Raccoon Tracks
August 17, 2026
October 30, 2026
Dear Rogers Families,
ORDERED PICTURES, BUT WANT RETAKES? Just have your student bring their photo package to the photographer on Retake Day (Friday November 6). We’ll snap a new pic and reprint your order!
As we continue our journey through the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, we're excited to focus on Habit 6: Synergize: Together Is Better!
Habit 6 reminds us that when we work together, value each other's strengths, and appreciate our differences, we can accomplish more than we ever could alone. Synergy isn't simply about cooperation; it's about recognizing that our differences make us stronger and that everyone's contributions matter.
At Rogers, we want our students to understand that they don't have to think alike, learn alike, or approach challenges in the same way to work successfully together. In fact, some of our best ideas emerge when we listen to different perspectives, combine our strengths, and find creative solutions as a team.
What does Habit 6 look like at school?
Celebrating classmates' unique talents, perspectives, and ideas.
Working collaboratively to solve problems and accomplish shared goals.
Listening respectfully, especially when someone has a different opinion.
Recognizing that asking for help and offering help are both signs of strength.
Understanding that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
How can you practice Habit 6 at home?
One of the simplest ways to reinforce synergy is to give your child opportunities to solve problems with you rather than having you solve problems for them. Whether you're planning a family activity, completing a household project, or navigating a disagreement, invite your child to share ideas and work toward a solution together.
You might ask:
"What's something we could accomplish together that would be harder to do alone?"
"What strengths does each person in our family bring to the team?"
"How can we use two different ideas to come up with an even better one?"
As we continue growing together this year, Habit 6 is a wonderful reminder of what makes our Rogers community special. Every student, staff member, and family brings something unique to our school. When we value those contributions and work toward common goals, wonderful things happen.
After all, good things grow here, especially when we grow together!
Thank you for being such an important part of our Rogers team!
Warmly,
Katie Lewis, Principal
Rogers Elementary School
Coming Up:
November 2 & 3: No Student - Staff Professional Development
November 5: Grades 2, 3, and 4 Music Concert
November 6: Picture Retake Day
November 9-13: Book Fair
November 10: PTA Meeting, 7 p.m.
November 12: Seminar: Helping Children Manage Anxiety, 6-7 on Google Meet - Details Below
November 13: PTA STEM Night, 6-7 p.m.
November 23: Fall evening conferences, 5-8 p.m.
November 24: Fall conferences, 8am-4pm
November 25-29: District Closed - Thanksgiving Recess
Virtual parent presentation opportunities in partnership with Lyon Counseling:
November 12: Helping Children Manage Anxiety (6-7 p.m. on Google Meet)
January 21: Anger & Emotional Regulation Skills
March 18: Guiding Children Toward Independence
April 29: Behavioral Management
PTA
Fall Scholastic Book Fair – November 9-12
Our Fall Book Fair is almost here! Here’s how your student can take part:
- Preview Days:
Monday, November 9 & Tuesday, November 10
During school hours they will have the opportunity to preview the fair with their class and make a "wish list" during designated times - Student Shopping Days:
Wednesday, November 11 & Thursday, November 12
During school hours they will have the opportunity to shop with their class during designated times - After School Shopping:
Wednesday, November 12 | 3:15-5:00pm
Visit the Rogers Fall Book Fair Homepage for full details.
Volunteers Needed – Help Make the Book Fair a Success!
We need volunteers for:
- Set-Up: Friday, November 6, 8am
- Preview & Shopping Days: November 9-12 (multiple shifts available)
Click here to sign up to volunteer at the Book Fair
Reminder: All volunteers must have a Volunteer Release Form and an approved background check on file.
Create Your Child’s eWallet for the Book Fair
Set up a Scholastic eWallet for easy, contactless shopping at the Book Fair. Funds are immediately available and it's a convenient way for your child to buy books. You can also shop the fair online.
Click here to set up your eWallet
Cash and checks are also accepted. Please make checks payable to “Berkley School District.”
