will be starting) in the coming weeks:
- FUEL Robotics - contact Mr. Fennig for information - maisson.fennig@ferndaleschools.org
- Playlabs - begins 9/23; contact - Michigan Stage
- Girls on the Run - begins 10/1 - contact: Coach Sophie, sophie.martin@ferndaleschools.org
- PACE Boys' Running Club - begins 10/7
- FYA Clubs:
- New this Week: Balanced Minds Club - contact Mrs. Meservy & Ms. Griffin - alissa.meservy@ferndaleschools.org & hallie.griffin@ferndaleschools.org
- 4th & 5th Grade Photography Club - contact Mrs. Fox - kristiana.fox@ferndaleschools.org
- 5th Grade Walking & Tutoring Club - contact Mr. Davis - vaughn.davis@ferndaleschools.org
- All Grades Board Games & Books Club - contact Mrs. Jones & Mrs. Carp - melanie.jones@ferndaleschools.org & lauren.carp@ferndaleschools.org
- 3rd Grade Girls STEAM Club - contact Mrs. Nagaj - shannon.nagaj@ferndaleschools.org
Communities in Schools Resources & Supports
Communities in Schools Resources & Supports
Food Pantry Resource:
Zion Lutheran Food Pantry
The food pantry is open every third Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church
143 Albany, Ferndale MI, from 9-10:30am.
Calvary Presbyterian Church
19125 Greenview Detroit, MI 48219
(313)537-2590
SAT: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Rent and Utility Assistance:
https://svdpdetroit.org/How-We-Help/Energy-Rent-Assistance/help-with-my-bill
Society of St. Vincent De Paul Detroit
Apply for rent and utility assistance on their website.
Other Assistance:
https://www.community-sharing.org
Assists with monthly food and/or emergency food and other emergency assistance (rent, utilities, etc.), pet pantry, and case management.
PTA & Elementary Connections Group Updates
Ferndale Elementary PTA's events and meetings are open to all our school families!
To learn more about FE PTA:
Facebook: fb.me/FerndaleElementaryPTA
Email: ferndale.elem.pta@gmail.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ferndale_elementary_pta
Website: ferndaleschools.org/page/parent-organizations
To become a FE PTA member: ferndaleelementarypta.givebacks.com/store
Walk-A-Thon and Field Day
Thank you to everyone who made this day a success! Volunteers, teachers, principals, and school staff - we are so grateful for your time and energy!
To everyone who donated funds to support purchasing school shirts for all staff and students and PTA programming - thank you! The donation link is live for one more week: app.givebacks.gives/feptafieldday2024
Here are photos from the day: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R3l6LkT03rNP-m2lqvld1DC2ozuEg08y?usp=sharing
Finally, thank you to all the grownups of our students! Your children are kind, energetic, and a joy to spend the day with!
Scholastic Book Fair at FUEL
November 4-8, 2024
Shopping hours and volunteer opportunities will be announced soon!
FE PTA Meeting
November 12, 2024 6:30-8:00PM Location: FLower
Save the date! More information is coming soon.
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Elementary Connections Group Updates
What is the Elementary Connections Group?
Please see the attached flyer for more information about the Elementary Connections Group.
This year the ECG board is collaborating with classroom teachers to plan an outdoor learning field trip for all grade levels. Grade levels are split into multiple days with 2 classes going to their location each day. Online payment is preferred ($10). Be on the lookout for permission slips from your classroom teachers!
We will need chaperones!
First gives & Kindergarten- Stony Creek field trip will occur in the spring
1st Grade- Kensington Nature Center- First group October 14
2nd grade- Tollgate farm field trip will occur in the spring
3rd grade- Lake St. Clair Metropark Nature Center- First group October 28
4th Grade- Stony Creek Metropark- First group October 14
5th Grade- Lake Erie Metropark-First group October 25
Student Arrival and Dismissal Reminders
For drop-off in the morning, please be sure to pull ALL the way up in the school driveway in the drop-off line. We will help students walk towards the entrance. This will help us to keep the line moving. Doors do not open until 8:20 am - there is no student supervision until 8:20 am. Also, please note that if students are not eating breakfast, they do not need to arrive at school until 8:28 pm. Students who arrive at 8:28 a.m. can head directly to their lockers and classrooms. Otherwise, students should report to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the gym. Car Line Safety Reminders HERE.
Please remember that the BUS driveway is ONLY for buses. This is a safety issue. Please only use the car line in the front of the building on Rosewood.
For pickup, please be sure to have your yellow identification card with student name and grade available and easy to see.
Attendance Reminders
Please call the attendance line each day your child will be absent from school. Any absence will remain unexcused until the office has been notified. The teachers appreciate an email reminder, but you must still call the office. Please call the attendance line at 248.547.0880, press the #1 option & leave a message with a reason for the absence.
Safe Snack Reminders
Thank you for helping to keep all of our students SAFE at FUEL by following our safe snack guidelines. This is a reminder that FUEL is a nut-, tree-nut, and sesame-restricted building - please double-check all ingredients before sending in a lunch or snack to school to ensure the safety of all students. Sample safe snack lists can be found here. Reminder: NO food birthday treats this year due to our allergy policy.
Important Forms Reminders
If your student has a medical need, it is vitally important that our office staff and teachers are aware. Please complete the medical forms available in the main office (or in the link below) and return to school ASAP.
Medical Authorization Form & Medical Treatment Form
All adults interested in volunteering during the 2024-2025 school year must have a Volunteer Form on file. This form should be submitted at a minimum of two weeks prior to the event in order to accommodate processing times. No adult will be allowed to volunteer or chaperone unless they have an approved form on file. Forms are available at the link below. Please note: all volunteer forms must be turned into the main office. In addition, you only need to fill out a volunteer form for one school - it will then cover all FPS campuses.
Breakfast and Lunch are free again this year as part of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Please return this form to school ASAP in place of the normal Free and Reduced Lunch application.