Murphy said that, in the past, the Martin Luther King Jr. celebration has drawn around 300 people. Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick believes that this event is a great benefit to the school districts. “It’s an opportunity for education about the Civil Rights Movement, a way to promote volunteerism, and a way for our communities of Royal Oak, Berkeley and now Clawson Schools to come together for a day of service and reflection,” she said. Berkley School District Superintendent Scott Francis stated in an email that “A Day On, Not a Day Off” is a small way for the districts to come together and honor King’s work. “We are all committed to keeping diversity, equity and inclusion at the forefront of our schools to create an environment where all staff, students and community members feel a sense of belonging,” he said. “The greater community can all honor Dr. King by joining us and doing the same.” This is the seventh year for “A Day On, Not a Day Off” from Berkley and Royal Oak, and the first to include Clawson, which previously held its own event to honor King. Clawson Public Schools Superintendent Billy Shellenbarger said Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about serving others, and the event is an opportunity to take initiative and serve others. “The opportunity to join forces with two other great districts with great staffs and fantastic leadership, that just will make it even stronger and send an even stronger, more impactful message in southeast Oakland County,” he said. For more information on the event, visit royaloakschools.org/whats_new/a_day_of_service_2024.

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