Spartan Weekly Update Mar 11-15
Week At A Glance
See What's Happening This Week
Sun. March 10
Daylight Savings Time - Spring Forward
Mon. March 11
Block Schedule - EVEN
Tues. March 12
Block Schedule - ODD
PFSO Meeting - 7pm Library
Spring Choir Concert 7pm - United Methodist Church
Wed. March 13
Block Schedule - EVEN
Thurs. March 14
Block Schedule - ODD
Fri. March 15
Assembly Schedule - 0-6
Spring Sports Assembly
Fundraiser: Class of 2026 @ The Habit 1030am-8pm
Saturday March 16
Saturday School 8am-12pm Room 205
Administration Update
Jason Trinh Named 2024 National Merit Finalist
Senior Jason Trinh has been named National Merit Finalist, one of more than 15,000 students in the U.S., representing less than one percent of high school graduating seniors. Principal McCuistion presented Jason with a Certificate of Merit to commemorate Jason’s accomplishment on Friday. We’re proud of you, Jason, for your hard work and academic excellence!
VPHS Principal for a Day
On March 7th, VPHS welcomed Mr. Robert Frackelton, Class of 1987, to be our Principal for a Day. Mr. Frackelton, along with the other Principals for a Day from VPHS feeder schools, toured the campus and checked out our Incoming 9th Grade Spartan Roadshow festivities.
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.
PFSO Class of 2024 Scholarships Available
Application to apply for the PFSO Spartan Spirit Award. Students can earn pins to wear at Graduation based on their level of campus and community involvement. (For example, students can earn pins for perfect attendance, participating in clubs, sports, and community service) Application is now open, deadline is also 5/1 to apply. Seniors only.
VPHS Scholars with Distinction Program
Parents of 11th grade Spartans,
I am excited to announce the Villa Park High School, Scholars with Distinction Program in which we recognize any student that meets or exceeds standards in both English Langrage Arts and in Math on the SBAC test. SBAC or, Smarter Balanced Assessment, is the standardized assessment that all 11th grade students take in the spring. At Villa Park, we use SBAC data to award students that pass both English and Math portions of the test as Scholars with Distinction. Every Scholar with Distinction will be given a cord to wear at graduation and will receive special recognition when they are seniors. In 2022-2023, 124 students earned this recognition.
SBAC testing will start April 9th. Please be sure to let your student know that they have an opportunity to receive special recognition as a Scholar with Distinction and they need to give maximum effort. If you have any questions, please feel free email or contact your administration team.
Principal McCuistion
EARN YOUR AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMA AT VPHS
Did you know that Villa Park High School offers the AP Capstone Diploma Program?
At VPHS, students with a passion for academic excellence and a drive for success can delve into the AP Capstone Diploma Program, a rigorous two-year course of study. Designed to hone the critical skills essential for college-bound AP/Honors students, this program offers two distinct AP Capstone awards: AP Seminar and AP Research.
Bell Schedule 2023-2024
Counselors' Corner
Incoming 9th Grade Parent Information
On March 5, 2024, VPHS Counseling hosted parents from local middle schools for incoming 9th grade students. The presentation focused on OUSD Graduation Requirements, Course Selection for Freshmen, and four-year planning for college and beyond. Thank you to our counselors and to all parents who attended.
College Planning Checklist
Parent vs. Student Responsibilities
Which College Admission Process best suits you?
Counselor Assignments & Contacts 2023-24
A - DE - Lauren Bartelli
DF - JA - Jeremy Bulrice
JE - NE - Jason Pham
NG - SAM - Shasta Campbell
SAN - Z - Doreen Valentin
Interventions & Spartan Wellspace - Frankie Zaffino
Morning MATH SUPPORT available Monday - Friday
Activities
Spartan Roadshow 2024
This Thursday, prospective Spartans from Cerro Villa Middle School, Santiago and El Rancho Charter Schools, and McPherson Magnet School came to visit Villa Park High School in our “roadshow”. Due to the close proximity of Cerro Villa Middle School, hundreds of CV students simply walked down the street to Villa Park High School, hence the name of the event. Prospective students had the opportunity to see Villa Park’s amazing student organizations, athletics, and academics.
VPHS Library Teen Author Festival
Written by: Victoria Mena
This Wednesday Villa Park High School welcomed five guest authors with open arms. For the second annual Author Festival, the authors talked with librarian Mrs. Kim of their writing process, their journey as writers, and answered questions from the students. For the event five classes attended, as well as the Cerro Villa Middle School Book Club. During this time, a bookstore that just started last December, Heartbound Bookshop, was selling books. This time the event had a raffle in which every student was invited to participate, the raffle prizes were free books from the authors. It was a fun time for the people who assisted!
Spring Choral Celebration 2024 Coming Mar. 12
Come and join us at our Spring Choral Celebration 2024! It is on March 12th at 7:00 PM. A night filled with choral music, and songs that are sure to touch your heart.
