Keeping up with Keller
By: Marcie Dryden, Principal
November 11, 2022
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.
PRINCIPAL DRYDEN ON FACEBOOK
Do you want to see what's going on at Keller? Check out my Facebook page where I frequently post pictures and share events that are happening within the Keller Community. Click on the button below to go right to my page!
IMPORTANT DATE
*November 16, 30: Late Starts for Students and PD for Staff
*November 11: Picture Retake Day
*November 16: PAC Mtg.
*November 17: 1/2 Day (Dismissal 12:05). Parent/Teacher Conferences
*November 23: 1/2 Day (Dismissal 12:05) - Holiday Break
*November 24-25: No School - Holiday Break
Parent Teacher Conferences
Our Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, November 17, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 p.m. Parent-Teacher Conferences will also take place on Thursday, December 1, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. These are by appointment only. Please contact your child's teacher if you still need to arrange a date for conferences.
Report Cards Are Available Today!
Report cards are not being sent home with students. Instead, they will be available to view through Parent Portal on the Royal Oak Schools website TODAY, November 11. There is a Report Card tab on the left side of the screen that you need to click to access your child's Report Card. If you have any questions or need help accessing your child's report card, please contact the main office.
NO DOGS ALLOWED ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
Although we love our furry friends at Keller, we are not permitted to have dogs on the premises before, during or after school. Besides it being a District policy more importantly it is to support our students who are anxious or have a fear of dogs (big or small.) We want our students to feel comfortable arriving and being dismissed from school without feeling unsafe.
PTA Corner
Hello, Keller families! Here is some important upcoming PTA info:
- 11/14 PTA Meeting, 7pm, via Zoom. Attend from the comfort of your home! Meetings, on average, are about 30 minutes long. Register here.
- 11/22 Restaurant Day: Panda Express 10:30am-8:30pm. Check out the details here on our website.
- 11/23 Bread Day- Staff Appreciation Event 9am. Check out the details of bread day here. If you’ve already joined our group order and paid in our online store, or you’re planning to donate your own loaf, please fill out the above-mentioned form so the Chairs can keep track of how many loaves are being donated. Thank you for your donations to the magnificent Keller staff members!
- 12/10 Winter Market 9am-1pm. A craft show is coming to Keller. You can rent a table to sell your goods or come shop! This completed form and payment are required to be a vendor. Form completion and payment are due by 12/3/22, or until all available tables are rented. Get the details here.
Would you like to see the PTA calendar events for the year, check out the list of committees, or buy some spirit wear for your family? Do you want to know what to expect at a PTA meeting? For more PTA information, please visit our website or follow our Facebook page. Become a PTA member for detailed President newsletters. Stay informed, stay connected. We cannot be a successful volunteer organization without you!
All my best,
Carie Hooker, PTA President
CHROMEBOOK REQUEST
Please use the link below if you haven't requested a Chromebook for your child.
SCHOOL LUNCHES
Just a reminder that school lunches cost $2.60. We do have applications for Free and Reduced Lunches:
Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application
Complete this application and return it to the school. This must be done every year in order to qualify. We also have additional applications in the office if you are unable to print one.
REPORTING AN ABSENCE
All absences should be called in to the Safety Check number. Absences that are not reported are considered unexcused.
Safety Check number 248-542-6500 option #1
DESIGNATED HANDICAP PARKING SPOTS
DROP OFF
PARKING
It is requested that all adults who are arriving and departing from the school be particularly cautious and mindful of the children and adult pedestrians in the school vicinity at all times. The safety of our entire school community depends upon the care and concern of all of us.
Please follow these safety precautions in the parking lot:
*DO NOT PARK or STAND in the drop off lane at the end of the school day.
*Obey all traffic signs and follow traffic flow.
*Please refrain from cell phone calls and texting while driving.
*Drop-off area – there is one lane of drop-off.
*Pull all the way forward to the end of the lane before dropping or picking up children. Do not back up in the pick-up lane.
*Students should enter and be ready to exit on the passenger side of the vehicle only.
*Do not exit your vehicle, thus parking in the drop-off and pick-up only lane, even if it is to run to the door or drop off a project. If you must exit your vehicle you need to park in a parking spot.
*Adults and students should remain on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks only. It is difficult to see children in the parking lot between vehicles.
*Park in a handicap parking spot only if you have a valid and visible permit
BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK
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.
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).
Marcie Dryden
Email: marcie.dryden@royaloakschools.org
Website: https://www.royaloakschools.org/our-schools/elementary/keller/
Location: 1505 North Campbell Road, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Phone: (248)542-6500