FUEL School Newsletter

Dear FUEL Families,

The end of this incredible year is approaching - and I am not ready! I really have enjoyed this year watching our students learn, grow, thrive, and IMAGINE the next-big-thing for each and every one of them. I'll save the tears for next week, but I am really so grateful to have spent the time with this group and this school community this year. One of my favorite parts of the Ferndale Elementary experience - our camps program led by our incredible Elementary Connections Group - culminates this week with our 5th grade camp experience at Camp Copneconic. Last week, our 4th graders had an AMAZING time at Camp Tamarack - despite the less-than-ideal weather, they were fully engaged and enjoyed all the different activities and outdoor education opportunities. The wonder in their eyes and their huge smiles says it all - thank you to ALL of our family members who have volunteered all year long to help bring these experiences to our students.

Fifth grade families, there is a lot going on for you in the next two weeks! Please, please, please read the 5th Grade May Newsletter & 5th Grade Celebration Flyer for the details you need - and please send them to your friends if you know they don't read my newsletter! One grateful principal and two beleaguered secretaries thank you for spreading the word!

Please remember this week we have NO SCHOOL on Monday, 5/26 for Memorial Day and a HALF DAY on Friday, 5/30 with an 11:53 a.m. dismissal for Records Day. We also hope to see EVERYONE at the June Fair on Friday night from 5-8 pm at the Roosevelt Administration Building - it's a Ferndale tradition and so.much.fun!

Finally, if you have time in the next two weeks, please complete the spring FUEL Family Survey to provide us feedback for the coming year. Your voice matters.

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:

Friendship & Cooperation

This one is for younger students, but they can be adapted for our age groups as well - it's never too late to learn to cooperate and collaborate with others!

• Mon. 5/26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
• Tues. 5/27-Thurs. 5/29 - 5th Grade Camp @ Camp Copneconic
• Wed. 5/28 - LAST Early Release Wednesday
• Fri. 5/29 - HALF DAY, 11:53 a.m. dismissal; June Fair, 5-8 pm @ Roosevelt

Save the Date:

• Parent Academy Event - Thriving Together - Sat. 6/7, 9-2 pm @ Hampton Inn, Southfield
• FHS/FMS PTO Karaoke Night Fundraiser - Sat. 6/14, 7-11 pm @ B. Nektar
• Popsicles with the Principal Flyer - Thurs. 8/21, 5-7 pm @ FUEL Playground

Hello FUEL future and current robotics families! We are so grateful for the amazing support that we had at our open house to get prepared for the fall 2025 season that is coming up faster than we realize! If you were unable to join us but are interested in coaching or having your student join a team, please fill out the google form here! We are looking to get groups formed early in the summer to get a headstart on the new year! We can't wait to see all of you engineers!

Love,

Mr.Fennig

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

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 Tuesday, May 27 at the FUEL entrance from 6-7PM or you can purchase them the day of the event.

Event flyer: tinyurl.com/JuneFair2025flyer

Volunteers are still needed! tinyurl.com/JuneFairVolunteers

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

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Elementary Connections Group Updates

Thank you, thank you, thank you too ALL of our volunteers for K-4 Camps. Our 5th grade camp is up this week!

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