Dr. Amy Alsip, Head of Upper School

 

Upper School Families, 

We are entering into our Thanksgiving Break this weekend, and I hope you spend some time with loved ones this next week and reflect upon all the blessings in your life. As Walt Disney once said, "The more you are in a state of gratitude, the more you will attract things to be grateful for." Here in the Upper School, we strive to find all the things to be grateful for including our students, faculty, staff, and parents. 

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.

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 were posted last Friday and a new session of academic lunches began this week. 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.

We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

All my best,

Dr. Amy Alsip
Head of Upper School