Matt Burgy, Head of School

August 28, 2026

Dear Oakridge Family,

One of the things I love most about the opening weeks of school is the energy across campus. Students are excited to reconnect with friends, meet teachers, join teams, begin classes, and find their place in the year ahead. And yet, human nature has a way of pulling our attention toward what went wrong instead of what went right. That is why I have long believed in a simple practice I call “three good things.” Instead of asking your child, “How was your day?” try asking, “Tell me three good things about your day.” It is a small shift, but an important one. It teaches us to look for the good; a teacher who encouraged us, a classmate who made us laugh, a challenge we overcame, or simply a moment when we felt like we belonged.

I think that same mindset can help us practice One Oakridge. When we intentionally look for the good, we notice one another. We celebrate one another. And we become more aware of the countless people and moments that make this community special.

Tonight at 7PM, we get a wonderful opportunity to put that into practice as our defending SPC Champion football team opens its season at home against a team that traveled nearly 3,700 miles to play us, Damien Memorial High School from Honolulu, Hawaii. Of course, we will cheer loudly for our Owls. But let’s also show our guests what One Oakridge means. Let’s welcome them with some genuine Texas hospitality, celebrate the opportunity to compete, and show them the warmth and community that define our school.

Perhaps, when tonight is over, we will have helped create a few of someone else’s three good things.

That is One Oakridge.

Warmly,

Matt Burgy
Head of School