Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

 

January 5, 2024

Owl Family,

• 1st Semester Grade Reports

• SAT and ACT Dates for Juniors

• Class Picture Day

• Optimist Club Essay Contest

• Oratorical Showcase

• Advisory Day Schedule Change 

• Check out procedures

• Campus policy

• Admission Showcase- Sunday, January 7 - please invite families to our Admissions Showcase this Sunday.

• Jam the Gym - January 9- Come and “Jam the Gym” against Cistercian at 6:00 p.m. 

 

1st Semester Grade Reports: The grade reports for the first semester can be accessed through your Parent Portal on My Backpack.  You will see your child’s 1st 9-week, 2nd 9-week, semester exam grade (if applicable) and the 1st Semester grade.  The semester grade is average of the 9-week grades (75%) and the semester exam grade (25%).  The semester grade is the only one that appears on a student’s transcript and used for the cumulative grade point average.  Credit is earned on a yearly basis with the course receiving credit for an average of the two semesters of a C- or higher.  This is an ideal time to discuss your child’s grades and set goals for the second semester.

SAT and ACT dates for Juniors: We will offer the SAT on Tuesday, March 5 (A day) and the ACT on Tuesday, March 26 (B day). The registration is open and will close on Wednesday, January 10.

Class Picture Day: Wednesday, January 10. Please help make sure all students are present by 9 a.m. when the photographer will begin. Seniors, you must come to school by 9:00 AM this day and not arrive late even with study hall privileges. 

Optimist Club Essay Contest:  Every year the Optimist Club sponsors an essay writing contest.  Oakridge students have done quite well with this in the past.  Please consider submitting an original essay!  This year’s prompt is “Optimism: How It Connects Us.” Optimist Club Essay Contest  Essay Application

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 open next week! Don't miss your chance to take the stage and claim your spotlight! Stay tuned for the link!

Advisory Day Schedule Change: The advisory day for the spring semester is changing to Wednesdays instead of Tuesday.  However, next week Upper School will have an advisory schedule for both Tuesday and Wednesday as we transition.

Checkout Procedures: Anytime a student needs to leave campus early, a parent must email Mrs. Blake to let the US office know. Once the office knows, the teachers are notified, and then the student can be dismissed from the class without disrupting the teacher and be on time for their checkout. It is best practice to give 24 hours notice. Giving less than an hour notice may result in classroom disruption and delayed dismissal. 

Campus Policy: Parents, please support us with our updated security policies. All students and families must have a car tag on their rearview mirror; deliveries from outside vendors are not allowed; parents may deliver to the Admissions office and text their child to pick up delivery from the main office as soon as possible. Parents may check into the main office and then proceed to any appointments scheduled on campus. We are a closed campus. This means students may not leave for study hall and return, nor may they leave for lunch and return. If they leave campus, it must be with prior parental notification. Appointments should be accompanied by a note to return to school, ensuring the absence is excused.

 

 

Admission Showcase: This Sunday, January 7, we will host our Oakridge Admission Showcase. This event is not just for prospective families, but also an opportunity for current families to have one-on-one conversations with Division Heads, connect with other families, and preview the next grade level or division. We hope that you are able to take advantage of this special event for a sneak peek of all of the wonderful things that are happening at Oakridge in the upcoming school year.

 

Jam the Gym: January 9- Come and “Jam the Gym” against Cistercian at 6:00 p.m.