Loading

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

In This Issue

  • Message From Our Superintendent
  • Welcome New Employees
  • ROSF Delivers Books
  • Representative Scott Visits Our Schools
  • Support Person Of The Year
  • Alumni Visit: Dr. Mona Hannah-Attish
  • No Dogs On School Property
  • Pamela Moore Honored
  • Students Aiming High
  • Mental Health Minute
  • Insight Into Learning: Professional Development
  • Dr. Kim's Corner
  • Summer School Offerings
  • Did You See It On Social?
  • School Calendar
  • ETC.
  • Job Postings In The District
From The Superintendent

SUPERINTENDENT'S SPOT

Hello Royal Oak Schools Families,

Spring has sprung! We are gearing up for many student recognitions and celebrations across the district, which include celebrating our staff. May is Staff Appreciation Month, and I’d like to thank the Royal Oak Schools employees who support our students, families, and each other throughout the school year. Their enthusiasm for working with our students is inspiring. Saying thank you is never enough, but the success of our students and the support for our community are rooted in the hard work and dedication of all staff. Please take time this month to send a note to a staff member who has made a difference in your life or has impacted your child(ren).

As a district, our long-range planning continues. I have had the opportunity to meet with staff from every school about their vision for a strong community school district and what we need to do to be prepared for families of the future. Those meetings have gone very well, and we are also soliciting feedback and ideas from our students. This month, we will circulate some critical views to the community for feedback so that by June, we can present a core set of goals, action plans, and strategies to the Board of Education and our community by June.

- Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools

New Faces in the District

WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEES

Royal Oak Schools would like to welcome the following new employees:

  • Cheryl Buxton - Substitute Teacher, All Buildings
  • Kristine Brezenski - Paraprofessional, ROMS
  • Nicole Davis - Early Intervention, Physical Therapist, Addams ECC
ROSF DONATION

ROSF DELIVERS BOOKS

The Royal Oak Schools Foundation (ROSF) recently delivered books to Royal Oak Middle School, Royal Oak High School, and Churchill Community Education Center.

"We are very proud to be able to provide books to our media centers and learning commons," said Maryanne VanHaitsma, ROSF President. A Foundation donation paid for $25,000 worth of new books for students to enjoy.

ROMS and ROHS both received $11,000 and Churchill received $3,000, using the following process for the book purchases:

  • All schools developed plans to collect teacher and student feedback regarding the types of books that they felt were needed. Teachers in all content areas were able to make recommendations.
  • Special topics were identified as areas of need, providing books on careers, biographies, environments, countries, cultures, sports, mental health, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
  • More books in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with a focus on identifying more social-emotional learning books were featured to add to the learning commons for all students and staff.
ROHS Information, Research, and Technology Specialist Amy Hermon, with a large shipment of books recently delivered to the Royal Oak High School library!

In total, 1,320 new books were purchased for the secondary schools. The staff and students are very grateful for the donation and look forward to engaging with the latest reading materials in their schools. (Information provided by the ROSF.)

State Rep Visit

REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT VISITS OUR SCHOOLS

State Representative Helena Scott (D) took time from her busy schedule to travel to Royal Oak Schools. The administrative staff took her to Royal Oak Middle School and Northwood Elementary School for tours and to meet staff and students. She also visited the Unified Sports Basketball Team at the high school. She presented them with a plaque for their season and for Royal Oak High School becoming a Unified Champion School. Scott is a new legislator in District 7 and has already said she was impressed with what she saw in our district thus far and wants to return.

"We were very excited to host Representative Scott in the district for her first visit since entering office in January," said Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick. "We know how important it is that our elected officials have strong relationships with those they represent and have first-hand experience seeing our schools."

Support Person of the Year

SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR

Royal Oak Schools proudly announces that Jessica Conklin has been named the district’s Support Person of the Year. “This has been a very exciting moment for me that I will always cherish,” said Conklin after receiving the award.

Addams Elementary Principal Tim Boyer nominated Conklin.

“Jessica is a jack of all trades in our building,” said Boyer. “ She builds strong, positive relationships with her assigned students and students throughout the building. She understands the students she works with, which allows her to challenge them at their level while providing a safe environment. She does an amazing job working with teachers to align her practices with classroom teacher expectations. She has taken her passion for supporting students in our ASD program and spread her impact across our entire building.”

