Keeping up with Keller

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.

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!

NOVEMBER:

*November 22-24: No School - Holiday

*November 30: P/T Conference 4-7p.m. (By Appointment Only)

DECEMBER:

*December 1: 4th Grade Lansing Field Trip

*December 6 & 13: Late Start for Students/Professional Development for Staff

*December 7: 5th Grade Music Concert 7:00 p.m.

*December 20: Husky Packs (No Late Start)

*December 25 - January 5: Holiday Break

From Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24, there will be no school for students. I wish you a restful and enjoyable break.

Pictures below are from Mrs. McLeod (KDG), Mrs. Strong's and Mr. Tucker's (5th grade) classes.

Our annual Kids Heart Challenge Detroit Pistons game is quickly approaching! I wanted to reach out to you to let you know that there is still time for Keller Elementary School students to join us on

Saturday, December 2nd at 7PM. All students will receive a complimentary ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.

To help promote the game, I am hoping you will send the attached information out to all your families ASAP. The photo below has a link to purchase tickets or families can visit www.pistons.com/AHA.

If you are interested in learning about what is being shared on the student WKBS you can click on this link to watch this weeks and future broadcasts: WKBS

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

Studies have consistently shown that many girls and young women struggle with feelings of low self-confidence. This unfortunate trend seems to persist across various aspects of life, including academics, body image, and career aspirations.

In the realm of academics, girls often exhibit lower levels of confidence compared to their male counterparts. They may doubt their abilities and hesitate to take on challenging subjects or leadership roles. This lack of confidence can impact their performance and limit their academic achievements.

Body image is another area where girls often feel inadequate. Unrealistic media portrayals of beauty standards, combined with societal pressures, can lead to body dissatisfaction and a decrease in self-confidence. This can have long-lasting effects on mental and emotional well-being.

Furthermore, many girls struggle with confidence when it comes to career aspirations. They may underestimate their skills and downplay their ambitions, leading to a smaller presence in traditionally male-dominated fields. This self-doubt can hinder their pursuit of fulfilling careers and limit their potential for success.

It is crucial to address these issues and foster an environment that empowers girls to believe in themselves. By promoting self-acceptance, resilience, and a growth mindset, we can help girls develop the confidence they need to thrive and reach their full potential.

Click on the link below for the first-ever, large-scale national 2023 survey designed to develop a deeper understanding of the thoughts, experiences, behaviors and attitudes of teen girls throughout the U.S:

The 2023 Girls’ Index Executive Overview

The 2023 Girls’ Index™

Hello PTA friends!

I wanted to inform you of some important upcoming school & PTA news:

✅ 12/05/23 Talent Show Workshop: a chance to discuss talent show, discuss best practices, and ask questions. In the Keller cafeteria. More info coming soon!

✅ 12/11/23 PTA Meeting, 7pm, virtual via Zoom (you must register before joining the meeting)

✅ 12/15/23 Reflections Contest Entries DUE TODAY!!!

The Scholastic Book Fair was a smashing success! I want to thank the co-chairs and the volunteers for all your hard work, and to all the friends, families, and staff members who visited the fair. We receive a percentage back in Scholastic Dollars, which we use to buy books for kids who couldn't otherwise afford one, for teacher classrooms, and for the library.

The Staff Appreciation Committee will be working to provide dinner for upcoming conferences in

November. They will also be partnering with Crispelli's Bakery again this year for our annual Bread Day, where we send every staff member home with bread/ rolls to share with their families over

Thanksgiving Break. Check out our flyer below for all the details, and to donate a loaf of bread, just click here. Orders Due today, by 11:59 pm please.

Tressa and Jen M are bringing back the National PTA Reflections Contest this year! Reflections is an art contest open to all grades. This year's theme is: "I am hopeful because..." Information will be coming home soon. Visit our website to find out more about this amazing program.

https://www.helenkellerpta.net/reflections-art-contest

On November 4th we held the PTA Winter Market in the Keller gym, and it was so much fun! Thank

you, Brooke and JoJo, for your hard work on this committee. We appreciate the volunteers who stepped up to help.

Don't forget to buy your annual $10 membership to Keller PTA. Family Memberships are only $18, (any two adults per one student and they do NOT have to live in the same home).

A membership does NOT require you to volunteer or attend meetings, although we would love to have you! Meetings are less than an hour and give the opportunity to hear from the Principal and our Royal Oak District School Board liaison, Deb Anderson. We offer both in-person and virtual meetings throughout the year.

How you PTA is up to you!

Get involved to your comfort level.

But also know this: we can't function as a PTA unless volunteers get involved. Events, committee work, meetings, executive board, and community work won't be successful and wanes when we don't have active volunteers.

Please visit our website regularly to keep informed of all things PTA and Keller Elementary. On there you will find:

 PTA annual calendar of events

 A list of all committees and contact info

 Teacher and staff favorite things (still updating)

 PTA FAQs

 Spirit Wear store

 Givebacks link to buy membership and join our online directory

 National PTA podcast link for Notes From the Backpack

And much more!

All My Best,

Carie Hooker, President

president@helenkellerpta.net

Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee - November Meeting 11/21 @ 6:30 PM

The Royal Oak Parent Advocacy Committee (ROPAC) is our school district's Parent Advisory Committee - a group made up of parents/caregivers of students with IEPs or 504 Plans, those that want to learn more, those that think their student may benefit from special education services. ROPAC sincerely welcomes any parent or caregiver with a student(s) in Royal Oak schools to join us in our mission to make this a destination for students receiving special education services. Learn more about the ROPAC here: ROPAC Info Flyer

The PAC's November meeting will be held Tuesday, 11/21 @ 6:30 PM - this meeting will be held in person at the Administration Building. BABYSITTING WILL BE AVAILABLE! This meeting will be a community conversation, where we will be compiling information about what families are looking for in their relationships with special education providers and the district: communication, transitions, programming and educational opportunities. We intend to share this with the school district. Let your voice be heard! To join our mailing list for meeting reminders and other updates, complete this quick form: ROPAC Email List

WINTER IS COMING!
Please remember to dress your husky warmly. Fresh air and outdoor exercise are important contributors to health and wellness. All students will spend recess outdoors during periods when weather and playground conditions permit. One factor used to determine outdoor recess is the combination temperature/wind chill. Students will remain indoors when the temperature/wind chill is 12-15 degrees or less.

Please remember that children who are ill should be kept at home. Requests to stay inside during recess for more than three consecutive days must be accompanied by a note from the doctor.

Please do not park or stand in the small entrance leading onto the playground (see picture below). This entrance is for emergency vehicles and ROS maintenance vehicles ONLY. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

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 -- map below.
• 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 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

At Keller 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...

*We are respectful

*We are safe and in control

*We are responsible learners

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.

Don’t forget that the highlighted monthly learner profile and weekly behavior focus is on the Google calendar (every Sunday).

Principal

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