DUE APRIL 11TH - DOWNLOAD THE FORM TODAY

Do you have great work ethics and would like to be among the Class of 2025 Graduates who earn a Work Ethic Distinction? The Oak Ridge Schools Work Ethic Distinction certificate is useful for inclusion in future college applications as well as applications for future employment. Employers and postsecondary partners throughout Tennessee have indicated that students who present a certificate verifying strong work ethics will be given preference as applicants.

Please apply using the application found at this link: www.ortn.edu/Curriculum/CCTE/Work_Ethic.pdf

Students need at least 20 points to earn this distinction. Most of the evidence can be verified in Skyward. Those who know they meet this requirement without additional evidence may check the appropriate boxes on the downloaded form and email it back to Holly Cross hcross@ortn.edu by April 11th, 2025.

Anything that requires additional proof of completion can be hand delivered to Dr. Cross in CS244 at ORHS.

Upon verification of qualification for this distinction, a signed, formal certificate will be presented to students upon graduation.

Seniors will pick up graduation supplies at lunch on Wednesday, April 2, in CS347. If you a balance is owed, please be prepared to pay the balance in full. Any questions should be directed to Teresa Ledden on ParentSquare or email her at tledden@ortn.edu

The Secret City Wildbots invite Oak Ridge wildcats to come support our robotics tournament in Sevierville this Saturday. Parking and admission to this event are FREE.

Please come support your wildbots at the Smoky Mountain Regional.

Registration is now open for Driver Education classes hosted here in Oak Ridge during each school break. You can register at www.thedrivingcenter.org . Upon completion of the program, you could save up to $340 per year on car insurance until your student is 25 years old. Please call or text Matt Reedy at 865-719-1816 if you have any questions. Private driving lessons are also available all year long.

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:

• Shirts, shorts, jeans or pants with holes, skirts and dresses that compromise modesty or are disruptive to the learning environment.
• 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.
• A belt is mandatory if pants or shorts will not stay at the waist without one.
• Hats, head coverings, bandanas, and sunglasses are not to be worn inside the school building.

The application window for students who wish to join the National Honor Society is now open through Friday, April 11th. To be eligible, you must be a JUNIOR 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. Click the link below to apply.

ANIYA JONES - STUDENT BEST IN SHOW

GRACE MORAN - FIRST PLACE (10th GRADE)

GABRIELLA CLAFLIN - FIRST PLACE (9TH GRADE)

Students will no longer be able to park at Central Baptist Church. Please make sure you find other parking. This may mean you have to park on the side of the street or in the front parking lot. If you are parked at the church, you may risk being towed at your own expense.

Reminder that a representative from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will be in the Counseling Office immediately after school today! Stop by to learn about their amazing programs.

It’s that time of year…Prom Season!! Prom will take place at Oak Ridge High School in the Wildcat Arena on Saturday, April 26, from 7:30-11:00 pm. Prom tickets will be on sale for TWO WEEKS ONLY! You must pay with CASH or CHECK, NO CARD PAYMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Tickets are non-refundable. If you buy your tickets early, you will get an Early Bird Discount!

The prom board will be selling tickets in the concession stand outside of the Wildcat Arena during third block to JUNIOR AND SENIOR STUDENTS ONLY. No freshman or sophomore students will be allowed to purchase a ticket; however they may attend prom as a guest if invited by an upperclassman.

Please see the ticket sale schedule below:
Early bird: $40.00/person // Tuesday April 1st - Friday April 3rd

Final Sale: $50.00/person // Monday April 21st - Thursday April 24th

Please email Hannah Royster htroyster@ortn.edu or Shannon Eidem-Dyer seidamdyer@ortn.edu with any questions.

Tuesday, April 1st will be Senior Night for our Oak Ridge Soccer Cats. Please come help the seniors celebrate as we take on Cambell County. JV will play at 5pm and Varsity will play at 7pm.

The ORHS English Department is offering a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who plans to attend a two- or four-year college or university. This year essays will be composed and submitted in person on April 9, after school from 2:15-3:15 in CS 319. To register, see Mr. Feuer in CS 319 for an application form. All responses will be anonymously reviewed, and a winner chosen by a committee of teachers across multiple subjects.

Our six, short 2025-26 FAFSA walkthrough videos for families among other resources can be found at https://www.collegefortn.org/fafsa/.

FAFSA line-by-line webinars

Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30 (CT)/7:30 (ET), the Outreach team will conduct a live demonstration of the 2025–26 FAFSA. Parents, students, and college access professionals must register to watch the webinar.

A timeless tradition for seniors, Senior Tea, April 16th Wednesday afternoon from 2:15-3:30. This is the "kickoff" event for the graduation season.

Senior Tea is the start of the graduation season, and all seniors are invited to attend an afternoon tea hosted by the English department, dressed up as their favorite character or author. This is a student/teacher event and a time-honored tradition which is currently in its 31st year!

Seniors: if you missed out on the senior signature shirts and sweats and are interested in purchasing a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or sweatpants, please see Mrs. Ledden in CS347 or email her at tledden@ortn.edu. There are few various items available.

