Dr. Sarah Schecter, Head of Lower School

August 7, 2026

Dear Lower School Parents,

We will be so glad to have our students back in less than two weeks. In addition, we have twenty four new students in Lower School. As you see new families and faces, please extend a warm Oakridge welcome!

Back-to-School Bash, August 15, 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Please join us Saturday, August 15, at 9:00 a.m. for the Lower School Teacher Meet and Greet and our Oakridge Back-to-School Bash. From 9:00 - 9:45 a.m., students will spend time visiting their classrooms and meeting their teachers and classmates. Parents, this is a wonderful opportunity to mingle with other Oakridge families. At 9:45 a.m., families and teachers will move to activities in the Quad and SAC (Student Activity Center).

LS Parent Information Night, August 20, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at Parent Information Night, Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. We will begin in the Fine Arts Performance Hall and will then be dismissed to classrooms. Attending this event is the best way to get the school year off to a great start.

1st Days of School Notes:

• You are welcome to walk your child to class on the first day of school.
• Make sure your child knows the afternoon pick up plans (i.e., carpool, Owls’ Nest, bus).
• Click here to download and print a "First Day of School” sign. Snap a photo of your child on his/her first day of school, and don’t forget to tag Oakridge if you post it on social media.

What is the parent portal?

The parent portal contains many links you will need on a regular basis, including:

• Lunch Account (Yay Lunch!)
• All school calendar
• All messages sent from the school
• Magnus Health - All students must be 100% Magnus compliant before the first day of school
• Absence or Transportation Change form
• Faculty, Staff and Student Directory
• Billing and statements

When will we hear from our child’s homeroom teacher?

Next week you will receive an email from your child’s homeroom teacher. We know you are all looking forward to hearing this news! In the event that you do not receive an email, please contact Lower School on August 14. 

What about school supplies?

Many of you ordered school supplies from the Oakridge Parents’ Club, and those will be delivered to your child’s classroom. If you did not, please bring supplies to the Back-to-School Bash, August 15. That will make the first day of school a bit easier.

When and where is Carpool?

• Arrival - School begins at 7:50 a.m. Drop off is on the MAC porch for all Lower School students. You may drop off as early as 7:30 a.m. At 7:50, the doors will be locked, and you will need to park in visitor parking near the flagpoles, walk your child across the Quad and come inside to sign them in at the Lower School office.
• Dismissal - Lower School dismissal is at 2:50 p.m. In Lower School, older siblings are picked up with their youngest sibling’s class.
  • 1st & 4th grades dismiss from the MAC porch
  • 2nd & 3rd grades dismiss from the flagpoles

What are the uniform guidelines for this school year?

• Monday through Thursday, students should continue to wear their typical uniforms. When it comes to outerwear worn in the buildings (sweatshirts, fleeces, vests, etc.), students must wear approved outerwear from FlynnO'Hara or the Oakridge Spirit Store (Owls' Landing). As a reminder, Oakridge students are not permitted to wear hooded sweatshirts Monday through Thursday, though hoodies are allowed on Friday Spirit Dress Days. The rationale for these changes is that we are working to elevate our brand and streamline our uniform appearance.
• We are excited to share that LS students can enjoy Spirit Day on Fridays, when they are invited to wear Oakridge gear purchased from Owls' Landing (such as hoodies and other items), FlynnO'Hara, as well as Oakridge t-shirts from the current or past years. Students should wear Oakridge uniform bottoms (shorts, pants, skirts, skorts) on Spirit Days with tennis shoes.

Lower School Contact Information:
Sarah Schecter, Head of Lower School
sschecter@theoakridgeschool.org
817-451-4994, ext. 2720

Melanie Butts, Administrative Assistant
mbutts@theoakridgeschool.org
817-563-9719, direct

We look forward to being back together again.

See you soon,
Sarah Schecter