Royal Oak Schools

Kimberly Martin, Ph.D., Diversity Equity & Inclusion Coordinator At Royal Oak Schools Presents, Dr. Kim's Corner.

Welcome back, Royal Oak families! I don’t know about you, but I am excited for the 2023-2024 school year. We have many new staff who are raring to go and returning veterans ready to welcome all the new faces. I personally love Fall….especially when the football games come on! September marks the beginning of several cultural celebrations. Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, will be celebrated this year from September 15-17. Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s highest holidays. Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year” or first of the year. The festival begins in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, usually in September or October. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world, and marks the beginning of the “Days of Awe,” a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that ends on the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement.

Resources for Rosh Hashanah

Mexican Independence Day is September 16, which marks the start of Hispanic-American Heritage Month. Mexicans around the globe celebrate the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic-American champions who have inspired others to succeed. Hispanic Heritage Month, or Mexican-American Heritage Month, runs from September 15 to October 15.

National Hispanic Month Resources

Check out these Hispanic Heritage Month activities for kids with this link.

Remember, as Winston Churchill once said, "Success is not final, and failure is not fatal. Forward progress and continuous improvement is the goal!"

Here’s to a most productive year!

Dr. Kim Martin

Dr. Kim

GET TO KNOW DR. KIM!

Here she will promote understanding and share dialogue and events centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion in and around our district.

CONTACT DEI COORDINATOR:

Kim Martin

FOLLOW HER ON
TWITTER: @DRKIMMARTINDEI

PARENT UNIVERSITY:

Are you wondering how to talk to your kids about race? Did you know that CRT can actually mean one or two trains of thought?

Regardless of your answer, or if you just want to find out more - then Parent University is for you!

"Our Parent University program offers a variety of topics each month, designed to keep you informed and up to date on current topics and issues in K-12 education and in your child's district," said Dr. Kim Martin, DEI Coordinator for Royal Oak Schools. "Realizing that there are many definitions of parent and guardians of our children, our unique Parent U program provides parents and guardians an opportunity to participate in their child's education."

The first session in October 2021 focused on how to talk to your kids about race.

"The district's goal to be inclusive, affording a safe and welcoming environment for all
students, includes collaborating with our entire community," said Mary Beth
Fitzpatrick, Superintendent. "We are excited to launch Parent U - an opportunity for all
of us to learn and grow together in Royal Oak Schools."

If you missed this virtual session on October 25, with guest presenter, Dr. Jay Marks, Diversity and Equity Consultant for Oakland Schools, you can watch it here.

If you missed the December virtual session on Social and Emotional Learning with guest speaker Margaret Schultz, you can see it here with this link.