Royal Oak Schools

🎉 Welcome to Royal Oak Schools, Marnie Pinho! 🎉

We’re so excited to introduce Marnie Pinho as our new Administrative Assistant for Instruction and Curriculum! 📚 Marnie brings creativity and enthusiasm to her role, and we can’t wait for her to share her talents with the district. 💼✨

Outside of work, Marnie is a talented photographer 📸 who also runs a small stationery and merchandise line 🖋️📦 (she’s even modeling one of her sweatshirts here!). She loves spending time at the lake 🌊🚣‍♀️, especially kayaking, and enjoys seeing concerts 🎶🎤 with her husband and their three daughters. 🏡💞

Please join us in giving Marnie a warm welcome! 🏫🌳
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📰 The January Edition of the District Dispatch is Here! 📰

Start the year off right by catching up on all the latest news, updates, and celebrations from across Royal Oak Schools! 🏫🌳
✅ Check out the highlights and stay connected with our .
🔗 https://adobe.ly/3DHEFrz
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Did you know: Teens ages 16 to 19 have a fatal crash rate that's almost three times higher than drivers ages 20 and older?
January is Teen Driving Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to talk about safe driving habits:

➡️ Always buckle up.
➡️ Avoid distractions—keep your phone out of reach.
➡️ Follow speed limits and traffic rules.
➡️ Never drive under the influence.
➡️ Stay alert and focused on the road.

We urge all of the teens in our community to practice safe driving. Your safety is so important to us, and together, we can ensure every trip is safe. 🚗

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Sophie Bedford 🌟

Mrs. Bedford teaches AP Chemistry, DP Chemistry, and Chemistry 1A at Royal Oak High School. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry, she loves helping students explore how chemistry reveals the unseen world and its potential to make a positive impact. 👩‍🔬🧪⚗

She values the strong sense of community in Royal Oak and is proud to contribute through her work. 🌳

🎉 In the new year, Mrs. Bedford looks forward to Middle Years Program training and science curriculum training at Oakland Schools. 🏫 Outside the classroom, she enjoys good coffee, shopping, and reading on her Kindle. 📚☕🛍️

Thank you, Mrs. Bedford, for inspiring future scientists! 💙💚

🎉 January is National Mentoring Month! 🎉

A heartfelt thank-you to all the incredible mentors in our 🏫 school community—teachers, coaches, counselors, and staff—who inspire, guide, and empower our students every day. 💡✨

Your impact is immeasurable! 🙌

A new year is here, and with it comes fresh opportunities, exciting possibilities, and a chance to grow together! 🎉✨

Let’s celebrate this new chapter with joy, determination, and an open heart. 📚🧡
🎒🚸 Welcome back, —it’s time to make 2025 a year to remember!

🌟 Staff Shoutout: Ryan, Art Teacher at Addams Elementary School & Upton Elementary 🌟

Two individuals nominated Ryan for his incredible impact at Addams Elementary! 🎨🖌

An anonymous nominator shared: “Ryan does amazing work with his students. All our students love attending art class and showing off the beautiful art they have created. Ryan ALSO does his own art, and Addams is lucky to have his latest pieces displayed in the hallways. 🖼 He’s easy to work with, great for bouncing ideas off of, and always shares a friendly smile in the hallway. We are so lucky to have a dedicated, talented, and caring art teacher for our students!”👏

Lizzy Whitlow added: “Ryan played an integral part in helping me bring our school project to life. The newly mounted Autism Acceptance Mural was a vision I took to Ryan, and he immediately jumped into action, putting all the materials I gathered into the final mural form. Thank you so much for helping me showcase such a powerful program within our school and the Royal Oak community!” 💙💚

Your work makes a lasting impact on our students and community. ✨

📢 SAVE THE DATE! 📢

🎉 DK/Kindergarten Enrollment for 2025-2026 opens February 3, 2025! 🎒

📅 Kindergarten Information Night
🗓 January 30, 2025
📍 At each Royal Oak Elementary School

👩‍🏫 This event is just for parents—come learn everything you need to know about enrolling your child!