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Conklin was surprised in front of her co-workers, school leadership, and district administration. “I absolutely love my job and all that I do,” said Conklin. “Working with the kids brightens my days. Even in hard moments, they always say or do something that makes me laugh and smile. I also couldn’t do the job I do without the support of our amazing Addams team. Addams Elementary has always been a very special place. The environment is one that we can all thrive in. We work as a team, and I have always felt valued, and my ideas are truly valued.”

Conklin is a paraprofessional in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) program at Addams Elementary. She is responsible for providing direct support to students with Autism. She works with classroom teachers, ASD resource teachers, and other staff to support students. She has three children in Royal Oak Schools, two at Addams, and one at the high school, who is a member of the Unified Sports team. She also helped out with the high school Unified Basketball Team this year.

Conklin will be invited to the May Board of Education meeting for further recognition.

Alumni Visit

DR. MONA VISITS ROHS

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha visited Royal Oak High School last month to discuss her career and time at Royal Oak. Attisha is a class of 1994 graduate from Kimball High School. She was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World due to her discovery of the Flint Water Crisis. She is known for having led the research that showed blood lead levels of Flint children had doubled after the city began treating its own water.

She warmed up the audience by sharing that she used to be a drama student and was happy to be back on stage. She even joked about being a past student and being bored sitting in "those same seats" listening to guest speakers. She told the students that she was the school paper's editor, worked on the yearbook, and was part of the environmental club in high school. She was inducted into the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame in 2016.

Her speech was interactive and exciting for the group. During her speech, she shared about her life after high school and her steps to becoming a pediatrician in Flint. She even explained how the Flint water crisis was discovered so the students could understand it.

She ended her almost half-hour speech by taking questions from students and taking a group selfie from the stage.

You can watch the video here.

No Dogs Allowed

NO DOGS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

With warmer weather, we are experiencing issues with people walking dogs on school property. Some are after hours, but people also walk their dogs during school hours. While many students love dogs, not all of our students do. There are students that are afraid of dogs, even allergic to dogs, so having them nearby is unsuitable for our school community. Some pet owners are not picking up after their dogs, which is creating a mess on our school property and students' shoes. During the day, some dog owners let their pets off leash at Royal Oak Middle School track and field, which was just renovated during the last bond.

According to the City of Royal Oak, many parks are dog friendly. There is Mark Twain Dog Park made just for our furry friends. The Royal Oak Animal Mission (ROAM) members worked hand in hand with the city of Royal Oak to identify property formerly occupied by the Mark Twain Elementary School to be designated as a dog park.

Although we love our furry friends, we can only have dogs on the premises before, during, or after school if the building administrator authorizes them. Service animals and therapy dogs visit our schools, but our staff always knows those visits well in advance.

Royal Oak Schools asks that you share the "no dogs allowed" information with others in the community. Our principals also include the information in the newsletters they send home to families, but we need help getting to get the word out. Thank you.

Pam Moore Honored

PAM MOORE SELECTED AS 2023 HONOREE

Royal Oak Schools is proud to share that the Michigan High School Coaches Association has selected Pam Moore as the 2023 Honoree for the Michigan High School Coach Association Jack Johnson Distinguished Service Award.

Pam has spent her entire career in Royal Oak, serving thousands of students, coaches, and families in our community. Her current role is Royal Oak Schools Athletics Coordinator.

Pam will receive her award on September 17 at the annual MHSCA Hall of Fame Banquet held on the campus of Central Michigan University at the Bovee Center.

MORE RECOGNITION

BAND BRAGGING

Time to do some Band Bragging!

On Saturday, April 15th, ROMS 7th and 8th-grade band students had the opportunity to participate in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's District IV Middle School Solo and Ensemble Festival. The festival was held at Lake Orion Oakview Middle School. All nine soloists that participated received the highest rating of "I" or "Superior" for their performance. Congratulations to 7th graders Sam Humphrey, Troy Jesse, Giulia Pierce, Titus Shillair, and Nicholas Tschirhart, and 8th graders Carter Brezenski, Amalia Dukhan, Sophia Funtik, and Kate Stoffers!

