Dear Raven Families,

Please mark your calendars for the ROHS PTSA Arts and Crafts Market on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 10-4 PM at ROHS.

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. Please make sure students are ready to exit the vehicle. If you need to park please find a parking spot.

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.

Please note that with next week being a short school week the next newsletter will be sent out December 1, 2023. Next week is also a Wellness Weekend.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the break!

Warm regards,

ROHS Admin Team

• Nov. 18 PTSA Arts and Crafts Market @ ROHS 10-4 PM
• Nov. 20 All City Vocal Concert @ ROHS 7 PM
• Nov. 22-24 No School - Thanksgiving Break
• Nov. 27 PTSA Meeting @ 7 PM
• Nov. 29 Late Start

Is your child in need of credit recovery? If so, our after-school credit recovery sessions begin on Tuesday, November 28th. Classes are in-person and attendance is mandatory. All after school credit recovery classes run T, W, and TH from 3:15-5:15pm. All coursework will be through the web-based Edgenuity platform. Students will be eligible to take any math, science, english, social studies and elective courses currently available through Edgenuity. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s counselor. [After School Credit Recovery 2023-2024]

Now open to 9-12 grades!

The Pretty Brown Girl Club provides Black and Brown girls across Elementary, Middle, and High School levels access to a culturally responsive, personalized learning environment that offers a variety of experiences, instructional approaches, and academic support strategies. The program is proven to increase a positive attitude toward self and others by cultivating values including self-love, academic achievement, character building, community advocacy, and leadership.

The program meets every Thursday from 3-4 PM in the Learning Commons at ROHS and will run for 15 Weeks. Memberships are limited. Complete this form to register. If you have any questions, please reach out to program facilitators Angela Mallory/angela.mallory@royaloakschools.org or Clarisa Ceaser/clarisa.ceaser@royaloakschools.org.

Yearbook Information:

Interested in purchasing a yearbook? The price is $80 until December 1st. Please follow the link for purchasing options:

• Yearbookforever.com Royal Oak High School (links to an external site)

Parents/Guardians of Seniors:

• Senior Portraits

• If your student has NOT had their senior pictures taken through Prestige, please read the following information regarding Senior Portraits. If a senior does not have a headshot through Prestige, they will not be included in the Class Composite. Any headshots taken through a company other than Prestige must meet the requirements on the PDF below and submitted prior to December 1st. If a student does not use Prestige or provide a headshot that meets the requirements by the deadline, we will be using their School ID photo for their yearbook picture.

• YearbookSeniorPortraitInformation.pdf

• We encourage you to use Prestige for your Senior Pictures! They will send us your headshot directly. To make an appointment, please visit this link:

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

• Interested in purchasing a Senior Tribute?

• Please visit this page for information: YearbookSeniorTributeInformation.pdf

• The deadline for purchasing a Senior Tribute is February 20th, 2024.

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

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.

All doors to Royal Oak High School will remain locked until 7:00 a.m. on a daily basis. At 7:00, students may enter the building via the cafeteria door accessed by the drive off of Crooks between Lexington and Normandy. Students arriving before 7:40 must report to the cafeteria. Other doors will open at 7:40 a.m. and relock at 7:55 a.m. First hour begins promptly at 7:55 a.m. and late-arriving students will need to sign in at the Attendance Office (Welcome Center).

Please be advised that if your child is not involved in a regularly scheduled, supervised activity, they must exit the building by 3:15 p.m. (4:15 p.m. when the Learning Commons is open). The only students remaining in school after normal school hours should be under the direction of a coach, teacher, or administrator. Please understand that our concern is focused on the safety of all of our students, as we cannot provide supervision for students not participating in a school activity.

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.

WELLNESS WEEKENDS

ROHS will be participating in Wellness Weekends again this year. Students, staff, and families can celebrate a weekend of no new homework and no tests or projects to prepare for. When students and teachers return from the Wellness Weekend, no new classroom assignments will be due and no grades will be returned. The next Wellness Weekend is November 22-26. We hope that this wellness weekend will give our community the time to rest and recharge while promoting positive mental health practices for our staff and students. ROHS recognizes the importance of these Wellness Weekends as a positive practice for our school community. Future dates will be posted in the next Raven Family Resource.

