Wildcat iNews
Information for the ORHS Wildcat Nation! 05/13/24 Issue #291
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
CLASS OF 2024 FINISH THEIR JOURNEY THIS WEEK
SCHEDULE
MONDAY - Regular school day
TUESDAY - Seniors pick up yearbooks; turn in laptops; all classes meet (LAST DAY); settle all debts with the bookkeeper; Senior Sunset at Track or Soccer Field; Last day to pick up medication from the nurse (parents only)
WEDNESDAY - Senior Breakfast (7:30 - Food Court); Senior Slide Show, Convocation Practice (Auditorium); Graduation practice (Arena) and pick up senior packets. Dismissal at 11ish
THURSDAY - WillowBrook Alumni - Meet at WBE at 9:00 in cap & gown; Woodland Alumni - meet at 9:45 in cap & gown; Glenwood Alumni - Meet at 2:00 in cap & gown; Convocation 7:00 pm, Auditorium - wear cap & gown
FRIDAY - Graduation - Line up at 6:30 at the top of Blankenship Field; Ceremony begins at 7:00
Graduation Celebration - Check in begins at 10:00 at the OR Civic Center
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SENIORS
SENIOR PARENTS - MESSAGE FROM MR. HAWKINS
As we approach graduation this Friday, I would like to make sure that all seniors know there will be NO SENIOR PRANKS! If anyone is found to be participating in a prank, they will not be able to participate in graduation ceremonies.
This is a time to celebrate your accomplishments and not a time for mischief. Please make sure you adhere to this request.
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
The Final Exam Schedule is set for May 28th and May 29th. The last day of school for students is May 29th. Students who do not take their final receive a zero on the exam. Please keep that in mind when making plans for summer break.
FAFSA DUE MAY 15TH
THANK YOU WILDCAT MENTORS! JOB WELL DONE!
AP TESTING CONTINUES AT RSCC THIS WEEK
AP Testing at Roane State Community College’s Goff Building will begin next Monday, May 6th and run through Friday, May 24th. It is imperative that student’s check their school e-mail regularly for testing schedules, room locations and important announcements and updates related to testing. Students should arrive EARLY! Tests are required to begin on time.
WEEK TWO - AP TESTING
Week two of AP testing will begin on Monday, May 13th, at Roane State Community College’s Goff Building.
The following AP tests will be administered this week May 13th -17th :
- Monday, May 13th-AP Calculus AB & BC
- Tuesday, May 14th- AP English Language, AP Physics C (both exams)
- Wednesday, May 15th-AP World History Modern, AP French Language & Culture and AP Computer Science Principles
- Thursday, May 16th-AP Spanish Language & Culture and AP Biology
- Friday, May 17th- AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2
Things to Know:
- The day(s) that you are scheduled to test is an excused absence and the office has been provided with a list of students and their testing dates.
- Students will enter RSCC from Laboratory Road and park in student parking lot C
- Students should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled exam time
- Testing room locations will be posted as you enter the building, and you must present your school/picture ID to enter your assigned testing room.
- Cell phones, smart watches, headphones, earbuds, and other electronic devices are not allowed in the testing room.
- Items to Bring:
- School/Picture ID
- Fully charged device (if taking a digital exam)
- Pencils
- Pens
- College Board Approved Calculator (see attached list of approved calculators)
- Snack (optional)
SAVE THE DATES
PTSO TO THANK OUR TEACHERS WITH BREAKFAST - YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
PTSO would like to send our staff out for the summer with a breakfast. Help us celebrate the ORHS staff for a fantastic year. PLEASE use sign up genius for the last teacher breakfast on Tuesday, May 21st.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0444A4A923ABFF2-49534148-endofthe
NHS ANNOUNCEMENTS
NHS SENIORS - RETURN YOUR HOODS
NHS seniors, please come by the main lobby the week after graduation during lunch to return your hood and pick up your deposit.
NHS CONVOCATION USHERS
Attention all NHS Convocation Ushers: There will be a mandatory meeting on Monday, May 13th right after school in the Auditorium to assign roles and practice for Convocation. You will receive more information from your 1st block teacher. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please see Madame Barry in CS 307.
