FEBRUARY 2025
In This Issue
- Message From The Superintendent
- CTE Month
- Art Scholastic Awards
- Curriculum Insights
- ROMUN News
- Drama Students Recognized
- Counseling Support
- African American Read-In
- Around The District
- Free Skate Nights
- Student Contest: Why Compost?
- Did You See It On Social?
- February Calendar
- Job Postings In The District
EMPOWERING STUDENT VOICES
Dear Royal Oak Schools Families,
In January, we honored the elected officials from our community who serve as Royal Oak Schools Board of Education members. In the last few years, our district added seats held by Royal Oak High School students, both at the board table for Regular Meetings and Finance and Facilities meetings, each held once a month. These students were selected following an application and interview process last spring. Their role lends a student voice to our work, and they are always excited to share their current projects and initiatives.
Another activity supporting our goal to hear students' voices is monthly lunch meetings with me, representatives of the Board of Education, student board members, and high school students. Each time, we have an open agenda to hear their thoughts, ask questions, and listen as they share the good news regarding their experiences as students, club members, or athletes.
This spring, we will launch a new application period for the 2025-26 Student Board Member seats. This is open to any high school students in the district who may be interested. More information will be coming soon.
- Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools
PREPARING STUDENTS WITH REAL-WORLD SKILLS
At Royal Oak Schools, we take immense pride in our Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which provides students with hands-on, real-world experiences that set them up for future success. Through specialized courses and community partnerships, our students gain valuable skills, certifications, and career readiness in a variety of industries, ensuring they graduate prepared for both college and the workforce.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Royal Oak High School is designed to give students the opportunity to explore and develop skills in different career pathways. The program offers a variety of courses that integrate academic learning with technical skills. From health sciences to business, engineering and industrial design, graphic communications, and television, film, and video production, students have access to coursework and practical training that provide a strong foundation for their futures.
Alicia Brown, who manages the Co-Op program at Royal Oak High School, emphasizes the lifelong impact of CTE programs. "They learn lifelong skills," she said. "They learn first aid, CPR, how to take vital signs, and how to build resume skills." These essential skills not only prepare students for immediate job opportunities but also give them a head start in their chosen career paths. One standout feature of the program is the opportunity for students to apply for positions in the medical field during their senior year, where they earn both school credit and a paycheck. This combination of academic and workforce experience is invaluable, giving students a competitive advantage as they pursue higher education or enter the workforce directly.
For more on our Career and Technical Education programs, visit our the high school website with this link.
STUDENT ART AWARDS
Great news for the Royal Oak High School Art Department—21 student works have been selected for the 2025 Scholastic Regional Art Exhibit! This is a remarkable achievement, tripling last year’s number of accepted works and exceeding the goal of doubling participation set by ROHS Visual Art Instructor Nancy Sly and her students.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, founded in 1923, is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for young artists and writers. Selection is based on originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a unique artistic voice, with only 30% of entries per category making it into the exhibit. The most outstanding pieces receive Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mention awards, with Gold Key winners advancing to national adjudication.
Royal Oak High School 2025 Award Recipients
Gold Key Winners (Moving on to National Adjudication):
- Jaiden Magat (Drawing & Illustration – Mr. Doodle)
- Samantha Randall (Mixed Media – Two Shores)
- Sophia Regan (Sculpture – Serene Movement)
- Mariana Van Fleet (Ceramics & Glass – Box Turtle)
Silver Key Winners:
- Brooke Fox (Mixed Media – Depths)
- Kit Tietz (Mixed Media – Faceless)
- Molly Dingman (Sculpture – Indian Tiger)
- Hannah Kimberly (Ceramics & Glass – Apollo)
- Anna Nielander (Fashion – Beaded Pink Mini Dress with Godet Paneling)
- Anna Nielander (Fashion – Navy Flower Basque Gown)
- Mariana Van Fleet (Ceramics & Glass – Is It Cake?)
Honorable Mentions:
- Chloe Edson (Drawing – Stuck.)
- Millie Mills (Photography – Alivia)
- Iris Bell (Digital Art – Homesick)
- Lillian Pannill (Sculpture – Sloth)
- Sophia Regan (Ceramics & Glass – Intricacies)
- Kaitlyn Scripter (Sculpture – Octopus)
- Kaitlyn Scripter (Sculpture – Porcupine Puffer Fish)
- Shaelyn Simms (Ceramics & Glass – Deandra, Protector of the Woods)
- Chelsea Thelen (Sculpture – Rubber Ducky Isopod Platter)
- Mariana Van Fleet (Ceramics & Glass – Coral Bowl)
- From ROMS: Dez Thomas (Drawing & Illustration - The deep dark; Laura Vukich, Teacher)
This year’s Scholastic Art Awards Ceremony will take place at the Detroit Institute of Arts on February 10, 2025, at 7 p.m., with the exhibition running from February 10-28, 2025.
