Dear Royal Oak Middle School Families,

We kindly ask that you do not send food orders to your students during school hours. Services like DoorDash or UberEats are not permitted on campus, as they bring unfamiliar and potentially unsafe individuals onto school grounds and into the building.

If your student requires a lunch, we will be happy to assist them in getting one from the lunchroom.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in keeping our campus safe!

Sincerely,
Kristin Meldrum

Principal, Royal Oak Middle School

9/11: The Connector: Sometime this week, introduce one person that you know to another person that they do not know.

9/18: Deep Digging: Have a conversation with a staff member and learn something new about them

9/25: Super Support: Get a friend or a group of friends together to attend a school event. Congratulate or cheer on the students at your school who are competing or participating.

This month, we are highlighting being a POSITIVE Risk-Taker!

In the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Royal Oak Middle School (ROMS), encouraging students to be positive risk-takers is a key component in fostering growth and success. Positive risk-taking involves stepping out of one's comfort zone, trying new strategies, and embracing challenges in a supportive environment. This mindset is critical in developing resilience, creativity, and a willingness to explore unfamiliar ideas, all of which align with the MYP’s goal of cultivating lifelong learners who can navigate an increasingly complex world.

By being positive risk-takers, students will:

• Build Confidence: Students learn that failure is a part of the learning process, and taking risks can lead to new understandings and skills.
• Develop Problem-Solving Skills: Encouraging students to approach tasks creatively and think outside the box strengthens their ability to find solutions to complex problems.
• Enhance Collaboration: Taking risks often requires teamwork, where students can support each other, build on diverse ideas, and achieve more collectively than individually.
• Increase Engagement: When students see their ideas and innovations valued, they become more engaged and invested in their learning journey.

How Teachers Incorporate Positive Risk-Taking in the Curriculum

Teachers at ROMS use positive risk-taking to deepen student learning across all subjects by:

• Inquiry-Based Learning: MYP teachers design units that encourage inquiry, where students are invited to ask questions, investigate new concepts, and explore multiple perspectives. This approach fosters an environment where students feel safe to take risks.
• Challenging Assessments: Teachers develop assignments that push students to apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, such as project-based learning, STEM challenges, and creative writing tasks, aligning with MYP criteria.
• Feedback-Driven Growth: Teachers offer constructive feedback that encourages students to reflect on their risk-taking and learn from their attempts, emphasizing progress over perfection.
• Character Development: In line with the IB Learner Profile, teachers encourage students to embody the "Risk-Taker" trait, integrating it into lessons and discussions about personal growth and resilience.

By embracing positive risk-taking, students at ROMS become more independent, reflective learners, ready to take on academic and real-world challenges.

A CharacterDare through the CharacterStrong SEL program is a simple, actionable challenge designed to help students build positive character traits. Each dare focuses on a specific trait, such as kindness, empathy, or responsibility, and encourages students to practice that trait in their daily lives. These dares are easy to implement and aim to create habits that foster a positive school culture by encouraging students to reflect on their actions and how they impact others.

Families can support their child by discussing the dare at home, reflecting on its importance, and encouraging their child to follow through with it.

We are thrilled to introduce Mr. Matt Simmons as our new Lang and Lit teacher at ROMS! He will be taking over for Ms. Derda as she transitions into our 8th grade Assistant Principal.

ROMS is in need of your support to recognize our outstanding students!

Each month teachers nominate one student who exemplifies an IB Character Trait. We then recognize the students with a certificate and a gift card ($5-$10) to a local business or a donated gift from businesses (like smoothies from Smoothie King!). The program has been a big hit with the students and staff, but we are in need of funds to continue it.

This year we will be selling concessions at all home sporting events to raise the needed funds. Your support is greatly appreciated. All donations can be dropped off in the main office or room 207. Even if a slot is full, you can still donate that item. We need funds for all 10 months of school. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BADA92AA5FDC07-51205420-student

We are also tracking which students are recognized to make sure we reach as many of our amazing ROMS students AS POSSIBLE!

1. Picture Retakes are Wednesday, October 9, 2024

2. Jimiri Fall 2024 Cohort Opportunity runs from October 27 through December 8.

• Detroit program FAQs.
• 2-minute Jimiri video.
• Middle-school student application (due October 15)
• Promotional flyer (also attached)

3. Capture the memories. Order your 2025 Yearbook now at the lowest price of the year (through Sept. 13, 2024)!

To order ROMS 2025 Yearbook please click on the link.

If you have any questions contact Mrs. Landis at karina.landis@royaloakschools.org or Ms. Khaleel at sofia.khaleel@royaloakschools.org.

