Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

October 06, 2023

Go Owls!  We hope to see everyone at the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night and at the game today!

• Homecoming Dance

• PSAT & Practice Digital PSAT  

• 9th Grade Trip

• Pink Out Shirts

• Senior Pin and Junior Ring Ceremony

• XC Results

• Check out procedures- updated email link

• Campus policy

HOMECOMING DANCE: The homecoming dance is Saturday, October 7 in the MAC on campus from 7:00-10:00 pm. Non-Oakridge students need to have a guest form to attend.  The guest forms are in the Upper School office. The cost of the dance is $15.00. You may pay online here or pay in the US office.  Join the fun where “Everyone knows your name!” Dances are a great time to spend with friends and meet new ones. Many students have a date, but many more come alone or with a group of friends.  Don’t miss this opportunity.  For our students’ safety, if a student needs to leave prior to 9:30pm Mr. Andersen needs to speak with a parent prior to departure. You may pay at the door on Saturday.

PSAT: Beginning this year, the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT are only given in digital format. On Wednesday, October 11 grades 9-11 take the PSAT.  Seniors who registered take the SAT.  If a senior is not taking the PSAT they do not need to arrive to school until 12:00.  The rest of the day is designed to let everyone decompress.  We will have pizza lunch provided and have our annual dodgeball tournament.

FRESHMAN CLASS TRIP: We are excited to spend off-campus time together with our wonderful 9th graders! Please note we will spend November 13-16 for terrific team building and relationship-building time at The Outdoor School in Marble Falls. The detailed trip letter is accessed here. The shared stories/experiences and time spent together yield benefits for years to come.  Contact Mr. Andersen immediately if there is an unavoidable conflict.  We are happy to work with you.

Pink Out Shirts: The Owl Spirit Store has pink out shirts available for purchase. 

Ring and Pin Ceremony:  On Tuesday, October 24 all seniors will receive their Oakridge pin.  Juniors who ordered rings through Jostens have them delivered to the school.  If a junior has a ring to present not ordered through Jostens, please bring it to the Upper School office no later than Friday, October 20. 

XC Results: The upper school cross country team competed in the SCS II Invitational Meet last Saturday.  Karina Wheeler placed 3rd, medaling in the top 15.  She has earned 3 medals in four races so far this year.  Rocco Guevara placed 17th and Dhilan Rohatgi placed 19th.  Ryan Romo set a personal best in this race as well.  They finished in the top 20, just missing the top 15 medal.  The rest of the squad ran a great race.  Way to go Owls!

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 October Calendar:

The  Upper School Team