OCTOBER 2024
In This Issue
- Message From Our Superintendent
- New Employees
- A+ Audit
- Leadership At ROMS
- Sustainability Update
- Soup With The Super Recap
- State Of The Schools Delivers
- Oakland 100-Year Celebration
- Around The District
- Curriculum Insights
- The Deeper Dive
- ROHS Homecoming Information
- ROMS Teacher Nominated
- Did You See It On Social?
- October Calendar
- Job Postings In The District
FOSTERING COMMUNITY
Happy Fall!
Recently, I enjoyed lunch with almost 40 of our senior residents at the Royal Oak Leo Mahany/Harold Meininger Senior Community Center. Our delicious meal, provided by Chartwells, was served by Royal Oak High School student leaders. This allowed us some quality time to have our seniors meet the community's seniors. At our luncheon, we also issued several Gold Cards, a pass allowing resident senior citizens to attend concerts, games, and performances at our schools free of charge. If you are a resident senior or know someone interested in a card of their own, please contact our Administrative Offices at (248) 435-8400.
That same evening, I gave a State of the Schools address, another opportunity to share the good news and important information about our district. This address, along with our website, social media, and monthly newsletters, are all impactful ways we engage with our broader community. This edition of the Dispatch includes articles about these two events, other initiatives, and upcoming special events.
Parents in the district can meet with teachers and staff in October and November regarding their child’s progress. These conferences are significant opportunities to receive information, share updates about your children that our staff should know, and ask questions. Please consult the school calendars and principal newsletters for specific details.
Importantly, as we navigate this election season and beyond, we are committed to embracing the four pillars of civility presented by The Civility Project. One of our most important goals is to foster inclusive and safe learning environments in Royal Oak Schools, and we assure you that our commitment to civility is firm.
- Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools
NEW EMPLOYEES AT ROS
Over the last month, Royal Oak Schools (ROS) has welcomed several new educators, administrators, and support staff who are already making an impact. These new team members are bringing fresh perspectives, energy, and a shared commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment for our students.
DISTRICT RECEIVES CLEAN AUDIT
Royal Oak Schools is proud to announce that the district received an unmodified opinion on the 2023-2024 financial audit, a clear indication of strong fiscal responsibility. The Board of Education officially accepted the audit during their September 2024 meeting.
This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our entire staff throughout the year. Every employee played a role by adhering to district policies and procedures. Whether it’s submitting timesheets, mileage reimbursements, or other financial documents, our attention to detail has contributed to a glowing audit report.
Thank you to our staff for their continued dedication to maintaining high standards in Royal Oak Schools. Together, we ensure that our district’s funding is managed responsibly, supporting our mission to provide an exceptional educational environment.
NEW LEADERSHIP AT ROMS
Royal Oak Middle School (ROMS) is thriving under the dynamic leadership of Principal Kristin Meldrum and longtime Assistant Principal Dan Colligan. Together, they have fostered a positive and supportive environment for both students and staff. This year, ROMS has welcomed two new Assistant Principals, further strengthening the school's leadership team.
An exciting addition, Angela Mallory, is guiding the 7th-grade team with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is dedicated to educational success.
"Being the Assistant Principal at Royal Oak Middle School is an incredible opportunity to positively impact the lives of our students and staff. I’m committed to fostering a safe, engaging learning environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. In this role, I hope to deepen my understanding of the unique needs of our school community while continuing to grow as a leader. Building strong relationships is key to my approach—I believe that by listening, collaborating, and being present, I can create meaningful connections that inspire trust, growth, and a sense of belonging for everyone at ROMS."
Assistant Principal Laura Derda leads the 8th-grade team, bringing fresh energy and dedication to her new role. Derda is a proud Royal Oak High School graduate and passionate about our community.
"I am incredibly excited to join Royal Oak Middle School as an assistant principal and to return to the district where my love for education first began. As a proud graduate of Royal Oak Schools, it's a special privilege to serve in a community that has already extended such a warm welcome. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the dedicated ROMS administrative team and look forward to building strong connections with students, staff, and families. Together, we will continue to make ROMS a place where every student feels safe, valued, happy, and challenged. It is an honor to be part of this vibrant community, and I’m eager to work alongside the bright, creative, and passionate students here at ROMS."