Congratulations to all of our talented artists and their dedicated teachers, Nancy Sly, Alicia Duncan, and Stella Johnstone, for their commitment to artistic excellence.
ROMS CONNECTS 8TH GRADERS WITH FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
ROMS held its first annual career fair in January. During this event, our 8th-grade students had the opportunity to engage with over 40 local businesses and major companies. Students were also asked to begin working on their Educational Development Plan (EDP) using the Xello platform.
Xello helps students think about what career pathway they might be interested in. After identifying that career pathway, students had some missions to complete based on their EDP and set goals.
After students completed the EDPs in Xello, they could join the 45 businesses there for the career fair. Students completed a scavenger hunt and could visit tables and ask the business owners questions about their business type and work.
The list below details some of the businesses that took part in our first annual ROMS 8th grade career fair:
- Vibe Credit Union
- Royal Oak Police Department
- Ford Motor Company
- Total Education Solutions Therapy
- Joyful Jungle
- Michigan Works!
- General Motors
- Marcos Pizza
- Oakland Community College- Nursing and Pre-Apprenticeship
- US Coast Guard
- M3 Investments
- OUR Credit Union
ROMUN: GROWTH AND SUCCESS
The Royal Oak Model United Nations (ROMUN) had an incredible 2024, from record-breaking participation at conferences to successful fundraisers and a growing club membership!
- Fundraising Wins – ROMUN raised over $2,000 at Arts, Beats & Eats and $700 through Carnations for Crush, funding key events like SuperMUN and travel to GLIMUN in Kalamazoo and NHSMUN in NYC.
- SuperMUN Success – The club hosted over 300 delegates at ROHS for its annual conference, giving new members hands-on MUN experience.
- Biggest SEMMUNA Yet – ROMUN had its highest-ever participation at the regional conference, with delegates earning high marks.
- Award-Winning Delegates – ROMUN took home a Best Delegation award at GLIMUN, showcasing their debating skills on the national stage.
With club membership doubling since 2022, the future looks bright for ROMUN! Read the full newsletter written by Junior Lydia Lawrenson using this link.
ROHS ACTORS NOMINATED
Royal Oak High School is excited to announce that sophomore Lucy Heiple and junior Muriel Schneider have been nominated for the Sutton Foster Awards at the Wharton Center at Michigan State University in May!
Lucy and Muriel were recognized for their outstanding performances in ROHS’s production of Mamma Mia, with Muriel nominated for her role as Sophie and Lucy for her role as Donna. The Sutton Foster Awards honor the best high school musical theatre performers in Michigan, and winners from the state competition will advance to the national Jimmy Awards in June—one of the highest honors in high school musical theatre.
Abbey Lilly-Lacca, ROHS Drama Director, expressed her pride in the students’ achievement:
“This is a prestigious recognition, and I am so proud that both Muriel and Lucy are being recognized for their talent and hard work. This experience will help them grow as young performers as they have the opportunity to work with Broadway theatre professionals in the workshops leading up to their competition and performance. Both students are dedicated members of Drama Club who display a wonderful attitude, work ethic, and are always supportive of their peers.”
This nomination highlights their exceptional talent and reflects the dedication and excellence of the entire ROHS Drama Department. We are so proud of Lucy and Muriel and can’t wait to see them represent Royal Oak Schools on this prestigious stage!
SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
At Royal Oak Schools, we understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. According to MentalHealth.gov, mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaping how we think, feel, and act in everyday life. It influences how we handle stress, build relationships, and make important decisions, skills that are essential at every stage of life, from childhood through adulthood.
Our school counselors and social workers play a crucial role in ensuring that students feel safe, supported, and heard. They provide guidance, resources, and connections to help navigate challenges, whether it’s academic stress, personal struggles, or emotional well-being.
To further support our community, our counselors have created a dedicated page with mental health resources, offering valuable information for those in need of help, support, or guidance. No one should feel alone, and we want to ensure that everyone has access to the tools and people who can help.
Remember: Students and families can contact our school counselors or social workers for additional resources, referrals, and support.
Visit our wellness and emotional support webpage for more information.
AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN
Royal Oak Schools is proud to be once again a watch site for the annual African American Read-In, a nationwide event celebrating Black authors and literature. This year, Oakland Schools will host award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson as the featured guest, virtually bringing her powerful storytelling to readers across the county.
- Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
- Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Location: Royal Oak Schools Watch Site (800 DeVillen)
Jacqueline Woodson is a renowned author and illustrator with a vast collection of critically acclaimed books for children, young adults, and adults. Her work highlights themes of identity, history, and social justice, making her an inspiring voice for this year’s Read-In.
Bonus: The first 500 Oakland County households who register will receive a free copy of one of Jacqueline Woodson’s books! Register now: bit.ly/read-in-2025. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with more information.
Royal Oak Schools is honored to support literacy, cultural awareness, and the celebration of African American voices in literature. We invite our students, families, and community members to join us for this inspiring evening.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Northwood Students Celebrate My Heritage Month
Northwood students recently completed their My Heritage Month projects, showcasing the diverse cultures and traditions that make up their school community. This month-long initiative encouraged students to explore their heritage and share meaningful aspects of their family’s background with classmates.
As part of the project, students selected from a variety of activities, including:
- Researching a country important to their family’s heritage and creating a presentation.
- Preparing a traditional dish to share with their classmates, along with the recipe.
- Learning and performing a song in another language, providing a translation.
- Sharing a family tradition or telling a story passed down through generations.
- Performing a traditional dance representing their heritage.
- Interviewing a family member about their culture and sharing their insights.
- Bringing in an artifact with cultural significance and explaining its importance.
- Creating artwork or crafts inspired by their cultural heritage.
This hands-on approach gave students the opportunity to celebrate their backgrounds, learn about their peers' traditions, and strengthen their sense of identity within the Northwood community. Families with multiple children were also encouraged to complete one project together, making it a truly family-centered experience. By participating in My Heritage Month, Northwood students gained a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry of their school and the world around them.
Oak Ridge 2nd Graders Explore States of Matter
Ms. Ali Bodle’s second-grade scientists at Oak Ridge have been busy investigating the fascinating world of matter—solids, liquids, and gases! As part of their hands-on learning, students took on an exciting challenge: Who could melt an ice cube the fastest?
Working in groups, students experimented with different strategies to transform their solid ice cube into liquid water as quickly as possible. Through their observations and problem-solving skills, they discovered heat's power, realizing that adding warmth could speed up the melting process.
This interactive experiment helped students see science in action while reinforcing key concepts about how matter changes states.
Upton 5th Graders Experience the Justice System
Upton Elementary's fifth graders recently took their annual trip to participate in the Justice 101 program, an engaging and educational experience that brings civics lessons to life. As part of the program, students had the unique opportunity to visit Judge Meinecke’s courtroom, where they learned about the judicial process and the role of a judge in upholding the law. They also toured the Royal Oak Police Station, gaining valuable insight into how law enforcement works to keep the community safe.
This hands-on experience for all Royal Oak Schools 5th graders helps our students better understand the legal system, civic responsibility, and the importance of justice in their community. It is an eye-opening and inspiring trip that gives students a real-world perspective on topics they study in class.
Thank you to Judge Meinecke and the Royal Oak Police Department for making this memorable learning opportunity possible!
ROMS Bulldogs Shine at State Swim Meet
The Royal Oak Middle School Bulldogs made a splash at the state swim meet to kick off the month, with several swimmers achieving personal bests and impressive rankings.
Girls Team Highlights
- 200 Medley Relay placed 14th overall with a massive -6.95 second drop, as Taylor Wolfe, Abby Auerbach, Devan Bec, and Avery Brewster all achieved their best times.
- Ainsley Steiner finished 23rd overall in the 50 freestyle.
- Abby Auerbach placed 13th in the 100 freestyle and 20th in the 100 breaststroke.
- Devan Bec had an outstanding meet, securing 10th in the 50 fly with a -1.43 second drop (29.75), placing her 3rd in the top 5 club rankings. She also finished 11th in the 100 breaststroke, dropping -3.45 seconds (1:17.68) and maintaining 3rd in the top 5 club.
- 400 Free Relay team of Taylor Wolfe, Abby Auerbach, Devan Bec, and Ainsley Steiner placed 11th overall with an impressive -7.54 second drop.
Boys Team Highlights
- 200 Medley Relay team of Brady O’Dell, Alex Pennisi, Reed Stark, and James Halladay placed 22nd with a -5 second drop.
- 200 Free Relay team finished 19th overall with a -1.10 second drop.
- Reed Stark had an exceptional meet, placing 5th in the 200 freestyle with a -1.80 second drop (2:11.8), securing 3rd in the top 5 club rankings. He also placed 20th in the 100 freestyle with a -1.04 second drop.
- Alex Pennisi impressed in the 100 breaststroke, placing 7th with a time of 1:18.22 and a -2.07 second drop, earning 4th in the top 5 club rankings. He also finished 25th in the 50 freestyle.
The Bulldogs put forth a strong performance, achieving major time drops and top placements in several events. Congratulations to all the swimmers for their hard work and success!
STUDENTS SKATE FOR FREE
Here's a reminder about Royal Oak Schools Free Skate Days, sponsored by M3 Investment Services, for February! These fun-filled evenings allow students to enjoy ice skating while connecting with friends and classmates in downtown Royal Oak.
Students at Royal Oak Middle School and Royal Oak High School skate for free with a valid school ID. Elementary students with their parents/guardians can mention their school for free entry (a parent or guardian must be present to confirm).
The dates for February are February 5 and 11. Also, on February 11, The Rink will be hosting their 2nd annual Food Drive, where people can bring 3 cans of nonperishable food or more to donate to Forgotten Harvest, and in return, they can skate for free with a free skate rental and hot chocolate. The food drive takes place from 4 - 9 pm on Tuesday, February 11. Use this link for more information.
"WHY COMPOST" CONTEST
Royal Oak Schools is inviting students to participate in the "Why Compost?" contest, an opportunity to explore the benefits of composting through essays or visual art. This contest encourages creativity while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
Students can submit either a 500-word essay or a 12x18 poster illustrating why composting matters. Submissions will be accepted from February 3 to March 7, 2025. Essays and digital images of posters can be emailed to communications@royaloakschools.org, while physical posters should be delivered to the district office at 800 DeVillen, Royal Oak.
A grand prize winner will receive a composting bucket and have a tree planted in their honor from the City of Royal Oak on Earth Day, April 22, 2025. The winning entry will also be featured in the district newsletter, displayed at school, and highlighted on social media, with additional recognition from the City.
The contest starts on February 3, and the winners are announced on March 24. The celebration concludes with a tree-planting ceremony on April 22. This is an excellent chance for students to showcase their talents while positively impacting the environment.
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DATES FOR FEBRUARY
February Black History Month
February - CTE Month
February 3 - Kindergarten Enrollment Begins
February 3-28 - Elementary Transfers Submitted
February 3-7 - National School Counseling Week
February 13 - Board of Education Meeting
February 14 - Valentine's Day
February 14-18 - No School/Mid-Winter Break
February 15 - School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
February 5, 26 - Late Start for Students
February 23 - Journey To Freedom: The Hamer Family Story
February 24-28 - Public Schools Week
February 27 - African American Read-In
February 27 - Community Resource Fair
📅 Use this link to review the calendar on our website under District/Calendars.
🎶 For more event details, click here to go to our District-Wide Performing Arts Calendar!
JOB OPENINGS
We would love to have you join our team. To apply for most jobs with Royal Oak Schools, visit https://bit.ly/3rO26d1workforros.
Check out our Human Resources webpage using this link to learn more about working with us.
Food service workers and cashiers: Chartwells Food Service hires substitute food service workers. The cashier position is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and pays $14/hr. The cook position is at the elementary schools from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and pays $16.15/hr. After training, you would be "as needed" fill-in for sick calls, working on average 1-2 days per week. It could also become regular part-time when openings exist. Includes free lunch.
Substitute teachers: EDUStaff is our partner for substitute teachers. Please apply through their website at: edustaff.org.
Paraprofessionals - we need you! A paraprofessional works with a team of teachers to help qualified students be successful at school. These patient and caring individuals may implement academic, physical, behavioral, and self-care supports that empower students to engage with their education as independently as possible. All applicants should apply through the Oakland Schools Human Resources Consortium website at: bit.ly/3rO26d1workforros.
Individuals interested in working with and caring for school-age children before and after school for our Young Oaks (Latchkey) Program should contact the Addams Early Childhood Center at (248) 288-3220.
Bus Drivers: Durham School Services is hiring for its transportation department. A minimum of 20 hours is guaranteed, with options for more. To apply, contact Cheri Henrion at Durham at Chenrion@durhamschoolsservices.com.
Instructional and administrative positions: Check the Oakland Schools Consortium portal at bit.ly/3rO26d1workforros. Employment opportunities with Royal Oak Schools are on our website under Employment/HR. If you have any more questions, please contact Beth Caverly at the District Offices: elizabeth.caverly@royaloakschools.org or (248) 435-8400 x1210.
COMMENTS? STORY IDEAS?
Send them to: communications@royaloakschools.org
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Copyright 2025
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