In photos: L: Nick, Titus, and Troy. C: Gulia and Sam, R: Katie, Sophia, Amalia, and Carter

On April 6th, ROHS hosted the State Jazz Festival. Not only did all of the HS and MS groups receive first-division ratings, but the ROHS Jazz Combo, known as the "ROHS Jazz Collective," was voted the top jazz combo in Michigan. There is no higher honor! The students featured in the group are Jacob Garcia - Tenor Saxophone, Kiersten Ciccone - Trumpet; Matt Bigley - Trombone; Xavier Prokurat - Piano, Faith Thomson - Bass; Elliot Nielander - Guitar; and Sam Pierce - Drums. They have been invited to close the "Honors Ensembles" performance at Western Michigan University. That performance features the top soloists and ensembles in the state and is considered the "Super Bowl" for high school instrumentalists.

Additionally, two other ROHS musicians were runners-up for the All-Star Jazz Band. Adora Caligias was runner-up on Baritone Saxophone, and Elliot Nielander was runner-up on guitar.

Read more in the Performing Arts Newsletter.

Award Winners

TV/FILM STUDENTS MAKING HISTORY

On Thursday, May 11, at 9 AM, the governmental cable channel C-SPAN will be visiting ROHS to honor Dakota Hendren and Hannah Johnson for their 3rd Place award in the C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition this year. All from the high school will be invited to attend, as well as community members. The winning project will be played for everyone to see.

In addition, Hendren took home a Student Emmy at the Mi-NATAS Student Emmy Ceremony for her light news story on Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Michigan, including Dakota in the V.P.'s Press Pool for the day. That piece will also be shown during the assembly.

ROHS Senior Dakota Hendren with her Student Emmy award.

Another Raven, Sophomore Ani Ceccacci, has been selected as a Fellow for the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Summer Academy in Boston, MA, at Emerson College. Ceccacci is among 30 students chosen nationwide to learn from and alongside industry professionals at PBS NewsHour and WGBH in Boston. This year, Student Reporting Labs is partnering with the Department of Visual and Media Arts at Emerson College to provide students with a unique campus experience, including dorms and state-of-the-art equipment access. The Academy runs from June 21 to June 29. Congratulations Ani!

ROHS Sophomore Ani Ceccacci
Around The District

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Addams Early Childhood students working hard!
ROHS musicians and singers took the show on the road to Addams Elementary for a Performing Arts Assembly.
Ms. Dawn Smith's class thought it was a wonderful day to learn math outside at Keller Elementary.
Northwood Elementary students loved the Performing Arts Assembly. One student even had a chance to guest conduct! The middle picture is of former Northwood Elementary students!
The Oakland Elementary students had great fun during the Performing Arts Assembly! Top left picture captured students dancing in their seats and clapping along. Top right picture was the teens asking the elementary students, "Who likes to sing in the shower?" And the bottom left picture is of former Oakland students!
At Oak Ridge Elementary, the staff and students honored Mike Lewis, who will be retiring from Oak Ridge in June after 35.5 years, during a Student Senate Staff vs. Student Basketball game. Lewis is the Phys. Ed. Teacher at Oak Ridge. Colleagues and students of the past and present, along with his wife, sons, their wives, and six grandchildren, were there to pay tribute! All proceeds from the game went to Almost Home Animal Shelter, The CHAAD organization, which helps families with ADD and ADHD, and the FAACT organization, to help support families to learn about and treat allergies, both life-threatening and otherwise.
Upton Elementary students held a parade to celebrate Earth Day, complete with signs about reducing waste and recycling.
ROMUN, the Royal Oak Model UN Club, participated in an event called MidSim to introduce incoming 9th-grade students to what the club does by hosting a single-day mini-conference for the 8th graders to engage in the work. It was held at ROMS. The topic for the conference was ocean conservation, and each middle school student was given a country to represent. Collectively, the 8th graders created four different working papers on the topic, 3 of which were passed into resolutions.
Take advantage of the latest issue of the acorn newsmagazine from Royal Oak High School. The April issue was released entirely online. You can read it on the ROHS website under Student Hub.
Mental Health Awareness

May Is For Mental Health

What is Mental Health? Mental health is defined as a person’s condition about their psychological and emotional well-being. According to mentalhealth.gov, “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.” The importance of mental health, not just physical health, is being discussed increasingly, and May has been dedicated to continuing these conversations. The focus for May of 2023 is to Look Around, Look Within as we consider every part of our environment and its effect on our mental health and well-being. For more information, please visit mhanational.org.

