THE DISTRICT DISPATCH Royal Oak Schools news, straight to your inbox

SEPTEMBER 2024

In This Issue

  • Message From Our Superintendent
  • New Faces, New Places
  • Blessings In A Backpack
  • Family Matters Resources
  • Family Welcome Back Night Highlights
  • Food Drive
  • New Employee Orientation
  • Oakland 100-Year Celebration
  • Around the District
  • Curriculum Insights
  • The Deeper Dive
  • Peachjar Updates
  • Did You See It On Social?
  • September Calendar
  • Job Postings In The District
From The Superintendent

WELCOME TO THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR!

As we embark on another exciting school year, I want to welcome all our new and returning families. We are thrilled to have your children as part of our school community. Throughout the summer, we have also added to our amazing district staff, and each new employee is off to a great start with Royal Oak Schools.

This year, our services to the district will remain focused upon the district’s strategic plan, Continuing Excellence. Four key goals guide our work in Curriculum and Instruction: Community Connections, Physical and Financial Resources, and Human Resources. We believe that working together can provide your children with the best possible educational experience.

Examples of these commitments include the fun family experiences at the recent Family Welcome Back Night. Royal Oak is a thriving and supportive community, and so many partners assist us in meeting the needs of our students. The event allowed parents to engage with one another and meet these fantastic community partners.

Earlier this month, our staff engaged in meaningful professional development, where most presenters were our staff, sharing their expertise in strategic areas. These learning experiences influence and improve our teaching and learning. Our teams worked diligently this summer to complete several facility improvement projects, which are highlighted in this newsletter. Every project takes careful planning and responsible budgeting to fulfill our commitments to optimizing resources.

Soup with the Super returns on Wednesday, September 25, starting at 11:30 AM at the Mahany/Meininger Senior at 3500 Marais Avenue. This event is a great way for senior citizens in our community who may not have direct ties to the district to engage with me, our Central Office Leadership team members, and ROHS student leaders in a delicious and informative lunch discussion about our excellent district. Seniors can use this link to attend.

That same evening, my State of Schools Address will be delivered at 6:00 PM at Royal Oak Middle School’s Dondero Auditorium. Following the State of the Schools address, we will host an engaging discussion with Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, two celebrated journalists who, despite their differing viewpoints, have built a strong professional and personal relationship. They will be sharing their experiences and insights through their program, The Civility Project.

The Civility Project aims to unite people with opposing views for healthy disagreements, personal interactions, and constructive conversations. This is a unique opportunity for our families and community members to learn about creating a judgment-free zone, safe spaces for dialogue, ways to express yourself, and understanding the importance of listening, even when outcomes differ. Please join us for this enriching discussion. Use this link to RSVP so we know how many to expect.

We are eagerly looking forward to a productive and rewarding year. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your feedback and engagement are vital to our success, and we are excited to work together to better our school community.

- Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools

New Faces & Places

NICE TO MEET YOU

We are excited to welcome many new faces to the district this school year. Everyone has been busy this summer interviewing and hiring great additions to our already amazing staff. Students are meeting new counselors, teachers, paraprofessionals, physical therapists, speech pathologists, and secretaries. A third assistant principal at Royal Oak Middle School, Angela Mallory, was added. New at Royal Oak High School is Principal Don Loomis.

During a professional learning morning, staff members were welcomed back, and new staff were introduced. You can watch this year's new hire video here and learn something interesting about many new staff members.

With the new school year also comes new projects throughout the district. Over the summer, Royal Oak Schools completed several sinking fund and bond-funded projects at seven of our schools. These improvements ensure that our facilities continue to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community. Below is a summary of the key projects:

Royal Oak High School saw significant pavement improvements, enhancing accessibility and safety for students, staff, and visitors.

Addams Elementary underwent a major office remodel, featuring a secure entryway to bolster school safety. Additionally, the kitchen was remodeled, and masonry restoration was completed.

The Addams Early Childhood Center also received an office remodel, improving the functionality and welcoming environment for families.

Northwood Elementary had paving improvements, including the addition of two lanes specifically designed for smoother and safer student pick-up and drop-off.

