Raven Family Resource

Dear Raven Families,

Thanks to our spectacular PTA for sponsoring our Academic Honors ceremony this week. It takes multiple people to support and work to make occasions such as these a success, and it was a success! Thanks again to all of the parents who played a role in planning and creating a great event for our students.

A reminder that we have school on Monday and Tuesday next week, and the rest of the week is off due to the Thanksgiving holiday. We hope that our staff and students have an opportunity to rest and relax during our time off, and return refreshed and ready on Monday, December 2. The next newsletter coming to you will be December 7th.

We hope that all of you have a safe holiday filled with the people and events that are important to you and yours. We are grateful for all of our students and staff, and all of the work that they do to make Royal Oak High School a great place to work and learn.

Warm regards,

ROHS Admin Team

• November 25 - All-CIty Vocal Music Festival, 7:00 p.m.
• November 27-29 - No School - Thanksgiving Break - WELLNESS WEEKEND!
• December 3 - Band Concert, 7:00 p.m.
• December 4 - Orchestra Concert, 7:00 p.m

Athletics dates & events > goroathletics.org
Building Calendar link for more details.

With a lot of thought and consideration, we are moving “The Lighting of the Park" Ceremony in downtown Royal Oak from this Thursday, Nov 21 to Friday November 22nd due to potential rain and wind gusts for Thursday. It’s going to be a spectacular night of lights, fun, family and the kick-off of the holiday season! So "re-mark" your calendars for This Friday, November 22nd, 4pm to 10pm, for the Lighting of the Park! And the Opening of the Rink at Royal Oak!

Formerly the Royal Oak tree lighting, this event has moved to Centennial Commons where guests can enjoy ice-skating at The Rink, shopping at the Holiday Huts featuring gifts and goodies from downtown Royal Oak businesses, mini-carnival rides, food trucks, live music and more, culminating with the lighting of Centennial Commons, including the Giant Oak Tree!

The Lighting of the Park Ceremony will take place on the steps of the Royal Oak Public Library. Local performances from Detroit’s own Alise King, James Whalen, Sean Blackman and more, plus the outstanding Royal Oak Children’s Choir, a skating performance from members of Team USA, and the first annual Beacon of Light Awards. Bring non-perishable food donations to receive free rides and inflatables!

For more information on The Lighting of the Park, please visit https://www.royaloakholidays.com/grand-opening

The Rink at Royal Oak is coming back for its 3rd season!

On Friday, November 22nd from 4pm to 10pm, The Rink at Royal Oak Grand Opening will feature ice-skating at The Rink, shopping at the Holiday Huts featuring gifts and goodies from downtown Royal Oak businesses, Visits with Santa, carnival rides, food trucks, live music and more, culminating with the lighting of Centennial Commons, including the Giant Oak Tree!

Skate Fee is $10 and Skate Rentals are $5. If you have your own skates, feel free to bring them

For more information, please visit https://www.therinkatroyaloak.com/

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, November 27
• 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.

The Royal Oak Performing Arts Department would like to invite you to the 44th Annual All City Vocal Festival set to take place on Monday, November 25th. The event will be performed in the Royal Oak High School Gym, beginning at 7:00pm.

This event will include performances from the Royal Oak High School ensembles, Royal Oak Middle School ensembles, and the combined Elementary Schools' 5th Grade Select Choir. There will also be performances by the All City Men and All City Women Choirs and a special performance by all students in the Combined Choirs.

The All City Vocal Festival is the only event in our amazing district where you are able to listen to both the performances of some of our youngest vocalists through to our most advanced. Throughout this event it is easy to observe the younger vocalists respect and admire those that are more advanced; anticipating the day when they too will be considered an advanced ensemble performer. I am certain, if you are able to attend, you will enjoy the great variety of repertoire and the vocal expertise of our amazing students. Please join us in this annual showcase of our students' vocal music talent.

We’re thrilled to announce that Oakland ACE is getting ready for the 2025-2026 enrollment period, which opens on December 1!

To help you and your students get a head start, CLICK HERE

This year, there’s one important update: Students are strongly encouraged to enroll with ACE and be accepted to OCC by March 1, 2025, to take advantage of OCC’s priority scheduling. Priority scheduling allows students to register for courses one week earlier than other OCC students, giving busy students the best chance to lock in their ideal class times and dates. As we have in years past, we will continue to enroll students until the end of the school current school year.

From the Oakland County Health Division - Public Health Services -

Our 9th Grade students will have a vision screening through their US History class on December 6, 9, or 10. Students who wear contacts or glasses should wear them as normal. If they forget them that day, students will still be screened.

Oakland County vision staff will inform all parents/guardians of students who do not pass the vision screening a few weeks after screening.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, all 10th-grade students will have the opportunity to hear from Angela Haley, OSTC Southeast Career Guidance Counselor, about off-campus OSTC opportunities for the 25-26 school year during the school day.

