At the June school board meeting, Dr. Jay Marks, Ph. D. was honored with the Community Of Excellence award from Royal Oak Schools and the Board of Education. Dr. Marks is retiring from Oakland Schools as the Diversity, Equity and, Inclusion Coordinator. He is described as one who "lives and breathes this work."
"Given by the Board of Education," Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick explained, "that our community is the context for everything we do, and excellence is the standard we set for ourselves, this vision describes who we are and who we strive to be, and each one of us is committed to this vision at Royal Oak Schools."
Fitzpatrick said that Dr. Marks has helped thousands of students, staff, and community members in his position.
"Dr. Marks has provided amazing guidance to Royal Oak Schools", she said. "Our staff, our administrators, our new teachers, our mentor programs have all benefited from his advocacy, his leadership, and his guidance."
The Royal Oak Schools Community Of Excellence award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond the expected to make the vision real for our students and our community.
Dr. Marks has worked with Royal Oak Schools for many years and said that when we talk about excellence and responding, that Royal Oak "has responded and is still responding and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our schools for our students and families, and community."
"That is to me commitment," he said, "I'm going to share this (award) with you Royal Oak."