The ROHS Homecoming Parade, Tailgate, and Football Game are Friday, October 11th at Royal Oak High School! The festivities kickoff at 5pm with the Homecoming Parade that cruises down Lexington Blvd. The parade features the ROHS Marching Band, cheer team, dance team, and homecoming court as well as many clubs, sports teams, and other organizations at the high school. It ends in front of the stadium where there is a tailgate open to the entire community that includes free food, live music, games, and other fun activities. After the tailgate, please join us as we cheer on the ROHS Ravens Varsity Football Team as they take on Pontiac. Game starts at 7pm.
Brought to you by the PTA and Scholastic.
ALL SALES DIRECTLY BENEFIT NORTHWOOD. PROFITS LET US BUY BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOL!
When: Wednesday, October 16th - Friday, October 18th
Students will visit the fair with their teachers during school - stay tuned for more details from your child’s teacher
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm - daily public hours
Where: Northwood’s Media Center
Details:
Cash, check, credit card (including tap to pay) or E-Wallets accepted
Please remember the 6% sales tax when sending cash to school
Checks are payable to Northwood PTA, and do NOT have to be for the exact amount. We can give your child change.
CLICK ON THIS LINK to GET MORE INFORMATION REGARDING ONLINE SHOPPING, ESTABLISHING AN E-WALLET ACCOUNT FOR YOUR STUDENT(S), AND HOW TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER!
Signup HERE to view available volunteer time slots!
Questions? Contact Kelly: kelly.laramie@gmail.com or Katie: katienelson723@gmail.com
Northwood's PTA Trunk or Treat event is on Friday, October 25th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the school's north and middle parking lots. Wear your favorite costume to celebrate Halloween with all of your fellow Northwood friends! This event is only open to current Northwood families.
Admission to this event is one LARGE bag of candy per each trick or treating child you bring to the event. We ask that only NUT-FREE candy is donated so that all trick or treating kids can have a safe and fun evening. Please drop off the candy when you arrive. PTA tables will be set up on both ends of the parking lots to collect candy donations
We will also need many creative volunteers to sign up to decorate their trunks to make this a fun night! Trunk decorating volunteers should start off the trick or treating by handing out their own candy donations that they bring to the event. This will help things run smoothly until the PTA can hand out the rest of the donated candy to each vehicle.
The north and middle parking lots are reserved for those who are decorating their trunks. Decorating begins at 6:00pm. Parking for everyone else will be available in the south lot and on the neighborhood streets.
We are looking forward to seeing you all there! Rosemary Remick, Kristy Bristol & Cheryl Jennings
Halloween Parade
Our Halloween Parade is scheduled for 10/31 at 11:45 AM, weather permitting. Classes will walk behind their teachers in grade order, starting with DK/K and ending with 5th grade.
- Parade route: All classes will exit the North playground doors, walk around to the front of the building, walk south on the sidewalk in front of the building, and end at the South playground doors, where they will enter and go back to class.
- Families are welcome to watch!
- Please stay off the sidewalks from the north playground to the south playground so there is a clear route for the parade.
- Please do not pull your child out of line, as they will be following their teacher and we need to keep classes together. Safety first!
- Students are still in class during the parade, and cannot leave the parade to go home with you. If you want to check your child out early, you can do that when the parade is over by going into the office , signing the student check-out sheet, and our secretary will call the classroom to have your child come down. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!
- 10/31 is a half day with dismissal at 12:15pm
Costume Guidelines
If your child would like to wear a costume on Halloween, please bring them to school in their costume. Costume guidelines:
- No masks or facepaint
- No costumes that promote violence
- Nothing blood or gore, or anything too scary. Remember there are little ones in the school.
- No toy weapons or props
- May not demean any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, disability or gender
We have completed our first i-Ready reading and math diagnostic assessments of the year, and the results reports for your student(s) will be uploaded into the MiStar Parent Portal under "Student Documents" by Friday, October 18, 2024.
Because this is a new assessment, please read the "Understanding your Student's i-Ready Diagnostic Report" document below. It includes helpful information as you review your child(ren)'s reports.
To access the parent portal, go to royaloakschools.org, click on "Parents/Guardians" on the menu bar, and then click on "MISTAR Parent Portal." Please use the login assistance links if you need help logging in.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning! You can also learn more about i-Ready by visiting i-ReadyCentral.com/FamilyCenter.
Last year, Mrs. Guthrie headed up an initiative to collect over 200 lbs of colored plastic and worked with Belle Isle to have it turned into a bench. She is hoping to do it again!
Families can help by collecting colored plastic caps & lids and sending them in. Please make sure they are clean and drop them in the container located in the front office vestibule. Some examples are caps and lids from Tide, peanut butter, Gatorade, pop, milk, etc. Please see the list for all acceptable plastics. Thank you in advance for your help with this amazing project!
Arrival, Dismissal & Parking - Important!
