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Wildcat iNews
Information for the ORHS Wildcat Nation! 08/19/24 Issue #299
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN WILDCAT COUNTRY!
CALLING ALL WILDCATS
Jefferson Co. will host the ORHS Wildcats Friday night at 7:00 pm.
PSAT REGISTRATION - SOPHOMORES/JUNIORS
Attention all Sophomores and Juniors: The PSAT/NMSQT® is an OPTIONAL test that will be offered to 10th and 11th graders at Oak Ridge High School on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:50 a.m. This date is set by PSAT/CollegeBoard. The test should end by 1:00 p.m. and the food court will be open at that time for students that take the test.
- Online registration and fee payment will be begin on Monday, August 26th through Tuesday, September 10th
- The cost is $20. No refunds are available if you do not take the test.
- A limited number of exams are available. Please sign up by the September 10th deadline.
- Beginning on Monday, August 26th, you can click on the link below to register for the PSAT and pay your $20 fee.
FALL APPLICATION FOR SENIORS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY CONSIDERATION
The application window for Seniors who wish to join the National Honors Society is now open through next Friday. To be eligible, you must be a senior with a 3.8 weighted GPA. Please click on the link to apply. If you have any questions, please see Dr. Thomas or Mr. Feuer.
SENIORS - SAVE THE DATES
Below is a list of upcoming dates for our seniors and parents. We have also shared these dates with students on their Class of 2025 Canvas Page and through Parent Square.
We know this is a lot of information and we want to make sure you are always informed. We expect that the meeting on August 27th will answer most of your questions. I know it feels like you are running out of time and the pressure is starting to build on college and scholarships, but we do have some time to help you with this process.
· August 1 – November 1, 2024 – TN Promise Scholarship Application Open. Apply at www.tnpromise.gov
· August 22, 2024 - Senior Seminars for Students – ORHS Amphitheater. Students will be called down by alphabet throughout the day. Topics include applying to college, sending transcripts, and requesting letters of recommendation.
· August 27, 2024, 6:00 pm - Senior Seminar for Parents - ORHS Amphitheater
· September 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - College Admissions Evening - ORHS Amphitheater (Representatives from UT Knoxville, private college TBD, and Roane State will discuss the admissions process).
· September 19, 2024 - Community College Day for Students- ORHS Amphitheater. Students will receive assistance applying for the TN Promise Scholarship and applying to a Community College.
· September 23, 2024- 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - College and Career Fair- Wildcat Arena
· October 18, 2024 - ACT Senior Retake Date - The ACT will be given during the school day to all 12th graders. This test is FREE.
· October 29, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - Financial Aid 101 - ORHS Amphitheater (presentation by TSAC)
· November 1, 2024 - TN Promise Scholarship Application Deadline
· November 7, 2024, 5:00-7:00 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Food Court (for families that need help - repeated on 12/12 and 1/21)
· December 12, 2024, 5:00-7:00 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Food Court (for families that need help - repeated on 1/21)
· January 13, 2025, 3:40 p.m. – Mandatory TN Promise Meeting for Students - ORHS Food Court
· January 21, 2025, 5:00-7:00 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Food Court
PARENT SQUARE WILL BE OUR PRIMARY FORM OF COMMUNICATION
DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY
Communications between Oak Ridge Schools and families will shift from the Skyward Alert System to Parent Square. Parents should download ParentSquare from your specific App Store (ie Apple Store or Google Play Store). This new tool provides flexibility how families want to receive important information from the district and individual schools. The iNews will be sent via ParentSquare.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR THEIR BADGE ALL DAY - EVERYDAY!
PARKING LOT PAINTING
Junior and Senior Parking spot painting has been postponed due to weather. The new painting time designated for juniors and seniors who have chosen their spots in Saturday August 24th from 2-8pm. Please reach out to Mrs. Gilliland, Dr. Sparks, or Mrs. Wagner with any questions or concerns.
ANNUAL MUMS SALE SUPPORTING NJROTC
AVID/WILDCAT SCHOLARS NIGHT
The first AVID/Wildcat Scholars Family Night will be on Tuesday, September 10 from 6:00-7:30 in the ORHS Amphitheater and Food Court. We will start in the Food Court and then move to the amphitheater. Please come out and see all of the awesome things we are doing in the AVID/Wildcat Scholars program!
CAREER PATHWAYS OPPORTUNITY
Oak Ridge High School has a partnership with the United Way and the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge to help students find jobs. This is an opportunity for students to have a community job coach and learn soft skills that are needed in the workplace.
OPERATION RESTORATION "OR" HAS STARTED
For our new families, OR began last week. When a student fails to turn in an assignment, the teacher adds that missing assignment to our OR database. This will generate a text message to parents and an email to the student. The student is then expected to attend the next OR session for their grade level OR complete that assignment and submit it. The expectation for students is to do their assignments in a timely fashion AND let the teacher know when it is submitted late. When a student "Skips" OR during lunch, the student is assigned a lunch detention until all assignments are completed. Parents will receive a text message when the assignment is "cleared" from the database.
RISING PHOENIX - TWO VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES
SUPPORT ORHS AND BUY YOUR SWAG HERE!
NEED NEW BEDSHEETS? FIND A WILDBAND MEMBER!
OFF CAMPUS LUNCH - SAVE A TON OF MONEY!
Two churches provide hot and inexpensive meals for students every week.
“Walk Over Wednesday” lunches at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church start up this Wednesday, August 7th. The cost is still $3. Come join us!
Lunches at First United Methodist Church will begin this Thursday, August 8th. The price will be $4. We look forward to seeing you!
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH FORMS - IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FOOD!
FREE & REDUCED LUNCH INFORMATION
The Free and Reduced meal applications are now available online in the Skyward Family Portal and can only be filled out by Family 1. Because of this, email notifications only to Family 1 via Skyward, rather than ParentSquare. Paper copies are in the Main Office.
Your student’s Free & Reduced Lunch status will be carried over from 2023-24 school year for the first 30 days of school until a new application is submitted and processed.
STUDENT DRIVER'S MUST REGISTER THEIR VEHICLE
Any student driving to school are required to register their vehicle and leave the parking tag visibly hanging on their review mirror. Vehicles must be registered every year. The form below must be completed and returned to Student Services to Mrs. Viruet. Parking tags are FREE, but required.
THE YEARBOOK IS ON SALE NOW AT LOWEST PRICE!
PERSONALIZE YOUR STUDENT'S YEARBOOK COVER
Download the flyer below to review options.
PURCHASE A SENIOR AD FOR YOUR 2025 TODAY
Senior ads can be turned in directly on the Jostens website by going to Jostens.com/yearbookads. All ads must be submitted by Friday, November 1st. For help with this process, please watch the tutorial below:
IS YOUR TEEN TAKING WELLNESS A? ACTION REQUIRED
Attention Parents/Guardians of Wellness A students
During the course of Wellness A, students will participate in a Family Life Education programming called “The Sex Talk” which is presented by the non-profit, “Let’s Talk 101”. This programming follows the State of Tennessee Lifetime Wellness Standards and School Board Policy 4.2.13. Per that policy, the parent/guardian has the right to opt their child out of participating in the program. If you would like to opt your child out, please complete the following form using the QR code or link below.
ATTENDANCE NOTES
SCHOOL CALENDAR AND ATTENDANCE
Parents, before scheduling vacations, please consult the school calendar. Be advised, at the high school, final exams counting 15% of the final grade are given the last two days of the semester. Please consult the calendar prior to planning vacations.
CLUB INFORMATION
CLUB FAIR INFORMATION - AUGUST 28TH
All students are encouraged to come out to the Club Fair to find at least one club that interests you! The fair is sponsored by Student Council and Wildcats for Change. The bus riders will be dismissed at 1:35 to go to the fair and then the rest of the school at dismissal.
ART CLUB - Tuesdays in VA 103 after school. You do not have to be in an art class to join.
DIVERSITY CLUB, GSTA – Mondays, after school in the Library
D&D Club, every Friday from 3:15 to 4:30 PM in the grand hall of imagination (AKA Dr. Denisar's room CS329)
HOSA - Current or past health science students: Join HOSA for the year for $50! Bring payment to Mrs. Minarik or Mrs. Pointer before August 30. We will meet in CS200 at 7:15 am on August 14 and August 28...if you think you are interested in joining HOSA, join us to see what HOSA is all about!
SEWING & CROCHETING CLUB - Thursdays after school until 4 in CS328
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Mondays at 3:15
PARENT CLUB INFORMATION
Parents, all clubs are required to send a permission slip for participation. Please watch for those to come home for each of the clubs your teen wishes to join.
ATHLETIC INFORMATION
WILDCATS IN ACTION
SOCCER CATS HAVE HIT THE FIELD
VOLLEY CATS ARE IN ACTION
GOLF SEASON HAS ALREADY BEGUN
MASQUERS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MASQUER'S HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from the Newsletter
We just need a few for Build Day this Saturday, so come if you've been invited by Matthew.