Oakland Elementary underwent brick and roof work, maintaining the structural integrity of the building. Oakland celebrates its 100th year as a school in 2024, and the community is invited to celebrate this milestone at a special event on September 20 from 6-8 pm, open to the public.

At Keller Elementary, the kitchen was remodeled, and a classroom addition was completed, providing more space for learning and meal preparation.

Royal Oak Middle School (ROMS) installed a new lift, allowing students more accessible access to the mezzanine area and ensuring that the school remains accessible. They also added safety gates on Glenn Frey Drive, improved traffic flow, and additional parking in front of the building on Washington.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact these updates will have on our schools as we continue to invest in the future of our community.

Blessings In A Backpack

DO YOU QUALIFY?

“Blessings in a Backpack” is designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals daily on weekends. If you agree to participate in this program during the school year, your child will receive a bag of food for the weekend. A food bag will be put in your child's locker for take-home on Fridays. The simple meals may include macaroni and cheese, beef ravioli, canned fruit, granola bars, soups, juice, and other items. Students will receive a bag every week.

If you want your child to participate in this program, complete the sign-up form with this link. Please be sure to indicate on the form if your child has any food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, you, as the parent or guardian, are responsible for checking all food labels when the food arrives home. Royal Oak School and Blessings in a Backpack will not be held accountable for accidental food allergen exposure.

Please fill out a new form for each child you want to participate. You will see a link to submit another response upon form submission. You can also use this QR code.

Family Resources for Special Education

FAMILY MATTERS RESOURCES

We want to remind families about the valuable resources available on the Family Matters webpage, developed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE).

First created in 2017 in response to recommendations from the Special Education Reform Task Force, the fact sheets cover a variety of special education topics. They include links to more in-depth resources and outline procedural safeguards that protect the rights of children and families receiving special education services.

As the task force recommends, MDE and local school districts are working to promote these resources and encourage families to explore them actively. The Family Matters webpage provides vital support to families of students in special education, helping them navigate the system and understand their rights. These resources are available in English, Arabic, and Spanish, ensuring access for a wide range of families.

Family Night

WELCOME BACK NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

In a lively kickoff to the new school year, Royal Oak High School hosted a fun-filled Family Welcome Back Night on August 29. The event brought together over 40 groups and organizations, creating a vibrant community atmosphere just before the first home football game. Open to both new and returning families, the fair offered a unique opportunity to connect with the many groups and services dedicated to supporting our students' success. Attendees engaged with staff, explored district programs, and discovered valuable resources to help their children thrive, setting the stage for a year of strong partnerships and academic achievement.

The event featured exciting booths with games and giveaways from many organizations. Thank you to the following groups who participated:

  • Be SMART For Kids
  • Blessings In A Backpack
  • Hour Exchange Time Bank
  • MI Alliance For Families
  • Royal Oak Public Library
  • Royal Bee Honey
  • Royal Oak Musicale
  • Royal Oak PAC
  • Royal Oak Police and Fire Department
  • Royal Oak School Board
  • Royal Oak Sustainability
  • Royal Oak Youth Assisitance
  • South Oakland YMCA
  • Starr Commonwealth
  • Teen Clean Closet
  • Vision Yoga

Families also enjoyed meal deals, ice cream, and other treats. The fair ran from 5:30 pm to 6:45 pm, and all attendees received wristbands for entry to the football game. This wonderful event brought our community together to kick off the school year!

Thank you to our sponsors:

  • OUR Credit Union
  • SMART Transportation
  • Tutor Doctor
  • UPS
  • Vibe
  • Woodward Corner
  • Xfinity

Thank you to our generous food providers:

  • Chartwell's
  • Condado Tacos
  • Marco's Pizza
  • Ray's Ice Cream

We can't forget to thank our school mascots who came out to play basketball with students and hang out with Detroit Pistons Hooper! Thank you to Hooper and his team for making the night extra special!

