Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

October 12, 2023

It has been a great two weeks in the Upper School! It was a tremendous Homecoming with spirit week, awesome themed dress days, and the Homecoming Dance. This week brought sensational displays of talent with our choir and orchestra concerts. Of course, the academic side was also busy with our PSAT 8/9, PSAT, and SAT testing on Wednesday and the completion of our first marking period. Our Student Council served a pizza lunch to decompress after testing and organized our annual dodgeball tournament. Enjoy the fall break, and remember classes resume on Tuesday, October 17.  

• 9th Grade Trip
• Pink Out Shirts
• Senior Pin and Junior Ring Ceremony
• STEM Showcase Application 
• XC Results 
• Check out procedures- updated email link
• Campus policy

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: Pink Out ‘23!  Find your theme shirt and gear at the Owl’s Landing Spirit Store, or you can order your Pink Out shirt online. Direct Link: https://the-owl-club-102610.square.site/product/pink-out-23/415

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. 

STEM Showcase Application: The 2024 STEM Showcase is now accepting applications. Complete the application here. 

XC Results: The upper school cross country team participated in the Haltom battle at the Buff Invitational Meet.  Despite the muddy conditions, our runners competed well against some elite programs.  Karina Wheeler placed 15th in the 5A-6A Varsity 5K race, and finished 15th.  She earned a medal, and broke her own school record.  Ryan Romo and Lucas Wang set new PR's for themselves in their JV 5K race.  6 of our runners posted sub-22 minute 5K race times.  3 of those runners broke the 20-minute mark.  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