Matt Burgy, Head of School


March 10, 2023

Dear Oakridge Family,

As Spring approaches and the days become longer and brighter, it's a great time to take a break and enjoy the beauty of the season. I am writing to you today to wish each and every one of you a wonderful Spring Break filled with relaxation, rejuvenation, and fun.
Whether you are planning a trip to a sunny destination, spending time with family and friends, or simply taking some time for yourself, I hope this break brings you the rest and rejuvenation you deserve.

At Oakridge, we are proud of our dedicated teachers, hardworking staff, and talented students who make our community a special place. As we move toward the end of the academic year, it's important to take some time to recharge our batteries and come back refreshed and ready to finish the year strong.

I encourage you to take advantage of this break to explore new places, try new activities, and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. And for those who prefer to relax at home, take some time to catch up on your reading, watch a movie, or simply unwind and enjoy the peace and quiet.
As always, I am grateful for your continued support and dedication to the Oakridge School community. I hope this Spring Break brings you joy, happiness, and many wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

If you've read this far, you may be blissfully unaware that "I" didn't write any of the previous statements; ChatGPT did. (If you are unaware of ChatGPT, I encourage you to look into it). It surprised me to see that I could type in "Write me a letter to The Oakridge School Family wishing them a wonderful Spring Break," that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could come up with this after only one try. The second and third iterations were even better. The state of education is changing at a frenzied pace, and staying ahead of the curve is imperative for us. We are asking ourselves many questions regarding the future of education and preparing to teach and learn in a world in which AI is making an exponential impact. Suffice it to say, the future that we have all been talking about is here now.

Tools like ChatGPT are a means to assist us in our everyday work. They are also a means to which we can "cheat" the system. Teaching our children to use these tools for the benefit of learning, rather than a substitute for it, will be the driving force behind our decisions with programs like it. I encourage you to speak with your children about using this and other technology as a means to help their work and not replace it. The minute we do that, we lose an important part of our humanity.

I look forward to seeing you all return on March 21! 

Warmly,

Matt Burgy
Head of School