
Spartan Weekly Update April 7-11

What's Happening This Week
APRIL PERFECT ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE - LEARN MORE
Monday, April 7
Even Day
ASB Elections Campaigning Begins
Dress for Success Mondays - 2 Detentions Off (Learn More)
Tuesday, April 8
Odd Day
PFSO Meeting 6pm - Library
Wednesday, April 9
Even Day
Thursday, April 10
Odd Day
ASB Elections-Don't forget to vote electronically
Friday, April 11
Spring Sports Assembly
ASB Elections-Don't forget to vote electronically
Saturday, April 12
PFSO Annual Pancake Breakfast 7am-11am (Purchase Tickets Online)
Saturday School (Double Credit) 8am-12pm Room 205
Administration Updates
Mr. McCuistion Named OUSD Administrator of the Year
Congratulations to our Principal, Dennis McCuistion, on being named the OUSD Administrator of the Year for the 2024-2025 academic year. On Friday, March 28th, representatives from OUSD’s Executive Cabinet and LTO (Leadership Team Orange) visited Villa Park High School to present Mr. McCuistion with the Administrator of the Year Award. The presentation was attended by VPHS staff and Mr. McCuistion’s family. This marks Mr. McCuistion’s third year as Principal of Villa Park High School. Throughout his over two decades of service with Orange Unified School District, Mr. McCuistion has held the positions of Principal at Orange High School and Richland High School. We extend our sincere appreciation for his unwavering dedication to our students, staff, parents, and community. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Mr. McCuistion’s exceptional leadership and the collective achievements of the Spartan family.
No Foolin' in April - Perfect Attendance Weekly Challenge
After Spring Break, students have the opportunity to earn 10 detention credits off for getting to class on-time and avoiding absences. Students must have perfect attendance (no tardies or absences) for the entire week (Monday through Friday). Students participating must check in with Mrs. Zlaket on Monday in the counseling office.
- April 7-11
- April 14-18
- April 21-25
- Students who complete the challenge for all 3 weeks will CLEAR ALL DETENTIONS.
Students who earn perfect attendance for three weeks will be entered into a raffle for special prizes:
- Gift Cards to local businesses
- Extra Graduation Tickets (Current 11th Graders)
- Free Parking Pass for 2025-26 (Current 10th & 11th Graders)
- More prizes to be announced...
Thank a Custodian Day
Four years ago, the Kindness Club initiated the “Thank a Custodian Day” to recognize and appreciate the dedicated custodial staff who often go unnoticed for their invaluable contributions. On March 28th, VPHS recognized our Custodial Staff.
To make this a school-wide event, the Kindness Club collaborated with teachers and students. Students composed heartfelt thank-you notes for the custodians, while the ASB created visually appealing posters to promote the event. The choir provided musical performances, and the dance team showcased their support. The yearbook and film clubs documented the occasion, and the staff generously donated food and cash for the event.
The event culminated with a speech by Mr. McCuiston, who offered inspiring words of encouragement. Each year, the event gains momentum, solidifying its place as an important tradition at Villa Park High School.
VPHS 8th Grade Roadshow 3.27.25
This week incoming 9th graders from Cerro Villa Middle School, Santiago Charter Middle School, and McPherson Magnet School came to VPHS for our annual 8th Grade Roadshow. The visit featured our Activities & Athletic Programs, CTE Pathways & Electives, and our Visual & Performing Arts Groups. We look forward to having the VPHS Class of 2029 on campus this fall!
AP Test Prep - Spring 2025
Click Here to Access the AP Test Prep Calendar (Spring 2025)
Juniors: Get Ready for SBAC Testing
VPHS SBAC State Testing will be completed April 14-18!!!
Juniors: Please make sure your school-issued laptop is in working order and ready for testing. Students are expected to use their school-issued laptop.
- Run and install your computer's system updates when prompted
- Be sure your charger works.
- Problems? Come to the Library for help!
12th Grade Attendance Announcement
Attention Seniors 18+:
Beginning April 7th (Start of the 4th quarter), students who are 18+ will not be allowed to "leave early" / check out of school if they currently has a D or F in any 2nd semester class. Students will be required to check in with VPHS administration and parents will be contacted for authorization. Questions? See Mr. Pongco in Counseling.
PFSO Pancake Breakfast - April 12th - Purchase Tickets Today!
The VPHS Pancake Breakfast is returning and we hope you'll join in this fun tradition!
