Exciting Possibilities

Dear friends,

The deadline to cast our ballots regarding the Ferndale school bond is nearing.  As such, I want to share that it has been an honor to serve on the bond committee.  Not only have I learned a tremendous amount about our school district, but I’ve met truly lovely people who care deeply not just about the future of Ferndale students, but the community as a whole.

Indeed, it’s exciting to think we could possibly be on the verge of building a new high school that would benefit our entire community for generations to come.  And while the increase in property taxes are necessary for progress, it’s comforting to remember that the benefits gained will last far longer than the twinge of discomfort felt in individual pocketbooks.

Though the majority agree that a new high school is badly needed, some refuse to support the bond as written.  But as the Spanish artist Salvador Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.”  As perfection is only in the eye of the beholder, what one person yearns for is another person’s complaint, and so forth.  A written bond pleasing everyone will simply never exist.  So do we, as a community, continue to debate the bond verbiage, the school dimensions, the turf of the playing fields, or the size of the auditorium?  Or do we find a way to unite together for the sake of our children’s educational future, indeed that of an entire community, and celebrate the possibilities a new high school would bring?

It’s safe to say most of us drive a car that was built within our lifetime.  Some of us drive a newer car sporting a prettier paint job and better treads.  A new car might require a larger payment up front, but over the long run it pays for itself much quicker thanks to better fuel economy, technological advances, and safety features.  The older model produces greater toxic emissions, requires costly custom repairs, and is much less reliable.  In the end, the newer car costs less and offers greater advantages.  Which would you rather see our children in?

I understand that the memory of past mistakes remain fresh to some.  But to hold our children’s future hostage for decisions made in years past would be a second mistake lasting far longer than the first.  Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”  Allowing our community to unite and move forward with the school bond not only offers a solid education for our youth, it also holds the opportunity to breathe new life into the Ferndale economy, bearing gifts for everyone.   

So as you prepare to cast your vote regarding the Ferndale school bond, I invite you to join me in looking toward a better future not just for our students, but for our entire community. 

Sincerely,

Lynda Fell

Bond Committee Chair 

Community Forum 01/15/14

Letter from Monica Burlingame

To Whom it May Concern,

Ferndale High School, as it stands, has served its purpose well.  However, Ferndale the community has grown past it’s beloved high school.  Ferndale High School has taught it’s students well in preparing for their future careers.  Nonetheless, as we all know, all good things must come to an end.  As time has flown by, the world has changed while Ferndale High School has grown stagnant, outdated and inefficient. Therefore, to construct a new Ferndale High School would benefit Ferndale students and the Ferndale community. As a student at FHS I have seen, first hand the necessity for this project.

For example, the new school will:

•    Relieve overcrowding in hallways, core areas and classrooms.

                There are currently about 1400 students at Ferndale High School, with over 60 classrooms. We need more classrooms at Ferndale High School.  In my AP Calculus class, because there are not enough classrooms, my class consists of AB AP Calculus students, BC AP Calculus students, as well as AP Statistics students.  This overcrowding causes students from three different courses to share one classroom and one teacher.  Because of this, I feel my learning has been diminished due to insufficient time with the teacher. Not to mention our student lounge is pitifully small.  This area is common grounds for before and after school socializing and lunches, however, because of this area’s small space, there are disadvantages.  For example, the student lounge can become very crowded and block students passing through. Lastly, the hallways are inadequate. During passing periods, the halls are congested with students, as a result, the flow between classes is remarkably slow.

•    Put almost everything under one roof!

                Sophomore year I had P.E. followed by a class in the 700s.  With 6 minutes of passing period I often found myself scrambling to change, channeling my inner Husain Bolt to sprint to class, or staying in my dirty gym clothes in order to avoid a tardy. Therefore, to build a new Ferndale High School would lessen the distance between classes and decrease the number of tardies while alleviating the stress caused by passing periods. To augment the safety at FHS we need an additionally compact school.  With over sixty(60) exterior doors, to secure FHS, during a lock down would be exceedingly difficult.  I have visited Bellingham High School for various school activities and took note that BHS was under one roof.  Because of this, they have fewer exterior doors, and fewer doors at great distances apart, therefore, to secure the school would be easy in case of an emergency.  Therefore, Ferndale High School would benefit greatly in building a new high school under one roof.

•    Will ensure a heating system that works; “is not confusing” 

                Sitting at my desk, nervously taking that AP Calculus test I had been dreading, I couldn’t help but be distracted due to the constant fluctuation in temperature of the classroom.  Ferndale High School has a heating system that, put nicely, “is confusing”.  Often I find myself unsure if I should wear snow pants or shorts, or just bring both because during the course of one class the temperature could shift drastically. To construct a new FHS would ensure an up-to-date heating system that could be monitored from each classroom.  Therefore, no confusion upon clothing choices and no distractions during AP Calculus tests.

Over all, Ferndale High School has been a wonderful blessing to the community. However, to continue benefiting the community and helping students learn properly, safely, and efficiently, it is time to update Ferndale High School. 

Thank you for your time,

Monica Burlingame

Ferndale High School

ASB President

The educational landscape is changing, not only in Ferndale but across our state and the entire country. Based on recent studies, consider the following:

• 53% of all 6-8^th graders have a laptop or tablet style device (In Ferndale that number is 100 %)
• 60% of all high school students have a laptop or tablet style device.
• There are now more than 4.6 billion mobile phones in the world, and children under 12 years of age constitute one of the fastest growing segments of mobile technology users in the United States.

The teachers in our Ferndale schools are using a variety of technologies in their classrooms to create engaging curriculum, grade assignments, and track student progress.

Recently, the Ferndale School District was selected as one of only 20 Signature School Districts in the

United States by a research organization called Project RED.  This organization brings together the work of schools across the nation that have chosen to make an investment in the education of their young people by giving each student a computing device.  The goal of one-to-one programs is to personalize education by creating a student-centered learning environment for each young person. Research shows one of the best ways to accomplish this is through personal and portable technologies.  In Ferndale, we deployed such devices to each of our middle level students last fall.

While we are at the beginning of our work with the one-to-one project, early evidence suggests students are more engaged and motivated on a regular basis. Both teachers and students report increased levels of confidence and comfort using technology in and out of the classroom.  Students have found various ways to access learning and information.  We are beginning to see a positive shift in teaching practices.  Such practices include different ways to communicate with students and support their learning beyond school.

Some people have asked about the cost of providing students with mobile devices.  Among the data points Project RED is helping us track are ones related to costs.  A recent study showed textbooks for a single student over their four years of high school averages $1,020.  The mobile device we purchased was under $700.  In addition, we are saving money on copying and paper, which are among the school districts’ largest non-employee expenditures.

Our plan is for our 8^th grade students to take their devices to the high school with them next year. Immediately, excitement grows when we consider 25% of our high school students will have a district-provided device.  Unfortunately, we’re concerned the infrastructure at the current high school won’t be able to support full implementation of one-to-one.  For our high school students to realize all the advantages our middle school students are discovering, we will need an upgraded facility.  Otherwise, students will take a step backward.

Our initial work with giving each student his or her own technology learning tool promises great dividends. We’re excited to continue at the high school level, which is another reason we need a new facility!  

-Scott Brittain

Letter from Bond Committee

Do we need a new high school?  Watch this YouTube video and see for yourself.


Dear Friend of Ferndale Schools:                                            

Ferndale School Board of Directors has decided to run a bond measure in the February 11, 2014 election.Do we need a new high school?

The bond will pay for building high school capacity for 1,900-2,000 students with 1,500-1,600 at the new Ferndale High School and 300-400 at Windward High School.  Windward will be located at either the North Bellingham campus, Mountain View campus or some other site.

On behalf of the advocacy committee, we are writing to ask for your financial support.  We need every eligible voter to vote “YES” February 11 and would like your help to spread the facts about the bond.  As you know, it costs a significant amount of money to run a campaign and this year’s is no exception. Campaign funds are used for printed materials, mailings and advertising through the media in order to inform citizens.  

Will you please support our community schools today with a contribution?  Please make your check payable to (and mail to):

Ferndale School District Bond/Levy Committee
c/o Key Bank
P.O. Box 1027
2081 Main St.
Ferndale, WA 98248

Your ongoing support of our schools is very much appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  If you would like a committee member to visit your company, a member to make a presentation or if you would like additional information about the levy, please don’t hesitate to call Lynda Fell at 360.510.8590 or email fsdbondlevycomm@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Ferndale School District Bond Committee Representatives

Lynda Fell

Bond Committee Chair

Greg Ebe

Bond Committee Treasurer

Principal Kombo's letter

 

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of Ferndale School District’s bond issue to build a desperately needed “new” Ferndale High School.

I am the proud principal of Ferndale High School, and I am extremely aware of the state of our campus, its current limitations, and its proud past. My hope is that the Ferndale community recognizes the need for a new Ferndale High and supports its construction. In terms of enrollment, we are the largest high school in Whatcom County; we have the largest campus; in my opinion (and the opinion of many others), we have the best students and staff; and have we also have the dubious distinction of having the oldest and most antiquated high school facility in the county.

Like every parent, I want my daughters to go to a high school that will keep them as safe as possible, provide them with elective classes of their choice, and allow them to experience the kind of industry standard technology that will prepare them for life after high school. Currently, I am not able to provide those things for our students to the degree they deserve. Our campus is comprised of more than half dozen buildings with over 70 exterior entrances, which limits our ability to assure proper access control. In terms of elective classes and technology, the limitations of our facility simply won’t allow us to upgrade equipment.

At this point, while no plans have been developed or drawn, the concept of building a new facility on our existing campus while our students remain in our current buildings make the most logistical and financial sense for our community. We have ample room to the north of our “new gym” near our practice fields to build a new multi-story campus. Our term the “new gym” in itself is a statement about the age our campus, since it is almost 40 years old.

I have been asked the question, “Why not just remodel what is already there?”  Fair question. However, in order to truly move Ferndale High into the 21^st century in terms of safety, elective programs, technology, and preparation for 21^st century jobs, we need a “clean slate.”  An extensive remodel would cost upwards of 80% of the price of a new school and would still leave us with many of the deficiencies that currently exist. Personally, I’d have a hard time spending so much money on a campus that still had serious limitations.

Since our “Old Main” building was constructed in 1933, our campus has undergone ten or more remodels, renovations, and/or additions. These projects, while necessary at the time, have resulted in a mishmash of heating, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems and required adding “band-aid” after “band-aid” to our campus to keep them all going. Band-Aids are meant to be temporary fixes that eventually need to be addressed. My hope is that now is the time we will address them -- for today’s students and all of the students who follow them.

Ferndale High School has a long and deep history of student achievement, in the classroom, on the performance stage, and in athletic competitions. Our facility is now becoming a limiting factor for how much my staff and I can support our students. I urge the voters of Ferndale School District to please support the building of a “new” Ferndale High School so we can continue to say, “It’s a Matter of Pride,” for the generations of students to come.

Aaron Kombol

Mark your calendar!

One of the best ways to educate the public on an important voting matter is to engage us in conversation.  While all of the dates listed below will offer us an opportunity to ask questions, the community forum on December 12 is especially important in that it offers guided tours of the high school facilities.  Why is that noteworthy?  Aside from athletic and other co-curricular events, most of us are not familiar with the current condition of the high school's interior.  And yet the beating heart of the 2014 bond addresses just that:  the condition of the school's infrastructure and how it impacts the future of Ferndale's youth.  

It is no secret that Ferndale High School is old, sprawling, and outdated.  But with an expectation of saving money, some might favor remodeling over new construction.  Before we make that verdict, we need to ask ourselves a valid question:  How long can we expect a bandage to hold repairs before the size of repair grows too large for the bandage?  

Thursday, December 12
Ferndale High School auditorium
5830 Golden Eagle Drive
Ferndale, WA  98248
Pick your time:  6:00 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:00 pm

Roundtable Discussions
Ferndale High School, room 503 (just inside front door to the left)
5830 Golden Eagle Drive
Ferndale, WA  98248
From 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Pick your date:
     December:   5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20
     January:       6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31
     February:     3, 4, 6, 7, 10