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 2023-2024 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.

PICK UP & DROP OFF

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.

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)

PARKING PERMIT

Parking permits can be obtained in the Main Office. In order to receive a permit, students need to have a completed application, $30 or a check made out to Royal Oak High School, their license and proof of insurance. By now, ALL students should have their parking permits if they are parking in the school parking lots. If you have questions, please contact Caroline.Krynak@royaloakschools.org

ECF CHROMEBOOKS

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can complete the ECF Chromebook Request Form in order to get a Chromebook for a student. Please make sure to read the request/commitment form carefully. Chromebooks will be delivered to ROHS toward the end of each week.

Please visit the District Technology Website for additional information and support. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hermon (Amy.Hermon@royaloakschools.org)

CHROMEBOOK FAQ FOR FAMILIES

Career Pathway Presentations - SIGN UP TODAY! More information in Google Form!

AGERO INC & AUTOMOTIVE WOMEN'S ALLIANCE FOUNDATION (Transportation/Logistics/Mobility) (Marketing, Management, Automotive)

December 1, 2023

6th hour in the Learning Commons (LC1)

Fill out this Google Form to save your spot!

FORVIA & AUTOMOTIVE WOMEN'S ALLIANCE FOUNDATION (Transportation/Logistics/Mobility) (Management, Engineering, Automotive)

December 4, 2023

3rd hour in the Learning Commons (LC1)

Fill out this Google Form to save your spot!

IRONWORKERS LOCAL 25 (Trades) (General Apprenticeship information & Ironwork Specific)

December 7, 2023

5th hour in the Learning Commons (LC1)

Fill out this Google Form to save your spot!

LiUna! Pathway to Apprenticeship (Trades) (Apprenticeship Program that you can sign up for!)

Date and Time TBD

SCHOLARSHIP & JOB INFORMATION CAN ALWAYS BE FOUND IN XELLO!

Juniors & Seniors can look under College Planning on their Dashboard!

Freshman & Sophomores look under Links & Resources.

PSAT/NMSQT Score Release: November 16, 2023

PSAT/NMSQT SCORE REPORTS - Available now in your College Board Account.

2023 PSAT 8/9 or PSAT 10

The Michigan Merit Exam (MME) assesses students in grade 11 based on Michigan high school standards. The MME is mandatory and is administered each spring, and consists of three components:

• College Board SAT® with Essay Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math
• ACT® WorkKeys® job skills assessment Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents
• M-STEP Science and Social Studies

Testing and Career Development Coordinator: Janet Norling

https://janetnorling.youcanbook.me/

Abbie Stys - Counselor (A-D)

Abbie.Stys@royaloakschools.org

Erin Boedeker - Counselor (E-K)

Erin.Boedeker@royaloakschools.org

Chloe Dahm - Counselor (L-R)

Chloe.Dahm@royaloakschools.org

Kevin Botos - Counselor (S-Z)

Kevin.Botos@royaloakschools.org

Emily Wade - Special Education Social Worker

Emily.Wade@royaloakschools.org

Clarisa Ceaser - Special Education Social Worker

Clarisa.Ceaser@royaloakschools.org

Ben Weiss - General Education Social Worker

Benjamin.Weiss@royaloakschools.org

ACADEMIC SUPPORT RESOURCES

If your student could benefit from additional academic supports, please take a look at the Academic Support Packet for resources. Your counselors can help support you and your child as well.

OAKLAND SCHOOLS TECHNICAL CAMPUS (OSTC)

OSTC is excited to offer prospective students currently in 10th or 11th grade an opportunity to experience a preview to select programs available at the Southeast campus in Royal Oak. Sessions are on various Wednesdays from 3:30-5:30pm between November and March. Sign up HERE.

