Upton Update

Here is the schedule for the Wellness Week Activities.

Each day has a theme to promote the events this week-

Monday: Wear Mix or Match Clothing or Wear Blue

Tuesday: Wear Pajamas or Comfy Clothes

Wednesday: Wear Your Favorite Team's Gear or Athletic Wear

Thursday: Wear Red

Friday: Wear Upton Spirit Wear

Please consider supporting the American Heart Association by signing up on the website or downloading the app (Apple App Store or Google Play). Students can earn prizes by collecting donations.

Our 4th Graders will be presenting their music concert on Tuesday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m. in our Cafeteria. Please come and enjoy this musical event. All are welcome to attend!

On Friday, February 6, HAVEN will be returning to Upton to meet with the classes who have not yet received the Helping Kids Help Themselves lesson. Helping Kids Help Themselves is a one hour lesson taught by educational specialists from the group HAVEN.

HAVEN is a non-profit organization that provides direct services to victims and families experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault. Helping Kids Help Themselves introduces young children to personal safety and body ownership through the use of a story involving a bird named Daisy. The program helps children identify, trust, and communicate their own feelings. The children will view a video and talk with our educational specialist about child sexual abuse in an age-appropriate manner. The presentation will focus on identifying “good touches” and “bad touches.”

The following safety rules are stressed:

∙ It’s O.K. to say NO!

∙ Try to GET AWAY!

∙ If someone has touched you or tried to touch you in a private area, tell a trusted adult and keep telling until someone believes you.

∙ It is never your fault.

∙ It is never too late to tell a bad secret.

On Friday, February 6, HAVEN will be returning to Upton to meet with the classes who have not yet received the Gender Respect lesson. Gender Respect is a one hour lesson taught by educational specialists from the group HAVEN. HAVEN is a non-profit organization that provides direct services to victims and families experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault.

HAVEN’s Gender Respect program is designed to support children in the development of safe relationships by providing information to increase the understanding of risk factors associated with gender disrespect. Most bullying in schools is targeted at students who do not fit into a particular norm. The students will receive handouts and information that deal with gender disrespect in a sensitive and age appropriate manner. The students will also be taught that it’s never okay to be touched inappropriately by anyone and will be instructed to tell a trusted adult in the event it happens.

RSVP & Payment:
https://upton.givebacks.com/shop/items/818688

Donate Food or Volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EABA62AABFDC70-47325374-sweetheart#/

Attendance at school every day is very important to a child's education. If a child is not in school he/she is missing instruction. We understand there are times when students need to be absent. We ask that you call the office if your child is going to be absent from school and provide any necessary documentation (i.e. doctor's notes) to the Main Office. Please keep in mind that excessive absences (18 or more school days including half day absences) will lead to a referral to Royal Oak Youth Assistance or our School Truancy Officer.

Students who are tardy to school also miss valuable instruction. If your child is tardy, you need to come into the office and sign your child in on the yellow form.

If you pick up your child from school prior to regular dismissal time, you also need to sign your child out on the yellow form.

If you need to check the Lost & Found or check your child's locker, you need to do this prior to 4:00 p.m. You will need to check in at the Main Office so that we can provide a building pass. If your child is in Champions or participating in an after school event or activity, I ask that you exit the building from the location of the event.

It is important that you follow the directions for driving in the back parking lot. There are arrows painted on the ground to help you follow the correct flow of traffic. Also, there are designated parking spots. Do not park your car in an area that is not marked for parking. I know the parking lot is small, so additional parking can be done on Samoset. Remember to drive slowly and safely!

Kindergarten enrollment begins on February 2, 2026. All children who are five years of age on or before September 1 are eligible to enroll for the coming school year.

Find out more about enrolling in kindergarten here.

Oakland Schools is proud to host author Kwame Alexander as our guest for this year's African American Read-In. Alexander is an award-winning author of numerous critically-acclaimed books for children.

ROS Watchsite Information:

Date: February 26, 2026
Time: 5p-7p (Dinner and Connector Activity from 5p-6p, Read-In activity from 6p-7p)
Location: Royal Oak Public Library

222 E 11 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067

You can find more information about the National African American Read-In here: https://ncte.org/get-involved/african-american-read-in/

Please contact ashley.phillips2@royaloakschools.org with any questions.

See flyer below for more information and use the link or QR code within to register.

https://forms.gle/UoJvFg4kVyB6LMHK8

Monday

Wear Mix or Match Clothing or Wear Blue

Report Cards are available to view online starting at 2:00 p.m.

PTA Founders Day Dinner at the Royal Oak Elks Club 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday

Wear Pajamas or Comfy Clothes

4th Grade Vocal Music Concert 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Wear Your Favorite Team's Gear or Athletic Wear

Thursday

Wear Red

Friday

Wear Upton Spirit Wear

HAVEN Presentations

PTA Sweetheart Dance 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mr. John Grzywack

john.grzywack@royaloakschools.org

4400 Mandalay Avenue, Royal Oak, MI, United States

(248) 549-4968

https://upton.royaloakschools.org/

The vision of Upton Elementary School is to inspire students to become lifelong learners.