Wildcat iNews
Information for the ORHS Wildcat Nation! 1/17/2023 #238
CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE WINNER - BRIAN QU
In the competition, students submit an app that they made to their respective congressional district and winners are chosen based on the quality and implementation of the idea and the display of excellent programming skills. This link will take you to the about page for this competition: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/about/. Qu is the winner of district TN03. According to previous years and should be attending the House Of Code, where students from across the nation display their apps at Capitol Hill (in Washington DC).

Secret City Wildbots Season Kick-Off

ORHS TSA TEAMS SWEEP COMPETITION!


ROTC EARNS “Most Outstanding Navy JROTC Unit” AWARD
2nd Place
Color Guard – led be Cadet Senior Chief Lucas Joyner
Unarmed Platoon – led by Cadet Commander Sasha Umansky
3rd Place
Armed Platoon – led by Cadet Lieutenant Commander Kaleb Sluss
1st Year Armed Squad – led by first time team commander Cadet Chief Petty Officer Berkley Armes
1st Year Unarmed Squad – led by first time team commander Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Giada Moore
Unarmed Squad – led by first time team commander Cadet Senior Chief James Crowley
3rd Place Overall

THE DRIVING CENTER
The Driving Center of Oak Ridge is offering drivers education classes for students who are trying to get a permit or license or that simply just need more experience. Available class dates are listed below. Each class is 8am-4pm and also includes 6 driving lessons. More contact information coming soon!
March 13-16
March 20-23
June 5-8
June 19-22
June 26-29
Oct 2-5
IT'S A TAILGATE FOR THE FOOTBALL BANQUET
Attention Parents/Guardians of Wellness A Students this Semester
During the course of Wellness A, students will participate in a Family Life Education programming called 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.
VAPE EDUCATION WEEK - FEBRUARY 13 - 17

WELL CHILD SERVICES COMING TO OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS

REMOTE AREA MEDICAL - OR CIVIC CENTER

STEM OPPORTUNITIES
NEXT GENERATION STEM INTERNSHIP
- ORNL is excited to reintroduce the Next Generation STEM Internship (NGSI), which provides opportunities for rising juniors, seniors and recent grads attending high schools in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon and Roane counties to participate in STEM or STEM-related projects with scientists and engineers at ORNL. The eight-week internship begins on June 5 and selected participants receive a stipend of $500 per week for 40 hours of participation. A maximum of five days without stipend may be missed during the appointment period, if necessary, for other commitments. (flyer attached to email)
To be eligible, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident at the time of application
- Be a rising junior, senior, or recent high school graduate in good standing at an accredited high school in Anderson, Blount, Knox, Roane or Loudon county
- Be at least 16 years of age by the time of appointment
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Provide proof of health insurance coverage
- Complete a Zintellect application and acquire recommendations from a current STEM teacher and principal
Applications are due by February 15, 2023. To learn more and to apply go to https://education.ornl.gov/nextgens/.
APPALACHIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY
APPALACHIAN STEM ACADEMY
- Middle School STEM Academy Session 1: July 8-14, 2023
- Middle School STEM Academy Session 2: July 15-21, 2023
- High School STEM Academy (students and teachers): July 8-21, 2023

DONATE BLOOD - JANUARY 27TH
Want to save THREE lives?? Donate blood! Medic will be here January 27 from 8 am – 2 pm. You must sign up with Mrs. Minarik. Get your desired timeslot before they are taken. Students, if you are 16, you can donate, with parental permission (get forms from Mrs. Pointer or Mrs. Minarik). Students 17 and 18 years old do not need parents’ permission. Remember to eat a full meal and drink lots of water the morning of January 27! Go SAVE LIVES!
GET THOSE WATER BOTTLES READY TO FILL!

WINTER FORMAL
It’s that time of year again! On February 4th the Student Council will be holding our annual Winter Formal.
We will be selling tickets for the dance starting Tuesday the 24th and sales will continue until sold out. These tickets are limited so buy early! Tickets are $20 per student. Tickets will be available at the top of the cafeteria or in the arena kiosk. During this time we will also be collecting donations to determine the Snow King and Snow Queen, all proceeds of which will go to Second Harvest of East Tennessee. Applications for snow king and queen are open starting the 6th, and will remain open until the 18th. We hope you will join us for this celebrated StuCo tradition!

MINI COLLEGE FAIR COMING SOON!

