Message from the Superintendent

In this Message

• CIF-SS Football Quarterfinal Results

• National Letter of Intent Ceremonies
• Measure S Phase 2 Update
• YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE – November Employees of the Month
• National School Psychology Week
• Running Springs Academy International Baccalaureate Programme
• Importance of SBAC Testing
• Nominate an OC Parenting 2023 Top Teacher
• Employment Opportunities
• Now Hiring Substitute Teachers!
• 2022-23 Health and Safety Plan

Upcoming Events

• November 21-25: Thanksgiving Break
• November 28: School Resumes
• November 30: FREE Preschool Parenting Class
• December 6: Special Education Parent Workshop
• December 7: FREE Preschool Parenting Class; Cash for College Workshop (Canyon High School Library)
• December 8: Cash for College Workshop (Villa Park High School Library)
• December 14: Board of Education Meeting

Dear OUSD Community,

It’s hard to believe that we are nearly halfway through this school year and almost into 2023. During this time of year, it’s especially important to pause and give thanks for all that we are grateful for. On behalf of our Board of Education and District leadership, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our students, staff, families, and community for your diligent efforts to help keep our schools safe and welcoming places.

Award-winning schools and academic success are a direct result of the hard work and dedication of Orange Unified staff in partnership with our parents and the OUSD community. Our collaborative efforts continue to result in numerous accolades received by our school sites. Most recently, California iInspire Academy has been named an Apple Distinguished School for the third consecutive term, two of our C-STEM educators were named as best in the state, and numerous students were commended by the College Board and National Merit Federation for their academic excellence.

Our athletic teams continue to compete at high levels, and all four of our high school football teams made it to the CIF Playoffs. In addition, student-athletes at our high schools continue to sign National Letters of Intent and commit to competing at the collegiate level after graduating high school (more on that follows).

To keep up to date on our latest news and events throughout the District, please connect with us on social media. A complete list of OUSD’s official social media accounts is on our website at orangeusd.org/about-us/socialmedia

I wish you and your family a happy, healthy Thanksgiving and hope you enjoy the break!

Warmest Regards,

Gunn Marie Hansen

Superintendent of Schools
Orange Unified School District

Congratulations to the Orange High School Panthers for defeating San Juan Hills High School 31-18 on Friday evening. Orange High School hosts Loyola High School on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Fred Kelly Stadium in the CIF-SS Division 6 Football Semifinals.

Canyon High School was defeated by Etiwanda High School 69-49 in Division 5 last Friday.

Villa Park High School was defeated by St. Francis High School 35-28 in Division 5 last Friday evening.

El Modena High School was defeated by Bishop Diego High School 31-21 in Division 3 on Saturday night.

We are proud of our teams for all making it to the CIF Playoffs!

The Athletic Department at Canyon High School is excited to announce the National Letter of Intent (NLI) signings of their student-athletes:

• Lauren Brown - Rowing - UCLA
• Shayna Gayer - Diving - Delta State University
• Tyler Howard - Volleyball - Loyola University of Chicago
• Addison Kranz -Volleyball - Cal State University San Marcos
• John Sova - Baseball - Concordia University, Irvine

Read more about these talented student-athletes at https://canyonathletics.org/2022/11/09/national-letter-of-intent-signing-day-november-9-2022/

The Athletic Department at Villa Park High School is excited to announce the NLI signings of the following student-athletes at a ceremony held in the Spartan Pavilion:

• Gavin Grahovac - Baseball - Texas A&M
• Zachary Brown - Baseball - Ohio State University
• Andrew Krodel - Baseball - UC Santa Barbara
• Brandon Luu - Baseball - UC Irvine
• Andrew Grove - Baseball -UC Irvine
• Estelle Faith McLeary - Track and Field - UC Irvine
• Sidney Shaffer - Volleyball - Bucknell University
• Rowan Drew - Softball - Marist College
• Jessica Ramirez - Soccer - University of Arizona
• Savannah Holley - Soccer - University of Arizona
• Cindy Conner - Soccer - Boise State

In addition, the El Modena High School Baseball Program is proud to recognize senior outfielder/pitcher Spencer Jacobs on his commitment to play baseball and further his education at Arizona Christian University.

Congratulations to all of our student-athletes! Additional NLI Ceremonies will take place throughout the school year.

Our four Measure S Phase 1 science centers are tremendous assets that will serve our students and community for generations to come. During Phase 2, we are very excited to be able to provide additional campus improvements based on individual site needs.

The second phase of Measure S at Villa Park High School begins next week and will focus on the construction of a new 18-classroom building and the modernization of existing buildings, including interior remodeling, utility upgrades, the addition of a new passenger elevator, and the relocation of the staircases for the 100/200 building.

Next month, Phase 2 of Measure S will begin at Orange High School, when Orange Unified’s oldest high school will receive a major facelift. A new Administration and Student Services building will be constructed that includes a Counseling and Health Center, and a Panther Plaza and Alumni Corner will be added on campus to foster collaboration and school spirit.

Projects at El Modena and Canyon High Schools will begin in early and late Spring 2023, respectively.

At Canyon High School, Phase 1 provided a new entrance to the campus framed by a massive 60,000-square-foot STEM and Student Services Building. Measure S Phase 2 will focus on the modernization of the existing science building, including interior remodeling and utility upgrades, as well as the removal of 21 portable buildings from the campus.

El Modena High School’s campus will drastically transform during the second phase of Measure S when existing classrooms are modernized and portable classrooms are eliminated. Additionally, Phase 2 will provide enhanced facilities for drama, art, Career Technical Education, and other specialized programs.

