Voice Newsletter Archives

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

Gloria and Robert Stephens, Jr., are walking to school together when the unthinkable happens: Robert, a young Black boy, kicks a teenaged White landowner in an attempt to defend his older sister's honor. It's 1950 in rural Florida and Jim Crow is the law of the land, so after a sham trial Robby is sentenced to six months in the Gracetown School for Boys, a reformatory with a reputation for such extreme brutality that it has its own graveyard for the boys who don't survive their sentences. The Reformatory's narrative alternates between Robby, who is able to see and communicate with the reformatory's resident haints, and Gloria as she desperately tries to free him. The result is a novel that is as brutal as it is brilliant, in which the traditional horror elements take a back seat to the horrors of the Jim Crow South setting when it comes to fright factor. Inspired by the true story of the death of author Tananarive Due's relative in a Florida reformatory, this is a bloody and deeply disturbing novel that, in Due's deft hands, still bursts with hope as she shines a light on one of the darker corners of our country's history.

Mix and mingle with other Upper School parents/guardians!

Parents are invited to volunteer at the Oregon State Science Fair.

Thank you for supporting the Auction and strengthening our school community with your participation.

It's not too late to play a SPRING sport!

Bid now before bidding closes on Saturday at 7pm!

We still have some volunteer roles for the day and night of the OES Auction tomorrow!

Hosting a dorm student is a great way to experience one of the BEST parts of OES!

Auction bidding is now OPEN!

We are looking forward to helping your child have a successful upcoming Winterim trip! Please read the following important health and safety information completely, make note of the important deadlines and reach out if you have any questions.