Students should refer to Skyward for their second semester classes. Schedules will not be printed. Students should have Skyward loaded to their phones or access from their laptop device.

Report cards from first semester will be "published" to Skyward on January 9th. There will not be a paper copy for grades until the end of the year. However, parents should log in to see students' final grades for the fall.

Las pruebas ELPA (anteriormente WIDA) se realizarán la semana del 3 de febrero. Todos los estudiantes de idioma inglés serán evaluados. La asistencia es importante.

Тестування ELPA (раніше WIDA) відбудеться 3 лютого. Тестування проходитимуть усі, хто вивчає англійську мову. Відвідуваність важлива.

If you think you are missing important communication from Oak Ridge Schools or the high school, it may be because Parent Square has not be downloaded to your phone. This is our primary form of communication. Download Parent Square today and be informed! This can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play for free.

THE EDUCATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS SURVEY WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES TO COMPLETE.

Within a school there are certain practices and characteristics that affect student learning and the overall performance of the school. To change or improve, it is first necessary to understand what is happening in your child’s school and what students as well as parents/families are experiencing. Your feedback is important to provide the best possible education for your child.

Check out the WBIR story about our students assisting with repairs to I-40! If you didn’t see Raigan Myers and Xavier Miller sharing their impacts on the I-40 repairs while working at Steel Plate Fabricators in Knoxville, please watch! Shoutouts to Eric Mason, their welding instructor (and Teacher of the Year), and Dr. Holly Cross who spearheaded this story.

In order for Seniors to continue their qualification for TnPromise money, they are required to attend a meeting on Monday, January 13th, at 3:40 in the Food Court. Parents are welcome to join but not required.

The 2025-26 FAFSA is now open, kicking off TN FAFSA Frenzy, which runs from now until the TN Promise FAFSA deadline on April 15th! This statewide initiative encourages students and families to complete the FAFSA, a crucial step in accessing financial aid for college. To support your students, check out NCAN’s comprehensive 2025-26 FAFSA resource page for tips and tools to help them successfully navigate the process and unlock opportunities for their future.

Below are a few tips for students to successfully file the FAFSA!

• The application must be completed at FAFSA.gov; students should not use any other websites for completion.
• Students should select the 2025-2026 FAFSA. If the incorrect year’s FAFSA is completed, even by the April 15, 2025 deadline, students will become permanently ineligible for TN Promise.
• The items below are needed to complete the application:
  • Student and parent 2023 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 2025-2026 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 FAFSA.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 2025-2026 FAFSA!

As you work with students to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA, please encourage them to save their confirmation email and FAFSA Submission Summary for their records.

1. We are OAK RIDGE CITY SCHOOLS - NOT Anderson County

2. Decisions are made by 5:15 am when possible.

3. Delay schedules can include - 1 hour delay (breakfast is served); 2 hour delay (no breakfast); or Full day cancellation.

4. Notification for families:

a. Please note that this year, all communications with parents and families regarding campus closures will be sent via Parent Square through our Communications Department.

b. The ortn.edu website will be updated

c. Media outlets will be notified - WFIV; WYSH; WRJZ; TYLV; B97.5 = Radio

Channel 12, WBIR-TV (www.wbir.com/weather; WVLT-TV (www.local8now.com),

WATE-TV (wate.com,

d. Look for Twitter announcement from @ORSchools

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room
• Have at least a 3 foot “kid-free” zone around space heaters
• Purchase space heaters that automatically shut off if they are tipped over
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlets and never into an extension cord or power tap
• If you need any smoke alarms or additional information, please call 865-425- Fire (3473) or email smokealarms@oakridgetn.gov

With the temperature dropping, there has been an increase in the wearing of pajama pants and blankets being brought to school. Please remember that pajama pants are not a part of the dress code and blankets should not be brought to school. Students coming to school in pajama pants who cannot secure a change of clothes are sent to ISS.

Get excited! The highly anticipated Winter Formal is just around the corner, and it promises to be an unforgettable evening of fun and festivities. This year’s dance will take place on Saturday, February

1st at the DoubleTree Hotel from 6 PM to 9 PM.

OTHER INFO: Tickets for this exciting event will be available for purchase in the cafeteria from January 22nd to January 31st at a price of $25. Be sure to grab yours early, as demand is expected to be high!