Book Fair Schedule at a Glance
- Set-Up:
Friday, November 6– 8:00-10:00 - Preview Days:
Monday, November 9– 8:20-11:00, 1:00-3:00
Tuesday, November 10– 8:20-11:00 - Shopping Days:
Wednesday, November 11– 8:20-11:00, 1:00-3:00, 3:15-5:00 after school
Thursday, November 12– 8:20-11:00
Announcements:
We are still looking for a few parents to chair some of our upcoming school events. We currently need chairs for:
- Holiday Craft Night - December
- Family Skate Night - January
- Monthly Dine to Donates
If you’re interested in helping with any of these events, please email us at rogerselementarypta@gmail.com.
Virtual parent presentation opportunities in partnership with Lyon Counseling:
November 12: Helping Children Manage Anxiety (6-7 p.m. on Google Meet) - Details to come
January 21: Anger & Emotional Regulation Skills
March 18: Guiding Children Toward Independence
April 29: Behavioral Management
Submit questions here in advance!
Volunteer & Chaperone Information
Please remember to fill out your volunteer/chaperone application as soon as possible! 2025-2026 applications expire at the end of September and new checks take into effect October 1st. Please see the information below from the website:
Any volunteer who works with or has access to students shall be screened through the Internet sites for the Sex Offenders Registry (SOR) list and the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) criminal history records prior to being allowed to participate in any activity or program. The Berkley School District reserves the right to approve or deny any volunteer service upon review of the background check. Providing false information, or information contradicting the background check information, is grounds for immediate volunteer denial. Applicants with a felony conviction are not eligible to serve as a volunteer. Applicants with a misdemeanor conviction may not be eligible to serve as a volunteer.
Application Process
All parents/family members volunteering in the classroom or during school-sponsored functions or field trips must complete the Volunteer Release form prior to any activities.
Please keep in mind that the Volunteer Release Form is sent to the Berkley School District Administrative Offices and may take up to three weeks to process so we recommend you submit the required forms well in advance of your planned activity.
You will need to upload an image of your valid driver's license or state-issued ID when completing the Volunteer Release Form.
Mother Handsome Discount!
Mother Handsome has once again generously offered Rogers staff and families an ongoing discount:
A dedicated 20% off online takeout only pizza code for the school year with the code Rogers20 at checkout and it will be active August 25 through June 12, 2027.
There's also the party pack available through Mother Handsome Catering
Camelot Cleaners
Camelot Cleaners, a proud fixture on Coolidge right here in Berkley, is proud to sponsor the Rogers Elementary 2027 Fund Run.
We know how much effort goes into making this event a success, and we deeply appreciate everything the students, staff, and parents do for our community.
To show our gratitude, we’d like to offer you a discount on your next wash and fold laundry order in October. We’ll handle the dirt so you can get some well-deserved time back.
To redeem the offer, show the attached coupon at the counter when placing your order. If you’re a pick-up and delivery customer, here’s a printer-friendly version to place in your bag.
BHS to Host Family Game Night!
Berkley High School Student Leadership is hosting a District-wide family game night on Thursday, November 12 from 5-7 pm at BHS. Families are invited for an evening of fun that includes fall crafts, board games and Just Dance, as well as concessions, including cider and donuts, available for purchase. Raffle prizes will also be available.
Student Leadership is hosting this event to be a fun night out for the community and as a fundraiser. Entry to the event will be donation-based - pay what you can. In addition, 50% of the entry donations will be given to the school that has the highest attendance. No RSVP is required, but if you are interested, please fill out this form for a head count. Otherwise just bring the family for a fun night out!
Berkley Caring & Sharing
This initiative has become a cherished tradition in our Berkley community, helping ensure local families and veterans can enjoy a brighter holiday season. Through the generosity of our school community, Caring & Sharing continues to make a meaningful impact each year.
Caring & Sharing is an annual program sponsored by the Berkley Area PTSA Council that provides holiday grocery gift cards to families within the Berkley School District and local veterans. Traditionally, the program relied on school-based food drives and PTA-sponsored holiday baskets that included turkeys, fresh produce, and other meal essentials.
