PTA – Cultural Night

December 4, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

PTA is excited to be planning our first Multicultural Night on April 16, 2020. We hope all River Oaks Families will join us as we learn about different cultures represented at River Oaks. Wherever your family is from Africa, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and whatever your traditions are; we all want to learn from you as we celebrate diversity!

WHAT WE NEED: Families that are interested in Cultural Night and willing to share with us the customs, native clothing, artifacts, music and food of their home countries and/or from different states in the US. Speaking English is not a requirement. If you or your family member would like to participate in this event please come to the planning meeting.

FOOD: A highlight of Cultural Night is the chance to taste foods from around the world!

WHAT WE NEED: Any families who are interested in bringing food to share! Bring a dish that reflects your ethnic or cultural background, county of origin or one of your family’s favorite recipes. anything is welcome, from snacks to main courses, appetizers to desserts! Be thinking about what specialties you might like to share with the River Oaks community. We also need some entertainment. Does anyone in your family have a dance or do Henna tattoos, Drumming and etc.

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW: Plan on attending the Informational Parent Meeting on January 9, 2020. The meeting will be offered at two times: 10:00 and then at 5:30 p.m. Important information will be given out at the meeting, we highly encourage your attendance.

Girl Scouts

December 4, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

Toni Naves from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan is looking to have a Family Informational Meeting in January here at River Oaks. They are looking to recruit parents to be leaders and girls to join the scouting program. Watch for more information coming home in January. If you are interested in becoming a girl scout leader please contact Toni at tnaves@gssem.org or call her at 313-870-2512.

Winter Concert

December 2, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

River Oaks Music Teacher Ms. Green presents her Winter Concert with the 1st and 2nd grade students on December 19th at 2:00 p.m.

HELP WANTED

December 2, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

River Oaks Elementary is looking for Noon Hour Supervisor substitutes and also looking to hire a Noon Hour supervisor.

This is a great job for any parent looking to work just a couple hours a day.

Go to www.dearbornschools.org and fill out an application

For more information please call 313-827-3002

Battle Against Hunger Update

November 26, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

Battle Against Hunger gathers tons of food for the community

Sixteen district schools participated in food, money collection to help local organizations
Sixteen Dearborn Public Schools stepped up this year to participate in the fifth annual Battle Against Hunger.
Fordson High School was the largest collector, gathering more than 15,000 food items. They were followed by
Dearborn High and Edsel Ford High. Collections mirrored enrollment, with each high school gathering about six
items per student.
Together, the district gathered the equivalent of more than 59,000 food donations!
The food items were given to Zaman International. Cash donations will go to Amity Foundation. Both are local
organizations that help those in need in our community. For the sake of the high school competition, a $1
donation was calculated as three food items.
Battle Against Hunger ran from Nov. 18 to 24. In 2018, Dearborn Schools donated almost 12 tons of food to help
those in need in our community.
The Battle began in 2015 as a friendly off-field competition between rivals Dearborn and Fordson high schools.
Edsel Ford High School later joined the food drive, and it was opened for the District’s elementary and middle
schools to participate. Local Realtor and former Dearborn School Life editor Raad Alawan came up with the
idea.
Superintendent Glenn Maleyko said, “It is wonderful to see how our high school students and the now younger
students come together as one District to help others in our community. The generosity of our students and
families will have a positive impact for those in need in our area.”

December Events

November 25, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

December 3rd – PTA Meeting at 2:00

December 6th – PTA Bake Sale

December 10th – 12th – PTA Holiday Shop for students

December 18th – Late Start

December 19th – Music Concert for 1st & 2nd graders

School closes at the end of the day on December 20th for Winter Break. School reopens Monday January 6, 2020

Mama and Me Class

November 20, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

Mama and Me

Parents and Children (ages 6 months—4 years old)

are invited to join us on:

Friday, November 22nd at 8:45 am

at River Oaks Elementary for a party to celebrate mama!

Activities Planned:

· Yoga

· Storytime/Songs

· Muffins/Coffee/Tea/Juice

· Special Mama and Me Crafts!

· Bonding with your young child!

Join us to celebrate how special our mama’s are. 

Children, Parents and Staff will sing, play and engage in activities together from 8:45-10:00am.

Please call or email to reserve your free materials! 

 (313) 827-4616  bassj@dearbornschools.org

Coffee with the Principal

November 19, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

Please come join us Wednesday November, 20th at 2:00 p.m. for another Coffee with the Principal meeting. Mr. Martin will be discussing Screen Time and then we will open up the meeting with questions and answer you may have for Mr. Martin.

Prizes will be given away at the end of the meeting.

Please come join us, your continued support is needed in order for the school to remain strong!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 14, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

Parents all conferences from November 12, 2019 will be held on Monday November 18, 2019 at the same time your were originally scheduled.   Please contact your teacher if you have questions.

Empty Bowls is coming

November 11, 2019 by Sandra Merrow

The Dearborn Public Schools Art department is hosting its 28th annual Empty Bowls meal on Monday, November 25, from 4-6:30 p.m. at Park Place Banquet Hall, 23400 Park Street, Dearborn.

For a minimum suggested $5 donation, guests who attend this family-friendly dinner may select a one-of-a-kind handmade bowl and enjoy a serving of tasty soup and bread. The bowls are made by students in kindergarten through high school who attend Dearborn Public Schools.

Donations will support Gleaners Food Bank and Blessings in a Backpack, local charities that help feed the hungry. Guests can take their bowls home as a reminder of all those who go hungry each day.

“This community service learning project is a win-win-win.  Empty Bowls allows art teachers and their students to create bowls to raise money.  It involves the community, which donates items and attends the event, and it provides more than $3,000 each year to local charities to help those in need.  The Art Department is very proud of the continued success of Empty Bowls,” said Susan Briggs, the District’s Art Resource Teacher.

A variety of soups will be available, including vegetarian and gluten free options, at this simple meal of soup and bread to fight hunger. A tin can raffle will also be held.

No reservations are required, but those who arrive early will see all of the unique bowls made and donated by students and teachers in the Dearborn Public Schools.

The annual Empty Bowls event is hosted by the Dearborn Public Schools Art Department and Park Place Banquets & Catering.  Empty Bowls events are held around the world as part of a grassroots movement by artists and craftspeople to care for and feed the hungry in communities. For more information, contact Dearborn Public Schools Art Resource Teacher Susan Briggs, at 313-580–0960 or briggss@dearbornschools.org.