Lake Orion HS Newsletter

The 2026-27 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are now available by visiting the LakeOrionSchools.org calendar page. A single sheet of the important dates is also listed on that page.

October 28: NHS Induction Ceremony (By invitation)

October 29 - 30: 1st Term Exams, 1/2 Days (see schedule below)

November 2-3: Fall Break, No School

November 3 : Election Day, Go VOTE!

November 19-21: Fall Play - PUFFS

November 24: GAP/Group Photo Day

November 25 - 27: Thanksgiving Break, No School

Interested in the Lake Orion Community Schools Bond Proposal on the November 3 ballot? Know the facts and vote.

• This list of Fiction vs. Fact addresses many of the misinformation pieces circulating in the community. Read it. Share it. Help others have the accurate information about the proposal.

• For a deeper dive, listen to the LOCS Superintendent Heidi Mercer and Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Andrea Curtis discuss the proposal on the “Dragon Difference” podcast (audio) and (video).
• Note that early in-person voting opened on Saturday, October 24 at the Orion Recreation Center (3800 S. Baldwin) in Orion Twp. That site services Orion, Oxford and Addison Twp., voters. The other surrounding community early voting sites are listed on this flyer from NOTA, offering free rides and on the LOCS Bond Information page.

Reminder that Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30 are half days at LOHS! Good luck on your exams Dragons! You got this!

LOCS partners with community organizations at this time of year, and we would like to extend an invitation to your family. If you want to receive a Thanksgiving Dinner Box, please see instructions below to sign up. They will contact you to set up pick-up or delivery of your Thanksgiving Box on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

PLEASE sign-up by Sunday, November 17th to participate!

Go to this link: Event Details - Woodside Bible or scan the QR code below to register.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please reach out to Matt Zellers at mattzellers@woodsidebible.org.

Parenting can be tough—finding support shouldn’t be! NOCC is proud to partner with Oxford and Lake Orion Community Schools for the Oxford–Orion Parent Education Fair, on Saturday, November 7, from 8:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m., with relevant information for families supporting children from birth through age 26.

Keynote speaker Susan Graham will present “Don’t Let Overload Run the Show,” sharing practical ways to manage stress and support yourself as a parent. Breakout sessions will explore online safety, difficult conversations, children’s coping skills, neuro-affirming parenting, early literacy, self-care, and homework routines. Families can also connect with local organizations and resources.

Explore the sessions and register here!

It’s always important to remember some key tips to keep our students safe around buses and Transportation.

A few reminders:

• Be on time - Arrive a few minutes early and be ready for the bus.
• Use safe sidewalks - Look both ways and wait for the bus driver's signal.
• Know the rules - Stay in your seat, keep aisles clear, and follow the bus driver's instructions.
• Look out for each other - A safe ride is a team effort!

The LOHS Parent Group is serving up some appreciation for our hardworking staff with a fun Apple Nacho Bar on October 29, and they need your help to make it a "sweet success"!

They are looking for donations of apples, toppings, and supplies. To make participating easy, they have created a SignUpGenius and items needed BY Wednesday, October 28. Whether you donate an item or purchase directly from the wish list, every contribution helps show appreciation for all the staff do for our students each day. Thank you for helping us add a little crunch, sweetness, and gratitude to their week!

Adapted from the classic tale that everyone knows, Matt Cox's PUFFS follows the story of a certain "boy who lived"... from the perspective of the kind, loyal, and perpetually scared PUFFS! See what a certain school of magic and magic looks like as Mr. Voldy comes to power in a heartwarming story about how anyone can be a hero--even if they're just a Puff.

Location: Lake Orion Performing Arts Center - Lake Orion High School

Show Dates: Thursday, 11/19 & Friday, 11/20: 7pm | Saturday, 11/21: 1pm | Saturday, 11/21: 7pm

Cost (Pre-Taxes and Fees): Student and Seniors Tickets: $10 | Adult Tickets: $12 | *NEW* Best Spot in the Lot (raffle to receive priority parking at the show you are attending): $2

All tickets are general admission.

**Content Warning** Please note that PUFFS will contain flashing lights, atmospheric effects, fantasy stage violence, and some mature language and themes.

Dragons Abroad is thrilled to announce their upcoming trip to England, Scotland and France in Summer 2028, and your student is invited! This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and global perspective.

There will be a one-time informational meeting on Thursday, November 12 at 6pm to share everything you need to know—and spots on this trip are limited:

👉 Find meeting info and RSVP here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/g4xj5z6

Why attend?

