School Counseling

Welcome to Oak Ridge High School Counseling!

Telephone: 865-425-9607
Fax: 865-425-9526
Address: 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Office Hours: M-F 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Counseling Staff

Paige Taylor, 9^th – 12^th grade students A-C, hptaylor@ortn.edu
Ashley Bennewitz, 9^th – 12^th grade students D-H, abennewitz@ortn.edu
Brianna Ottinger, Department Coordinator, 9^th – 12^th grade students I-M, bottinger@ortn.edu
Kelly Rowland, 9^th – 12^th grade students N-R, ksrowland@ortn.edu
Heidi Foster, 9^th – 12^th grade students S-Z, hafoster@ortn.edu
Alison King, School Social Worker, aking@ortn.edu
Audrey Morris, Registrar, amorris@ortn.edu

Counselors are in the office from 7:40 a.m. – 3:40 p.m. Students are encouraged to stop by before school, during the lunch break, or after school to make an appointment. Parents may call or email at anytime to schedule an appointment with their student’s counselor.

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Oak Ridge High School Counseling on Twitter

Financial Aid 101

ORHS Counseling Updates via Text
To start receiving ORHS Counseling news updates via text message, just text @oakridgehs to 81010. Problems using 81010? Try 865-407-2892. We will send out reminders, scholarship info, deadlines, etc. Tell your friends and make sure you have free incoming texts because standard text fees will apply.

New Student Registration

The first step in our registration process is to stop by the Counseling Office to pick up a registration packet. Once you’ve picked up the registration packet we will make an appointment for you to meet with our Registrar, Ms. Morris, to return the completed forms and additional paperwork needed. If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Office Administrative Assistant, Ms. Wendt, at 865-425-9607.

Freshman and New Student Orientation

ORHS Freshman Orientation will be Thursday, July 25, 2019 from 8 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. in the Auditorium.

ORHS 10th – 12th Grade Orientation for NEW STUDENTS ONLY will be Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater.

Student Schedules for the 2019-2020 School Year

Schedules for the 2019-2020 school year are now available in Skyward.

The ORHS schedule change window is from July 22nd until August 9^th at 3:30 p.m. No schedule change requests will be reviewed prior to July 22^nd or after August 9th. The schedule change form will be available online through Skyward Family Access starting on July 22nd.

A copy of the schedule change form is also available here: Schedule Change Form

If you chose to complete the paper form instead of the online form, it must be dropped off in the Counseling Office or emailed to your counselor. Counselors will not begin processing schedule changes until the schedule change window opens. Please do not make appointments with counselors to change schedules. Only schedule change requests submitted online or via this form will be reviewed.

Schedule changes will only be considered for the following reasons:

1. Lack prerequisites or proper preparation for course
2. Lack of complete schedule, lack of credits for graduation, college entrance requirements, NCAA or TSSAA.
3. Other extenuating circumstance approved by administration.

Keep in mind that all schedule changes are contingent upon course availability. Classes cannot be overloaded to accommodate any requests.

Homework

Parents or students may contact teachers directly to inquire about missed work when when their student is absent. If the student is absent for three or more days, a request may be submitted to Ms. Campbell to gather the assignments. Please email akcampbell@ortn.edu or call 865-425-9607 to request homework and allow one full day to gather work.

Letters of Recommendation Deadlines

The Oak Ridge High School Counseling Department has a policy of requiring three weeks’ notice for requesting letters of recommendation for college applications and scholarships. ALL TEACHERS WILL BE REQUESTING THE SAME LEAD TIME THIS YEAR AS WELL. Items needed will be explained to seniors during Senior Seminars in August. We require an updated resume and teacher comment forms in order to write recommendations. Do not miss deadlines!

Transcript Request Instructions for Former Students

Please complete the Transcript Request Form (for former students). Please note that a copy of your government issued ID is required in order for us to process your request. Once you have submitted your Transcript Request please email a copy of your Government issued ID to the Registrar at amorris@ortn.edu.

Transcript Request Form (for former students)

Education Verification Requests

Education Verification for employment purposes my be requested via fax or mail. The request must be accompanied by a signed release from the Oak Ridge High School student/graduate. Please make your request attention to Ms. Morris and allow 72 hours for processing. Education Verification requests made without a signed release from the student/graduate will not be honored. There is no charge for Education Verification.

Ms. Morris
ORHS Counseling Office
1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Fax: 865-425-9526 Attn: Ms. Morris