Since 2020, Caring & Sharing has shifted its focus to online fundraising, allowing us to maximize donations and provide families with gift cards so they can purchase the groceries and household items that best meet their needs.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, the 2025 Caring & Sharing campaign raised $33,600, supported 130 families, and donated more than $2,000 to the American Legion and Berkley Cares Food Pantry. Additional contributions were collected through Berkley Cares Days held at each school.
If you know of a family who could benefit from assistance this holiday season, or if your own family is in need, please complete the 2026 Caring & Sharing Referral Form. All referral information will be kept strictly confidential and used only to help provide holiday gift cards to families in need.
We invite you to join us in supporting our friends, neighbors, and fellow members of the Berkley School community this holiday season. Every contribution helps make a difference.
To make a monetary donation, please visit the 2026 Caring & Sharing Donation Page.
Questions? Please contact Abby Watteny, 2026 Caring & Sharing Chair.
Toyology Toys Kickback
Mention Rogers Elementary School during in-store checkout, and 10% of your purchase goes back to Rogers! YOu can also shop online at toyologytoys.com and use the discount code Rogers10.
or shop online at toyologytoys.com and use the discount code
Rogers10 and 10% of the sale goes back to your School!
Offer good at the following locations:
Bloomfield Hills
6558 Telegraph Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
West Bloomfield
6389 Orchard Lake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI
Lost & Found
Food Service
We are excited to be partnering with Aramark to bring back the second slice option to Rogers starting the week of November 9th on our designated pizza day, Tuesdays!
Key Information for Families
Cost: $1.75 per extra slice
Payment method: Parents can upload funds online via the MiStar portal.
Cash Policy: We are not able to accept cash at our register. Parents can upload funds online via the MiStar portal.
Note: If a student has a $0.00 balance on their account, they will not receive the extra slice, even if they request it in the morning. There must be available funds on the account in order to accommodate the request.
How to Pay for the Second Slice Option in the MiStar Portal:
1. Log into your MiStar Account
2. Select the student that you would like to add funds to their Cafeteria/Food Service Account
3. In the right hand column menu option select Cafeteria
4. Click on the Click Here to Access Online Food Service Payments
5. Enter the payment amount you would like to add to your child's account.
6. Click Continue.
7. Confirm that the information is correct and click Check Out.
8. You will be prompted to enter your PayPal information. If you do not wish to use this route, click the Pay with Debit or Credit Card option to checkout as a guest.
9. Follow the prompts and hit the Pay Now button.
Breakfast Procedures
Free breakfast will be served each morning from 7:40 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The main door will be opened from 7:40 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. The door will not open sooner as no supervision is available before that time.
When coming in for breakfast, please enter through the new multipurpose room doors where breakfast will be served!
Visit the Berkley School District’s Food Service webpage for more information, and apply for free/reduced meals through the MISTAR Parent Portal.
The lunch menu can be found here.
Electronic Devices
In February 2026, Senate Bill 495 and House Bill 4141 were signed into law stating that Michigan school districts must create action plans that keep devices away during class, with exceptions for emergencies and academic use. Our administrative team has reviewed the law and will be implementing the following parameters:
Elementary: All personal electronic communication devices must be away for the entire day, including smart watches and glasses. All devices must be stored in backpacks or a phone caddy in the classroom.
Traffic Pattern Details
Please visit the Rogers website for important information about traffic patterns and guidelines. Watch this video for more information about School Safety Zones.
- We respectfully ask that you save spots in our parking lot for staff use only.
- Curbside drop-off & pickup will take place opposite school grounds on the resident/house side of the street.
- Drop-off, pickup, parking, stopping, and standing around the perimeter of Rogers is not permitted to allow public safety quick access to buildings in case of emergency.
- Students will cross at the designated crosswalks at the corner of Oxford & Hamilton and Hamilton & Harvard.
- Students should exit cars on the resident/house side of Hamilton & Oxford, walk to the corner, and cross with a crossing guard. Students should exit onto the curb, not into the street.
- Caregivers are encouraged to park and walk with their child to school.
- Parking is allowed opposite school grounds any time of day.
- Rogers staff parking lot has a designated drop-off/pick up zone only.
- Berkley Public Safety will be enforcing traffic rules.