The snow has started to fall, and registration for ROHS Ski and Snowboard Club has begun! If your student is interested in participating, please see tinyurl.com/rohsskiclub for information and registration. If you have any questions, reach out to club sponsor Mr. Worrell - john.worrell@royaloakschools.org . Registration deadline is December 7.

Member of the National Honors Society are available for tutoring in the Learning Commons before and after school. If you need tutoring, they are there to help! See the schedule below:

• Before school - 7:00 - 7:50 a.m. - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• After school - 3:05 - 4:00 p.m. - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

In our efforts to continue to keep our school community safe, Royal Oak High School is requesting that all visitors show identification before entering the building. Visitors who would like to meet with a staff member will need to have a scheduled appointment.

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. 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, please fill out this form. Be sure to indicate 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.

Yearbook Information:

Interested in purchasing a yearbook? The price is $80 until December 31st. Please follow the link for purchasing options:

• Yearbook Purchasing Link (links to an external site)

Parents/Guardians of Seniors:

• Senior Portraits & Senior Tributes

• Students are encouraged to schedule their Senior Portraits through Prestige Studios, located in Ferndale, MI.

• Grad Photography in Ferndale, MI | Prestige Studio by Lifetouch (links to an external site)

• If you choose to have your Senior Tributes taken somewhere else, please note that you are responsible for following our specifications and submitting the photo yourself. Information on both can be found on the PDF linked below.

• Senior Tributes are available for purchase until March 11th, 2025, but please note that we are limited in the amount of senior tributes we can include, so it is possible they will sell out sooner than the deadline!

• Senior Portrait and Tribute Information 2024.2025.pdf

Questions? Please contact Mr. Swastek! matthew.swastek@royaloakschools.org

We know that drop-off and pick-up can be difficult with everyone's busy schedules. With a few hundred students who are coming to and leaving school during a very short turnaround time of 10 - 15 minutes, we need to ensure safety. In order to do this in a safe and efficient manner, it is imperative that all families respect and follow the designated drop-off and pick-up location.

One of the greatest and growing areas of concern is the practice of families dropping students off in the circle drive (Lexington/Crooks). This is an area for buses only. We will be working with RO Police Officers to help reinforce this No Parking/Drop off Zone. Thank you for your support and understanding.

If you are traveling southbound on Crooks, please use both lanes up until the merge point. That will help traffic flow into and out of our school areas more smoothly.

In order for a student to join a club, there must be parent/guardian permission. Here is the Permission Slip. Please return this to your club sponsor. Questions can be sent to Daniel Russell (Daniel.Russell@royaloakschools.org).

Winter Sports Start Dates:

Boys Swim & Dive - November 28th

Specific practice times can be found HERE.

Stay up to date on schedules at https://goroathletics.org/

The Royal Oak Athletic Boosters need your help to support our Student-Athletes! Their is concession stand volunteer opportunities and a donation page. Please help us make the Athletic Boosters a success! Boosters Donation Page.

Questions? Contact our Director of Athletics and Activities, Mr. Russell (daniel.russell@royaloakschools.org)

ROHS CANVAS COMMUNITY PAGE

Royal Oak High School has created an ROHS Canvas Community page/course. This page houses different resources which includes, but is not limited to support contacts, wellness resources, career and testing information, scholarships and counseling information. Canvas works in conjunction with MiStar. On your student’s schedule you’ll notice it’s 10th period. Students do not need to do anything for this page/course. It is another way to give students the resources that they need.

MICHIGAN MEALS PROGRAM

Thanks to the Michigan School Meals Program, a state-funded program that allows all students to receive meals at no cost for the 2024-2025 school year, breakfast and lunch will be free to all students. Second meals are not free and will be considered ala carte.

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 funding uses free and reduced-price eligibility.

MISTAR GRADEBOOK

As a reminder, MiStar is the official gradebook and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can go to the MiStar Parent Portal to see up-to-date grades for their child. If you have any questions about your child's progress or would like to meet with your child's teacher, please connect with them directly to schedule a conference time. (ROHS Staff Directory)

ECF DISTRICT PROVIDED CHROMEBOOKS

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can complete the ECF Chromebook Request Form in order to get a Chromebook for their child. This form is for students that are new to the district or students who did not previously opt to request a district chromebook.

Please make sure to read the request/commitment form carefully. Chromebooks will be delivered to ROHS toward the end of each week. Visit the District Technology Website for additional information and support. If you have any questions, contact Ms. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@royaloakschools.org)

Consistent attendance at school is directly connected with your child's academic success. We understand that there are times when students need to be absent. We ask that parents/guardians notify the school on each day a student is absent.

