Quaker Gazette

Dear Quaker Families,

It has been a wonderful and busy first two days at OPHS! Thank you for entrusting us with your child and their education as we embarked on the new school year together. Over the last two days, students had the opportunity to connect with their new teachers and peers through their schedule. I also saw many students excited to see former teachers, staff, and friends in the halls - a mark of healthy, positive relationships at the core of their education. Still, I know for some students they may not have made connections, yet. One of the great opportunities throughout high school is making new connections each year and watching them grow. I trust our teachers will continue to work hard to develop a positive classroom, and building-wide all staff will work together to foster an inclusive and supportive school community for our students.

During the first two days students had grade-level assemblies where they heard directly from student-leaders, faculty advisors, the House Principals and me. They heard about the value of getting involved and immediate opportunities to do so. I cannot emphasize enough the positive impact on a students’ education and whole high school experience when they get connected. Students heard about the value of stretching and challenging themselves, while also advocating for the support and help they may need. It is a privilege to witness students choosing to do hard things, while also speaking up for themselves and I am excited to watch them transform throughout the school year.

Additionally, Mrs. Josker (H1), Mr. Reiford (H2), Mrs. Adamec (H3), and I spoke directly with students about our building expectations, reflected in the digital student agenda and the district code of conduct. We spoke about values of respect, responsibility, and being considerate of others in our school community. We explained to students how they will continue to use their assigned Yondr pouches for their cell phones or other internet-enabled devices throughout the school day based on the NYS regulations. It is our hope to partner with all students and families as we strive to foster a positive, safe learning environment. One area we are especially seeking your partnership with is stressing the importance of being in school, on time, every day for students to benefit from the learning opportunities presented in every class. Of course, illness and family matters are a normal part of life and we understand when you need to call your child out for the day. Please provide notice to attendance at (716) 209-6270 or by using the online attendance platform. Another area we need your help with is to prevent vape paraphernalia being brought into the school. We are working diligently to maintain a positive environment while also addressing this concern for student safety and wellbeing. Students in violation of the code of conduct in this area may incur three to five days of Out of School Suspension.

At OPHS we have a tremendous system of support for all students from our School Counselors, Social Workers, and Family Solutions Center along with your child’s House Principal and me. Our school community and I are eager and excited to come alongside you throughout the school year. I look forward to connecting with you at upcoming school events and activities. You can also reach out anytime by email (alangheier@opschools.org) or phone (716-209-6242).

Student safety is critical at OPHS. Between new student drivers, student drop off, buses, faculty and staff arrival, and limited daylight we are working diligently to create a safe environment for all. After careful review of the morning traffic flow, in collaboration with SRO Mackey, OPPD, and District Office, we are implementing the following traffic pattern for morning drop off. Please review these directions closely to ensure a safe start for everyone daily.

1. For student safety, students should not be dropped off on the roads, particularly given no sidewalks.

2. Student drop off must only occur on Freeman Road at the main lot or Freeman Road athletic field lot until 7:24 am.

3. Prior to 7:25 am, families will not be permitted entry to the Baker lot for student drop off. Only seniors with parking permits may park in the Baker lot.

4. In the Freeman main lot, there is a sign prior to the first row that indicates turning left for student drop off.

5. In the Freeman main lot, cones will be set up to allow two lanes temporarily during drop off in this row only.

6. Please pull all the way forward past the gym foyer doors to allow students to safely and efficiently exit vehicles. When exiting the lot onto Freeman, it is a right turn only.

7. If you opt to use the Freeman athletic field lot please be aware this is used for juniors who have received parking permits.

8. After 7:25 am the Baker entrance will resume as the primary entrance for pick up and drop off during the school day.

We understand mornings are busy and appreciate everyone working together to arrive on time and adhere to these procedures. When winter weather arrives, given snow and ice we may make adjustments to our procedures to ensure safe drop off continues for all students, families and staff.

In person: Wednesday, September 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Virtual: Teacher videos will be available on the District website from September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026.

Please join us to:

• Meet with teachers in a classroom setting. Teachers are prepared to discuss course curriculum, grading, texts, supplies, and equipment. Individual student progress will not be discussed due to time constraints. However, parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with teachers and/or school counselors during normal school hours at any point throughout the year.

• Visit with school counselors and social workers.

• Connect with OPHS Principals.

• Follow your student’s day one schedule, which will be available on PowerSchool Parent Portal beginning September 14, 2026.
  
  

The Baker Road and Freeman Road lots (use the Freeman Road gym foyer door) will be available for parking. Please do not park in the church lot on Baker Road or in a fire lane for safety reasons.

I look forward to seeing you at our Open House. High School Administrators and PTO Representatives will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. on September 16th in the cafeteria to respond to any questions or concerns you might have. Please call the main office if you need further information at (716) 209-6242.

Welcome back high school families! The PTO is excited for another fun school year. Please check out the link below to view the PTO’s Welcome Back Packet. This has important information about the PTO meetings, Post Prom meetings, PTO events and so much more!