Mark your calendars and start planning for a night filled with laughter, music, and memories. We can’t wait to see everyone there!

In addition, students have the opportunity to apply for the coveted positions on the Snow Court. There will be one boy and one girl from each graduating class. Applications for these positions will open on January 7th and close on January 15th.They will be available on the Canvas Wildcat Hangout page. The final Snow Court will be announced Tuesday, January 21. The chosen princes and princesses will raise money for Second Harvest and the prince and princess that raise the most money will be crowned Snow King and Queen at the dance.

Does your student need extra help? Please refer to the downloadable tutoring schedule for our staff.

Download the PDF below for access to this scholarship. Applications are due by February 10th.

No more waiting for 2 years to go to Germany on a Student Exchange Program!

Oak Ridge High School offers an additional Student Exchange Program starting this Spring!

You are interested in living in Germany for 3 weeks? You are interested in hosting a German student for 3 weeks? Here is the program for you!

The Friendship Connection, Inc.

Students who are interested in hosting a German student from March 31st until April 23rd of 2024 and students who also want to go to Germany from June 16th until July 8th of 2024 should come to Mrs. Nebenfuehr’s classroom CS301 and pick up registration forms as soon as possible. The final deadline for the application (including the deposit) is December 31st of 2024.

For more information go to www.friendshipconnection.org. Do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Nebenfuehr with any questions at smnebenfuehr@ortn.edu.

This is so wonderful! Now we can offer our high school students to live abroad every year!

NAACP Oak Ridge-Anderson County and Green McAdoo Cultural center and the City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks will be hosting a Martin Luther King prayer brunch on Saturday January 18th from 11-12:15 pm.

Please sign up on the Eventbrite link below so that we get a head count.

The yearbook pricing increase has been delayed until January 1st at which time the price will increase to $80. Go to Jostens.com and take advantage of the discount! ONLY 200 copies remain. Yearbooks will only be sold on Distribution Day in May if there are copies to sell.

Spread out the cost of your order with an interest-free Jostens Payment Plan.*

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.

· 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

• What's happening- Calendar at a glance for this week
• Addams Family Read Through December 16th

• Booster meeting and Addams Family MANDATORY parent meeting December 16th

• 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

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”. In addition, the "Baby Olivia Act" was passed and went into effect this school year. As enacted, the "Baby Olivia Act," requires any family life curriculum that directly or indirectly addresses human growth, human development, or human sexuality to include the presentation of a high-quality, computer-generated animation or high-definition ultrasound of at least three minutes in duration that shows the development of the brain, heart, and other vital organs in early fetal development. In order to meet the requirements of the law we will be showing this video during Family Life programming. 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.

If you would like additional information about the program or be sent the link to the Baby Olivia video, feel free to contact Tina Williams at twilliams@ortn.edu.

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)

GERMAN CLUB, Thursday, January 9th, after school in Mrs. Nebenfheur's room.

INTERACT CLUB - Monday after school to wrap Christmas presents.

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

YOUTH FOR CHRIST - Tuesdays at 3:15 - this is a change!

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.

The Wildcat and Lady Wildcat tennis teams will kick off the 2025 season at their first team practice on February 10th after school. Coach Joanne Bowman shared “We were impressed with player attendance at the voluntary practices David and I hosted this past summer and fall. Over 15 returning and “new” players were on the courts every week learning new skills and improving their tennis IQ.”

ORHS students can be spectators and support the ORHS players at the City’s public tennis facility near Jackson Square on Broadway Avenue. Both ORHS teams will host their “home” matches and scrimmages beginning February 25th vs. Grace Christian on the Jackson courts. The first official District 4 regular season contest is a home match against Hardin Valley Academy on March 25th. Pictured are returning Lady Wildcats Christian McGinnis/Fabiana Ramirez Espana vs. Ellie Nash/Sophie Metz playing doubles on the ORHS courts this month at a voluntary practice.

Mandatory Parent Meeting for the 2025 Outdoor Track and Field Team will be held Thursday, January 16, 2005 at 6:00pm in the ORHS Amphitheatre.

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.

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.

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.

Students getting a learner's permit are required to obtain an SF-1010 form from the school. Please fill out the form below and students will be called to the office when the form is ready.

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.

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.

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