July 2019

    Students from Canyon, El Modena, Orange, Richland, and Villa Park High Schools, along with graduates from Parkside Education Center, had the once in a lifetime opportunity to graduate from Angel Stadium. Family and friends cheered from the stands while Orange Unified’s 2,183 Class of 2019 graduates were each featured on the stadium’s LED display before taking the stage between first and second base.

     Class of 2019 students were also honored for outstanding academic achievement, including 404 Seals of Biliteracy given to students proficient in two or more languages, 669 Golden State Seal Merit Diplomas earned by students who demonstrated mastery of at least six high school curriculum subject areas, and 764 students who completed a CTE Pathway. Each school also recognized students with the highest cumulative academic grade point average, which ranged from 4.7 to 5.0857.

     “Congratulations to all of our graduates! We wish them the best as they move on to the next chapter in their lives,” said Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. “We also want to recognize the contributions of our students’ families and mentors toward their academic achievements and ongoing success. Thank you for being our valued partners in education.”

     Orange Unified’s graduation ceremonies took place at Angel Stadium this year because Fred Kelly Stadium is currently undergoing a $23 million renovation. Additional construction is underway on $288 million in Measure S modernizations, including state-of-the-art STEM classrooms being built on each of the district’s four comprehensive high school campuses. These facility investments will provide long-term benefits to our students and add points-of-pride in our community.

MAY 2019

     The Orange Unified School District engaged in meaningful dialogue with over 90 stakeholders during the Strategic Planning Event at Chapman University on Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14.  The District embarked on a well-planned process to develop a new Vision, Mission, Core Values, Strategic Initiatives, and Graduate Profile to define innovative learning opportunities to ensure all students excel into the future with college and careers. Overwhelming positive feedback has been received from the staff, community, parents, students, business partners and service organizations regarding their involvement in this event. Staff is now involved in implementation planning, and the writing team is busy synthesizing themes for the components of the Strategic Plan.  During the summer, the OUSD Board of Education will have a Study Session to provide input to the plan and take action to approve it.  The Board will also assist in identifying measurable indicators of success. The Roll Out of the OUSD Strategic Plan will be in the 2019-2020 school year making it meaningful, teachable, and visible in all OUSD Schools.  Stay tuned for more information on the Orange Unified Strategic Plan! 

April 2019

          California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited Jordan Elementary School and inspired staff with his life story exemplifying the power of public education, turned story time for K-2 students into a wonderful teaching moment about kindness,  explored the innovative opportunities offered to students in Jordan’s STREAM Lab, and engaged in a conversation with District leadership to address how the state can better support Orange Unified schools by reforming the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) to make it more equitable.

          Elected to serve as California’s top K-12 educator this past November, Thurmond also used the appearance as an opportunity to reinforce his vision for public education, stating, “Our kids are more than a number. They are more than a test score. We need to show them that they are number one and we start by increasing funding for districts like Orange and schools like Jordan.” 

          This funding allows for the creation of specialized programs and school wide improvements that are critically important since  nearly 89 percent of its 422 students are currently eligible for the free/reduced lunch program, based on their socioeconomically disadvantaged status, and nearly 64 percent of the students are identified as English language learners.

            Invited to visit Jordan’s campus by Principal Lorena Rubio, Superintendent Thurmond received a grand welcome from students and teachers alike. Thurmond began his visit in the school’s library, where he was welcomed by OUSD Trustees Kris Erickson, Brenda Lebsack, Kathryn Moffat and Andrea Yamasaki, along with OUSD’s executive leadership team, Orange Unified Education Association, representatives the Orange County Department of Education, Jordan’s parent volunteers, and community members.

            Thurmond later donned an oversized Cat in the Hat top hat and delighted more than 60 students from Jordan’s TK, special education, first and second grade classes with his animated reading of two books the students had chosen. What could have been the simple telling of stories quickly transformed into highly engaging teaching moments about self-esteem, kindness and acceptance, with enthusiastic students chiming in on how to champion positivity and kindness.

          “Jordan Elementary is a wonderful example of our OUSD schools. We have raised achievement levels and the students are excelling, but there are always opportunities for us to get better,” said OUSD Superintendent of Schools Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. “Today we have a unique chance to tell that story to Mr. Thurmond. He has always been an advocate for schools like Jordan and the programs that make them successful. We are going to utilize the opportunity to speak with him directly about additional resources to take that success further.”

More information about Jordan Elementary School is available online at https://www.orangeusd.org/jordan-academy

Click HERE for the audio version. 

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• To see video of the Superintendent Thurmond’s visit to Jordan Elementary School, click here.

