Keeping up with Keller
By: Marcie Dryden, Principal
January 15, 2021
Mission Statement
The mission of Helen Keller Elementary School is to establish and maintain an educational community that empowers all students to become principled, independent inquirers who are socially responsible global citizens.
Important Dates
Monday 1/11: Virtual PTA Meeting @7:00
Monday 1/18: No School- Happy MLK Day!
Friday 1/22: Material Pick up 8:30-3:30
Wednesday 1/27: PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) Meeting @6:30
Wednesday 1/27: Virtual K information night @ 6:30
Thursday 1/28: End of 2nd Quarter
Friday 1/29: No School- Teacher Work Day
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Royal Oak Schools Families,
At the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education last evening, it was voted to proceed with a hybrid plan starting March 1, 2021. The original proposal to start bringing full cohorts of students back on February 1 was amended to reflect starting that implementation for an additional month.
Our current fully remote programs will remain in place. Specialized programs, and specific programs and service for our special education students will continue to be scheduled as planned.
You will begin to hear more information from your principals and directors about how that plan will be implemented in your specific schools and programs.
We are all hopeful that the new vaccine and positive trends in the data in our area will continue as we work toward a return to in-person learning on March 1.
If you you have questions, please make sure to contact your principal and watch for further updates in the weeks to come.
Take care,
Mary Beth Fitzpatrick
Winter Assessments
We thank you for your continued collaboration, flexibility and patience while we complete the necessary winter assessments. Your teacher will be reaching out to you with more information regarding testing dates and times. When we are in in-person school teachers receive relief time to properly administer these very important assessments. During our remote time, teachers will need to use an equivalent of two schools days for administering assessments. This time will be asynchronous for our students. Each teacher will be conveying their asynchronous dates and times with you soon.
Kindergarten Enrollment
It's that time of year again! Below is the link to Keller's virtual K information night as well as the district's website that has a lot of great information and some new videos!
Keller Elementary DK and K Information Night
1/27/21 at 6:30. Join with the link below
https://oneoakland.webex.com/meet/marcie.dryden
Enrollment Information and More
https://www.royaloakschools.org/district/about-us/enrollment/kindergarten-enrollment/
Parents and Caregivers,
Click on the button below for some great learning opportunities from Oakland Schools.
Return to School Health Screening Agreement
For the health and safety of our students, Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) requires students be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before entering school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend screenings be done by the schools in consideration of time and interruption to education.
Please complete the information in the survey below prior to sending your child to school. By doing so, you indicate your understanding and agreement to perform daily symptom screenings on your child.
By completing this form, I am committing to screening my child daily for the 2020-2021 school year, unless otherwise directed. I also understand that it is my responsibility to call the school immediately if my child is not going to school for potential COVID-19 symptoms.
Literacy with Ms. Leestma
Ms. Leestma, our literacy coach, has put together more bookshelves for us:
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM UPDATES
Please click on the following link to access the Special Education Website:
PTA Corner
Dear Keller Community:
In our efforts to provide resources related to our School of Excellence goals, we wanted to highlight some very helpful upcoming virtual seminars available through The Michigan Alliance for Families. These will be especially beneficial for parents/caregivers of students with existing IEPs or 504 plans, or parents/caregivers who would like more information about advocating for a student with learning challenges, as they may be beginning to think ahead to return to school, or while continuing to support your student at home.
· "Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy" – a virtual seminar for families with a child with disabilities or learning challenges, school staff, or community members. Topics include knowing your rights and responsibilities, getting organized for upcoming meetings with your child’s team, clear and effective communication tools, and learning how to resolve disputes.
You can register for the free seminar on Wednesday, January 13 from 10-11:30 AM here: https://tinyurl.com/y5tgqlpe or Thursday, January 14 from 6:30-8:00 PM here: https://tinyurl.com/y6crvym5
For more information, email info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org
· Assistive Tech Talk – "AT Experiences From Parents Like You" – hear firsthand from other parents who have had positive experiences surrounding the assistive technology process. Register here for the virtual seminar on January 21: https://tinyurl.com/yxl7y4zl
· For all upcoming events available through Michigan Alliance for Families, visit: https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/
If you have any questions, please contact adevereux55@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Ann Devereux
School of Excellence Volunteer for Keller
Erin Alexander
PTA President
Essential Agreements
*We are respectful
*We are safe and in control
*We are responsible learners
Keller Creed
I will act in such a way that I will be proud of myself and others will be proud of me too.
I came to school to learn and I will learn.
I will have a good day.
Learner Profile Highlights
Don’t forget that the highlighted monthly learner profile and weekly behavior focus is on the Google calendar (every Sunday).