Thank you for being an integral part of our District as we embrace the new school year with enthusiasm, a sense of purpose, and the shared understanding that it takes our united efforts to uphold and celebrate our OUSD community of learners and educators.
Sincerely,
Ernie Gonzalez
Superintendent of Schools
Bus Pass Information
While the District does provide a two-week grace period during the beginning of the school year for bus passes to still be issued, students require a bus pass to board an OUSD school bus after that two-week grace period has ended. Parents choosing to participate in the OUSD busing program must complete an application and select the designated bus stop determined to be the safest and closest bus stop to their home address. The Transportation Department will verify the safest and correct bus stop has been selected. Students are not required to accompany their parents when purchasing bus passes.
Prices for 2023-2024 school bus passes can be found under the Forms tab - Bus Conduct Regulations & FAQ document.
The Bus Pass Office will use the Special Considerations and Gross Income Eligibility Guidelines to determine the appropriate price for each bus pass issued.
More information is on the OUSD website at www.orangeusd.org/buspass
Prospect Elementary
Prospect's focus on the holistic development of its students and the involvement of teachers, staff, and families in the learning process sets a positive and supportive environment for the new school year. Prospect’s commitment to extracurricular activities allows students to explore their interests, foster leadership skills, and develop a well-rounded personality. The diverse range of clubs and programs, such as the Garden Club, arts, chess, Yearbook Club, sports, Drone and Robotics Clubs, and AVID Student Leadership, caters to various interests, ensuring that each student can find something they are passionate about.
Furthermore, the support provided by the Parent Teacher Organization, English Language Advisory Council (ELAC), and School Site Council (SSC) is instrumental in promoting the education, wellness, and safety of the children and families. These organizations play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the school and the community, fostering a strong partnership that enhances the overall educational experience.
Overall, Prospect's commitment to academic excellence and holistic growth, along with the active involvement of its community, creates a safe and enriching environment for students to learn, grow, and succeed in their academic journey.
Sycamore Elementary
Sycamore’s ongoing commitment to fostering the academic and social development of its students is made possible with the collaboration between teachers, staff members, family members, and district leadership. Sycamore continues to provide a safe and positive culture where all kids are welcome.
Along with their experienced and talented teachers providing a high-quality education, Sycamore also offers multiple opportunities to have fun while exploring new interests. Students can participate in clubs such as Robotics, Drones, Legos, Disney Musical, academic supports, sports, and Student Leadership. These opportunities ensure that students can grow both academically and socially. These opportunities are a great way to help prepare sixth-grade students as they transition into middle school.
The support and collaboration that takes place with the Parent Teacher Organization, English Language Advisory Council (ELAC), School Site Council (SSC), Community Lead, and our front office staff is instrumental in promoting the academic and social environment that will support our children and families. These organizations play a necessary role in bridging Sycamore and the community.
Sycamore’s academic and social opportunities along with school-community relationships will continue to make Sycamore the positive and safe school it is.
Villa Park Elementary
Villa Park Elementary is excited to welcome the VPE Bobcats to the 2023-2024 school year! The year began by welcoming families to the VPE School Round Up. TK and Kindergarten parents and students were invited to attend the TK & Kinder Round Up where they had the opportunity to meet their teacher, visit their classroom, and receive important information to make the school transition as smooth as possible.
Home and School League parent volunteers welcomed VPE families and students in order to collect registration paperwork, order school spirit wear, gather H&SL memberships, and seek volunteers for the school year.
The community is invited to VPE’s Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 22, to hear about all the exciting programs the school has to offer.
It's sure to be a great year! Go Bobcats!
West Orange Elementary
West Orange Elementary is excited to kick off the 2023-2024 school year with new innovative ways to engage our students and school community. As a math-focused school, West Orange has many fun and exciting learning opportunities to ensure students develop a love of mathematics. From their monthly K-2 Math Festivals, weekly Math challenges, weekly student iReady celebrations and competitions, assemblies, and the use of the UC Davis C-STEM program, students have opportunities to grow all around. In addition to mathematics, students are offered a wide range of academic prevention, intervention, and acceleration (GATE) to ensure students receive what they need to succeed.
