The Quaker Gazette

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity available to your child through our Career Internship Program. This program is designed to prepare students for future success by providing them with real-world experiences that complement their academic learning. Internships in our program are tailored to align with your child’s interests and aspirations, providing meaningful experiences in various fields such as medicine, law, technology, marketing, and many more. These experiences often lead to enhanced opportunities in both higher education and future careers.

*** IMPORTANT*** The application process for the internship program is open to all current juniors at OPHS. Internships will be scheduled for and completed during the first semester of Senior Year. If you believe that your child might be interested in applying to the Career Internship Program, please complete this online form:

Career Internship Program Interest Form

Completion of this form only indicates an interest in the program; it is NOT an application to the program. Everyone who completes this form will receive an email invitation to a student information session to be held on Thursday, January 8 at 2:00 PM in Room 121 at OPHS. At this session, we will provide detailed information about the application process, expectations, and the incredible benefits of participating. For more information visit the OPHS Career Internship website and/or the OPHS curriculum handbook.

If you have any questions, please email Kristen Casto, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, at kcasto@opschools.org.

This coming January 2026, all students in English 11 will take the ELA Regents exam. This will be the last opportunity for students to take this exam in its current format. So mark your calendars, juniors! You will take the ELA Regents Exam on January 20, 2026.

To help students prepare, we will offer ELA Regents review sessions from 2:30 - 3:30 pm.

November 18, 19, 20 - Part I Review

December 2, 3, 4 - Part 2 Review

December 9, 10, 11 - Part 3 Review

Jan 13 (Pt. 1), 14, (Pt. 2), 15 (Pt. 3)

The following information for Seniors on how to order caps & gowns went out in the Class of 2026 Google Classroom today, October 6, 2025:

DIRECTIONS:

Click the attached link called High School Class Rings and Graduation Products | Herff Jones
Enter School Name
Click "Shop Graduation Products."
Click "Cap & Gown Grad Packs."
Purchase your cap and gown - "Basic Bundle."

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

The current price of the "Basic Bundle" is $32. Herff-Jones will increase the price substantially after December, so please order NOW.
The attached .pdf from Herff-Jones is for your info only and is not "clickable."
If you need financial support, please inform your school counselor, social worker, or other trusted adult so arrangements can be made for you.
Make sure you save any order confirmation emails or receipts.
Caps & Gowns will be delivered to school, and you will pick them up AT THE SENIOR PICNIC on FRIDAY, MAY 29; anything else you order from the site will be delivered to your home address.
If you have questions or technical difficulties, please contact PATTY NOTARO at HERFF-JONES at (716) 573 - 1936 or pwnotaro@herffjones.com. (Please do not contact office staff or the Senior Class Advisors.)

The deadline for ordering your Quaker Yearbook is February 1, 2026. 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, 2026.

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

✅ Make a plan that works for YOU.

✅ Do the FAFSA.

✅ Get the money you need for college.

This is your future—get started at https://bit.ly/DoTheFAFSA

December Information

College Application season is underway! Students must fill out a Transcript Request Form for each college application completed. Please give your teachers and counselors at least two weeks' notice when requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation. Common deadlines and Transcript Request Form due dates can be found here on the School Counseling page of the high school website.

Parents of seniors, please encourage your student to be aware of the following college application deadlines:

Transcript Request Form must have been turned in to the school counselor by December 11 for a January 1 deadline.
Transcript Request Form must be turned in to the school counselor by January 6 for a January 15 deadline.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available for the 2025-2026 academic year. All students attending college in Fall 2025 and their parents need to complete the FAFSA. Click here for more information.

OPHS is a test center for the October ACT, November SAT, May SAT, and June ACT. Please visit the ACT and SAT websites for details and registration information.

The NYS TAP application is open for the 2025-2026 academic year. Click here for more information.

The High School Counseling Department hosts a Google Classroom for each grade level. Ask your child to log in and check out the latest announcements.

Check out the School Counseling page of the high school website. It includes a variety of resources for students and parents.

Happy Holidays from your OPHS PTO board! We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. See you all in 2027! Panera Post Prom fundraiser on Jan. 15th and the Staff Appreciation signup genius link coming soon. Thank you all for your continued support.