SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 14TH

Friday, September 27 is a FULL day of school.

Students return to class on Tuesday, October 15th.

We are excited to announce three ORHS seniors have been selected at National Merit Semi-Finalist: William Shen, Silas Rowden and Zen Bennett.

Homecoming Dance tickets will be on sale in the cafeteria during lunch starting today, September 16. Tickets will be sold through September 27 or until sold out. Tickets are $25. Only ORHS students may attend.

We are excited to announce that all AP exam payments will now be collected through our new digital payment platform. Test fees will no longer be collected at ORHS during lunch. The Fall AP Exam Payment Window will open on Monday, September 16th and close on Friday, November 1st at 11:59pm.

• This payment window is for students who are currently enrolled in a fall or yearlong AP course.
• If you have an AP course that begins in January, you will pay for and order your exam(s) during the spring payment window (February 1st -March 1st).
• This year AP exams are $101/exam. AP Seminar and Research exams are $149/exam.
• If you are taking more than three exams, your fourth and subsequent exams will be $40/exam.
• If you qualify for free or reduced lunch your exams are $15/exam.
• Students who receive free/reduced lunch must contact Ms. Milligan at jmmilligan2@ortn.edu to verify eligibility and receive a code before registering and paying for exam(s) online.

Multiple ACT tests are coming up including the free ACT Senior Retake on Friday, October 18th. Anyone looking to get extra help preparing for the ACT test can sign up for the ACT Boot Camp, which will be held during intersession, 8-11 a.m. on Monday, September 30 through Thursday, October 3. Each day will focus on a different section of the test. Tips and strategies will be discussed, and students will have a chance to take a practice test and have specific questions answered. This opportunity is free, but transportation will not be provided. Contact Mr. Stebbins or Ms. Estep if you have any questions.

Click here to sign up!

Anyone looking to get extra help preparing for the ACT test can sign up for the ACT Boot Camp, which will be held the first four days of Fall Break, September 30 to October 3. Sessions will be from 8-11 a.m. in the amphitheater, and each day will focus on a different section of the test. This opportunity is free, but transportation will not be provided and lunch will not be served. Sign up links are in the class Canvas pages, the iNews, and have been sent through ParentSquare. Please sign up by Wednesday, Sept. 25. If you have any questions, see Mr. Stebbins in CS339 or Ms. Estep.

Celebrate National Voter Registration Day! The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will be right outside the library on Tuesday, September 17, during lunch. Please stop by to say hello and register if you are eligible

Oak Ridge High School has a brand-new student exchange for the year 2025. It is organized by “The Friendship Connection, Inc.”. You will host a German student in your home for three weeks in the spring and you will live with that student in Germany in the summer of 2025.

Everybody who had two years of German and is taking German 3 in the spring or who already had at least three semesters of German in the past can sign-up for this opportunity. Students who already participated in the GAPP-exchange this year are also eligible for this exchange.

Sign-up before October 31st, 2024. For more information, please come to Mrs. Nebenfuehr’s room CS301 or email smnebenfuehr@ortn.edu

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? On Saturday, Sept. 28th CNSCares will be having a Fall Picnic honoring former and current Y12 workers. They need volunteers to come right after school on Friday, September 27th and around 10:00am on Saturday, September 28th. This would be a way to support the Senior Citizens of Oak Ridge to share how Oak Ridge Schools are carrying on the tradition of making Oak Ridge such an excellent city. Contact Leisa Burton (865-202-4880) to sign up and get details

Do you have students whose heads are in the clouds? We invite U.S. high school students who are interested in flight training or aviation maintenance to apply for Epic Flight Academy's 7 aviation scholarships.

Our main campus is located in New Smyrna Beach, FL with satellite flight schools in Tallahassee, FL, Ocala, FL, Jacksonville, FL, and Tucson, AZ. Our aircraft mechanic schools are located in New Smyrna Beach, FL and at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). We welcome applicants from all around the U.S.

Will you please join us in supporting students' dreams by sharing this scholarship information with interested students?

We are awarding $80,000 to high school students this year!