For questions, contact:
📞 Theresa Baughman, Enrollment Coordinator
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.royaloakschools.org

Let’s kick off your child’s educational journey in our ! 💛

🎉✨ Happy New Year, ! ✨🎉

As we welcome 2025, we look forward to another year of growth, learning, and connection. Let's make this year one filled with opportunity, success, and memorable moments for our students, staff, and families.

Here’s to an inspiring and excellent 2025! 💙

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Molly Bascom-Keller 🌟

Molly Bascom-Keller is the Principal at Northwood Elementary and brings passion and dedication to everything she does.

😁 Molly says she is looking forward to 2025. She is excited about two big adventures! She has been building a camper van and can’t wait for warmer weather to hit the road for some camping, hiking, and time in nature. 🌲🚐🌞

📅 Her family has even more to celebrate this summer, as Molly’s oldest daughter is getting married! 💍🎉 The Bascom-Keller family is thrilled about this exciting milestone.

Thank you, Molly, for inspiring us with your love of adventure and connection. Wishing you an amazing year ahead! 💙💚✨

📚✨ Learning Through History! ✨

As part of the Diverse Histories Grant, 5th-grade teachers from every elementary school spent a day learning about the incredible lives of people from our community and beyond.

The day began at the Royal Oak Historical Society Museum, where teachers explored the diversity of our past and present. Next, they toured the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, diving into the rich history of African Americans with the help of an expert guide.

This meaningful experience helps prepare our 5th graders for their upcoming visits to these impactful museums. 💡
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A fresh new year brings endless possibilities! ♾

🗻 Embrace new beginnings and set your goals high—because this is your time to dream big, work hard, and make great things happen.

👟👡👞Every step forward is a step closer to achieving your goals. Let’s make this year one of growth, success, and positivity. 🌳

🌟 Staff Shoutout: Marcie Dryden 🌟

Marcie Dryden was anonymously nominated for her incredible impact on the Keller Elementary School community. Her nominator shared, “I would like to nominate Marcie for her unwavering dedication, guidance, and kindness she brings to the Keller community. She has created an inclusive and welcoming home for everyone at Keller Elementary and continues to do so each day!” 💙🐾

Thank you, Marcie, for fostering such a positive and inclusive environment. Your leadership and compassion make a difference every single day! 🌟✨

🌟 Staff Shout-Out Time 📣

Jan Mecano, Kindergarten Teacher at Addams Elementary, 🌟 was anonymously nominated for a shout-out!

The nomination read, "Jan is a phenomenal asset to the Addams staff! 💼✨ Her colleagues describe her as reliable ✅, organized 📋, and someone who brings the best sense of humor 🤣 to the team. Even amidst the chaos and energy of Kindergarten 🎨📚, Jan remains calm 🧘‍♀️, creating an environment where students thrive 🌱.

Her patience 🕊️, consistent routines ⏰, kind nature 💖, and the fun 🎉 she brings to her classroom help her students learn and grow every day. 🌟 Addams Elementary is lucky 🍀 to have such a dedicated and positive teacher making a difference in the lives of students and colleagues alike." 🌈

Thank you, Jan, for all that you do! 🙌👏
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🏛️✨ 4th Graders Visit Lansing! ✨

Recently, our 4th graders from Keller Elementary School explored the Michigan State Capitol, learning about the legislative process and how laws are made. The highlight? Meeting Governor Gretchen Whitmer and asking her questions!

This hands-on trip brought classroom lessons to life, sparking curiosity about government and its role in daily life.

Thank you to our amazing teachers, chaperones, and staff for making this inspiring experience possible! 💙

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📚✨ Second Grade Authors Shine! ✨📚

Ms. Tcholakian's 2nd-grade students have published their very own books! They proudly presented their creations to family and friends during our Author Celebration.

These special books are now featured in the Addams Elementary School Media Center for other students to read and enjoy. What an incredible achievement—great work, 2nd graders! 🎉👏