Given that Monday is the last day of school, this will be the last SMORE until next fall. For the summer months, I will email information as needed. As always, questions just let me know.

I can't believe how fast this year flew by! Thank you for your ongoing and continued support. I appreciate each one of you!

Given the Boards interest in discussion the use of cell phones in schools, I wanted to share the following article with you.

Survey for Results Policy 3 (R-3) Civic Engagement: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQk3_FyMbRWqgXNKkZ8-ORvxwWK7lwBJ_G1GoPkVW9e_gLSQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

Please complete the survey by June 14th.

Are you planning to attend? Please let Kris know ASAP and she will get you registered. If you are unsure, please wait until you know because they are charging a cancelation fee this year. We cannot secure hotel rooms without registering, so the sooner we know the better.

Registration is officially open for the 2024 WSSDA Annual Conference happening in Spokane Nov. 21-23.

The theme of WSSDA’s 2024 annual conference, “Perspective,” invites us to embark on a profound exploration of the many lenses through which we perceive the world. In the realm of education, where our communities (and our boards) encompass a wide array of voices, navigating perspectives is not merely a challenge but a necessity. (Read more about perspective.)

New for 2024

1. Conference starts on Thursday

2. School Spirit Day on Saturday

3. OnBoard trainings won't require pre-registration

Day 1

The first breakout sessions of conference begin just 30 minutes after the pre-conference sessions conclude. That evening, all are invited to the President's Dinner and, for young people, the Student Dinner.

School Spirit

On the concluding day of conference, everyone is encouraged to show their school spirit by dressing in their favorite school's colors or mascot-emblazoned wearables!

Ease of Entry

And finally, the OnBoard trainings are available simply by arriving a few minutes early to secure a seat. View the draft agenda for all scheduling details (until we launch the conference app in the fall).

With engaging keynoters, relevant and practical pre-cons, close to 70 breakout sessions, Onboard learning experiences, and capacity for an additional 100 conference registrants, we can't wait to host all of you for the 2024 Annual Conference!

Issues at the Core of Washington State’s School Funding Dilemma: https://www.waschoolfunding.org/

A call for applications of interested people has gone out. This group serves as a non-decision-making body, for the sole purpose of providing valuable input to the process of playground design, use and installation. Much of the work on this project will be guided by the parameters of the WCHCS grant.

This group will meet from June of 2024 through May of 2025.

Those selected to the advisory group will be responsible for attending meetings every 2-3 weeks through November and once per month December through May.

To apply for consideration to serve on the MTV Playground Advisory Group, please click here to complete the application. All applications must be submitted by June 20.

For questions, please email celina.rodriguez@ferndalesd.org or call (360)383-9200.

Whatcom County Juvenile Detention is a component of the Juvenile Court Administration with a primary purpose of maintaining public safety and encouraging accountability of court involved youth. Detention is a secure facility where high-risk youth who may pose a threat to community safety are detained while awaiting a court process, have violated court ordered conditions and/or have been sentenced.

During the May Board Meeting the Whatcom County Detention Center Education Program Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with the ESD was approved. Peggy and Nancy asked me some great questions regarding the program, and the partnership. I oversaw this work when I was in Bellingham, so I was a bit more involved then, but had to do some learning about what this looks like for Ferndale students and how it is managed here. Currently we do not have any students who are enrolled, but as a student enters, we are notified by email.

The juvenile justice system is not managed by OSPI, but DCYF. Every child in Washington state is protected by the law to ensure that each students has equal access to public education without discrimination. We are prohibited to discriminate for any reason (basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, the use of trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status.)

By law, regardless of what the child needs to be able to access schooling, even if they are detained, we by law must provide access. Given the expense, districts in our county partner with the ESD to provide these services.

To learn more about what these services look like you can visit:

Detention | Whatcom County, WA - Official Website

For the month of July, the district office will be open to the public Monday-Thursday and closed on Friday. This does not mean we are not working Fridays we are just not open to the public.

General admission:

• $45 online in advance ($50 day of event)

VIP tickets: (VIP tickets are limited to 100 guests)

• $100 online in advance (no day-of sales)

Please note:

• Food not covered in ticket cost—except for VIP’s
• Tickets are non-refundable
• Must be 21 years of age & older—I.D verifying age will be required (Sorry babies and children not permitted)
• No pets
• Additional tasting tokens available for purchase $5 each

Hamburgers & hot dogs $5 each!

Classic car show in the Park!

Car owners, purchase your event tickets in advance and there will be no registration fee to enter your car. Registration for car show will take place as you enter the Park.

I am sharing this with you in case you are interested in attending. This is an important conversation and one that has hit our school community hard over the past couple of years.

The 2024 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit is almost here! We hope you will join us to build on the momentum of the 2023 Opioid Summit with two full days of learning, community building, and action. The more we understand about the experiences of our youth people today, and the protective factors that reduce substance use disorders, the more impact we can have in building systems that result in health and well-being from an early age.

This year’s Summit programming is focused on how the opioid/Fentanyl crisis is impacting our youth and young adults- from grounding in data and evidence-based practices, to building empathy through personal stories, to action planning for community investment, and so much more! Join us to learn from our community’s youth and the organizations and individuals who support them. The Summit will highlight community voices, promote shared learning around systems of substance use prevention and support, and amplify innovative strategies that support our youth into healthy and thriving adulthood.

Click on the link below to learn more about summit and registration!

Summit 2024 - Chuckanut Health Foundation

Everyone! We all have a role to play in responding to the opioid crisis and cultivating a community where our children, youth, and young adults thrive. Making the necessary changes and investments in systems of prevention and response for our youth will require all of us - policy makers, teachers, funders, parents, families, neighbors, elders, schools, government leaders, youth, service providers, and most importantly, YOU!

launchchuckanuthealthfoundation.org

*New/Important Dates are in BOLD (note senior activities in the section below)

June 17- Last Day of School

June 25 - Budget Hearing @ 5:45

June 25 -Board Meeting starting @ 6

June 27- Final Opportunity: Strengthening Tribal-Board Relations Training (mandatory training for the Superintendent/Board Members by 9/1. Otherwise, we are unable to collect Title Funds.

June 29-July 5 Kristi will be headed to Maui without her computer! Tony and I are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, and excited to go and get away for a brief time.

July 13 - 17 Kristi, Kris and Communications team will be attending the NSPRA Conference in Bellevue

July 30 - Board Meeting

August 3 - Board Retreat (full day)

Superintendent

Email: kristi.dominguez@ferndalesd.org
Website: www.ferndalesd.org
Location: 6041 Vista Drive, Ferndale, WA, USA
Phone: 360-815-9563
Facebook: facebook.com/FerndaleSchools