Dr. Amy Alsip, Head of Upper School

Upper School Families, 

We have had a lovely week in the Upper School. Students are excited about all of our athletic teams headed to SPC this weekend. Volleyball, Cross Country, and Field Hockey will be competing in Houston, while our Football team will be playing in the championship on Saturday here in the DFW area. We wish all our Owl Athletes the best of luck in their competitions! 

As we head into the Thanksgiving season I want to remind us all of the very special quote from Pinocchio which says “Always let your conscience be your guide.” It is important to always remember who we are as Owls and to let our conscience guide us through all our decisions whether that be how we spend our time, the company we keep, or how we give back to the community. On November 24 we will be participating in our annual Turkey Toss at Mission Arlington. All members of our Oakridge community are invited to participate. We hope to see you there! Students will earn community service hours and house points for participating.

We will be hosting Grandfriends’ Day on Friday, November 21 and this will also be a half day for our campus. Upper School will have a Powderpuff Football game that day at 10:30 but all students need to be picked up no later than 12:00 that day. 

Cooler Weather Dress Code- Now that the cooler weather had descended here are a few reminders about our US Dress Code:

• Collared uniform shirts are required Monday-Thursday. No exceptions.
• Tights may be worn under skirts but must be navy blue, black, or white (opaque or cable- not sheer).
• All outerwear (including Spirit Days) must be purchased from the school’s approved uniform vendor or the Owl’s Landing Spirit Store. (sweatshirts, fleece zip up, sweaters, sweater vests)
• Sweatshirt may not be longer than the skirt or short
• Blankets may not be used as jackets (i.e. worn as capes)

 

Attendance: If your student participates in an extracurricular activity (drum line, sports, fine arts, choir, orchestra, etc) he or she MUST be present in 2 of the 4 academic blocks in order to practice, perform or compete in their activity. This is in our family handbook, and we will be following this policy more closely this school year. Also please remember that all students must be picked up from school no later than 5:30 pm unless they are at athletic practice, games, or attending a school event. 

Academic Lunches: We are continuing our academic lunches for any student who was failing a course at the grade check.  As students improve grades to pass they will not be required to attend these lunches. Students are expected to also attend a minimum of one office hour session per week until all grades are passing. Any student who does not fulfill these requirements will be assigned a lunch detention. Many students have already raised their grades which is the goal!

Semester Exam information: Dec. 15 - Normal full school day (A)

• Semester Exams (½ day early dismissal Tue-Fri for US students)
• Dec. 16- 3rd and 6th
• Dec. 17-5th and 1st
• Dec. 18- 7th and 4th 
• Dec. 19- 8th and 2nd 
• Make up exams will take place in January.

Please click here to see the Senior Final Exam Exemption Contract. There are deadlines, attendance and grade expectations, along with conduct expectations.

All my best,

Dr. Amy Alsip
Head of Upper School