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  As time has flown by, the world has changed while Ferndale High School has grown stagnant, outdated and inefficient.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