Raven Family Resource

Dear Raven Families,

A quick reminder that there is no late start next week but we start Mid Winter Break on Friday, February 16, 2024 - February 20, 2024.

Warm regards,

ROHS Admin Team

• February 15 Learning Commons Closed After School
• February 15 Class Applications Due (24-25 School Year)
• February 16 is a Wellness Weekend
• February 16, 19, 20 No School Mid Winter Break
• February 20 The deadline for purchasing a Senior Tribute is February 20th, 2024.
• February 27 No School for Students; Election Day; Teacher PD Day
• February 28 Scheduling Day
• March 1 (7-9 PM), 2 (7-9 PM), 3 (2-4 PM) Freaky Friday Musical

As a reminder, some of our classes for the 24-25 school year require students to complete applications. Please keep in mind that these classes will be scheduled only if enough students apply.

The following are the classes that require applications:

• Links: Literature for Social Connections - Ms. McCaffrey
• Student Leadership - Mr. Morgan
• Work-Based Learning Opportunities - Ms. Brown
• Writing for the School Newsmagazine (ACORN) - Ms. Maudlin
• Writing for the School Yearbook (LEGACY) - Mr. Swastek

Here are some important reminders:

• It is each student's responsibility to make sure that their application has been submitted and received.
• Each student should communicate with the specific teacher(s) if they have any questions about the class or application process.
• Each student must submit an application to be considered for the class.
• Course space is limited and once the course is full there is no additional enrollment. Each student must have ALTERNATES selected.
• The deadline to submit applications is 2/15.

If your child has any additional questions please encourage them to reach out to their counselor.

We have had 14 high school students interning at Cranbrook over the past month as a part of Beyond the Bell. They worked on an exhibit that they will be presenting this Saturday from 11:00 to 2:00.

February is Black History Month and we are honoring the profound impact and contributions of African Americans throughout history. This​ is a time​ for reflection, education, and ​unity. While Black History Month serves as a dedicated time to highlight the remarkable achievements and contributions of Black individuals, it is essential that we carry this spirit of recognition and appreciation throughout the entire year. Check out some of the family friendly events going on in the Metro-Detroit area!

Yearbook Information:

Interested in purchasing a yearbook? The price is $85 until March 30th. Please follow the link for purchasing options:

• Yearbookforever.com Royal Oak High School (links to an external site)

Parents/Guardians of Seniors:

• Interested in purchasing a Senior Tribute?

• Please visit this page for information: YearbookSeniorTributeInformation.pdf

• The deadline for purchasing a Senior Tribute is February 20th, 2024.

Questions? Please contact Mr. Swastek! matthew.swastek@royaloakschools.org

Consistent attendance at school is directly connected with your child's academic success. We understand that there are times when students need to be absent. We ask that parents/guardians notify the school on each day a student is absent.

The parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office at 248-435-8500 (press 1) by 1:30 p.m. each day of their child’s absence and provide any necessary documentation (e.g., medical documentation). Voicemail is available for messages if no one is available to take your call.

Please keep in mind that excessive absences will lead to a referral to Royal Oak Youth Assistance or our School Truancy Officer. Notices will be automatically generated and sent digitally.

In our efforts to continue to keep our school community safe, Royal Oak High School is requesting that all visitors show identification before entering the building. Visitors who would like to meet with a staff member will need to have a scheduled appointment.

All doors to Royal Oak High School will remain locked until 7:00 a.m. on a daily basis. At 7:00, students may enter the building via the cafeteria door accessed by the drive off of Crooks between Lexington and Normandy. Students arriving before 7:40 must report to the cafeteria. Other doors will open at 7:40 a.m. and relock at 7:55 a.m. First hour begins promptly at 7:55 a.m. and late-arriving students will need to sign in at the Attendance Office (Welcome Center).

Please be advised that if your child is not involved in a regularly scheduled, supervised activity, they must exit the building by 3:15 p.m. (4:15 p.m. when the Learning Commons is open). The only students remaining in school after normal school hours should be under the direction of a coach, teacher, or administrator. Please understand that our concern is focused on the safety of all of our students, as we cannot provide supervision for students not participating in a school activity.

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. 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, please fill out this form. Be sure to indicate 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.

WELLNESS WEEKENDS

ROHS will be participating in Wellness Weekends again this year. Students, staff, and families can celebrate a weekend of no new homework and no tests or projects to prepare for. When students and teachers return from the Wellness Weekend, no new classroom assignments will be due and no grades will be returned. The next Wellness Weekend is February 16, 2024.

ROHS CANVAS COMMUNITY PAGE

Royal Oak High School has created an ROHS Canvas Community page/course. This page houses different resources which includes, but is not limited to support contacts, wellness resources, career and testing information, scholarships and counseling information. Canvas works in conjunction with MiStar. On your student’s schedule you’ll notice it’s 10th period. Students do not need to do anything for this page/course. It is another way to give students the resources that they need.

MICHIGAN MEALS PROGRAM

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.

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 funding uses free and reduced-price eligibility.

