Ashley Read '05, Head of Early Childhood

January 5, 2024

  

Dear Families,

We were so excited to “welcome each other back” on Thursday following a much-deserved Winter Break. Whether you spent time with family, traveled, or set goals for the new year, we hope you had an enjoyable break.

As we welcome 2024, I came across a quote that deeply resonated with me as a mother to two young girls: “As a parent, each year I watch my children grow a little older and a little wiser, yet my new year wish for them always remains the same: I wish they live a life full of happiness, good health, and that they always have the courage to follow their dreams.” I echo these sentiments. At Oakridge, our mission remains “to inspire students to seek their full potential.” Striving to reach your full potential requires cultivating courage. In the ECC, we provide numerous opportunities for our students to grow and experience challenges, fostering courage within themselves. We believe that by instilling courage in our students, they will fearlessly pursue their full potential across various realms such as the arts, athletics, and academics as they continue on their Oakridge journey through the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. 

Admission Showcase, January 7, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Join us! Rewind, reconnect, and reignite the spark that brought you to Oakridge! Imagine stepping back in time to when you first toured campus. Whether it was a year ago or 13 years ago, we invite you and your family to take another look. Join us for a joyful afternoon filled with laughter, learning, and a renewed appreciation for all the reasons you chose Oakridge for your child's education. You'll be able to revisit our vibrant classrooms, watch performances, and see engaging, innovative experiences in the fine arts, as well as learn more about our athletics as you visit with coaches and participate in fun soccer and basketball shoot-arounds in the Student Activity Center (SAC). Grab a coffee or hot chocolate, reconnect with familiar faces, meet future teachers, and explore exciting new opportunities that will continue to inspire your child's growth.

1st Tuesday, January 9, 8:15 a.m., ECC Quinn Big Room: We invite you to join us on Tuesday for our monthly “ECC 1st Tuesday Chat.” Following a brief ECC Calendar Chat, Courtney Guhl Huckabay from Terra Therapies will be joining us to present on “The Neurobiology of Little Brains: Breaking the Big Emotion Cycle.” 

Preview Day, January 9: Each year, students travel to the next grade level and spend time with the teachers in that grade level to preview what is to come. We are excited that on the morning of January 9, Preschool students will spend time visiting the Pre-K classrooms and teachers, Pre-K students will head to the Quinn building to learn about the Kindergarten experience, and Kindergarten students will jump on the bus and travel to the “Big School” to meet with the 1st grade team. We can't wait for your student to come home that evening and share with you what is ahead of them in their Oakridge journey. 

Oratorical Showcase: Calling all student voices! The Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Faculty/Staff Committee proudly presents the first annual Oratorical Showcase. Express yourself through speech, poem, song, or prose on the themes of community, culture, and celebration. Applications open next week! Don't miss your chance to take the stage and claim your spotlight! Stay tuned for the link.

Wishing each of you and your families a year filled with “happiness, good health and the courage to follow your dreams.”

Sincerely,

Ashley Read, Oakridge Class of 2005
Head of Early Childhood