December 2018

It is an exciting time in Orange Unified as student achievement continues to increase, athletic teams are competing at higher levels, and work is underway to construct new facilities at our four high schools. Our motto for this school year is Building Success because it perfectly reflects the great strides we are making in every measurable aspect of our academics, facilities and operations.

OUSD students are thriving as we continue to launch new programs to prepare them for successful college, career, and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) experiences. We are providing students with unique opportunities starting in elementary school and building upon those experiences through our middle school programs, high school career pathways, and early college classes. Each step builds our students’ skills and knowledge to set them up for success beyond our doors.

While Measure S is allowing us to build state-of-the-art STEM classrooms at our high schools, OUSD has also invested additional funds to improve school athletic facilities. From new playing fields and all-weather tracks, to tennis courts and new learning spaces, we are creating campus environments that are exciting for students and a source of pride for our communities. We are grateful for the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who worked diligently to ensure the passage of Measure S in 2016 and to the voters in the communities that we serve for agreeing that our students deserve modernized facilities.

Visit www.OrangeUSD.org for news and updates on construction, facilities updates, and signature practices our schools are using to prepare students for future careers and college. We think you will agree that OUSD is truly Building Success.

       Excellent schools and modern facilities are critical to quality neighborhoods and have a direct correlation with higher property values.  Voters within the Orange Unified School District (OUSD) community recognized this fact when they approved Measure S by 62.5% in 2016.   The centerpiece of the bond is the improvement our four aging comprehensive high school facilities with the construction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) labs and the investment of state-of-the-art computer technology and science equipment.  The construction has already begun on the new science building at Orange High School. The new science centers at Villa Park, Canyon and El Modena High Schools will begin later this year and in early 2019.

     Because OUSD is fiscally conservative, we used our top AAA credit rating and a competitive bidding process between underwriters to save $4.7 million compared to original projections.  These savings were directly passed on to our local taxpayers and will allow us to stretch our dollars to further repair and modernize our high schools.

     The Measure S bond is not only overseen by OUSD’s Board of Education, but also by an appointed independent Citizens Oversight Committee.  Committee members include small business owners, a retired banker, the President and CEO of the Orange County Taxpayers Association, current and former elected officials from our cities and county, a PTA representative and a public finance attorney.  These financial professionals and community stakeholders have a deep understanding of bonds, taxes, and economics. They are required by law to review annual, independent financial and performance audits of the bond program. In addition, the District staff are in constant contact with legal counsel and external auditors to ensure program expenditures are in compliance with Measure S and adhering to the contract made with our community.

     In addition, to modernizing our high schools’ science labs, career training facilities, libraries and computer systems, Measure S requires the school district to set aside other, non-bond monies, to ensure funding will be available for ongoing maintenance of the facilities to protect the taxpayers’ investment. 

     None of the bond money goes toward salaries or benefits of any teachers or administrators.   

     On March 8, 2018, the chairperson of the Citizens Oversight Committee, Villa Park Councilwoman Diana Fascenelli, delivered the Annual Fiscal and Performance Audit of the operations related to the Measure S bond and reported that everything was in order.  Like our Board of Education meetings, the Citizen Oversight Committee meetings are open to the public, the agendas and minutes are posted to our website, and all are welcome to attend.   

    We pride ourselves on our transparency and accountability.  All presentations and monthly progress reports regarding the expenditures for Measure S are posted to the District’s website at www.orangeusd.org/measure-s.

     With the passage of Measure S, the District is now eligible for state matching funds. With the appointment of our new, highly experienced Chief Business Officer, David Rivera, the District has prioritized obtaining additional funding from the state of up to $60 million to provide even more improvements to our campuses. Prior to passing Measure S, these funds were being awarded to other districts because OUSD lacked the required matching funds. As the Superintendent, it is one of my top priorities to provide efficient and effective management to ensure quality facilities for our high school students.  With the oversight and involvement of both the publicly elected Board members and the Citizens Oversight Committee, we are keeping the projects on time and under budget. 

     Since joining the OUSD family in 2010, I have had countless conversations with current and former students, parents, and community stakeholders about our aging facilities. Our students and communities deserve school facilities that parallel any in Orange County. Measure S projects and the additional investments being made on our campuses will have long-lasting community benefits, enhance the educational environment, and improve property values.

     Orange Unified School District, in partnership with our taxpayers, is building a vision that address the needs of our students and our community for the next 50 years.

