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🌱 Patch AM: See how Ferndale students turned drone racing into real-world paychecks

Be sure to catch Dusk to Dark Forest Therapy Walk on the Ferndale Patch calendar

Tuesday August 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Ferndale! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • See how Ferndale students turned drone racing into real-world paychecks
  • How Ferndale Lower Elementary's student body has changed over the last decade
  • How Ferndale talent is reshaping classic house music live onstage

Also on today's calendar: Dusk to Dark Forest Therapy Walk and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one strawberry say to the other strawberry? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.
  • Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 82, low: 64.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny with a shower, with a high of 82 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ferndale Students Complete Drone Training Program, Earn Certifications and Prize Money (wrif.com) — More than 30 Ferndale Public Schools students just finished a paid Drone Apprenticeship Program, earning certifications, prize money, and even summer jobs. Middle schoolers built and raced land drones, while high schoolers managed events, filming, and data analytics, giving local teens hands-on tech skills tied to real career pathways.
   

2. Multiracial students made up 7% of Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus enrollment in 2024-25 (seoaklandnews.com) — Families with kids at Ferndale Lower Elementary can see how enrollment is changing, with 36 multiracial students now making up 7% of the 517-student body. The article tracks a decade of demographic shifts in Ferndale Public Schools and notes broader statewide enrollment declines since before the pandemic.
   

3. Grammy-winning dance music veteran launches new live performance collective (theoaklandpress.com) — Ferndale gets a notable shoutout as hometown to jazz legend Ron Carter and base for mixer Dave Darlington, both key players in Dennis White's new Latroit House Ensemble. The project reimagines classic house tracks as live-band arrangements, drawing on White's Detroit roots and global collaborators while aiming for future shows and a follow-up volume in 2027.
   

4. DPSCD special education changes aim to help families. Did they? (bridgedetroit.com) — Ferndale schools appear here as one of the nearby districts a Detroit mom is eyeing after struggling with special education changes in Detroit Public Schools. The story explains how DPSCD's new hub model, staffing shortages, and funding limits affect services, and why rules around Schools of Choice and cost-sharing keep some families effectively locked into their home district.
   

5. As Flock camera backlash grows, vandalism incidents mount in Metro Detroit (detroitnews.com) — Ferndale is among several Metro Detroit communities that have canceled contracts for Flock license plate reader cameras amid mounting privacy concerns, even as vandalism of the devices rises across Oakland County. The story details recent camera damage, arrests, and the growing clash between police who praise Flock's crime-fighting tools and residents and advocates alarmed by expanded surveillance.
   

📸 Around Ferndale

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ferndale

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Wednesday August 26
  • ENTIRE SCHOOL / AUDITORIUM - CURRICULUM NIGHT
    Royal Oak Middle School Royal Oak, MI 48067
    5:00 pm
  • Mahjong Wednesdays at Michigan by the Bottle
    Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Michigan by the Bottle Royal Oak
    5:30 pm
  • Thursday August 27
  • Class of 2027 Senior Sunrise
    Hazel Park High School , 23400 Hughes Ave, Hazel Park, MI 48030\
    6:45 am
  • Hometown Huddle
    Hazel Park High School , 23400 Hughes Ave, Hazel Park, MI 48030\
    5:00 pm
  • Friday August 28
  • FIELDS - ROYSA GAMES
    Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
    5:00 pm
  • Saturday August 29
  • Farmers Market →
    City of Royal Oak - Community Events Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
    7:00 am
  • FIELDS - ROYSA GAMES
    Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
    8:00 am
  • Sunday August 30
  • Antiques & Collectibles Market →
    City of Royal Oak - Community Events Royal Oak Farmers Market - 316 E 11 Mile Road Royal Oak MI 48067
    8:00 am

📣 Ferndale Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday August 25
  • Ambassador Committee Meeting
    Greater Royal Oak Chamber-Commerce Virtual
    8:00 am
  • ENTIRE BUILDING - DK/DKG Meet & Greet and Curriculum Night (see not
    Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
    5:00 pm
  • NORTH PLAY GROUND- Kindergarden playdate
    Northwood Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48073
    5:00 pm
  • Upton - DK/DKG Meet & Greet and Curriculum Night (see notes)
    Upton Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48073
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Pizza Hut, Inc. posted a job opening for Production/Cook in Ferndale. Apply here.
  • Dollar Tree Family Dollar - Dollar Tree, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Manager II in Hazel Park. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ferndale here.

Ok Ferndale! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: If you weren't so sweet, we wouldn't be in this jam! (Thank you Patti F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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