News from the OPA Central Office
May 2024
Dr. Kimberly Fricker named as OPA's new Executive Director!
Dr. Fricker was appointed Executive Director by the OPA Board of Directors during the April 29, 2024, Board Meeting.
Dr. Fricker has spent her first 30 days immersing herself in OPA's culture and connecting with the community. She has hosted Town Hall/Meet and Greets at each school where she spoke about her background and her educational philosophy, and has been busy visiting classrooms, touring schools, and learning what makes OPA, OPA. If you see her, make sure to stop by and introduce yourself!
For a brief biography of Dr. Fricker, please visit our website: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/news/article/1919547
The OPA Middle School Marching Champions had the honor of playing the National Anthem at the Angel's baseball game on May 9, 2024. The band, led by Mr. T Ceballos, was part of a larger group of middle school students from the Orange County area invited to participate in the pre-game ceremony.
For the full story and additional photos, visit our news article: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/news/article/1925084
OPA believes that all students should have the opportunity to excel academically and either meet or exceed academic standards. Summer programs can support this by positively impacting academic achievement and setting students up for success in the coming year. Although summer programs are always optional, it is a reflection of our culture of excellence that so many families have opted to participate.
Congratulations to OPA-SOC for being named to the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll!
Throughout California, approximately only 17% of eligible schools made the honor roll list. The ERP Honor Roll recognizes successful schools that are preparing all cohorts of students with the fundamental skills needed to be successful in the workforce and life.
This honor is a reflection of OPA's mission that all children are unique and gifted individuals, and all children can learn. OPA's classrooms follow a full inclusion model where students can learn in a general education setting with support initiatives seamlessly integrated into the academic framework, creating high outcomes for all cohorts of students served at all grade levels.
Congratulations to Ms. Erin Kolk for being named the Air and Space Forces Association, (AFA) chapter #147, STEM Teacher of the Year! Ms. Kolk teaches 7th-grade Science and STEAM at OPA Middle School.
Ms. Kolk was recognized for her achievement during the May 15, 2024, Board of Directors meeting. For additional information on the award, visit our news story here: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/news/article/1928094
Multiple Intelligences (MI's) are the foundation of OPA's philosophy and instructional approach. It states that each of us possesses eight intelligences that characterize the way we learn. This approach allows for differentiated instruction in the classroom allowing for students to learn, comprehend, and retain information due to receiving instruction in a variety of methodologies.
The use of MI's can be found in all OPA classrooms at every grade level. To learn more about the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, visit our website: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/pages/Multiple-Intelligences
The Middle School hosted its first-ever exit interviews with 8th-grade students. Each student had an opportunity to share their experiences and thoughts on their time at OPA. They highlighted projects completed, how what they learned will help them in the future, and reflected on the advice they would provide to incoming middle school students. The information gathered from the interviews will help evaluate what is working well and what additional programs and services may benefit our middle school students.
Thank you to all our volunteers who helped with the exit interviews and to our students for their excellent preparation, authentic answers, and for taking the time to share with us!