Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

 

December 15, 2023

Owl Family,

Best wishes from the Upper School for a safe and restful holiday season! First semester grades post on Friday, January 5.

• Winter Break 

• SAT and ACT Dates for Juniors

• Optimist Club Essay Contest 

• Spreading Holiday Cheer: Student Servant Leadership

• Check out procedures

• Campus policy

• Admission Showcase: Sunday, January 7 

Winter Break: The Oakridge School will be on Winter Break, December 18 through January 3. Students will resume classes on Thursday, January 4. It will be an A-Day.

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.

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

Spreading Holiday Cheer: This week our boys basketball team spent 3 hours volunteering their time at the "North Pole", delivering toys to families in need.  They partnered with Grand Prairie Santa Cop, and the team were some amazing "Elves", as they brought a smile to so many children's faces!

 

The Key Club visited Rankin Elementary to share holiday joy. The students visit with four kindergarten classes before Thanksgiving Break and deliver their “Santa” lists to the students before Winter Break.  Thank you to Key Club and its sponsors Mrs. Knott and Mrs. Bonner!

 

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: Sunday, January 7

 

 

The  Upper School Team

 

Please note the dates for the US January Calendar: