Oak Ridge Connection

The Oak Ridge community commits to every student's academic achievement, personal development, and social responsibility.

-Oak Ridge Elementary

Dear Parents,

We had another successful week of learning. The last couple weeks before break can always be a little difficult to stay focused. Please keep giving your very best everyday and encourage your children to do so as well. Please help them to keep practicing High Five behaviors at home and in the community. We greatly appreciate it. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jason Parrott

Each week we are going to focus on a High Five Behavior of the Week. This week's behavior is:

Be Responsible in the Media Center: Put your books away. Use space savers. Push in your chairs.

If you would like to view our High Five PBIS Matrix please look below...

With the weather getting colder, it is important that your child is prepared to go outside for recess. Please make sure your child has a winter coat, hat, and gloves. I would recommend snow pants and boots when we have snow on the ground.

Our last day of school before the Holiday Break is December 20. There will be no school from December 23-January 3. School will resume on January 6, 2025.

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

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.

Please make sure to mark your calendar for Kindergarten Information Night on January 30, 2025, which will be in person at each elementary building, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

• What is Developmental Kindergarten?
  The program allows students additional time to physically and emotionally develop in a safe and secure environment before attending kindergarten. Students experience similar opportunities as other kindergarten students, but are taught at a pace and intensity dependent on individual readiness. Developmental Kindergarten students will be taught by a certified teacher endorsed in early childhood, and they will participate in many activities around language & literacy, math, science, social studies, technology & computers, social experiences, and dramatic play. Students also attend traditional specials classes, including physical education, Spanish, art, and music.
  
  
• How do I know if it is right for my child?
  There is no single definition or assessment to determine placement. Most students will attend traditional kindergarten. Parents who are already considering another option before kindergarten are most likely to consider Developmental Kindergarten. Any parent who indicates that they are interested in Developmental Kindergarten at the time of enrollment will be contacted by the principal of the school in their attendance area.
  
  
• What is the typical class size in Developmental Kindergarten?
  The exact size and number of classes will be determined after enrollment, taking into consideration school space availability.
  
  
• Where and when is this program?
  Developmental Kindergarten is being offered at all the elementary schools. Students will attend a full day, beginning at 8:25 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.
  
  
• In what grade will my child be enrolled after he/she completes Developmental Kindergarten?
  Students who complete Developmental Kindergarten are expected to attend kindergarten the following year.

MLK Jr. Day of Service – A Day On, Not a Day Off

Join the communities of Berkley, Clawson, and Royal Oak for the MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025 on Monday, January 20th, at Berkley High School.

Location: 2325 Catalpa, Berkley, MI 48072
Time: 9:00 – 11:30 AM

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

Support MLK Day of Service – Donation Drive

As part of the MLK Jr. Day of Service on January 20, we invite our families to join us in giving back! We are collecting donations at the school to support this important day.

Donation Deadline: Friday, January 17
Drop-Off Location: [Insert School Location or Main Office]

Your contributions will help make a difference for those in need and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service.

On January 14th, and February 4th students will have presentations from HAVEN. HAVEN is a non-profit organization that provides direct services to victims and families experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. These presentations will be different for students in Grades DK-2 and 3-5. Here is what each session will cover:

Grades DK-2: Helping Kids Help Themselves

Helping Kids Help Themselves introduces young children to personal safety and body ownership through the use of a story involving a bird named Daisy. The program helps children identify, trust and communicate their own feelings.

The children will view a video and talk with our educational specialist about child sexual abuse in an age-appropriate manner. The presentation will focus on identifying “good touches” and “bad touches.”

The following safety rules are stressed:

∙ It’s O.K. to say NO!

∙ Try to GET AWAY!

∙ If someone has touched you or tried to touch you in a private area, tell a trusted adult and keep telling until someone believes you.

∙ It is never your fault.

∙ It is never too late to tell a bad secret.

Grades 3-5: Gender Respect

HAVEN’s Gender Respect program is designed to support children in the development of safe relationships by providing information to increase the understanding of risk factors associated with gender disrespect. Most bullying in schools is targeted at students who do not fit into a particular norm. The students will receive handouts and information that deal with gender disrespect in a sensitive and age appropriate manner. The students will also be taught that it’s never okay to be touched inappropriately by anyone and will be instructed to tell a trusted adult in the event it happens.

If you would like to opt out of either of these programs, please fill out the following forms:

• Helping Kids Help Themselves (HKHT) - grades K-2

• Gender Respect (GR) - grades, 3-5

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 walk within the Berkley community, which is hosting this year's celebration. The event is open to all students, staff, and families. More information will be shared soon.

