The state sponsored ACT for all juniors and the PreACT for all sophomores is Thursday, March 28th. Seniors who have never taken the ACT are eligible to test with the juniors. As a reminder, the ACT is a graduation requirement for all students.

Testing will begin at 7:50. Students need to arrive to school by 7:30. Testing locations will be posted throughout the building. Students are automatically signed up for the test, and there is no fee for testing. Students need to bring an ACT approved calculator, several No.2 pencils, and photo ID (badge can count). Students will be dismissed from school after the testing concludes at approximately 12:00. Buses will run at regular time, and breakfast and lunch will be served.

ACT electronics policy: No cell phones or other electronic devices including Apple watches are allowed in the testing room.

All juniors are enrolled in the ScoreSurge Act preparation program, and we encourage them to log in and use this program prior to the upcoming ACT.

Sophomores and juniors who do not attend on Tuesday will be counted absent and attendance rules for excused absences will apply. School attendance for Thursday, March 28th is not optional for juniors and sophomores. Failure to attend the test without an approved excuse will be considered an unexcused absence. Seniors and freshmen DO NOT attend school on March 28th.

Reach out to Beth Estep at kestep@ortn.edu if there are any questions about ACT/PreACT testing.

Seniors and freshmen do not attend school on Thursday, March 28th. Sophomores and Juniors should arrive at 7:30.

On Monday, April 8, we will be dismissing early for the solar eclipse. Student dismissal will follow a Wednesday schedule, and there will be no ECC offered after school. Buses will run as usual.

Class of 2025 National Honor Society Inductees: NHS Induction practice will be held in the auditorium on Wednesday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony is April 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Please see Mr. Feuer or Dr. Thomas if you have any questions.

Class of 2024 National Honor Society Graduates: NHS hoods will be available outside CS347 April 10, during 3rd period. There’s a required $30 deposit. Please bring a check made out to ORHS National Honor Society. Do not bring cash. Mr. Feuer and Dr. Thomas will be in the main lobby during 3rd period May 20-24, to collect the hoods. When the hood is returned, the deposit will be returned. If anyone has a question or would like his or her hood before April 10, contact Mr. Feuer or Dr. Thomas.

The Wildcats for Change will be hosting a Spring Game Night on April 18 from 4:30-6pm in the upper part of the cafeteria and the front porch (weather permitting).

Kona Ice will be there and staff always receives a free treat

You are invited to the ORHS Business Expo on Thursday, April 4th where 17 Student Businesses will launch sales for their products from 5-6 pm in the lower cafeteria at ORHS!

Come check out their products! They will have items like teacher and club stickers, car décor and air fresheners, shirts with your favorite ORHS athlete on them, ORHS gear, badge holders, cookies, keychains, noise-reducing earplugs, personalized charm bracelets and necklaces, motivational cards, and a few new inventions – Chop Chop, an alternative to chopsticks, and a prototype of a new athletic brace. Some items will be available for pre-order, some can be purchased online, and some will be cash only.

After 6 long years the GAPP exchange is back! 20 German students will be arriving in Oak Ridge over Spring Break to immerse themselves in American culture. They’ll be spending 3 weeks living with host families, experiencing what life is like for an American teenager – going to school, practices, the mall, and other great destinations in East Tennessee. We’re excited for them to share their lives with us so please give them a warm welcome when you see them around – make them feel at home even though they’re 3000 miles from home. We’re counting down the days until they touchdown in Tennessee on March 22nd.

If you have any questions or know of any cool events we can let them know about please contact smnebenfuehr@ortn.edu.

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.

https://forms.office.com/r/8Ku1Ftqf7D

Calling all Powderpuff participants! Sign-ups for this exciting game will be open and available after the informational meeting on Tuesday, April 2nd, in Ms. Wagner's room, LC311 during 3A and 3B. Spots go fast to the first 20 people for each grade, so make sure you grab your paper from Mrs.Wagner’s door and turn it back in by April 12th.

It's been a long time since we have seen a talent show on the stage at ORHS. Sign up by using the QR code below. Tickets will be on sale - $5.00 for adults $3.00 for students. Come show off your talents.

Interested in joining the ORHS Cheerleading team? Both student and parent/guardian must be in attendance at the meeting! Any questions or concerns email: orhswildcatcheer@gmail.com

Open House/Regional Meeting happening Thursday, March 28 from 5:00-6:30 pm at L&N STEM Academy in Knoxville. Teachers, parents, and students, come and network with UT professors and STEM organizations, and learn about different STEM resources in the region. There will be a raffle for coding robots!