OSTC CAREER NIGHT (OPEN HOUSE)

Students interested in OSTC can attend the OSTC Career Night on January 18, 2024. There will be tours available in addition to presentations. Staff will be available to provide detailed information about programming. See this flyer for more information.

COSMETOLOGY @ OSTC

Please look here for more information about the cosmetology program at OSTC-NE.

Virtual Behavioral Health Urgent Care through Common Ground

Access to mental health care when you need it most GET HELP NOW. CALL: 248-983-5454

Behavioral Health Urgent Care (BHUC) is a virtual visit platform for people who need immediate emotional or psychiatric support from a licensed healthcare provider.

CONTACT:

Suzanne Weinert - weinerts@oaklandchn.org or 248-758-1991

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN) is re-releasing tips for families and individuals to manage stress or trauma associated with recent violence. Situations of global violence can be difficult, and this is especially true if residents are concerned about family members abroad and/or members of their community.

To help manage anxiety, fear, sadness, or stress associated with these traumatic events as well as graphic news reporting, OCHN is recommending the following mental health tips:

Tips for Adults:

• Be mindful to consider your amount of exposure to the news / media and ensure the news you consume is from a trusted source to limit misinformation.
• Everyone experiences events and trauma in different ways and however they think or feel after an event like this is okay. Some people respond with fear, some anger, some shock, sadness, etc.
• Encourage people to talk about what they are thinking and feeling. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from mental health professionals, especially if thoughts of self-harm or suicide arise.
• Try to get back to routines and schedules to promote feelings of consistency and balance to reduce fear and provide a feeling of returning control and predictability.

Tips for Parents:

• Acknowledge what happened. If your child is talking or asking about traumatic events, it is important for the caregivers / loved ones in their life to acknowledge what happened, provide age-appropriate information, and be supportive.
• Parents may want to approach older children who may have seen the news or videos on social media and find out what they know and what their thoughts / feelings are about what happened.
• Recognize the effect this has on your child. Talk to your child about their thoughts and emotions as it pertains to the event and validate their feelings and concerns.
  

Tips for Community Members:

• Building and maintaining authentic relationships will help your partners and allies better understand and respond.
• Engage in implicit bias training and ongoing opportunities for meaningful dialogue.
• Establishing relationships with neighbors can create a cadre of allies who can provide support and help counter injustice in the community.
• As a community member, you have the power to stand up to injustice.
  

OCHN Resources:

• OCHN’s non-emergency behavioral health access department is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at 248-464-6363.
• OCHN’s Mental Health School Navigators (MHSN) connect youth and families to behavioral health and substance use supports, as well as financial assistance. For more information about the School Mental Health Navigator Program please call 248-462-6294 or email SchoolNavigator@oaklandchn.org
• Call 988 for Crisis and Emergency Support
  

Resources for Discussing Injustice

• Helping Students Mark Sense of News Stories about Bias and Injustice
• Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate

About OCHN

• OCHN is contracted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to lead a provider service network and manages care for approximately 29,000 Oakland County citizens at more than 400 service sites across the county. People who receive public behavioral health services through OCHN's provider network include those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health concerns, or substance use disorder. Most of these individuals have Medicaid insurance coverage.
• OCHN's goal is to ensure these individuals are aware of and have access to services and supports that will improve their health and quality of life, as well as ensure their engagement in full community participation. Its mission to “inspire hope, empower people, and strengthen communities” reflects an unyielding belief in a "Valuable System for Valued People." Programs and supports provided by OCHN's service network are available at oaklandchn.org.

• Mental Health Tips Following Global Violence.pdf

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! Check out the website for more information.

SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY

The Senior All Night Party (SANP) is a PTSA-sponsored event held on or around graduation night. It's a safe place for Seniors to go and have fun with their classmates for one last time before moving on to the next phase of life. Royal Oak High School PTSA is a 501(c) (tax id. 204956883).

Please consider purchasing items from this Amazon Wishlist that will be included as raffle items for the students at the party. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1YYC8PH8TXVPB?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_5WYWKGMJiugxa

• 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.