- Learn how to save $250 with early enrollment.

- Get first access to limited spots.

- Learn about what we’ll see and do, academic opportunities, trip cost, and more.

In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.

Lake Orion High School's Career Center provides students and families the resources necessary to ensure post secondary planning is current and seamless. Please visit our website often to see what is happening! In the Career Center, students can ask questions about Xello and their EDPs, pick up informational college, military, or trade brochures, and receive information about Service Hours.

The Career Center coordinated the first quarter Senior Interviews last week. As part of the senior level Personal Finance class, each student participates in a three person panel interview, prepared with a portfolio, ready to discuss their skills, current education and plans for the future. This is not only a graduation requirement, but an important life skill for our students. This week, 167 seniors met with 52 Lake Orion community volunteers who gave of their time to make the interview an authentic and meaningful experience for our students. If this is something you might be interested in participating in as a volunteer, please email careercenter@lok12.org to be added to the list. There is no volunteer preparation required. All students are granted the same experience so you will be given a set of questions and interview process directions. The next interviews take place in January and an introductory request letter will be sent the first week of December.

Over the span of 6 weeks this fall, Lake Orion High School’s Career Center welcomed 61 college, trade and military admission representatives for junior and senior students interested in learning about campus, scholarships and academic programs. Students were able to engage in conversations with a wide range of institutions such as the US Navy, Rice University, Purdue University, St. Mary’s College, Savannah College of Art & Design, DePaul University, University of Denver, Vanderbilt University and the University of Alabama as well as all public Michigan universities. With more than 96 % of LOHS’ recent graduating class attending post-secondary education, enlisting in the military, or attending a vocational trade school after graduation, this opportunity enables all our students to reach the District Mission of Empower the Dragon Community to Achieve Excellence by bringing the future directly to them and preparing them for their next step after Lake Orion High School.

If you are an Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) student, be advised you will have varying schedules on Wednesdays. It is important to review this information as to not miss classes in either location.

This schedule has been shared with our Northeast and Northwest campuses, as well as LOHS Staff. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your counselors.

Is your student interested in hands-on learning, exploring career pathways, or gaining real-world experience? Oakland Schools Technical Campus (OSTC) offers students the opportunity to develop career-ready skills, explore their interests, and earn high school credit.

Students and families interested in attending OSTC during the 2027–2028 school year are encouraged to take advantage of these upcoming opportunities!

Upcoming OSTC Events:

• October 28 – OSTC Northeast Information Night: Students and families can explore programs, meet instructors, and learn more about OSTC. See flyer for more details.
• November 19 – OSTC Student Tours: Students will have the opportunity to visit OSTC and explore available programs. More information and sign up coming soon via ParentSquare.
• November 19 – Cosmetology Information Night: Begins at 6:00 p.m. See flyer for more details.

These events are a great opportunity to explore the programs available at OSTC and help students make informed decisions about their course selections for the 2027–2028 school year!

Visit the GAP website for more information, and follow us on Instagram: @LOHSGap.

Take a look at our upcoming live broadcast schedule for the week ahead.

It's Exam Week at LOHS, so we'll only have one newscast this week (on Tuesday).

We've got the Volleyball match vs. Divine Child on Tuesday evening.

Tune in at www.dragonbroadcasting.org!

AP Students and Families,

A ParentSquare post went out on Friday, September 18 making AP students/families aware that the Advanced Placement Exam registration is now open. Students who wish to take an AP exam must register and submit payment in full ($105.00 per exam) to the online site of Total Registration by November 11, 2026.

To register, students will log into Total Registration and fill out an AP Exam Registration form and pay on the same site. Please use this link to register: Advanced Placement - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)

Please note the following additional information:

• AP exams this year will either be completely Digital or partially Digital (MC completed digitally, free response completed paper/pen)
• NO refunds after November 11, 2026.
• AP exams will be administered during morning and afternoon sessions on May 3-7 and May 10-14, 2027

Should you have any questions, please email Anthony Kiner, Anthony.kiner@lok12.org or Christine Bell, Christine.bell@lok12.org.

Drop-in tutoring will be available through the National Honor Society after school from 2:45-3:30 in room A206 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bring your homework with you for a quiet, productive tutoring environment!

When a student exceeds established absence thresholds for unexcused absences or tardy to class, the consequence is loss of grade (GPA impact) for the course, not automatic loss of credit. Instead, the course will be recorded as Credit (P) on the transcript.

