Dr. Amy Alsip, Head of Upper School

Upper School Families, 

Owls for the WIN! I am so proud of our SPC athletes and their amazing performances on the court and the field. We as a faculty and student body are full of pride and joy for this milestone in our academic programs! Way to go OWLS!

This week I had the privilege of joining our 9th Grade Class on a trip to Big Bend. If you have never been, I promise you it is a must see! We hiked many miles, laughed over many campfires and looked up into the night sky at millions of stars. Just like Cinderella, I found myself thinking that  “When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” After getting to know this group of young men and women better this week I know they each have big life goals and the capacity to make their own dreams come true.

As a reminder 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: Grade reports will be available today and a new session of academic lunches will begin on Monday. If your student is failing one or more courses that will place the student in academic lunch and mandatory office hours until the grade is passing. 

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 contracts are due Dec. 5.

All my best,

Dr. Amy Alsip
Head of Upper School