Wildcat iNews
Information for the ORHS Wildcat Nation 10/26/2020 #150
SENIOR PARENTS - THIS IS SOOOOO IMPORTANT!!!
CURRENTLY, ONLY 40% OF THE SENIOR CLASS HAS APPLIED FOR TNPROMISE! GIVEN THE PANDEMIC AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE FUTURE, IT IS CRITICAL ALL SENIORS COMPLETE THE FIRST STEP OF APPLICATION!!! IT TAKES ABOUT 3 MINUTES!
THERE IS NO EXTENSION - ONCE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST - IT IS GONE!
All applicants can apply at www.tnpromise.gov. The Class of 2021 application deadline is November 2, 2020. Class of 2021 applicants will begin receiving weekly Monday emails this fall, with all students added to our distribution list after the November 2, 2020 application deadline. The sooner a student applies, the sooner our communication can begin! All students will remain on our communication list throughout scholarship eligibility. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are also included on tnAchieves student communication, so it is imperative that students provide correct contact information for themselves and their parent/guardian when applying for the scholarship. All counselors, principals and superintendents will also receive weekly emails, which will include a copy of the student email to ensure you are aware of tnAchieves communication regarding TN Promise scholarship requirements.
Due to COVID-19, tnAchieves has adjusted our meeting structure for the Class of 2021.
IMPACT AID FORMS - FEDERAL EMPLOYEES!
Parents, this is VERY important for Oak Ridge School for federal funding. Please NOTE: This is accessed through the parent Skyward account and must be done on a computer rather than a mobile device!
Each year, Oak Ridge Schools is eligible to apply for federal Impact Aid grant funds. Impact Aid is a federal formula grant program designed to assist local school districts that enroll federally connected students. Federally connected students are children of active duty uniformed services personnel, children who live on federal property or in subsidized federal housing and children whose parents are employed on eligible federal properties.
We need your assistance in identifying students with federal connections to ensure that ORS can obtain its fair share of funds from this program. Please complete, sign and date the Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid (which is under your parent portal in Skyward) for each school-aged student in your household. Submit on or after October 19, 2020. Information provided will be treated confidentially.
If you need assistance with Skyward login, please contact Julie Brockwell, Carrie Harvey, Olivia Ritter or Stephanie Thompson at 425-9001. We are here to help you!
DON'T FORGET TO "FALL BACK!"
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer
For families who qualified for, but have not received the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer funds:
We understand just how important the meals your children receive at our school are to your family. We also understand the unexpected hardships you may have faced last spring when those meals were no longer available because our school and others across the state shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To help families like yours, Tennessee launched the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program earlier this year to provide extra resources for parents to buy food. Under the program, qualifying families received $5.70 per child for each day that child qualified for P-EBT in March, April, and May.
We are sending you this letter because our records show your child(ren) qualified for these P-EBT benefits but did not receive them. The good news is it’s not too late to change that if you feel the benefits will help you during this time.
You do not need to fill out any application or gather any documents. You simply need to come to the school administration building located at 304 New York Avenue on the following dates; October 26, 28, and 30 from 9 AM – Noon or 3 PM- 5 PM.
What You Need To Do:
- Come to the Board Room in the School Administration and let us know you would like to pick up your child(ren)’s P-EBT letter and
- Make this trip as soon as poss
- Bring a government issued ID to show
- Follow the directions provided in the letter we give you to activate your P-EBT
- Use the card just like a debit card to purchase food at any establishment that accepts EBT or online with Amazon and
If you do not want to participate in our P-EBT program there is nothing additional you need to do. We will be sending any cards not picked up back to the state so don’t delay.
Should you have any questions about P-EBT, please visit htt ps:// www.t n.gov/humanservices/covid- 19/p-ebt-and-covid-19-fags.html. You may also contact:
Dr. Larrissa Henderson, Pupil Services Director
865-425-9026
ORDER GRADUATION SUPPLIES NOW! SAVE $$$$
TN GRADUATION REQUIREMENT .... INCLUDES THE ACT/SAT!!!!
URGENT: THE CLASS OF 2021 HAS STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT MET THIS REQUIREMENT!!!!
SENIOR PICTURES FOR THE YEARBOOK!
LADY SOFTBALL WILDCATS!
PARENTS: There will be a Booster Club Meeting on Tuesday November 17. On the agenda that evening will be the distribution of the fundraiser cards and to kick off the sales!
Tuesday, December 8 will be our December Boosters mtg. Please be prepared to pick up additional cards to sell and turn in cash from sales.
MATH STUDENTS AMC 10 AND AMC 12 TEST REGISTRATION
The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. . The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad Invitational Competitions. AMC 10B AND AMC 12B REGISTRATION is now open. Math teachers have information on their doors. Registration deadline is November 20, 2020. The contest will be held on February 10, 2021.