Some ways to maintain positive mental health are connecting with others, helping others, and getting help from others when needed. Within our schools, there are many opportunities for each of these. Some of these opportunities include programs such as peer mentoring and adult mentoring, social-emotional lessons, restorative practices, emotional support animals, extracurricular clubs and activities, and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). In addition, our schools are filled with trusted adults such as teachers, administrators, counselors, social workers, and school psychologists who care about your children's well-being and are available to support the students and families of Royal Oak.

We would like you to please take moments during this busy time of year to Look around, Look within to consider how the world around you affects your mental health.

Be Well,

Dina Bansen, District Lead Psychologist

Insight Into Learning: Curriculum and Instruction

INSIGHT INTO LEARNING

This month's “Insight Into Learning” is focusing on how our staff continues their learning.

Professional development is significant in what we do in Royal Oak Schools. Teachers have monthly opportunities to participate and engage with meaningful opportunities to collaborate with other educators and learn more about how to improve their instructional practice.

Late Start Wednesdays provide the framework and dedicated space for 90 minutes of deep learning to improve instructional practices at all levels. Our teachers have been engaged in the following professional development opportunities during our late start Wednesdays.

Elementary:

  • Instructional Coaches: Focusing on Essential Practice 3- Differentiating Small Group Instruction
  • Identifying a student's stage on the reading continuum
  • Selecting a reading skills from the reading continuum that needs to be learned
  • Identifying one or two next targeted teaching points (what) and a instructional strategy (how) to teach them.
  • Review Bridges Math Unit Assessment Rubrics
  • What's been completed and yet to come.
  • Complete the "Report Card Standard" and "Problems" Columns
  • Toolbox for Small Group Instruction
  • Management
  • Implementation
  • Assess and Plan
  • Differentiation Resources
  • STEMscopes inquiry based science program

Secondary:

  • IB: DP/MYP- Continued alignment with program and school. Assessment, data, and improving instructional practices and routines.
  • MYP Evaluation and Implementation Targets
  • Special Ed: Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) Debriefing and planning
  • Anti-Bias Training and Practice
  • MTSS information and Updates/Process
  • Professional Learning Community (PLC) and 6-12 Vertical alignment (MYP Languages and Arts)

The remaining late start Wednesdays are:

  • May 3, 10, 17, and 24
  • June No Late Start PD
#drkimscorner

THIS MONTH IN THE CORNER

Happy May everyone! Hopefully, it won't snow this month! 😁

May marks the start of Asian American/Pacific Islander Month. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration recognizing the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent-including East, Southeast, and South Asia-and, the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. As of 2019, there were about 22.9 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, activism, and law. In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Asian American Vice President of the United States. In film history, AAPI people, stories, and traditions have become more visible with South Korean director Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite" winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019 and the release of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" in 2021, debuting Marvel's first Asian superhero.

AAPI month is celebrated in May because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843. AAPI month originated with Congress in 1978. Then-president Jimmy Carter started a week-long celebration in the first week of May. Over the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations, renewing the idea that we need to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for this week-long period.

Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing racial group in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the unique journey of all AAPI immigrants and citizens in the United States and their unique life experiences, traditions, and cultures.

Follow this link for resources regarding AAPI month, including an extensive book list that features AAPI authors and characters.

Of Course, May is also when we observe Mother’s Day. Be sure to celebrate your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and anyone who has been like a mother to you!

Dr. Kim

Summer School

LAST CALL FOR SUMMER SCHOOL

Registration is now open for free summer learning opportunities for all grades, including fun learning activities with certified teachers. Coursework will include English Language Arts, Mathematics, and innovative options allowing students to thrive and grow creatively

Our elementary program will be held at Oakland Elementary and Addams Elementary. Two sessions are being offered, and parents are encouraged to enroll their students in one session or both. This registration form is for students who are exiting DK-4 in June 2023.

  • Dates/Times: All classes will be held from 8:30am-11:30am, Monday-Thursday, for both sessions.
  • Session 1: June 26 - July 14 (no classes July 3-4)
  • Session 2: July 17 - August 4

Students will have access to math, ELA, and enrichment experiences. An email confirmation will be sent once registration closes on May 22, 2023. Classes are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment. You can sign up for one or both sessions. Please fill out a form for each of your children separately.

The middle school program will be held at Royal Oak Middle School. This program is for those students exiting grades 5-8. Parents are encouraged to enroll their students in one session or both sessions. Use this form to sign up for students leaving grades 5-8.

