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

In This Issue

• Message From Our Superintendent
• Welcome New Employees
• Bond Completion Highlights
• Safety And Audio Enhancement In Our Classrooms
• Summer School Opportunities
• Staff Honored
• Yearbook Awarded
• Media Students Recognized
• Around The District
• Insight Into Learning: Learning Spaces
• Dr. Kim's Corner
• Instrument Petting Zoos and Fitting Information
• Did You See It On Social?
• School Calendar
• Job Postings In The District

SPRING IS HERE!

Hello Royal Oak School Families,

It’s Spring in Royal Oak, and soon the trees will be budding, flowers will bloom, and our students will be excited for the end of the school year. It has been a tremendous year so far with new opportunities and old traditions back for our students to take part in. Unfortunately, there has also been tragedy.

We know that our students and families need additional support now more than ever as schools in our country face traumatic events. In addition, our students may need help processing day-to-day events and their own situations. I want to remind you that our staff is always here to help.

We have many supports in place in our district and have added more staff over the last few years. By hiring general education social workers in addition to those who serve our students with disabilities, we have increased our support staff. We have appointed one of our school psychologists to a leadership role to help coordinate our social and emotional support efforts. Most recently, our entire administrative team and select staff from each school received training in Trauma Informed Leadership, enabling ways to help our families and students in a more supportive and productive environment.

We are not alone in providing support to our students and families. Common Ground has recently expanded its services and has reached out to share resources. Their newest service provides mental health care for children ages 12 and up and adults called Virtual Urgent Care. Please see their website for contact information about this telehealth program.

Common Ground can empower you with crisis-related information and referrals to local services. Their website reads, “Call 1-800-231-1127 to speak with our professionally trained Helpline staff. For general inquiries, please call 1-248-451-2600."

As always, we appreciate the overwhelming support of many helpful organizations in Royal Oak and our surrounding communities.

- Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools

WELCOME NEW EMPLOYEES

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

• Janet Green, Long-term Sub - Addams ECC
• Lori Hyman, Substitute Teacher
• Jodi Neal, Counselor - Royal Oak High School
• Lezah Phillips, Long-term Sub - Royal Oak High School
• Amber Wilt, Preschool Teacher - Addams ECC
• Trenton Zohr, Paraprofessional - Royal Oak High School

THANK YOU VOTERS

Thank you, Royal Oak Schools Families, for supporting our vision and for your continued investment in our school buildings, safety, and technology with your vote in 2017 for our $59M bond project. We have prepared two videos for you to watch. The first one includes an in-depth look at the renovations, updates, and improvements made at every school in the district. You will see new technology in our classrooms, renovated learning spaces, building additions, and improvements to all of our schools. Use this link to see more.

The second video is our personal thank you to you, the voters. You can watch it here:

HOW AUDIO ENHANCEMENT HELPS IN THE CLASSROOM

Royal Oak Schools has added a technology feature that not only helps teachers save their voices and students hear better in the classroom but also serves as a safety tool. EPIC is a classroom audio system the Audio Enhancement company provides to our district. Royal Oak Schools was chosen to be showcased to highlight their product. Staff and students were interviewed in the video about their experience using the system. A case study was generated that focused on the district’s experience with classroom audio and school safety using Audio Enhancement products. The end result is in this video.

SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE HERE

Registration opens this month for free summer learning opportunities for all grades , including fun learning activities with certified teachers. Coursework will include English Language Arts, Mathematics, and innovative opportunities that will allow students to thrive and grow in a creative outlet.

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.

• Dates: June 26-August 4 (no classes July 3 and 4)
• Times: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Monday-Thursday
• Session I: June 26-July 13 (no classes July 3 and 4)
• Session II: July 17-August 3
• Who: Students exiting grades DK-4

Where should your child attend?

• Oakland Elementary: For students from Oakland, Keller, Northwood
• Addams Elementary: For students from Addams, Upton, Oak Ridge

The middle school program will be held at Royal Oak Middle School. Parents are encouraged to enroll their students in one session or both sessions.

• Dates: June 26-August 4 (no classes July 3 and 4)
• Times: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Monday-Thursday
• Session I: June 26-July 13 (no classes July 3 and 4)
• Session II: July 17-August 3
• Who: Students exiting grades 5-8

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.

