The application window for Seniors who wish to join the National Honors Society is now open through next Friday. To be eligible, you must be a senior with a 3.8 weighted GPA. Please click on the link to apply. If you have any questions, please see Dr. Thomas or Mr. Feuer.

https://forms.gle/XwNnBzkzxhULJkwX9

Need new Wildcat swag? Check out the official Wildcat products at the link below! A portion of your purchase provides ORHS a small amount to provide extras for our students. Thank you for considering the Sideline Store for your Wildcat gear!

Come out Thursday evening and meet the teachers!

· 5:30-5:45—Welcome assembly in Auditorium

· 5:45-6:45—Parent/Teacher Meet and Greet

Two churches provide hot and inexpensive meals for students every week.

“Walk Over Wednesday” lunches at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church start up this Wednesday, August 7th. The cost is still $3. Come join us!

Lunches at First United Methodist Church will begin this Thursday, August 8th. The price will be $4. We look forward to seeing you!

PTSO communicates mainly through their Facebook page. Learn how you can support the teachers and students at ORHS.

Pink dolphins, brightly colored birds, and all the monkeys are just part of the amazing wildlife of the Amazon that you will see on your adventure into the Amazon. Come with me to Peru during Spring Break 2026 and visit Lima, Cusco, Machu Pichu, and float down the Amazon River. It will be a trip you will never forget! This trip is sponsored by Joseph Moseley and EF Tours, it is not an Oak Ridge Schools sponsored trip.

To find out more about this Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction, download the information below.

The Student Council interest meeting for juniors and seniors will be held on August 6th during 3A, in room LC311. This meeting will cover plans for the year and info about the group. Come be a part of the change you want to see in the school!

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.

It is very important for families at JMS, WES, and ORHS, where our students do not eat Free, to complete the application. At this time, the error letter from 7/19/24 is still showing up on family walls and is often mistaken for a completed application. We have requested Skyward remove that letter, and are hopeful it will be gone soon. In the meantime, if a family indicates that they are seeing an application from July 19, ask them to complete and submit the 2024-25 application.

1. A few things you need to know: Paper applications are available upon request. These are located in the Main Office. Paper applications are available, but we highly recommend the electronic version in Skyward. We will not be sending home mass paper applications with students. Parents can also go to https://www.ortn.edu/district/food-services/, download and print a copy.
2. To access the application, the parent on Family 1 should log into the parent account. Click on Food Service, and click on Application. See the screenshot below.
3. Only Family 1 can fill this form out in Skyward--- Family 2 will not have access to this application in Skyward. Legally, we have to provide an opportunity for Family 2 to complete the form if they so wish, so it has been uploaded to the document section of Skyward, and will be shared along with the Required Postings and Disclosures to all families later this week. Additionally, Family 2 may request a paper copy at the school. If we receive two applications for the same child, we will make the determination and contact the family as to what application was accepted and/or denied.

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.

In the ORS Handbook, the dress code has been updated for the district. The high school WILL follow these guidelines. We ask parents to review the parameters and strive to ensure your students arrive at school dress appropriately and ready to learn. Please review the expectations below:

The Board of Education believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment. The Board expects students to give proper attention to personal cleanliness and to wear suitable clothing. Students are asked to wear simple, comfortable clothing that is clean and neat. Shoes should be worn at all times. Generally speaking, students are not to wear clothing which compromises safety or modesty; nor clothing which is disruptive to the educational process. Students are prohibited from wearing:

1. Clothing or accessories which by reasonable judgment is considered unsafe, dangerous or a health hazard (examples include, but are not limited to: wallet chains, spiked collars, necklaces or rings with spikes or sharp edges, oversized belt buckles, picks and combs).
2. Clothing or accessories which contain or suggest obscene symbols, signs, slogans or words degrading any gender, cultural, religious or ethnic values.
3. Clothing or accessories which contain or suggest language or symbols oriented toward violence, vandalism, sex, drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
4. Pajamas or clothing resembling sleepwear. This also includes house shoes.
5. Apparel
   1. Shirts, shorts, jeans or pants with holes, skirts and dresses that compromise modesty or are disruptive to the learning environment.
   2. The following attire is not permitted: bare midriffs; halter or tube tops; short shorts; tight, see through, or revealing clothing; or clothing which allows underwear to be exposed, such as sagging pants, spaghetti strap tops, tank tops, sports bras, and muscle shirts.
   3. A belt is mandatory if pants or shorts will not stay at the waist without one.
   4. Hats, head coverings, bandanas, and sunglasses are not to be worn inside the school building unless for religious purposes.