A watch party for the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th! We will meet at L&N STEM Academy near the World's Fair Park at 2:30 pm and put on our glasses in anticipation of the rare total solar eclipse expected to be on display around 3:00 pm. Snacks and glasses provided! More information to come, so be on the lookout for posts on social media!

Student Council will hold a leadership breakfast on Friday, April 5th. If you are interested in running for a class officer position or Student Council officer position or if you would like to join the Student Council Leadership class next year, please join us for this information session. The meeting will begin at 7:15 in Mrs. Wagner’s room, LC311, and breakfast will be served. Don’t miss this great opportunity to be the change you want to see in your school.

Student Council and Class Officer elections are fast approaching. Any current freshmen, sophomore, or junior in good standing is eligible to run for a position. Go to the Wildcat Canvas Hangout Page to find more information and to access the applications to get on the ballot. All applications are due April 12th at 4pm and candidates will be announced on April 16th!

Chuck Fleishmann will be hosting our annual Military Academy Day on Saturday, April 20th, 2024. The event will take place at the UTC Student Center at 10:00am. Everyone is invited to hear from Congressman Fleischmann, representatives from five military academies and college ROTC programs.

The NAACP Oak Ridge-Anderson County Branch is sponsoring a 2024 Black History Month Essay Contest for Anderson County and Oak Ridge Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12) youths. Awards will be given to the first-place, second-place, and third-place winners. The two first-place winners will present their Essays at the April 22nd NAACP Monthly Meeting.

Download the entire documents for instructions below.

As the excitement for the upcoming Prom builds, we would like to remind all attendees of the dress code in place to ensure a formal and elegant atmosphere for this special occasion.

In an effort to maintain the formality of the event, we kindly request that no jeans be worn to the Prom. Instead, we ask that gentlemen adhere to a minimum dress code of dress pants and a suit jacket. For ladies, we recommend dresses or professional attire. If you have specific questions or need clarification, please contact Shannon Eidam-Dyer at seidamdyer@ortn.edu

Do you have great work ethics and would like to be among the Class of 2024 Graduates who earn a Work Ethic Distinction?

The Oak Ridge Schools Work Ethic Distinction certificate is useful for inclusion in future college applications as well as applications for future employment.

WHY SHOULD I DO THIS???

Employers and postsecondary partners throughout Tennessee have indicated that students who present a certificate verifying strong work ethics will be given preference as applicants.

www.ortn.edu/Curriculum/CCTE/Work_Ethic.pdf

Students need at least 20 points to earn this distinction. Most of the evidence can be verified in Skyward. Those who know they meet this requirement without additional evidence may check the appropriate boxes on the downloaded form and email it back to Holly Cross hcross@ortn.edu by April 12th, 2024.

Anything that requires additional proof of completion can be hand delivered to Dr. Cross in CS244 at ORHS.

Upon verification of qualification for this distinction, a signed, formal certificate will be presented to students upon graduation.

Requirements for Early College Enrollment:

1. Complete and submit TWO separate Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications by April 15, 2024.
   • Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA AND the 2024-2025 FAFSA by April 15, 2024.
   • The 2023-2024 FAFSA application is open for completion now at StudentAid.gov. The 2024-2025 FAFSA application is scheduled to be available for completion December 2023.
2. Complete and submit 8 hours of community service by April 15, 2024.
   • Students may begin completing community service hours on November 2, 2023 and must submit to tnAchieves.org no later than April 15, 2024.
   • If students plan to enroll in both the spring and summer terms at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), a community college or 4-year institution, they must complete and submit a total of 16 hours of community service by April 15, 2024.
3. Complete the Mandatory TN Promise Meeting requirement by April 15, 2024.
   • Early graduate students will be granted early access to the mandatory webinar in order to satisfy their mandatory meeting requirement. A link to the mandatory webinar will be sent to the email address listed on a student’s TN Promise application later this week. The mandatory meeting requirement can be fulfilled by viewing this webinar, but we ask that students also attend the in-person meeting at their former high school (if possible). You can find the full mandatory meeting schedule here!

Due to the technology issues with the FAFSA, the deadline for TNPromise FAFSA submission has been pushed to May 15th. Watch for FAFSA help meetings to be announced soon.

