Message from the Superintendent

• August 21: First Day of Instruction
  
• September 2: Labor Day - All Sites Closed

Please check your school’s website or call the office for information on Back to School Night and TK/K Meet & Greets.

Dear OUSD Community,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! I hope this message finds you well and that you had a great summer filled with memorable moments. As the Superintendent of Schools, it is my honor to welcome back our returning students, families, and staff, as well as extend a warm greeting to those who are new to our district.

Our theme for this year is "We are OUSD: Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow." This theme embodies our commitment to providing an education that not only prepares our students for academic success but also equips them with the skills and values necessary to become future leaders. We are dedicated to fostering a safe and inspiring learning environment where every student can thrive and is empowered to reach their full potential.

The beginning of a new school year always brings a sense of excitement and opportunity. As we start this new academic year, our focus remains on the well-being and academic growth of our students. Our team has been working diligently to prepare for the arrival of our students and is committed to providing an inclusive and dynamic learning experience for every child. We will continue programs that have proven to support student success and have planned new, exciting, innovative opportunities to ensure students receive a high-quality education in a supportive and nurturing environment.

We understand that the success of our students is a collaborative effort, and we deeply value the partnership between our schools, families, and the community. Your involvement and support are crucial to our collective achievements, and we encourage you to engage with us through various school activities, meetings, and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, let’s make the 2024-2025 school year a remarkable and rewarding experience. Please feel free to reach out to your child’s school or our district office with any questions or concerns. We are here to support you and ensure a successful school year for all.

Sincerely,

Ernie Gonzalez
Superintendent of Schools
Orange Unified School District

The City of Orange has announced that it will no longer provide crossing guard services to our schools in Orange due to budget shortfalls. Orange City Council voted to approve this change in June 2024.

While the absence of crossing guards in Orange poses a challenge, the combined efforts of parents, schools, and the community can help maintain pedestrian safety, especially during school hours.

The Orange Police Department (OPD) remains committed to providing traffic safety and enforcement at and around our school campuses. In addition, we are working in partnership with OPD to offer workshops on best practices and tips for safe travel to and from school this new school year. The first was held earlier this month, and recordings are available on our website for those who could not attend in person.

Orange Unified staff is also working with the City of Orange to explore crosswalk visibility enhancements to high-traffic intersections.

We ask our community members to help ensure the safety of students and other pedestrians by remaining diligent, driving safely, and observing the speed limits around our schools.

Schools supported by crossing guard services within Orange Unified boundaries outside of the City of Orange will remain unchanged.

We are now well into Phase II of our Measure S projects, which will provide additional campus improvements specific to each school site’s needs.

At Canyon High School, we are excited to welcome students into the beautifully renovated 400 Building classrooms on the first day of school. As part of this project, 16 portable classrooms were removed from the campus.

At El Modena High School, the renovation of the 800 Building has been completed, and opened for teacher and student use last Spring. The renovation of the 400 and 500 Buildings, which began during Spring Break 2024, is expected to be completed at the end of the year.

At Orange High School, the new two-story classroom and student services building is receiving its final touches in preparation for its opening at the start of the upcoming school year.

At Villa Park High School, power has been connected to the new 500 Building, and low-voltage work is continuing smoothly. On the exterior, windows have been installed, and finishes are underway. In addition, installation of the new 100/200 Building elevator is currently underway. We remain on track for the anticipated opening in Fall 2024 and look forward to unveiling these enhanced spaces.

A special thank you to our Board of Education, the CARE Committee, and the entire OUSD community for your support of Measure S and the facility improvements made possible.

We are happy to share that we will once again represent our district at the Orange International Street Fair over Labor Day weekend. We will have booths on Children’s Street and in the main Plaza. Please stop by, say hi, ask questions, see what student and career opportunities we have to offer, and spin the wheel for a surprise!

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation is running Children's Street this year, which provides an exciting opportunity to keep the profits from this event in our community and for the benefit of our schools. If you would like to volunteer with OUPSF and help make the event a success, please visit https://tinyurl.com/OUPSFChildrensStreet

Parents of returning students, please complete Data Confirmation in Aeries to ensure that we have your current contact information and complete other essential documents for all returning students. This must be done every year to ensure that we have the most up-to-date information. Please contact your school’s office if you have any questions.

We are currently accepting new student enrollment! To enroll your child for the current 2024-2025 school year, please visit www.orangeusd.org/enrollment. School staff will answer any questions you have and help you complete your student's enrollment process.

Please contact Student & Community Services at 714-628-5424 if you have any questions about the enrollment process.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangeusd
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OUSD

We invite you to take a moment to follow Orange Unified on social media to receive the District’s latest news and announcements. Social media may also be a critical line of communication during emergencies and will be an excellent place for you to get up to date information.