Week Ahead

We are so grateful for the service men and women who came to Oak Ridge to talk to our student about their military experience as we honor them this past Veteran's Day. A special thank you to State Representative, Steven Xiarhos and School Committee Member, Kevin Sareualt. We appreciate your dedication and the dedication of your families in this noble work.

Our 3rd graders went on their annual trip to the Plimouth Pautuxet Museum. They had a wonderful learning experience and got to see replicas of items they have been studying in class in their Social Studies unit. Thank you to the PTA for your support!

This week we held a successful Title I Night in which 82 students and their families came out to learn more about the intervention program, play games, take home resources, and have a bite to eat. It was a wonderful event. Thanks to Dr. Anna Dunphy, our instrucitonal coaches, the intervention team, and our reading specialist. A special thanks to the Abby Group for providing dinner for our guests. This special night helps to reinforce the connection between home and school that leads to student success.

All orders will be shipped directly to home addresses and will arrive before Christmas.
The order closes December 6th!

The direct link is here:
Bit.ly/ORGEAR

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has asked that school nurses be on “high alert” for possible cases of whooping cough and walking pneumonia among students. Below is the official brief from DPH, and attached are some articles with more information.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your child’s building-based nurse or the Nursing Department Head, Nicola Bordelon, MSN, RN.

The school nurses will be conducting a review of student immunization compliance and reaching out to families who need to or may wish to speak to their family care provider regarding immunizations or booster vaccinations.

“Mycoplasma pneumoniae (walking pneumonia) and Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) are spreading in Massachusetts, particularly among school-age children and adolescents. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is asking Massachusetts healthcare providers to have a high index of suspicion for mycoplasma pneumonia and pertussis in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and to ensure that all patients are up to date on DTaP and Tdap vaccines.

M. pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia,

especially in children, and can cause community outbreaks. Symptoms of mycoplasma

pneumonia often include persistent cough, fever, and fatigue, though symptoms are often

mild and patients do not require hospitalization.

Pertussis, also known as "whooping cough," is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. Following a

significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of pertussis in Massachusetts

are increasing to pre-pandemic levels, particularly among adolescents.” (DPH, 2024).

Walking Pneumonia on the Rise Among Children

Brigham & Womens: Walking Pneumonia in Children

Mass General: Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Pertussis Surveillance and Trends

Girls on the Run, a 3-6th grade after-school program, just completed its 6th season at Oak Ridge. The program uses running and other activities and lessons to build girls’ confidence, connection, and resilience. It is an 8 week program that culminates with the Girls on the Run Regional Celebratory 5K in East Boston - with over 100 teams and 2,500 Girls from around Eastern Massachusetts.

The Spring 2025 season will kick-off the week of March 30. More information can be found here and please reach out to Gretchen Swarr at gretchen.swarr@gmail.com to learn more about volunteering with the team. No running experience necessary, just a desire to support and encourage children to reach their potential.

Our lost and found is overflowing. We have bagged up the items currently in the lost and found. Anything in lost and found will be donated at the end of the week if not claimed. Please have your child go to the main office if they have lost anything prior to Monday of this week. All of these items are now in the custodial work room. Anything misplaced this week will be in the normal lost and found area by the gym. We will hold onto these items for a few weeks.

11/19- Gr. 4, Young People's Concert, 11-12:45pm

11/27- Grades Close Half day

11/28-11/29 Thanksgiving Break

12/3- Gr. 6 Blake Planetarium, 10am Arch/Santoni 11am Branco/Hammond

12/4- Specialists Showcase Night OR MPR 5-7pm

12/6- Gr. 6 Blake Planetarium, 10am Gould/Leonard 11am Dumas/Stanton

12/10- Report Cards go out!

12/19- SMHS Winter Concert in the MPR for 5th & 6th grade

1/13- Puberty Night for Parents & Guardians, MPR 6-7pm