Food Drive

BLESSINGS FOOD DRIVE

This month, we will host a food drive for Blessings In A Backpack, including the Royal Oak Cheer program and the Royal Oak Rotary. Blessings in a Backpack is a non-profit organization that provides hunger-free weekends to Royal Oak food-insecure students. Many of our families count on these bags of food each week to get through the weekend. You can help in two ways:

  • Purchase items from this list and drop them off at Royal Oak Middle School the week of September 9. Students and families can drop off items daily into bins in the middle school lobby. We will have the bins labeled - canned goods, dry goods, and other, encouraging those participating to drop them in the correct bin.
  • Purchase items off of this list and drop them off on Saturday, September 14 between 9 - 12 at Royal Oak Middle School.
Orientation

NEW EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION

Royal Oak Schools recently welcomed new employees with an engaging two-day orientation designed to help them learn all about our district and community. The first day kicked off with dynamic roundtable discussions, where attendees had the opportunity to hear from various district leaders and department heads, gaining valuable insights into the workings of Royal Oak Schools.

After participating in interactive sessions, the group hopped on a bus for a tour of the district. The highlight of the tour was a stop at Ray’s Ice Cream, where they enjoyed a delicious treat and got a sweet taste of our community spirit.

A special thank you to Corebridge Financial for sponsoring the day and making it all possible.

100 Years

JOIN THE CELEBRATION

Mark your calendars for a special celebration as Oakland Elementary School turns 100! Opened in 1924, Oakland has seen incredible transformations over the past century, with extensive renovations and additions that have modernized the school while maintaining its rich history. Oakland has grown and evolved alongside our community, from updated technology and infrastructure to new spaces that support our students and staff.

We invite you to join us on September 20, 2024 for an uplifting evening of celebration, beginning at 6 p.m.

Explore the school's past and present with engaging demonstrations showcasing changes through the decades, take a guided tour of the building, enjoy delicious food, and connect with Oakland alumni. There will also be performances, proclamations, and much more!

Don’t miss this chance to be part of Oakland’s incredible 100-year journey. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!

Around The District

WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION: STAFF EDITION

John Worrell - Fellowship with National Geographic

Royal Oak High School’s very own John Worrell recently had the incredible opportunity to travel to the Icelandic Arctic with Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic as a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow. While aboard the National Geographic Explorer, John studied the effects of invasive and introduced plant species as well as public land use policies.

In addition to his environmental studies, John worked alongside National Geographic photographers in the field, honing his photography and storytelling skills. He plans to integrate these rich experiences into his curriculum, inspiring students with the knowledge and perspective gained on this journey.

John will also serve as an ambassador for National Geographic’s explorer mindset, fostering curiosity and a passion for discovery in the years to come. We look forward to seeing how John brings this incredible adventure into his classroom and beyond!

Above Left - ROHS Social Studies teacher discusses integrating an explorer mindset into a social studies curriculum.

Presenting With A Purpose

We are proud to share that one of our own, Amy Hermon, was recently invited by the Alaska Library Association to present a workshop to the Alaska Association of School Librarians in Juneau. This opportunity allowed Information, Research, and Technology Specialist Amy Hermon to share insights and expertise while connecting with educators and librarians from across the state. In addition to presenting at the conference, she joined fellow attendees in exploring Alaska's natural beauty, including hikes and whale watching, making it a memorable professional and personal experience.

We are excited to see the positive impact this unique opportunity will bring to our district!

ROMS Shines on the National Stage

We are incredibly proud of our Character Strong team at Royal Oak Middle School (ROMS) for representing our district with distinction at this July's Character Strong National Conference. Their dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture shone brightly as they shared their insights and experiences with a national audience. By presenting at this prestigious event, our team showcased the exceptional work being done at ROMS and contributed to the broader conversation on the importance of character education in schools. Also, Principal Meldrum represented Royal Oak on the board of MASSP as the Middle-Level East Representative and spent time in June at EdCon, presenting on Wellness Wednesdays.

Insights Into Learning

A COLLABORATIVE SUCCESS

On August 22, Royal Oak High School buzzed with enthusiasm as our 2nd annual Launch into Learning professional development event brought together educators and staff for a day of collaborative growth and inspiration. This event was more than just an opportunity for professional development; it was a crucial step in aligning our efforts with Royal Oak Schools mission to foster an inclusive, diverse, and growth-minded learning environment.

