I have truly enjoyed the first couple of weeks of school. It's amazing how quickly the students fall into a rhythm. I have had the pleasure of spending time in various classrooms and lunches on both campuses visiting with our amazing ACES students.

This newsletter has a good amount of information including some information that is presented in the Wingspan from Oak Ridge. In addition, please speak with your student about paying attention to monitors on campus. They display information that could be important to them. Including important dates for SAT and ACT registration as well as club meetings for a couple of examples.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Shepard

Leadership High School is a dynamic leadership development and community awareness program for high school sophomores and juniors in the Lone Star College service area.

The program offers a curriculum that allows students to recognize and develop personal

leadership skills, explore best leadership practices, and learn how to initiate positive

change in their community.

The program begins in October with an Orientation and Retreat followed by interactive monthly growth sessions from November to March concluding with a completion celebration in April. These sessions offer students the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions with community leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries.

Students should use this link: LoneStar.edu/Leadership-HighSchool for additional information and to access the online application. One letter of recommendation is required as part of the application process.

The application deadline is September 23, 2024.

This year's theme is Disney.

ACES is looking for a parent with a truck and a trailer for use for the homecoming parade for an ACES float. Please contact Mrs. Shepard or the ACES office if you have a truck and/or a trailer that could be used.

ACES has a location for freshmen to submit paperwork on the 9th grade campus in room 507 behind the library. This is Dr. Lucas' office.

He have a spirit store created for ACES apparel. Please visit this link if you are interested in purchasing.

https://acesorhs.deco-apparel.com/

Students interested in the upcoming DLS should mark their calendars for 9/9/24. The webinar link problem has not been resolved. Once the issue is corrected, students will be notified of the solution.

Submit all Exploration Documentation in Canvas - do not send via email

Any Exploration Credits or Community Service Hours completed over the summer must be submitted by the end of the school day on August 30, 2024. Please see Canvas or the ACES website for the directions for each activity.

Any Exploration Credits or Community Service Hours completed during the school year (August 14, 2024, through May 23, 2024) must be submitted within TWO weeks of the activity date. See Canvas or our ACES website for the directions.

Every year each ACES student must commit to a Research & Problems Co-curricular activity. Past opportunities included Science Fair, Robotics, Math UIL, Computer Science Club, E-Sports, Biotech, HOSA and Science Bowl to name some. We are working on adding additional opportunities for our students. Students must submit their Research and Problems activity in September. The declaration process has changed. More information will be provided the first few weeks of school.

Students Interested in DI should complete this survey.

Attention Seniors - Internship Documentation and Presentations are due October 28, 2024. Presentations will be uploaded in Canvas.

*This is a requirement to complete the ACES program.

ACES will host an internship night for students that have completed their internship to display their presentation. This will provide an opportunity for these students to share their experiences with younger grades as they prepare to embark on the Internship journey. Presenting students will display their slideshow on a campus chromebook and be available to answer questions about their internship. No presentation/project boards will be used.

Tentative Date - November 13, 2024

Participating Students (presenters and audience members) will receive Community Service and/or Exploration Credit.

ACES students are encouraged to wear an ACES shirt the first school day Monday of each month to show our spirit and pride in the program. September 9, 2024, will be our first ACES Spirit day.

Additional Days include:

• October 7, 2024
• November 11, 2024
• December 2, 2024
• January 13, 2025
• February 3, 2025
• March 3, 2025
• April 7, 2025
• May 5, 2025

Math UIL practice have begun this week! If you have a passion for math, its not too late to join! See Mrs. Minieri in Room 2601 to sign up. Practices are on Red Eagles Nest days and after school on Thursdays from 2:45 - 3:30. We have several competitions scheduled throughout the year!

Practices will begin next week, August 26, 2024, on Monday and Wednesday from 2:45 to 3:45 in N415.

Students in health science track classes are able to join the Career and Technical Student Organization. The first meeting of the year is August 28, 2024.

Science National Honor Society applications for Juniors and Senior are now available in Dr. McLeod's room 2226. The deadline is Friday August 30th at 2:45PM

Oak Ridge High School will administer the PSAT/NMSQT on October 23, 2024, to all 10th and 11th graders. CISD pays for all 10th and 11th graders to take this exam.

Freshmen who are interested in taking the PSAT on October 23, 2024, may sign up through SchoolCash. The cost of the test is $15 for freshmen. ACES freshmen are highly encouraged to participate in this opportunity.

CISD has created an ACES Canvas course. All ACES students will have access to the 2024-2025 course. Students will not be loaded into the new version until the first day of school. Parents have access through the CISD Parent Portal to view their student's courses. Students will want to make sure they receive notifications for Canvas. Parents can also set notifications for Canvas. This platform will be used to post upcoming opportunities for things such as community service, exploration credit opportunities like Distinguished Lecture Series and Distinguished Speaker Series, and other opportunities. In addition, the announcement feature will be used to communicate important information. This allows students to receive the message directly along with parents.

Directions on setting up notifications for Canvas can be found at this link.

Note: I choose to receive one notification summary a day so that I am not bombarded with emails. You can also choose to have weekly updates or none at all.

ACES Students are expected to take the AP Exams for their respective ACES AP Classes such as AP Math, Science and Computer Science Classes.

ACES Website

Oak Ridge High School Website

Oak Ridge 9th Grade Campus Website