Saturday, April 12th
7 to 11 am
VPHS Breezeway
Tickets for the event are $10 each, and include pancakes, coffee, and more - making this a wonderful and affordable outing for families to enjoy together.
Schoolwide Tutoring - Attend for Double Detention Credit - Spring 2025
VPHS is excited to announce new tutoring opportunities available for students across all subjects. If you're struggling with a class, need help with an essay, or are preparing for an upcoming exam, our teachers are available throughout the week to help students!
**EARN 2 DETENTIONS FOR FOR ATTENDING ANY TUTORIAL SESSION**
Dress For Success Mondays
Students can clear 2 detentions for participating in our new program, Dress for Success Mondays. VPHS will promote professionalism and positive self-image by encouraging students to dress professionally on Mondays. To earn credit, student will pick up a Teacher Verification slip from Mrs. Zlaket in the Counseling Office which must be signed by all teachers. Please encourage your student to participate!
Student Services Update
- Bathroom Passes (via 5-Star) will now last 6 (SIX) minutes - the same time as the standard passing period between classes. Bathroom passes should only be used to go to the restroom and return to class. Students frequently found out of class without a pass or on an expired hall pass will be assigned school consequences.
- 5-Star Digital Student ID can be used as an alternate Student ID Card - students can exit campus for short day/athletics using the 5-Star app. This Digital ID card will be used for checking in to school events such as dances, lunch detention, and Saturday Schools.
Student Conduct Guidance 24-25
- Student Attendance: Students who arrive late to class after the bell rings for each period are tardy. There is a 6-minute passing period to move from class to class. Students who earn 4 tardies will be assigned a lunch detention. We appreciate parent support in encouraging students to be prompt and show up to classes on time!
- Student Conduct Guidelines 24-25: Outline of student behavior and consequences administered by Student Services (Discipline). Please take a moment to review school policies on the following topics:
- Attendance Policy
- Saturday School & Loss of Activities
- Lunch Detention
- Campus Deliveries
- Dress Code
- Student Parking
Click Here to Review Student Conduct Guidelines 24-25
- Attendance: Parents must call or deliver a note to the Attendance Office within 72 hours to clear a student's absence. Students will be held accountable for their attendance through lunch detentions or Saturday School for unexcused absences. If a student is absent from school, they must provide an excuse for an absence (Illness, Personal, Medical Appointment, etc.). Calls to attendance can be made to (714) 532-8020.
Spartan Activities
ASB Elections Week
Color Guard Takes 1st
Just wanted to share that VPHS Winter Guard took first place at Huntington Beach high School today and scored the top score of their entire division!
Next stop: Championships
Go Spartans!
Orchestra Symphonic Jazz Concert - March 27th
Congrats to our instrumental program for another outstanding concert. We had our Symphonic band, orchestra, top jazz ensemble, and multiple student groups perform great pieces of music literature.
Our final concert is on June 5th, where we celebrate our seniors and perform music that our seniors would like our ensemble to play before they graduate. Come out and enjoy! June 5th, 7pm, PAC!
Senior Class Announcements
VPHS Grad Night (and Day!) 2025
Your year. Your Park. Your Party! Villa Park High School seniors 2025, get ready for an incredible day and night at the Disneyland Resort! We are headed to the Happiest Place on Earth for one final day/night of high school memories on Friday, June 13th!
Your Grad Nite Ticket includes:
- Breakfast and Check-in from 7:30am to 9:00am @ VPHS
- Transportation to & from Disneyland - Leave VPHS on Friday, June 13th @ 9:15am & returning to VPHS on Saturday, June 14th @ 3am (approximation)
- ALL DAY Disney Park Hopper ticket
- After Hours Grad Nite Private Event ticket (at California Adventure)
- Money for snacks during the event
If you have any questions, please contact Jodi Kraft at (714) 338-9306 or by email at jodikraft5@gmail.com. Thank you!
SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
Summer School will be held June 17 - July 24 at Villa Park High School
Counselors are actively working on summer school sign ups to identify students who have failed a class necessary to meet graduation requirements.
If your student passed a class with a D, but would like to improve the grade to be A-G eligible for college admissions, please have them reach out to the counselor to get signed up for summer school.
College Planning Checklist
Parent vs. Student Responsibilities
Which College Admission Process best suits you?
