For part of this week we have been running a block schedule to provide time for progress monitoring activities and semester course final exams. After today, we only have five instructional days left in the calendar year, the second quarter, and the first semester. I realize that all of our Pioneers are looking forward to the winter break, but it is so important that students remain in attendance every day right through Friday, December 17. We are fortunate to have so many top educators here at Oak Ridge and they do not slow down as school breaks/holidays approach continuing to maximize the most out of each day for their students. Their day-to-day dedication on behalf of our Pioneers is in part why we continue to lead the charge "Bound for Glory!" when we look at our students' potential after graduation. 

Please remember that this evening we have one of our biggest annual sports rivalries as our boys varsity basketball team plays Jones High School here at home (Orlando Sentinel, Dec. 8, 2022 - "Jones. vs. Oak Ridge isn't just a key basketball matchup, it's a 'family' reunion"). Our Pioneers are undefeated to this point in the season, so please come on out and support the team.

Excerpt from the Orlando Sentinel basketball article: "These kids have been playing with each other or against each other since third grade. It’s going to be fun,” Oak Ridge Coach Reece said of Friday’s game. Oak Ridge, which was No. 3 in SourceHoops’ preseason Class 7A rankings, will certainly be a marquee opponent for the Tigers, who were pegged as No. 2 in 5A. Both teams returned almost everything from strong 2021-22 seasons. 

With the winter break upon us after this upcoming week, the goal of our leadership team is to allow our students, teachers, and staff to enjoy this time with family and friends. Use the winter break as an opportunity to relax and unwind before we start the second semester on January 4, 2023. Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season!

Mr. Alvarado

Principal

Oak Ridge High School

Pictured very top and just below: Big THANK YOU to THEE GREAT DIVINE 9 for showing up to our campus and educating our students on Greek life! We are truly grateful.

Shout out to our ELA 9 team members, Ms. Luciano, Ms. Garcia-Gonzalez and Mr. Buddington, who had a great time at IMPACT training. They collaborated as they looked at the best way to serve our Pioneers in their ELA classes.

Congratulations to Senior Jacob Cruz who is the 2022 ESE Endeavor Award winner for Oak Ridge High School. Jacob is an exceptional learner that has made great strides towards mastering his individual goals each day. Jacob has excelled both academically and socially at Oak Ridge High School. He will be attending the ESE Transition School next year through OCPS. The school staff is very proud of his accomplishments during his four years at Oak Ridge High School.

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.

Schools are closed from Monday, December 19, 2022 through Tuesday, January 3, 2023. School resumes for students on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.

Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Schools

REVISED OCPS 2022-2023 School Calendar:

OCPS families are invited to attend a Superintendent Town Hall meeting. As your new superintendent, Dr. Maria Vazquez outlined a 100-day entry plan which includes hearing from you. The Town Hall meetings will be held at the locations below. Superintendent Vazquez looks forward to seeing you there.

The varsity girl's soccer team played a hard-fought match vs Liberty High School on Friday, December 02 winning 3-2. Though everyone who played on the pitch contributed to the overall win, there are several players that must be spotlighted:

* Students go to the actual location of the subject area, on the day and time being offered...

* Students report directly to their tutoring locations

* NO TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE

The OCPS Scholarship Bulletin for 2022-2023 is now available. This is something that parents of college bound students should view especially in light of prevailing economic conditions. There are a large number of opportunities available, but it is important to take careful note of their application deadlines.

 National Scholarship searches- Fast Web and Scholarships.com

Making sense of the chart for our Pioneers: The tight labor market since the pandemic is prompting more employers to eliminate one of the biggest requirements for many higher-paying jobs: a college degree. Companies such as Google, Delta Air Lines and International Business Machines have reduced educational requirements for certain positions and shifted hiring to focus more on skills and experience. However, our Pioneers should remember the chart reflects a short-run trend since 2018.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 26, 2022 Read full article

For those Oak Ridge students who want to have their own single-family home sooner vs. later, homeownership rates among young householders (age 25-34) differ by educational attainment. This is largely because higher education usually results in higher earnings critical for obtaining home loans and purchasing first homes. In 2019 (the latest year of the 2022 research study), young householders with a bachelor’s degree or higher had the highest homeownership rate (44.0%), followed by those with some college (37.9%), a high school degree (32.3%), and less than high school (23.0%).

Source: Census Bureau Read full article

Thank you to @american_heart association and BBM Structural Engineers for their CPR kits! Providing this life-saving training keeps our Pioneers #boundforglORy

3DE by Junior Achievement, formerly known as the JA Academy for Leadership and Entrepreneurship, is a national model partnership between OCPS, 3DE, and Junior Achievement of Central Florida. 3DE re-engineers high school education and pushes students to discover solutions to real-world challenges, connect the relevancy of education, and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to thrive in today’s ever-evolving economy. 3DE’s multifaceted approach to learning uses case methodology to integrate real-world connectivity into the standard high school experience. Coursework is complemented by career readiness experiences including career-site visits, interacting with business coaches, and consultancy experiences. The result is a high school experience that reflects the dynamic pace of activity and interconnectedness of life beyond the classroom walls.

The Aviation and Aerospace Engineering Magnet provides a rigorous college preparatory curriculum coupled with relevant career-related electives and enrichment activities that allow students to experience first-hand the fields of aviation and aerospace engineering. Integrated learning, honors and Advanced Placement coursework, as well as field trips, site visits and possible apprenticeships and internships provide the foundation for student preparation. Students will have the opportunity to use state of the art flight simulators, which are located on the Oak Ridge High School campus. Upon program completion, students will be academically prepared for two- and four-year higher education programs and may receive scholarships through Bright Futures and a variety of other funding sources. Students throughout the Orange County School District may apply for this magnet. Participating students enter the magnet as freshmen and a limited number may enter as sophomores.

The Digital Media and Gaming Magnet provides a rigorous college preparatory program using curriculum that is tied to today’s digital world. You text message, download music, make cell phone calls, chat online and play the latest games anytime, anywhere. So why not learn how to make it all happen? Be a part of the development of the digital boom while in high school. Oak Ridge High School, in cooperation with the University of Central Florida School of Film and Digital Media, has developed the most extensive digital media program in Central Florida. Students learn the latest in podcasting, animation, web design, electronics and gaming development. Integrated learning, honors and Advanced Placement coursework, as well as field trips, site visits and possible apprenticeships and internships provide the foundation for student preparation. Upon program completion, students will be academically prepared for two- and four-year higher education programs and may receive scholarships through Bright Futures and a variety of other funding sources. Students throughout the Orange County school district may apply for this magnet. Participating students enter the magnet as freshmen and a limited number may enter as sophomores.

The Hospitality Management Magnet provides a variety of academic and real-world experiences to meet the needs of both four-year college-bound students and students planning to attend community college before beginning their careers in hotel and resort management. In addition to solid academic preparation, students have the opportunity to participate in a manager mentor program, site visits, job shadowing and to interact with industry leaders as guest speakers and through apprenticeship and internship programs. Upon program completion, students will be academically prepared for two- and four-year higher education programs and may receive scholarships through Bright Futures and a variety of other funding sources. Students throughout the Orange County School District may apply for this magnet. Participating students enter the magnet as freshmen and a limited number may enter as sophomores.

Click link to apply: http://schoolchoicemagnet.ocps.net/

Stephen Curry On Fortitude

Be the best version of yourself in anything you do. You don’t have to live anybody else’s story.

Denzel Washington On Perseverance

Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.

Ken Blanchard On Education

We go to the internet for information. We go to human beings to learn.

Pele On Passion

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.

Vidal Sassoon On Effort

The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.

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