Royal Oak Schools Super Intendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick

Today, Lisa, Trish, and Jon sit down with Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick for a wide-ranging conversation.  Right now, the district is enrolling kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Trish asks about the district's developmental kindergarten program, providing an extra year of instruction for students before formal kindergarten.   And Lisa asks about some of the adult programs the district offers, through  the Churchill Community High School Program.  This offers programs for adults who didn't finish high school, or for new Americans who may have held degrees in other countries but need to learn English and get established here.

 

We also touch on the district's strategic long-range planning.  This was born out of everything from COVID to recent school violence.   Mary Beth has made it a  point to meet with all stakeholders in the community, not just parents, for their input.  The long term plan deals with the district's finances and physical resources, and of course addressing staff shortages among teachers and support staff.

 

We also spend some time reflecting on the pandemic, and how challenging it was for educators.  Mary Beth is quick to credit her teachers and support staff for rising to the challenge at every turn since March of 2020 - from pivoting to virtual and hybrid instruction to being excited to welcome students back in person.  Covid taught some lessons too.  With the proliferation of Zoom, for example. parent-teacher conferences no longer have to be sitting in hallways for long stretches in chairs built for your kids.   The district is also working to bring back the free meals they were able to provide when needed.

 

The Royal Oak School District is an important partner of the Chamber, and Mary Beth addresses the cooperation of local businesses with her school district.

 

And we close by learning a little bit about Mary Beth herself, a Disney buff, and avid fan of road trips and travelling.  She tells us about some of her upcoming trips out West.

 

To reach Mary Beth Fitzpatrick and the Royal Oak School District, visit https://www.royaloakschools.org/

or call her office at 248-435-8400.

 

Connect with our hosts:

Trish Carruth from The Personal Jeweler - https://www.thepersonaljeweler.com/

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Keller Williams - http://soldbylisab.com/

Learn more about the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce: https://www.royaloakchamber.com/

Connect with our hosts:

Jon Gay from JAG in Detroit Podcasts - http://www.jagindetroit.com/

Lisa Bibbee from Keller Williams - http://soldbylisab.com/