SENIOR YEARBOOK ADS
ATTENTION ALL SENIOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS ,
- DEADLINE EXTENDED for PARENT AD SUBMISSIONS and SENIOR PORTRAITS to MARCH 15th!
- PARENT AD INFORMATION: If you’d still like to purchase a SENIOR AD to include fun photos of your student along with a special message, see the order form attached below.
- SENIOR PORTRAIT INFORMATION: If you have not yet had SENIOR PORTRAITS taken, you must schedule an appointment with PSS Imaging by either calling 714-630-7785 or visiting their website (https://www.pssimaging.net/seniors1).
- The 2023-2024 Yearbooks are still available for pre-sale! They are $175 and you may purchase them in the principal’s office.
- Lastly, should you have any questions, please email Mr. Hill at ghill@orangeusd.org.
Thank you for your support,
Mr. Hill and the Odyssey Staff
VPHS Campus Care Day - April 20
Interested in:
Showing off your creative skills?
Demonstrating leadership?
Building your college resume?
Click the link below to create and lead a Campus Care Project!!!
Spartan Profiles
Thalia Nasr - ASB President
Thalia Nasr, known as ASB President at VP, effortlessly juggles her roles in various clubs and organizations such as the French Club, United Nations, Girls League, and Red Cross. However, it's her title as ASB President that truly defines her leadership. Among her favorite memories at VP are the vibrant ASB meetings and the exhilarating experience of planning and participating in homecoming events, including the memorable Barbie dance for the homecoming assembly. An unexpected aspect of her job is the realization of the teaching skills required to effectively direct the ASB class. Additionally, Thalia holds great appreciation for Katarina Carcich, ASB Vice President (Pictured on the left) for her commitment and support in running the ASB class. What she enjoys most about her position is the freedom for unlimited creativity it offers. With three years of experience in ASB, Thalia has honed her skills and leadership abilities. Post-high school, she has ambitious plans to attend a four-year college and pursue a major in computer science. Despite her global journey, having been born and partially raised in Lebanon before residing in Irvine and finally settling near VP, Thalia remains deeply committed to making her mark in her community and beyond.
Shannyn Kertman-Takacs - English Teacher
Ms. Kertman Takacs, commonly known as “Mrs. KT” is a beloved teacher here at Villa Park High School. For the past 10 years, Mrs. KT has taught both English 10 Honors and English 12. Where she has had the honor of teaching a diverse student body during her decade tenure. As of right now, Mrs. KT is also an advisor for Letters for Littles, a community service student organization that writes encouraging letters to a nearby elementary school. Growing up in the City of Dana Point, Mrs. KT graduated from Dana Hills High School, where she swam for her school’s swim team for three years. After high school, she went on to attend Saddleback Community College for two years, then matriculated at California State Long Beach where she double majored in English and Child Development. Ever since joining our Spartan family, Mrs. KT has had a burning passion at enhancing her student’s abilities to think creatively, critically, and independently. When asked, her favorite lesson would have to be the book “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey. In this lesson she encourages her students to question the moral uprightness of vile authorities. Along with her strong academic relationship with her students, Mrs. KT was also a former Track and Cross Country Coach, where she always pushed her athletes to physical and mental success. One of Mrs. KT’s favorite memories at Villa Park High School would be winning 1st place at Dancing with The Teachers in 2016. As a wife and a mother of two, Mrs. KT is always willing to try new things and follow her passion.
Athletics
This Week In Athletics
Written by: Trinity Laurenson-Aumua
Baseball
On Tuesday, the baseball program went against Tesoro High School. The junior varsity lost with the score of 6 to 5 and the varsity team lost with the score of 0 to 2. This Friday’s games for the baseball teams will be against Yorba Linda High School. Good luck baseball!
Boys Golf
This week on Tuesday, our junior varsity boys golf team competed against Trabuco Hills High school and won 246 to 263.
Softball
This past Tuesday, the softball program went against Yorba Linda High School. The junior varsity team won with the score of 13 to 3 while the varsity team won with the score of 3 to 1. On Thursday, the junior varsity softball team competed against El Dorado High School. They lost with the score of 0 to 23.
Boys Tennis
This Tuesday, the varsity boys tennis team went against El Modena High School. The varsity team won with the score of 16 to 2. On Thursday, the match was versus El Dorado High School. The junior varsity lost with the score of 5 to 13, and varsity losing too with a score of 7 to 11.
Boys Volleyball
This past Tuesday, the boys volleyball program traveled to El Modena High School. The junior varsity team lost with the score of 0 to 2, and the varsity team won with the score of 3 to 0. Thursday’s games was versus Canyon High School The junior varsity team lost with the score of 0 to 2 and the varsity team lost with the score of 1 to 3.
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 Rugby (NEW)
- VPHS Boys Soccer
- VPHS Girls Soccer
- 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
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.
Villa Park High School Assistant Principal | Curriculum & Instruction