JUNIOR ADAMS AND INI ABIODUN-ADENIYI WIN MATH SCHOLARSHIPS
STEM SENIORS BUILD THE NEWS DESK FOR RMS!
Thank you, Tori Moua, Ramey Sharp and Isaac Rodgers. This team of Advanced STEM students designed, crafted, painted, assembled and delivered this professional news desk to Robertsville for their broadcasting class.
MARQUEE AWARDS AT THE TENNESSEE THEATER
ANASTASIA TAKES HOME AWARDS!
CONGRATULATIONS to the entire cast of Anastasia, named Best Musical on Saturday evening. Congratulations to Max Mishler and Norah Younger, who took Best Actor and Best Actress awards. Nora and Max will travel to New York this summer for an all expense paid trip to compete at the national level. Congratulations to Terri Lloyd and so many others who supported this production.
NORAH YOUNGER
Best Actress
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd
MAX MISHLER
Best Actor
10TH GRADE PARENTS
During the school year, your child may have participated in a vision, hearing, body mass
index (BMI), and/or blood pressure screening recommended by the State of Tennessee and
conducted by ORS Coordinated School Health and Nursing Department. These screenings are
effective in revealing common vision, hearing, health and/or blood pressure issues, however, it
does not substitute for a professional examination. If you have any questions about your child’s
results or steps to follow up, please contact your child’s school nurse or email Marcia Wade at
To view your child’s results in Skyward:
Click the tab labeled “Portfolio” on the left-hand side of your dashboard. Then click the tab labeled “Health-Physical”. Click “View Report”. You should now see a screen that shows your child’s height, weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, as well as Vision Overall Pass/Fail followed by a notes section. The notes section will tell whether your child did not fall within normal limits on the BMI/Blood pressure screenings. If you do not see any notes, then your child falls within normal limits on the BMI/Blood Pressure screenings. If you do NOT see any scores for your child, then they were either not screened or absent the day of screening. If there are no notes written, then this means your child falls within the normal ranges and no follow-up is needed at this time.
If the NOTES section indicated your child did NOT fall within normal limits on the BMI and/or blood pressure screening, please complete the following form using the link below. BMI screening is based on the student’s height, weight, age and gender. A high/low BMI and/or Blood pressure can lead to weight related diseases or other health issues.
SOPHOMORES WIN POWDER PUFF IN A TIGHT GAME
LIBRARY NEWS
It is time to return ALL library books to close out the 23-24 school year. Please check under the bed, the trunk, the backseat of the car and the bottom of backpacks for books belonging to the ORHS library. Books that do not return will be added to the student debt list.
SENIORS - Books must be returned or paid for in order to participate in Graduation.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEGINNING ROBOTICS?
If you have any students who may be interested in beginning robotics, ORAU is offering a free summer camp for rising 10th-12th graders from June 3-7, 8:30AM-4:30pm at ORAU in Oak Ridge. If any students are interested, please share the QR code or send them to Dr. Hutson's room (CS247) for more information and how to register.
PARENTS OF STUDENTS TAKING WELLNESS DURING 4TH TERM
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.
IDLE-FREE WEEK - SUPPORT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL & APPLIED SCIENCE CLASSES
It’s idle-free week. Vehicle idling means sitting in your car with the engine on but not moving. Idling your engine for just 10 minutes releases one pound of harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This week our Environmental and Applied Science classes are encouraging people to stop idling and enjoy the fresh air
MEDICATIONS IN THE CLINIC
Last day to pick up senior meds is May 13th. Anything left after that date will be discarded.
All other meds – Last day to pick up is May 24th. Anything left after that date will be discarded.
Per school board policy, parents are the only ones who can pick up the medications. NO medications can be sent home with students.
FAFSA HELP - MAY 14TH
FAFSA ID
In order to file the FAFSA and attend the seminar for assistance, parent AND student must have applied for their FAFSA ID at FAFSA.gov. This can take up to three days to process. Do NOT wait until May 14th to apply for the ID or the deadline for TNPromise will be missed. May 15th is the deadline for filing the FAFSA to keep the TnPromise.