A special thank you goes out to our taxpayers, who continue to fund the Measure S projects at our comprehensive high schools. The modern, functional facilities and learning opportunities created by our Measure S projects are a testament to what is possible when our community works together.

The “YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE” Employee of the Month Recognition program has been designed with the District’s Core Values in mind. This program encourages outstanding customer service in the workplace in fulfillment of the District’s Strategic Plan. It increases awareness of the goals and values of Orange Unified as well as the importance and significance of outstanding performance.

This month, the recipients of the “YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE” award are:

• Dana Lusiani, School Nurse, Health Services/El Modena High School
• Joseph Conway, Warehouse Worker/Delivery Driver, Nutrition Services

El Modena Principal Sandra Preciado had this to say about Dana:

Dana Lusiani represents the OUSD’s core values of Integrity, Respect, and Excellence. Her dedication to the wellness of our students is commendable as she strives to provide them with the highest level of care. Dana and I recently responded to an emergency situation together where she embodied true professionalism as a school nurse and took heroic actions to administer emergency, life-saving care in a highly stressful situation. That day I was beyond thankful for Dana and her actions, but, in fact, we are all thankful every day for her commitment and support. Thank you, Dana, for all you do for El Modena’s staff and students!

Student and Community Services Executive Director Heriberto Angel had this to say about Dana:

Dana Lusiani exemplifies our OUSD core values as an integral member of our school nurse team. Dana takes great pride in her work serving the students of the District and working collaboratively with the team to maximize our school health services. Her efforts are reflective of the school nurse profession as a whole, and her dedication is shown in the outstanding care provided to our students. The Student and Community Services team is grateful for Dana’s contributions and commitment to excellence!

Nutrition Services Director Jamie Sanchez had this to say about Joseph:

Joseph Conway exemplifies OUSD’s core values of respect and excellence. He is dedicated to providing excellent customer service to the schools where he delivers food and is always willing to jump in and assist his colleagues and the department whenever help is needed. Joseph keeps the genuine wellness and safety of all OUSD students at the heart of everything he does. Not only does he take the time to smile and acknowledge students and faculty while making his daily deliveries, he goes above and beyond by participating in school fundraising activities and by taking a moment to shoot a few hoops with kids on the basketball court. His actions not only brighten our students’ day but also contribute to a positive school culture where our students feel seen, heard, and valued. Nutrition Services is grateful for Joseph’s hard work, dedication, and student-centered approach to excellence.

California Elementary Principal Misty Brunasso had this to say about Joseph:

Joseph Conway exhibits Respect in all things that he does. He greets our students with a smile, he patiently waits for traffic to move and for the few minutes he is at California each day he is an integral part of our staff. Even at six o’clock in the morning, he has a warm greeting for everyone he encounters! Recently we were doing a fundraiser, and he went out of his way to participate and engage with our students/staff. He is essential in building community with the way he treats our students. We are fortunate to have Joseph as a part of our California Bear family!

Both Joseph and Dana go above and beyond to serve the staff and students of the Orange Unified School District in ways that reflect the core values of OUSD’s EDGE. The Board of Education thanks them both for their dedication and devotion to the Orange Unified School District.

At last night’s meeting, the Board of Education officially proclaimed November 7 - November 11 as National School Psychology Awareness Week to recognize School Psychologists for their hard work and dedication to our students, schools, and community. School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students; consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. The Board of Education is thankful for their invaluable contributions all year.

Running Springs Academy was highlighted at the last Board of Education Meeting as an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The IB was founded over 50 years ago to provide a challenging and thorough education that helps students understand and manage the complexities of our world while helping them develop the skills and attitudes needed to make a positive difference.

Currently a K-6 school, Running Springs is now accepting interest forms for students who will be in seventh grade during the 2023-24 school year. A virtual parent night will be held on November 30. Space in the program is limited, and priority enrollment will be given to current 6th-grade Redhawks.

For more information about Running Springs Academy, please visit orangeusd.org/running-springs

Each year, high school juniors participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) assessment. This assessment measures progress in math and language arts in grades 3-8 and 11. This assessment is important for 11th grade students because it is used for course placement once the students have been admitted to the CSU (California State University). Admissions considerations are given for each student’s grade point average and A-G coursework.

For more information, please visit https://www.orangeusd.org/departments/educational-services/secondary-education/college-career-readiness/college-admission-requirements or speak to your child’s high school counselor.

Do you have a teacher at your school who does more than educate students? Who gets students excited about learning, teaches life lessons, is valued by parents, peers, administration, and students, and whose classes consistently rank among the top in test scores? Nominate him or her to be honored by Parenting OC in our upcoming March 2023 Top Teachers issue!

More: https://parentingoc.com/2022/09/top-teacher-employee-awards-2023-nominations

Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact on our community? If so, please visit our website at www.orangeusd.org/jobs to view a vast array of employment opportunities that span from entry-level to upper management, classified and certificated.

Join the Orange Unified family and Inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow.

Substitute teacher positions are available immediately. This is a great position for anyone with a bachelor’s degree who would like to help our schools while earning extra income. If you are interested, please apply on EdJoin at www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1627344.

An informational meeting about becoming an OUSD substitute teacher will be held on November 29 from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm in the Panther Lab (back parking lot at the District Office at 1401 N. Handy Orange, CA 92687). Please drop by and learn more about the rewarding opportunity to become a substitute teacher!

Please be sure to check out our 2022-23 Safety and Health-Driven Plan, which outlines what we have implemented to keep our students and staff healthy in the new school year.

Email: communications@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA

We invite you to take a moment to follow Orange Unified on social media to receive the District’s latest news and announcements. Social media may also be a critical line of communication during emergencies and will be an excellent place for you to get up to date information: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube