F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elementary Consolidation
Why do we need to consolidate schools?
In 1966, the School District of the City of Royal Oak had a student enrollment of 20,149. At that time, the District needed 18 elementary buildings, 4 middle schools and 2 high schools. The projected student enrollment for the Fall of 2007 is 5,171. A shrinking population means fewer buildings are needed to educate students. Because of this declining enrollment, the District formed a citizen-based Facilities Committee that studied the population trends, toured current District buildings, and made formal recommendations to the Board of Education to close and consolidate buildings in order to maintain the level of education that meets current budget levels. To view more information on the trend in declining enrollment go to the following link on the Royal Oak Schools website: http://www.rosd.k12.mi.us/pdf/yourschools/YS_Consolidation06.pdf
Will Open Enrollment to Royal Oak Schools be available?
Under Royal Oak Board Policy parents may request to enroll their child in a school other than the one designated by attendance area, as space permits. A request must be submitted to Carol Hansen in writing no later than February 28th, 2007. Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services, 1123 Lexington Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48073. Phone: 248-435-8400 ext. 232.
The letter should include: 1. Name of Student, 2. Grade level for the 2007-2008 school year, 3. Current school attending, and 4. Open enrollment school choice.
Requests made after February 28th, 2007, will be considered on a space available basis. Due to consolidation constraints, only Addams (Longfellow, Starr), Keller (Whittier), Oakland and Upton Elementary will be available for open enrollment for the 2007-2008 school year.
Will my child need to walk to school or be bussed?
If you live more than 1.25 miles from your resident school, your child will be eligible for transportation to his/her resident school.
Where will the staff members of our current school go?
There will be some shifting of staff as the schools consolidate and close. The amount of staff members at a building depends on the amount of students. At present, final staff configurations for the Elementary and Middle School buildings are not complete. Placement of students and staff will begin soon and will continue into the Spring. Contact the building principal with questions regarding classroom placement.
What happens to the materials at the closing buildings (e.g. computers, books, etc.)?
Materials follow the student population. As students move from one building to another, the materials used at one building will follow the student population to their new location. This includes school district owned technology, books, supplies, furniture and teaching materials.
Will the schools be ready on time for consolidation?
Consolidation is scheduled to go ahead as planned.
Where can I find more information about the International Baccalaureate School (IBO)?
To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Program, which will be piloted at Keller Elementary in the 2007-2008 school year, you can go to the following website or contact Carol Hansen or John Houghton. IBO website: http://www.ibo.org/ Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services, 1123 Lexington Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48073 Phone: 248-435-8400 ext. 232. John Houghton, Principal of Whittier/Keller Elementary, 815 E. Farnum Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: 248-541-1552.
How can I enroll my child in the IBO (Keller Elem.) school?
Enrollment in the IBO school will be handled through the Open Enrollment process (see note regarding Open Enrollment above). If Whittier/Keller is your resident school, your child will automatically be included in the IBO program. If your resident school is elsewhere, you will need to write a letter requesting that your child attend Keller Elementary in the Fall of 2007 and send a copy to Carol Hansen, John Houghton and your resident school Principal. Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services, 1123 Lexington Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48073 Phone: 248-435-8400 ext. 232 John Houghton, Principal of Whittier/Keller Elementary, 815 E. Farnum Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: 248-541-1552.
What educational program will be offered at Addams Elementary next fall?
In September of 2007 Addams Elementary will offer a multi-age program for grades K-5, using a multi-age and team teaching approach for the delivery of instruction. The school's philosophy encourages individualized learning for all students based on their learning styles. Flexible groupings or "pods" are used to create family groups of students and teachers who remain together for a minimum of two years. Teachers incorporate best practices in language arts with a strong phonics element and are content specialists in one other area of the curriculum. Early intervention and acceleration are integral components of the program. To learn more about this program, please contact Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services Phone: 248-435-8400 ext. 232; or Judi Juneau, Principal of Longfellow/Addams Elementary Phone: 248-541-7938.
For more information about POD teaching, click here.
How can I enroll my child in the Addams Elementary Multi-age Program?
Enrollment at Addams Elementary will be handled through the Open Enrollment process on a space available basis (see note regarding Open Enrollment above). If Addams Elementary is your resident school, your child will automatically be included in the magnet program. If your resident school is elsewhere, you will need to write a letter requesting that your child attend Addams Elementary in the Fall of 2007 and send a copy to Carol Hanson, Judi Juneau and your resident school Principal. Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services, 1123 Lexington Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48073 Phone: 248-435-8400 ext. 232 Judi Juneau, Principal of Longfellow Elementary, 303 Maxwell Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: 248-541-7938.
