Upton Update

The PTA is sponsoring a restaurant night at Griffin Claw Brewing Co. on Tuesday, February 25, from 3:00-11:00 p.m. Please stop by there and have a meal to help support Upton!

Our professional learning morning for staff will take place again this Wednesday, February 26. 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.

Please remember if your child is going to be absent to call in prior to 8:25 a.m. You can even call at night to report an absence!

ATTENDANCE

Absences and Tardiness/Safety Check

Students should be in their classrooms by the second bell at 8:25 a.m. Any student arriving after the second bell is tardy. All late students must be signed in at the main office before going to class.

Tardiness disrupts the classroom and students coming in late miss directions for the day. All absences should be called in by parents/guardians using the Safety Check number. Absences that are not reported are considered unexcused.

Safety Check number 248-549-4968 option #1

Option 1: If your child will be absent, please follow the procedure below:

1. Call the Safety check before 8:25 a.m. on the day of the tardy or absence. Messages can be left on the Safety Check line 24 hours a day.

2. When recording your message, please leave the following information:

● Student’s first and last name

● Student’s teacher

● Nature of your child’s absence and anticipated length of absence (morning only, today only, two days, etc.)

● Lunch choice for the day of return (if ordering a school lunch)

3. If your child is not accounted for, we will call all available telephone numbers you have supplied us for emergency purposes.

It is important that you follow the directions for driving in the back parking lot. There are arrows painted on the ground to help you follow the correct flow of traffic. Also, there are designated parking spots. Do not park your car in an area that is not marked for parking. I know the parking lot is small, so additional parking can be done on Samoset. Remember to drive slowly and safely!

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

Join us for an afternoon of history, creativity, and community at the Royal Oak Historical Museum on Sunday, February 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Experience the powerful story of the Hamer Family’s journey on the Underground Railroad, explore the Tangled Web exhibit, and meet Shaelyn Simms, author of Journey to Freedom: The Hamer Family Story. Shaelyn will share the creative process behind her graphic novel at 3:00 p.m.

Activities include:

• Storytelling by the ROHS Diversity Club
• Art projects hosted by the ROHS National Art Honor Society
• Light refreshments

Copies of Journey to Freedom will be available for purchase ($5 – cash or Venmo). Please bring a new pair of socks to donate to Outreach on Seventh.

Royal Oak Historical Museum
1411 W Webster Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073

Learn more: www.facebook.com/hamergraphicnovel

Join us for the Community Resource Fair on Thursday, February 27 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Hosted by the Community Engagement Advisory Board in collaboration with Royal Oak Farmers Market, and the Royal Oak Inter-Club Council, this event offers families the chance to:

• Explore Interests: Learn about community resources, opportunities, and volunteer initiatives.
• Find Answers: Connect with local organizations and experts to address questions and concerns.
• Foster Connections: Build relationships with fellow community members in a welcoming environment.

Royal Oak Schools invites students to showcase their creativity in the "Why Compost?" contest! Participants can submit either:

• A 500-word essay or
• A 12x18 poster on the benefits of composting.

Deadline: March 7, 2025
How to Submit:

• Email essays and digital posters to communications@royaloakschools.org
• Drop off physical posters at the District Office (800 DeVillen, Royal Oak)

Grand Prize: A composting bucket and a tree planted in the winner’s honor on Earth Day, April 22, 2025. Winners will also be featured in the district newsletter, at school, and on social media.

Winners will be announced on March 24. Let’s celebrate sustainability together!

Royal Oak Schools is pleased to welcome children and their families to kindergarten. Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year began on Monday, February 3, 2025. District-wide enrollment for all kindergarten programs, including Developmental Kindergarten, is processed through our Central Enrollment Office.

Enrollment Video

All enrollments into Royal Oak Schools are done online. Documents uploaded should be in PDF format and legibly. We may require in person documentation if the proofs uploaded online are not clear.

Kindergarten Age Requirements
A resident child must be five (5) years of age on or before September 1st in order to be eligible to attend kindergarten.

If a child is not five (5) years of age by the September 1st enrollment eligibility date, but will be five (5) years of age no later than December 1st, the parent/guardian may still enroll the child in kindergarten. The parent must notify the school district, in writing, prior to the beginning of the school year. Notification, by way of a completed Kindergarten Age Waiver, must be received in order for a child born between September 1 and December 1 to be enrolled in kindergarten.

If you need assistance navigating the online process or do not have a home computer, please call Theresa Baughman at 248-435-8400 x 1260. Appointments are highly recommended if you'd like to enroll in person.

Documents Specific to Kinder Enrollment:

• Kindergarten Age Waiver
• Immunization Waiver Information

Vision, Hearing and Dental Screening for Kindergarten Entry

• Vision & Hearing Screening Flyer
• OCHD Vision Screening Website
• OCHD Hearing Screening Website
• OCHD Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment Flyer
• Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment

More information regarding Kindergarten Eligibility can be found on the following sites:

• MDE Recommends
• Michigan Legislature, The Revised School Code Section 380.1147

"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

Tuesday

5th Grade visit to ROMS

Restaurant Night at Griffin Claw 3:00-11:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Late Start/Professional Learning Morning- School starts at 9:25 a.m.

Mr. John Grzywack

john.grzywack@royaloakschools.org

4400 Mandalay Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, United States

(248) 549-4968

https://upton.royaloakschools.org/

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