The parent/guardian must call the Attendance Office at 248-435-8500 (press 1) by 1:30 p.m. each day of their child’s absence and provide any necessary documentation (e.g., medical documentation). Voicemail is available for messages if no one is available to take your call.

Please keep in mind that excessive absences will lead to a referral to Royal Oak Youth Assistance or our School Truancy Officer. Notices will be automatically generated and sent digitally.

For your child to have medication in school, a Request for Dispensing Medication Form along with your child's medication, clearly labeled must be provided to the Main Office for ANY medication your child may use while in attendance at ROHS. The Dispensing Medication Form must be fully completed. A signature from your child's physician is required. This form must also be filled out for over the counter medication(s). Students are not permitted to carry medication on them without a form on file with the Main Office.

If the medication label does not clearly provide instructions for dispensing, a physician's order must accompany the form. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the ROHS Main Office at (248) 435-8500.

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 the following link for more download information. https://www.royaloakschools.org/quick_links/royal_oak_schools_app

ROMS has some new parking and traffic flow procedures. Please see the following link for details:

https://secure.smore.com/n/ed34w-bulldog-bulletin

If your child missed Freshman Orientation they should stop by the Learning Commons before or after school to pick up their new device. Please have them bring their old device to exchange for the new one. Mrs. Hermon will be taking their old chromebook and checking out a new one to your child. Please have them bring their old chromebook and charger with them. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@royaloakschools.org)

Abbie Stys - Counselor (A-E)

Abbie.Stys@royaloakschools.org

Erin Boedeker - Counselor (F-K)

Erin.Boedeker@royaloakschools.org

Chloe Beerer - Counselor (L-Ri)

Chloe.Beerer@royaloakschools.org

Noah Szymanski - Counselor (Rj-Z)

Noah.Szymanski@royaloakschools.org

Emily Wade - Special Education Social Worker

Emily.Wade@royaloakschools.org

Clarisa Ceaser - Special Education Social Worker

Clarisa.Ceaser@royaloakschools.org

Alonda Fletcher - General Education Social Worker

Alonda.Fletcher@royaloakschools.org

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Class of 2025 Students and Families: November is Scholarship Month! Please review our Financial Aid Newsletter for important resources. There are things you can be doing NOW. Please let your counselor know if you have any questions.

SENIORS: Get Ready for the FAFSA

Create an FSA ID to get prepared for the FAFSA Application becoming available on December 1st. HERE is information on how to create an FSA ID.

Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) Program Opportunities

OSTC Program Exploration (multiple dates)

OSTC Open House (1/16/25)

OSTC-NE (Pontiac) Information Night (10/24/24 & 1/23/25)

OSTC-NE (Pontiac) Cosmetology Information Night (11/21/24)

ATTENTION Current Juniors: OSTC Opportunity

On Tuesday, December 17th, all 10th grade students will have the opportunity to hear from Angela Haley, OSTC Southeast Career Guidance Counselor, about off-campus OSTC opportunities for the 25-26 school year. Juniors who do not currently attend OSTC, can see their counselor to sign up for the presentation and learn more.

OCC SKILLED TRADES OPEN HOUSE

Please click HERE for more information about a great opportunity to explore trade programs offered through Oakland Community College.

Accelerated College Experience (ACE) Open House Events (for current 10th graders & families)

We’re thrilled to announce that Oakland ACE is getting ready for the 2025-2026 enrollment period, which opens on December 1! Here's a flyer about upcoming information events.

SUMMER PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

Summer program opportunities for high school students are rolling into our inboxes. A summer program list has been created for students and families to explore the options available for summer 2025. This list will be updated as new opportunities are shared so please look back frequently!

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

Class of 2025 students and parents/guardians: please review our Senior Newsletter for important information regarding postsecondary planning. Much of this information will be needed to successfully complete college applications.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT RESOURCES

Please take a look at our Academic Support Resources if your child could benefit from either group, one on one, or online support options.

More information available on Canvas ROHS 2025 Page

Mental Health & Wellness Resources

• Royal Oak Youth Assistance

• Oakland Family Services

• Common Ground

• Teen Yellow Book

• Oakland Schools Health/Wellness/Crisis Resources

• Oakland Community Health Network

ROHS PTSA

We recognize that family and community support are integral to our success. This is why we encourage you to join the Royal Oak High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association!

• Canvas Access Instructions
• Raven Haven School Store
• ROS Music Department Updates
• ROHS Guardian Tech Resources
• Special Education Department Website

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)

STUDENT RO ACCOUNTS
>>Click here for email access instructions
>>Students are encouraged to change their passwords. They can use this link to do so.
>>Links for ParentPortal and StudentPortal

Please see the following directions on how to reset the MiStar Student Connect or MiStar Parent/Guardian Connect password.