Credit Recovery is offered, with all coursework being taught using the web-based E2020 program through Edgenuity in-person at the high school. This credit recovery program is for students who need to regain credit for a previously taken class. Students must attend all sessions held at ROHS from June 21 to July 15 (no classes on July 4). A link will be provided for registration with available classes on May 9.

PSAT/SAT Readiness Program is also available. This program is a student-paced remote course in preparation for the PSAT and SAT in English Language Arts and Math with the support of a Royal Oak Schools teacher who will serve as an instructional coach. This program recommends that students engage in at least 30 minutes daily of online skill-building at their own pace. The instructional coach will monitor students’ progress, encourage them to stay engaged in their learning experience, and provide office hours for student support. This course will run pending a minimum student enrollment number.

• Dates: Monday, June 19 - Friday, July 14 (off July 3,4)
• Times: 8:00 - 11:30 (AM class), 12:00 - 3:30 (PM class)
• Who: Students in Royal Oak, grades 9 - 12, Credit Recovery only

Watch for more information on how to register at www.royaloakschools.org.

ROMS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NOMINATED

Dan Colligan, one of the assistant principals at Royal Oak Middle School, was nominated for the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) & Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies' (MASC/MAHS) 2024 Assistant Principal of the Year (APOY) award. He was nominated by Kristin Meldrum, ROMS Principal, along with the support of the ROMS staff, for his service as an administrator at the middle school.

"Dan Colligan is committed to student success," said Royal Oak Middle School Principal Kristin Meldrum. "Dan is a strong advocate for restorative practices. He trains staff on these practices and incorporates them into every conversation he encounters. This approach has led to a more positive and supportive environment for all," she wrote in her recommendation letter.

This nomination is evidence of Mr. Colligan's daily hard work, continuous dedication to our district, ROMS, and students, and high professionalism. We thank Dan for his service to the principalship and congratulate him on this honor.

COACH MILLAR RECEIVES AWARD

Congratulations to our ROHS Boys Swim and Dive Coach Darrin Millar, who recently received the prestigious "Dedicated Service Award" from the National Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) for his nearly 4-decade long career as a Swim and Dive Coach here in Royal Oak. He received the award at the National Swim and Dive Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee. Darrin has been with Royal Oak Schools his entire coaching career and teaches 2nd grade in the Utica Community Schools District. Darrin has been a leader in athletics for a long time and holds leadership positions as the President of MISCA (Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association) and the MHSCA (Michigan High School Coaches Association).

"Darrin is a rockstar and champion for kids here in Royal Oak," said Brian Gordon, Director of Athletics and Activities at Royal Oak Schools. "We can always learn something each and every day," added Gordon. "His speech is very impactful and demonstrates the true meaning of Educational Athletics." It begins at the 44:00 minute mark. Enjoy, and congratulations to Darrin!

You can watch his acceptance speech for the service award he received here.

TV/FILM STUDENTS HONORED

Mike Conrad, Royal Oak High School Video, TV, and Film Instructor, has a lot to be proud of right now because many of his students are excelling and achieving great milestones in their young careers.

We've told you about a couple of these students before. Dakota Hendren was on Vice President Kamala Harris' press tour and was able to ask the VP a question. That news story has been nominated for a Michigan Emmy!

Toby Buckheim is also up for a Michigan Emmy for his music video, "Snowhemian Rhapsody." You may recall that Toby produced the video in the fall and had it ready for the district's first snow day.

We also want to congratulate Dakota and Hannah Johnson for their third-place award in the C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition for their piece entitled "Banned Books: The Effect of Censorship." Nearly 3,000 students participated, and C-SPAN received over 1,500 entries from 40 states, Washington, D.C., and Abu Dhabi.

INSIGHT INTO LEARNING

This month's “Insight Into Learning” Curriculum and Instruction video series is on our classrooms and instructional spaces and how they help support an engaging learning environment for our students.

Many classrooms have flexible seating, providing teachers and students many opportunities to change and adjust the classroom environment and configuration, which lends itself to higher levels of student engagement and interaction with each other and the teacher.

At all levels, DK-12, flexible seating is available for students and teachers to use and explore. Royal Oak Schools is committed to helping provide everyone with the most engaging and flexible learning opportunities.

In this month’s video, you'll get insight from students and teachers regarding how they feel about flexible seating arrangements and how they use the seating to create engaging and collaborative learning environments at all levels.

