Bulldog Bulletin
ROYAL OAK MIDDLE SCHOOL
In our continued effort to ensure the safety of our students, we want to remind families about the importance of using designated crosswalks when traveling to and from school. The intersection of Austin and Washington is where students are crossing at and they SHOULD be crossing at Glenn Frey Drive and Washington. Cars are often moving quickly in this area and it is very important to cross safely at the crosswalk where the crossing guard is placed.
Please remind your students to use the designated crosswalks, specifically the one at Glenn Frey Drive and Washington, for their safety. Let’s work together to keep everyone safe.
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.
10/2 Tech Timeout Takeover: Pick a specific day(s) this week to focus on being completely present with those around you. Do your best to only use your phone and technology for tasks like coordinating or schoolwork (research, turning in assignments, etc.).
October: Positive Risk-Taker
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.
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.Your child has an opportunity to participate in Leadership LifeSkills Training (LST) Program at Royal Oak Middle School. The curriculum is designed to teach students about topics such as bullying and cyberbullying, risk-taking, decision-making for health, managing stress and anger, and family communications. This program will begin on October 14th and will meet on Mondays during a rotating class period..
5. 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.
6. Newspaper Club is proud to present our first edition of the year. I have linked the Google Slides HERE and will also attach a PDF!
7. Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee - October Meeting 10/15 @ 6:30 PM
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 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
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!
Royal Oak Middle School
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
