Upton Update

• Monday- Wear Cool Colorful Socks

• Tuesday- Fun Hair and Mismatched Clothes

• Wednesday- Pajama Day

• Thursday- Tie Dye or Sports Day

• Friday- Wear Your Favorite Holiday

Our professional learning morning for staff will take place again this Wednesday, December 18. 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.

The Upton Student Senate is collecting cereal donations for the Berkley Cares Food Pantry. Please consider donating at least one box of cereal to our local pantry. We will be collecting these donations from December 4-16. Thank you in advance for your support!

On Friday at 2:45, Mrs. Tkatchouk, Mrs. Ather, Ms. Feldman, Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Foss, Ms. Prokurat, Mr. Woodward & Mr. Grzywack will be getting slimed as part of the PTA Fun Run fundraiser. We are very excited that we met our goal and are very thankful for all who donated to this cause.

If you are looking for a way to honor your child's teacher or another staff member this holiday season, the PTA created a list for staff asking for some of their favorite things. Please click here for some gift ideas.

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.

Please click the link for an update on Kindergarten Art with Mrs. Elliott!

Kindergarten Art

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

We’re excited to announce the return of Royal Oak Schools Free Skate Days at the Centennial Commons, located in downtown Royal Oak, 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.

Free Skate Dates:

• Wednesday, December 11
• 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.

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.

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.

"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

Wednesday

Late Start for Students- School begins at 9:25 a.m.

Friday

PTA Slime Time Event 2:45 p.m.

Last Day before Winter Break

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.

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.