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

In This Issue

• New Assistant Principal At ROMS
• New Faces, New Spaces
• Food Service Reminder
• Bee T(w)eens
• Tech Personal Purchase Program
• Dr. Kim's Corner
• Family Communications Survey
• Football Fun Nights
• School Calendar
• Did You See It On Social?
• Open Positions In The District

BUSY SUMMER OF HIRING

Our Staff and Student Services Department was very busy this summer interviewing and hiring staff for multiple open positions. To date, 32 new certified staff have been hired this summer as follows:

• 3 Administrators
• 2 Counselors
• 16 Teachers
• 3 Social Workers
• 1 Occupational Therapist
• 1 Speech Pathologist
• 1 Physical Therapist
• 1 Administrative Assistant
• 4 Tuition Preschool Teachers

Here's a group shot of most of our new teachers at New Teacher Orientation, held at the high school in late August.

Watch this video to meet many of our new staff and listen for a fun fact about them.

FOOD SERVICE REMINDERS

ROMS & ROHS:

Please remember to use your student ID card to scan at the registers, or punch in your ID number at the cash registers for breakfast and lunch. (Your ID number starts with 200 and is on your student ID card and/or your schedule). This is very important to keep the lunch lines moving quickly. Your ID number will not change from year to year so once you remember it you are good to go. Cashiers asked to look up your name will write down your student ID number on a piece of paper for you. Students should then use that number going forward.

Elementary Schools:

Lunches are ordered one day ahead and this process will take place in the classroom in the morning. Some classrooms will take orders for the entire week, this is fine too. Typically, DK & K (sometimes first graders) can send in the printed menu with the days and meals circled that they will be ordering. This menu would go to the teacher. Please put your child’s first and last name on the menu at the top. *First day of school: no pre-ordering is necessary.

Breakfast at Upton and Oakland:

Breakfast will be served in the classroom at the beginning of the school day. No pre-ordering is necessary. Breakfast will be served at no cost to students thanks to the Better with Breakfast program.

Breakfast at Addams, Keller, Northwood & Oak Ridge:

Breakfast is available in the cafeteria approximately 25 minutes prior to the start of school. Consult your child’s school main office for specific times the doors will be open. Breakfast will cost $1.25 for full pay, $.30 for reduced eligible students and free for free eligible students.

All:

• Please remember that a fruit and/or vegetable must be selected as part of every meal (breakfast and lunch).
• Your children won’t automatically be free this year like last year. Please make sure you fill out the free/reduced meal application that was mailed to you a few weeks ago or go to www.royaloakschools.org to download a paper copy.
• Please consider putting money on your student’s account prior to the start of school. For information on how to pay on-line, please visit our website, www.royaloakschools.org, and click on “Food Service” “Forms and Documents” then “How To Pay For Meals” for instructions. Cash is also accepted, but is difficult to track if lost between home and the lunch room. Checks are also accepted at each school. Be sure to put your students name on the check.
• Questions: call Food Service at 248-435-8500 ext. 1123

BEE TEENS GET RECOGNIZED AT BOARD MEETING

Members of the middle school, now high school group, Bee Teens, were honored at the August Board of Education meeting. The club is inspired to make Royal Oak a "Bee City." Bee City USA promotes the longevity of bees and creates safe habitats for pollinators. The club went in front of the city with a proposal and was successful in making Royal Oak a Bee City! The team spread the word by hosting informational booths at events and No Mow May.

They also worked with the Royal Oak Community Garden to add a hive to the site. "The journey to make Royal Oak a Bee City has been a lot," said Josi Hetherington. "and we couldn't have done it without support from so many selfless individuals."

Follow the Bee Teens on Facebook and learn more on how you can help with their cause.

PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE PROGRAM

Staff, students, and families that are shopping for new tech can purchase computers at a discount this month. REMC and Dell are working together to offer their best prices to our community. Royal Oak Schools has no oversight of this program but wanted to share the opportunity and information with you. Use the links below for more specifics.

THIS MONTH IN THE CORNER

Greetings and welcome back to another school year Royal Oak Schools families and friends! I hope you had a (somewhat) relaxing summer.

I don’t know about you, but I am approaching this school year with renewed enthusiasm and hope. Reflecting on my first year in this amazing district, we accomplished a lot under some pretty trying times. Through COVID-19 and other challenges, we managed to make some great moves.

I was able to make great connections with the PTA and DEI councils, and the school-level DEI groups. Through these connections, I was able to collaborate with these groups for programming and other initiatives. We were able to start the Parent University program, and the new JEDI council, which will be instrumental in moving us forward as a district in the areas of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Over the summer we welcomed two new members to our team: Sharida Lewis, the new principal at ROHS, and Kristin Meldrum, the new principal at ROMS. Both of these ladies bring years of experience and expertise to the district. I look forward to working with them!

A new school year comes with new opportunities! Here are a few things that we can do at the start of this year to put us on a good path!

Let’s begin the year with a positive mindset. If you always assume good intent, you will have more opportunities for dialogue and understanding.

Welcome the new academic year with new energy and new hope. Learn and experience new things.

Don’t dwell on the past. Last year is a story that has ended. The coming year is a story that needs your time and attention; make it an interesting story ☺

This school year, let’s start something great together. May the new year be filled with achievements and happiness.

I’m wishing you all a FABULOUS school year!

Dr. Kim

Check out more in Dr. Kim's Corner.

At Royal Oak Schools communicating district information with our families and students is very important to us. In order to meet your needs, we are asking that you take a moment and answer a few questions about how we send messages and which platforms are preferred.

Please use this link to take the survey: https://forms.gle/yd1QUvkAkkxyvZP89

We appreciate the feedback.

FAMILY EVENTS AND FOOTBALL GAMES

We have home football games coming up this month, with some family fun events added to the evening.

On September 1, come on over to the Athletics Plaza at the high school with the whole family to enjoy bounce houses, games, giveaways, and more, including free tickets to the first home game.

Another night to mark on your calendar is the home game on September 9. The Royal Oak Athletic Department is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Salute to Service/Hometown Heroes game happening during the Royal Oak vs. Ferndale Varsity Football matchup, 7:00 pm, at Royal Oak High School. Military veterans, active duty military personnel, police, fire, paramedic, and their families will receive free admission to the game, a food voucher, and a special tribute during halftime. Please wear some portion of your uniform or bring your ID if possible. We will have a check-in table upon your arrival.

In addition, September 9 will also be Tastefest!

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.

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 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.