Message from the Superintendent

Upcoming Events

• May 9: Board of Education Meeting

• May 14: Orange Pre-K Open House
• May 17: Olympiad Games
• May 21: California ES Open House; Nohl Canyon ES Open House; Panorama ES Open House; Villa Park ES Open House; Crescent ES Open House; Running Springs ES Open House; Esplanade ES Open House; Elementary Minimum Day
• May 23: Board of Education Meeting
• May 27: Memorial Day - All Sites Closed
• May 29: Richland HS Showcase/Open House

Dear OUSD Community,

As we navigate this busy time of year, I'm happy to share some exciting updates and events happening across our district. From innovative programs to remarkable student accomplishments, there's so much to celebrate as we near the end of the school year!

To help inform our community about all of the great news we have to share, I recently launched my official Facebook page, where I will share:

• Insights into our students' achievements, spanning from academic milestones to artistic triumphs
• Updates on community events and opportunities for active participation within our district
• Highlights about district initiatives aimed at enriching our educational landscape
• A peek into the day-to-day of a district superintendent, and more

Feel free to follow my account, and together we can celebrate the achievements of our students and the exciting things happening in our district!

Sincerely,
Ernie Gonzalez
Superintendent of Schools

The recipients of the “YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE” award for April 2024 are Elizabeth “Kayee” Conrad, Teacher at McPherson Magnet School, and Linda McCausland, Library Media Tech II at Linda Vista Elementary School. Both Kayee and Linda go above and beyond to serve the staff and students of the Orange Unified School District in ways that reflect the core values of OUSD’s EDGE.

McPherson Magnet Principal Brenna Godsey had this to say about Kayee:

“Kayee Conrad is an incredible science teacher! Ms. Conrad consistently demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to her students’ academic growth and personal development. In the classroom, Ms. Conrad goes above and beyond to foster a love for science among her middle school students. Her innovative teaching methods, hands-on experiments, and interactive lessons engage students and inspire curiosity and a love of learning. Beyond the classroom, she tirelessly dedicates her time and energy to the Science Olympiad team, instilling confidence and a passion for inquiry-based learning in her students. Ms. Conrad’s contributions to science education at McPherson are immeasurable, and her work demonstrates all OUSD’s core values.”

Linda Vista Principal Jacqueline Barry had this to say about Linda:

“Linda McCausland is an outstanding librarian! She does a remarkable job instilling a love of reading in our students. She helps our students grow academically and always encourages them to do their best. During library time, Mrs. McCausland provides additional activities to extend learning. She also goes above and beyond by coordinating several special events for our school, such as celebrations for Patriot's Day, Constitution Day, Veteran's Day Recognition, Dr. Seuss's Birthday Breakfast, and Family Book Nights. She has put in countless extra hours to make our school a very special place. It is evident that Mrs. McCausland truly loves children and Linda Vista! She reflects all OUSD’s core values every single day!”

Congratulations again to Kayee Conrad and Linda McCausland. We thank you both for your dedication to the students of the Orange Unified School District.

The Orange community gathered for an unforgettable experience at our Annual Community Science Night, presented in collaboration with Santiago Canyon College. This evening was filled with engaging hands-on STEM activities tailored for OUSD students of all ages. There were live performances and information about Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways available at our schools. It was a unique opportunity for our community to come together, explore the wonders of science, and learn about the diverse educational opportunities that await our students.

We were excited to host our inaugural Carnival of Champions at Fred Kelly Stadium this past weekend! Our third through sixth-grade students did a great job competing in various Track and Field events. Congratulations to our student-athletes from Anaheim Hills, California, Cambridge, Canyon Rim, Chapman Hills, Crescent, Esplanade, Fairhaven, Fletcher, Handy, Imperial, La Veta, Lampson, Linda Vista, McPherson, Nohl Canyon, Olive, Palmyra, Panorama, Prospect, Running Springs, Serrano, Sycamore, Taft, Villa Park ES, and West Orange! The official results of the meet are available online at https://finishedresults.trackscoreboard.com/meets/12353/events

The Early Learning staff was also on hand to connect families with resources and support for their children’s early learning needs, including preschool and TK registration as well as provide family fun such as games, crafts, raffles, and the Orange High School petting zoo.

We are thrilled to announce that Crescent Elementary and McPherson Magnet School have been honored as PLTW Launch Distinguished Schools for the 2023-24 academic year. This prestigious accolade is awarded by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a renowned organization that empowers students to excel in an evolving world through innovative STEM project-based education programs. The recognition underscores our schools' commitment to providing outstanding educational opportunities, enabling students to develop essential skills vital for their future endeavors. Both schools have demonstrated exemplary achievements in enhancing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs.

Congratulations to Crescent Elementary and McPherson Magnet School staff and students for their hard work and dedication. Their efforts in unlocking student potential and advancing educational excellence continue to make the community proud.

In a vibrant celebration of learning, Running Springs Elementary School recently hosted its annual Primary Years Programme Showcase, a cornerstone event within the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Serving as the culmination of elementary-age students' academic endeavors, this exhibition invites learners to delve into collaborative research on a United Nations sustainable development goal of their choice. Through group work, students not only explore their chosen topic in-depth but also craft presentations aimed at sharing their findings and proposing solutions to global challenges. As participants showcase their research skills and innovative thinking, they embody the values of the IB program, emphasizing holistic learning and interconnectedness.

