Keeping up with Keller

The mission of Helen Keller Elementary School is to establish and maintain an educational community that empowers all students to become principled, independent inquirers who are socially responsible global citizens.

Do you want to see what's going on at Keller? Check out my Facebook page where I frequently post pictures and share events that are happening within the Keller Community. Click on the button below to go right to my page!

NOVEMBER

*November 25: All City Vocal Music Festival (5th Grade) 7:00 p.m. @ ROHS

*November 27-29: No School -- Holiday Break

DECEMBER

*December 4: Husky Packs *No Late Start*

*December 5: Parent Teacher Conferences @ 4:00-7:00 p.m.

*December 9: PTA Mtg. @ 7:00 p.m. - Virtual

*December 10: 4th Grade Lansing Field Trip

*December 11 & 18: Late Start for Students/Professional Development for Staff

*December 23: January 3: No School - Holiday Break

Challenging young, inquisitive minds to explore American Values!

This year's topic is, “What Does Patriotism Mean To Me?”

Take a look HERE for more information. All submissions are due December 15, 2024.

We’re excited to announce the return of Royal Oak Schools Free Skate Days, proudly sponsored by M3 Investment Services! These fun-filled evenings are a fantastic opportunity for our students to enjoy a night out on the ice while connecting with friends and family.

The first Free Skate Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, with additional dates proposed throughout the winter season:

Free Skate Dates:

• Wednesday, November 27
• Wednesday, December 11
• Wednesday, January 8
• Wednesday, January 22
• Wednesday, February 5

Here’s how it works:

• Royal Oak Middle and High School students skate for free by showing their school ID.
• Elementary students skate for free by having a parent or guardian confirm their school affiliation.

Hi PTA friends!

Happy Thanksgiving! Our year is off to a great start.

Please help us send every staff person home with a loaf of bread from Crispelli’s and Give Thanks Bakery!! $5 a loaf!!

Here is the link to donate:

https://tinyurl.com/KellerBreadDay24

Our next meeting will be Virtual at 7pm on Monday, December 9th. The zoom link will be sent out Sunday night.

Don't forget to buy your annual $10 membership to Keller PTA. Family Memberships are only $18, (any two adults per one student and they do NOT have to live in the same home).

A membership does NOT require you to volunteer or attend meetings, although we would love to have you do both! Aside from the September meeting, meetings are all under an hour and give the opportunity to talk to the principal and our Royal Oak District School Board liaison. It's a good way to be in the know. Some are in-person and some meetings are virtual this year.

How you PTA is up to you!

Get involved to your comfort level.

But also know this: we can't function as a PTA unless volunteers get involved. Events, committee work, meetings, executive board, and community work won't be successful and wanes when we don't have active volunteers.

Please visit our website regularly to keep informed of all things PTA and Keller Elementary. On there you will find:

• PTA annual calendar of events

• A list of all committees and contact info

• Teacher and staff favorite things (still updating)

• PTA FAQs

• Spirit Wear store

• Givebacks link to buy membership and join our online directory

• National PTA podcast link for Notes From the Backpack

And much more!

Thanks for all you do!

Jen MacKenzie

PTA President

JenMackenziepta@gmail.com

The Royal Oak Performing Arts Department would like to invite you to the 44th Annual All City Vocal Festival set to take place on Monday, November 25th. The event will be performed in the Royal Oak High School Gym, beginning at 7:00pm.

This event will include performances from the Royal Oak High School ensembles, Royal Oak Middle School ensembles, and the combined Elementary Schools' 5th Grade Select Choir. There will also be performances by the All City Men and All City Women Choirs and a special performance by all students in the Combined Choirs.

The All City Vocal Festival is the only event in our amazing district where you are able to listen to both the performances of some of our youngest vocalists through to our most advanced. Throughout this event it is easy to observe the younger vocalists respect and admire those that are more advanced; anticipating the day when they too will be considered an advanced ensemble performer. I am certain, if you are able to attend, you will enjoy the great variety of repertoire and the vocal expertise of our amazing students. Please join us in this annual showcase of our students' vocal music talent.

