Upton Update

Week of April 4, 2022

Week of April 1, 2024

No School- Spring Break

Spring Break is scheduled from March 25-29! Enjoy your break!

Schools of Choice Application Window Closes March 29, 2024

The Schools of Choice application window for students going

into Developmental Kindergarten/Kindergarten - 8th grade in Fall 2024

is now open.

THE APPLICATION PERIOD IS MARCH 1 - MARCH 29, 2024

Schools of Choice slots are available for Oakland County

residents who do not live within the Royal Oak School District

boundaries.

Schools of Choice application

ROHS Musical Performance

On Tuesday, April 2, our Royal Oak Music Department will be hosting a short assembly to introduce our youngest students to the world of the Performing Arts.

During this assembly our elementary students will have the opportunity to hear both vocal and instrumental selections performed by small groups from our Royal Oak High School. The Band students will be under the direction of Mr. David Jensen; Choir students, under the direction of Mrs. Kirsten Williams; Orchestra students, under the direction of Mr. Albin Rose.

The main purpose of these music tours is to encourage a passion for the Arts in each of our students. Our goal for these assemblies is to help to broaden students' perspectives and assist them in recognizing connections amongst the Arts, other disciplines, and everyday life, to help to deepen community connections and instill a sense of communal pride (as both students and teachers alike will potentially see familiar faces within the High School groups), and to help to ensure that all DK-5 students across our district are given the same opportunity to see musical ensembles in action.

Professional Learning Morning

Our professional learning morning for staff will take place on Wednesday, April 3. 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.

End of 3rd Marking Period

Our 3rd Marking Period will be ending on Friday, April 5. Report cards will be available to view starting on Friday, April 12, using Parent Portal. Please make sure to look over your child's report card to see the progress that is being made. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.

Half Day of School on Friday

We will be having a half day of school on Friday, April 5. Students will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m.

M-STEP Scheduling

Students in Grades 3-5 will be taking the M-STEP this year. 5th Grade will be starting the week of April 8. 4th Grade will be starting the week of April 22. 3rd Grade will be starting the week of April 29. Please see the schedule below for exact dates. Please note that the M-STEP is required by the state of Michigan.

We ask that your child is at school on time on each of the scheduled testing days and comes to school well-rested.

Also, electronic devices (smartphones, smart watches, cell phones, book readers, electronic tablets, cameras, non-approved calculators, music players, voice recorders, etc.) are not allowed to be with students during the testing sessions.

Testing Dates:

5th Grade

Tuesday, April 9: English Language Arts (ELA) 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday, April 10: English Language Arts (ELA) 9:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 11: Social Studies 8:45 a.m.

Tuesday, April 16: Math 8:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 18: Science 8:45 a.m.

4th Grade

Tuesday, April 23: English Language Arts (ELA) 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday, April 24: English Language Arts (ELA) 9:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 25: Math 8:45 a.m.

3rd Grade

Tuesday, April 30: English Language Arts (ELA) 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday, May 1: English Language Arts (ELA) 9:45 a.m.

Tuesday, May 7: Math 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday, May 8: Math 9:45 a.m.

Testing is designed to be manageable for students by breaking it up into small sessions over several days. The testing schedule is designed to be safe, fulfill state testing requirements, and provide meaningful data while being minimally disruptive to learning as possible.

As we plan for the administration of these assessments, we will continue to monitor communication from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the United States Department of Education (USDE). If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Upton Talent Show 2024

Attention all students!!! Are you ready to show us your talent? Join the Upton Talent Show!

When:

Friday, April 12th, from 6:00-8:30pm at Royal Oak Middle School

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal:

Wednesday, April 10th, from 6:00-8:30pm ROMS

How To Join:

Turn in the sign-up form to the office (no later than Friday, March 22nd)

★ Individual and group performance categories include: instrumental music, vocal music, dance, skits, magic tricks, comedy, poetry reading, etc. (No lip-synching please!!)

★ Students must be "show ready" for the dress rehearsal (music, props, etc. should be ready) parents/guardians are required to stay with your child during the rehearsal and actual show

★ Acts should be no more than 3 minutes in length (music will be cut at 3 mins)

★ Only one act per child (each child needs their own permission slip)

★ Music and performance must be school appropriate

★ Please submit music (with name) to jennifer.vanevery@royaloakschools.org by Wednesday,

March 27th

★ If music is not submitted, or above criteria not met, the act will be removed from the show

PTA Family Bowling Event

Join us at Bowl One for bowling on Saturday, April 13, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.! Bowl One is located at 1639 E. 14 Mile Rd., Troy, 48083. The cost is $12 per person which includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza, and drinks.

Save the Date- STEM Night

We will be having a Family STEM Night on April 17, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. All are invited to attend!

Young Oaks Latchkey 2024-25 Lottery

Families must apply annually to be eligible for Young Oaks Latchkey. Our lottery for the 2024-25 school year can be found here. The links will be live at 9:00am on Monday, May 6. Families will be notified of their status (waitlist or acceptance) on Wednesday, May 22. If you have any questions please contact the Addams Early Childhood Center at 248-288-3220 ext. 0.

From our PTA: Why is parent involvement in our schools so important?

Please see this article about how being involved in PTA not only helps you as a parent, but your students as well.

PTA is about servant leadership. It is not a position of status or popularity, but instead, it is the desire to partner with your child’s school, administrators, teachers, and staff in order to help make the school the best place that it can possibly be for all of the students.

Please take a moment to read, and consider joining our PTA. We are looking for our future leaders to take the reigns as those of us with older students move on to the other schools. The students deserve to have all the same opportunities, events, and memories as they grow.

If you'd like to discuss how you can help next year, please contact me or email me at uptonelementarypta@gmail.com.

We need families from the lower grades now more than ever to keep us going.

Working parents, stay at home parents, grandparents, caregivers, you all have a place and can make a difference in Upton PTA.

Have a wonderful rest of your week!

Christina West

President

Blessings in a Backpack

"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 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