The PTO is no longer using the Membership Toolkit. All fundraising, communications, donations, and membership can be found on the PTO Zeffy site. Check out the link below to become a member, make a donation to the PTO, or make a donation to Post Prom.

The PTO wants to thank everyone who has supported the Panera and Red Robin fundraisers for the PTO. We strive to use all funds raised to support every student.

We’d also like to thank everyone who has helped out with the first few events of the new school year. Thank you to those of you who donated items or volunteered with the Senior Tie-Dye. This is always a fun event for the seniors and a great way to kick off the new school year.

*A special thank you goes out to OPHS parents Cristi Oczek, Erin Reukauf, and Tammy Vitko-Woods for being the Senior Class Assistants and helping to organize the Senior Tie Dye!

Thank you to everyone who donated items or made a monetary donation for the Welcome Back Breakfast for Teachers and Staff. It was a great way to start the day and much appreciated!

Thank you to everyone who donated snacks and water for the New Student Orientation! We are always so happy to offer the new students this treat from the PTO. All of these events are possible because of the donations of items, money, or time from our wonderful families!

The PTO helps out with Homecoming by serving snacks and drinks and taking care of the coat check. We need donations of snacks for the event. We also need volunteers to serve the snacks and also help check coats. Please check out the link below to help out.

Who: Only Orchard Park High School students (grades 9 – 12)

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

(Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and students will not be admitted after 8:30 p.m.)

Place: Orchard Park High School gym

Ticket Sales: Tickets are $22 (online only)

Tickets will be sold online from Thursday, September 17 through Thursday, September 24 ONLY!

Students’ current OPHS student ID will serve as the ticket.

Orchard Park High School has the pleasure of having one of the most well-attended homecoming dances in the area. We are proud of our reputation for providing our students with a happy, healthy, and safe evening they are sure to remember.

All Orchard Park High School rules, as outlined in the Orchard Park High School 2026 – 2027 Student Handbook/Agenda, apply to the Homecoming Dance.

Keeping Kids Safe (KKS) Meeting: In order for students to attend an Orchard Park High School dance, parents/guardians must view the “Keeping Kids Safe” (KKS) video and acknowledge they have done so before their students may purchase a Homecoming ticket. The video is linked on the Parent Portal as “KKS Signoff.” The final opportunity to meet this requirement is the last day of ticket sales, Thursday, September 24, 2026.

Tickets

Homecoming dance tickets can be purchased ONLINE only at the Orchard Park Central School District website (https://www.opschools.org/hsdance). Once there, click on the Homecoming Dance link on the left-hand side of the page. At the time of ticket purchase, students will choose which door they would like to enter when they arrive at the dance, either Baker Rd. or Freeman Rd. This is done to expedite students entering the building.

Upon entering the dance, ALL STUDENTS must have their current OPHS Student ID, which will serve as their ticket. Students may not type their student number into the computer.

NO ID = NO ENTRANCE TO THE DANCE!

Additionally, we cannot accept money at the door. Please be sure your student has purchased a ticket online during ticket sales. This is very important. We have no means to collect money at the door, and students who attempt to purchase at the door invariably hold up lines for everyone. Students should not show up to the dance without a ticket.

Drop-off / Parking

Students, whether driving themselves or being dropped off, should arrive and park on the side for which they purchased their tickets. They may leave the dance through either exit.

Appropriate Dress

Dance attire is SEMI-FORMAL and should be in line with the code of conduct as published in the 2026 – 2027 OPHS Student Handbook.

Attendees should be dressed with the following guidelines in mind:

- Collared shirts, ties (long or bow), dress pants, belts, and dress

shoes. (A jacket or sport coat is nice but not necessary.)

- Dresses, dressy pants, skirts, and shoes that are safe and comfortable being worn all night.

- For health and safety reasons, students may not go barefoot at any time. Please have shoes that are safe and comfortable for wearing all night.

- Footwear must be clean, in good condition, and appropriate for the occasion. Shoes designed for athletic activities (such as running shoes), along with Crocs, slides, and flip-flops, are not permitted. Clean and stylish sneakers are acceptable.

Students will be denied entry at the discretion of administration for items that are not expressly mentioned here but that are deemed inappropriate at the time of arrival.

A Note

Your child’s health and safety is of utmost importance to us. Please feel free to call the school at 716-209-6242 with any questions.

The deadline for ordering your Quaker Yearbook is February 1, 2027. To order your yearbook, go to https://yearbookordercenter.com/ and enter school code 4747. All yearbook sales are online only. Furthermore, you MUST pre-order your yearbook by February 1, 2027.

To order a senior ad, use the same link above!

Any questions, please contact us a ophsyearbook@opschools.org

The 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course will be offered through Community Education on October 5 & 7, 2026 from 6:30-9:00 each evening. You must be 16 or older, bring your valid NYS Learner’s Permit to class and attend both evenings to receive your certificate. Register here:

https://www.opschools.org/communityeducation

On September 1, the Class of 2027, came together for the annual Senior Tie-Dye event. Thank you to the PTO and all of the volunteers who helped make the event a success!