IT'S SENIOR "QUOTES" TIME
SENIORS - INDUSTRY 4.0 DIPLOMA DISTINCTION
Essentially, students seeking this diploma distinction are going to be given the option to do a combination of dual enrollment and work-based learning as follows:
- Graduation requirements must allow the student to earn at least one science credit and one math credit through approved course substitutions which include dual enrollment and work-based learning aligned to the student's career path. Students are also required to earn nine credits of dual enrollment or work-based learning experiences that apply the students’ knowledge and skills. (More information below and attached).
- They are required to work with an approved career counselor, who, in our case, can be a school counselor and/or if they are enrolled in Work-Based Learning, would be our WBL-trained and certified teachers (these are Teresa Ledden, Bev Sparks, Sonya Minarik, Jessica Pointer, Mark Buckner, and Eric Mason in my department). I am also WBL certified and would be happy to assist as needed, and am prepared to send additional instructors to WBL training as needed as we increase demand in our WBL courses.
- TDOE wants to ensure students are learning the career success skills, which ARE the WBL standards (simplified version attached) that are embedded in every single CTE course in grades 5-12, and are also the standards on which the 5-12 CCTE teachers have committed to as our essential standards in our longitudinal graded 5-12 CCTE PLC.
- These are also (no coincidence) the course standards we use for student self-reflection on our end-of-term CCTE survey in high school and end-of-grade band in middle school.
- These standards are explicitly taught in our Work-Based Learning courses under the teachers named above. The course includes the creation of a student work portfolio, which is also an expectation when earning this distinction.
ORDER YOUR STRAWBERRIES EARLY!


ROTARY CLUB OF OAK RIDGE - FOREIGN EXCHANGE IS BACK!
Rotary International sponsors students for Exchange visits to other countries for both educational and cultural experiences. There are typically both Long Term (one full school year) and Short Term (summer) opportunities. While the long term program is recovering from pandemic-related issues, the Short Term program is again available.
The Short Term Program involves the exchange of students between two families of different countries for 3-4 weeks in each country. The parents of the students would be responsible for the cost of airfare for their child to and from the selected country, and for the food and lodging of the visiting student during their stay. The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge will be glad to meet with interested parents/students to discuss details of the program and would coordinate the Exchange.
Brent Rankin is the Exchange Officer for the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, and his contact information is brentrankin1@gmail.com.

STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
GRAYSON STRADER

THIS WEEK IN PICTURES!

WILDCATS IN ACTION THIS WEEK!

S W I M C A T F I S H!

MASQUER'S NEWS FOR JANUARY 13TH
FOR MASQUER'S NEWS:
Check out the new website (https://orhsmasquers.my.canva.site )! Check out these resources for all your Masquers information.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
- The Lightning Thief Poster Contest Winner Announced!
- Board Game Day – January 21st 2-4
- Cheap Date Night – February 15th
- Improv rehearsal time change – Tuesdays and Wednesdays 4:30-6
- Acting Workshops on Wednesday 2-4
For more Masquers News checkout our Website: https://orhsmasquers.my.canva.site/
Important Dates to Remember for 2022-23:
- January 4th-April 21st – Rehearsals for Atomic Acts (Wednesdays - Acting Workshops 2-4 & Improv from 4-7)
- March 3rd-5th – Performances of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
- April 22nd – Atomic Acts Performance
- May 5th - Masquers Awards Banquet
PARENT INFORMATION FOR SENIORS!
SCHOLARSHIPS
The East Tennessee Foundation offers several scholarships that are available specifically to students in Oak Ridge and Anderson County. These are amazing opportunities that seniors should check out! The list of scholarships for ORHS students is posted outside the Counseling Office and on the Scholarships Website.
The Dream Scholarships are for highly motivated undocumented students who want nothing more than to get a college education but are unable to afford the cost.
Chick-Fil-A Scholarships – Every year, twelve (12) $25,000 scholarships will be awarded to students based on academic success, community service and financial need.
SENIOR FAMILIES - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
There are many important dates coming up for the Class of 2023! Please make sure these dates are on your calendars.
- Tuesday, January 24, 2023 5:30-7:30 Financial aid completion night - ORHS Media Center/Library
- Wednesday, March 1st – FAFSA deadline for the Class of 2023 (fafsa.gov)
As students receive admissions decisions from colleges, they should remember to update Naviance with their results!
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER PAGE!

SCHOOL COUNSELING SUPPORT TEAM!
Seniors - Class of 2023 Brianna Ottinger - bottinger@ortn.edu
Juniors- Class of 2024 Heidi Foster - hafoster@ortn.edu
Sophomores- Class of 2025 Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu
Freshman - Class of 2026 Paige Taylor - hptaylor@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
CHANGE TO VAPING CONSEQUENCES AND ACCESS TO SCA
IT'S GETTING COLDER - INCLEMENT WEATHER INSTRUCTIONS
OAK RIDGE SCHOOLS IS NOT THE SAME AS ANDERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS!
Once decision has been made, the following actions will take place:
1. Email will be sent to EX WEATHER (Executive Team, Principals, Food Service, Transportation, ECC, and media contacts).
2. Skylert message will be created and sent to staff and families.
3. Closure/School Delay information will be posted on social media platforms.
COVID QUESTIONS? Download the flyer below!
LOCKERS
IMPORTANT STUDENT LUNCH INFORMATION
While families may not plan to take advantage of free school meals, many families will qualify for services far beyond meals such as reduced ACT and AP test costs. This information is strictly confidential and can be sent to Claire Kelly in the Main Office or directly to Dr. Larissa Henderson, Pupil Services.
MEDICATION FOR THE CLINIC
Please reference School Board Policy 6.405 Medications
https://tsba.net/oak-ridge-board-of-education-policy-manual/#students
DOES YOUR TEEN NEED AN SF-1010 FORM FOR THEIR DRIVER'S PERMIT?
SCHOOL CALENDARS
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT OAK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
WE NEED YOUR HELP!

