Keeping up with Keller
By: Marcie Dryden, Principal
March 3, 2023
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
*March 2-3: Haven Lessons
*March 8, 15: Late Start for Students/Professional Learning for Staff
*March 10: ROMS 5th Grade Tours
*March 10: IFFF & Silent Auction
*March 7: Author Amy Nielander Assembly
*March 7: PTA Meeting (Virtual)
*March 14: 3rd & 4th Grade Concert
*March 15: PAC Meeting
*March 20-24: Book Fair
*March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
*March 22: 5th Grade Open House & Personal Projects @ ROMS (6:00 p.m.)
*March 24: Husky Packs & Diversity Assembly
*March 24: Half Day for Students (Dismissal 12:05 p.m.)
*March 27-31: No School Spring Break
WHOLE SCHOOL BOOK CLUB SELECTION
J.D. has a big problem--it's the night before the start of third grade and his mom has just given him his first and worst home haircut. When the steady stream of insults from the entire student body of Douglass Elementary becomes too much for J.D., he takes matters into his own hands and discovers that, unlike his mom, he's a genius with the clippers. His work makes him the talk of the town and brings him enough hair business to open a barbershop from his bedroom. But when Henry Jr., the owner of the only official local barbershop, realizes he's losing clients to J.D., he tries to shut him down for good. How do you find out who's the best barber in all of Meridian, Mississippi? With a GREAT BARBER BATTLE!
MARCH IS READING MONTH SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
Silent Auction
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE AT KELLER ENDS 3/3/23
Keller Families,
We are extremely proud of our families for supporting this service-learning initiative!
Thank you for helping your students take the online heart-healthy pledge, raise donations or both. If you have not had a chance to help – there is still time. Please be sure to ask your child about our service-learning project and what they can do to make a difference.
Check out our school’s stats!
- 84 Students registered and taking a heart healthy pledge!
- 11 students completed Finn’s Missions. Our goal is 18 in honor of the 18 procedures on Finn’s Heart! Help us get there!
Help your student learn this lifesaving skill by completing Finn’s missions on the top of their fundraising page.
- $5,644.47 raised… only $2,900 away from our goal! Help us get there!
Thank you, Keller, for helping kids just like Chace
MARCH LUNCH MENU
GOOD NEWS FROM GREEN SCHOOLS
Did you know Royal Oak and its surrounding communities have beautiful nature trails? Communities with trails provide enjoyable and safe options for transportation, which reduces air pollution. They also inspire conservation and environmental protection! Oakland County Park Nature Centers offer a monthly, naturalist-guided "Walk in the Woods" that will inspire you and your family in protecting our beautiful community. The next walks is 3/17! Register on this link: https://www.oakgov.com/parks/Resources/Nature%20Education%20Winter%202022.pdf
PTA CORNER
Hi PTA friends!
Here's the scoop on some important upcoming news.
+ 03/10 International Food & Fun Festival (IFFF) + Silent Auction, 6:30-8:30pm; Silent Auction is 6:30-7:30pm (starts online 3/6)
+ 03/13 PTA Meeting, virtual, via Zoom
+ 03/20 Restaurant Night, ALL DAY, at Ray's Ice Cream. 11am to 9pm
+ 03/20- 03/24, Spring Scholastic Book Fair week
The Nominating Committee will be presenting the slate of 2023-2024 Executive Board nominees at the March 13th virtual PTA meeting. The PTA will have to dissolve if we do not get volunteers. That means no more PTA. We need nominees for:
-- President - VACANT
-- VP of Communications - VACANT
-- Treasurer - VACANT
Please email our Member-At-Large, John Staniszewski, if you'd like to volunteer! Reach him at johnstaniszewskijr@gmail.com. These positions come with a current board member who is able to guide you in your new role. You will have LOTS of support.
The 3/2 Talent Show auditions are being rescheduled due to the unexpected building closure. happening next week! The co-chairs will reach out soon! In the meantime, any questions can be sent to Libby & Melissa at performingarts@helenkellerpta.net.
Our International Food and Fun Festival (IFFF) + Silent Auction will be held March 10, 2023, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Admission is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per family/ group. The committee put in a ton of effort into planning this and we are looking forward to this beloved event! But we need help: please consider signing up for a volunteer slot (most are only 30 minutes.) https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4fafa828a5ffc34-international#/
In conjunction with the IFFF is our Silent Auction, which has over 80 items up for bidding! The Auction starts online Monday morning, March 6, and is available all week. It runs into the in-person portion on Friday night, March 10, from 6:30-7:30pm in the Learning Commons. Our co-chairs, James Gingell, Laura Shultz, and Melissa Golpe, have worked hard to organize this fabulous fundraiser. There are SO many impressive items and experiences to bid on. They need volunteers to help make it successful: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4fafa828a5ffc34-keller2#/
Shop our Spirit Wear store for yourself, your student, a family member, or a Keller staff member. They offer clothing, hats, bags, and more!
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
What to expect when you attend a PTA meeting
PTA FAQs
Spirit Wear store
MemberHub 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
PICK UP AT THE END OF THE DAY
When parked in the drop-off lane, it blocks the view, exits, and flow of 400+ students leaving the building. Thank you for keeping our lot safe for pedestrians!
Please refer to my previous Principal Dryden's newsletters and to the Keller handbook on the district website: https://keller.royaloakschools.org/
YELLOW LINED ZONES IN PARKING LOT
HELEN KELLER FAMILY CULTURE SURVEY
AFTER-SCHOOL PLAYGROUND USE
Please be aware that our after-school latchkey program uses the playgrounds each day, starting around 4 p.m. If you decide to stay on school grounds after dismissal please avoid those areas being used by the latchkey program. This will allow our staff to monitor our after-school care kids and ensure safety.
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.
CHROMEBOOK REQUEST
Please use the link below if you haven't requested a Chromebook for your child in GRADES 1-5.
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