August 2018

Dear Parents and Community Members,

Welcome to Orange Unified School District! It is an exciting time within the District as we begin modernization of current facilities and construction of state-of-the-art science centers at each comprehensive high school. OUSD’s Facilities & Maintenance Departments are also updating our athletic fields and will be starting the process to renovate Fred Kelly Stadium. You will see a lot of construction at our schools, so please check our website for updates on facilities and Measure S schedules.

We are also excited to be launching new programs and services, continuing to prepare students for successful college, career and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) experiences. Orange Unified Schools provide a balanced instructional experience with continual innovation to ensure our students are able to compete in the global marketplace. The District’s teachers and principals are providing a rigorous instructional program that engages all students in deeper levels of collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. We believe that “what’s best for our students comes first and foremost,” and we continue to push for greater levels of success within our organization. 

This coming school year will provide more personalized learning opportunities than at any other time in the history of the District. Our comprehensive Career Technical Education (CTE) program offers students classes in digital music, aviation, computer aided design (CAD), finance and business, robotics, marketing, fire science, crime scene investigation, marketing, and film making, just to name a few. In addition to these secondary course offerings, the District will be facilitating an expanded CTE program in our middle schools next year.

Award-winning schools and academic success are due to the dedicated and talented people who contribute throughout the planning and implementation of strategic goals. Every one of our dedicated employees strives to lead the District to greater levels of achievement. Orange USD faculty members are lifelong learners, demonstrating high levels of care and commitment to student academic and socio-emotional needs. Support staff serves in multiple capacities to ensure successful day-to-day operations, and the leadership team acknowledges the value of professional development and service to students and families.  Our community and business leaders are also committed to the excellent education provided by the Orange Unified team - as evidenced in their overwhelming support for Measure S - which we are now seeing come to life on our high school campuses. The success of each and every student is a collaborative effort between all stakeholders in the process of teaching and learning.

Parental and community support are essential for maximizing the learning experience of students.  I encourage each of you to work in partnership with teachers and principals to provide students with positive educational experiences.  Additionally, I urge you to provide input to our annual LCAP development process by sharing feedback at your school.

Please stay up-to-date on Measure S construction, the progress of our innovative educational programs, and other important District communications by visiting the website at www.orangeusd.org and following us on social media.

April 2018

Overview of Educational Technology Department Programs

Orange Unified School District has a cutting edge Educational Technology Department that offers professional development programs to increase access to and promote purposeful integration of technology in classrooms across the district. The team support teachers as they move through their initial emerging use of technology to fully integrated implementation in a student-driven classroom. All of our programs meet teachers where they are at in this continuum to support their further development.

                In 2013, the iTeach program began. This program provides classroom teachers with iPads to enhance classroom instruction and student learning. The purpose of this program is to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, design & develop digital age learning experiences and assessments, model digital age work and learning, and engage in professional growth and leadership This process is facilitated by an instructional coach who works with the teacher each week for approximately 12 weeks as the teacher completes tasks to create a blended learning environment.

                The eBadge program began in 2014 to provide teachers with one device that allowed them to explore and learn. Over three years, teachers had the opportunity to explore Chromebooks, HP Streams, and mini iPads. This program required all teachers to demonstrate fluency with the device by completing requirements focused on classroom integration and digital work.

                That same year, iLearn began to increase classroom access to technology. This program provides a loaner cart to teacher teams to be used daily in the classroom. The devices allow teachers the opportunity to create 21^st century, blended learning environments where students will develop technology skills for college and career readiness. Teachers choose their area of interest and guide their own professional development while utilzing the cart.

                In 2015, the 1:1 program kicked off to increase access and integration in our schools. Instructional coaches work with teachers daily at their school sites and in their classroom to build best practices for classroom instruction and to help teachers move along the technology use continuum through personalized professional learning plans. The program continues to expand each year, and next year the team will move to supporting the entire school’s technology initiatives.

                Last year, the iPilot program was introduced to provide teachers the opportunity to receive a variety of instructional technology tools for their classroom use in exchange for providing feedback on lesson integration. This program has allowed our teachers to access coding devices, drones, and various other tools.

                Next year, the technology will introduce the iLead program. This program will allow our teachers to design their professional development through a grant writing process focused on student achievement. The teachers will identify a need, implement a solution, and work through the collaborative cycle of effective instruction with an instructional coach to improve student achievement. As this program continues to grow, we will foster a collaborative culture at school sites and across the district focused on sharing best practices for improving student achievement.

March 5, 2018

Dear OUSD Parents and Community Partners –
 

The impact of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida has reverberated on school campuses throughout the nation, prompting concerns about school safety. 
 

