Dear Royal Oak Middle School Families,

As we continue to foster a positive and focused learning environment, we would like to remind you of our cell phone and personal technology device policy. This policy is in place to ensure that all students can engage fully in their educational experience without unnecessary distractions.

Cell Phone and Personal Technology Device Policy:

1. Cell Phones: Students are not permitted to use cell phones during school hours. Phones should be turned off and stored in lockers or backpacks from the time students arrive at school until the end of the school day.

2. Earbuds and Large Wireless Headphones: These devices are not allowed during instructional time. Students may only use them before or after school hours.

3. iPads and Tablets: Only school-issued devices are permitted for use during school hours. Personal iPads or tablets should be kept at home or stored away during the school day. This specific reason is to monitor appropriate websites through our district wifi services.

4. Other Non-School Issued Devices: Any other personal technology devices, including smartwatches that cause distractions, are not allowed during school hours.

We believe that minimizing the use of personal technology during the school day helps students to stay focused, build better interpersonal skills, and engage more deeply in their learning. If a student needs to contact a parent or guardian during the school day, they may do so through the school office.

We appreciate your support in enforcing this policy and helping us maintain a productive learning environment. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Kristin Meldrum

Principal, ROMS

ROMS Student Council will be hosting their annual Winter Warm-Up Drive from January 13 - January 17. Please consider bringing in gently used coats, snow pants, boots, hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens. All donations will be given to community organizations during MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 20th. Help those in need stay warm this season!

ROMS Student Council is opening their Color Out Shirt webstore again! If you didn't get a chance to order yours in the fall or need a different size, please use this link: https://stores.inksoft.com/roms_class_shirts/shop/home.

Student Council will be hosting a few more color outs throughout the year! 6th Grade - Black, Class of 2031 7th Grade - White, Class of 2030 8th Grade - Red, Class of 2029 Staff - Grey

Want to send a quick thank you to a staff member? Fill out this form ALL YEAR LONG and we will get that staff member your note of appreciation. It would be great to make sure every single staff member has a shout out for Staff Appreciation Week in May!

Royal Oak Resident Specials! at the Rink at Royal THIS WEEK! ⛸️

SCHOOL SKATE-ROYAL OAK STUDENTS SKATE FREE ON WED:

🎉Attention Royal Oak Schools students! Get ready to lace up those skates and join us for FREE skating at The Rink at Royal Oak on School Skate Days! 🏒⛸️

Here's how to claim your free skate wristband:

🔍Show your school ID at the skate house. 🚸For elementary students, mention what school you go to - your parent or guardian must be present to confirm.

Here’s a listing Royal Oak Schools Free Skate Days: January 8th. January 22nd, February 5th

For more information on The Rink at Royal Oak, please visit therinkatroyaloak.com

Families,

Our lost and found is growing! Please enter through door #1 during school hours to take a look at items left behind. Any item still remaining at the end of the school year is donated to a nearby organization. Please check it out for shoes, sweatshirts, water bottles and more!

Thank you,

Kristin Meldrum

Principal, ROMS

Have you ever been curious what our behavior expectations are at ROMS for our students? You may have heard the announcement, "Respectful, Responsible, and Safe" quite often while walking through our halls or picking up your student, but what does that REALLY mean?

Check out our ROMS Behavior Matrix and review it with your student. Check to see if THEY know what our behavior expectations are. We have been reviewing them in classes all week!

You can also see how our expectations align with our IB Character Profile traits, too.

On Monday, January 20, Royal Oak Schools will collaborate with Berkley Schools and the Clawson School District to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event will include educational and volunteer opportunities, such as a Freedom Walk within the Berkley community, which is hosting this year's celebration. The event is open to all students, staff, and families.

MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025

Monday, January 20, 2025

9:00 – 11:30 AM

Berkley High School, 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072

This meaningful event offers volunteer opportunities, a Freedom Walk, and donation drop-offs to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Learn More: romi.gov/mlk

Dear Royal Oak Middle School Families,

As the temperatures drop, we want to ensure all students can enjoy outdoor recess comfortably and safely. Please remember to send your child to school with warm gear, including a winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and appropriate footwear.

Outdoor recess is a great opportunity for students to get fresh air and stay active, even during colder months. Proper clothing will help them stay warm while enjoying this time with friends.

Principal Meldrum

Please check out the January edition of the English Language Development (ELD) newsletter. The ELD department serves the multilingual student population in Royal Oak. Inside you will find updates from ELD staff, information about upcoming events, and a recap of ELD students' accomplishments and activities in the month of December.

Attention 8th graders: It's not too late to sign up for our Washington DC Travel Opportunity with WorldStrides. All trip information can be found at bit.ly/ROMSDC2025

Safety is our top priority!

