Tamika Dees, Head of Middle School

September 5, 2025

Greetings, Middle School Families, 

September is filled with opportunities for our Middle School scholars to learn how to study, implement test-taking strategies, try new things, and develop team-building skills. The brain's resilience during adolescence makes Middle School an ideal time for establishing a solid path for social-emotional learning and an academic foundation.  

One of the goals in Middle School is to implement instructional strategies that promote abstract thinking, reasoning skills, and creativity. We have enjoyed watching our Owls work in collaborative groups, utilize different resources to solve complex problems, and take ownership of their learning.  

Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to participate in various extracurricular activities. These may include Student Council, Private School Interscholastic Association Academic Competition (PSIA), Spelling Bee, the Oratorical Showcase, and community service. Please stay tuned for more information on how your child can get involved. 
 

CLASS TRIPS:

We are excited for our upcoming class trips that begin NEXT WEEK! Please make sure your child is registered, paid, and 100% compliant in Magnus Health, as we aim for 100% participation in these one-day excursions. The $150 class trips offer valuable learning opportunities, team bonding, and fun memories for both students and teachers.

• 5th Grade Class Trip- September 12- Trinity Forest Adventure Park 
• 6th Grade Class Trip- September 19- Camp Grady Spruce 
• 7th Grade Class Trip- September 9- Dynamix- Class Team Building
• 8th Grade Class Trip- September 10- Dynamix -Class Team Building

In addition to our class trips, we look forward to providing an optional, theme-based learning experience for 7th and 8th-grade students. The 7th/8th Grade Experience - Civil Rights Tour Spring of 2026 will be hosted by Grand Classroom Register Here (payment plan offered). Please mark your calendars for March 3rd - 6th for this experience!

True Progress Assessment (TP) :
The goal is to help teachers understand student needs, design effective lessons, and track student progress. Last year’s True Progress results are now available on the MyOakridge Portal for all returning students. To access your student’s results, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the MyOakridge Portal.
2. Click the “Classes and Reports” tab below your student's picture.
3. In the “Reports” column, find “Historical Academic Records” and click the blue link.
4. This link will take you to the “Other Reports” column, where you will find links to the Math and ELA True Progress results.

The dates for the first 2025-2026 True Progress benchmarks are Tuesday, September 16 (Math) and Wednesday, September 17 (ELA).  These results provide a baseline for gauging academic progress throughout the school year.

NEW PORTAL FEATURE ADDED:

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:
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 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.

Go Owls!

Tamika R. Dees

INFORMATION LINKS:
Lunch Account Information 
Middle School Bell Schedule 
Middle School A/B Calendar