Dr. Sarah Schecter, Head of Lower School

September 5, 2025

Dear Lower School Parents, 

Last year, The Oakridge School read The Anxious Generation. This book motivated us to make some changes in our school to promote independence, confidence, and resilience. We also participated in the Let Grow program to encourage families to allow their children to accomplish new things and become more independent. If you are not familiar with Let Grow, here are some statements from their website that may help you understand their mission.

“We believe today’s kids are smarter and stronger than our culture gives them credit for. We reject the idea that they are in constant physical, emotional or psychological danger from creeps, kidnapping, frustration, failure, baby snatchers, bad grades, disappointing playdates and/or the perils of a non-organic grape.

“Somehow our culture has become obsessed with kids’ fragility and lost sight of their innate resilience. This concern grew out of good intentions! But treating kids as fragile is making them so. In fact, kids are “anti-fragile” — built not just to withstand some challenges, but to grow stronger once they do.

“Children who have more opportunities than others for independent activities are not only happier in the short run, because the activities engender happiness and a sense of trustworthiness and competence, but also happier in the long run, because independent activities promote the growth of mental capacities for coping effectively with life’s inevitable stressors. That’s why Let Grow is creating a new path for parents, schools, and America itself. Our programs, outreach, and thought leadership focus not just on explaining where our culture took a wrong turn, but on real-world ways to get our kids back to having some adventures, solving some problems, and blossoming.

“At Let Grow, we come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs, but we all agree that the free time and freedom to roam we had as children helped us become the independent and (usually) confident adults we are now. We recognize that there is no definitive parenting manual and never can be, but we all want our children to thrive, and do the best we can with the circumstances we are in at any given moment. We all believe passionately in Let Grow’s mission and capacity to affect change in how children experience childhood and growing up.”

Last school year many Oakridge families joined the Let Grow challenge. Students walked their dogs, ran errands, cooked breakfast, set up a tent, made cookies, visited a neighbor, folded clothes, ordered pizzas, and packed for a trip. It was fun to see the pride and sense of accomplishment the kids had each month as they learned new things and spread their wings.

This school year we want to continue Let Grow with a few small changes. Each grading period there will be a home challenge for all who want to participate. (It is an optional program.) Parents who want to share the experience will send a 4X6 photo of the project or activity. We plan to display the photos in a common area of Lower School to inspire others. (By the way, if you have older children, the Let Grow website has project ideas for older students, like changing a flat tire, planning a party, assembling a household item, etc.) We look forward to seeing Oakridge students grow more competent and confident.

Remember, this is your child’s journey, so let them choose their own adventure. Here are some ideas to get you started, but feel free to go your own way. The goal is to learn something new and then be able to do it without adult help.

On a different note, the parent portal has a new button for Absence, Transportation, and Extended Care Changes. It is a red button that allows parents to update a child's absence, transportation change, or extended care schedule on the go. Simply select your child from the dropdown list, provide the reason for the change, and the request will automatically be emailed to the appropriate staff member.

Hopefully, you received information about Homecoming Spirit Week, which will take place during the week of September 29 - October 3. Click here to view the Homecoming packet, which includes the daily themes and the schedule of events. We invite you to join us on October 3 at 10:00 a.m. for the annual Homecoming Parade and hope that you will come back to the O.A.C. (Oakridge Athletic Complex across the street) for the football game that evening. Purchase Homecoming t-shirts by September 23, 2025. Proceeds from t-shirt sales go toward the fireworks show after the game. Students can wear their 2025 Homecoming t-shirt to school on Friday, October 3.

Dates to Remember:

• September 18: Individual Picture Day &

North Texas Giving Day

• September 26: Professional Development - No School
• October 3: Homecoming - Parade @ 10 & Early Dismissal @ 11:30
• October 10 - 13: Fall Break - No School
• October 29: Owlfest
• October 31: Parent Conference Day - No School

Warmly,

Sarah Schecter