Counselor Assignments & Contacts 2024-2025
A - C - Lauren Bartelli
D - H - Jeremy Bulrice
I - M - Jason Pham
N - R - Shasta Campbell
S - Z - Doreen Valentin
Spartan Wellspace - Agnes Cimino
Athletics
VPHS Recognized by CIF-SS for Academic Excellence
The California interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section, the governing body that oversees high school athletics, recently released the winners of the team academic championships. For teams to be considered they must have at least five student athletes with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA average on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) for the first semester of the 2024 to 2025 school year and be a CIF member school with populations above 1,500 students. We are excited to announce that 24 of the varsity programs here on the Villa Park campus achieved above a 3.0 GPA threshold. We are excited to announce the sports of baseball and boys golf teams finished first in their categories and will be recognized in a pregame ceremony on the field at a Los Angeles Angels game on April 24nd. Villa Park High School has garnered a total of thirteen academic team championships in the last eight years (Twelve Southern Section, and one state). When tabulating the grade point averages for all sports, Villa Park high school had 18 out of 25 varsity sports qualified for the top 25 grade point average status in the CIF Southern Section, 9 teams earned top 10 status, 8 teams top-five status, Football, the 2024 Academic Champion, was the CIF Southern Section academic champion runner-up. The combined average unweighted GPA's of all varsity athletes was 3.58. We want to recognize and thank all our fine teachers, coaches, students, families, and community stakeholders in supporting these amazing achievements.
- Boys Golf 3.863 (1st )
- Baseball 3.743 (lst)
- Football 3.574 (2nd)
- Flag Football 3.765 (3rd )
- Boys Track and Field 3.688 (4th)
- Girls Soccer 3.728 (4th)
- Girls Track and Field 3.747 (5th)
VPHS INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES - CIF-SS ACADEMIC RECOGNITION
Isabella Puccio - Swimming, Water Polo
Jason White - Golf
Support VPHS Baseball
Interested in Joining a Sport?
Contact our Athletic Director, Tom Fox tfox@orangeusd.org
Follow VPHS Teams on Social Media!
Please check out the VP Sports schedule for the latest game schedule, results, and events.
If you are on Instagram, follow our teams to stay updated on game results, schedules, and other team-related events:
- VPHS Boys Basketball
- VPHS Girls Basketball
- VPHS Hockey
- VPHS Rugby (NEW)
- VPHS Boys Soccer
- VPHS Girls Soccer
- VPHS Girls Wrestling (NEW)
- VPHS Wrestling
- VPHS Aquatics - Water Polo Boys (Fall) Girls (Winter) Swimming (Spring)
- VPHS Cheer & Stunt
- VPHS Cross Country (Fall)
- VPHS esports
- VPHS Football (Fall)
- VPHS Flag Football (Fall)
- VPHS Girls Golf (Fall)
- VPHS Girls Tennis (Fall)
- VPHS Girls Volleyball (Fall)
- VPHS Baseball (Spring)
- VPHS Boys Golf (Spring)
- VPHS Boys Volleyball (Spring)
- VPHS Softball (Spring)
- VPHS Boys Tennis (Spring)
- VPHS Track & Field (Spring)
Upcoming Events
April 11: Spring Sports Assembly
April 14-18: International Week & Cheer Tryouts
April 28-May 2: Dodgeball Tournament
May 5-16: AP Testing
May 20: Signing Day
May 21: Senior Celebration
VPHS Fundrasing Opportunities
We’re happy to announce that a new webpage has been created, in response to parent feedback, to collect all fundraiser events that occur throughout the school year. VPHS Fundraiser Events is now open for all sports teams and boosters, clubs, classes, and VPHS-affiliated organizations who wish to promote their upcoming fundraisers.
Should you wish you promote your event, please contact Mr. Pongco at jpongco@orangeusd.org. We are able to feature events on our newsletter, this new webpage, and in school email broadcasts to our parents and students.
Free and Public Education Notice
Section 5 of Article IX of the state of California constitution guarantees students a "free public education". Any requests financial requests from coaches or teachers shall be donations and therefore not required to participate.
Villa Park is a public school, which means we offer a free public education. Any fees attached to events, such as field trips, are requested as a donation from families. Your child will not be excluded from the event if you are unable to donate for a school day field trip or program.
OUSD Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination (UCP)
Orange Unified School District annually notifies its students, employees, parents or guardians of its students, the district advisory committee, school advisory committees, appropriate private school officials, and other interested parties of the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) process.
The UCP Annual Notice is available on the district's website.
The Orange Unified School District is primarily responsible for compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including those related to unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying against any protected group, and all programs and activities that are subject to the UCP.
Villa Park High School Assistant Principal | Curriculum & Instruction