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