Ashley Read '05, Head of Early Childhood

 

September 5, 2025

 

Dear Families,

This week, students have been focused on using magic manner words. Behavior sends a message to people about the type of person we are. Additionally, we discussed that if we get in the habit of being kind to others, we are telling people we are a kind person. When we help classmates, we are sending a message that we are helpful. When we choose poor behaviors, we send a poor message so we may need to stop, think and reflect on, “What message is this behavior sending?” We greet others with our eyes, hands, and our words. 

Books that support using good manners:

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony

Just Say Please by Gina Mayer

What Pets Teach Us by Andrea Donner

Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller

The Preschool classes welcomed a visit from the Botanical Gardens' Bella Outreach Program on Wednesday. The Botanical Gardens team will visit the Preschool classes every month throughout the school year to help connect students to the wonders of the natural world. The program combines children’s literature with hands-on nature exploration on our campus and Environmental-STEM activities. This week, students became “botanists” using their 5 senses to explore specific parts of the plants. Our preschool students enjoyed traveling outside the ECC to explore plants in our environment. 

 

New Parent Portal Feature:

The parent portal has a new Absence, Transportation, and Extended Care Change button.  It’s a red button that allows parents to update a child’s absence, transportation change, or extended care schedule changes. 

Simply select your child from the dropdown list, provide the reason for the change, and the request will automatically be emailed to the appropriate staff member. 

Homecoming Spirit Week:

At this point, you should have received information about Homecoming Spirit Week, which will take place during the week of September 29 - October 3. Click here to view the Homecoming packet which includes the daily themes and the run of events. We invite you to join us on October 3 at 10:00 a.m. for the annual Homecoming Parade and hope that you will come back to the O.A.C. (Oakridge Athletic Complex across the street) for the football game that evening. Purchase Homecoming t-shirts by September 23, 2025. Proceeds from t-shirt sales go toward the fireworks show after the game. Students can wear their 2025 Homecoming t-shirt to school on Friday, October 3.

 

Save-the-Dates:

• September 26: Faculty/Staff In-Service Day - NO SCHOOL
• September 29 - October 3 - Spirit Week and Oakridge Homecoming
  • October 3: Homecoming Parade at 10:00 a.m. (Join us!)

Warm regards,

Ashley Read, Oakridge Class of 2005
Head of Early Childhood