FUEL School Newsletter

Dear FUEL Families,

Last week was busy, busy, busy, but we had some really incredible events. I got to watch the 5th grade Choir in their culminating concert for the year (wow - some amazing power in that group!), enjoyed our 2nd/3rd Grade Camp at Star Jaycee Park (THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS AND ECG coordinators!), celebrated all of our 5th grade band, orchestra, and choir performers as they demonstrated their instruments for our 4th graders, and then met many of our community partners at the District Wellness Fair on Saturday! Whew!

This week, our 4th graders head to their overnight camp on Wednesday & Thursday of this week - please be on the lookout for reminders coming from me beginning on Monday for last minute need-to-knows. Our 5th grade Orchestra students will also have their final concert of the year on Wednesday night at 6:30 pm at Ferndale High School.

Finally, please check out the boxes below on our Robotics Open House event for the coming school year and on the final ECG fundraiser of the year - the fan-favorite Butterfly Larvae sales! And don't forget - we have a HALF DAY on Friday, May 23rd with an 11:53 a.m. dismissal and NO SCHOOL on Monday, May 26th for Memorial Day.

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

- Mrs. Jeffrey

We are dedicated to working on our students’ social-emotional growth in addition to their academic growth. This week we will continue in Module 6: Character Values. Our focus this week:

Empathy & Acceptance

A quick read that matters - 8 Ways to Teach Empathy to Your Child - check it out!

• Mon. 5/19 - 5th Grade SEOC Vaping Assembly, 2:15 pm
• Tues. 5/20 - Robotics Open House, 6 pm @ FUEL Cafeteria
• Wed. 5/21 - 4th Grade Camp, Day 1; Butterfly Larvae Fundraiser Closes; 5th Grade Spring Orchestra Concert, 6:30 pm @ FHS
• Thurs. 5/22 - 4th Grade Camp, Day 2 (return @ approx. 7 pm)
• Fri. 5/23 - Half Day, 11:53 a.m DISMISSAL
• Mon. 5/26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Save the Date:

• FHS/FMS PTO Karaoke Night Fundraiser - Sat. 6/14, 7-11 pm @ B. Nektar

FUEL Robotics!!!

Open House for 2nd Graders/3rd Graders/4th Graders!

Come Explore the World of Robotics!

Date: Tuesday, May 20

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Ferndale Upper Elementary Cafeteria

Join us for an exciting evening where 2nd, 3rd, 4th graders and their families can:

• Meet the Robotics Team members and coaches
• See live robot demos
• Try hands-on activities
• Learn how to join next year!

Whether curious or already like programming, coding and robots Ferndale Upper Robotics is the perfect place to explore your interests and make new friends.

All interested 2nd, 3rd, and 4th students and their families are welcome!

Questions?

Email: Sarah Belasco farrett1120@hotmail.com

The Elementary Connections Group is launching our annual butterfly larvae fundraiser!!

Proceeds benefit the general camp scholarship fund for Ferndale Public Schools Elementary students and then general ECG outdoor learning and community outreach. Please see the details here and place your orders at: [https://www.schoolpay.com/link/Butterfly]

Butterfly Larvae Fundraiser Flyer

Butterfly larvae sales close Wednesday May 21!! Don’t wait!! Pick up will be at Lower and Upper on Monday, June 2 from 3:00-5:00.

Artists in All Grade Levels (1-12) will have works in a variety of mediums on display in the Ferndale Library from MAY 24 — June 27

Opening Reception: Wednesday, May 28 — 5 PM- 7 PM with live music & refreshments

Ferndale Schools’ Art Teachers Curated an impressive collection of the best works created by FPS students during the 2024-2025 academic school year!

Join us at our Opening Reception to celebrate these talented young artists!

https://www.fadl.org/fps-art

Communities in Schools Supports

🌸 Spring is Here – and CIS is Here for You

As we shake off the winter chill and head into spring, it’s a perfect time for renewal—and a

reminder that CIS is always here to support you and your family. Whether you're in need of

school supplies, basic needs, community resources, or just someone to talk to, your CIS Site

Coordinator is just a call or visit away.

We know that success in school starts with feeling safe, supported, and cared for—and that

goes beyond the classroom. CIS is committed to meeting students where they are and

helping families thrive, no matter the season.

If you or someone you know could use a helping hand this spring, please reach out.

CIS of Michigan: Surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them

to stay in school and achieve in life.

Lend a Hand – Garden Volunteer Day is Coming!

Spring is here, and it’s time to get our hands dirty—for a great cause! CIS is looking for

volunteers to help us clean out and refresh our school gardens so we can plant seeds and

grow something beautiful together. Thanks to the generosity of English Gardens in Ferndale,

we have all the supplies we need—now we just need your time and energy!

Whether you're a gardening pro or just love being part of the community, this is a wonderful

chance to give back, spend time outdoors, and make a lasting impact on our school

environment. Students will benefit from seeing the fruits (and veggies!) of our labor grow over

the months to come. More info and sign up coming soon.

Let’s grow something great—together.

CIS of Michigan: Surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them

to stay in school and achieve in life.

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: www.fepta.org

To become a FE PTA member: ferndaleelementarypta.givebacks.com/store

Scholastic Book Fair - FLOWER

May 19-23, 2025

The BOGO Book Fair returns! A great time to stock up for summer reading!

To set up an e-Wallet (the cashless way for students to shop): bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ferndaleupperelementarysch

Sign up to volunteer: signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA5AE2FA0F4C70-56204122-book#/

Donate to Share the Fair and help every student bring home a book: ferndaleelementarypta.givebacks.com/w/fundraisers

We have scholarships available to help students purchase books, please fill out the form to request one: https://forms.gle/fx2HhjFeByGacGZA7

June Fair

May 30, 2025 5-8PM Location: Admin Building (2610 Pinecrest)

This community event is a Ferndale tradition! The fair features midway games, rock climbing wall, putt putt, inflatables, food, raffle baskets and more! Everything is set up outside at the Ferndale schools Administration Building (the Old Lower/Roosevelt).

June Fair is also the main fundraiser for FE PTA - all proceeds will support programming for the 2025-2026 school year including school assemblies, Skate Nights and other family events, grants, and teacher appreciation efforts!

Tickets will be available for presale (dates to be announced soon) or you can purchase them the day of the event.

Event flyer: tinyurl.com/JuneFair2025flyer

To volunteer: tinyurl.com/JuneFairVolunteers

For all the details, including tickets, pricing, and activities: tinyurl.com/JuneFair2025

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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.'

Camp Updates

We are also looking for volunteers for ALL grade level camps!

All Elementary Camp Sign Ups are live and ready! Camp Payments can be made HERE.

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