Sarah Schecter, Head of Lower School

January 5, 2024

Dear Lower School Parents,

It was good to welcome everyone back to school yesterday. Even though the weather was cold, the smiles were warm and it was good to be together again. Students were happy to see their friends and teachers. There were many joyful reunions, even though we’ve only been apart a couple of weeks.   

We are starting off the semester with quite a few school-wide events. This Sunday, January 7, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. we will showcase Oakridge with our first admissions event of the year. We would love for you to bring friends, neighbors, or relatives to Discover the Oakridge Difference. It is also a great time to rewind, reconnect, and reignite the spark that brought you to Oakridge. Remember the first time you toured campus? Whether it was a year ago or many years ago, there are always new things to see and learn. Join us for a joyful afternoon filled with laughter, learning, and a renewed appreciation for all the reasons you chose Oakridge for your family. You'll be able to visit our vibrant classrooms, watch performances, and be engaged in innovative experiences. Visit with coaches and let your kids participate in soccer and basketball shoot-arounds in the SAC. Enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate, reconnect with familiar faces, meet future teachers, talk to student leaders and explore exciting new opportunities that will continue to inspire your child's growth. All are welcome to attend Sunday’s event.

Tuesday, January 9, is Preview Day. This is the day our students get to experience a taste of the next grade level. The children love visiting classrooms, getting to know next year’s teachers and hearing some of the exciting plans for the next school year. If you can avoid an absence Tuesday between 8:30 – 9:30, that would be ideal. In addition, Lower School parents are invited to attend ECC First Tuesday for special speakers this semester (see flyer below). We hope these sessions will be helpful to your family.

Also on Tuesday, we have Jam the Gym at 6:00 p.m. All families are invited to come support our basketball team and enjoy some fun half-time activities. Admission is free and our concession stand will be serving up Chick-fil-A. It promises to be an exciting evening!

College shirt day is Friday, January 26. Make sure that t-shirt or sweatshirt is ready to go.

Calling all student voices! The DEIB Faculty/Staff committee proudly presents the first annual Oratorical Showcase, February 28. All students are invited to express themselves with a speech, poem, song, or prose on the theme of community, culture, and celebration. Applications open next week. Stay tuned for the link!

Stay warm,

Sarah Schecter