Families - Badges are required to be worn (preferable around the neck) all day everyday. Please help your teen devise a plan to ensure they leave home with their badge daily. Badges are required for:

1. Primarily for safety - we must know who is permitted in the building

2. Key card to the building

3. Pay for lunch

4. Used for printing on the numerous printers around the building

5. Entrance into the Media Center

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.

The majority of our required back-to-school paperwork has been digitized and are now available for you to complete in ParentSquare. Complete instructions on how to complete forms can be found by clicking here (https://parentsquare.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115005092166-Complete-an-Online-Form-Permission-Slip), but you must be logged in to view them.

IMPORTANT: When digitally signing the form, your name must be typed exactly as it appears in Skyward. If you receive an error message when attempting to complete the form please double-check that there are no additional spaces before or after your name, and that your name is typed exactly as it appears in your acco

unt.

Forms can be found in the app be selecting "More" in the lower right corner, then Forms/Permissions.

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.

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:

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 email Amy O'Rourke at akorourke@ortn.edu, in the Counseling Office. All request must be in writing. Address changes require documenttion.

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.

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 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.

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, we want to assist you with Skyward and Canvas needs. Steps to become a Canvas Observer are in the flyer below. This will allow parents to "see" all of their Oak Ridge Schools students Canvas pages in one location. Please download the instructions below.

There have been multiple changes and additions to the Oak Ridge Discipline handbook. Parents will receive a copy; however, the link below will take you to the new policies. We encourage parents to review the handbook with your teens. Students will be given highlights on Monday in their first block classes as well as in grade level meetings on Tuesday.

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

Students have or will be issued an ID badge. Badges are required to be worn around the neck or clipped to their clothing above the waist. Badges are needed because:

• Safety - Provide immediate recognition as a member of the ORHS student body
• Keycard - Open the doors
• Print assignments on printers throughout the building
• Enter the library
• Pay for lunch

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.

All students are encouraged to come out to the Club Fair to find at least one club that interests you! The fair is sponsored by Student Council and Wildcats for Change. The bus riders will be dismissed at 1:35 to go to the fair and then the rest of the school at dismissal.

DIVERSITY CLUB, GSTA – Tuesday, in the library after school

D&D Club, every Friday from 3:15 to 4:30 PM in the grand hall of imagination (AKA Dr. Denisar's room CS329)

THE ENVIRONMENT CLUB - will hold an interest meeting on Wednesday, August 7th at 2 pm in LC107

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 14 and August 28...if you think you are interested in joining HOSA, join us to see what HOSA is all about!

INTERACT CLUB - Our first meeting is TODAY, Aug 5 after school until 4pm in the amphitheater

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY - will have its first meeting of the year on Wednesday in LC326 at 2:00.

SEWING & CROCHETING CLUB - Thursday after school until 4 in CS328

SPANISH CLUB - TODAY, Monday, August 5th, immediately after school in LC 304 Señora Franco’s room.

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.

Due to the threat of thunderstorms, the scrimmage with Fulton is MONDAY night at 6:00 pm.

Highlights from the Newsletter:

• Music Audition Workshop with Rhonda in the Auditorium-Friday August 2nd (3-6)

• • Tech meets Friday August 2nd (3-3:30)

  • Rehearsal on Monday August 5th (3-6)

  • Props meets Monday August 5th (3-4:30)

  • Rehearsal on Tuesday August 6th (3-6)

  • First improv meeting TUESDAY August 6th in the Upper Balcony lobby (3-5:30)

  • Rehearsal on Wednesday August 7th (2-5)

  • Improv meets Wednesday August 7th in the Upper Balcony lobby(2-5:30)

  • Rehearsal on Thursday August 8th (3-6)

  • Costumes meets Thursday August 8th (3-5)

  • Vocal lessons with Coke on Thursday August 8th (3:30-7:30)

  • Rehearsal on Friday August 9th (3-6)

  • Tech meets Friday august 9th (3-3"30)

  • Booster meeting in the lower cafeteria Saturday August 10th (9am)

  • Build Day on Saturday August 10th (10-5)

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.

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.

• 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.

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

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: Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu and Heidi Foster hafoster@ortn.edu

10th Grade team: David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu and Brianna Ottinger bottinger@ortn.edu

11th Grade team: Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu and Paige Taylor hptaylor@ortn.edu

12th Grade team: Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu and Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu

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!!

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