Dan Colligan oversees the 6th-grade team, collaborating with students, staff, and families and ensuring all students know they are valued and supported. With this strong team in place, Royal Oak Middle School is well-positioned for success, ensuring that each grade level receives focused attention and support.
"I love that I am going into my 9th year as an Assistant Principal at Royal Oak Middle School. I'm proud to work in a community that supports its kids and schools. I'm excited about our new support model, where I can focus on our 6th-grade students and ensure their transition to middle school is successful. I'm excited to continue to meet our families and students and explore the great ways kids and families can connect to our school. I think success in our role this year is ensuring we continue building a school where kids can safely take risks, ask great questions, and learn to love learning."
GOING GREEN
Royal Oak Schools has implemented composting and recycling programs across our schools. Our focus on sustainability is at the heart of our district’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. These initiatives reduce our ecological footprint and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students to engage in eco-friendly practices.
From composting food waste in cafeterias to recycling efforts in classrooms, we aim to educate students on the importance of sustainability. Step one is integrating these initiatives into the daily life of at our schools. Several schools, such as Addams Elementary, Upton Elementary, and Oakland Elementary, have implemented programs to compost pre-consumer food scraps. This means that food waste from meal preparation, such as vegetable peelings and kitchen leftovers, is being composted before it even reaches students' plates.
Other schools, including Keller Elementary, Northwood Elementary, and Oak Ridge Elementary, are composting post-consumer uneaten food. Students are encouraged to place any unfinished or uneaten food into composting bins.
In addition to these composting efforts, all Royal Oak Schools are now using compostable lunch trays, including Royal Oak Middle School. This transition to eco-friendly trays demonstrates the district's commitment to sustainability by minimizing plastic and foam waste.
New initiatives this year include Royal Oak High School serving food in paper boats made from recycled materials, further reducing the environmental impact of packaging. Churchill Community High School has also joined the movement by using compostable bags for meals. Posters, like the one below, are now up in all lunchrooms across the district.
If you would like more information about this initiative or join the Green Team, reach out to communications@royaloakschools.org.
SUPER SOUP WITH THE SUPE
This past week, over 40 senior citizens gathered at the Royal Oak Senior Center to join Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick and district administration team members for a special luncheon, aptly named "Soup with the Super." The event brought together senior community members to enjoy a meal, conversation, and a deeper connection to the district's strategic plan.
During lunch, Superintendent Fitzpatrick gave an insightful presentation on the district's plan, highlighting current programs and initiatives designed to foster a community of excellence. She also took time to answer questions from the audience, providing clarity on district goals and upcoming projects.
The lunch featured a delicious menu of soups and salads served by members of Royal Oak High School's senior class. These student volunteers not only helped serve the meal but also engaged with the attendees by answering questions and providing assistance throughout the event. Students also signed up seniors for the district's Senior Gold Card. The Gold Card offers free admission to school-sponsored events, including sports activities, music performances, and theatrical productions, for seniors 60 and up.
Seniors interested in obtaining a Gold Card can do so by visiting the Royal Oak Schools Administrative Building at 800 DeVillen. Applicants will need to present a driver's license or other identification verifying their age when applying. For any questions regarding the Gold Card, please contact the district at (248) 435-8400.
This was the first "Soup with the Super" event of the school year, and the district plans to host another in the spring. Through these valuable community events, the district looks forward to continuing to build relationships with Royal Oak’s senior citizens.
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS DELIVERS
On September 25, Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick delivered the annual State of the Schools address, focusing on the district's progress, challenges, and vision for the future. Highlighting the district's commitment to its strategic plan, "Continuing Excellence," the presentation emphasized the focus on creating a supportive and inclusive educational environment where students are empowered to develop the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Key highlights in the area of Curriculum & Instruction include the launch of a new English Language Arts (ELA) pilot for DK-5th grades, which is currently in the resource phase. The district is also conducting a review of the K-12 science curriculum to ensure it meets current standards. In high school, economics courses now feature integrated financial literacy units. Additionally, there is a strong focus on prioritizing health and wellness for both students and staff, with efforts to secure grant opportunities that support these initiatives.