SUMMER SCHOOL CREDIT RECOVERY - SIGNUP
JUNE 3 - JUNE 28TH - AM/PM SESSIONS AVAILABLE
In order to stay on track for graduation and fill in learning gaps, students will need to complete summer credit recovery for courses that they have not passed this year (fall and spring semesters). Students have four years plus a summer to graduate from high school so it is important that they earn their credits each year to stay on track. We are excited to offer an expanded summer school this year to accommodate every student who may need to recover credit(s). Daily attendance is required for summer school. All students will be enrolled in the AM Session for their first course. They will be enrolled in the PM Session if they have an addtional course to complete. Students may stay for both sessions each day in order to complete their courses more quickly.
Summer Credit Recovery will be offered at NO COST this year, and we are excited to be able to offer transportation for our summer recovery students. If you sign up for the bus, please make sure to check the routes once they are posted. The bus stop for summer school may be different from the student’s regular school year bus stop.
Dates: Monday, June 3 through Friday, June 28
Times: 7:45 to 10:45 (AM Session)
11:15 to 2:00 (PM Session)
Click Here to Sign Up for Summer School 2024
Students must attend summer school in person. There is no work from home option for summer credit recovery. Summer school is self-paced, so they may finish before the final day. We will offer online credit recovery for our courses. Students may sign up for two courses for summer recovery but may seek admin approval to take a third course if necessary.
Students who are attending summer school will keep their laptops at the end of the school year.
Students must have earned a 50% or better in a course to be eligible for summer credit recovery. If a student has not earned a 50%, they must repeat the entire course the following school year.
If you have questions about your child’s eligibility for summer school, please reach out to his/her teachers, school counselors, or grade level administrators.
The deadline to sign up for summer school is May 29th.
YEARBOOK INFORMATION
There have been many phone calls and questions lately about ordering yearbooks. The order time has passed, and now yearbooks may only be purchased on Yearbook Distribution Day, May 14, for $85 cash only. Seniors will be called down to purchase or pickup first, then juniors, then sophomores, then freshmen. There will be 100 books on-hand that day to buy, and it will be first come, first serve with no books being reserved. If you have questions about whether or not you have ordered a book, please email Rebecca Hale at rahale@ortn.edu, and she will check the orders and reply within 24 hours.
TURNING 15 OVER THE SUMMER?
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.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
DOES YOUR TEEN NEED AN SF-1010 FORM FOR THEIR DRIVER'S PERMIT?
CLUB INFORMATION
SPANISH CLUB - Monday @ 3:15
Spanish club will meet MONDAY in Señora Franco’s room LC304 after school.
CULTURAL STUDENT UNION - Every Monday at 3:15
DIVERSITY CLUB - Wednesdays @ lunch
DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS CLUB - Every Friday
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES - Fridays @ 7:10
FCA meets every Friday morning at Providence House across from the Arena Parking Lot.
QUIZ BOWL - Every Monday and Thursday at 3:15
YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Every Tuesday
Youth for Christ meets every Tuesday from 3:15 to 4 in LC 215. Contact Mr. Moreno for more information. Vmoreno@ortn.edu
SENIOR INFORMATION & SCHOLARSHIPS
SENIOR DEBTS AND ORHS PROPERTY
Parents, all debts incurred by your senior or any property issued during high school must be settled in order to walk at graduation. Multiple notifications have been sent. This could include, but is not limited to, library books/fines, textbooks, club or athletic equipment or uniforms, ROTC or chorus uniforms, cafeteria (owed to vendor), and/or IT Department. Debts can be paid or items returned to the Bookkeeper, Mrs. Lois Amos, in the Main Office. Computer or IT items can be paid or returned to Mrs. Julie Brockwell in the Main Office, next door to the bookkeeper. Check your emails for information.
SENIORS - PICK UP YOUR GRADUATION SUPPLIES!
Please pick up your graduation supplies this week! In order to receive your supplies, the balance must be paid in full. You may pay the Jostens rep directly on that date, online, or you may call Jostens at 423-787-0025 to pay with a card over the phone. Please see Mrs. Ledden in CS347 if you have questions.
