Oak Ridge Connection
Oak Ridge Elementary School
October 27, 2023
Our Mission:
-Oak Ridge Elementary
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
We had a pretty good week this week. The majority of us continue to grow and learn. We still have way too many incidences of students not being respectful to each other. We all need to work as a community to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome at Oak Ridge. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Dr. Jason Parrott
Rochester Road Update
The city plans to close Rochester Road between 12 Mile and 13 Mile for one day next week. With the rain forecast, the exact date is uncertain, but will likely be in the beginning of the week. The city will post details on Facebook as they become available, and signs will be placed at all the side streets the day beforehand.
On this day, the contractor plans to keep the northbound lane of Rochester open for morning drop-off. The road will likely be closed for all traffic during the afternoon pick-up. Parents should plan extra time for parking and walking. Any questions can be sent to Engineering@romi.gov or by calling 248.246.3260.
Family Circles
Oak Ridge Spirit Wear Exchange
NEW to Oak Ridge: *PTA Spirit Wear Bin*
Pass along your too-small spirit wear for something that's just right. Just drop off your gear in the bin with this label. It's in the vestibule by the front door. Feel free to take one or two items, even if you don't currently have any to leave in the bin!
END OF 1ST MARKING PERIOD
Our 1st Marking Period is ending on Friday, November 3.
Report Cards
With our first marking period ending on November 3, our teachers will be providing progress reports to parents through report cards. Report cards are not being sent home with students. Instead, they will be available to view through Parent Portal on the Royal Oak Schools website starting Friday, November 10. There is a Report Card tab on the left side of the screen that you need to click to access your child's Report Card. If you have any questions or need help accessing your child's report card, please contact the Oakland Schools Help Desk at 248-209-2060.
OCHN Offers Mental Health Tips Following Global Violence
OCHN Offers Mental Health Tips Following Global Violence
Contact: Suzanne Weinert - weinerts@oaklandchn.org or 248-758-1991
OAKLAND COUNTY, MI (October 26, 2023) – Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is re-releasing tips for families and individuals to manage stress or trauma associated with recent violence. Situations of global violence can be difficult, and this is especially true if residents are concerned about family members abroad and/or members of their community.
To help manage anxiety, fear, sadness, or stress associated with these traumatic events as well as graphic news reporting, OCHN is recommending the following mental health tips:
Tips for Adults:
- Be mindful to consider your amount of exposure to the news / media and ensure the news you consume is from a trusted source to limit misinformation.
- Everyone experiences events and trauma in different ways and however they think or feel after an event like this is okay. Some people respond with fear, some anger, some shock, sadness, etc.
- Encourage people to talk about what they are thinking and feeling. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from mental health professionals, especially if thoughts of self-harm or suicide arise.
- Try to get back to routines and schedules to promote feelings of consistency and balance to reduce fear and provide a feeling of returning control and predictability.
Tips for Parents:
- Acknowledge what happened. If your child is talking or asking about traumatic events, it is important for the caregivers / loved ones in their life to acknowledge what happened, provide age-appropriate information, and be supportive.
- Parents may want to approach older children who may have seen the news or videos on social media and find out what they know and what their thoughts / feelings are about what happened.
- Recognize the effect this has on your child. Talk to your child about their thoughts and emotions as it pertains to the event and validate their feelings and concerns.
Tips for Community Members:
- Building and maintaining authentic relationships will help your partners and allies better understand and respond.
- Engage in implicit bias training and ongoing opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
- Establishing relationships with neighbors can create a cadre of allies who can provide support and help counter injustice in the community.
- As a community member, you have the power to stand up to injustice.
OCHN Resources:
- OCHN’s non-emergency behavioral health access department is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at 248-464-6363.
- OCHN’s Mental Health School Navigators (MHSN) connect youth and families to behavioral health and substance use supports, as well as financial assistance. For more information about the School Mental Health Navigator Program please call 248-462-6294 or email SchoolNavigator@oaklandchn.org
- Call 988 for Crisis and Emergency Support
Resources for Discussing Injustice
- Helping Students Mark Sense of News Stories about Bias and Injustice
- Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate
About OCHN
- OCHN is contracted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to lead a provider service network and manages care for approximately 29,000 Oakland County citizens at more than 400 service sites across the county. People who receive public behavioral health services through OCHN's provider network include those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health concerns, or substance use disorder. Most of these individuals have Medicaid insurance coverage.
- OCHN's goal is to ensure these individuals are aware of and have access to services and supports that will improve their health and quality of life, as well as ensure their engagement in full community participation. Its mission to “inspire hope, empower people, and strengthen communities” reflects an unyielding belief in a "Valuable System for Valued People." Programs and supports provided by OCHN's service network are available at oaklandchn.org.
