Dear Ferndale Students and Families, 

Welcome back to a brand-new school year in Ferndale School District! I am  thrilled to reconnect with some of you  and connect with new FSD  families for the first time. 

Last year, our focus was all about fostering belonging – a vital foundation to increasing student outcomes.  You see, belonging is not about needing to figure out how to fit in or assimilate, it is much more profound than that. True belonging occurs when we embrace one another’s unique identities, creating space to be able to share our authentic selves with the world.  And we are committed to creating that space for our students, staff, and  families.  

In the simplest terms, “If I get to be me, I belong. If I must  be like you, I fit in.” 

This year, we're kicking it up a notch.  We're putting the spotlight on student voice – something that sets us apart. But  here is the deal: listening is not enough; action is.  

What does that look like? By tuning into our students’ experiences. Remember those focus groups and surveys from last Spring? We heard from over a thousand students with some game-changing ideas  and reflections. 

It will require us to reevaluate who we are and help us to define who we are going to become.  It is going to require our system to enhance a lot of what we are already doing, but it will also require some of our practices to shift. This work is not about any one person, department, level, building but who we are as a collective.  

Change is a journey, which can be messy but worth it.  

Each one of us is unique and has the potential to do  remarkable things, not by ‘fitting in,” but by being ourselves. 

As we dive into this year, let’s keep this in mind.  This morning the district staff all came together to talk about this very thing. We are focused on embracing the uniqueness that  your child brings, working to support one another, and  creating space for every student and staff to leave their mark.  Let us be a community that fuels students' potential and sees each one through a lens of  hope and possibility. 

We all crave fresh starts. Our students do  too. In Ferndale School District, we know that when you teach to the heart, the mind will follow.  

Students and families, welcome back! Together, let us  create a year focused on belonging, growth, and excellence.  We are ready! 

Warmly, 

Kristi Dominguez 

Superintendent, Ferndale School District