With approximately 80 professional development sessions offered throughout the morning, an impressive 95% were facilitated by our very own Royal Oak staff. This remarkable participation highlights the strength of our community of learners and underscores the wealth of knowledge and expertise that our teachers, staff, and administrators bring to the table.

‘The energy in the building was palpable,’ said Dr. Joseph Youanes. ‘It’s incredible to see our staff not only engaging with new ideas but also leading the charge in shaping the future of our district.

As we continue our journey into the new school year, the lessons and connections made during Launch into Learning will undoubtedly fuel our collective efforts to create a thriving, dynamic learning community. Events like these are essential in ensuring that Royal Oak Schools remains a community of excellence, where every educator is empowered to contribute to a student-first environment that adapts to the dynamic needs of our world.

The Deeper Dive

THE LATEST IN DEI

Greetings from the Deeper Dive!

I hope that everyone had an amazing and restorative summer! Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year. I am confident that this school year will be our best year yet! My personal theme and outlook for this year is simply put: HARMONY. I am looking forward to working together with students, staff, families, and our Royal Oak community to continue to elevate our community of excellence.

Mid-August I was elated to bring members of our Royal Oak Schools Staff to the Tri-County Culturally Responsive Mathematics Institute “Teaching to Liberate” Educator Conference in Livonia. Attendees were able to engage in keynote and breakout sessions hosted by Dr. Chris Emdin, Hanaa Elmi, Afzana Grady, Cornelius Godfrey, Dr. Jamila Dugan, and Dr. Bettina Love. The sessions focused on inquiring about our students’ dreams for their present and future, understanding biases, nurturing students to actively engage in mathematics practices, and much more. We were very excited to partner with Oakland Schools, Washtenaw ISD, and Wayne RESA for this wonderful learning opportunity!

Ashley Phillips and Dr. Woodly

Lastly, as we kicked off our 2024-2025 school year, we were excited to welcome Education and Equity Consultant, Dr. Shaun Woodly, as our keynote speaker for our Opening Day. Dr. Woodly is the architect behind the “Teach Hustle Inspire” ™ , and is a globally-inspiring speaker, author, and educator. Dr. Woodly’s message was themed “Your Year of IMPACT!”, and it offered a great motivational start for all-staff with emphasis on culturally-responsive teaching, building relationships, offering empathy, and using audience analysis to increase engagement. This great start to the year will surely drive us forward to the finish line…as we embrace all of the greatness and growth along the way! Students, families, and staff: Make this your BEST year yet!

~Ashley Phillips, DEI Coordinator

Tech Savings

TECH DISCOUNTS FOR YOU

Staff, students, and families can now purchase computers at a discount from REMC SAVE.

Use these links to find out more:

Royal Oak Schools assumes no responsibility, liability, or obligation for any devices purchased from the above vendors. The district will not provide servicing, technical support, or warranty coverage for devices acquired through these vendors. The information provided is solely for sharing discounts with Royal Oak staff and families. It does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of the products or services offered by these vendors.

Peachjar

IMPROVED PEACHJAR EXPERIENCE

Be sure to check out the new Peachjar experience! We use Peachjar for messaging and community engagement, and there’s so much you can find. Peachjar has made it easier than ever for you to stay connected with all the resources offered to you through our community and beyond.

You can access the updated platform directly from your Peachjar notification email. If you’re already receiving Peachjar emails, there are no changes for you to make. If you’re not receiving them and believe you should be, don't hesitate to contact Sarah Mohler at the district office.

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Dates for September

DATES FOR SEPTEMBER

September is National Yoga Awareness Month

September 2 - Labor Day (No School)

September 11 - Patriot Day

September 12 - Board of Education Regular Meeting 6:30 PM

September 15 - October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month

September 17 - Constitution Day

September 17 - Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee Meeting 6:30 PM

September 20 - Oakland 100 Celebration

September 22 - First Day of Autumn

September 22 - 28 Banned Books Week

September 25 - Soup With The Super 11:30 - 1 PM

September 25 - State of the Schools followed by guest speakers 6 - 9 pm

Use this link to review the calendar, which is located on our website under District/Calendars.

JOB OPENINGS AT ROYAL OAK SCHOOLS

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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