Keeping up with Keller

The mission of Helen Keller Elementary School is to establish and maintain an educational community that empowers all students to become principled, independent inquirers who are socially responsible global citizens.

Do you want to see what's going on at Keller? Check out my Facebook page where I frequently post pictures and share events that are happening within the Keller Community. Click on the button below to go right to my page!

SEPTEMBER

*September 18, 25: Late start for students/professional development for staff

*September 19: Picture Day

OCTOBER

*October 2: COUNT DAY!

*October 2: Husky Packs (NO LATE START)

*October 4: Huskies Rub

*October 14: PTA Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.

*October 16, 23, 30: Late Start for Students/Professional Development for Staff

*October 21-25: PTA Scholastic Book Fair

*October 25: PTA Halloween Dance

*October 31: Halloween Parade (weather permitted)

*October 31: 1/2 Day for Students -- Dismissal @ 12:15 p.m.

Hi PTA friends!

Here are some important dates to keep in mind!

• Restaurant Night - Panda Express on 12 Mile & Stephenson 10:00 am- 9:30 pm
• Husky Run Friday, October 4th
• Parent Social Event - Trivia at Lockhart’s 6:30-9pm Friday, October 11
• 10/14/2024 PTA Meeting at 7pm in the Keller Learning Commons. Babysitting provided for all potty-trained children.
• Halloween Dance Friday, October 25th 6:30-7:30

Congratulations to the THREE winners of our August membership contest. They each won a $50 gift card, just for signing up for an annual membership! They are:

• Keriann Bradke

• Alex Smith

• Kristen Pfaff

Our September Membership Contest is happening now! New membership purchases in the month of September before 11:59pm on 9/30/24 will be automatically entered to win one of two $25 gift cards. The winner will be drawn and announced at the end of our October PTA meeting.

We are in the middle of our biggest fundraiser of the year, Huskies Run, which takes place October 4th during the school day. Our school-wide goal is $28K, and we have currently raised just over $9K. We need your help! Find all you need to know about the run here on our website. If we meet our goal, Mrs. Dryden will participate in a silly school-wide activity! For each additional $1,000 raised over our goal, we will draw an additional staff member to join in the fun. If our school reaches their goal, Mrs. Dryden will participate in a silly school-wide activity! Register your child here.

We need vendors for our November 16th Winter Market this year! If you know any bakers, makers, crafters, or small business owners please tell them to sign up! Questions can be directed to our co-chairs, Brooke and Emily at wintermarket@helenkellerpta.net.

Don't forget to buy your annual $10 membership to Keller PTA. Family Memberships are only $18, (any two adults per one student and they do NOT have to live in the same home).

A membership does NOT require you to volunteer or attend meetings, although we would love to have you do both! Aside from the September meeting, meetings are all under an hour and give the opportunity to talk to the principal and our Royal Oak District School Board liaison. It's a good way to be in the know. Some are in-person and some meetings are virtual this year.

How you PTA is up to you!

Get involved to your comfort level.

But also know this: we can't function as a PTA unless volunteers get involved. Events, committee work, meetings, executive board, and community work won't be successful and wanes when we don't have active volunteers.

Please visit our website regularly to keep informed of all things PTA and Keller Elementary. On there you will find:

• PTA annual calendar of events

• A list of all committees and contact info

• Teacher and staff favorite things (still updating)

• PTA FAQs

• Spirit Wear store

• Givebacks link to buy membership and join our online directory

• National PTA podcast link for Notes From the Backpack

And much more!

Thanks for all you do!

Jen MacKenzie

PTA President

JenMackenziepta@gmail.com

We have some wonderful events coming up in the district that we don’t want you to miss.

This Friday, September 20, join us as we celebrate the anniversary of Oakland Elementary, which first opened its doors to students in 1924. The celebration begins at 6 PM at Oakland Elementary, 2415 Brockton Avenue. Bring the whole family for engaging and interactive displays, performances, proclamations, tours, and more.

On Wednesday, September 25, we are hosting Soup and Salad With the Super at 11:30 AM at the Royal Oak Senior Community Center (3500 Marais Avenue). This event invites senior citizens in our community to enjoy lunch with Superintendent Fitzpatrick and seniors from Royal Oak High School. Please call the Senior Center to register at 248-246-3900.

