Ashley Read '05, Head of Early Childhood

January 12, 2024

  

Dear Families,

Our thought of the week was “We appreciate each other.” Students practiced having an attitude of gratitude through our words by saying thank you to others and using kind manners. According to the Children’s Bureau, “those who are raised knowing how to feel and express gratitude are far more likely to grow up to be well-rounded individuals, with a greater level of self-efficacy and interpersonal skills.” 

On Tuesday, ECC students enjoyed “Preview Day” when they traveled to the next grade level, visited classrooms, learned about exciting lessons to come and met new teachers. Although it can be scary to meet new people, our fabulous students were so eager and joyful as they visited. 

On Tuesday, we welcomed a good sized crowd for our monthly ECC 1st Tuesday. After discussing the ECC Calendar events, Courtney Guhl Huckabay from Terra Therapies joined us and presented on “The Neurobiology of Little Brains: Breaking the Big Emotion Cycle.” Mrs. Novo (our school counselor) has an exciting “Wellness Wise” Parenting Series line up ahead.  Be sure to mark your calendars for future parent education pieces. See flyer below. 

Oakridge Book Fair, “Oakridge Ocean, Explore a Sea of Books,” January 22 - 27: The Book Fair is sponsored by The Oakridge Parents’ Club (OPC) each January. This event allows all of our students and families to purchase books, which in turn, raises funds for the library. All of the proceeds raised during the fair go directly to our school library in the form of new books and funds to purchase things like new furniture and take-home kit supplies. Oakridge is honored to be one of just a few schools to host a Signature Fair, which is Scholastic’s largest fair. We have books for EVERY age, from toddlers to adults. To make this event a success, volunteers are needed. Click here for more Book Fair information including signing up as a volunteer. 

MLK Day of Service, January 15, 9:00 a.m. - “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the spirit of Dr. King’s words, The Oakridge School invites you to join us for the MLK Day of Service at Mission Arlington-Mission Metroplex on Monday, January 15, at 9:00 am. Please complete the registration form at www.arlingtonmlk.com and list The Oakridge School in the organization box. If you have any questions, please reach out to me at abenjamin@theoakridgeschool.org or 817-451-4994 x2711.

Please join us on Monday as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His powerful words continue to inspire, teach, and shape us to this day. 

College Colloquium is College Advising's signature event, bringing college admission vice presidents and deans to Oakridge to share their insight with our faculty, parents, and students. With the rapidly changing higher education landscape, College Colloquium is an important opportunity to update our families on the admission process and to connect one-on-one with selective colleges and universities. This year's program will be Thursday, January 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the John P. Flavin Fine Arts Center. All parents are welcome to attend.

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.”

Ashley Read, Oakridge Class of 2005
Head of Early Childhood