Parents, students are required to have a parental permission slip on file for each club. Please be on the lookout.

When you watch Jeopardy, do YOU like to answer the questions? Do you have a bunch of random knowledge? Then come to quiz bowl - it's kinda like Jeopardy. And sometimes there is FOOD. Come to Mr. Jarnigan's room in LC 321 to join. Every Monday and Thursday after school.

Have you ever wondered what Affirmative Action is and what its impacts are? Would you like to meet new people and build community? Join us in CSU – the Cultural Student Union! We meet TODAY and every Monday at 3:15pm in CS 303 – Mrs. Gilliland’s room.

Youth for Christ meets every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4 in LC 215. Contact Mr. Moreno for more information. Vmoreno@ortn.edu

Diversity Club meetings have changed to Wednesdays at lunch – come to the library classroom for lunch (pizza provided) this Wednesday, September 27 during your lunch period. Pick up a permission slip from the library before Wednesday – you must have it signed to come

FCA meets every Friday morning at Providence House across from the Arena Parking Lot.

Dungeons and Dragons Club meets on Fridays in CS329 from 3:15 to 4:30. Remember, the dice giveth and the dice taketh away! See Ms. Denisar for more information

A "SAVE THE DATE" List for Senior families will be featured very soon to help with family plans.

Senior Tea will be May 1st, 2024. It will be held in the upper 2 levels of the cafeteria.

Sign up genius will have a sign up sheet for parents to volunteer, donate food, and money.

More to come soon.

The party of the year is just around the corner: Graduation Celebration 2024!

And best of all, it is COMPLETELY FREE to attend.

Graduation Celebration is a positive, exciting, alcohol/drug-free, all-night party for our graduates, held immediately after graduation on Friday night, May 17!

Doors open at 10:00 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Civic Center with check-in, food, and activities, and then the graduates will bus over to The Main Event in Knoxville for a private all-night party with all activities, food, and fun provided. At the end of the party, students will bus back to the Civic Center to arrive around 5:00 a.m. All students must ride the bus to attend the party, and pre-registration is required. Parental permission is required for early departure. For all the details about the party, visit graduationcelebration.org.

For over 25 years, Graduation Celebration has been a FREE and SAFE place for Oak Ridge graduates, thanks to the generous support of this community. This party is a memorable way for the students to bid farewell to their high school classmates and celebrate their achievement in a safe, fun environment!

The Marjorie Watson Mathematics Scholarship is intended for an incoming freshman attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who majors in mathematics. This is a $10,000 scholarship with $4000 awarded in the freshman year and $2000 awarded for each of the sophomore, junior and senior years.

This scholarship is funded from an endowment established by the estate of Marjorie Watson, who was a 1930’s alumna of the University of Chattanooga (now UTC). She was a mathematics major, and her career spanned both industry and education. She was a military statistician, an analyst during World War II, a member of the team that developed the Univac computer and a mathematics instructor at her alma mater in 1936. Marjorie Watson also served as the head of the mathematics department at

Huntington College in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Dorothy Dean Shelton Mathematics Scholarship is intended for an incoming freshman attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who majors in mathematics. This scholarship will ensure that all tuition, fees, books, room and board for an in-state student are fully paid.

This scholarship is funded by Dorothy Dean Shelton to encourage and assist deserving students, especially women, to major in mathematics at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After graduating from the University of Chattanooga (now UTC), Ms. Shelton was hired as a mathematician at the Tennessee Valley Authority. While at TVA, she enjoyed the challenge and reward of being a part of the Transmission Planning and Engineering group for forecasting transmission related needs twenty years into the future. She retired from TVA in 1984 after 38 years of service. In addition, she was an active member of the American Association of University Women, serving as Chattanooga Branch President, Tennessee Division President, and serving on Association Committees in Washington. In appreciation for the help she received, and to give other students encouragement, she established this scholarship.

The Team Investment Group of Oak Ridge has posted their 2024 Renfro Henderson, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. If you lived in the Scarboro Community for a minimum of 1 year you can stop by the Counseling Office to pick up an application for the scholarship. The deadline is April 30th. Don’t miss this opportunity that is unique to our students!

The P.E.O. Chapter R Scholarship - Women Advancing Women Scholarship (based on merit and financial need) is now accepting applications. This is a scholarship for female high school seniors accepted into an accredited four-year college or university within the United States showing evidence of leadership, community, and school involvement. Applications can be picked up in the Counseling Office. The deadline to apply is March 29th.