ABSENCE THRESHOLDS:

• Quarter-Length Courses: 10 or more Unexcused Absences

• Semester-Length Courses: 20 or more Unexcused Absences

TARDY THRESHOLDS:

• Quarter-Length Courses: 10 or more Unexcused Tardies

• Semester-Length Courses: 20 or more Unexcused Tardies

CREDIT EARNING REQUIREMENT: To earn Credit (P) after loss of grade, a minimum final score of 60% is required in the class. Credit earned under this structure does not calculate into GPA.

Click the button below to read all details regarding our new Attendance Policy. The policy begins on page 34 of the Student Handbook.

Reminder - School Dismissal Manager (SDM) is a website and smartphone app for reporting absences and early dismissals. It is easy to use and then you do not have to call the school.

If further assistance is needed:

• For SDM, contact Ms. Humes at patricia.humes@lok12.org or 248-693-5420 option 1.
• For the early dismissal line, please contact Veronica Estell at 248-693-5420 option 2.

Looking for information about participating as a student athlete, the athletic schedule, or how to purchase tickets to sporting events, please visit the athletics website. Go Dragons!

Researchers at the University of Michigan are hosting online focus groups this fall with parents and students ages 13-18 on their experiences with school cell phone policies. Focus groups for students and parents are hosted separately and all participants will receive a $25 electronic gift card. Click here to learn more and sign up.

LOCS uses ParentSquare in two ways (Posts and Messages) to communicate from the district, school and teacher level. There is an informational page at LakeOrionSchools.org ParentSquare.

Don't forget families do have the ability to tweak the platform to your desired communications.

• App -- For even more convenience, download the ParentSquare app (from the App Store or Google Play). While communications will still be received without the app as email and text messages, it is a significant asset for families.
• Notifications -- Families will be able to easily adjust their notification settings to determine when and if they receive updates (email, text, app). Messages are scheduled to arrive in the evening each day, unless the family changes its settings to receive instantly. Urgent/important messages will be pushed through instantly, even without family changes.
• Language – Families can adjust their desired language preferences.

Have questions once you log into ParentSquare? Click the question mark in the top right corner of the desktop version or the Help tab on the app (tap the triple bar icon at the top left) to find answers to most of your questions.

Additional questions can be directed to the LOCS Communications Department at communications@lok12.org.

For families who are currently receiving food assistance benefits from the state of Michigan, or wonder if their family qualifies, please read the information below.

When it’s time to update your information, it’s important to report any changes to your income, employment, family situation, or address quickly. Visit MI Bridges to make sure your information is accurate and up to date or call the local MDHHS office if you need assistance. They are here to help you keep food on the table and protect your food assistance benefits.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/FoodAssistance.

Dr. Daniel Haas - Principal

Amy Thebo - Principal's Secretary

Anthony Kiner - Associate Principal for Juniors and Seniors

Brad Bailey - Assistant Principal for Sophomores

Danielle Bredemus - Assistant Principal for Freshman

Christopher Bell - Athletic Director

Have questions about your schedule?

If you find an error in your student's schedule, please ask them to reach out to their counselor or visit the counseling center before the start of the school day or during passing time.

Secretary Lindsay Korsan

Phone: 248-693-5640

Counselors

A-Cot Christy Bell

Cou-Grz Melissa Bruno

Gu-Led Natalie Parraghi

Lee- Pep Michele Novak

Peq-Sta Summer Phelps

Ste-Z Scott Boeneman

Students with IEP's: Heather Rutledge

Brian Gannon - Shield/Security Lead

Patricia Humes - Attendance Secretary

Veronica Estell - Attendance Clerk

Lyla Dyer - Front Office Clerk

Nichole Rudenga - School Nurse

Catherine Srock - Media Specialist

Kristin Varney - Records Secretary

The 2026-27 Lake Orion Community Schools calendars are now available by visiting the LakeOrionSchools.org calendar page. A single sheet of the important dates is also listed on that page.

OK2SAY is available state-wide for public and private schools in Michigan; anybody can submit a confidential tip. Specially trained technicians receive the tips and filter the information to the appropriate agency to provide a timely and effective response

Check out LOCS' Flickr albums for pictures of all our events, Homecoming Game, Pep Assemblies, Invitationals, Graduations, first day of school pics and more.

Website: https://www.lakeorionschools.org/high-school-home

Location: 495 East Scripps Road, Orion Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248)693-5420
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LkOrionHS
Twitter: @LkOrionHS

Instagram: lkorionhs