Oak Ridge Schools

This summer, we're inviting ORS families to join us for WOW Wednesdays—a seven-week series of fun challenges designed to inspire exploration, creativity, learning, and family connection.

Each Wednesday, we'll share a simple activity that can be completed wherever your summer adventures take you. We hope you'll join the fun and share your experiences in the comments along the way!

Summer is the perfect time for memory-making. This week's challenge is to create a Summer Bucket List with your family.

Some ideas to get you thinking might include:
• Something you'd like to learn
• Somewhere you'd like to visit
• Something kind you'd like to do for someone else
• Something fun you'd like to try

Share one item from your bucket list in the comments!

We are seeking outstanding leaders to join our team! We currently have two administrative positions open and are looking for individuals who are passionate about serving students, supporting staff, and helping schools thrive.

If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this opportunity with them. Together, we can continue building a culture of excellence, engagement, and success for every student.

View available positions at www.ortn.edu/central-office/employment/ to apply.

Free summer lunches are back beginning June 4!

Children and teens 18 and under can enjoy FREE healthy lunches through June 26 with two convenient options:

Robertsville Middle School Open Café
Monday–Friday | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
No registration required — just stop by!

ETHRA Sunshine Bus Stops
Monday–Friday at the following locations:
• 11:00–11:30 a.m. – Oak Ridge Civic Center
• 12:00–1:00 p.m. – Oliver Springs Library
• 1:25–2:00 p.m. – Clinton Splash Pad
• 2:30–3:00 p.m. – Rocky Top Splash Pad

No cost. No sign-up. Just show up and enjoy lunch!

Questions? Contact Jennifer DePanicis at 865-425-9235 or [email protected].

To ensure consistency and provide the highest level of service to our students, families, staff, and community members, all district departments and school offices will maintain summer hours from 8:00-4:00 Monday through Friday, beginning June 5.

Regular office hours will resume on Monday, July 6.

All schools will follow an early release schedule today.

We wish all of our students, staff, and families a safe, fun, and relaxing summer break. Thank you for a wonderful school year, and we look forward to seeing our students again on July 27!

For the last few years, Willow Brook Elementary has created Kindertown USA with kindergarten students. The experience teaches kids how to read, write and count through jobs in a make-believe town. This year our ORHS STEM 3 students got involved and the results were pretty incredible. Take a peek inside the town and hear from students involved in this story featured on WBIR.

This is yet another example of how collaboration works magic across our schools! Thank you students and teachers for creating this awesome learning experience together!

Oak Ridge High School STEM students build 'Kindertown USA' for Willow Brook Elementary Kindertown helps kindergartners with reading, writing and math by running a make-believe town. ORHS STEM III students built the town for them to play with.

Collaboration across Oak Ridge Schools was on full display as some of our former .hawks helped develop a solution for a stringed instrument storage challenge at Woodland Elementary.

We love seeing students use their creativity and problem-solving skills to support one another. Moments like these showcase the power of teamwork and the lasting connections that make our school community special. We are proud of these Hawks for Life!

Students in the 8th Grade Intro to Broadcasting class at RMS recently put their skills to the test during their very own “Iron Chef” style competition! Working in teams of four, students planned and prepared a one-dish meal for four people, complete with their researched recipe, grocery list, and a $20 budget — all while incorporating at least one ingredient from the GIVE Club community garden.

Team Saucey Spoon prepared a delicious fettuccine alfredo with chicken, while Team Savory Stars created a restaurant-inspired crunch wrap. Both dishes received great reviews from judges for their texture and taste.

Teams were evaluated on teamwork, cooking skills, camera work, communication, and overall presentation. The event was a fun and creative way for students to showcase everything they’ve learned this year while also applying writing, math, filming, and collaboration skills in a real-world setting.

Thank you to Broadcasting teacher Ms. Leftwich, the student teams, and judges Mr. Tinker, Ms. Scott, Ms. Downs, and Ms. Peters for helping create such an engaging and memorable learning experience for students!