Driving through the drop-off lane on Glenn Frey drive is not a two lane drop off. Please make sure to stay in the correct lane and treat other drivers kindly. Patiently wait in line, pull up to the drop off zone, and drop your student off on the SCHOOL SIDE of your car. Not the parking lot side!

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 Break Bread: Challenge yourself to meet 2 people you don't know in the cafeteria this week. It could be a staff member, or student. Learn the name and use it the next day.

10/9 Supportive Space: Talk to someone in the school or write a note to someone who makes you want to show up each day. Tell them specifically what they do that makes you feel that way.

10/16 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.).

10/23 Break Bread: Challenge yourself to meet 2 people you don’t know in the cafeteria this week. It could be a staff member, or student. Learn the name and use it the next day.

10/30 Supportive Space: Talk to someone in the school or write a note to someone who makes you want to show up each day. Tell them specifically what they do that makes you feel that way.

11/13 Shake it Off: Make a short list of things that you struggle with about yourself. Next to each thing, write something positive about you.

11/20 1 Minute of Gratitude: Send a voice message or note to a friend or someone you live with that lasts at least 1 minute and tries to capture as many good things about them as possible.

This month, we are highlighting being KNOWLEDGEABLE!

At Royal Oak Middle School, this month we are highlighting the International Baccalaureate (IB) character trait of being Knowledgeable. In the IB framework, a knowledgeable student is one who explores concepts, ideas, and issues that have local and global significance. This trait emphasizes the importance of developing a deep understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Being knowledgeable means:

• Curiosity and Inquiry: Actively seeking out new information and showing a genuine interest in learning.
• Critical Thinking: Applying what you learn to real-world situations, making connections between different areas of knowledge.
• Depth of Understanding: Not just memorizing facts but developing a comprehensive understanding of subjects that matter.
• Global Awareness: Recognizing the interconnections between knowledge and the world, understanding global issues, and contributing meaningfully to discussions on these topics.

In our classrooms, we encourage students to embody this trait by engaging in inquiry-based learning, participating in discussions that challenge their thinking, and connecting their learning to global contexts. Teachers will integrate activities that help students deepen their knowledge and understand the impact of their learning on the broader world.

By fostering a knowledgeable mindset, we aim to prepare our students not only for academic success but also to become informed, thoughtful, and engaged citizens of the world. Let's celebrate our journey towards becoming more knowledgeable together!

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!

“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.

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

To join our mailing list for meeting reminders and other updates, complete this quick form: ROPAC Email List

Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) leads a provider service network with public mental health services for those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder. For more information about OCHN and the services they offer, click HERE.

Additionally OCHN offers a reimbursement program, allowing families to be reimbursed up to $4,000 per household for services and resources such as individual counseling/psychotherapy, group therapy, family therapy, psychiatry, psychological testing, psychotropic medication, day-programs/partial hospitalization programs, and emergency room visits when associated with mental health. Anyone can apply and there is no income cap to receive reimbursement. The only qualifier is that the student both resides in Oakland County and is enrolled in an Oakland county school (kindergarten - adult transition). Families simply need to complete the School Mental Health Funding Assistance Form. Note: If you applied for the $2,000 reimbursement that was available during the 23/24 school year, you are eligible to receive an additional $2,000 during the 24/25 school year.

The ROMS Counselors are hosting a Career Sign-Up Series to introduce students to careers in the most in-demand fields. Students can sign up on the Counseling SSS Canvas Page to participate!

Series information (live link, will be updated as dates are added):

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGXOlCSlYw/JWqXnT9qTDs-9cVZClXezA/view?utm_content=DAGXOlCSlYw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

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.

Happy New Year and welcome back! Just a couple of announcements from the PTSA:

1) Next meeting is Monday, January 20 at 7pm on Zoom. Link: https://zoom.us/j/92091198792?pwd=FaT0JdrajViYZzuzEWn1n4rcnwJ8sQ.1

2) Founder's Day celebration will be on Monday, February 4th at the Royal Oak Elk's Club. If you would like to attend, tickets are $25/person. ROMS PTSA will pay for the first 5 staff members and the first 5 PTSA members to sign up. Please let me know if you plan to attend by emailing vosburgpta@gmail.com

3) VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

ROMS PTSA is the recipient of a National PTA Grant to host a program called PTA Connected - Be Internet Awesome. This program will host a workshop about Google Parental Controls and digital citizenship. If you are interested in helping organize, please contact Tiffany at vosburgpta@gmail.com. The workshop is being scheduled for early April.

4) Nominations Committee is looking for volunteers. You would be instrumental in helping set up next year's board by finding people to fill vacant board positions. We need 3-5 people for this committee. Let Tiffany know if you are interested.

5) 2025-26 PTSA Board: all positions will be open to all interested parties. You must be a PTSA member to serve on the board. We are looking for the following positions: President, 3 Vice Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer. Please contact any current or past board member if you would like more information. We will also be posting job descriptions on Facebook.

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