Message from the Superintendent

Dear OUSD Community,

This week, we were excited to welcome our middle school students back onto campus, and we look forward to finally transitioning our high school students back starting October 15.

As more students return to campus, questions have come in regarding COVID reporting at our schools. To address this, we have created a dashboard on our website (orangeusd.org/resources/covid-19-dashboard) to maximize transparency about cases in the District. The Dashboard is continuously being improved and refined. Data will be updated to reflect changes in enrollment and as cases are confirmed. Current positive cases include those reported within the last 14 days.

Please rest assured that we are also diligently working with the Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) to conduct contact tracing and notification of families and staff should any positive cases of COVID-19 occur. This includes sending the appropriate messages to potential close contacts, low-risk contacts, and those at the site. In addition to the efforts of staff, I personally track local data daily and am in frequent, ongoing communication with OCHCA, OCDE, and my fellow Orange County school district superintendents.

Many thanks to our principals and staff for the foundation they have created to support the successful transition to in-person instruction Districtwide. I also want to acknowledge our outstanding teachers for their hard work and perseverance as we navigate the new landscape of teaching and learning, as well as the parents helping students at home. We have a great team, and I appreciate your partnership in support of student learning.

Our latest news and announcements will continue to be shared on the OUSD website, through School Messenger, and on social media. If you are not receiving School Messenger emails and would like to do so, please contact your school site or sign up for our mailing list on smore.

Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Those in need of a device or device exchange can do so between the hours of 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, at the back of the District Office at 1401 N. Handy Street, Orange, CA 92867. Please park in the back parking lot for easy access. Tech support is also available between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, at (714) 628-5372 or by emailing techsupport@orangeusd.org. The Technology Services team looks forward to assisting you.

• Thursday, October 15 (start of the second quarter): Grade 9 Cohort B, Grade 12 Cohort B, All Richland High School Students
• Friday, October 16: Grade 10 Cohort B, Grade 11 Cohort B,
• Monday, October 19: Grade 12 Cohort A, Grade 9 Cohort A
• Tuesday, October 20: Grade 11 Cohort A Grade 10 Cohort A

The County of Orange Health Care Agency has asked for our help in conducting a survey of attitudes toward vaccination for COVID-19, which will be of great assistance to them in planning for distribution of the vaccine when it becomes available. We want them to listen to your opinion, and we’re asking you to take less than five minutes to fill out a simple questionnaire concerning how you feel about being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The survey is not being conducted by the District, and responses are voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. OUSD will not maintain the information. You do not need to give your name or any other identifying information. If you receive this request more than once, please only complete the survey once.

Thank you for performing this valuable service to your community and your fellow citizens.

Survey: https://www.research.net/r/covidvaccine_English

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

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: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube