Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

March 29, 2024

There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye. There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.

– William Cullen Bryant

Owl Family,

• Junior College Trip April 1 

• Cap & Gown

• Mu Alpha Theta Induction Ceremony

• Upper School Field Day 

• Tennis Results 

• Track & Field Results 

• Solar Eclipse April 8th 

• Check out procedures

• Campus policy

JUNIOR COLLEGE TRIP APRIL 1: We are excited to take our Juniors on a college trip this year! As mentioned in our individual family conferences, we will visit Texas A&M University and Southwestern University on Monday, April 1. Here is the schedule for the day. The bus departs at 6:00a.m.  All students should arrive by 5:45a.m. 

CAP & GOWN: Seniors picked up their cap and gown orders on Wednesday. Please check with your child to make sure they received theirs. 

MU ALPHA THETA INDUCTION CEREMONY: Our math honor society inducted 9 new members into this prestigious organization on Wednesday.  In addition, the senior members of Mu Alpha Theta were presented with their honor cords.  Congratulations and thank you to the Oakridge society’s sponsor Mrs. Hartsell.

UPPER SCHOOL FIELD DAY: The Upper School celebrated its first ever field day on Wednesday.  Multi-grade advisories were split into four teams; red, blue, green, and purple while competing in cup-stacking, puzzle solving, fast math, 40-yard dash, relay races and other events.  Thank you to our Student Council for organizing and implementing this fun “throwback” event!

TENNIS RESULTS: The upper school varsity tennis team competed in the St. Stephens Invitational Tennis Tournament in Austin this past Friday & Saturday.  The Owls played some great tennis.  

     *Cole O'Leary made it to the main draw quarter-finals at #1 boys singles.

     *Austin Jones made it to the consolation quarter-finals at #2 boys singles.

     *Jay Puri & Arthur Jin made it to the main draw quarter-finals at #1 boys doubles.

     *Eva Kovachev made it to the main draw semi-finals at #1 girls singles.

     *Sienna McBrayer & Simran Singhal made it to the consolation quarter-finals at #2 girls doubles.

TRACK & FIELD RESULTS: Came back a little early after spring break and attacked a stacked 5A-6A UIL meet at Brewer HS in the chilly, damp wind Friday and Sat.  We held our own, and realized that we can compete with anyone!

*We had 20 Personal Bests /Seasonal Bests

**We had (6) additional /improvement SPC Championship qualifying standards.

Some highlights were Tiffany Tu running a PR in the G 1600m and Addison Adams qualifying AND PR'ing in the G400. Karina Wheeler ran her best tactical race of the season in the 1600

Dylan Lamphere fought hard again qualifying and PR'ing as our #1 weekend sprinter in the 100.  Ashton Brody is back to his usual form with two seasonal bests and dual qualifying standards in the 100 & 200.  Jasiahn Sexton, Cole Gary, Ronald Leaks, and Landon Barret all had seasonal bests and/or PR's in the 100 & 200.  Caden Nobles did the same in the 100 & 400.

Deven Rohatgi and Zaiden both ran personal records in the 400.

Dhilan Rohatgi ran a PR in the 1600 at 5:21.  

But the big day went to the 'Hurdlers' : Will Lemonds, Dylan Goodrich, and Cole Worthington.

Cole was 3rd overall and ran a PR of 16.28.  Will & Dylan ran PRs in the 110 hurdles with Will qualifying for SPC  and PR'ing in the 300H as well.

On the Field-Event side Tank Thomas continued his dominance once again by winning the shot put with a seasonal best of 54'1 and Chasen Blevins made a move by PR'ing in the shot put as well.

SOLAR ECLIPSE APRIL 8TH: The Upper School is excited about the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8.  Science classes will have a special mini lesson, an Oakridge alumnus, Ryan Haygood ‘00,  who is an astronomer and physicist will give a presentation and answer questions on April 3, and we have glasses for our students to view the eclipse safely during their lunch period.  

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 April Calendar

The  Upper School Team