Fitzpatrick recapped successful community engagement events such as the “Family Welcome Back Night” in August, which featured over 40 community partners available to families before the Ravens' first home football game. New sustainability initiatives, such as composting and recycling efforts, are being developed in collaboration with the City of Royal Oak. Additionally, community projects like the Wellness Rock Garden at Waltonwood and Oak Ridge Elementary and events like “Soup with the Super” highlight the district’s focus on building partnerships and strengthening community collaboration.
In Facilities & Finance, the district has completed spending from the 2017 bond, including recent summer gym renovations at ROMS and kitchen updates at Addams and Keller. The district's 2024 audit, conducted by Yeo & Yeo, received an unmodified opinion, demonstrating strong financial stewardship. A new district-wide phone system has been successfully updated.
In Human Resources, the district hosted an exciting professional development program in August 2024. The program included 80 individual sessions taught by staff for staff, safety training, and a keynote presentation by Dr. Shaun Woodly. Hiring practices have been streamlined, and many new employees were hired over the summer months.
Community members are encouraged to visit the district’s website, download the Royal Oak Schools app, and subscribe to newsletters for more information and to stay connected with Royal Oak Schools.
Following the State of the Schools address, Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, two celebrated journalists who, despite their differing viewpoints, have built strong professional and personal relationships, spoke to the crowd about their program, 'The Civility Project.' The Civility Project aims to unite people with opposing views for healthy disagreements, individual interactions, and constructive conversations.
The guests shared their personal and professional experiences and how they have embraced friendship and civility despite their differences in opinion and politics. They pointed us toward the four pillars of civility they suggest be adopted when talking with others who may disagree with you, your views, or your way of life, including:
- Pillar 1: Drop Assumptions.
- Pillar 2: Set Honest Goals for the Conversation.
- Pillar 3: Listen Actively - a skill that must be learned!
- Pillar 4: Keep Returning to the Conversation. Civility is not built overnight.
These pillars guide principles that everyone should try to embrace.
You can watch the State of the Schools address with this link.
OAKLAND CELEBRATION
This year, we celebrated a momentous occasion as Oakland Elementary School marked its 100th anniversary. For a century, Oakland Elementary has been a cornerstone of our community, shaping the lives of thousands of students and families. The celebration, titled “Oakland Through The Ages—100 Years of Excellence,” honored the school’s rich legacy while looking ahead to the future.
At the 100th anniversary celebration, the Royal Oak High School jazz band performed alongside former Oakland students and was led by former Oakland teacher Dave Jensen. Historical displays guided guests through the decades of Oakland's history from the 1920s to the present; photo booths added a fun element for all who attended. A candy bar featuring treats from different eras allowed guests to fill bags with sweets from the past. Students created interactive art with wings for students and attendees to stand in front of and soar. Current students decorated their lockers with drawings, well-wishes, and thoughts on what school would be like in 100 more years. They also filled a time capsule with items from 2024 to be opened 50 years from now.
The City of Royal Oak presented a proclamation in honor of the occasion, and the Historical Society of Michigan awarded Superintendent Fitzpatrick a milestone recognizing Oakland’s 100 years of excellence. The anniversary reflects our district’s dedication to providing high-quality education for all students. With a century of excellence behind us, we are excited to continue building a bright future for future generations.
Hundreds of people attended, including alum from almost every decade!
AROUND THE DISTRICT
iREADY ENHANCING STUDENT PROGRESS
The Curriculum Department is excited to share that our district will now use the iReady program to assess students’ progress in math and English Language Arts. We seek to ensure that we have the best assessments and programming in place for our district. After conducting a program pilot last year with approximately 30 teachers in grades K-8, we decided that iReady would serve our teachers and students best. We will no longer use NWEA in grades K-8.
With this program, we expect data from the assessment will assist us in meeting the individual needs of each student and the individualized learning paths will supplement core instruction.
What is i-Ready?
- The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.
- i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual strengths and areas for growth. These lessons are interactive and provide strategic supports to keep your child engaged as they learn.
What can parents/families do to help at home?
- To help prepare students for the i-Ready Diagnostic, we are encouraging families/parents to communicate the following to students:
- Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.
- Try their best on each question and try not to rush.
