ROYAL OAK — Distracted driving can include taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel, and taking your mind off driving.

ROYAL OAK — Oakland Elementary School opened on April 19, 1924, and celebrated its 100-year anniversary by having a tree-planting event April 19, 2024, to commemorate the historical importance of the site and highlight “the community’s educational heritage,” according to a press release.

NOVI — The Novi High School Visual Arts Department was recently awarded two grants, and a financial gift, to further build its popular ceramics program, which attracts approximately 250 students annually.

ROCHESTER — The fate of the Rochester Community School District’s historical administration building at 501 W. University Drive remains in limbo after the Rochester City Council announced it has decided not to pursue acquiring the structure.

ROYAL OAK — A Michigan shoe artist, Jada Henderson, was at Royal Oak Middle School April 18 to present the winner of a shoe design contest with his very own customized shoes.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Another year, another historic victory for the Dakota High School drumline.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools celebrated its Teachers of the Year April 2 for their service and commitment, including Michael Sekich, Stevenson High School band teacher, who won the titles of UCS High School Teacher of the Year, UCS Teacher of the Year and Macomb County High School Teacher of the Year.

FARMINGTON HILLS — For the first time, students in the North Farmington High School auto shop class brought their skills and services outside the district to help people have reliable vehicles.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — When St. Clair Shores Lake Shore esports is competing against an opponent, whether it be online or in-person, odds are you can find head coach Shayne Trail with a big smile on his face as he’s motivating his team.

STERLING HEIGHTS — After a multiyear hiatus, it’s finally time for a major springtime festival to come back to Parkway Christian School.

WALLED LAKE — As part of a May 7 ballot initiative, voters who reside within the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools District are in position to decide whether or not to approve an approximately $250 million bond proposal.

KEEGO HARBOR — Residents continue to persevere in their fight to save Roosevelt Elementary School, which prior to closing in 2022 was the longest continuously operating school building in Oakland County and is more than 100 years old.

ROYAL OAK — Royal Oak High School senior Sarah Barnett won second place for her work on a documentary titled “Is Ranked Choice the Right Choice?”

EASTPOINTE — With declining enrollment and underutilized school buildings, Eastpointe Community Schools officials have entered into a partnership with the strategic consulting firm Woolpert.

NOVI — A Novi teenager won the local round of the 55th annual America and Me Essay Contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, with an essay depicting his grandmother as his hero.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Johnathon Putrus Jr. has designed a sign of the times.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Who knew that potted plants could be so menacing? An evil plant tricks a nerdy, down-on-his-luck florist into doing its bidding in the dark musical comedy “Little Shop of Horrors,” being staged by Grosse Pointe South High School students.

ROSEVILLE — Runners, walkers, dogs, and everyone in between will be hitting the streets of Roseville May 11 as the city remembers one of its own in the ninth annual Roseville Community Schools Scholarship Foundation Joe Manfreda Dream Dash.

ROCHESTER — Four authors and illustrators will come to town this month for the Authors in April program. The public is invited to kick off this year’s program by participating in a free community scavenger hunt April 20-27 in downtown Rochester.

NOVI — Two brothers have the leading roles in this year’s Novi High School musical production of “Singin’ in the Rain,” with their sister helping in the wings.