Raven Family Resource

Dear Raven Families,

We will have some unfamiliar faces in our hallways for the next couple of weeks as our GAPP program welcomes some German students to our school this week. They will be attending school with their sponsors, and taking in the differences between their school and ours. Please be sure to welcome them warmly!

This week we will have OK2SAY presentations in Advisory. Please see the information below for further details. Also, we will have a 1/2 Day this coming Thursday on Halloween. School will dismiss at 11:10 a.m.

The end of Quarter 1 is November 1st, the end of next week. Students, please check in with your teachers to make sure you are on track.

Warm regards,

ROHS Admin Team

• October 30 - Late Start and Advisory
• October 31 - Half Day for staff and students
• November 1 - End of Quarter 1
• November 5 - No School - Teacher Professional Development
• November 21 - Underclassmen Academic Honors Program

Athletics dates & events > goroathletics.org
Building Calendar link for more details.

Dear Parents or Guardians,

Our school will be hosting a presentation on OK2SAY – Michigan’s student safety program for students in grades 9-12 on October 30 during advisory. The program is designed to inform students how they can help make their school and community safer by reporting dangerous and concerning behaviors to a trusted adult or OK2SAY.

Students in 9th – 12th grade will review the program's purpose and how the tipline operates, including what incidents can be reported, how to submit a tip, and the actions taken after a tip is received. They will be taught how to recognize warning signs indicating that a peer or classmate may be in crisis or in need of assistance. The presentation will discuss many of the issues that impact high school students, including bullying, cyberbullying, mental health issues, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, sexting/sextortion, types of abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, and threats of violence. Throughout the presentation, students are encouraged to pay attention to what is happening around them and, if they are concerned about their safety or the safety of others, to step up and speak out. Please take a moment to review the videos featured in the presentation.

Additional information and resources are available at OK2SAY(ok2say.com).

If you do NOT want your child to participate, please email Brittany Landau by October 28 at brittany.landau@royaloakschools.org

In accordance with the MI Safe Start Plan, all schools have been requested to administer a universal screener to all students in order to assess their mental health status on their overall well-being and to provide appropriate interventions and referral to external services. Through this process, we are able to connect with many students.Universal screeners are informational and not diagnostic. All ROHS students will have the opportunity to complete the fall screener beginning Wednesday , November 20th. If you would like to opt your student out of the screener, please contact Brittany Landau via email at brittany.landau@royaloakschools.org by Friday, November 15th.

The PTSA Underclassmen Academic Honors program will be on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The Academic Honors Program is a Parent Teacher Student Association sponsored event at Royal Oak High School. It’s a positive celebration of our students’ academic achievements. This event recognizes and honors current 10th-12th grade students who earned GPAs of 3.0 or higher during the previous school year at ROHS. This is not about cumulative GPA, but rather focusing on academic performance for a single school year (honor roll).

The current 10th-12th grade students who meet the criteria and are recognized in this year’s Academic Honors Program will come to the Cafeteria at the start of 6th hour on November 21st for a celebration hosted by the PTSA. Honorees will receive their certificates, pins, and a special treat. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and students should watch for a message sent from ROHS on behalf of the ROHS PTSA.

Additionally, the PTSA Academic Honors committee is requesting that any name corrections be sent to them by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30TH. Otherwise students' certificate names will appear as listed in the 2023-2024 yearbook. Corrections can be emailed to ahicks92@yahoo.com.

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.

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.

Parents and Guardians,

If you are the parent or guardian of a senior and missed Curriculum Night, please see the slideshow and view the video presentation (PLEASE CLICK HERE).

Yearbook Information:

Interested in purchasing a yearbook? The price is $80 until December 31st. Please follow the link for purchasing options:

• Yearbook Purchasing Link (links to an external site)

Parents/Guardians of Seniors:

• Senior Portraits & Senior Tributes

• Students are encouraged to schedule their Senior Portraits through Prestige Studios, located in Ferndale, MI.

• Grad Photography in Ferndale, MI | Prestige Studio by Lifetouch (links to an external site)

• If you choose to have your Senior Tributes taken somewhere else, please note that you are responsible for following our specifications and submitting the photo yourself. Information on both can be found on the PDF linked below.

• Senior Tributes are available for purchase until March 11th, 2025, but please note that we are limited in the amount of senior tributes we can include, so it is possible they will sell out sooner than the deadline!

• Senior Portrait and Tribute Information 2024.2025.pdf

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

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.

If you are traveling southbound on Crooks, please use both lanes up until the merge point. That will help traffic flow into and out of our school areas more smoothly.

In order for a student to join a club, there must be parent/guardian permission. Here is the Permission Slip. Please return this to your club sponsor. Questions can be sent to Daniel Russell (Daniel.Russell@royaloakschools.org).

Winter Sports are right around the corner! More specific information will be announced in the coming weeks, but below are the dates that each winter sport starts on:

Hockey - October 28th

Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Competitive Cheer - November 11th

Boys and Girls Bowling - November 14th

Girls Basketball - November 18th

Boys Swim & Dive - November 28th

Stay up to date on schedules at https://goroathletics.org/

The Royal Oak Athletic Boosters need your help to support our Student-Athletes! Their is concession stand volunteer opportunities and a donation page. Please help us make the Athletic Boosters a success! Boosters Donation Page.