Many of our students have expressed an intention to participate in a publicized nationwide school walkout for 17 minutes - starting at 10:00 a.m. on March 14 - in response to gun violence and in remembrance of the 17 Florida victims. The nationwide walkout is student-driven and voluntary.  The event is not sponsored by Orange Unified School District nor any of its schools. However, principals, District staff and student leaders are meeting to ensure a peaceful event should students decide to participate.
 

Orange Unified respects the First Amendment rights of our students to support a cause and express their opinions provided they adhere to District and school guidelines:

• All activities must remain peaceful
• Students may not leave campus
• Students must stay in designated areas and not disrupt the educational environment for other students and staff
• After 17 minutes, students must return to class when instructed by school staff
   

To further student safety, individuals who are not on official school business will not be allowed on campus to participate in the walkout. As is our current protocol, all visitors or school volunteers must check in with the school’s front office. Our number one priority at Orange Unified is the safety and well-being of all our students.
 

OUSD has received legal guidance from the Orange County Department of Education that school districts may provide appropriate time-and-place alternatives to ensure minimal disruption of the instructional process.  Principals from schools that are aware of planned student walkouts will be contacting their parent communities in the coming week to provide information about their campus. We understand how important and impactful this issue is to children and families, and we encourage honest and frank conversations with your children. 
 

OUSD will be holding an Active Shooter Response Training for Parents  on Tuesday, March 6, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the gym at Canyon High School, 220 S. Imperial Highway, Anaheim.  Please note, this event features mature content and is not suitable for children.  We encourage parents to attend tomorrow’s presentation where law enforcement representatives will be available to discuss student safety
 

Thank you for your continued support of our schools and community.
 

Sincerely,

Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools
 

Click HERE for a PDF of the Superintendent's official letter.

Leer la carta en Español aqui.

February 15, 2018

Dear OUSD Community:

We are all deeply saddened by yesterday's school shooting tragedy at the Broward County High School. As a collective school community, we mourn for the lives lost and those affected by this tragic event.

Today, you may notice police vehicles on or in the vicinity of your campus. This is not necessary indicative of a problem, but law enforcement agencies serving our schools often plan increased presence on the day after such a devastating incident to show solidarity and commitment to school safety. The Orange Unified School District tremendously values the partnership with our local law enforcement, fire/rescue and first responders.

Rest assured that the District takes school safety seriously and there are strong emergency plans in place at all schools and support sites where our protocols are consistently practiced and refined.  Below are some resources you may wish to use and share if questions come up regarding a national crises and the social emotional impact on students.

http://www.ocde.us/Search/results.aspx?k=school%20shooting%20response

http://newsroom. ocde.us/five-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-helpinq-kids-cope-with-crisis/

We value the hard work of school staff to provide a safe and secure learning environment.  Please do not hesitate to contact District staff for any support!

Kindest regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.

See the Superintendent's letter by CLICKING HERE.

Additional Resources:

Talking to Children About Violence

Talking to Children About Violence: Infographic

Talking to Children About Violence: Spanish

Managing Strong Emotional Reactions

15 de febrero del 2018

Estimada comunidad del OUSD:

Estamos profundamente entristecidos por el trágico tiroteo escolar ocurrido ayer en la escuela Broward County. Como parte de una comunidad escolar unida, lamentamos la perdida de tantas vidas y nos unimos al sufrimiento de todos los afectados por esta tragedia.

Hoy ustedes notarán algunas patrullas de policía cerca de su escuela. Esto no significa que hay un problema, sino que las agencias protectoras incrementan su presencia en los planteles escolar el día después de una tragedia, para demostrar su solidaridad y compromiso de mantener las escuelas seguras. El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Orange valora enormemente la asociación con las agencias protectoras locales, los bomberos y los rescatistas.

Le aseguramos que el Distrito toma muy en serio la seguridad y tiene un plan de emergencia establecido en todas las escuelas y sitios educativos, el cual practicamos y mejoramos constantemente. Abajo encontrará algunos recursos que puede usar y compartir si tiene preguntas referentes a crisis nacionales y el impacto social y emocional en los estudiantes.

http://www.ocde.us/Search/results.aspx?k=school%20shooting%20response

http://newsroom. ocde.us/five-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-helpinq-kids-cope-with-crisis/

Nosotros valoramos el gran esfuerzo que el personal escolar hace para mantener un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro y protegido. Por favor comuníquese con el personal del Distracto si necesita apoyo.

Cordialmente,

 Gunn Marie Hansen, PH.D.

Vea la carta oficial de la Superintendente. PRESIONE AQUI