Jim Andersen, Head of Upper School

November 15, 2024

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." - William Arthur Ward

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

• Grandparents Day
• Semester Exams
• Canned Food Drive and Turkey Toss
• 9th Grade Trip

Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day: Join us Friday, November 22nd, as we celebrate our special family and friends. 

SEMESTER EXAMS: Semester exams are Monday, December 16- Thursday, December 19. This week we have early dismissal at 12:00pm each day.  Students are only required to be here during the times they have exams. Student exams are scheduled by the period that they have each class and will be taken in their teacher’s classroom 

• Monday, December 16- 8:30am 7th Period  10:30am 1st Period
• Tuesday, December 17- 8:30am Period 6  10:30am Period 3
• Wednesday, December 18- 8:30am Period 8  10:30am Period 4
• Thursday, December 19- 8:30am Period 5   10:30am Period 2 
• Make up tests due to illness/absences may be done Monday-Wednesday.  Thursday we dismiss for Winter Break at 12:00.    

CANNED FOOD DRIVE AND TURKEY TOSS: Our Oakridge community stands strong in serving others. This is particularly true during the Thanksgiving season. Please have your child bring canned goods this week and next to donate to Mission Arlington. Our goal is for each student to bring 20 cans. 

We also hope you join us from 9:00am-11:00am on Monday, November 25 at Mission Arlington.  Our service is to remove the frozen turkeys from the walk-in freezers and begin the thawing so they are ready for Thanksgiving Day. Bring a jacket and some gloves and join us! Families, friends, alumni, and students of all ages are welcome.

9TH GRADE TRIP: The 9th grade trip returns today from an amazing 5 day adventure.  Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountain, Big Bend, Rio Grande canoeing, and Terlingua Ghost town exploration are just a few of the highlights!  Hiking, s’mores, tent camping, and desert living all help to bond our group!  How rewarding to see students do new things and challenge themselves. Thanks to Mr. DaSilva and Mrs. Blake for being great chaperones!

US School Trips

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

FYI Dates & Details:

• 11.11.24-11.15.24 9th Grade Trip
• 11.15.24 STUCO Boys Volleyball
• 11.18.24 Deans’ Day 
• 11.19.24 JR/SR Buddies 
• 11.22.24 Grandparents/Grandfriends Day 
• 11.22.24 Powderpuff Football Jr./Sr. Females Conatser Field 10:00am
• 11.25.24 Mission Arlington Turkey Toss 9:00am-11:00am
• 11.25.24-11.29.24 Thanksgiving Break

The  Upper School Team