Good Morning Oak Ridge is an award winning news broadcast presented by our fifth grade students. Each week they bring us news and events from Oak Ridge and the surrounding community. I am pleased to announce we are continuing our broadcast. A special thank you to our Mr. L and Mr. Todd and our student broadcasters for the professionalism and effort they have put into continuing this broadcast. I could not be more proud of them. I hope you enjoy this week's edition of Oak Ridge Live:

Good Morning Oak Ridge 12/6/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 11/22/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 11/8/24

Archived Oak Ridge Live Episodes

Are you a PTA member? We need you to JOIN today. https://oakridge.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true

It's recently come to our attention that Oak Ridge PTA membership is at an all-time low while we're doing as much as ever. We have chosen to not incentivize membership with access to the PTA facebook page because we want it to be a valuable crowd-sourcing informative tool for everyone, but this has hurt our membership numbers greatly!

As a reminder, here is what you get from being a member ($10/annual fee that is not automatically renewed):

1. Weekly emails and reminders for school and PTA events.

2. Voting how our annual funds are used! We voted on two spending issues at last night's meeting. Curious? Attend in December to see how we are trying to improve our community using fundraising dollars.

3. Access to volunteer opportunities and having a direct hand in how our community comes together. Want active involvement in your child's school? Join today.

4. Have access to the PTA online directory which includes email addresses for people at Oak Ridge (who wish to have their emails shown--if you requested privacy, this info of course will not be shared). This is great for setting up playdates and growing your social circle.

5. Donation to our school and the National PTA. The National PTA is first and foremost and advocacy group that works hard to ensure that children have equal opportunities. You'll gain access to the national PTA's resources, which are plentiful and address issues such as diversity and inclusion, as well as literacy.

6. Support of our dozen plus community events. Can you imagine an Oak Ridge without amazing events like our recent Trunk or Treat or Breakfast with a Buddy? Without our members and volunteering, we're unable to continue to provide these. We are lucky enough to have hit our financial goals. NOW we need to see our membership/volunteer goals come through to continue our programming.

Membership is only $10 a year, AND if you're unable to pay the dues, please contact Dr. Parrott for financial support. We want to have your back--especially if you're struggling. PTA is meant to be a resource for the most vulnerable in our community--not for the privileged.

Please read the newest addition of the English Language Development Newsletter by clicking here.

We’re excited to announce the return of Royal Oak Schools Free Skate Days, proudly sponsored by M3 Investment Services! These fun-filled evenings are a fantastic opportunity for our students to enjoy a night out on the ice while connecting with friends and family.

The first Free Skate Day is scheduled for Wednesday, November 27, with additional dates proposed throughout the winter season:

Free Skate Dates:

• Wednesday, January 8
• Wednesday, January 22
• Wednesday, February 5

Here’s how it works:

• Royal Oak Middle and High School students skate for free by showing their school ID.
• Elementary students skate for free by having a parent or guardian confirm their school affiliation.

Lunch Buddies is an opportunity to see your child in the wild! We are combining Green Team composting sign-ups with a sign-up for a newly identified need of parent and adult caregiver lunch volunteers.

Lunch Buddies includes opportunities assisting with our lunch composting, assisting younger children with their lunches, refereeing lunch recess sports (any adults miss those lunchtime football games?), and more! Put in half an hour for one shift or sign up for two shifts the same day and see your child both a lunch AND recess! Link to our sign-up genius below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BADAC2DA5FBC61-53714989-december

Hello Families!

The Green School Committee at Oak Ridge is in need of some help!

At lunch, the volunteers and lunch monitors have been overwhelmed with the amount of recycling that is being thrown away each day. They need some assistance helping students find the correct receptacles and cleaning/organizing recyclable items.

Last year, we added food composting to Oak Ridge, and are in need of some more helpful hands as students become acclimated to this new change and are reminded of the composting process!

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Mrs. Mangum (molly.mangum@royaloakschools.org) or click on the link here. Please don't feel obligated to help everyday...any time is extremely helpful! Volunteers are needed from approximately 11:30 am-12:30 pm each day.

Thank you in advance!

Please do not park in the allergists and surrounding businesses parking lots!. They are our neighbors and we need to be respectful of their businesses and spaces. You will be towed if you continue to do so thank you!

Oak Ridge has adopted a whole school behavior management system. We are still using our High Five Rules but we will be using Class Dojo to to keep track of High Five Behaviors instead of High Five tickets. All teachers will have access to Class Dojo and you will be able to keep track of Dojo points from home!!

Please follow up with your child should you notice any "needs work" marks as well as praise them for any positive behavior choices!

Students will be able to trade in their points for different rewards!! Stay tuned for a list of rewards and how many Dojo points they will cost. Stay tuned for more!

Hello Oak Ridge Families! Another great year at the Ridge is upon us, and we are already looking ahead to many exciting activities that will help certify our school as a Michigan "Green School" once again!

Throughout the month of October, we will be collecting used tennis shoes for recycling! Please drop any used athletic shoes off in the labeled box just inside the front doors of our school (starting Tuesday October 1st!)

We're continuing the Oak Ridge Spirit Wear Swap this year! Do you have gently used Eagle wear that your child has outgrown? Interested in *FREE* spirit gear? Check out the bin under the table just inside the front doors of our school! There will also be an opportunity for you to visit a swap booth at our Trunk or Treat event at the end of October!