AP EXAM REGISTRATION - IMPORTANT!!!
It is time for AP exam registration! Payments will be accepts beginning October 26 - November 6 during lunch. Payments can be made in FULL or a with a $40.00 down payment to reserve the exam. Exams are $95 this year with the exception of Seminar and Research. The Seminar and Research exams are $143. If taking more than three exams, the 4th and subsequent exams will be $40/exam. Students qualifying for free and reduced lunch at the beginning of this school year have an exam price of $15.00. Please see Mr. Foust if unsure of free & reduced lunch status.
Due to uncertainty around the Covid-19 global pandemic, CollegeBoard will be waiving any fees for canceled or unused tests this year so exams can be ordered with confidence. Monies will be refunded for exams not taken.
If paying by check, please make the check payable to Oak Ridge High School. Please put the student name and the AP exam(s) being taken on the Memo line.
Please contact Mr. Foust at djfoust@ortn.edu with questions!
ASAP OF ANDERSON CO PROMOTES RED RIBBON WEEK!
Red Ribbon Week
October 23-31, 2020
Monday, October 26
● Did you know this week is Red Ribbon Week? This year's theme is Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug-Free. The ASAP Youth Ambassadors want you to think of two ways you can be choose to be brave this week?
Tuesday, October 27
● You have a second chance at winning the Amazon gift card! If you have not picked up and returned your Parent-Teen Driving Agreement yet, please do so and have your completed agreement back to the main office by this Friday to be entered into the drawing which has been extended.
Wednesday, October 28
● Do you know why we celebrate Red Ribbon Week? The ASAP Youth Ambassadors remind you that substance misuse is impacting our community and want to prevent the negative impacts. Go to ASAPofAnderson.org to find resources for teens.
Thursday, October 29
● Don’t forget that you still have time to get your Parent-Teen Driving Agreement turned in to the main office. Get it in by tomorrow and you will be entered in the drawing for the Amazon gift card.
Friday, October 30
● As Red Ribbon Week comes to a close, the ASAP Youth Ambassadors want everyone to say I AM ONE who will Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug-Free.
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom.
On December 19 at 12:00 pm, 2020, Oak Ridge High School NJROTC (TN0248P) will be helping Oak Ridge Memorial Park to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes.
Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible by sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day, or inviting your family and friends to attend with you.
Thank you so much for supporting the Oak Ridge High School NJROTC (TN0248P) and Wreaths Across America!
For $15.00, you can sponsor a wreath for a veteran right here in Oak Ridge. Click here to make a donation. https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/163835
GET YOUR CARVING SET READY!!!
The Oak Log is sponsoring a pumpkin carving contest. Send us a picture of your pumpkin, we will vote as a staff, and the winning pumpkin-carver will receive a $20 gas card! Entries due by NOVEMBER 4th. Tweet them to us or email rahale@ortn.edu, and make sure to include your name!
HOMECOMING 2020 RECAP!
Student Council would like to send a huge thank you to everyone that made Homecoming Week possible! We understood going in that we would have a few less participants than normal in our activities, but we were pleasantly surprised by how much spirit was still shown by the staff and student body. A big thank you to everyone that helped make it possible AND safe for everyone involved. Enjoy the pics of the spirit throughout the week, and congratulate the winners listed below if you see them!
- Homecoming Queen and King: Javaria Mitchell and Adam Herron
- Hype Video Contest:
- 1st Place- Girls Cross Country
- 2nd Place- Neo Tate and Spencer Schults
- 3rd Place- Solomon Miller and Avery Parish
- Dress Up Days:
- Jersey Day- Haylee Bowerman
- Disney Day- Gwen Vickery and Jasmine Washington
- Meme Day- Kayla Gibson
- Decade Day- Joe Blair
- Door Decoration Contest- Ms. Bowman
- Spirit Link Sales- Class of 2023
- Homecoming Football Game- THE WILDCATS!
MASQUERS PRESENTS SHAKESPEARE'S COMEDY ----- TWELFTH NIGHT
Seniors - Time to Start on Earning your Work Ethic Distinction
Students graduating with a district-developed work ethic distinction will be recognized upon graduation. This distinction will be useful for presentation to future employers for work-based learning, apprenticeships, and employment in a chosen field after graduation. Employers throughout Tennessee have indicated that students who present a document such as this, indicating desirable work habits, will be given preference for interviews. In order to earn such a distinction, students must exhibit certain characteristics by earning points on a Work Ethic The application form is available in the school counseling office or via this link: www.ortn.edu/Curriculum/CCTE/Work_Ethic.pdf
Students who attain at least 20 points on this form may deliver it at any time before April 1st, 2020 to Dr. Holly Cross at Oak Ridge High School, room CS244.
