Student Council and the NJROTC will be hosting the 9/11 Memorial Service this Wednesday at 8am. The 9/11 Memorial Site at the back of the high school will once again be the location, and community members and first responders are welcome to attend.

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.

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.

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!

Tuesday September 10th at 6pm is our PTSO meeting in the upper cafeteria.

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.
• 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.)Maryville College – 9/5

Rhodes (VIRTUAL – Contact Ms. O’Rourke for link) – 9/6

Salve Regina University – 9/10

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.

Attention artists! Student Council is seeking painters for our Book Spine Painting Contest and Scholarship. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to one talented painter of a book spine column in the CS300 hallway. All materials are provided to painters, and this is open to all grades. Applications are due August 30th, you can get more information on the Wildcat Canvas Hangout Page.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.

This test will be administered Tuesday, Sept. 10th beginning at 8:00 a.m. (Students are responsible for any classwork missed.) Seating is limited, so please sign up as soon as possible. Click here to sign up for the ASVAB. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, September 4th.

Students who are testing will report to the amphitheater at 7:50 on the day of the test. This assessment is available for sophomores, juniors, and seniors only. Completing parent information on form implies that parent is aware that the student is taking the ASVAB. For more information about the ASVAB testing program, check out HOME | ASVAB (officialasvab.com).

Please reach out to Ms. Estep (kestep@ortn.edu) if there are any questions.

Calling all students who had picture worthy vacations, staycations, travels, and adventures over the summer! Would you like your summer activities to be featured in the yearbook? If so, please message your photos to our Instagram account ORHSoaklog. Have your summer go down in Oak Ridge High School history.-

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Download the flyer below to review options.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

September 12 is the Senior Night celebration for ORHS Girls' Soccer. We would like to invite you all to attend the event and participate in the festivities by welcoming the seniors and their parents as they proceed across the field during the celebration. We'll then take photos of the seniors, coaches, and school admin. That night's game starts at 7 and the senior night event will be at halftime. We would be honored to have you attend and help us celebrate our seniors!

• Highlights from the Newsletter:

  • What's Happening - Calendar at a Glance for this week- Tech Week!

  • Turn in your Booster Show Fee and Volunteer Form by September 9th

  • Turn in your Field Trip form for the school show by September 9th

  • Voice Lessons with Coke Morgan this week

  • No lessons with Coke during show week

  • Masquers Football Concessions Sign Up

  • 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

  
  

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.

• 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.

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