Later that evening, join us for the Annual State of the Schools Address at 6 PM at Royal Oak Middle School. Superintendent Fitzpatrick will share important information on the district’s academic performance, financial health, ongoing initiatives, and upcoming projects. It’s a valuable opportunity for our community to come together, stay informed, and engage in our ongoing journey toward making Royal Oak Schools a community of excellence.

Following the presentation, stay for an engaging session with celebrated journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson with The Civility Project. You'll hear personal and professional stories, learn about the Four Pillars of Civility, and participate in an interactive, 2-question engagement with the audience.

All of these events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit royaloakschools.org.

We hope to see you there.

The Keller Cares Closet is currently seeking donations of socks (in any school-aged size) and individually wrapped snacks for students in need. A collection cart will be available in the lobby for your convenience. Thank you for your generous support.

When bringing your child late to school we ask that you please bring them into the lobby and sign them in on the purple sheet. It is important to include time you are signing and if your child will be getting A or B lunch for the next day.

All absences should be called in to the Safety Check number. Absences that are not reported are considered unexcused.

Safety Check number 248-542-6500 option #1

During dismissal it would be helpful to leave the pick up area once you have picked up your child. This will help with congestion and allow our teachers to get the rest of the students to their parents as quickly as possible.

The safety of our students remains our utmost priority! We kindly ask that you refrain from parking or standing in the drop-off lane (red marked areas pictured below). It is essential to keep these lanes and the sidewalk clear during dismissal as vehicles in these areas contribute to congestion in the parking lot and on Campbell Avenue, and they also create a visual barrier between the sidewalk and the parking lot.

Help keep our students and pedestrians safe!

Did you know that the yellow diagonal lines in the parking lot at the end of the row and at crosswalks are designed to enhance pedestrian safety?

Please refrain from parking or waiting in the yellow diagonal lined zones in the parking lot.

• This areas at the end of each row are designated for pedestrians to wait while preparing to cross the parking lot.
  

  
  

• It is difficult to see oncoming traffic when you impede our pedestrian's vision when trying to cross the parking lot to the sidewalk.

It is requested that all adults who are arriving and departing from the school be particularly cautious and mindful of the children and adult pedestrians in the school vicinity at all times. The safety of our entire school community depends upon the care and concern of all of us.

Please follow these safety precautions in the parking lot:

• DO NOT PARK or STAND in the drop off lane at the end of the school day.
• Obey all traffic signs and follow traffic flow -- map below.
• Please refrain from cell phone calls and texting while driving.
• Drop-off area – there is one lane of drop-off.
• Pull all the way forward to the end of the lane before dropping or picking up children. Do not back up in the pick-up lane.
• Students should enter and be ready to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle only.
• Do not exit your vehicle, thus parking in the drop-off only lane, even if it is to run to the door or drop off a project. If you must exit your vehicle you need to park in a parking spot.
• Adults and students should remain on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks only. It is difficult to see children in the parking lot between vehicles.
• Park in a handicap parking spot only if you have a valid and visible permit

Please be aware that our after-school latchkey program uses the playgrounds each day, starting around 4 p.m. If you decide to stay on school grounds after dismissal please avoid those areas being used by the latchkey program. This will allow our staff to monitor our after-school care kids and ensure safety.

School premises can be crowded during these busy times, with children and adults walking to and from their cars, buses, and school buildings. Riding bicycles in such confined spaces poses a risk of accidents, especially when mixed with a large volume of pedestrians.

To ensure everyone's safety, we kindly ask you to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Walk your bike on school property: If you choose to ride your bike to school, please dismount and walk your bike when entering school premises. This will help minimize the risk of collisions and falls.

2. Utilize designated areas: If your school has specially designated bike racks or parking areas, we encourage you to utilize these facilities to safely secure your bicycles.

3. Follow traffic rules: When approaching or leaving school property, please adhere to all traffic laws and signals. Signal your intentions, yield to pedestrians, and maintain a safe speed.

At Keller we take pride in making sure we have a kind, caring, environment. Our parents play a large role in helping us to achieve this goal. Before posting to social media or any other venue, please consider the feelings of all our community members . Before you post, remember to T.H.I.N.K...

*We are respectful

*We are safe and in control

*We are responsible learners

I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too.

I came to school to learn and I will learn.

I will have a good day.

Don’t forget that the highlighted monthly learner profile and weekly behavior focus is on the Google calendar (every Sunday).

Principal

Email: marcie.dryden@royaloakschools.org
Website: https://www.royaloakschools.org/our-schools/elementary/keller/
Location: 1505 North Campbell Road, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Phone: (248)542-6500