THIS MONTH IN THE CORNER

Hello Family! We are halfway through the semester….Can you believe it’s almost Easter? In addition to Easter, did you know that April is also National Autism Awareness Month? National Autism Awareness Month raises awareness for those with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to surroundings, and form relationships with others. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in 270 people in the world have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a group of developmental disabilities that causes challenges in many areas of one’s life. Some of the profoundly affected areas include social, communication, and behavior. Children with ASD are usually nonverbal or have restricted or repetitive behaviors. ASD affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Here are some ways you can observe Autism Awareness:

• Host an event supporting autism awareness.
• Attend an event and show your support for someone you know.
• Share your story and make your voice heard.
• While the MONTH also celebrates the stories and lives of those with autism, it’s also important to remember that autism is a lifelong condition with varying degrees of severity. It’s important to continue to support research for treatment and therapies that will improve the lives of those with autism.
• Speak out about autism to help eliminate the stigma associated with it.
• Use #AutismAwarenessMonth to share on social media

Another celebration during April this year is Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Muslims believe that this is the month in which God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Muhammad, who is considered the final prophet of Islam. During the observation of Ramadan, all Muslims fast food and drink from sun up until sundown. One meal is eaten each day after sunset. Because of this fasting, many school districts with significant populations of Muslim students now give tests after sunset for these students and switch sports practices until after sundown.

Passover begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan. That means that Passover 2023 will take place at sundown on Wednesday, April 5, and end by the evening of Thursday, April 13. This Jewish holiday is celebrated to commemorate the historical deliverance of the Jews/Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Family and friends may celebrate Passover with traditional meals called a Seder plate. The food on the plate is symbolic representing the Passover story and may include hard-boiled eggs, greens, a lamb bone, bitter herbs, salt water, haroset (a mixture of nuts, apples, and wine), and matzah.

Easter 2023 will be observed on Sunday, April 9. Easter, also called Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. Easter doesn't happen on the same date year after year; however, it's always observed on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. *Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. In the Christian religion, the Last Supper (which was the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion) was a Passover feast. Easter is based on a lunar month (which is 29.5 days), and the reason the date of Easter can vary. (*According to alamanac.com.)

Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, and the last day of the Easter Triduum (starting from the evening of Maundy Thursday through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday), as well as the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar. It observes the most central tenet of the Christian faith—that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. The resurrection represents the triumph of good over evil, sin, death, and the physical body.

I hope each of you has something planned for spring that allows your mind and body to rest a bit, whatever that may mean for you. We have to take time to fill our cups before we can pour out for others, even our children. Take a moment for yourself.

Peace and Blessings,

Dr. Kim

Check out more in Dr. Kim's Corner.

DID YOU SEE IT ON SOCIAL?

Follow us on:

• Facebook @RoyalOakSchools
• Instagram @roschools
• Twitter @RoyalOakSchools
• YouTube

APRIL DATES

Poetry Month

Math Awareness Month

School Library Month

National Volunteer Month

Apr. 3-7: National Assistant Principals Week

Apr. 4: National School Librarian Day

Apr. 5: Nat’l Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

Apr. 6: Half-Day for Students - Teacher Records Day PM

Apr. 7: No School for Students and Staff

Apr. 13: School Board Meeting

Apr. 17-21: Volunteer Recognition Week

Apr. 18: Long Range Planning Meeting

Apr. 19, 26 - Late Start For Students

Apr. 19: Royal Oak PAC April Meeting

Apr. 22: Earth Day

Apr. 23-29: National Library Week

Apr. 25: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

Apr. 26: Administrative Professionals Day

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING DATES:

May 18 - Addams Early Childhood Center "Meet and Greet" for new families or families who may be interested in attending our preschool programs in the future.

June 4 - ROHS Graduation Ceremony

June 7 - Churchill Community High School Graduation Ceremony

June 15 - Last Day Of School

June 26 - ROSF Annual Golf Outing

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

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.

Foodservice workers and cashiers: Chartwells Food Service is hiring 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 1-2 days per week on the average. 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 Holls 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 can be found on our website under Employment/HR. If you have further questions, feel free to 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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The District Dispatch Mission: To inform all with an interest in the Royal Oak Schools community and deliver information straight to them through stories of our people, our successes and our future.