We have a little over a month left of the 2022-2023 school year with the last day of school, May 26th, quickly approaching! I know our Pioneers are looking forward to the summer, but I encourage every student to stay focused through the end of the semester. Revisit the goals you set out for the school year and for all of 2023 today. Make every remaining school day count. When it comes to sticking to your goals, there is a well known expression to keep in mind: "If you don't stay focused on your goals, you will spend your life achieving the dreams of other people—particularly those who are goal-oriented." Keep up the momentum Pioneers!

As we are now well into the 4th nine-week quarter, we continue to celebrate some of our Pioneers' many and varied successes in this issue—especially from our senior class. We just don't have the space here to include everyone, but our community should know that the success stories you see below are popping up all over at this time of year as the efforts put forth by our Pioneers beginning last August pay off. 

For those of our Pioneers attending Prom tomorrow evening, have a wonderful time and enjoy yourselves!

Thank you for reading.

Mr. Alvarado

Principal

Oak Ridge High School

Pictured very top: 2022-2023 Oak Ridge Battle of the Books team.

The team was led by Ms. Gooseman this year. Our Pioneers had a wonderful time as they competed against eight other high schools. Thank you for proudly representing Oak Ridge! Left to right: Briana Coichy (9th), Jehyna Joseph (9th), Yeali Irizarry (11th), Carly Beauchamp (9th), Samiya Bullard (12th)

Due to the number of instructional minutes already built into the student schedule throughout the year, the following make-up days will satisfy the remaining instructional minutes lost due to the school closures caused by Hurricane Ian and Tropical Storm Nicole.

Last One! No-Early-Dismissal Wednesday

We continue to remind students of the electronic policy of no headphones, no AirPods and no cellphones. We have seen vast improvements, and the goal is to make it part of our school culture. The policy is in place from 7:20a-2:20p. Please assist us in enforcing this necessary policy.

Students who arrive AFTER 7:20AM will need to go through the attendance office, 6-102 or 5-111 to receive a pass to class. This is the same procedure for students that are late to a class period. Please assist us in having your students arrive on time.

We competed in the Metro East Championships (click to view results). We had some great performances and left Metro East Champions in 3 events! Here is a list of our top performers.

Girls

Boys

* Shout out to our choral director, Ms. Hawthorne, who worked hard to provide our ORHS choral members the opportunity to perform alongside some truly inspirational choirs at the UCF Choir Invitational at Steinmetz Hall! Not only did they get to work in that beautiful space, they had a chance to work with and learn from Dr. Z. Randall Stroope. Way to go Ms. Hawthorne!

* Shout out to US History teachers! In an effort to increase engagement, understanding, and skill, the US history PLC has developed a comprehensive data-based review system. Excellent job Mr. Brooks, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Mikolas, and Mr. Tajan. These gentlemen are truly pioneering the way forward for our students.

* Shout-out to Ms. Harris, our new truancy clerk, while learning her new job and cross training, has taken on the mail and mail room with gusto. She is making sure all of our incoming and outgoing mail is getting to the right people on time. Thank you, Ms. Harris, for taking on this important duty!

* Shout out to ELA 9 and Ms. Arrison for leveling up the final push for FAST prep with targeted pull out groups. Deliberate and intentional work for the success of our newest pioneers!!

* Shout out to Mr. White for extending learning and making real world connections after reading Just Mercy. Students made positive protest posters

* Shout-out to Ms. Madden our newest front office clerk. She is a great addition to front office and is quickly learning the Pioneer way!

* Shout out to Mr. Faber for doing a “teacher swap” co-teach to with the substitute in grade 11 intensive reading class. He supported this class with receiving Princeton review material, creating accounts, and creating a plan for test prep before the April 18th date.

You will leave with all of the information and resources for supporting the needs of your child transitioning to middle school or high school. Sessions will focus on preparing your rising 6th and 9th grade students academically for the next school year, dealing with anxiety and stress, bullying and online safety. 

Don't delay- register TODAY! Registration Link

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

Time: 10:00 am-3:00 pm 

Location: Evans High School

Thank you to our Environmental Science Club and Campus Garden Club for getting our pollinator garden “growing."

 National Scholarship searches- Fast Web and Scholarships.com

You may qualify to participate in the Horizon Scholars - Take Stock in Children Program! The Horizon Scholars – Take Stock in Children Program is a college readiness and mentoring program that culminates in a 2-year Florida Prepaid scholarship that can be used at any public university, college, or vocational/technical school in Florida.

The Valencia Horizon Scholars – Take Stock in Children Program is looking for students who are enthusiastic about pursuing post-secondary education. Please review the eligibility guidelines and submit an application if you are interested.

May 6, 2023 Test Date

June 3, 2023 Test Date

June 10, 2023 Test Date

July 15, 2023 Test Date

Four times per year, the U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, publishes their quarterly report on median weekly earning by educational attainment. Their report for the first quarter of 2023 came out this past Tuesday, April 18. What they found is not surprising as the pattern has not changed since they began their reporting decades ago. Overall, and right through U.S. economic recessions, those with higher levels of education took home the larger paychecks. 

For the 2023 first quarter: Less than a high school diploma = $682; High school graduates, no college = $884; Some college or associate degree = $995; and Bachelor's degree and higher = $1,621 (Bachelor's degree only = $1,488). 

Footnote for our Pioneers: The chart shows quarterly results since the start of the 21st century. Other factors will naturally come into play such as the type of industry you work in, your geographic location, experience on the job, your employer's performance/profitability, etc. but overall, the pattern has always held up in the USA. Education and income levels are closely related.

Source: Department of Labor- Bureau of Labor Statistics Read full report

This site has been created to link families with needed existing local resources.

Need to Locate Resources? You can search for free or reduced cost programs such as food, housing, mental health, education programs, and other social services provided directly by Community Based Organizations.

Copyright Notice

Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Oak Ridge High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Oak Ridge High School. Please contact Mrs. Laurene Householder at laurene.householder@ocps.net with any questions related to the program.

Oak Ridge High School | Mr. Alvarado, Principal | 407.852.3200 | ORHS Website