Tamika Dees, Head of Middle School

January 19, 2024

Greetings, Middle School Families, 

Although the temperatures are frigid outside, we are excited and looking forward to the Spring semester. This Friday our 8th grade students had the opportunity to attend Play Academy at the Main Event. 

Play Academy is an accredited STEM curriculum that combines academics with games that kids love to play. Students learned about the scientific method through bowling. This lesson covered variables, making a hypothesis, and recording data. Newton’s First Law of Motion and Probability was demonstrated via air hockey and a number of other games. While playing laser tag, students learned about mirrors and light refraction. However, a STEM lesson would not be complete without math. During this event, students also observed how percentages and fractions related to pizza and pizza toppings. In middle school, we are firm believers that learning must incorporate FUN!

This week we also had the honor of hosting our current fourth graders at the annual Move-Up Social. Our upcoming middle schoolers were so poised in their professional attire and had the opportunity to meet their teachers and participate in a scavenger hunt. We are truly grateful to partner with this group of amazing parents and can’t wait to see our little caterpillars develop into beautiful butterflies. 

 

 

As a reminder, our eighth-grade students will have the opportunity to attend their Move-Up Social and meet the Upper School faculty at the Lake House at Lake Arlington on Monday, January 22, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Families should RSVP to Mrs. Wetzel. 

Please stay tuned in for events, information on class trips, and parent seminars that will be happening in the upcoming months. 

With profound gratitude,

Tamika R. Dees

 

On January 9, all students across campus enjoyed our first Preview Day! Each student visited their rising grade level and experienced the exciting things next year will bring for them. If you have any questions about re-enrollment please contact the Admissions Office, awilson@theoakridgeschool.org.

 

 

January Food4Life Menu

 

 

Oakridge Book Fair Information: 

• Place: The Oakridge School Library 
• Dates: January 22-27 
• Times: Monday - Thursday - 7:30am- 4:00pm
• Friday (early dismissal) - 7:30am-12:00pm
• Saturday - 9:00am-12:00pm 
• www.theoakridgeschool.org/bookfair 

 

College Colloquium Information: 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 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 are now open! Don't miss your chance to take the stage and claim your spotlight! Apply here