FUEL School Newsletter

Dear FUEL Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying our One Book, One School read with The Wild Robot! I've loved talking to the kids about the book at school, seeing their reading "bolts" pile up (it's 20 minutes of reading per bolt - ask your student how many they have completed so far!), and listening to them talk about the story throughout the day! A special shout out and thank you again to our media specialist, Mrs. Saunders, our CIS Student Success Advisor Ms. Pettway, and the Reading Committee for making this happen this year! I see many more all-school reads in our future 🙂

This week is another busy week at FUEL - including our 4th and 5th Grade Camp information meetings on Tuesday night in the FUEL Cafeteria (4th Grade - 6 pm; 5th Grade - 7 pm) as well as our PTA Meeting at 6:30 pm at Lower. For the camp meetings, we will have time with the camp coordinators, as well as Zoom calls with both camps to learn more about the experiences available to students at our overnight camps. On Thursday night we also have our by-appointment family-teacher conferences from 4-7 pm. Finally, please remember that Friday, March 14th is a HALF DAY with an 11:53 a.m. dismissal time - it will also be PAJAMA DAY and Read-with-a-Flashlight Day at FUEL - cozy up with a good book!

Please reach out if you need anything - see you soon!

- Mrs. Jeffrey

We are dedicated this year to working on our students’ social-emotional growth in addition to their academic growth. This week we will begin Module 5: Mindfulness. Our focus this week:

Gratitude & Perspective

I love this short read on practicing gratitude as a family. Check it out!

Early Release Wednesday dismissal is 2:38 p.m. Remember, every Wednesday through May

• Mon. 3/10 - Genre Day; 4th Grade DTE Assemblies in Media Center; YMCA Sportport, 3:45-5:15 pm; GOTR & PACE Running Clubs begin
• Tues. 3/11 - Guest Reader Day #2; 4th Grade Camp Meeting, 6 pm & 5th Grade Camp Meeting, 7 pm @ FUEL Cafeteria
• Wed. 3/12 - FMS Social Studies Curriculum Parent Meeting, 4:30 pm
• Thurs. 3/13 - Spring Conferences (by appointment), 4-7 pm; 5th Grade FMS Building Tour & Student Panel, 6 pm @ FHS Auditorium
• Fri. 3/14 - HALF DAY, 11:53 a.m. dismissal

Save-The-Dates

• Tues. 3/18 - Spring Picture Day
• Thurs. 3/20 - 4th Grade Music Concerts @ FHS

Communities in Schools Supports

Thank you to all parents who came to volunteer for Literacy Day CIS Michigan appreciates you!!

Spotlight on Kate Pankhurst: A Trailblazer in Children's Literature

Kate Pankhurst is a celebrated author and illustrator known for her inspiring contributions to children's literature. With a passion for storytelling and a deep commitment to empowering young readers, she has become a favorite among parents, educators, and children alike. Pankhurst’s most renowned works include the Fantastically Great Women series, where she brings to life the stories of remarkable women in history, such as Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo. Through her engaging illustrations and accessible storytelling, Pankhurst helps young readers discover the power of perseverance, creativity, and courage. Her contributions extend beyond simply entertaining; she ignites curiosity, fosters self-confidence, and encourages children to dream big.

Denazia Pettway | (she/her)

Student Support Coordinator
Ferndale Upper Elementary

denazia@cismichigan.org , 248-5470-0880 ext 1653

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

Winter Resource Fair

Thank you to everyone who attended or hosted a table at the Fair! Here's a list of organizations that hosted a table. https://tinyurl.com/39w7szcu

FE PTA Monthly Meeting

March 11, 2025 6:30-8:00PM Location: FLower

Join us for the February FE PTA meeting! Updates from teachers and the principals, as well as the Assemblies, June Fair and Advocacy Committees, and upcoming family events. Everyone is welcome to attend. Onsite, free babysitting is available.

Family Literacy Night - Pop of Indie Traveling Book Fair

March 19, 2025 6:00-7:30 Location: FUEL

We're celebrating National Reading Month with a fun night for all K-5 families! The event features local authors for story time, arts and crafts, and a writer's workshop. There's also an opportunity to purchase books from the featured authors. For more details: facebook.com/events/58850362743851

Save the Date

Skate Night

April 10, 2025 6:15-8:15PM - free to attend!

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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.'

Get your babysitter ready for a FABULOUS night out for a great cause (your kids!)!!!! We have local bands Killsound, The Band Mint and The Heavy Dose! We have local comedians Meghan Nyeste and Steve Widzinski who have both book d shows at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle! We have the Ladies of Breckenridge Ave. We have professional dancers and several other wonderful musical acts! Meet fellow Ferndale Elementary supporters and have a well deserved night on the town!

Just 4 Kicks Flyer

Camp Updates

"Camp" Season is coming up and the Elementary Connections Group is looking for people to join us in planning our grade level camps this spring!

If you're interested in being part of the planning committee for each grade level, please fill out the Camp Coordinator Sign Up google form and expect to be contacted during the first week of February. Information about center designers and day-of volunteer roles will be coming out in the next few weeks.

Grade level camp planning includes organizing meetings, keeping track of deadlines, and coordinating volunteers. We need 2-3 Camp Coordinators from our First Fives, Kindergarten and 1st grade families as well as 2-3 coordinators for 2nd/3rd grade camp. There is A LOT of support available from past coordinators!

Camp is a vital part of the Ferndale Public Schools curriculum. Camp is designed to create a strong partnership between parents, teachers and administrators to provide an outdoor community learning experience for our students. The success of Camp relies on parents/guardians to create and plan this incredible outdoor experience for all of our kids.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Volunteer Form

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.

Household Information Form