Throughout the year we collect old/used pens and markers. Feel free to send in a bag from home with your student, or drop them in the smaller box on the table just outside of the inner office doors.

Thank you for your continuous support!

Please make sure you do not park before the cone in the front circle drive. That area is reserved for buses. We must be able to accommodate our students that need transportation. Thank you!

We have taken positive steps toward improving the traffic flow at Oak Ridge Elementary. Please help support us by following these guidelines:

● Front Circle Drive is for drivers of students in Room 103, 105, 107, 109, and 111 only.

● Drivers of students in rooms 104, 106, and 108 drop off in front of classrooms in the back parking lot.

● Drivers of third graders are to drop off in the back lot at the pick-up/drop-off zone (blue line in front of east doors).

● Drivers of fourth-graders are to drop off on Bloomfield (street just south of parking lot) and students enter the building at the east doors (outside of Media Center)

● Drivers of fifth-graders drop off on Alexander (street east of upper-grade playground)

● In our back lot, follow in single file to the pick-up/drop-off zone. As you pull up to the BLUE LINE, stop and drop off/pick up your child. Do NOT create a second line. All students should exit/enter the car door on the curbside ONLY.

● STAY IN SINGLE FILE IN THE BACK LOT.

● Do NOT park along the curb next to the building.

● Give yourself extra time and adhere to traffic safety.

Suggested Options

● Consider coming a few minutes early for drop off/pick up.

● Consider walking to school with your students and neighbors.

● Consider riding your bikes as a family to school.

● Carpooling reduces congestion and helps the environment.

If everyone helps support our efforts, it will be a safe place for students and families! Thank you in advance for your help!

If your child needs to take medication throughout the school day, please fill out the following form and return it to the main office. Thank you!

Please be aware that Board Policy 5330 (below) requires a doctor's prescription as well as parental authorization before we can dispense non prescribed (over the counter) medicine as well as prescribed medications.

For purposes of this policy, "medication" shall include all medicines including those prescribed by a physician and any nonprescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations, and/or remedies. "Treatment" refers both to the manner in which a medication is administered and to health-care procedures which require special training, such as catheterization.

Before any medication or treatment may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written prescription from the child's physician accompanied by the written authorization of the parent. This document shall be kept on file in the administrative offices. No student is allowed to provide or sell any type of over-the-counter medication to another student. Violations of this rule will be considered violations of Policy 5530 - Drug Prevention and of the Student Discipline Code/Code of Conduct.

Although it would seem logical that parental authorization to administer an over the counter medicine would be enough, we are required to also have authorization from a physician. For any instances where non-prescribed medicine is being administered without a physician's prescription, please ask those parents to have their pediatrician sign and return the parental consent form.

Request for Dispensing Medication

Homework Club is available for students on all Late Start Wednesdays from 8:20-9:20 a.m. Please click on the following link to register for Homework Club:

Homework Club 24-25

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 this link for more download information:

https://www.royaloakschools.org/quick_links/royal_oak_schools_app

Please view the Spanish newsletter by clicking here.

Please take time to view the September PE Newsletter.

https://secure.smore.com/n/cfbj6

Please click here for Royal Oak Schools Performing Arts newsletter.

We are limiting visitors to the building especially before and after school. Please drop your students at their designated exterior door. We want to limit traffic and provide the safest environment possible. Thank you for cooperating with us in this matter!

Please make sure to view or Student/Parent Handbook by clicking here.

Please make sure you turn in all of your information for background checks two weeks prior to your event. This will allow us plenty of time to process your request. We often use parent drivers for many of our fieldtrips. Unfortunately we can not allow parents/guardians to drive their own child and drop them off. Volunteers and drivers are not permitted to bring a younger sibling along with them on the event. We want to make sure all students are accounted for and safety is a priority. If you are interested in volunteering please fill out our volunteer background form.

Please remember to join the PTA - we are working hard to keep our community strong! The PTA welcomes every student & their family from Oak Ridge. We want to make sure we are inclusive of all families and everyone has the opportunity to be a member. If there are financial limitations preventing you from joining the PTA please contact us so we can remove that barrier. It takes all of us working together to make our children reach their true potential.

Join online at: https://oakridge.memberhub.store/

Individual memberships are $10/year.

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. Elementary school second lunches will be charged $2.60.

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.

Please complete the 2023-2024 online application on our website under Free and Reduced Meals Information. Paper applications will be sent out this month and available at the district office and in all schools in August.

“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. 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.

Blessings in a Backpack Form

If you have students currently enrolled in the program you will be contacted directly by the Young Oaks Coordinator.

Any families interested in the program can use the link below for information about the program.

Young Oaks Latchkey

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

For updates on events or a better insight on you child's school day. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter: Facebook @ParrottJason

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

At Oak Ridge 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...

MIssion: We commit to every students academic achievement, personal development and social responsibility.

Email: parrottj@royaloakschools.org
Website: http://www.royaloakschools.org/elementary/oakridge/
Location: 506 E 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI, United States
Phone: (248) 588-8353
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeElementarySchool
Twitter: @ParrottJason