  • Dates/Times: June 26 - August 4 (two three-week sessions, no classes July 3rd or 4th)
  • 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday

Enrollment will close on May 22. All classes are available at no cost. Types are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment. Please complete a separate form for each student.

The high school program will be held at Royal Oak High School and is free for students currently enrolled at ROHS and Churchill Community High School. Royal Oak Schools offers a program consisting of core curriculum and elective classes to regain credit. Each class constitutes one-half unit of credit. Students may earn a maximum of one unit of credit in summer school.

Program Offerings: Click the link to learn more about our program offerings.

To Enroll: Complete the form: ROHS Summer School Enrollment

A school representative will follow up with you the week before June 19.

Use this link to find out more about all of our programs.

Follow, Like, Share!
Important Dates for May

MAY DATES

Asian–Pacific American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

National Physical Fitness Month

National Foster Care Month

Speech Language Pathologist Month

May 1: School Principals Day

May 1-7: National Physical Education Week

May 2: National Teacher Day

May 3: National Bike to School Day

May 3,10,17,24 - Late Start For Students

May 4: Teacher Appreciation Day

May 5: School Lunch Hero Day

May 8 - Latchkey Lottery Opens

May 8-12: National Teacher Appreciation Week

May 10: National School Nurse Day

May 11: School Board Meeting

May 12: School Communicators Day

May 18: School Pathologist Day

May 18: Addams Early Childhood Center "Meet and Greet"

May 26: Half Day for Students - Memorial Day Break

May 29: No School - Memorial Day

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING DATES:

June 4 - ROHS Graduation Ceremony

June 7 - Churchill Community High School Graduation Ceremony

June 13-14 Half Day - ROHS Only

June 15 - Half Day Last Day Of School For Students

June 26 - ROSF Annual Golf Outing

August 28 - First Day Of School 2023-24 School Year

ATTENTION YOUNG OAKS FAMILIES:

Our annual Young Oaks Latchkey Lottery opens Monday, May 8th at 9 AM. All families must apply annually. Please follow this link and select the lottery form for your elementary building. Be sure to select the 2023-2024 school year. Thank you!

SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS

Use this link to sign up for summer sports camps: https://bit.ly/3zrU9dZ.

SAVE THE DATE

Register with this link for a fun day of golf, food, and friendship.

JOB OPENINGS AT ROYAL OAK SCHOOLS

JOB OPENINGS

We would love to invite you to join our team. You can use this link for applying for most jobs with Royal Oak Schools: https://www.applitrack.com/oaklandschools/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=46169.

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: https://bit.ly/2PrEckt.

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 https://bit.ly/2PrEcktROSJOBS. 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

Viewing this magazine from an online link?

Click here to have The District Dispatch delivered straight to your inbox each month.

The District Dispatch Mission: To inform all interested in the Royal Oak Schools community and deliver information straight to them through stories of our people, our successes, and our future.

Credits:

Created with images by ronstik - "purple lilac bush blossom with copy space" • nataba - "small funny Sparrow Chicks sit in the garden surrounded by pink Apple blossoms on a Sunny may day" • New Africa - "Colorful hardcover books flying on white background" • Chinnapong - "Back to school concept with school books, textbooks, backpack and stationery supplies on classroom desk with teacher's green chalkboard background with educational doodle for new academic year begin" • everythingpossible - "scientist doctor hand touch virtual molecular structure in the l" • rohappy - "Owner walking with Golden Retriever dog together in park" • New Africa - "Trophy and confetti on light background, top view with space for text. Victory concept" • Day Of Victory Stu. - "Rear view of the man sitting play acoustic guitar on the outdoor concert with a microphone stand in the front, musical concept." • NAMPIX - "Video camera operator working with his equipment" • chathuporn - "photographer take pictures Snapshot with camera. man hand holding with camera looking through lens.Concept for photographing articles Professionally." • dizain - "Mental health word cloud with magnifying glass, health concept" • magele-picture - "Curriculum" • Tom Wang - "Multi-ethnic group of school children laughing and embracing" • STOATPHOTO - "Social Media Concept. The meeting at the white office table." • svf74 - "Hello May greeting card with decorative white heart and dandelion yellow flower on old blue wooden background.Springtime concept. Selective focus." • bankrx - "Alphabet letter in word etc (abbreviation of et cetera) on wood background" • geralt - "job job offer workplace" • geralt - "board show hand"