- Try not to worry about questions they do not know. Remind them that they are expected to get only about half of the questions correct.
- Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish.
To support their child’s learning with online lessons, parents can:
- Discuss your child’s progress on their i-Ready lessons.
- Celebrate your child’s learning and growth.
Insight Into Learning: Oakland 100 Celebration
Our latest "Insight into Learning" video highlights how the staff and students at Oakland Elementary came together to prepare for the school's 100th anniversary. This milestone event showcases the dedication and creativity of the Oakland community as they worked to celebrate a century of excellence. The video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the preparations and the special ways students and staff honored Oakland’s rich history.
THE LATEST IN DEI
Greetings from the Deeper Dive!
I hope that the 2024-2025 school year has been off to a great start for everyone! Things have been very busy and productive for our district with our continuous commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We have several student clubs, programs, events, and professional learning opportunities taking place at this time. A few items that I would like to highlight this month are DEI presentations to students, Religious Diversity Journeys, and the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Educator Summit.
Last month, our 5th-grade Oak Ridge Elementary students kicked off our DEI presentation series with a focus on the theme “Empathy is Essential.” During our discussion, we discussed the overview of DEI, what DEI means to us, being great student leaders, and exercising empathy. These students are off to an amazing start and will continue to lead their peers towards excellence.
On October 9th, a group of our Royal Oak Middle School 7th Graders will begin our district’s participation in the Religious Diversity Journeys program. RDJ is sponsored by the Inter-Faith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit, and it offers invaluable field trip opportunities for students to learn more about connections, history, traditions, and culture. This program was established back in 2002, and Royal Oak Middle School will be one of approx. 30 schools participating in the program this year. Click here to learn more about Religious Diversity Journeys.
Lastly, Royal Oak Schools will also be represented in the 2024 JEDI Educator Summit. We are very excited to join educators, leaders, and practitioners across the state to advance liberation, improve inclusive practices, advocate for student voice and agency, and much more.
~Ashley Phillips, DEI Coordinator
ROHS HOMECOMING DETAILS
Royal Oak High School’s Homecoming celebration is just around the corner! The festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the Homecoming Parade down Lexington Blvd., featuring the ROHS Marching Band, cheer team, dance team, homecoming court, and various clubs, sports teams, and organizations.
The parade will end at the stadium, where the entire community is invited to a tailgate with free food, live music, games, and fun activities for all ages. Afterward, be sure to stay and cheer on the ROHS Ravens Varsity Football Team as they face off against Pontiac. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
ROMS TEACHER FINALIST
Royal Oak Middle School teacher Shannon Bowman was recently named a finalist for the 2024 Serra Brighton Teacher of the Year Award. Out of 130 nominations, Shannon’s dedication and passion for her students earned her a spot among the top 10 nominees.
We want to congratulate her on this outstanding recognition. Being selected as a finalist is a testament to her impact on her students and the Royal Oak Schools community.
DID YOU SEE IT ON SOCIAL?
Follow us on:
- Instagram @roschools
- Facebook @RoyalOakSchools
- LinkedIn @Royal-Oak
- X @RoyalOakSchools
- YouTube Royal Oak Schools
Add The App
Enhance your communication and stay up-to-date by downloading our custom mobile app onto your mobile device. Opting in to receive push notifications ensures you'll be promptly informed about the most recent news and updates from the district and your child's school.
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Google - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.relianceco.cma.RoyalOakSchools
DATES FOR OCTOBER
October is National School Principal Month
October 2 - School Custodian Day
October 6 - National Coaches Day
October 9 - National Walk & Roll to School Day
October 10 - Board of Education Regular Meeting 6:30 PM
October 14-18 - National School Lunch Week
Through October 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
October 21-25 - America's Safe Schools Week
October 26 - Make A Difference Day
October 31 - Half Day All Students and Staff
Happy Halloween!
Use this link to review the calendar, which is located on our website under District/Calendars.
JOB OPENINGS
We would love to invite you to join our team. You can use this link to apply for most jobs with Royal Oak Schools: https://bit.ly/3rO26d1workforros.
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: 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 our transportation department. A minimum of 20 hours is guaranteed, with options for more. Contact James Hollis at Durham to apply: jholls@durhamschoolservices.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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