• Open to current high school juniors and seniors for flight training and seniors for aircraft mechanics
• Awarding 7 aviation scholarships total (1 - $20,000 (the Captain Judy Rice Award) and 4 - $5,000 scholarships for flight training; and 2 - $20,000 scholarships for aircraft mechanics)
• Deadline to apply is October 1, 2024
• Read about scholarship recipient Ryan Groel who completed his Commercial Pilot License just 7 weeks after graduating from high school! Ryan is now a flight instructor at our New Smyrna Beach campus!

Student Council is ready to launch Homecoming Week 2024! This year Spirit Week and Homecoming will take place September 23rd- 27th, and we will take on the Clinton Dragons on the 27th of September. There are opportunities to participate all week long. Please celebrate with us as you can! All information can also be found for students and staff on the Wildcat Student Hangout Page and the ORHS StuCo instagram!

Spirit Week

• This years spirit week days are:

• Monday- Duo Day

• Tuesday- White Lie and Red Flag

• Wednesday- Meme Day

• Thursday- Senior Citizen

• Friday- Wildcat Pride day

• Students that are dressed in the theme can tag StuCo @orhs_stuco on Instagram for a chance to win a giftcard for best dressed of the day.

• Friday’s Wildcat Day will conclude with a Pep Rally from 2-3pm!

Door Decorating Contest

• Classes or clubs have the opportunity to decorate a teacher's door for a chance to win a prize for their class/group!

• The class/group in first place wins lunch or breakfast and second place wins donuts.

• Doors can start to be decorated on Monday, September 23rd. Judging will take place during 4th period on Thursday Sept 26th, and will be announced at pep rally on friday Sept 27th

Homecoming Court

• Seniors are eligible to nominate and the top five boys and girls form the court on September 12th 8am-2pm and will be announced at the end of the day. Forms will be on Skyward.

• King and Queen Elections will be held on Friday, September 27th. All grades vote 8am-2pm on Skyward and we will crown the King and Queen at halftime at the football game!

Homecoming Dance

• The Lady Wildcat Basketball Team is hosting the 2024 Homecoming Dance at the DoubleTree

• The dance will take place on September 28th from 6-9pm and will be tons of fun!

We are excited to celebrate Homecoming Week with all of you. We encourage all staff, students, and community members to participate with us as much as possible. Thank you for all of your support!

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.

Parents, every time a student is absent, please send a note the day they return. Failure to send a parent note/doctor's note/court note within three (3) days will result in the day being unexecused. Parents can write 7 parent notes per year. Notes can be dropped in the attendance office, or in the "mailbox" in the Visual Arts hallway. The State of Tennessee considers a student Chronically Absent when they reach 18 absences whether excused or unexcused.

If you have a student testing for their driver's permit over fall break, please submit the form for the SF-1010 this week. All Information regarding student drivers is located at the bottom of the iNews in the "Annual Reminders" section.

Is your head spinning? Private, Public, Community college?? Which is best for your senior? When do you apply? What do you need to know? Join representatives from various types of colleges on Monday evening, September 16th, for help. The meeting will be in the Amphitheater at 6:00 pm.

Homecoming Court

• King and Queen Elections will be held on Friday, September 27th. All grades vote 8am-2pm on Skyward and we will crown the King and Queen at halftime at the football game!

Seniors, you know what looks good on college applications? Visiting with college reps when they come to your school. We have representatives from a lot of excellent schools coming the Counseling Office this month! Come by, ask questions and meet the reps. The following are schools currently signed up to visit ORHS: (all visits are in the Counseling Office immediately after school, unless otherwise indicated.)

UTC – 9/16

Dartmouth – 9/17

Yale – 9/19

University of Chicago – 9/23

Butler University – 9/23

College Fair – 9/23 – in Arena 5-6:30pm

University of Alabama – DURING LUNCH IN COUNSELING – 9/26

Duke University – 9/26

Hampden-Sydney College – 9/27

By popular demand, if you missed our first meeting, this is your chance to hear about this amazing trip! 11 days, experiencing new cultures, trekking through the Amazon rain forest, climbing Machu Pichu, and cruising down the Amazon River. See stunning wildlife – pink river dolphins, sloths, monkeys, and colorful birds. This will absolutely be a trip of a lifetime! Cost includes airfare, lodging, excursions, and most meals! Sign up for the meeting, so we have a head count at https://bit.ly/3yQRoGz. Also get special one night only discounts for signing up at the meeting!

Track interest meeting will be Tuesday, September 24th. at 3:15 in the Ampitheater.