Questions? Contact our Director of Athletics and Activities, Mr. Russell (daniel.russell@royaloakschools.org)

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 2024-2025 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.

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)

ECF DISTRICT PROVIDED CHROMEBOOKS

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can complete the ECF Chromebook Request Form in order to get a Chromebook for their child. This form is for students that are new to the district or students who did not previously opt to request a district chromebook.

Please make sure to read the request/commitment form carefully. Chromebooks will be delivered to ROHS toward the end of each week. Visit the District Technology Website for additional information and support. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@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.

For your child to have medication in school, a Request for Dispensing Medication Form along with your child's medication, clearly labeled must be provided to the Main Office for ANY medication your child may use while in attendance at ROHS. The Dispensing Medication Form must be fully completed. A signature from your child's physician is required. This form must also be filled out for over the counter medication(s). Students are not permitted to carry medication on them without a form on file with the Main Office.

If the medication label does not clearly provide instructions for dispensing, a physician's order must accompany the form. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the ROHS Main Office at (248) 435-8500.

Stay in touch with Royal Oak Schools by downloading our new mobile app! Download on your mobile device today and select 'yes' to receive push notifications with the latest news and updates from the District. Use the following link for more download information. https://www.royaloakschools.org/quick_links/royal_oak_schools_app

ROMS has some new parking and traffic flow procedures. Please see the following link for details:

https://secure.smore.com/n/ed34w-bulldog-bulletin

If your child missed Freshman Orientation they should stop by the Learning Commons before or after school to pick up their new device. Please have them bring their old device to exchange for the new one. Mrs. Hermon will be taking their old chromebook and checking out a new one to your child. Please have them bring their old chromebook and charger with them. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@royaloakschools.org)

Abbie Stys - Counselor (A-E)

Abbie.Stys@royaloakschools.org

Erin Boedeker - Counselor (F-K)

Erin.Boedeker@royaloakschools.org

Chloe Beerer - Counselor (L-Ri)

Chloe.Beerer@royaloakschools.org

Noah Szymanski - Counselor (Rj-Z)

Noah.Szymanski@royaloakschools.org

Emily Wade - Special Education Social Worker

Emily.Wade@royaloakschools.org

Clarisa Ceaser - Special Education Social Worker

Clarisa.Ceaser@royaloakschools.org

TBD - General Education Social Worker

ACADEMIC SUPPORT RESOURCES

Please take a look at our Academic Support Resources if your child could benefit from either group, one on one, or online support options.

Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) Program Opportunities

OSTC Program Exploration (multiple dates)

OSTC Open House (1/16/25)

OSTC-NE (Pontiac) Information Night (10/24/24 & 1/23/25)

OSTC-NE (Pontiac) Cosmetology Information Night (11/21/24)

SENIORS: Get Ready for the FAFSA

Create an FSA ID to get prepared for the FAFSA Application becoming available on December 1st. HERE is information on how to create an FSA ID.

OCTOBER IS MICHIGAN COLLEGE MONTH

This annual statewide initiative aims to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college. During Michigan College Month, many postsecondary institutions are waiving college application fees to help reduce barriers and incentivize students to apply. Learn more about all of Michigan’s public and private, 2-year and 4-year colleges that are waiving their fees in October!

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

Class of 2025 students and parents/guardians: please review our Senior Newsletter for important information regarding postsecondary planning. Much of this information will be needed to successfully complete college applications.

TRANSCRIPTS

All students in the class of 2025 should have received an invitation to Parchment which is an electronic transcript service. The invitation includes a registration code that will automatically link students with ROHS. Additional information about transcripts can be found in the Postsecondary Planning Resource.

UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS

A number of schools will be visiting ROHS students to share information about their programming and admissions process. Please click here for the schedule and to sign up.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE GUARANTEE

Beginning Fall 2024, students from the Class of 2023 and beyond may be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which includes:

• In-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees.

• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students, which can be used toward additional college costs.

• More information can be found HERE.

Thursday, October 31, 2024 – Class of 2025 Dress Up Day
This year you will be allowed to dress up on Thursday, October 31st. If you would like to participate this year please come to the cafeteria between 7:15 and 7:30 to obtain your wristband from administration, allowing you to wear your costume throughout the day. You will then be arranged in the cafeteria based on the costume categories. Judging will take place between 7:30 - 7:40 with winners announced at 7:45. If you cannot make it to the cafeteria in the morning please stop by the main office before heading to class as teachers will be instructed to look for the wristband. Link to Full Document. Also available on Canvas ROHS 2025 Page

Mental Health & Wellness Resources

• Royal Oak Youth Assistance

• Oakland Family Services

• Common Ground

• Teen Yellow Book

• Oakland Schools Health/Wellness/Crisis Resources

• Oakland Community Health Network

Please review the AP Exam Ordering Information here. Deadline to order is November 8, 2024.

If a student decides to withdraw from taking an AP Test, they must talk with Mrs. Karaszewski by Thursday, November 14, 2024 or there will be a $40 cancellation fee.

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.

• 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.