GRADUATION CELEBRATION - LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP
SENIORS - SIGN UP FOR A NIGHT OF SAFE, FUN ACTIVITY AT THE MAIN EVENT
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!
TNPROMISE DATES
- May 15, 2024, - FAFSA deadline for the Class of 2024 (fafsa.gov) for priority consideration
- June 30th, 2024, - Community Service Due for the Class of 2024
2024-2025 SPORTS TRYOUT INFORMATION
PLAN TO RUN CROSS COUNTRY?? MTG MAY 14TH
Anyone interested in running cross country next season, there will be an informational meeting Tuesday, May 14th in LC 327 immediately after school.
BOYS BASKETBALL TRYOUT INFO
Any 9th, 10th or 11th graders that are interested in trying out for the 2024-2025 ORHS Boys Basketball Team should plan on attending tryouts on Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21st from 3:30-5:30pm in the Wildcat Arena. You must have an updated physical in order to tryout. Please see Coach Green if you have any questions.
ORHS WILDCATS ATHLETICS
WILDCAT BASEBALL ⚾⚾⚾⚾
Congratulations Wildcat Baseball
Baseball is the Region Runner-Up and continues to Substate this week for the first time since 1993. Games at Sevier County will be announced.
WILDCAT MEN'S SOCCER ⚽⚽⚽⚽
WILDCATS REGION CHAMPS
Wildcats beat Halls Saturday evening 2-0 for a Region Championship. Next games TBA.
ELI LYNCH, SR, PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ALL DISTRICT WILDCATS
VOLLEY CATS🎾🎾🎾🎾
SENIORS RECEIVE TENNIS AWARDS
Both ORHS tennis teams will be bringing friends and family to their awards banquet this Thursday. Nine seniors are leaving the courts having contributed mightily to the school's tennis program over the past four years. Coaches David & Joanne Bowman shared, "The seniors' provided leadership off the courts plus demonstrated excellent sportsmanship and competitive spirit on the courts all season. The players returning for us next spring have had great role models to emulate."
Pictured LtoR: Diana Ascencio, Emily Barber, Sidney Bunch, Aaliyah Herron, Walter Nash, Faya Nijdam, Jacob Proffitt, Yulianna Taylor, Layne Wesley, Natalie Williamson, Ahna Wurm.
PURCHASE YOUR WILDCAT SWAG AT OUR TEAM STORE!
MASQUERS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
COMMUNICATION
FOR MASQUER'S NEWS:
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 Week at a Glance
Marquee Award - there is tons of info in this section - if you are going to the awards, find your information in the newsletter!
Thursday, May 23rd - Interest Meeting for the 2024-25 Production of Puffs!
We had a great Awards Banquet on May 4th - Awards listed!
- Thank you Boosters and Parents!
- Join the Boosters
Notes from the meeting and new officer information - coming soon
- 2024-25 Masquers Show Season
WILDCAT SCHOLARS SOCIAL MEDIA
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
WHO IS YOUR ADMINISTRATOR??
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
SCHOOL COUNSELING SUPPORT TEAM!
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
ORHS GRADE LEVEL LEADERSHIP TEAMS
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
ANNUAL REMINDERS AND PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
UPDATE SKYWARD INFORMATION TO STAY CONNECTED
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.
ATTENDANCE NOTES
STUDENT ACCESS TO ORHS
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.
REGISTER ALL MEDICATIONS IN THE CLINIC
ATTENTION ALL BUS RIDERS - ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Questions?? Click below to access the Oak Ridge Schools Transportation Website
STAY CONNECTED TO ATHLETICS
X F/K/A Twitter: @AthleticsOrhs
Instagram: @orhswildcatsathletics
ATTENDANCE IS IMPORTANT! CONSULT THE CALENDAR BEFORE PLANNING VACATIONS
IMPORTANT TN DRIVING PRIVILEGE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
Parents should review this information with their teen drivers!!
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
DO YOU SHOP AT FOOD CITY?? REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY
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!
Follow These Steps to Link your Kroger Card
• 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
Ways to Connect and STAY INFORMED
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
School Contact Information!
Website: http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Location: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
Phone: 865-425-9600