In 2021-22, our collaborative efforts resulted in numerous accolades received by our school sites: Canyon, El Modena, and Villa Park High Schools were recognized for the third consecutive year as U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in the Nation; Anaheim Hills Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School; Richland was once again designated as a Model Continuation High School; and Jordan Academy of Computer Science and Language Immersion was honored with California School Board Association’s prestigious Golden Bell for Integrated Innovative Content: Biliteracy & Computer Science – the District’s sixth Golden Bell award in five years. OUSD is also proud to be the home to Orange County’s only two Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (Portola and Yorba) and 2021 Project Lead the Way Distinguished Schools (McPherson Magnet and Villa Park High School).
We continue to follow our strategic plan, The Orange Unified EDGE, and focus on actions that reinforce 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 through 2025.
Thanks to Measure S, our Phase 1 projects collectively created over 200,000 square feet of new, state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces at our comprehensive high schools. This school year, we will see our Phase 2 projects begin, providing additional campus upgrades, enhancements, and classroom modernization at our high schools. Campus improvements are also underway at our elementary and middle schools to ensure our students and staff have access to clean, modern, functional, and efficient facilities.
To keep up to date with the OUSD’s latest news and updates, please visit our website — orangeusd.org — and follow OUSD on social media.
I look forward to a successful school year!
Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
2022-23 Safety and Health-Driven Plan
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. We will continue our current health and safety mitigation strategies, including:
- Standalone air purification units in classrooms, offices, and other collaboration spaces
- Enhanced ventilation throughout our facilities
- Cleaning and disinfecting protocols
- Handwashing and/or hand sanitizing stations
We continue to provide community notifications of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and track this information on the OUSD Covid Dashboard. Living Fit Nation will also continue to offer free PCR testing to the OUSD community at our four comprehensive high schools and the OUSD district office from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Please be sure to register for an appointment before showing up. Additionally, antigen iHealth kits can also be picked up from your school’s health office for student use (while supplies last).
As a reminder, while masks are not required, anyone who wishes to wear a mask may do so at any time. Please see the updated California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidelines for schools for more information or visit our Health & Safety page for more information about OUSD practices and protocols.
Please keep students home when sick. If your student is confirmed positive for COVID-19, contact the school office. Our school office personnel are trained in explaining the isolation requirements for those students that are positive or expressing symptoms.
With these ongoing health and safety measures in place, we are excited to have all our students, staff, and parents back with us as we start the 2022-23 school year. Thank you for your partnership. We look forward to a wonderful year.
Orange Unified Celebrates New Aquatic Center at El Modena High School
We were excited to celebrate the opening of the new Aquatic Center at El Modena High School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new pool deck earlier this month. The new facility will meet the long-term needs of the Vanguard aquatics programs and provide a premiere space where students can learn, train, practice, and compete.
The new pool deck sits in the same footprint as the old one, but the pool itself has increased from 25 meters to 30 meters, allowing more student-athletes in the pool at one time. In addition, the new facility was designed to better serve the needs of modern-day aquatics programs.
Trustees Appoint David A. Rivera as Deputy Superintendent
At its July 21 Regular Session Meeting, the OUSD Board of Education approved the appointment of Assistant Superintendent/Chief Business Official (CBO) David A. Rivera to the position of Deputy Superintendent for a term of three years, commencing July 1, 2022. This move will help ensure the District’s long-term solvency, continuity of leadership, and ongoing success of Measure S and facilities initiatives throughout the District.
Rivera will also continue to oversee the Business Services division, which includes Accounting, Budget, Facilities and Planning, Nutrition Services, Payroll, Purchasing, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, and Risk Management.
Under Rivera’s leadership as OUSD’s CBO, savings, revenue enhancements, and/or direct benefits to District students total over $100 million.
Online Bus Pass Applications
Riding the bus to school? Online bus pass applications are open for the 2022-2023 school year. For more information and to submit your application, visit www.orangeusd.org/buspass or call the Bus Pass Office at (714) 538-8295.
Employment Opportunities
Orange Unified School District is gearing up for its spring recruiting and hiring initiative. Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact in the 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.
Connect with Us
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