Ford Fundrasier Funds Delivered to ROHS Athletics

This fall's 2012 Drive 4UR School funds is awarded to ROHS football and hockey teams.

The generosity of Royal Oak Ford and the Ford Motor Company along with the hard working volunteers of the Royal Oak Athletic Department raised $6,580 in the fall Drive One 4 UR School fundraiser. The funds were officially awarded to the athletic department by Ford Hall, the commercial truck manager and community liaison for Royal Oak Ford. The monies will be put toward renovating the school's weight room, which all athletic teams use, and for transportation costs. ROHS head football coach Ryan Irish is happy the auto company is helping the city. "I'm happy that the Ford Motor Company is giving back to communities," Irish said. "And this allows the football team to interact with the community. It truly shows the generosity of Ford Motor …

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5 Ways to Save During Back-to-School Shopping

You have to do it every year and it's usually more expensive than you expect; here's how to make the process a little easier.

School starts next week for Royal Oak students, which means one thing: back-to-school shopping. According to the National Retailers Foundation, families of K-12 students will spend an average of $688 on supplies this year, with 85 percent saying the struggling economy continues to dictate how they shop. So, with a lot of cash to be spent, here are five tips for shopping smart while getting your kids everything they need to hit the books. Royal Oak Middle School and Keller Elementary have suggested school supply lists published online by grade level to give parents an idea of what to shop for. The lists are attached to this article. Back-to-school shopping, especially for college students, is about more than buying some new jeans and …

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Irish Looks to Continue Positive Direction of Royal Oak Football

Former offensive coordinator Ryan Irish knows Jeff Hill started the change in attitude and strives to keep it going as head coach.

Stormont on Fire in Royal Oak's Basketball Season Opener Against Berkley

ROHS junior scores a career-high 33 points in 57-37 rout of the Bears.

Royal Oak Test Scores Could Take a Hit Under New Standards

A look at Royal Oak students' recent MEAP and MME scores under the state's new 'cut scores' show a drop in the percentage deemed 'proficient.'

The Michigan Department of Education released what it calls a “retrospective look” at how students would have fared on past MEAP and MME exams if recently adopted scoring standards had been in place — and Royal Oak Schools' test scores showed the same decline in proficiency levels seen statewide. The new standards, adopted by the State Board of Education in September, changed state cut scores — the scores used by schools to determine whether a student is advanced, proficient, partially proficient or not proficient in certain subjects. Overall, the results released Thursday show there would have been a major decline in student test scores on the Michigan Merit Exam (MME) and the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) in math, …

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Weekly Sports Roundup: Ravens Football Set for First Away Game

Royal Oak High School girls volleyball has two tough matches while boys soccer plays two with Avondale this week.

Highlights of what’s happening in Royal Oak High School varsity sports: West Bloomfield High School came to Royal Oak's home field last week and picked up its first win of the season over the Ravens, 39-21. Royal Oak is now 1-2 on the year. For the first time this season, the Ravens will hit the road and travel to Troy Athens High (2-1) for a 7 p.m. game Friday. The varsity team is at full strength for the first time since the beginning of the season, according to Head Coach Jeff Hill. "We've got everybody back and we're pretty excited," Hill said. Hill and his staff have been busy preparing for the Athens ground game. "I've watched all three of their games this season and all of their games from last year and they are a very, very solid …

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Royal Oak Ravens Win First Game in 3 Seasons

Fans rush the field after thrilling end to game in which ROHS beats St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 21-20.

In its first game under new head coach Jeff Hill, Royal Oak High School won its first game in more than three seasons. Students and other fans spilled out onto the field Thursday night as the Ravens beat St. Clair Shores Lake Shore, 21-20. "This sight will be etched in my mind for the rest of my life," Royal Oak senior running back Nolan Jones said after the game. "I will never forget this." Lake Shore gave Royal Oak a scare when it scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter and went for the 2-point conversion for the win. But the effort failed with 25 second left, giving the Ravens – and the wider Royal Oak community – a huge victory. Fans reacted on Royal Oak Patch's Facebook page quickly: The Royal Oak High School football program …

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Royal Oak High School Class of 2011 Graduates

Nearly 400 seniors and their families gather at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac to give thanks, praise, kudos and well wishes.

With a graduating class of 394 students, Royal Oak High School seniors and their families and friends nearly filled the huge field and bleachers at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac on Thursday night for the class of 2011's commencement ceremonies. It was an evening filled with joy, jokes and a few tears as grads listened to music and speeches topped off by applause and hugs as Senior Class President Enxhi Merpeza declared, "One, One Got it Done!" Parent Becky Stange summed it up for the students and their families: "I'm so happy!" Royal Oak High School seniors' commencement speeches Missed the ceremony or didn't quite catch the speeches? We've got them here: Senior Class President Enxhi Merpeza Senior Class Treasuer Bill LeAnnais Gina Saab …

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