Oak Ridge Connection

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

-Oak Ridge Elementary

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your support and feedback during a difficult week. Whenever we have an incident that is challenging, it is always good to reflect upon it, learn from it, and grow. I promise you I will continue to do just that and we will continue to provide an environment for your children to do so as well.

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 Kind in the Bathroom: Keep your hands and your feet to yourself.

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

We know that electronic devices are a growing part of all of our lives. We ask your assistance in reminding students the expectations around bringing them to school. We ask that any device that is brought to school remain in students lockers during school hours. This includes smartwatches and smartphones. Our goal is to maintain a safe and engaging environment for all students. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

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/10C084BADAC2DA5FBC61-51468196-lunch#/

The Fun Run fundraiser is off to a great start! Since the official kick-off on September 16th, you have raised $12,935.00!! A great start to help meet our goal of $25,000! The school has 37% of our students registered and we'd like to see 100% participation. It's fast and easy to create your student's fundraising page. Find the link here: Register or re-Login to your parent dashboard and complete your child’s student webpage at getmovinfundhub.com. School Identifier: 5d3087bbc5871

We are in need of someone to Dj the event. Please see the sign up for other volunteer opportunities. Fun Run (signupgenius.com)

Students will be running on the east playground on October 10, 2024 for our schools Fun Run. Family and friends are welcome to come cheer students on while they run.

Run times:

DK/K/1st 1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

2nd/3rd 2:10 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.

4th/5th 2:50 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.

Hello Oak Ridge Teachers, below is the link for parents to sign up to volunteer for the Fun Run on October 10th. If you could please include it in your weekly update to parents that would be great. This will also be posted on our PTA Facebook page. Please let me know if you have any questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49ADAD2EA3FD0-51635667-funrun

The ROHS Homecoming Parade, Tailgate, and Football Game are Friday, October 11th at Royal Oak High School! The festivities kickoff at 5pm with the Homecoming Parade that cruises down Lexington Blvd. The parade features the ROHS Marching Band, cheer team, dance team, and homecoming court as well as many clubs, sports teams, and other organizations at the high school. It ends in front of the stadium where there is a tailgate open to the entire community that includes free food, live music, games, and other fun activities. After the tailgate, please join us as we cheer on the ROHS Ravens Varsity Football Team as they take on Pontiac. Game starts at 7pm.

Oak Ridge PTA is an essential part of our elementary school community. This week, PTA President, Marissa Schramski, answers why you should join the PTA, even with busy schedules and bigger priorities:

Why should I join the PTA?

The PTA works hard to build community within the school. We organize fun events like Trunk or Treat, Winter Market, Unplugged Week, Skate Night and more. We support our teachers by providing financial support for classroom enrichment activities and field trips, as well as small things that make teachers' daily lives easier, such as stocking the staff lounge with snacks once a month. Most importantly, the PTA advocates for all children to ensure students at Oak Ridge have equitable experiences. Something that might seem small, like purchasing a book at the Scholastic book fair, is incredibly important to a child who may otherwise have been unable to do so.

I don't have the time!!

PTA doesn't require any amount of time other than the two minutes it takes signing up for a membership here. While your $10 annual dues allow you to vote on important matters at PTA meetings, it doesn't require any time commitment whatsoever. You can know your dues go toward helping the PTA carry out their mission to advocate for all children and leave it at that.

Or course, we welcome anyone willing to give their time. If you would like to attend meetings, they're held on zoom and in-person on the second Monday of the month at 7pm in the Media Center. If you want to get even more involved, we definitely have a place for you volunteering in our numerous open positions. Email OakRidgeROPTA@gmail.com if you'd like to find a place and a bigger role in PTA. Our PTA can do incredible things for our children and teachers when we are fully staffed!

It's not really my vibe.

Your entire current PTA board once thought it wasn't their vibe. We've all seen Hollywood's take on PTA, and mean girl exclusion and judging is not what you'll find here. We welcome all caregivers of Oak Ridge students, period. You'll have the chance to meet other parents/caregivers who want nothing more than to help our children create core positive memories during elementary school that will stay with them for a lifetime. Most of our board members have full-time jobs, many of which are in public service, and ALL of them volunteer because they truly want to foster a supportive community where all are appreciated. Lastly, you'll have direct knowledge of everything Oak Ridge and Royal Oak Schools. Dr. Parrott and a designated School Board representative attend each PTA meeting where they present reports on very important information.

I'm still not sure...

Think of your most positive memory of elementary school socializing. Chances are, a PTO was responsible for it. $10 per year allows you to create those same positive memories for another child! It also gets you access to an incredible community of passionate caregivers and teachers, contributes to fulfilling our children's social needs, and allows you to make a difference right in your own neighborhood. We hope you'll join us today.

PTA Meetings take place on the second Monday of each month at 7pm in the Media Center. Purchase your membership here: https://oakridge.givebacks.com/store/items/15211

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!

Chess Wizards is one of the nation’s premier chess education companies. Our interactive, discovery-based curriculum inspires students to think ahead, visualize their goals, treat others with respect and to learn from mistakes. Our classes are geared to suit children of all skill levels; from chessling to checkmate artist, students will build upon their knowledge through lessons, tournaments, variation games and more! More than just a game of winning and losing, we make learning chess fun!

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 Busses. 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/hau9g

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.

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) 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 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

Oak Ridge Live 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 5/31/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 5/17/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 4/22/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 4/5/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 3/8/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 3/1/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 2/23/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 2/9/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 2/2/24

Good Morning Oak Ridge 1/12/24

Good Morning Oak RIdge 12/15/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 12/8/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 12/1/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 11/03/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 10/27/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 10/13/23

Good Morning Oak Ridge 10/08/23

Archived Oak Ridge Live Episodes

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