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

In This Issue

• Mask Mandate Lifted
• Schools Of Choice Enrollment
• Chromebooks For Students
• Website Survey: Looking For Your Feedback
• Robotics Compete This Month
• Around The District Snapshots
• MYP Spotlight
• Radium Girls On Stage
• Dr. Kim's Corner
• Welcome New Hires
• Young Oaks Summer Care Information
• School Calendar: March Dates
• Open Positions In The District
• Social Media Spotlights

MASKING EXPLAINED

As of February 28, 2022, Royal Oak Schools recommended masks for all staff and students while indoors, but will not require them to be worn. For some select district programs, masks may still be required; those groups have already been notified by their specific supervisors or principals.

Per the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), if anyone tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status they should:

• Stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
• Individuals exposed to a positive COVID case have a required quarantine period. OCHD defines “fully vaccinated” as a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines

Masks are still required on all school buses and other forms of public transportation. We ask that everyone be respectful of the decisions families and staff will make regarding masks wearing in our schools. We encourage parents to talk with their children about their family’s plan and expectations as staff will not be able to monitor and enforce your decisions.

This is another important step for our district as we complete the school year while still dealing with COVID-19. We will closely monitor the conditions moving forward. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as we shift to this protocol in the district.

ENROLLMENT OPEN FOR SCHOOLS OF CHOICE

The application window for grades DK-8 Limited Schools of Choice is now open through March 25, 2022. At the Board of Education meeting in December 2021, the Board approved accepting a limited number of students in grades DK/Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2022-2023 school year, with the assignment to schools and classrooms on a space-available basis.

Students must reside within the boundaries of the Oakland Intermediate School District in order to apply. The application will be available online or at the Royal Oak Schools Administrative Offices between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., by appointment only.

Please note that in order to be considered for placement, an application must be submitted for EACH student.

For questions or for more information on Schools of Choice, contact the Enrollment Office at (248) 435-8400 x1260.

CHROMEBOOKS COMING THIS SPRING TO ALL STUDENTS

We are thrilled to share that Royal Oak Schools has been awarded a grant to bring a Chromebook to every Royal Oak Schools student.

The purpose of this initiative is to ensure that every student be assigned and receive a Chromebook for their educational use at home and at school. These Chromebooks will not need to be returned at the end of the year; rather they are for students to keep in their possession for the next several years of their schooling in Royal Oak. There is no cost to families to receive the Chromebook. Parents are required to complete a form prior to Chromebook distribution agreeing to District technology policies and practices. It is expected that families who currently have a district-provided Chromebook will return that Chromebook to their building this spring.

More information and the agreement form will be coming in the next several weeks.

LOOKING FOR YOUR FEEDBACK

We are working on a website overhaul and would like your feedback.

Royal Oak Schools is working towards a website that is more user-friendly with a fresh look and new features. This survey will help us in understanding what our stakeholders feel are the most important aspects of a school district website.

Please use this link to access the survey.

SPOTLIGHT ON MYP

MYP, Middle Years Programme, is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP is a five-year programme, which can be implemented in a partnership between schools, or in several abbreviated (two, three or four year) formats. Students who complete the MYP are well-prepared to undertake the IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (CP).

The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for early adolescents.

For more information go to our website. Or contact Deniescha Malone, MYP Coordinator at 245-435-8500 ext. 2124 or email her at: deniescha.malone@royaloakschools.org.

THIS MONTH IN THE CORNER

Wow, can you believe it is March already?

March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month! Women’s History Month is a time set aside to honor and recognize the achievements of women in science, business, sports, social movements, and so much more. For centuries, American women were overlooked for their contributions in these fields. As a result, they were omitted from history. That’s why we celebrate Women’s History Month: so we have a more complete picture of our American history.

For this month, I will highlight not only a great woman but a Detroit native! Sarah Elizabeth Ray was an African American secretary who was denied a seat on the Boblo Boat SS Columbia. (For you younger folks, Google Boblo and learn about the gem that was this amusement park and island).

Much like Rosa Parks, Sarah Ray refused to back down. She took her fight for integration all the way to the United States Supreme Court. She was represented by famed NAACP lawyer and future supreme court justice Thurgood Marshall. She eventually won her case. Many scholars argue she paved the way for the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, which found that spate was inherently unequal.

Follow this link to learn about just a few more fabulous women!

Check out more in Dr. Kim's Corner.

YOUNG OAKS SUMMER CARE

Royal Oak Schools is pleased to bring your child a fun and educational program this summer. Enrollment is open to Royal Oak Schools students who have completed DK through 5th grade during the 2021-2022 school year. Care is open Monday thru Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. As a reminder, students cannot attend more than 40 hours or additional fees may be charged.

The Summer Day Care is staffed with qualified Royal Oak personnel who are looking forward to giving your child a wonderful experience. Each year, a theme is selected, and activities are centered around that theme.

Registration for summer care is scheduled for March 21, 2022. The first lottery will be drawn on Monday, April 11th. Families will be notified of their status on Friday, April 22nd. If selected you must register by Wednesday, April 27th. All registration dates are updated on our website.

Please call 248-288-3220 for more information.

JOB OPENINGS

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.

Maintenance Team: These are full-time positions, hired through ABM. Apply online at: https://tinyurl.com/3d5ae9rs.

Foodservice workers and cashiers: Chartwells Food Service is hiring food prep workers, service station set up, serving meals to students, and running the register. This position is Monday through Friday from approximately 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Uniforms will be provided, along with a free lunch.

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 http://bit.ly/ROSJobs. 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.