Arrival: 1st bell 8:20 AM, 2nd/tardy bell 8:25 AM
Late Starts: 1st bell 9:20 AM, 2nd/tardy bell 9:25 AM
Dismissal: 3:30 PM
DROP OFF / PICK UP LANE
Kiss & Go Lane (along the front of the building - See photo): For quick drop-off of students who can walk independently to their doors, please pull into the Kiss & Go lane along the curb in front of the building. This is a moving lane for drop-off and pick-up (no parking). If there is a line, we appreciate your patience. Thank you for your cooperation!
- Pull all the way forward, allow your child to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle, and move forward to exit. Your child will walk to their class door.
- For pickup, your child will exit their class door and come to the lane to look for your vehicle. Please do not pull in front of your child's class door to wait, as this impedes the line and causes a backup.
- If you need to exit your vehicle, please find a parking spot. This will keep things moving, which is safest and most efficient for everyone.
- Please do not let your child exit your vehicle in the driveway or thru lane and try to walk between moving cars. The children’s safety is the priority.
PARKING
Parking: If you need to leave your car for any reason, please find a parking spot.
- We have 2 visitor lots you can use: front lot and north lot.
- You may park and walk your students to and from their class door.
- If you would like to park on the street, please consider parking on a side street other than McDonald, due to traffic.
- Please do not pick up or drop off in the south lot. This lot is for staff parking and a bus lane only. Thank you for your understanding.
WALKING & BIKING
- These are great options and decrease traffic.
- Adults and students should remain on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks only.
- Students must wear a helmet.
- All bikes must be walked on school property.
- Please do not stand or park bikes in the Kiss & Go lane.
- New Crosswalk! We have a new crosswalk from the front of the building to McDonald on the north side of the driveway. By pedestrians using that crosswalk, vehicles will now be able to turn left and exit the lot more efficiently, which should alleviate the line.
- Dogs are not allowed.
WHEN STUDENTS ARRIVE
As students arrive, they are expected to join their class line and wait patiently for the bell to ring at 8:20 AM (9:20 on late start Wednesdays) when classes enter the building. Students are not supervised by staff outside before school begins, so shouldn't be dropped off early without supervision. On school grounds, students should always be following school rules and expectations, including safety, respect, and kindness.
OPTIONS TO AVOID TRAFFIC
- Carpool
- Walk/bike (students must wear helmets and walk bikes on school property)
- Breakfast: Drop your child off early at the main office doors for free breakfast anytime between 7:55-8:10 AM (8:55-9:10 on Late Starts)
- Drop your child where there are adult crossing guards at either the Crooks or 12 Mile Rd Crosswalks
- Drop your 3rd-5th grader off at W. Houstonia/McDonald or W. Houstonia/Vinsetta. Safety patrol students are at the W. Houstonia/McDonald crosswalk.
ARRIVING LATE AFTER 8:25 AM
If your child is arriving after 8:25 AM (9:25 AM on Late Starts), please park in a parking spot (not along the curb) and walk your child in. You will sign your child in on the clipboard in the vestibule. Your child will enter the office to get a late pass from the office and head to class.
If your child is coming for Breakfast Club any time this year, they should arrive between 7:55-8:10 AM (8:55-9:10 AM on late start Wednesdays) and enter through the Main doors only. If a family member needs to enter the school to walk their child down to breakfast, the adult will need to sign into the office to enter the building and sign back out when leaving. Thanks so much!
“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. 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.
PTA Newsletter
PTA Newsletter
The Northwood PTA sends out a weekly newsletter to keep families informed about important school announcements, volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and ways to connect with our community on social media. We also share how you can support Northwood when shopping locally. Our goal is to reach as many Northwood families as possible, so please help us spread the word!
There are two ways to receive the newsletter:
1. Join the PTA and automatically receive the newsletter: northwood.givebacks.com/store
2. Sign up without joining the PTA: northwood.givebacks.com/join/cecb14
Questions? Contact Kristen Borchardt-Mazur (kristen.borchardt@gmail.com)
PTA on Facebook
Join the Northwood Elementary Official PTA Facebook group to stay up-to-date on PTA events and see what's happening at Northwood.
Grade-level groups: This is your place to connect with other families or ask grade-specific questions.
- Northwood Kindergarten 2024-2025
- Northwood First Grade 2024-2025
- Northwood Second Grade 2024-2025
- Northwood Third Grade 2024-2025
- Northwood Fourth Grade 2024-2025
- Northwood Fifth Grade 2024-2025
To join our groups, all membership questions must be answered. You will be added to the group once your information is approved with the district.
Kroger Community Rewards
Help the Northwood PTA fundraise by linking your Kroger Shopper's Card to our organization! It's easy to do & it's free. Just follow the directions below & the PTA will earn extra funding. Thanks so much!
1. Create or sign in to your digital account
2. Link your Card to an organization: Select: Northwood PTA and click "Save"
Box Tops
Collecting Box Tops is a great way for Northwood to earn money. Northwood earns 10¢ for every box top collected. Download the app and start scanning your receipts to earn money for Northwood!