The Lady Wildcat Volleyball Team will be starting their Powder Buff sign ups next week during lunch. Sign ups will be every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during lunch. Powder Buff is an opportunity for grade levels to compete in a male volleyball tournament. The cost is $20 per player and will be due before the tournament, which is May 9th. If you are interested, ask a volleyball girl for more information of find Ms. Ellis in LC 222.

Many families are planning vacations as we move into Term 4. Please take note of important dates. Final Exams are AFTER Memorial Day and there is NO makeup day.

• March 25 - Return from Spring Break
• March 28 - Sophomores/Juniors - ACT (early dismissal)
• March 28 - Freshman/Seniors - No School
• April 18 - Good Friday - No School
• May 16 - Graduation
• May 26 - Memorial Day - No School
• May 27/28 - Final Exams - There is NO makeup day for exams
• May 28 - Students last day - Dismissal following exams

FCCLA is collecting new or gently used books (for all ages) to donate to a Library in Cocke Co that lost everything during the floods from Hurricane Helene. You can drop books off in the following places: Library, Counseling Dept, Main Office, Dr. Sparks' room, Mrs. Wagner's room, and Coach Hodge's room.

My name is Elise Morris, and I am with the Soccer Club of Oak Ridge (SCOR). We are preparing for our annual spring tournament and are looking for student volunteers. Students who need hours for a class or their TN Promise requirements are welcome to join us.

Students can sign up here until Friday, April 4th.

Linden Elementary's family art night will be April 11th. Multiple jobs and time slots are available. If you are interested in having a good time or need community service hours, please sign up at the link below.

The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge is hosting a children's art festival on Saturday, April 5th. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Ms. Owens using the information below.

Kerri Anne Owens

Museum Educator

kowens@childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

Office: (865) 482-1074 ext. 105

How would you like to spend your summer being a lifeguard for the Oak Ridge City Parks & Recs department? Students must be 15 years old when the class begins; and swimming ability is required. Classes run April 3 - 6. Applications can be submitted to www.oakridgetn.gov. Contact Ms. Wooten at 865-485-3450 if you have questions. Additional information and flyers are posed on class Canvas pages.

Mark your calendar for the April 1st Business Expo right here in the ORHS Cafeteria from 5:30-6:30.

The ORHS Business Academy JA Companies will show off their 12 student businesses with products like bracelets, hand sanitizers, planners, sweets, gift baskets, flowers, fashion tees, promposal boards, & a specialty light for your phone charger!

You don't want to miss this exciting evening of student entrepreneurship. Get a sneak peek at these student businesses at orhs-businessacademy.com. These businesses are open for sales April 1st - May 2nd.

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

The OREA Haygood-Reddick Scholarship is now open for students who have a parent or legal guardian as a member of the Oak Ridge Education Association. Application information can be picked up in the Counseling Office. Deadline to submit application is April 5th.

The Scarboro Community Alumni Association was formed in the fall of 2011. Our objective is to revitalize our community, instill community pride, and serve as mentor to the youth in the neighborhood. The Alumni Association is made up of current and former neighborhood residents who have a desire to make an impact within our community while assisting children in our neighborhood to reach their full potential.

The Scarboro Community Alumni Association (SCAA) scholarship serves as a way of seeding into the youth of the Scarboro community. We offer scholarships to high school graduates who continue on with their education, whether 2 or 4 year college/university.

The application packet for the Scarboro Community Alumni Association will be made available at area high schools, community organizations and churches. We ask that you complete the form and submit the application and essay no later than May 10, 2024. Application postmarked later then this date will not be accepted.

PDF OF THE SCHOLARSHIP FORM WILL BE UPLOADED ONCE CONVERTED.

The Rex Hitchcock Memorial Scholarship, from One Bank of Tennessee, was created to reward local students for graduation and the pursuit of higher education. One student is selected from each of our nine service counties. Eight of the nine selected students will receive a one-time $5000 scholarship. One of the selected students will receive a recurring $5000 scholarship for up to 5 years (up to $25,000). A letter of recommendation and the scholarship application must be submitted by March 31st. More information can be found on their website: Scholarship - One Bank of Tennessee The application can be downloaded now, or on Feb 1st the online application will be opened.

Mark your calendar for Masquers' Atomic Acts Performance on April 11th at 7pm in the auditorium.

This year we are doing a series of 7 short plays directed by students and performed by Masquers veterans and newcomers. It is a great night of theatre supporting your friends as they direct or step on stage or backstage. Tickets are $5 at the door or online at orhsmasquers.booktix.com.

• Atomic Acts- Rehearsal Schedule coming soon!

• 2025-26 Officer Applications

• Application in the newsletter

• Addams Family Video

• Masquers Boosters Information

• 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)

FBLA - Tuesday after school at CS347

INTERACT CLUB - Monday, after school, in the Amphitheater to stuff bears.

MOTORCYCLE CLUB - Monday during Lunch in the Library Classroom; bring your lunch

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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