Ferndale School Board Sets Sights on Opening of District's Digital Learning Center

The opening of the Ferndale Public Schools Digital Learning Center was the talk of the district's school board meeting Monday evening.

As an alternative solution to high school students working toward their diploma, the Digital Learning Center will offer a different approach to those who struggle with traditional schoolwork. Using top-notch digital technology, this blended-learning consists of online lessons developed by teachers in the Ferndale Schools and beyond, and is for those students previously enrolled in Alternative Education classes. The Center will hold its first day of class on Sept. 4.

Various school groups including the Technology Committee and Community Relations discussed the future of the DLC at the meeting. Here are some key points.

Development of the Digital Learning Center

• , home of the DLC, has been cleaned and prepped
• Student computers have been ordered and are beginning to arrive; teacher laptops are expected to arrive within the next few weeks
• Network equipment will soon be replaced with the installation of the expanded wireless network in all classrooms to follow
• 45 module creators and 134 curriculum modules are in some state of development
• Student pre-enrollment began this month; 115 students were enrolled by Aug. 13, compared to just 54 students on the first day in previous years
• A majority of the DLC staff have been hired; 16 Academic Case Managers along with one Counselor have been recently hired
• Three staff positions remain open: a Data and Project Specialist, Math Academic Case Manager and Science Academic Case Manager and are expected to be filled within the next week
• All staff will participate in nine days of professional development, student recruitment and enrollment work beginning August 20
• Interest in the DLC will be recruited through advertisements on media including WADL Television and WJLB Radio