Britt Robinson, Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, Head of Middle School clone

March 3, 2023

The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled. – Plutarch

Every day I witness the magical dynamic between student and teacher. Of course, it’s not in every lesson, assignment, or interaction. But, somewhere circulating in this conversation are words like wonder, awe, and curiosity. Imagine having students sitting at the edge of their seats in an English class to hear the next part of the story or a quick swab of their cheek so that they can look at their own cells under the microscope in Science class, only later to retell these stories around the dinner table with the excitement as if we were still in the classroom. This has been my experience just this week. The ability to conjure student engagement and curiosity, sometimes planned and sometimes on the fly, is our Middle School teachers’ superpower. I am grateful for our faculty and students who look to not only fill minds but light the fire that will one day change the world.  

Each week, I include questions that have been asked, or that may be helpful to you in our weekly communication. In addition, if you have a question that you feel might be helpful for other parents in the Middle School that you would like considered for our weekly communication, please email your questions to me at brobinson@theoakridgeschool.org

1. Can my child participate in Middle School Cheer or Upper School Cheer next year? 

If your child is a current sixth or seventh grader and is interested in cheering next year, there is a sign-up sheet at Mrs. Wetzel’s desk. Students who cheered last year and want to continue must also sign the list. The deadline is March 8.

Current eighth graders who would like to cheer in Upper School next year will be allowed to participate in cheer and another fall sport. Any eighth grader who wants to cheer should sign up soon. The sign-up sheet is on Nurse Kim’s office door.

2. What are the dates of Spring Break?

Oakridge will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, March 13 - Monday, March 20. Students will return for ‘A’ day classes on Tuesday, March 21. Please note that next Friday, March 10, is a regular ‘A’ and non-uniform Spirit dress day.
 

3. My child has misplaced his belongings. What can we do? 

The Middle School Lost and Found is overflowing with water bottles, books, jackets, lunchboxes, and more. Please remind your child to stop by to claim their lost items. 
 

4. What are the appropriate pickup locations for my child? 

There are a few pickup locations after school. The 7th and 8th grade students are picked up in their current athletic locations (unless raining or early out, tennis and track are picked up across the street). The 5th and 6th grade students are picked up at the MAC Porch in the back of the school. Please refrain from picking up in the East faculty parking lot on the side of the school. It is difficult to supervise students getting into cars and walking across the parking lot on the side of the building.

As always, please email me if you have additional questions.

Kind regards,

Britt

Britt Robinson
Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning
Head of Middle School