Growing Confident Females
Studies have consistently shown that many girls and young women struggle with feelings of low self-confidence. This unfortunate trend seems to persist across various aspects of life, including academics, body image, and career aspirations.
In the realm of academics, girls often exhibit lower levels of confidence compared to their male counterparts. They may doubt their abilities and hesitate to take on challenging subjects or leadership roles. This lack of confidence can impact their performance and limit their academic achievements.
Body image is another area where girls often feel inadequate. Unrealistic media portrayals of beauty standards, combined with societal pressures, can lead to body dissatisfaction and a decrease in self-confidence. This can have long-lasting effects on mental and emotional well-being.
Furthermore, many girls struggle with confidence when it comes to career aspirations. They may underestimate their skills and downplay their ambitions, leading to a smaller presence in traditionally male-dominated fields. This self-doubt can hinder their pursuit of fulfilling careers and limit their potential for success.
It is crucial to address these issues and foster an environment that empowers girls to believe in themselves. By promoting self-acceptance, resilience, and a growth mindset, we can help girls develop the confidence they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
Click on the link below for the first-ever, large-scale national 2023 survey designed to develop a deeper understanding of the thoughts, experiences, behaviors and attitudes of teen girls throughout the U.S:
The 2023 Girls’ Index Executive Overview
Please Help Us with Our Safety Patrol
I hope this message finds you well. We would like to address an important issue that has come to our attention concerning the interaction between some adults and our Safety Patrol students. Our primary objective is to ensure the safety of all students, and the Safety Patrol program plays a crucial role in achieving this.
It's essential to understand that our safety patrollers are trained and are acting under the guidance of school authorities. They are tasked with maintaining safety around our school premises, particularly during times of heavy foot and vehicle traffic.
Unfortunately, we have received reports of adults disregarding requests from our safety patrollers. This not only undermines the efforts of these young individuals who are learning responsibility but also jeopardizes the safety of our students.
For those seeking clarity on the protocols our Safety Patrol students follow, please reach out, and we will happily provide information. We encourage all parents and guardians to familiarize themselves with these guidelines and discuss them with your children.
Furthermore, we would like to request the following:
- Please respect and follow the directions given by our safety patrollers. They are acting in the best interest of everyone's safety.
- If you have concerns or suggestions, please approach school authorities directly rather than confronting the students.
- Engage in conversations with your children about the importance of the Safety Patrol program and the value of respecting peers in positions of responsibility.
Thank you to those parents who have brought this issue to our attention, and a special thanks to our Safety Patrol students for their dedication and commitment.
If you have further concerns, suggestions, or would like to assist in any way, please feel free to reach out.
Trunk or Treat
Hello, pumpkins!
We are so excited for the upcoming Oak Ridge 7th Annual Trunk or Treat Friday, 10/27 from 6:30-8 pm! We are working feverishly to ensure it is a fun and haunting event for all! Please sign up to let us know if your student will be trunk or treating so we can make sure we have enough candy and trinkets for all little ghouls and goblins!
RSVP for trunk or treating and trunk decorating here: Oak Ridge Elementary 7th Trunk or Treat RSVP! (google.com)
Friendly reminder that this event is for Oak Ridge students only, and is not a drop-off event. All students must have a parent or caregiver with them throughout the event.
HALLOWEEN PARADE
Oak Ridge will once again be having its annual Halloween Parade on October 31st at 9:30 am
The parade route will be as followed: Media Center Doors → N. Alexander→ Bloomfield → Rochester Rd. → E. Lawrence.
If for some reason you do not want your child participating in the parade, please let your teacher know. Thank you.
Costume Guidleines
We are looking forward to seeing our students dressed up on Halloween; however, the needs of all students must be kept in mind. What is appropriate for home may not be appropriate for school. All costumes should meet the following guidelines:
· NO MASKS – they impede the child’s vision while walking
· No blood, violence, or gore
· No toy guns, knives, or other weapons
· No liquid or spray accessories
· Nothing overly scary (The “Scream” movie mask, Freddy vs. Jason etc.)
In addition to the physical costume we also need to consider our costume choices and know that some may be deemed inappropriate or hurtful to others. At Royal Oak Schools, we want to ensure students feel academically and emotionally safe at all times.
Here are some questions to consider before dressing your kids (or yourself) this Halloween:
● Does the costume refer to a culture that is not my own? (a headdress, turban, or kimono)
● Does the costume include religious or spiritual symbols other than your own?
● Does the costume require you or your child to change the color of their skin to resemble someone? (For example, you can dress as Beyoncé without coloring your skin.)
● Does the costume represent a stereotype or generalization about a group of people?
● Is the costume based on tragic historical events or represents violent acts that took place?
