Upton Update

Picture Retake Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19. If you are not satisfied with your child's original picture or if your child was not photographed on Picture Day, we will be offering this opportunity.

You may preorder a picture packet online prior to Picture Retake Day at www.kaiserstudio.com using the school ID code: 24UPTON25.

If you ordered pictures and want them retaken, have your child return their picture package to the photographer for a picture retake.

The Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee (ROPAC) is our school district's Parent Advisory Committee - a group made up of parents/caregivers of students with IEPs or 504 Plans, those that want to learn more, and those that think their student may benefit from special education services. ROPAC sincerely welcomes any parent or caregiver with a student(s) in Royal Oak schools to join us in our mission to make this district a destination for students receiving special education services. Learn more about the ROPAC here: ROPAC Info Flyer

The PAC's November meeting will be held Tuesday, 11/19 @ 6:30 PM on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81883355850?pwd=mlCBiLUzCpdAseU1KE6TKfzjhqHOwL.1). Our special guest is Megan McCoy from Oakland Mediation Center, and she will help us walk through the components of an IEP & 504 plan to help us understand what it all means! To join our mailing list for meeting reminders and other updates, complete this quick form: ROPAC Email List

Our professional learning morning for staff will take place again on Wednesday, November 20. 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.

Excited to announce the Lighting of the Park! Happening on November 22 from 4pm to 10pm in Centennial Commons. Formerly the Royal Oak tree lighting this event has moved to Centennial Commons where guests can enjoy ice-skating at The Rink, shopping at the Holiday Huts featuring gifts and goodies from downtown Royal Oak businesses, mini-carnival rides, food trucks, live music and more, culminating with the lighting of Centennial Commons, including the Giant Oak Tree!

The Lighting of the Park Ceremony will take place on the steps of the Royal Oak Public Library, and there will also be local music performances including Detroit’s Queen of R & B, Thornetta Davis, the outstanding Royal Oak Children’s Choir and Royal Oak Drumline, a skating performance from members of Team USA, Bring non-perishable food donations to receive free rides and inflatables!

For more information on The Lighting of the Park, please visit https://www.royaloakholidays.com/grand-opening

At the Royal Oak Lighting of the Park on Friday, November 22 from 4pm – 10pm, you can bring 4 canned food goods or a $2 donation per child to receive unlimited mini carnival rides and inflatables!

The canned food goods and dollars collected will be donated to the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs Holiday Basket Program: A Season of Giving and Impact. For nearly 45 years, Metro Detroit Youth Clubs (MDYC) has brought joy and relief to thousands of families and senior citizens during the holiday season through the Holiday Basket Program.

For more information on the Food Drive & Royal Oak Holidays, please visit https://www.royaloakholidays.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.

It is very important that you call the office if your child is going to be absent. It takes a great deal of time for Mrs. Catchpole to call everyone who does not contact the office. We need to know that your child is safe and accounted for, so please call in all absences.

Report cards are available to view using Parent Portal. 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. Please make sure to look over your child's report card to see the progress that is being made. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher. Teachers are able to see if you have viewed your child's report card, so if you haven't, they might send you a message to make sure you are able to access it. 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.

Please click the link for an update on our Media Center! Mrs. Savona will be updating this each week with new information.

Media Center News

"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 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 and mail it to the board office at 800 Devillen, Royal Oak, MI 48073, or just hit submit on this form. 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.

Blessings in a Backpack Form

2024-2025 Calendar: A calendar for the 2024-2025 school year is now available! Building and program specific calendars, as well as a complete calendar for our current school year, are all available from the calendar page of our district website.

Tuesday

Picture Retake Day

Wednesday

Late Start for students. School begins at 9:25 a.m.

Mr. John Grzywack

john.grzywack@royaloakschools.org

4400 Mandalay Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, United States

(248) 549-4968

royaloakschools.org/elementary/upton

The vision of Upton Elementary School is to inspire students to become lifelong learners.