Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

February 23, 2024

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.

—Mark Twain

Owl Family,

• Upper School Speaker

• Support our Cinderella Candidates- Non-uniform dress for $20.00 on Thursday, March 7

• 1984 Colloquium

• Prevent The Spread of Illness  

• Oratorical Showcase

• Athletic Team and Individual Pictures

• Check out procedures

• Campus policy

UPPER SCHOOL SPEAKER: The Upper School was treated to hear the inspiring story of Haley Taylor Schiltz on Wednesday. She made national news in May 2022 because she is the youngest African American woman to graduate from law school (SMU School of Law) in the United States. Haley's story is one of dedication, perseverance, advocacy, and encouragement. Haley graduated high school at 13 years old and went to Texas Women's University for her undergraduate degree. Throughout her time at Texas Women's and SMU Law School, she had a strong commitment to leadership and public service working with the Student Senate and Project's Global Youth Advisory Council, serving as a delegate in the Texas and National Democrat Conventions, and selected as a national editor for the American Bar Association Student Division. You can read more about Haley on her website here. Haley is currently taking an "impact year" teaching 5th grade US History in Fort Worth ISD. Special thanks to our Black Student Association for organizing this event. 

CINDERELLA FREE DRESS DAY: Consider supporting our three Cinderella candidates by purchasing a non-uniform dress day for $20.00.  Nadia Saleh, Natalie Shepardson, and Simran Singhal are participating this year to raise money for the Boys and Girls Clubs.  All proceeds will be divided equally between the three candidates.  You may purchase the non-uniform day here.

1984 COLLOQUIUM: On Wednesday, five seniors represented Oakridge at the 10th annual Interscholastic Colloquium held at Jesuit Dallas, with Landon, Jessica, Prapti, and Julie presenting papers. Each senior grappled with ideas from 1984 by George Orwell and did so beautifully. Good job, seniors!

 

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS: In order to prevent the spread of illness, it is important to keep your child home when sick. If your child has any of the following influenza-like symptoms, please contact Nurse Kim for further guidance before sending your child to school. 

• Fever of 100.4° F or more

• Headache

• Sore Throat

• Chills

• Cough

• Tiredness

• Achy Body

• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea                                             

If your child has any of these symptoms when it is time for school, it is best that they stay home. Students who have vomited may not return to school until they have been emesis free for 24 hours. Students who have diarrhea may not return to school until they have been diarrhea free for 24 hours. Thank you for helping us keep your child and everyone else as well as possible.

ATHLETIC TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL PICTURES:  It is not too late to purchase any pictures. 

Please take a minute and order all your favorite pics. Click here to view all the Fall and Winter teams. Let us know if you have any questions.

CHECKOUT PROCEDURES: Anytime a student needs to leave campus early a parent must email Ms. Halbert- Blake to let the US office know. Once the office knows, the teachers are notified and then the student can dismiss 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 in 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 as this ensures the absence is excused.

Please note the dates for the US February Calendar

The  Upper School Tea