Message from the Superintendent
Fall 2019
October is Bullying Prevention Month
Dear Parents and Community Members,
The new school year brings with it a new mission, vision, core values, strategic initiatives, and graduate profile to guide the district’s focus over the next five years. This new strategic plan – the Orange Unified EDGE – was created in a collaborative process that included staff, community members, parents, students, business partners, and service organizations. With a focus on Excellence in academics and leadership, Dedicated and engaged communication, Genuine wellness and safety, and Efficient utilization of fiscal capital, the Orange Unified EDGE was designed to propel Orange Unified’s academic programs, community outreach efforts, student and staff support systems, and efficiency to the next level.
Orange Unified EDGE’s Focus Area 3.0 – Genuine Wellness and Safety – recognizes that a safe and respectful environment is essential to student success. By knowing each student’s name, face and story, Orange Unified promotes a culture that nurtures the emotional health, safety, and well-being of students, staff, and parents. To support this endeavor, we created Strategic Initiative 3.4 to ensure systematic, district-wide implementation of the Orange Unified Bullying Prevention Handbook’s policies and practices.
While Orange Unified has always stood against all forms of bullying, harassment, and intimidation, we have not previously offered a handbook detailing our definition, policies, and procedures. I am proud of the work of the OUSD Kindness Matters Taskforce to bring this handbook to you, providing clarity of definition, process, and consequences that are enforced district-wide.
In partnership with our community, we will provide a safe, equitable, and innovative culture of learning for each scholar to have a competitive EDGE as a leader.
Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Welcome to our Student Board Members!
I would like to introduce to you our 2019-20 Student Board Members, whom we welcomed to the dias at the September 26 Board of Education Meeting. They are Anika Walia, Canyon High School; Clarissa Gonzalez, El Modena High School; Lucy Lundell, Orange High School; Jason Gonzalez, Richland High School; and Rylee Gordon, Villa Park High School. These students were selected because they are exemplary students who engage in campus activities and are leaders among their peers.
Throughout the school year, the Executive Directors for Secondary Education will work with the student representatives to facilitate communication between the Board and the students of this District. At Board meetings, on a rotating basis, each student will present a State of the School report on their school of attendance.
Upcoming Events
International Walk to School Week
On October 2, our elementary schools will host Walk to School Day in recognition of International Walk to School Week, which takes place the first full week of October. The goal is to encourage more adults and children to walk to school together to raise awareness about safe walking behaviours and encourage exercise, in support of EDGE Focus Area 3.0 - Genuine wellness and safety. Please be especially careful if you drive near our schools that morning.
Week of the School Administrator
This year, the official “Week of the School Administrator” is October 13-19, 2019. The Board of Education issued a proclamation in September to honor Orange Unified’s administrators for their leadership of the educational process and the contributions they make to ensure successful student achievement.
Dyslexia Awareness Month
October has also been identified by The International Dyslexia Association as Dyslexia Awareness Month. It is highly encouraged that all staff members, families, and the community collaborate to raise awareness and understanding of the condition, as well as to identify, treat and prevent problems associated with it.
Facilities Update
Over the past several months, the Facilities & Maintenance & Operations Department completed a variety of repair and capital improvement projects throughout the District. These projects included playground upgrades, restroom renovations, painting, flooring, roofing, asphalt, and field improvements to help support the Orange Unified EDGE at our sites.
Bleachers at Fred Kelly
Home Bleachers at Fred Kelly
Solar Panels for Clean Energy
Orange Unified
Email: OUSD@orangeusd.org
Website: https://www.orangeusd.org/
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA