Superintendent’s Corner: Test Scores, Summer Projects and More

The following information was provided by Royal Oak schools chief Shawn Lewis-Lakin.

OHS MME Scores:  On Monday, June 23, the Michigan Department of Education released the results of the 2013 Michigan Merit Exam (MME), the annual high school assessment for Michigan 11th grade students.  In every subject area (Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), scores for Royal Oak High School improved over 2012.   ROHS scores in all areas are significantly above Oakland County averages and also well above state averages.   For additional information, click here.   The MI School Data website has additional student testing data, as well as other data for all schools in Michigan. 

Summer 2013 Project List:  Work is underway across the district on a variety of capital improvement projects.   These projects, funded with sinking fund revenue as well as proceeds from property sales, are designed to provide safe, secure, and up to date learning environments for all of our students.   Thanks to all those who said “yes” to the sinking fund millage in November, 2012, needed capital improvement projects are being planned and will be completed each year for the next ten years.   For an overview of projects being completed this summer, you can click here.   This documented will be updated throughout the summer as additional projects are started. 

Royal Oak Schools Tax Rates:  When the sinking fund proposal was presented to voters in November, 2012, we believed that this new 1.0 mil levy would be partially offset by reductions to debt and hold-harmless taxes.   Last month, when the Board of Education approved tax rates for the 2013-2014 school year, they were able to reduce the debt and hold-harmless rates so as to totally negate the new 1.0 mil sinking fund levy.   This means that our total Royal Oak School millage rate in 2013 will be the same as it was in 2012. 

Royal Oak Commission for the Arts:  Our community has a new summer concert series organized by the City of Royal Oak Commission for the Arts.    It is called Art Explored "Live", and will be held on the Royal Oak Library lawn.  The event features local artists, the Detroit School of Rock and Pop Students, and our very own Royal Oak High School Jazz Combo.  Concerts are scheduled forThursday evenings, beginning July 11. They begin at 6:00 p.m. See the attached flyer for more information.

Family Information Updates:  Are you changing your e-mail address?  Do you have a new phone number?  You can edit your contact information or change your password to something you'll remember at the MISTAR ParentPortal.   If you are moving, you are not able to update your address using the Parent Portal.   All address changes must be made with the district central enrollment officewhich is located at 1123 Lexington Blvd, Royal Oak, MI  48073.

Moving?  If your family will be moving outside of the Royal Oak School district boundaries, and your child will be in grades K-8 next school year, you can apply to remain in the district through our Schools of Choice program (seats for grades 4-8 are limited).   If you are moving outside of the district boundaries and will be in grade nine or above, you need to register to attend school in your new district of residence.   If you are moving, please contact the district enrollment office as soon as possible.   We want to help you be in the right place for the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.   If you have new neighbors, please encourage them to contact the district central enrollment office to enroll their children in our Royal Oak Schools.  

2013-2014 School Calendars:  Information regarding our 2013-2014 school year calendar has been posted to the district website and can be accessed by clicking here.    There are three documents related to the calendar available: the calendar itself, a letter providing an overview of the calendar, and a question and answer document.