DO YOU SHOP AT FOOD CITY?? REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY
THIS MONEY SUPPORTS OUR CDC CLASSROOM!
Registration begins Thursday, September 1, 2022 with points starting to accumulate on September 7th and cards have to be registered by December 31st to count for this year. The program runs through May 9, 2023.
https://www.foodcity.com/schoolbucks/#:~:text=2022%2D23%20School,or%20lottery%20tickets.
How Can I Link My School Online?- Visit http://www.foodcity.com/schoolbucks
- Click the blue “Login” button under Customer Login
- Enter your username and password for your Food City online account.
- At the top of the page click, “My Account”. This will load the customer dashboard page.
- Below the Fuel Bucks section, you will find “My School Bucks” section. (The total school bucks earned will show here as well)
- Click the “Update School” link listed below. Select the school and click, “Save”
School Bucks-Store Level Enrollment
- Stores can enroll schools from VC Enroll for customers who do not have access to the internet. (Only HRCs and HCs have authorized access.)
- To do so they enter the customers ValuCard number, selected “Look UP” and select the school the customer has chosen in the School Bucks field.
Common Questions
- Why is my school not on my receipt? Schools are no longer listed on receipts but can be managed anytime from their online account.
- When does this begin/end? The program runs from SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH MAY 9, 2023.
Deadline to register is December 31, 2022.
Total awarded amount: $700,000
**PLEASE HELP OUR CLASS RAISE $$ BY REGISTERING!! Share w/ everyone you know!
Follow These Steps to Link your Kroger Card
• Sign into your Kroger account at Kroger.com or set up an account with your Kroger card if you haven’t registered your card before
• Click on your name to access your information (“My Account”)
• Choose account summary
• At the bottom of the page, you will see “community rewards”
• Click “Enroll”
• You are now officially linked to our account to earn money for the school through your purchases.
If you are using the app to enroll, click the three bars and choose "Rewards" then
"Community Rewards."If you have any problems, please call Kroger at 1-800-576-4377
WE ALL SHOP AMAZON - SUPPORT AN ORHS ORGANIZATION AT THE SAME TIME!
The following ORHS organizations have an Amazon Support account:
ORHS - Band Boosters
ORHS - PTSO
ORHS - Orchestra Booster Club
ORHS - Wildcat Football Boosters
ORS - Public School Education Foundation
Amazon Prime membership benefits are the SAME. The only difference is Amazon makes a donation to your chosen organization. Share this information with your friends, grandparents, alumni, and anyone who shops Amazon.
• Go to Amazon.com and login to your account or set one up if you will shop on Amazon.com
• Search for amazon smiles charity choices
• Click Change Charitable Organization at the top of the page
• Now click on #1 Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser.
• On the right hand side you will see pick your own charitable organization:
• Type in Oak Ridge School and click search
COMMUNICATION
ORHS GRADE LEVEL LEADERSHIP TEAMS
9th Grade team: Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu and Paige Taylor hptaylor@ortn.edu
10th Grade team: Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu and Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu
11th Grade team: Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu and Heidi Foster hafoster@ortn.edu
12th Grade team: David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu and Brianna Ottinger bottinger@ortn.edu
WHO IS YOUR ADMINISTRATOR??
Executive Principal - Drayton Hawkins dshawkins@ortn.edu
SENIORS - David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu
Juniors - Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu
Sophomores - Russ Wise rewise@ortn.edu
Freshman - Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu
Curriculum Principal - Jennifer Milligan jmmilligan2@ortn.edu
Ways to Connect and STAY INFORMED
Website - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Daily Bulletin - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/daily-bulletin/
Channel 15 at 7:50 AM - Watch the announcements each morning by our Crew! YouTube Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL9N_azmWeQByrIW6pWLBlQ
Live in Knox/Anderson/Roane - If you live throughout Anderson/Roane/Knox counties and have ATT Uverse you can find us on Channel 99 – just select the Oak Ridge Schools option.
INews - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/news-events/news-links/
Skylert Messages and Emails - Please make sure your current email address and phone numbers are up to date!!!
PTSO Newsletter - PTSO distributes a VERY detailed quarterly newsletter to inform parents of upcoming events and LOTS of counseling information! This comes to your email! They also have a presence on the website: http://www.orhs-ptso.org/news-information with tons of information! PTSO also has a Facebook presence, and we encourage you to "LIKE" their page! https://www.facebook.com/ORHSPTSO/
Twitter - Follow the accounts listed below