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Excitement was in the air for the Middle School's first annual Promotion Ceremony. Held at Laguna Hills High School on June 6, 2024, Chancellor Maggie Burdette presided over the ceremony which included student speakers, achievement awards, and the presentation of promotion certificates.

Congratulations to our newly promoted Eagles - we know you will soar high!

Congratulations to Aryan and Catherine for winning awards through America's Field Trip! Aryan won first prize and qualified for an all-expense paid field trip to New York City and Catherine won a $500 cash prize! The contest is a nationwide scholastic contest that encourages students to reflect on what America means to them. Thousands of students from across the country submitted entries so we are extra proud of the accomplishment of our two inspiring Champions!

Shout out to Ms. Marlise Chel (6th grade professor at the Middle School) who integrated the contest into her curriculum, inspiring her students to submit entries for this experience. Outstanding job!

Click the links below to see their winning submissions:

Welcome Mr. Micheal Lauro!

Mr. Lauro joins OPA after most recently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services at Jefferson Elementary School District in San Mateo County. He brings extensive experience in district business departments in both small and large public school districts. For additional information, visit our news announcement: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/news/article/1943262

Congratulations to our 5th-grade GATE students Anika, Aditit, and Krishna for winning 1st place in the Apprentice Division of the Rube Goldberg National Competition, held in Indiana. These amazing champions won 1st place at the regional contest earlier this year and then traveled with their families to Indiana to represent OPA at the national competition. Check out that trophy!

A fun-filled and high-learning summer school wrapped up on July 11.

STEAM was a focus this summer with engaging activities woven throughout the curriculum - linking STEAM to everyday activities and interests. 4th graders learned about fireworks and then created rocket launchers to measure how far their rockets would travel! And our kinders were challenged to build a more stable wall so Humpty Dumpty wouldn't need to be put back together again - successfully combining nursery rhymes with engineering!

Congratulations to Mr. Bryan Rechtien for being named the new Middle School Dean! Mr. Rechtien brings over 25 years of education experience, with the last 8 right here with OPA. He has served in various roles at OPA such as School Site Council member, 504 Coordinator, and Intervention Coordinator. For more about Mr. Rechtien, visit our school news site: https://opams.opaschools.org/apps/news/article/1943640

Some of our amazing teachers and administrators spent part of their summer learning more about Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). MTSS is a comprehensive framework that focuses on developing the whole child. It aligns academic, behavioral, and social and emotional learning for the benefit of all students.

For additional information on MTSS, visit our webpage: https://www.opaschools.org/apps/pages/mtss

Transformation of the locker room at OPA-SOC is underway! This summer the locker room is being converted back into a classroom to provide additional space. Additionally, the blacktop is being fixed and both will be ready for our Champions when the new school year starts!

We are so excited to meet our newest Champions! Keep your eyes out for OPA yard signs around your neighborhood - they are decorating the yards of our new Champions to celebrate their selection of OPA as their School of Choice!

We hope your summer is full of fun and exciting experiences! But don't forget to mark your calendars for some important events coming up soon!

Meet your Professor - August 9, 2024 (times vary and will be communicated by the school)

1st Day of School - August 13, 2024