It’s time for the 2024-2025 Schools Buck Challenge! You must register your card again this year! You must register online using your Valucard number & choosing Oak Ridge High School-CDC! Food City took away the option to register your card in person, so please take time to choose our class with your online account! Registration began on September 1st and points started accumulating on September 4th! The program runs from September 4th through May 6, 2025. Go to foodcity.com/schoolbucks to complete your registration and help our CDC class purchase items needed in the classroom.

How would you like to save over $100 and by-pass the lines for all home athletic events? You can purchase a Student Athletic Pass for just $55 and not have to wait in line at any football / soccer / volleyball / basketball / baseball or softball game for the 2024 – 25 school year. Passes will be on sale in the Main Lobby before school and during lunch

Building upon the success of last year's TN FAFSA Boot Camps, THEC/TSAC is pleased to introduce our 2024 College Access Boot Camps. In addition to state and federal student aid and FAFSA updates, we will share relevant and timely college access information and resources with school counselors and college access professionals who attend. Whether you are new to college access or a seasoned pro, there is something for everyone. And that includes swag! Use the buttons below to register and learn more.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER

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

· 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

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:

Download the flyer below to review options.

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.

Student Council and Wildcats for Change are hosting their second annual club fair Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in the cafeteria. Bus riders will be dismissed at 1:35 to visit the fair and the rest of school is invited at the end of the day until 2:30. This is a great opportunity to see all of the different clubs ORHS has to offer!

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)

FBLA - Wednesday after school in CS 347. Please bring $18 dues if you have not paid.

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 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

TSA MEETING - There will be a TSA interest meeting this Wednesday from 2 to 3 PM in PA-144. If you are a returning member or just wanting to learn more about TSA, please come to this meeting. email Mr. Livesay if you have any questions

YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Mondays at 3:15

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.

ORHS coaches Joanne and David Bowman will be conducting voluntary tennis practices this fall for the Wildcat and Lady Wildcat tennis teams. New and returning players are welcome to attend the weekly instruction. Both coaches will at the City's public courts on the Oak Ridge Turnpike to teach tennis skills on Wednesdays after school from 2:30-3:30 PM.

Seven players attended this week's voluntary practice. Pictured LtoR: Freshman Scarlett Hovater plus juniors Ellie Nash and Wyatt Arline. Students or parents with questions regarding the ORHS Tennis Program should email jbowman@ortn.edu (Joanne) or dbowman@ortn.edu (David).

• Highlights from the Newsletter:

  • What's Happening - Calendar at a Glance for this week- Shows & Strike
    

  • Strike Needs - still need 15 volunteers! Link in newsletter

  • Panda Express Fundraiser 9/16

  • Voice Lessons with Coke Morgan this week

  • Showcase Audition Information, Form, & Sign-ups

  • Masquers Football Concessions Sign Up

  • Season Shows and Show Dates - in the newsletter!

  • Become a Masquers Community Sponsor or Season Ticket Holder

  • The Sponsor Form is in the newsletter

  • Next Booster Meeting - Saturday, October 19 - virtual @ 9am

  • Masquers Team Information

  • Masquers Important Dates

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.

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.

Parents, students are NOT allowed to carry medications on their person at school. All medications must be registered with our nurse, Lori Gupton. Registration requirements are in the form below. This includes over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl or any type of allergy medications, etc.

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.

Students must register for transportation services via Skyward. The form is located in the Skyward FAMILY ACCESS ACCOUNT not the student access account. Families were sent instructions to email accounts on file throughout the summer. Paper forms will no longer be accepted.

Questions?? Click below to access the Oak Ridge Schools Transportation Website

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.

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.

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.

In order for a student to take their permit test, a form is required from the school. Mrs. Thacker, our attendance secretary, prepares these forms. Requests are accepted through the link below. When school is in session, a completed form may be picked up in the Attendance Office. However, if school is NOT in session, the form will be mailed home by USPS.

Did you know your teen will have their driver's license suspended due to poor grades and/or poor attendance?

Parents should review this information with their teen drivers!!

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

Counselors:

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

It is our desire to keep our families informed of all of the activity and awesome news coming from Oak Ridge High School. We have multiple platforms for connection. We encourage you to explore the many ways and provide feedback!

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/

Website: http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Location: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
Phone: 865-425-9600