The 2023 Anderson County Farm Bureau Scholarship application can be picked up in the Counseling Office, or Ms. O’Rourke can email you a fillable PDF application. The deadline for this application in April 5th.

We want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the the webinar on Friday - we had record-breaking attendance! If you missed the webinar or want to go back to reference what we discussed, check out the archived webinar here.

There are always lots of questions about the FAFSA; and this year, most of our questions are regarding mixed-status families (parents without social security numbers). All of your questions have been answered! You can find the comprehensive list of questions and answers here.

As you may know, the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been soft launched at StudentAid.gov! During this time, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available for short periods of time while Federal Student Aid monitors site functionality, performs maintenance and makes technical adjustments to improve user experience. If students are able to submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA during this time, please encourage them to save their confirmation email for their records! If the form is unavailable when students try to access it, please ask them to exit and try again later. TN Promise students are required to submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by 11:59 PM on May 15, 2024 to maintain scholarship eligibility!

Below are a few tips we have shared with students to ensure they have all of the information needed to successfully complete the application!

• The application must be completed at StudentAid.gov; students should not use any other websites for completion.
• Students should select the 2024-2025 FAFSA. If the incorrect year’s FAFSA is completed, even by the May 15, 2024 deadline, students will become permanently ineligible for TN Promise.
• The items below are needed to complete the application:
  • Student and parent 2022 tax information
  • Student and parent will each need a verified FSA ID. If either do not have a verified FSA ID, they will need to create one before completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Students and parents will use their FSA IDs to log in and electronically sign the FAFSA each academic year. For a step-by-step guide on how to create an FSA ID, please click here or follow the instructions below!
    • Students/parents will need their respective Social Security Number, a valid email address and other personal information to complete the application.
    • Visit StudentAid.gov! Then, click Create Account in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Select Get Started to begin filling in personal information. It is extremely important that accurate information is entered!
    • Once an FSA ID is created, it must be verified by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This process may take up to 7 business days!
    • Once student and parent FSA IDs are verified, they are ready to file the 2024-2025 FAFSA!

Download the resource below to check out videos for colleges and links for applications! This is a great resource for families.

Parents, Mrs. Foster sent this via Skyward email; however, here are important dates! We will remind you of these dates via email, ORHSClassof2024 Facebook page, Instagram, and the iNews.

• May 15, 2024, - FAFSA deadline for the Class of 2024 (fafsa.gov) for priority consideration
• June 30th, 2024, - FAFSA deadline for the Class of 2024

To get the most up to date information about Masquers, join our Group Me https://groupme.com/join_group/94107482/GBLNWclq and/or email masquers@ortn.edu to get on the Masquers Newsletter list.

Highlights

What’s Happening this month!

• Thank you Boosters and Parents!
• • Join the Boosters
    
  • Help support the Melbourne Bakery Fundraiser by sharing the attached graphic. Have your Masquers student request cards from Mrs. Lloyd.
    
• Atomic Acts Cast for Scenes and Improv.
  
• Mark your calendar for Atomic Acts Show on Thursday, April 18th
  
• Interested in learning about Sound or Lighting? Contact Matthew Lloyd (malloyd@ortn.edu) or Amber Latham (lathaamb000@ortn.edu)
  
• 2024-25 Show line-up
  

If you have not done so already, please follow ORHS Wildcat Scholars on Instagram and Facebook. See what's going on in our group!

Instagram: orhswildcatscholars

Facebook: Oak Ridge High School Wildcat Scholars

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFySTZoMPQ/v7Vugx2BlRVrtZjzO-AdMg/view?utm_content=DAFySTZoMPQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=viewer

Executive Principal - Drayton Hawkins dshawkins@ortn.edu

Seniors - Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu

Juniors - Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu

Sophomores- Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu

Freshman- David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu

Curriculum Principal - Jennifer Milligan jmmilligan2@ortn.edu

Counselors:

Seniors - Class of 2024 Heidi Foster - hafoster@ortn.edu

Juniors - Class of 2025 Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu

Sophomores - Class of 2026 Paige Taylor - hptaylor@ortn.edu

Freshman - Class of 2027 Brianna Ottinger - bottinger@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

As a reminder, this year our administration and Counseling Department moved to grade level teams to serve students for their scholastic careers at ORHS. In order to provide families with the swiftest and most accurate information, we encourage reaching out directly to the grade level administrator and/or counselor team when questions arise with students.

