Hazel Park Schools Out of Money; Layoffs Expected

An unexpected drop in enrollment has prompted the "serious financial stress," according to a memo the district distributed.

Should Schools Stop Requiring Foreign Language Classes?

Currently, students in the Ferndale Public Schools district are required to take at least two years of one foreign language.

The House Education Committee, hoping to free up more options for students when it comes to high school electives, approved two bills earlier this month in Lansing that would eliminate the foreign language requirement for graduation. The proposal aims to give students not headed to college more vocational options in school by eliminating the two-year foreign language requirement, but the Michigan Department of Education opposes the bill, according to The Detroit News. [What do you think of the possible elimination of a foreign language requirement in Michigan schools? Leave a comment!] "Students, regardless of post-secondary plans, will benefit tremendously with at least one additional language to be competitive in the global marketplace…

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'Play It Like You Mean It': Composer Teaches Ferndale Musicians a Life Lesson

The high school wind ensemble will premiere Pulitizer Prize-nominated Hollywood musician Ira Hearshen's commissioned piece "Eight Mile Rhythm" during the free Ferndale High School spring band concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

Pulitizer Prize-nominated composer Ira Hearshen taught students about life, as well as music, during rehearsals this week for the Ferndale High School spring band concert. The wind ensemble will perform the premiere of Hearshen's commissioned piece "Eight Mile Rhythm" during the free Saturday concert, which also will feature the symphony band and the first alumni band performance in nearly 30 years. Hearshen – who has worked on music for television and films including "John Carter," "Super 8," "Cars 2," "A Bug’s Life," all the "Rush Hour" films and "Toy Story 2" – said "Eight Mile Rhythm" draws upon the following three Motown hits. “Having a piece commissioned is one of those things that music programs and directors aspire to, because it's…

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Ferndale High School Student Makes 'Brightest and Best' List

Celeste Goedert was among more than 250 recipients of WXYZ-TV's annual honor.

Channel 7, WXYZ, recently honored more than 250 recipients of this year's "Brightest and Best" award – including one from the Ferndale Public Schools district – with a special luncheon at the station in Southfield. Among the winners for 2013, the 34rd year of program, was Celeste Goedert of Ferndale High School. The station teamed up with Gardner-White Furniture again this year to present the awards. Click here to see the complete "Brightest and Best" list.

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Last 'Early Release Monday' at Ferndale Schools is May 20

School Improvement Mondays will continue during the 2013-14 school year.

Parents of Ferndale students are asked to mark their calendars for Monday, May 20 as it is the last "Early Release Monday" of the school year. Early Release Mondays - or 'School Improvement Mondays' - were initiated in September at all of the district's schools. Students have been dismissed 55 minutes early on Mondays so that teachers and data teams could meet to work on improving student achievement. May 27 is Memorial Day and the two remaining Mondays of the school year - June 3 and June 10 - will be regular school days, according to the district's most recent newsletter. School Improvement Mondays will continue during the 2013-14 school year, the newsletter states. The initiative aimed to give teachers "structured time to collaborate in…

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Custom Skateboards Up For Auction to Benefit Ferndale Youth Programs

The skateboards were painted by local tattoo artists as part of a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Ferndale taco bar Imperial.

Several custom-painted skateboards are currently available in online auctions to help benefit youth programs in the area. Ferndale taco bar Imperial recently hosted a Cinco De Mayo celebration, "El Dia de la Batalla," with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Detroit Youth Boxing Gym, The Ferndale High School Football Boosters Eagles Nest and Ferndale Soccer Boosters. As part of the celebration, several skateboard decks were custom-painted by local tattoo artists to benefit the charities, according to a press release from Imperial. The skateboards are currently being auctioned off on Ebay with all of the auctions ending May 12. There are 25 skateboards currently listed with current top bids ranging from $50 to $255. Find the listings on …

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Ferndale Teacher Wants to Restore 'Positive Leadership' to Troy Mayor Position

Scott Welborn, a Troy resident, is one of six candidates running for one partial term as mayor in the Tuesday, May 7, special election.

Ferndale High School social studies teacher Scott Welborn will be on the ballot Tuesday when voters in Troy select a new mayor. Welborn, a Troy resident, is one of six candidates running for one partial term in the May 7 special election. Incumbent Mayor Dane Slater, who was appointed Nov. 26 following the Nov. 7 ouster of former Mayor Janice Daniels, is among the candidates vying to serve the term that expires Nov. 9, 2015. The other candidates include former state Rep. Marty Knollenberg, David Elsas, Jon Desjardins and Faris Alami. Welborn, who began teaching in 1993 and joined Ferndale High School in 2001, told the League of Women Voters Troy Area in April that his education experience could help him unify a city as diverse as Troy. "I …

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Leslie Ellis

11:48 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013

What information are you looking for that you can't find on Troy Patch or the League of Women Voters site? I'll be happy to help you.   more ›

Ferndale Science Teacher Wins Prestigious Fellowship

Maurice Telesford, who teaches physics and chemistry at Ferndale High School, is among 50 educators from throughout the United States chosen to study Aug. 4-9 at the Siemens STEM Institute outside Washington, D.C.

Ferndale High School science teacher Maurice Telesford is among 50 educators from throughout the United States selected to receive an all-expenses-paid fellowship to attend the Siemens STEM Institute from Aug. 4 to 9 outside Washington, D.C. Participants in the immersion program will explore educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Siemens STEM Institute is a collaboration between the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities and the College Board. "Maurice and the other selected educators will be exposed to leading scientists, thought-leaders, personalities and innovators whose work across STEM disciplines shape and define our world today," a …

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Blood Drive to Honor Memory of Late Ferndale Student

Event on May 13 will honor Mario Campbell, a Ferndale High School junior who died during track practice in March.

A blood drive will be held in May dedicated to the memory of late Ferndale High School student Mario Campbell. The high school is hosting the special Red Cross Blood Drive from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Monday, May 13 in the school's media center, according to the school district's most recent newsletter. Campbell, 16, died March 14 after collapsing at school following a training practice with the track team. The junior was remembered as a "wonderful student, enthusiastic learner, team player and dedicated friend," FHS Principal Lisa Williams said in March. "He always had a smile on his face and a good word to share." Blood drive donors will be entered to win a Detroit Tigers family four-pack of tickets and/or a $200 gift card. For more …

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