A student-favorite lunchtime activity is back, and we need volunteers to help make it happen! Please sign up here to support Noon Walkers. Volunteers will help facilitate and celebrate students as they check off laps on the playground. Volunteers MUST be approved by the district. If you haven't already, please complete the Volunteer Request Form (takes up to 2 weeks for processing). Please email lindsay.irrer@barre3.com or jamie.rudnycky@gmail.com with any questions.
We are still looking for a few volunteers to serve as a homeroom parent for the following teachers: Spaulding, Friedlein, Guthrie. If you are interested, please submit your information here as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/xpxoimfQrVzU9yoq7
Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee
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, 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 a destination for students receiving special education services. Learn more about the ROPAC here: ROPAC Info Flyer
Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee - October Meeting 10/15 @ 6:30 PM
The PAC's October meeting will be held Tuesday, 10/15 @ 6:30 PM at the Administration Building. We will be following up on our September meeting and sharing some resources/answering your questions. We will also be joined by a guest speaker from the Friendship Circle. To join our mailing list for meeting reminders and other updates, complete this quick form: ROPAC Email List
Northwood PBIS Program - Positive Behavior & Character Traits
Our Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program at Northwood uses the acronym of O.A.K.S to promote positive behavior throughout our building. Our O.A.K.S. program serves as a reminder to our students that they are to be:
Outstanding Learners
Always Respectful
Kindness Counts
Safety First
Following is our Northwood Behavior Expectations & Character Traits Matrix, which focuses on expectations for all of the areas of our school. Teachers and staff emphasize this daily and we also have monthly "Nest" meetings to work on OAKS expectations and being role models and leaders at school. One of the tools we may use if a student has a behavior challenge is a "Think Time Sheet", which allows the student to think about their behavior, consider how it relates to OAKS expectations, and most importantly reflect on how they can grow from the experience and make better choices in the future. These forms go home to communicate with families and foster positive conversations about our OAKS expectations for positive behavior. Thank you so much for your support at home to reinforce these important expectations and traits!
Positive & Effective Parenting Information
- Positive Parenting Tips for children of all ages
- Child Development Basics & Effective Parenting Practices
Supporting Children's Mental Wellness: Tips for Families and Caregivers
Parents, family members, and caregivers can encourage mental wellness and promote social,
emotional, and academic success. Good mental health is not simply the absence of illness, but also
includes skills necessary to cope with life’s challenges.
Oakland County Health Network 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
- Programs and supports provided by OCHN's service network are available at oaklandchn.org
Electronic Devices - Important!
Students are allowed to possess electronic communication devices on school property; however, such devices shall not be used during the school day or in a manner that disrupts school activities or events. If brought to school, these items should be left in the student’s locker. This includes but is not limited to the following: smart phones, smart watches, bluetooth earbuds, tablets, etc. Any device found to be used for any illegal purpose or used in a manner that violates the Student Code of Conduct may be confiscated pending a parent conference. Where appropriate, police authorities may be contacted. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic devices.
Northwood Student Handbook, page 9
If your student needs to bring an electronic communication device to school please make certain they understand that it must be kept in their locker and they may not text, call, watch videos, etc. on their device during the school day.Thank you so much for your support with this important issue!
Allergy Awareness & School Food Policy
Classrooms: Do not send snacks containing peanuts or tree nuts.
Lunch Room: There is a separate table for any students with nut allergies.
Class Parties: If party donations are requested, do not send items that have peanuts or tree nuts.
- Halloween - If you send in goodies to be sent home, do not include any food items.
- Valentine's Day - If you send in goodies to be sent home, do not include any food items.
Birthdays: Do not send food or beverages as birthday treats.
Outdoor Gear & Recess
The children go outside for fresh air and robust active play every day for lunchtime recess. At times there will be extreme weather or extremely cold conditions that prohibit children from being outdoors for recess. As a general rule, when the "feels like" temperature approaches 12 degrees we consider keeping students in, however this guideline is subject to the administrators discretion. Some other factors considered include, but are not limited to, the presence of sunshine and the strength of the wind.
It is very helpful when kids come to school prepared to dress for all possible weather, and it's important that students come to school daily with appropriate outdoor gear. In the winter, that includes coats, hats & gloves, snow pants, and boots. If it is below 50 degrees, coats are required. One of our rules is there is no throwing of snow or snowballs at school, which pertains to arrival and dismissal as well. Once the snow starts, we ask that students wear snow pants and boots to play on the field, in order to avoid wet, cold pants and shoes. If your family needs help providing outdoor gear, please reach out to the school. Thank you for your support keeping our students warm and protected during outdoor play!
Social Media Posting
At Northwood we take pride in making sure we have a kind, caring, environment. Our parents & families 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.
Northwood Elementary School will provide higher-level learning opportunities for all students to maximize their potential in a safe, nurturing, respectful, and diverse environment.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Northwood is a Michigan Green School at the Evergreen level? We not only recycle, but our students compost our food, trays, napkins, and milk cartons every day!