9th Grade team: David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu and Brianna Ottinger bottinger@ortn.edu

10th Grade team: Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu and Paige Taylor hptaylor@ortn.edu

11th Grade team: Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu and Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu

12th Grade team: Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu and Heidi Foster hafoster@ortn.edu

Parents, please submit changes needed for contacts, addresses and phone numbers on Skyward to Rhonda Garrison, with appropriate documentation. Phone numbers and email changes can be sent to your student's administrator, or call Amy O'Rourke at 425-9607, in the Counseling Office.

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.

Students have or will be issued an ID badge. This badge is a keycard to the building. Badges also provide access to the library, OR, printers, lunch accounts, etc. Students have access to the building beginning at 7:00 am. Badges are turned off at 7:50 when the tardy bell rings.

Students are not allowed in the building before 7:00 am when staff is available for supervision. Students are expected to vacate the premises by 3:20 daily if not under the direct supervision of a teacher or coach. Students will NOT be allowed to remain in the Food Court to wait on a parent or a ride home. No supervision is provided after this time.

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. S

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

FACEBOOK (New) - Oak Ridge High School Athletics. https://www.facebook.com/groups/6540858256032220

X F/K/A Twitter: @AthleticsOrhs

Instagram: @orhswildcatsathletics

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.

Students driving to school are required to have a parking tag. There is NO cost; however, they must register their vehicle with Student Services and show their driver's license. The form is electronic and can be found at the link below.

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!!

THIS MONEY SUPPORTS OUR CDC CLASSROOM!

Registration begins September 1, 2023 with points starting to accumulate on September 7th and cards have to be registered by December 31st to count for this year. The program runs through May 10, 2024.

https://www.foodcity.com/schoolbucks/#:~:text=2022%2D23%20School,or%20lottery%20tickets.

How Can I Link My School Online?

• Visit http://www.foodcity.com/schoolbucks
• Click the blue “Login” button under Customer Login
• Enter your username and password for your Food City online account.
• At the top of the page click, “My Account”. This will load the customer dashboard page.
• Below the Fuel Bucks section, you will find “My School Bucks” section. (The total school bucks earned will show here as well)
• Click the “Update School” link listed below. Select the school and click, “Save”

School Bucks-Store Level Enrollment

• Stores can enroll schools from VC Enroll for customers who do not have access to the internet. (Only HRCs and HCs have authorized access.)
• To do so they enter the customers ValuCard number, selected “Look UP” and select the school the customer has chosen in the School Bucks field.

Common Questions

• Why is my school not on my receipt? Schools are no longer listed on receipts but can be managed anytime from their online account.

• When does this begin/end? The program runs from SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH MAY 9, 2023.

Deadline to register is December 31, 2023.

Total awarded amount: $700,000

**PLEASE HELP OUR CLASS RAISE $$ BY REGISTERING!! Share w/ everyone you know!

• Sign into your Kroger account at Kroger.com or set up an account with your Kroger card if you haven’t registered your card before

• Click on your name to access your information (“My Account”)

• Choose account summary

• At the bottom of the page, you will see “community rewards”

• Click “Enroll”

• You are now officially linked to our account to earn money for the school through your purchases.

If you are using the app to enroll, click the three bars and choose "Rewards" then

"Community Rewards."

If you have any problems, please call Kroger at 1-800-576-4377

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 15 at 7:50 AM - Watch the announcements each morning by our Crew! YouTube Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL9N_azmWeQByrIW6pWLBlQ

Live in Knox/Anderson/Roane - If you live throughout Anderson/Roane/Knox counties and have ATT Uverse you can find us on Channel 99 – just select the Oak Ridge Schools option.

INews - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/news-events/news-links/

Skylert Messages and Emails - Please make sure your current email address and phone numbers are up to date!!!

PTSO Newsletter - PTSO distributes a VERY detailed quarterly newsletter to inform parents of upcoming events and LOTS of counseling information! This comes to your email! They also have a presence on the website: http://www.orhs-ptso.org/news-information with tons of information! PTSO also has a Facebook presence, and we encourage you to "LIKE" their page! https://www.facebook.com/ORHSPTSO/

Twitter - Follow the accounts listed below

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