Principal's Update - 4/20/22

Dear Rogers Community,

I hope this email finds you well. It was wonderful to see smiles on our students' faces at our Occupation Day this morning! Thank you to our Student Council and all of the volunteer presenters for making this event happen! It was a great experience for our students, and they learned about a wide variety of careers. 

Below are some things to know for the days and weeks to come.

Earth Day Spirit Day
This Friday, April 22nd, our Student Council is sponsoring an Earth Day Spirit Day. For a suggested $1 donation, students can dress in earth colors and/or wear Earth Day shirts. Donations will be sent to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) that helps protect animal habitats around the world.

M-STEP Testing 
M-STEP testing for students in grades three through five started this week and ends on May 20th.  Here is Rogers' M-STEP testing schedule, for your reference. If at all possible, students should be present on testing days to take the assessment with their respective classrooms. The Michigan Department of Education's website has information about the M-STEP, including a Parent/Student Information section (scroll to the bottom).  

No School On Tuesday, May 3rd
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, May 3rd which is an election day and a professional development day for staff. 

Well Wishes and Welcome
Teacher Christian Wiegand will be going on a family medical leave for the remainder of the school year.  Her last day will be this coming Friday.  Please wish Christian, her mother who is having a bone marrow transplant, and their whole family well. 

Alex Friedman will be Mrs. Wiegand's long-term substitute. Alex has a degree in economics from Grand Valley State University, and he earned his Masters in Education from Oakland University. Mr. Friedman completed his student teaching at Norup International School, and we are fortunate that he is joining our Rogers team. 

4th Grade Instrument Fitting Night Reminder
Our Instrument Fitting Night will be on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Norup International School. (Enter through the west parking lot doors & follow signs.) To maintain smaller crowds, families are asked to come at the following times:
4:30 – 5:30 Open for all
5:30 – 6:15 Open for students at Burton and Norup
6:15 – 7:30 Open for students at Angell, Pattengill and Rogers
Please see the previously sent emails for more details. 

4th & 5th Grade Talent Show
Our Talent Show will be on Friday, April 29th, with two shows beginning at 12:30 and 2:00 PM. Parents/guardians of the performers may attend one of the performances. (Students will know by this Friday if they will be in the show.)   

Bike & Roll to School Day is Wednesday, May 4th - Mark the Date!
Bike and Roll to School Day (BR2SD) is a national event that builds awareness for communities to be more bikeable.  In Michigan, BR2SD is presented by Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Safe Routes to School Program team and Michigan Department of Transportation. This event will be on Wednesday, May 4th, and everyone is encouraged to participate.

5th Grade Camp Payment Reminder 
The $100 cost for 5th grade students to attend camp was due this past Monday. If you have not yet paid for your child to attend, please turn in your cash or check made payable to Rogers Elementary School to our main office. If you need assistance with payment, please reach out to me. 

RNN
Thank you to Mrs. Maiuri and our 4th graders for producing Rogers Network News. Enjoy watching this week's broadcast!

BAAPN Meeting
You don't want to miss this week's BAAPN meeting which includes an opportunity to engage in discussion with Representative Regina Weiss and Congressman Andy Levin!  As a former educator, Weiss brings with her to Lansing an in-depth, intimate knowledge of the many issues plaguing Michigan's public schools and is dedicated to using that knowledge to help improve education policy at the state level. State Rep. Weiss currently serves on the School Aid and Department of Education Committee. Congressman Andy Levin has spent his career fighting for an equitable and inclusive future for all people. He’s bringing that fight to Congress as the proud representative for Michigan’s 9th District. Congressman Levin currently serves on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee.

Please see this BAAPN flyer for a description of this parent run organization and a list of meeting dates. 

Summer Volleyball Camp
If you have a 4th or 5th grader who would be interested in attending volleyball camp this summer, please see this flyer. 

Berkley Schools - General Fund Operating Millage on May 3 Ballot
On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the Berkley School District will place a General Fund Operating Millage Renewal on the ballot, calling for a 19.4937 mills renewal for taxes that are levied on business and non-primary residences. The District would, however, only levy 18 mills, the same amount as previous years. This millage renewal does not affect property taxes on a primary residence (home).

The revenue generated from the General Fund Operating Millage is considered by the State when calculating the District’s per student funding, and generated approximately $3.8 million in 2021. Without this millage, the District would be facing more than a $640 per student loss – out of the $8,700 per student rate in 2022.

General Fund Operating Millage dollars are used to support the District’s everyday expenses including classroom supplies, teacher salaries and technology. The District created a webpage with details about the General Fund Operating Millage including the ballot language, frequently asked questions and a PDF quick facts document.

You’re Invited to the Berkley Education Foundation’s Off to the Races
Please join us at the Berkley Education Foundation’s Off to the Races fundraiser on May 14, 2022 at 6:30 pm at Club Venetian in Madison Heights. The Berkley Education Foundation (BEF) is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support all students in the Berkley Schools. Their purpose is to maintain and enhance educational opportunities and programs for Berkley Schools students. Every dollar the BEF raises during Off to the Races supports teacher innovation-grants, the free elementary enrichment program, student scholarships and the 8th grade college tour program.

How has the BEF impacted Rogers?

Enrichment Courses: The BEF has supported Rogers students who have enrolled in four free enrichment courses since 2018, including: LEGO robotics, Creative Writing and Yoga

Teacher Innovation-Grants: The BEF has funded 25 teacher innovation-grants since 2017, including: a desk cycle, webcam, trip to the zoo, potter’s wheel, iPad Minis, STEM stations, throwable microphone, Math Pentathlon, trip to the Sea Life Aquarium, 5th grade mural, diverse play toys for Kindergarten, outdoor learning spaces, calming baskets for each classroom and wobble chairs

Off to the Races Details

• Saturday, May 14, 2022

• 6:30-10 pm

• Club Venetian, Madison Heights

• $30/ticket

• The event includes simulated horse racing, owning & naming horses, a silent auction (powered by mobile bidding), a vacation give-away, and most importantly, funding the #BerkleyDifference. 

• It is a fun event and I hope to see you there. You can learn more and buy tickets on the Off to the Races website.

• Come cheer on our Rogers PTA horse: Beth’s Bandits

• If you can’t make it, consider buying and naming a horse to run in the races for $50

Have a wonderful, relaxing end to your week and weekend everyone!

Sincerely,

Beth Meacham
Principal