If you said yes to any of those questions, it might be a good idea to think about trying a different costume. How about getting into the spirit of things by dressing up as a made-up character, a famous figure from history, a celeb, a superhero, or even a character from a book? Let your imagination run wild! The main thing is to have fun while being mindful of cultures that aren't our own.
Physical Education Newsletter
VISITORS TO THE BUILDING
We are limiting visitors to the building especially before and after school. Please drop your students at their designated exterior door. We want to limit traffic and provide the safest environment possible. Thank you for cooperating with us in this matter!
High Five Behavior of the Week
Be Respectful in the Media Center: Use indoor voice, listen to others, keep your hands to yourself
If you would like to view our High Five PBIS Matrix please look below...
Professional Learning Morning
Our professional learning morning for staff will take place again this Wednesday. This means that it is a late start for students. The first bell will ring at 9:20 a.m. with classes starting at 9:25 a.m
Student/Parent Handbook
Green Team Needs Your Help
Hello Families!
The Green School Committee at Oak Ridge is in need of some help!
At lunch, the volunteers and lunch monitors have been overwhelmed with the amount of recycling that is being thrown away each day. They need some assistance helping students find the correct receptacles and cleaning/organizing recyclable items.
Last year, we added food composting to Oak Ridge, and are in need of some more helpful hands as students become acclimated to this new change and are reminded of the composting process!
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Mrs. Mangum (molly.mangum@royaloakschools.org) Please don't feel obligated to help everyday...any time is extremely helpful! Volunteers are needed from approximately 11:30 am-12:30 pm each day.
Thank you in advance!
DISPENSING MEDICATION FORM
If your child needs to take medication throughout the school day, please fill out the following form and return it to the main office. Thank you!
HOMEWORK CLUB
Homework Club is available for students on all Late Start Wednesdays from 8:20-9:20 a.m. Please click on the following link to register for Homework Club:
Field Trips and Volunteering
Royal Oak Schools Performing Arts Newsletter
Please click here for Royal Oak Schools Performing Arts newsletter.
PTA News
Please remember to join the PTA - we are working hard to keep our community strong! The PTA welcomes every student & their family from Oak Ridge. We want to make sure we are inclusive of all families and everyone has the opportunity to be a member. If there are financial limitations preventing you from joining the PTA please contact us so we can remove that barrier. It takes all of us working together to make our children reach their true potential.
Join online at: https://oakridge.memberhub.store/
Individual memberships are $10/year.
Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications:
Thanks to the Michigan School Meals Program, a state-funded program that allows all students to receive meals at no cost for the 2023-2024 school year, breakfast and lunch will be free to all students. Second meals are not free and will be considered ala carte. Elementary school second lunches will be charged $2.60.
Although all students can receive meals at no cost, it is still vital that eligible families fill out a free/reduced meal application: A school’s eligibility for federal Child Nutrition Programs such as Summer Food Service Program and others is based on free and reduced-price eligibility. Students and families may qualify for other program fee reductions based on their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Federal and state education finding uses free and reduced-price eligibility.
Please complete the 2023-2024 online application on our website under Free and Reduced Meals Information. Paper applications will be sent out this month and available at the district office and in all schools in August.
Blessings in a Backpack
“Blessings in a Backpack” is a program designed to provide students on the free and reduced lunch program with enough food for three meals a day during the weekends. This program, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, is active in Royal Oak Schools. If you agree to take part in this program during the school year, your child will receive a bag filled with food for the weekend. A bag of food will be put in your child's locker for take home on Fridays. The simple meals may include food like macaroni and cheese, beef ravioli, canned fruit, granola bars, soups, juice and other items. Students will receive a bag every week.
If you would like to have your child participate in this program, fill out the form below.. Please be sure to indicate on the form if you child has any food allergies. If your child has a food allergy, you as the parent are responsible for checking all food labels when the food arrives home. Royal Oak Schools, as well as Blessings in a Backpack, will not be held responsible for any accidental food allergen exposure.
Young Oaks Info
If you have students currently enrolled in the program you will be contacted directly by the Young Oaks Coordinator.
Any families interested in the program can use the link below for information about the program.
Good Morning Oak Ridge!
Good Morning Oak Ridge 10/27/23
Good Morning Oak Ridge 10/13/23
October Lunch Menu
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
For updates on events or a better insight on you child's school day. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook @ParrottJason
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
At Oak Ridge we take pride in making sure we have a kind, caring, environment. Our parents play a large role in helping us to achieve this goal. Before posting to social media or any other venue, please consider the feelings of all our community members . Before you post, remember to T.H.I.N.K...
Oak Ridge Elementary School
Email: parrottj@royaloakschools.org
Website: http://www.royaloakschools.org/elementary/oakridge/
Location: 506 E 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI, United States
Phone: (248) 588-8353
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeElementarySchool
Twitter: @ParrottJason