For the TN Promise standard, for practicality, there is a statewide COVID-19 exception to the expectation to earn the volunteer hours before earning the Work Ethic Distinction this year.
Most areas selected on the form can be verified in-house by Dr. Cross, once submitted. For those items that cannot be found in Skyward, students must present written verification of items selected. A signed certificate of completion will be provided by Dr. Cross for students to present to potential employers, once earned.
CONNECT OR SCHOOL PICTURES
ELECTION DAY!
JOIN MASQUERS ON ZOOM EVERY SATURDAY!
Bring your families to join Masquers "Saturdays at Seven!" Zoom Doors open at 6:50pm every Saturday night (up to and including Halloween) for amazingly bearable wholesome group goofiness. Join them for "7 Keys to Baldpate Inn" - a mysterious G-rated melodramatic farce enjoyable whether or not you follow the storyline. For instructions: Text the message: @radorhs to the number: 81010
All jollification wraps up around 7:45pm when you and your family leave laughing and refreshed.
NEED CHRISTMAS CASH?? SIGN UP TO BE AN ORHS SUBSTITUTE!
LEND YOUR SUPPORT TO ORHS ORGANIZATIONS!
REGISTER YOUR FOOD CITY VALUE CARD TODAY!
ORHS WILDBAND IS SELLING FRUIT!
ORHS WildBand Announces Annual Fruit Fundraiser
The Oak Ridge High School WildBand has once again kicked off its annual fruit fundraiser. For more than 35 years, the WildBand has worked with Florida growers to bring fresh navel oranges, pink grapefruit, Hamlin juice oranges, mandarin oranges and Washington State Red Delicious apples to you. Florida Indian River Groves fruit can be ordered now until November 13th, with local delivery in mid-December. Fruit can be ordered through any band member, online at www.wildband.org or at the WildBand fruit sale table during any of the next three home games. Proceeds from the fundraiser will all benefit the award-winning band program at Oak Ridge High School. For more information or questions about ordering, contact Sandy Pelletier, Fruit Sale Coordinator, at wildbandfruitsale@gmail.com.
LADY WILDCAT BASKETBALL IS SELLING NECK GAITERS!
Oak Ridge Wildcat Gaiters will be here on or before September 9th. There are 2 styles available ($10 each). We will set up days and times that they can be purchased outside the Wildcat Arena but feel free to pre-order and pay for yours via PayPal to ORHSLWildcatbball@gmail.com. For Questions and pre-orders call 865-382-8497.
Thanks in advance for supporting Lady WIldcat Basketball!
Wear the Badge!
OAK LOG PURCHASE!
SENIOR INFORMATION
FAFSA NIGHT - TUESDAY NIGHT
Seniors and Senior Parents: Please be reminded that we are hosting our first FAFSA Completion Night this week on Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the ORHS Food Court (for social distancing). Please bring a mask, a laptop and your 2019 income tax information for you and/or your senior. It will take approximately one hour to complete this process.
Mrs. Debbie Benedict from Pellissippi State's Financial Aid office will be here to assist you with completing the FAFSA.
The FAFSA must be completed by February 1st especially if your senior(s) plan to use the TN Promise scholarship for Roane State, Pellissippi State or any other community colleges in Tennessee for their Fall 2021 semester.
GRADUATION PACKETS SENT HOME!
DEADLINE FOR SENIOR ADS IS NOVEMBER 2ND!
SENIOR PICTURE UPDATE!
NEWS FROM COUNSELING OFFICE!
University of Alabama - Huntsville Meeting
COUNSELOR/TEACHER RECOMMENDATION DEADLINES
Seniors:
Please be aware of the dates below. These dates reflect the three weeks’ notice REQUIRED by the ORHS counselors/teachers for College Admissions/Scholarship recommendation letters.
Please keep to these deadlines as counselors/teachers are writing many recommendations for multiple students during these dates. We want to write the best recommendations for you that we can so we greatly appreciate this “lead time” to assure that we’ve provided the best letter possible for YOU and YOUR accomplishments these past four years.
Find Scholarship information!
(https://www.ortn.edu/highschool/academics/school-counseling/testing-scholarship-and-career/
VIRTUAL COLLEGE VISITS!
VIRTUAL COLLEGE FAIR - NEXT ONE IS TUESDAY NIGHT!
https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/
WILDCAT ATHLETICS INFORMATION!
CATS IN ACTION THIS WEEK!
NOT ATTENDING GAMES BECAUSE OF COVID???