AVID’s (Advancement Via Individual Determination) mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global economy. Regardless of their life circumstances, AVID students overcome obstacles and achieve success. They graduate and attend college at higher rates, but more importantly, they can think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to confidently conquer the challenges that await them. Here are some of our Orange Unified students who are proving that reality! They were recognized on April 15th at the Irvine Barclay Theater as AVID Senior Standouts. Congratulations to the OUSD AVID Senior Standouts of the 2024 school year:

Canyon High School - Natalie Hernandez

“Natalie is an AVID student who will be the first in her family to attend a four-year college. She will be attending the University of La Verne in the fall to study nursing. Natalie is an entrepreneur starting her own chocolate covered strawberries and flower arrangements and was quite successful during the homecoming season. Natalie is kind and hard-working, and in her free time, she helps her dad with his catering business. We are proud of Natalie’s ability to bounce back after setbacks, her perseverance, and her work ethic.” - Nicole Elliott, AVID Teacher

El Modena High School - Halburt Nguyen

Halburt Nguyen, Senior Standout from El Modena High School, received a 4-year scholarship from the Dad’s House Foundation Fund totaling $12,000!

“Halburt is incredibly meticulous with completing his assignments and is extremely organized. He is always on top of tasks and makes sure that he has ample time to complete any assignments or tasks with fidelity. He continually challenges himself by taking Honors UCCI English and Pre-Calculus. He is the epitome of an ideal AVID student, and he is a pleasure to have in AVID. Halburt’s dream is to attend UCI and become a screenplay writer someday. We have no doubt that he will be incredibly successful at any career he chooses.” - Tiffany Lam, AVID Teacher

Orange High School - Rosalyn Aguirre

“Rosalyn is a dedicated student who has challenged herself academically. Rosalyn is a natural leader and I have enjoyed watching her grow in her confidence. Rosalyn has served as a peer tutor for two years and has been an integral part of developing our peer tutoring program. She has had an impact on her peers by providing support for those who are struggling academically and engaging in thoughtful discussions with her classmates. Rosalyn’s impact on the AVID classroom is profound, and she is an asset to both her peers and the teacher.” - Elena Dull, AVID Teacher

Villa Park High School - Victoria Chavira

“Victoria is exemplary. Committed to both academic and athletic excellence while caring for those around her, she is a model AVID student. Victoria’s time at VPHS has included a wide variety of involvement, from her collection of honors and AP courses and artistic accomplishments in photography to her recognition as a four-year scholar-athlete. As she is preparing to enter college as a first-generation student, Victoria is planning to pursue a nursing degree, specifically in Labor and Delivery. Our AVID program is honored to have her, and we know nothing will stand in her way.” - Lilyanne Werner, AVID Teacher

Check out these recent images from what our students are up to!

Orange Unified School District is proud to announce that Villa Park High School has achieved two more CIF-SS Academic Championships for the 2023-2024 academic year. The football and boys' golf teams earned this prestigious title by achieving the highest grade point averages among schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or more students.

These two winning teams were honored at the CIF-SS Academic Championship Awards ceremony at Angel Stadium on April 22. Representatives from each team will proudly walk the playing field during the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Baltimore Orioles pre-game ceremony to accept their championship banners on behalf of Villa Park High School, accompanied by their respective Head Coaches: Dusan Ancich for football and Chris Salio for boys' golf.

Villa Park High School has consistently excelled in athletic and academic endeavors, with 11 athletic teams securing CIF Southern Section Academic Championships over the past seven academic years. Additionally, the baseball team achieved the honorable status of CIF Southern Section Academic Champion Runner-Up for the second time in school history and the fourth time overall.

Several other teams from Orange Unified School District have also demonstrated outstanding academic performance, ranking in the Top 25 in CIF-SS. These include Canyon High School, El Modena High School, Orange High School, and Villa Park High School across various sports.

We extend our gratitude to the dedicated teachers, coaches, students, families, and community members whose unwavering support has contributed to these remarkable achievements. Together, we are OUSD!

Congratulations to the following student-athletes who recently signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their athletic endeavors in college.

• Carson Cooper, Vanguard University, Softball
• Delanney Ewing, San Diego State, Water Polo
• Casey Garcia, Dominican University of California, Lacrosse
• Kaden Gust, Cal Poly Pomona, Soccer
• Natalee Heil, University of Rio Grande Valley, Soccer
• Sayed Hachem, University of La Verne, Football
• Haley Kosonen, California Baptist University, Dance
• Karys McKinney, Chapman University, Soccer
• Makena Oliva, Cal State Fullerton, Cross Country and Track
• Daniela Soave, University of Gloucestershire, Soccer
• Sydney Valentine, Alcorn State, Volleyball

The NLI program began in 1964. It is managed by the NCAA and overseen by the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA). By signing an NLI, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).

Families with 12th-grade students: Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate your graduating senior with a personalized banner! They will be installed at Fred Kelly Stadium on June 3rd and remain up through all graduation ceremonies for Orange Unified School District.

To order, please visit https://oupsf.org/senior-banners/

Limited quantities are available. The order deadline is May 19, 2024.

Please make arrangements to have your banner picked up at Fred Kelly Stadium on Monday, June 10, from 10 am to 12 pm.

We thank the Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation for their ongoing support of our students and programs!

*Please note that these are not the banners hung on the street light poles throughout the city.

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.

New for this school year is the OUSD App, which is available for download in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Free for our families, the app allows users to see District-level news and events as well as customize their experience by selecting their school(s) of choice to follow to receive news and calendar information directly to their phones. If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do.

• iOS (Apple): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/orange-unified-school-dist/id6446125598
• Android (Google): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.finalsite.orangeusdorg

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.