Oak Ridge High - 9th Grade Campus

"The beginning is always today!" -Mary Shelley

Our first week of school was very successful, and we have had an amazing time getting our students acclimated to high school life. It was exciting to have our students fill the hallways, and we enjoyed watching them interact with old friends and new teachers. It is our goal to build pride in our freshmen, teach our Guidelines for Success (FLIGHT), while also challenging and preparing them for their futures. Next Monday and Tuesday, all freshmen will attend Class Meetings with the administrative team to discuss expectations and procedures for our campus. In previous years, we have found these meetings to be very helpful for our freshmen. We conduct the meetings through Social Studies classes and the small environments encourage questions to be asked and conversations to occur. We are looking forward to collaborating with our families and community members to ensure our War Eagles continue to soar!

As we continue to teach our students the standards and processes, we will need help from parents and guardians. Below you will find information on our campus policies, upcoming events, and other pertinent information. Please review and help your students with the information below.

Thank you so much for entrusting your greatest gifts with us, and please do not hesitate to reach out to your student's teacher, administrator, or counselor should a need arise. Collectively, the Class of 2028 has already displayed impeccable manners and we are happy to see it!

Here is to a great year!

Mrs. Burks

Principal

Oak Ridge Ninth Grade Campus

We often use the social media sites of Twitter (now X), Facebook, and Instagram to post information and highlight the activities and learning that is occurring in the building. Please follow our pages, listed below, to stay updated.

• Twitter: @OakRidgeHS9
• Facebook: Oak Ridge High School 9th, Conroe ISD
• Instagram: @orhs9th

When is the PSAT and how much does it cost?

The PSAT will be administered on October 23rd for sophomores, juniors, and any freshmen who sign up for the test. Registration opened this week and will close on September 23rd. Parents can simply log into SchoolCash to see an option on your student's account. The cost is $15.

What are the benefits of taking the PSAT for freshmen?

1. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT (which is the one we give them) is great practice for students to prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT their junior year, which will count toward National Merit Scholar and ultimately scholarship money.

2. Taking the test will provide them with information about future courses they would do well taking, i.e. AP Potential reports indicate a student will have high success in certain AP courses, which could help with GPA & ultimately college admissions.

3. Taking the test provides additional preparation for the SAT, which could mean fewer times taking the SAT to earn the score they want, which ultimately saves money since the cost of the SAT is $60 each administration.

4. Having multiple opportunities to practice the test will provide them with:

• important test-taking skills
• the opportunity to see which areas are strengths and challenges so they can study more purposefully

What if my student needs accommodations for the PSAT? What should I do?

Students who receive school testing accommodations do not automatically receive College Board testing accommodations. Deadlines to apply for College Board accommodations are fast approaching! The SAT Accommodations deadline is September 3rd. If students do not apply for accommodations with College Board, they will not have accommodations for the test. Lastly, parents or students should reach out to Eveline Bailey (embailey@conroeisd.net) or Tennille Williams (tenwilliams@conroeisd.net) to let them know if they want to apply for accommodations BEFORE the deadline. If you have already received accommodations from College Board or have already applied for them, you do not need to reapply.

Collectively, our students have done a fantastic job adhering to the dress code. However, we are seeing several crop tops and "summer length" shorts appearing in the hallways. I know it is extremely hot, but shorts should be mid-thigh and crop tops/bralette top shirts are not permitted.

If a student comes to school out of dress code, students will be required to call home or obtain a change of clothes. Students who are not able to obtain a change of clothes will receive additional consequences with their administrator. Putting on a jacket is not a viable option as we have found that once the students leave us, the jackets come off and it becomes a continuous issue. We are not requiring students to unzip their jackets, but if an administrator sees the crop top/bralette top, the student will need to change. Our goal is to have all students in class for the full block, so we do not want to take away time from the learning experience to address the dress code. Please partner with us in this effort by encouraging your student(s) to be in dress code when they arrive on campus.

We will continue to be as consistent and transparent with all of our families. Below is the dress code for you to peruse.

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Dress Code

Oak Ridge High School respects students’ rights to express themselves in the way they dress. All students who attend Oak Ridge High School are also expected to respect the school community by dressing appropriately for a 9-12 educational environment. Student attire should facilitate participation in learning as well as the health and safety of students and the adults that supervise them. This policy is intended to provide guidance for students, staff, and parents.

Any clothing or grooming that in the principal’s judgment may reasonably be expected to cause disruption of or interfere with normal school operations is prohibited. The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the general guidelines set out in Conroe ISD policy and the campus dress code for students (listed below). Since it is difficult to predict in advance what the problem dress will be, guidelines will be interpreted to the students as needed, either on a group or individual basis.

To be able to ride school transportation, a student must be in dress code. The dress code regulations are in effect from the first day of school through the last day of school.

Guidelines for dress code include:

• Clothing must cover areas and undergarments from one armpit across to the other armpit, down to approximately the middle of the thigh. (Please note that shorts must go down to mid-thigh.)

• Tops must have shoulder straps and cover the stomach such that the belly button cannot be seen.

• No house shoes.

• Rips and/or tears in clothing should be lower than the middle of the thigh.

• Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment (bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn).

• See-through or mesh garments may not be worn without appropriate undergarments that provide coverage underneath that meet the minimum requirements of the dress code.

• Headwear including hats, hoodies, bandanas, head scarves, skull caps, do-rags, beanies, hair bonnets, and caps are not allowed unless permitted for religious, medical, or other reasons approved by school administration.

• Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

• Clothing may not depict, imply, advertise, or advocate illegal, violent, or lewd conduct, weapons, or the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other controlled substances.

• Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity, or sexual acts.

• Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.

• Clothing may not state, imply, or depict hate speech/imagery targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification. Examples: swastikas, the confederate flag, othala rune, etc.

• Sunglasses may not be worn inside the building.

• Clothing and accessories that endanger student or staff safety may not be worn.

• Apparel, jewelry, accessories, tattoos, or manner of grooming that, by virtue of its color, arrangement, trademark, or any other attribute, denotes membership in a gang that advocates illegal or disruptive behavior is prohibited.

The administration of Oak Ridge High School reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be notified when there is a dress code violation.

We need your help to stock up our nurse's office! Please feel free to donate any of the items listed below. These items help Nurse Eakin and her Clinic Assistant Ms. Turcato serve our students who may not be feeling well. You may drop items off to our campus secretary, between 10:30-12:30 or send the items with your student. We appreciate your support in advance!

Donation List

• single serving 10 oz juice bottles/boxes
• water bottles
• crackers
• pretzels
• granola bars
• single serve apple sauce
• sweatpants (all sizes)

Thank you to everyone who has sent school supplies. Each freshman is asked to bring (1) package of copy paper, (1) package of Post It notes, and (1) box of Kleenex. These items are split amongst the staff and students on campus as needed throughout the year.

We want students at games and events showing their War Eagle Pride! In my opinion, it is one of the best parts of being in high school. It is also imperative that students are picked up in a timely manner. If your student does not have a reliable ride to pick them up from the games, he/she should not stay. We are working with students to begin phoning home during the beginning of third quarter. If it is a volleyball game, matches normally last 1:30 hours depending on the set. Please stay in constant communication with your student during the games. If late pickups become a consistent issue, students will not be allowed to stay. Please help us with timely pickups.

We are continuously working to improve our morning drop off line. In order for our line to move as quickly as possible, please help us by doing the following:

1. As you come in the parking lot, two lines start. Once you arrive to the front of the building, you will merge into one lane. Please be kind to your fellow War Eagle families during this process.
2. Pull all the way up until the end of the sidewalk before letting out your student. You will see Ms. Pratt at the end by an orange cone.
3. Do not drop students off in the middle of the faculty parking lot or on side of the road.
4. Once your student has been let out, please keep moving.

We know waiting in line can be a hassle, but we want to keep all of our kids safe. We are open to your suggestions, so please let us know if you have any ideas.

Students were given their Smart Tags/IDs to utilize on the bus, in the cafeteria, in the library, to buy Homecoming tickets, and they will need to wear them at all sporting events. Please communicate with your student that an ID is required per Board policy daily. The entire goal is for staff members to be able to quickly identify all students in our building and at events.

• August 27th - Overall Decorating in room N600 (art room) on the freshmen campus right after school. Grab your overalls or jeans that you want to paint for our first pep rally theme day! Student Council (StuCo) will provide the paint!
• August 27th - Volleyball @ Home vs. Cleveland- 4:30PM (9thA & JV) - 5:30PM (9thB and Varsity) - Senior Campus Red and Blue Gyms
• August 28th - Last day for schedule changes - Our counselors are working hard to adjust schedules and level classes. We only have two on our campus to take care of our 760 freshmen. Please be patient. Not all schedule changes can be granted due to state requirements and class caps. Changes are being done in the order in which they are received.
• August 28th - JV Football @ Home vs. Klein - *4:30PM AND *6:30PM
• September 5th - OVERALL DAY - "Oak Ridge is OVERALL better than Stratford!" Wear your overalls to school to show your pride as our varsity football team takes on Stratford at Woodforest Stadium!
  
• September 26th - Nurse Eakin will be teaching a "Stop the Bleed" class at 3:00PM for any 9th grader that is interested. For more information email Nurse Eakin at peakin@conroeisd.net

*Times may vary depending on the heat index

In order from left to right:

Mr. Christopher White - Assistant Principal - Alpha L-Z - chrwhite@conroeisd.net

Mr. Daniel Barber - Associate Principal - 9th Grade ACES - dbarber@conroeisd.net

Mrs. Shalanda Burks - ORHS-9 Principal

Dr. Jenny Lucas - Assistant Principal - Alpha A-K - jenlucas@conroeisd.net

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Mrs. Latonia Tucker - Counselor - Alpha A- K - lmtucker@conroeisd.net

Mrs. Rachelle Perry - Counselor - Alpha - L-Z - rlperry@conroeisd.net