Check out Prep Radio on YouTube: David Clary covers Oak Ridge Football Like and Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwg3q6lGpd03glgyooxFONg
ATHLETIC PASSES AVAILABLE FOR $55.00
ALL THINGS "ACT"
ACT INFORMATION
"OPENING OF SCHOOL" INFORMATION
DRESS CODE!
Oak Ridge Schools addresses appropriate dress for students in the Disciplinary Code Handbook on page 15, 16. Parents, we need your help in ensuring students are appropriately dressed before leaving home.
Specifics should be reviewed by families. https://www.ortn.edu/Pupil-Services/2020_ORS_Discipline_Code_Handbook.pdf
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 that compromises safety or modesty; nor clothing, w h i c h is disruptive to the educational process.
The guideline below was taken from another district; however, the guidelines are essentially mirror the guidelines set forth from the Oak Ridge Schools Board of Education.
New student drivers - Get your SF-1010 form
Student Drivers
Free & Reduced Lunch Forms
We often have juniors and seniors who do not fill out the form because they eat off campus. However, those who qualify can receive reduction waivers for ACT and AP Exams. It is also imperative for student athletes who will need to qualify for assistance in some colleges. Eligibility is based on whether or not the student was enrolled in F/R their final year of high school. Please contact Dr. Larrissa Henderson, Director of Pupil Services if you have additional questions. 425-9009 or lhenderson@ortn.edu
Lockers
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2zFnMxnumNLK0y1auEgFpDT8Chy0FvWs9a5n1zduGAgDhZQ/viewform
SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS!
Student athlete medical form
SUPPORT ORHS CLASSROOMS/ATHLETICS/CLUBS WHEN YOU SHOP!
FOOD CITY BUCKS!
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION
DO YOU USE CURBSIDE PICKUP at Kroger and no longer receive a paper receipt??? The receipt can be viewed online and can be scanned by your phone from any computer. Log into your Kroger account; Choose My Purchases; Purchase Details; and in the right corner click "View Receipt."
All Box Top funds go to support our CDC classrooms!
SAVE THOSE SODA CAPS!
KROGER SHOPPERS
Oak Ridge High School Band Boosters
Oak Ridge High School Orchestra Boosters
Oak Ridge High School PTSO
AMAZON
More Info: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/ref=smi_se_rspo_laas_aas
ORHS HIGH SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM ARE:
- Wildcat Football Boosters Club
- Oak Ridge High School Band Boosters
- Oak Ridge High School Orchestra Booster Club
- Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation Inc
- Oak Ridge High School Parent Teacher Student Organization
CONTACT INFORMATION
Follow your class on social media
Twitter: @ORHSClassof2021
CLASS OF 2022: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265859534437549
Twitter: @EstepinTime
CLASS OF 2023: Twitter: @DavidJFoust
CLASS OF 2024: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197134894660295
Twitter: @ORHSClassof2024 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakridgehsclassof2024/?igshid=1iuq3v51ravss
ORHS Administrators
Class of 2021 - Amber Roberts ahroberts@ortn.edu
Class of 2022 (Interim Principal) - Beth Estep kestep@ortn.edu
Class of 2023 - David Foust djfoust@ortn.edu
Class of 2024 - Stephanie Thompson sathompson@ortn.edu
Executive Principal - Beginning November 2, 2020 - Dr. Garfield Adams geadams@ortn.edu
School counseling support team
Paige Taylor - hptaylor@ortn.edu Last Names beginning with A-De
Ashley Bennewitz abennewitz@ortn.edu Last Names beginning with Di-I
Brianna Ottinger - bottinger@ortn.edu Last Names beginning with J-M
Kelly Rowland - ksrowland@ortn.edu Last Names beginning with N-Sh
Heidi Foster - hafoster@ortn.edu Last Names beginning with Si-Z
Rising seniors will NOT have a change in counselor. For the Class of 2021, we will use the previous distribution of:
Paige Taylor: A-C
Ashley Bennewitz: D-H
Brianna Ottinger: I-M
Kelly Rowland: N-R
Heidi Foster: S-Z
Social Worker: Alison King aking@ortn.edu
Registrar: Audrey Morris amorris@ortn.edu
Guidance Administrative Assistant: Amy Campbell akcampbell@ortn.edu
Link to Website: https://www.ortn.edu/highschool/academics/school-counseling/
Follow our team on Instagram: ORHS_wildcatcounseling
Watch for announcements on Twitter: @ORHSCounseling
Way to connect and stay informed
Website - http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Reopening Plan and COVID-19 Information: https://www.ortn.edu/information-regarding-coronavirus/
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
Follow us on @Twitter
School Contact Information!
Email: tseals@ortn.edu
Website: http://www.ortn.edu/highschool/
Location: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
Phone: 865-425-9600
Twitter: @ORHSWildcatMGM