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.

As we wrap up another amazing school year, I want to thank you for your partnership, support, and the opportunity to be part of your children's educational journey.

It has been a privilege to serve the Keller community, and I am grateful for the many memories, relationships, and experiences we have shared together. As I say goodbye and begin my retirement, I will always carry Keller in my heart.

Thank you for making this such a special place. I wish you and your families a wonderful summer and all the best in the years ahead.

With gratitude,

Marcie Dryden, Ed.S.

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!

Report Cards will be available to view through Parent Portal on Wednesday, June 10, after 2:00 p.m.

Congratulations to our 5th-grade students on the successful completion of their IB Exhibition!

The Exhibition is the culminating experience of the Primary Years Programme, where students work collaboratively to investigate real-world issues they are passionate about. Through research, inquiry, critical thinking, and action, our students demonstrated their growth as learners and leaders while showcasing the knowledge, skills, and attributes they have developed throughout their elementary years. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and confidence as they shared their learning with families, staff, and the community. Well done, 5th graders!

As part of their IB PYP Exhibition experience, our 5th grade students recently participated in Exit Interviews with administrators from across Royal Oak Schools. Students presented their Exhibition projects, shared their learning journey, and reflected on the action they took to make a difference in their communities.

Following their presentations, students answered thoughtful questions about their research, challenges, growth, and impact. The interviews provided an authentic opportunity for students to showcase the skills, knowledge, and IB Learner Profile attributes they have developed throughout their elementary years.

We are incredibly proud of our 5th graders for the confidence, passion, and reflection they demonstrated during this culminating experience. A special thank you to the district administrators who volunteered their time to support and celebrate our students' learning.

Our 5th grade students proudly represented Keller at the Jr. Olympics, competing alongside athletes from across the district. They demonstrated outstanding effort, sportsmanship, and school spirit throughout the event. Many of our athletes also brought home some hardware, a testament to their hard work and dedication. We are so proud of the way they represented our school community!

One final elementary school performance and a lifetime of memories. Our 5th graders took the stage for their last elementary music concert, showcasing their talents and celebrating their journey together before heading off to middle school.

These outstanding students have been recognized by their teachers or staff members for embodying the values of an IB student. Through their commitment to curiosity, integrity, and a global mindset, they truly stand out as role models in our school community. Congratulations to our IB stars!

Curious about what’s happening in our student news? Click on the button below to watch this week’s broadcast and catch up on future updates! Don’t miss out on the latest stories, events, and highlights shared by our talented students.

SMART, Southeast Michigan’s regional public transit provider, has launched a program that

makes bus rides free for students across the tri-county area. Starting in May 2026, any K-12,

community college, or university student can ride any SMART bus at no cost, every day of the

year.

There is no registration, no special pass, and no application. Students simply board the bus and

show a valid student ID.

A few things worth knowing:

• All students at accredited schools are eligible, from high school through four-year

universities

• Rides are free 7 days a week, including summers and school breaks – meaning students

can use the system to ride to school or to the movies.

• There is no residency requirement. Any student riding in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb

County qualifies, no matter where they live or go to school

• This is not a pilot. The program has no end date

We encourage you to pass this along to anyone who might benefit. For routes and schedules,

visit smartbus.org or call 866-962-5515.

Royal Oak Schools supports literacy and learning year-round, which is why we encourage all students to participate in the Royal Oak Public Library’s Summer Reading program. By reading over the summer, students maintain the progress they’ve made during the school year and can be rewarded with prizes from the library!

Learn more about Summer Reading: https://ropl.beanstack.org/reader365

Our LOST & FOUND is bursting at the seams with winter gear and other items. Please come take a peek in the lobby and see if anything belongs to you! Anything left after June 5 will be donated to a local charity. Thank you for your help.

Hi Students and Families,

As you wrap up your end-of-the-year activities at your elementary schools, I wanted to share a few important summer reminders from Royal Oak Middle School.

Open House Information
Everything shared during our Open House on April 22 can be found in this document.

Summer Reading
Looking for ways to stay engaged in reading this summer? Be sure to check out our 2026 Summer Reading Announcement.

Join the PTSA
Our PTSA is always looking for support! Consider signing up here. Even a $10 membership helps support our students, staff, and school community.

Save the Date – Bulldog Bound 2026!
Mark your calendars for our annual Bulldog Bound event for all incoming 6th-grade students and students who are new to ROMS. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with the building, meet staff, and start making connections before the school year begins.

Additional details can be found below.

We hope you have a wonderful end to the school year and a safe, relaxing summer. We look forward to welcoming you to ROMS soon!

Go Bulldogs!

Kristin Meldrum
Principal
Royal Oak Middle School

The Royal Oak Police department is offering a summer youth academy. They have expanded the offering to students in 5th grade who will be 6th graders next year.

Please note that our school playground is closed to the public after 4:00 p.m. each school day. During this time, the playground is reserved exclusively for Champions After-School Childcare, as they are licensed to use the space. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and supervised environment for all students.

Families are welcome to use Lockman Park, located next door, which has been newly renovated and offers many fun activities for our students to enjoy.

For the safety of our students, please do not allow your child to climb on the outside of the tunnel slides after school. This is a school rule that the students follow during the school day. We need your help ensuring our students are safe on the playground.

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

The safety of our students remains our utmost priority! We kindly ask that you refrain from parking or standing in the drop-off lane (red marked areas pictured below). It is essential to keep these lanes and the sidewalk clear during dismissal as vehicles in these areas contribute to congestion in the parking lot and on Campbell Avenue, and they also create a visual barrier between the sidewalk and the parking lot.

Help keep our students and pedestrians safe!

Did you know that the yellow diagonal lines in the parking lot at the end of the row and at crosswalks are designed to enhance pedestrian safety?

Please refrain from parking or waiting in the yellow diagonal lined zones in the parking lot.

• This areas at the end of each row are designated for pedestrians to wait while preparing to cross the parking lot.
  

  
  

• It is difficult to see oncoming traffic when you impede our pedestrian's vision when trying to cross the parking lot to the sidewalk.

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.