Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

October 4, 2024

It always seems impossible until it’s done. -Nelson Mandela

In this email, you will find information about the following:

• Progress Report 1.2

• Ring and Pin Ceremony 

• Senior Cap and Gown 

• Parent Teacher Conference Day- October 25

• Checkout Procedure 

• Homecoming - Homecoming Dance

• US Trips 

• PSAT 8/9-PSAT-SAT- Dodgeball Day

PROGRESS REPORT 1.2: The 1.2 progress report is available on your parent and student portal. The closing date for Report 1 is next Thursday, October 10. This progress report is a timely opportunity to discuss grades with your child and to finish the first grading period strongly. As a reminder, we have Fall Break beginning October 11.  Classes resume Tuesday, October 15.

RING AND PIN CEREMONY: On Monday, October 7, all seniors will receive their Oakridge pin. Juniors who ordered rings through Jostens will have them delivered to the school. If a junior has a ring to present that was not ordered through Jostens, please bring it to the Upper School office no later than Friday, October 4. Parents are encouraged to attend. The ceremony begins at 1:20 in the Fine Arts Performance Hall. The dress for those participating (all seniors and juniors receiving rings) is dressy.  Jackets and ties for the males and appropriate dresses for the females. Juniors not receiving rings have the option to be in dressy clothes also.

CAP AND GOWN ORDER: Our Jostens representative met with the seniors on Monday during lunch. He presented the Cap and Gown packet that should have come home with your child. Jostens will take your announcements and cap and gown orders on campus on Tuesday, October 8. You will need to bring your first payment to place your order. Extra packets are in the Upper School office if you need one. If you have not yet purchased your class ring, you can order yours at this time as well. Design your ring at www.jostens.com, print your order form, and bring it with your other forms. The Cap and Gown are mandatory for graduation. All other purchases are optional.

PARENT CONFERENCE DAY: Parent Conference Day in the Library is Friday, October 25. No classes are scheduled that day, so teachers are available to visit with you. You may schedule your appointment(s) here. If no slots are available to meet with a teacher, we are happy to schedule alternative times.

HOMECOMING: Homecoming week is October 15-18. Game day is Friday, October 18. The homecoming dance is Saturday, October 19, in the MAC on campus from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. Any non-Oakridge student needs to have a guest form to attend. The guest forms are in the Upper School office. The dance is for students in the 9th grade or older.

HOMECOMING DRESS AND SPIRIT DAYS  Show your spirit during this special week by dressing in the theme of the day.  All dress must adhere to our non-uniform dress expectations in the handbook. Students may choose to wear their uniforms. 

• Tuesday- Super Mario Day- come dressed as a character from Mario
• Wednesday- Tetris Day- Wear the color t-shirt for your grade 
• 9th Grade- Blue
• 10th Grade- Green
• 11th Grade- Yellow
• 12th Grade- Red 
• Thursday- Wii Sports Day- Wear your favorite sports jersey or t-shirt
• Friday- HOMECOMING- Wear your homecoming shirt or Oakridge spirit wear

US School Trips

9th - An amazing 4-night/5-day trip to Big Bend and Carlsbad Caverns! Click HERE for details and to register.

Orchestra - A 3-night/4-day trip: Disney World Orchestra Adventure! Click HERE for details and to register. 

PSAT 8/9- PSAT-SAT-DODGEBALL: On Wednesday Upper School (Our 8th grade joined us) took their PSAT and SAT exams in the morning. After testing, decompressing was the goal.  Pizza Lunch and our annual Dodgeball tournament were a great way to accomplish this. Teams sported great costumes and the Dough Boys won the tournament.  Senior Dylan Lamphere was on this team and was the dodgeball champion for all four of his Upper School years!  Thank you to Student Council for organizing this event.

The  Upper School Team