4. Color Out Shirts

Interested in getting a ROMS Color Out Shirt this year? Student Council's Color Out Shirt webstore will be open starting Thursday, September 12th and will close Thursday, October 3rd. Check out our new and updated design! Color Out shirts can be worn for various events throughout the year, such as sporting events and Bulldog Games. All proceeds will go to Royal Oak Youth Assistance. This year's grade level colors are:

6th Grade - Black, Class of 2031
7th Grade - White, Class of 2030
8th Grade - Red, Class of 2029
Staff - Grey

5. ROMS Cheerleading Cornhold Fundraiser Information

6. Ford Drive 4UR School Event TOMORROW!!

On Saturday September 28, The ROHS Band and Orchestra will be hosting a Drive 4URSchool fundraiser. This is a super easy, fun, non-time consuming way for our community to support the high school music program. Staff, Parents and community members can register to take a test drive of a Ford vehicle of their choice. Ford will bring a complete line-up of vehicles to the High School. Registrants can show up anytime between 10:00am and 5:00pm, take a quick test drive, and be done. Ford will make a donation to the music department for every drive up to $6000.00!!! I'll attach some digital assets you can use. I'm not sure when the QR will go "active" but it's soon. Easiest way ever to support our musicians!

7. ROMS Robotics

The ROMS robotics team participates in several competitive leagues and events. No experience is necessary. We will help the student learn and develop basic skills in strategy, design, prototyping, brainstorming, programming, and operating a robot.We meet on Mondays and Thursdays, typically 6:30pm - 8:30pm, room B.217 mezzanine Tech Lab.The FIRST Tech Challenge game this year is named “Into the Deep”, where teams will dive their robots into the depths of the ocean to explore the unknown and reveal its wonders.For those interested, please provide your information via this form: https://forms.gle/gpLvDppmvxiTiR5HA

8. October Lunch Signs: Check out what's happening at ROMS for the month of October!

9. 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.

How to keep up with grades and assignments at ROMS:

We use Canvas and MISTAR to communicate assignments and grades with families. Use the Royal Oak Schools Technology guides to sign up for both. We recommend that parents check student grades weekly.

• Canvas: This platform contains the presentations and assignments created by ROMS teachers. Some student assignments will be submitted via Canvas. At curriculum night, teachers will share their organizational methods for the platform.

• MISTAR: This expresses the grades that will go on report cards. It updates each night with information from Canvas.

Any questions you have regarding a grade or an assignment should go to the classroom teacher. Teachers can be contacted via email through Canvas, MISTAR, or the Staff Directory on the ROMS website.

Meet your counseling team:

Samantha Ellis and Jim Bowker- 6th grade counselors

samantha.ellis@royaloakschools.org

jim.bowker@royaloakschools.org

Carrie Laurence- 7th grade counselor

carrie.laurence@royaloakschools.org

Michael Betman- 8th grade counselor

michael.betman@royaloakschools.org

Students can sign up to meet with their counselor by signing up through CANVAS or stopping by the grade level counseling office and signing up through the office chromebook.

1) BUCKS FOR BULLDOGS fundraiser has begun and we have already reached 62% of our goal in the first week! Way to go Bulldogs!! Check out the school's FundHub page to see how we are doing.

This is our one and only fundraiser for the year to be able to support all the programs and events that the PTSA sponsors. Click the link to learn more! Please SHARE student fundraiser pages on social media & via emails or texts to friends and family. To register your student, go to https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/login (school identifier code is 5d518a4bac7d6). Your student's team is their first hour teacher.

2) Let's Learn about Vaping! ROMS PTSA is sponsoring a presentation about vaping from the Alliance of Coalitions on Thursday, October 17th at 7pm. It will be held at ROMS in the Learning Commons. Adults and students are welcome to join us. Please register if you plan to attend.

3) VOLUNTEERS needed to help with the fundraiser celebration. Please contact Paula Hartson if you can spare some time, even 10 minutes!

4) Join the PTSA today! Our goal is 400 members and we are at 274!

5) Next PTSA Meeting will be on Monday, October 21st at 7pm on Zoom. We will be voting on the bylaw amendments proposed during our last meeting.

Don't forget to SHARE the student fundraiser page! Let's reach our BUCK FOR BULLDOGS goal!

Thank you for your support and participation!

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. High school and middle school second lunches will be charged $3.00; elementary school second lunches will be charged $2.60. Adult meals are not covered under the Michigan School Meals Program.

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.

If/when your school begins offering ala carte items, please note that they will not be free and must be paid for with cash or through your student’s pre-paid food service account. Ala carte examples are bottled water, chips, cookies, and milk. Unfortunately, milk by itself is not free. To get milk, a complete meal must be received or can be paid for separately. Elementary students must continue to pre-order lunch one day ahead. Last-minute decisions to eat an elementary school lunch can result in shortages for other students that did order in advance.

This page contains important information regarding district technology. Please click the links below to learn more.

Canvas

The distinct uses Canvas as its Learning Management Platform. Learn how to download the app, create an Observer account, and more.

MISTAR

MISTAR is the district’s Student Information System. Learn how to log into and navigate the Parent Portal.

District Chromebooks

All students in 6-12th in Royal Oak Schools have the option of receiving a district-issued Chromebook to use for their time in the district. Learn more about requesting a Chromebook, troubleshooting common issues, and more.

Self-Service Password Manager

Learn more about signing up for Self-Service Password Manager (recommended for 6-12 students) and recovering forgotten Network passwords.

The Service Desk

If you are having technical issues with equipment or devices, a parent or guardian may contact the Oakland Schools’ Service Desk.

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)

Email: kristin.meldrum@royaloakschools.org
Website: https://www.royaloakschools.org/our-schools/royal-oak-middle-school/
Location: 709 North Washington Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 541-7100
Twitter: @krimeldrum