The Keller Cares Closet is currently seeking donations of socks (in any school-aged size) and individually wrapped snacks for students in need. A collection cart will be available in the lobby for your convenience. Thank you for your generous support.

When bringing your child late to school we ask that you please bring them into the lobby and sign them in on the purple sheet. It is important to include time you are signing and if your child will be getting A or B lunch for the next day.

All absences should be called in to the Safety Check number. Absences that are not reported are considered unexcused.

Safety Check number 248-542-6500 option #1

Please be aware that our after-school latchkey program uses the playgrounds each day, starting around 4 p.m. If you decide to stay on school grounds after dismissal please avoid those areas being used by the latchkey program. This will allow our staff to monitor our after-school care kids and ensure safety.

The safety of our students remains our utmost priority! We kindly ask that you refrain from parking or standing in the drop-off lane (red marked areas pictured below). It is essential to keep these lanes and the sidewalk clear during dismissal as vehicles in these areas contribute to congestion in the parking lot and on Campbell Avenue, and they also create a visual barrier between the sidewalk and the parking lot.

Help keep our students and pedestrians safe!

Did you know that the yellow diagonal lines in the parking lot at the end of the row and at crosswalks are designed to enhance pedestrian safety?

Please refrain from parking or waiting in the yellow diagonal lined zones in the parking lot.

• This areas at the end of each row are designated for pedestrians to wait while preparing to cross the parking lot.
  

  
  

• It is difficult to see oncoming traffic when you impede our pedestrian's vision when trying to cross the parking lot to the sidewalk.

It is requested that all adults who are arriving and departing from the school be particularly cautious and mindful of the children and adult pedestrians in the school vicinity at all times. The safety of our entire school community depends upon the care and concern of all of us.

Please follow these safety precautions in the parking lot:

• DO NOT PARK or STAND in the drop off lane at the end of the school day.
• Obey all traffic signs and follow traffic flow -- map below.
• Please refrain from cell phone calls and texting while driving.
• Drop-off area – there is one lane of drop-off.
• Pull all the way forward to the end of the lane before dropping or picking up children. Do not back up in the pick-up lane.
• Students should enter and be ready to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle only.
• Do not exit your vehicle, thus parking in the drop-off only lane, even if it is to run to the door or drop off a project. If you must exit your vehicle you need to park in a parking spot.
• Adults and students should remain on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks only. It is difficult to see children in the parking lot between vehicles.
• Park in a handicap parking spot only if you have a valid and visible permit

For the safety of our students, please do not allow your child to climb on the outside of the tunnel slides after school. This is a school rule that the students follow during the school day. We need your help ensuring our students are safe on the playground.

School premises can be crowded during these busy times, with children and adults walking to and from their cars, buses, and school buildings. Riding bicycles in such confined spaces poses a risk of accidents, especially when mixed with a large volume of pedestrians.

To ensure everyone's safety, we kindly ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Walk your bike on school property: If you choose to ride your bike to school, please dismount and walk your bike when entering school premises. This will help minimize the risk of collisions and falls.

2. Utilize designated areas: If your school has specially designated bike racks or parking areas, we encourage you to utilize these facilities to safely secure your bicycles.

3. Follow traffic rules: When approaching or leaving school property, please adhere to all traffic laws and signals. Signal your intentions, yield to pedestrians, and maintain a safe speed.

At Keller 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.

*We are respectful

*We are safe and in control

*We are responsible learners

I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too.

I came to school to learn and I will learn.

I will have a good day.

Don’t forget that the highlighted monthly learner profile and weekly behavior focus is on the Google calendar (every Sunday).

Principal

Email: marcie.dryden@royaloakschools.org
Website: https://www.royaloakschools.org/our-schools/elementary/keller/
Location: 1505 North Campbell Road, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Phone: (248)542-6500