What's Happening - Calendar at a Glance for this week
Next Booster Meeting - Saturday, August 10th - lower cafeteria 9am
Join us for Build Day - Saturday, August 10th - stage/shop 10am-4pm
Voice Lessons with Coke Morgan start this week
Please see "What's Happening" for individual call times
Schedule until Fall Break is in the Masquers GroupMe
Puff's Presale ticket sale starts next week!
$8 August 15-September 6th
$10 September 7-15
Join Masquers GroupMe for club communication
Season Shows and Show Dates - in the newsletter!
Become a Masquers Community Sponsor or Season Ticket Holder
The Sponsor Form is in the newsletter
Masquers Team Information
Masquers Important Dates
ANNUAL REMINDERS
REGISTER ALL MEDICATIONS IN THE CLINIC
- The building opens at 7:00 AM. Students will be expected to vacate the building by 3:20 PM and by 2:10 on Wednesday.
- The tardy bell rings at 7:50.
- The main drop off point for car riders is the loop on the OR Turnpike side of the school.
- The bus loop (Providence Road) should not be used for drop off until after 7:30 in the morning and not until after 3:30 in the afternoon.
- The teacher's parking lot on the east end of campus on Providence Road is not a pick up or drop off area.
- Students who drive, should fill out the form for their parking tag immediately.
- Students can select a locker. Check their email, Skyward or class Canvas for a link.
- Students will be held accountable for wearing badges. If students turned in their badges, they are in the front pocket of their laptop bag OR in Student Services. Approximately 400 students did NOT turn in their badges. New badges should be purchased during the first week of school for $10.00. Due to safety regulations, students are required to wear their badges visible at all times.
ATTENTION ALL BUS RIDERS - ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Questions?? Click below to access the Oak Ridge Schools Transportation Website
FRESHMAN PARENTS
Parents of the Class of 2028, Mrs. Thompson encourages you to join the Facebook page. The page is used to celebrate the Class of 2028 and provide pertinent reminders impacting this class. Due to security measures, membership is subject to approval. Please answer the questions to join the page. Answers are verified through our student information system before granting access.
JUNIOR PARENTS CLASS OF 2026
Ms. Estep encourages the parents of Juniors to join the Facebook page. Due to security measures protecting the privacy of our families, membership is subject to approval. Please answer the questions to join the page. All answers are verified through Skyward before granting access. Click the link below to access the FB page.
STUDENT DRIVER INFORMATION
ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE A NEW DRIVER?
The Driving Center of Oak Ridge has openings for summer driver education classes. Register at Students who participate in the classes receive six driving sessions and will be given the opportunity to take the driving test with the instructors. Upon completion of the program, many families save up to $300 per year on car insurance so the class practically pays for itself in only one year. Call Matt Reedy at 865-719-1816 if you have questions.
DOES YOUR TEEN NEED AN SF-1010 FORM FOR THEIR DRIVER'S PERMIT?
IMPORTANT TN DRIVING PRIVILEGE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Parents should review this information with their teen drivers!!
MEET OUR TEAMS!
WHO IS YOUR ADMINISTRATOR??
Executive Principal - Drayton Hawkins dshawkins@ortn.edu
Seniors - Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu
Juniors - Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu
Sophomores - David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu
Freshman - Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu
Curriculum Principal - Jennifer Milligan jmmilligan2@ortn.edu
SCHOOL COUNSELING SUPPORT TEAM!
Seniors - Class of 2025 Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu
Juniors - Class of 2026 Paige Taylor - hptaylor@ortn.edu
Sophomores - Class of 2027 Brianna Ottinger - bottinger@ortn.edu
Freshman - Class of 2028 Heidi Foster - hafoster@ortn.edu
Social Worker: Alison King aking@ortn.edu
Registrar: Rhonda Garrison rsgarrison@ortn.edu
Counseling Administrative Assistant: Amy O'Rourke akorourke@ortn.edu
Link to Website: https://www.ortn.edu/highschool/academics/school-counseling/
Follow our team on Instagram:
Watch for announcements on Twitter: @ORHSCounseling
Ways to Connect and STAY INFORMED
Website - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Daily Bulletin - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/daily-bulletin/
Channel 1082 at 7:50 AM - Watch the announcements each morning by our Crew! YouTube Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL9N_azmWeQByrIW6pWLBlQ
INews - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/news-events/news-links/
PTSO Newsletter - Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1843791015931073/
School Contact Information!
Website: http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Location: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
Phone: 865-425-9600