Community Corner
🌱 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
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!)
- 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
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ferndale
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Dusk to Dark Forest Therapy Walk →
Oak Park Woods, David H. Shepherd Park, Church St., Oak Park, MI,
6:30 pm
Friday August 28
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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 - 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 - FIELDS - ROYSA GAMES
Keller Elementary Royal Oak, MI 48067
5:00 pm - 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 - 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
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
📣 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
- 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
Tuesday August 25
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!
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