Here are my Top Ten!

1. Michigan Education Excellence Award and National Schools of  Character Award for Roosevelt Primary School's Brain Smart Start, an innovative program design that helps students and their teachers focus on starting each day focused on the joy of learning.  When you drive by Roosevelt Primary School, you can't miss the signs that proclaim our "Education Excellence."
   
2. Marching Band State Championships - Four-Time Winners!   There is nothing more exciting than watching from the sidelines when the Ferndale Golden Eagles Marching Band takes the field, performs their hearts out playing outstanding, exuberant music, moving with precision and grace - and then hearing that they have achieved their goal --excellence awarded by statewide recognition.
   
3. Winterguard State Championships - Three Time Winners, too! If  you haven't seen the beauty of color guard, felt the excitement when flags and rifles snap in unison, and celebrated the mastery of this art - mark your calendars for every home football game in the fall, Extravaganza in February, and the state and national competitions hosted in Ferndale every spring.  This group is phenomenal.
   
4. Extravaganza!  I love this night when over 2,000 people gather at  the Pinecrest Campus to see and experience first-hand what makes our district so special.  Kids work with their teachers to share how they learn on a daily basis.  Outstanding performances go on throughout the night, art is on display from all grade levels, and demonstrations and hands-on activities make it a night with something for everyone. In 2007, we added a new diversity activity in a partnership with Citizens for a Fair Ferndale (CFF).  Children were invited to paint a ceramic tile that depicts "How I Feel About My Community."  The tiles will be mounted on permanent mosaic display on Nine Mile, so the children can show their friends and family for years to come.
   
5. Bond Improvements - Facilities Showing Our Ferndale Pride!  The  hard work and dedication of the citizens of our school community who worked to pass the 2004 Bond paid off with a 73% 'Yes' vote from the communities we serve.  What a vote of confidence!  What a thrill!  And what improvements!  Going to athletic events in our new stadium, walking along the beautiful plaza - it has such a welcoming feel.  Now we can host events, use our fields 24/7, and be even more proud of our Eagle Pride.
   
6. Our Administrative Leadership Team: These are the people I work with everyday and I respect their abilities, dedication to our students, and collegiality more than I can say.  This is not something we usually get press about, or write articles in newsletters to share with the world - but Ferndale Schools are fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people leading them at every school, in the administration, and on our Board of Education.  Maybe this is our best kept secret, but it's definitely a contributing factor to our recent successes.
   
7. Options for Exploring the World - Ferndale Schools' students get  opportunities not necessarily found in larger school districts.  They can sing in choir, play in the band, compete on a sports team, learn a language, take classes at CASA (advanced courses and fine arts), meet people from many different cultures right in their classes, celebrate our diversity, etc, etc, - all at the same time.  They aren't forced to make choices that pigeonhole them as just a musician, just a scholar, just an athlete - their well-rounded experiences really prepare them for success in the world beyond Ferndale.
   
8. Reading First and other Instructional Advancements: In the five years since the district Restructuring Plan was implemented, curriculum and instructional improvements have been made at all grade levels.  One of my personal points of pride was our success in winning the $1.2-million federal Reading First grant to ensure every student in Grades K-3 would become a successful reader.  Writing that grant was one of the most challenging, and ultimately satisfying projects of my career.  The results have been thrilling:  Our MEAP scores no longer show a discrepancy among any groups of students, our scores are rising significantly, and our principals', teachers' and students' hard work at learning these new, research-based methods of teaching reading has paid off. 
   
9. University High School - This new high school represents courage to  try something new, dedication to innovation, and creative education at its best.  Students and teachers have worked together to create a new culture, a new community.  Their shared goal goes beyond the traditional 9-12 mission to prepare students for college -- They are focusing on preparing students for success throughout college and into their careers.  If you are interested in hearing how dedicated teachers can be to making sure their students REALLY LEARN the concepts, critical thinking and problem solving skills today's students need for tomorrow's success - visit UHS.
   
10. 10. Being able to Tell Parents: "Yes, Your Child Can Be a Success in  the Ferndale Schools" and really mean it.  Our students have so many great opportunities, outstanding teachers, ever-improving instruction, and the environment is small, caring, and personal.  Your principals will know your child.  Your teachers will care about your child's success.  If your child has interests, there are so many activities to try.  Your child will be part of a diverse community, and will be well-prepared for the world at-large.  This is a great school district.