PICK UP & DROP OFF

We know that drop-off and pick-up can be difficult with everyone's busy schedules. With a few hundred students who are coming to and leaving school during a very short turnaround time of 10 - 15 minutes, we need to ensure safety. In order to do this in a safe and efficient manner, it is imperative that all families respect and follow the designated drop-off and pick-up location.

One of the greatest and growing areas of concern is the practice of families dropping students off in the circle drive (Lexington/Crooks). This is an area for buses only. We will be working with RO Police Officers to help reinforce this No Parking/Drop off Zone. Thank you for your support and understanding.

MISTAR GRADEBOOK

As a reminder, MiStar is the official gradebook and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can go to the MiStar Parent Portal to see up-to-date grades for their child. If you have any questions about your child's progress or would like to meet with your child's teacher, please connect with them directly to schedule a conference time. (ROHS Staff Directory)

PARKING PERMIT

Parking permits can be obtained in the Main Office. In order to receive a permit, students need to have a completed application, $30 or a check made out to Royal Oak High School, their license and proof of insurance. By now, ALL students should have their parking permits if they are parking in the school parking lots. If you have questions, please contact Caroline.Krynak@royaloakschools.org

ECF CHROMEBOOKS

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can complete the ECF Chromebook Request Form in order to get a Chromebook for a student. Please make sure to read the request/commitment form carefully. Chromebooks will be delivered to ROHS toward the end of each week.

Please visit the District Technology Website for additional information and support. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@royaloakschools.org)

CHROMEBOOK FAQ FOR FAMILIES

NEW: OSTC - OAKLAND SCHOOLS TECHNICAL CAMPUS - STUDENT SUMMER EXPERIENCE

Students entering the 8th or 9th grade for the 2023-2024 school year can get a head start with career technical education by enrolling in one of Oakland Schools Technical Campus - Southeast’s exciting programs! Automotive Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing, Cybersecurity Networking, Computer Programming, Culinary Arts/Hospitality, Entrepreneurship & Advanced Marketing, Welding. June 24 - 27 from 8:30am to 11:30. $25/Student. Questions: Call the office (5055 Delemere Street, Royal Oak) at 248-288-4020. Click here for the Enrollment Portal.

CAREER PATHWAY PRESENTATIONS: SIGN UP TODAY TO LEARN ABOUT CAREERS!

ACTION: PLUMBERS & PIPEFITTERS: February 22, 2024, 3rd hour

Our speaker: Rudy Diaz - Director of Educational Services of Mechanical Contractors Association of Detroit (MCADetroit). MCA Detroit represents 180 plus signatory contractors in Wayne, Okland, Macom and Saint Clair Counties in the Plumbing and Pipefitting industries for the United Association. Specifically Local 98 Plumbers and local 636 Pipefitters. Trades dealing with med gases, water, chemicals, welding, etc..

• Date: FEBRUARY 22, 2024
• Time: 3rd Hour
• Where: Learning Commons Room #1
• Recommended: All students interested in the Trades, Plumbing, Pipefitting, Welding and more. ACTION: USE THIS LINK TO SIGN UP!

ACTION: FINANCE CAREERS: February 29, 2024, 2nd hour

Our speaker: Janel Ziatona - Sales Director for Clear2Mortgage. We help Americans fulfill their homebuying dreams and help them save money on the homes they currently own.

• Date: FEBRUARY 29, 2024
• Time: 2nd Hour
• Where: Learning Commons Room #1
• Recommended: All students interested in a Finance Career.

Clear2Mortgage is a Royal Oak Company that specializes in serving both realtors and home buyers throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

ACTION: USE THIS LINK TO SIGN UP!

NEW: SCHOLARSHIP:

MSGCU (Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union) is awarding over $110,000 in scholarships this year

As a credit union founded by teachers, we’re proud to honor our heritage by advancing educational journeys and career goals through our scholarship program. We offer various awards for students. Applications are accepted through February 27.

Scholarships for students:

• Educational Solutions Scholarship helps high school seniors with plans to attend college with 18 scholarships of $2,500 each.
• Rudolph Heino High School Scholarship is for high school seniors heading to college with a demonstrated commitment to helping others. Five scholarships of $2,500 are offered.
• Larry Swantek Educational Studies Scholarship benefits high school seniors and current college students planning to become teachers with four scholarships of $2,500.
• William Cayen Skilled Trades Scholarship of $2,500 each is granted to two individuals pursuing certification in electrical, HVAC, automotive, or other industrial and advanced technologies or skilled trades programs.

Apply Now

The Stephen Thomas First Responder Scholarship is also available, which supports future first responders enrolled in police and/or fire academies at local colleges with 14 scholarships of $2,000 each. Applications occur directly with Macomb Community, Oakland Community, Washtenaw Community, and Schoolcraft Colleges.

Know a student that needs a scholarship?
Share this email and encourage them to apply at msgcu.org/scholarships now through February 27 at 10 p.m.

SCHOLARSHIP & JOB INFORMATION CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND IN XELLO!

Juniors & Seniors can look under College Planning on their Dashboard!

Freshman & Sophomores look under Links & Resources.

WORKKEYS - WHAT IS IT? WHY DO WE CARE?

The ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate is an evidence-based credential that certifies essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations. It is earned by completing the following ACT WorkKeys assessments: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.

What the Certification Demonstrates: four levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) verify skill proficiency:

• Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Reading and using work-related text
• Applying information from workplace documents to solve problems
• Setting up and performing work-related mathematical calculations
• Locating, synthesizing, and analyzing information presented in multiple related graphics

How to use your score:

• Show off your skills - put your WorkKeys result on your resume, application to community college or technical school (some apprenticeships require this score)
• Visit jobprofiles.act.org to "find your fit." Compare your score to the Occupational Profiles.
  
• Learn what education, training or practice you need to excel in your desired future career.
• Earn more money - there is a positive relationship between score levels and short- and long-term wages.

How to access your National Career Readiness Certificate:

1. Go to MyWorkKeys.com
2. Log in with your User ID and Password or create an account.
3. Validate your information
4. Select Certificate Management to view your certificate
5. View, print and share your test scores.
6. View, print and share your certificate

ACT will not share your certificate or test scores without your authorization. To make them public, select Share Test Score and/or Share Certificate.

Testing and Career Development Coordinator: Janet Norling [https://janetnorling.youcanbook.me/]

Abbie Stys - Counselor (A-D)

Abbie.Stys@royaloakschools.org

Erin Boedeker - Counselor (E-K)

Erin.Boedeker@royaloakschools.org

Chloe Dahm - Counselor (L-R)

Chloe.Beerer@royaloakschools.org

Jim Bowker- Counselor (S-Z)

James.Bowker@royaloakschools.org

Mr. Bowker is subbing for Mr. Botos.

Emily Wade - Special Education Social Worker

Emily.Wade@royaloakschools.org

Clarisa Ceaser - Special Education Social Worker

Clarisa.Ceaser@royaloakschools.org

Ben Weiss - General Education Social Worker

Benjamin.Weiss@royaloakschools.org

24-25 SCHEDULING

This week we began the 2024-2025 scheduling process by having students in grades 9-11 review their transcript and complete a self audit. Students accessed their complete transcript (all courses and grades earned for high school credit) and identified what they've successfully completed and what they still need to earn credit in.

Next week during advisory, students will receive all scheduling materials including a course selection worksheet. Students must complete the worksheet and obtain a parent/guardian signature to approve the selected coursework so please look for that next Wednesday, February 14! Additional details will be shared via Canvas and email.

ATTENTION SENIOR FAMILIES

Counselors have completed mid-year reports via Common Application for all schools requesting. Students who need a mid-year transcript sent to a school outside of Common Application, should handle this through SCOIR.

FAFSA UPDATE

Attention Senior Families: Please review our FINANCIAL AID NEWSLETTER for up to date information about the new 24-25 FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities.

OAKLAND SCHOOLS TECHNICAL CAMPUS (OSTC)

The application window for Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) is now open. If you are interested in attending OSTC or returning next year, please follow this link for instructions on how to apply. Applications should be submitted by February 21st.

OSTC is excited to offer prospective students currently in 10th or 11th grade an opportunity to experience a preview to select programs available at the Southeast campus in Royal Oak. Sessions are on various Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm through the month of March. Sign up HERE.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Random Acts of Kindness month falls in February. To celebrate, we hope you consider taking a look at our Kindness Calendar and encouraging friends and family to participate!

Virtual Behavioral Health Urgent Care through Common Ground

Access to mental health care when you need it most GET HELP NOW. CALL: 248-983-5454

Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) is a virtual visit platform for people who need immediate emotional or psychiatric support from a licensed healthcare provider.

SUICIDE PREVENTION & AWARENESS PRESENTATION

Youth are struggling with suicide and suicidal ideation at alarming and increasing rates. More than 20% of teens have seriously considered suicide, and among all young people, suicide is a leading cause of death. Suicide is preventable and suicide prevention is a shared and important responsibility among families and schools. TRAILS is offering a free, virtual presentation on February 8, 2024. Click HERE for additional information.

ROHS PTSA

We recognize that family and community support are integral to our success. This is why we encourage you to join the Royal Oak High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association! Check out the website for more information.

SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY

The Class of 2024 Senior All Night Party will be at Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak on Thursday, May 30 with check in to begin at 11pm, party ending at 5:00 am. The cost is $75 as of February 1st.

The link below can be found on the memberhub for the PTSA, it is to purchase tickets for the SANP and to sign the waiver form. https://rohsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/972214

Here is a link to a fundraiser for the SANP. Check it out! https://rohsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/972214

• Canvas Access Instructions
• Raven Haven School Store
• ROS Music Department Updates
• ROHS Guardian Tech Resources
• Special Education Department Website

OK2SAY REPORTING
>>Call 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
>>Text to 652729 (OK2SAY)
>>Email OK2SAY (OK2SAY@mi.gov)
>>Visit the website (https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say)

STUDENT RO ACCOUNTS
>>Click here for email access instructions
>>Students are encouraged to change their passwords. They can use this link to do so.
>>Links for ParentPortal and StudentPortal

Please see the following directions on how to reset the MiStar Student Connect or MiStar Parent/Guardian Connect password.