West Orange is excited to start its second year with Action Youth America (AYA) as one of its enrichment after-school programs. Students this year will be able to join soccer, basketball, volleyball, dance/cheer, arts and crafts, culinary, and Folklorico programs. We are thrilled to bring these opportunities to our community and look forward to adding more enrichment classes for all our students throughout the year.
Parkside Education Center
Big Changes are coming for the 2023-24 School Year at Parkside! The Administrative Offices and EDGE Virtual classrooms have moved to the space formerly occupied by TLC Charter. Virtual learning spaces and a state-of-the-art Counseling Center have been set up to address the needs of all our EDGE and Home School students and families.
Parkside High School students are now all EDGE Virtual Academy students to ensure they all have the best opportunities for College and Career readiness. Parkside has added a Computer Science Pathway in addition to its Business Management Pathway for CTE course offerings at EDGE Virtual Academy. A warm welcome to Ms. Chrispens, who will be teaching Spanish and higher-level Math at EDGE Virtual Academy this year to increase the breadth of teacher and program support. AP US History is also being offered at EDGE, taught by Mr. Nelson.
As a result of year-long self-reflection, Parkside increased its academic support classes and live synchronous instructional assistance both virtually and in-person for student-centered flexibility. Parkside is committed to a great school year!
El Modena High School
Measure S Phase II projects at El Modena High School will transform the look of the campus and provide upgraded accessibility, safety, and security. Improvements include renovations to four two-story classroom buildings which comprise over 90% of the campus’ instructional space, and modernization of the 800 Building to house specialty classes such as ceramics, dance, art, photography, graphic arts, drama, and culinary arts.
In addition, two passenger elevators and a second-story walkway will be added between buildings to provide improved accessibility. In addition, the central campus breezeway will receive a new cover with improved drainage, and the main quad is being completely renovated, including a new central stage with a large shade canopy. The quad stage will include a new monument for the historic victory bell that has been a part of the campus’ lore since its inception in 1965. Other improvements include a new electronic marquee, new landscaping, and an upgraded pick-up/drop-off section in front of campus.
Orange High School
The Measure S Phase II projects at Orange High School include the demolition of the original administration building and science classrooms to make way for a new 26,000-square-foot building. The new building will house student services and administration functions that were previously split up in different buildings throughout the campus, as well as six new 1,200-square-foot classrooms. Although modern touches will highlight the building’s design, the new administration building will pay homage to the first building constructed on the campus in 1952 with the return of the Townsend Room, a principal’s conference room that also serves as a mini museum for Orange High School artifacts. Many of the Townsend room contents are historically significant items that have been preserved since the early 1900s before the original school property on Glassell and Palm was sold to Chapman University in the 1950s.
Other improvements to the campus include a new “alumni corner” on the corner of Walnut Street and Shaffer Street, an expanded main quad area, updated lighting, new landscaping, and added walkways for better accessibility. The alumni corner, specifically, will feature a new electronic marquee, seat walls with brick veneer, and many other enhancements that welcome students, parents, and community members to the main entrance plaza for the campus.
Villa Park High School:
Measure S Phase II projects at Villa Park High School consist of the demolition of the campus’ original science building (Building 500) and construction of a new two-story 18-classroom building in its place; the modernization of restrooms, replacement of exterior stairs and the addition of a new passenger elevator for Building 100/200; and significant upgrades to the campus storm drain system. In addition, security fencing will be added in the front of the school to create a single point of entry. All projects are ongoing with completion planned for Fall 2024.
A special thank you goes out to our taxpayers, who continue to fund the Measure S projects at our high schools. It’s been amazing to see how far the dollars have gone, and how far they will continue to go in Phase 2. To learn more about our Measure S projects, please visit https://www.orangeusd.org/measure-s
Employment Opportunities
Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact on 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