Welcome Back Letter to Families

Welcome back Dragon Thunder!! We have been hard at work prepping for this coming school year. There is no doubt that if we all commit to holding ourselves accountable and staying positive that we will have an outstanding 2025-2026 school year.

As always, we welcome our newest members to the Lake Orion High School Thunder, the graduating class of 2029. I ask that our veteran students continue to do their part to model the pride and positive behaviors necessary for us to truly Protect the Thunder! This means being on time, being respectful, looking out for each other and asking for support when necessary.

Let’s gear up for a great year Dragons!! Go Green!

Dr. Haas

LOHS Principal

The 2025-26 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.

August 25 - Make-Up Walk-Through Day (all grades) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

August 28 -- New Dragon Day 7:30 – 10:45 a.m.

September 2 -- High School - Full Day (First Day)

September 9 -- High School - Curriculum Night (Virtual)

September 29 - LOHS Lamp of Learning (By Invitation)

October 2 -- Parent Teacher Conferences (In-Person/Virtual)

October 3-6 - No School Fall Break

October 7 - Fall Combined Choir and Band Concert

October 17 -- Homecoming Game

October 18 -- Homecoming Dance

Thank you all for coming to our walk-through here at LOHS! If you missed our Walkthrough Days this week, we have a make-up day for all grades on Monday, August 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

During Make-Up Walkthrough Day, students can pick up their class schedule, locker assignment, laptop, purchase a parking pass and/or yearbook, and have their student picture/ID taken. The online returning-student information must be completed by a parent/guardian prior to picking up the items above. If you have not completed the online returning-student information before your arrival on the date/time below, we will have computers available in the Main Office.

To make Monday go quickly and smoothly, it is recommended that you purchase online as many items below in advance as possible. However, if you are not able to purchase the items online, they will be available during the Make-Up Walkthrough.

· Parking Passes for Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores (the parking pass application form must be printed and brought to school on Walk-Through Days with your student’s license and registration.

· All Athletic Events Pass (needs to be purchase prior to Student ID picture taken)

· Athletic Pay to Participate Fee

Other Tables to Check-Out:

• GAP Program – Hear about different GAP programs at LOHS.
• Parent Group Table - parents find out how you can get involved at LOHS.
• Food Services - Ability to ask about Free/Reduced or other food service questions.
• Dragon Broadcasting - Learn about streaming LOHS sports, and purchase LO umbrellas, flags, and tumblers.
• Homecoming Shirts - Ability to purchase this year's HOCO shirt.

Pre-orders may be placed by clicking the link below which will route families directly to Lake Orion High School’s ordering page. Or Pictures may be ordered by visiting www.kaiserstudio.com and entering the online code: 2526LOHS.

• Click here to order your 2025-2026 school pictures from Kaiser Studio

Don't worry if you forgot to purchase pictures during Walkthrough, the option to order online will continue to be available for at least three business days after Make-Up Walkthrough Day.

For the 2024-25 school year Lake Orion Community Schools participated in the Michigan Meals program which entitled all students, regardless of income, to one free breakfast, and one free lunch per day.

Currently, that program has not yet been approved for the 2025-26 school year so families who are interested in participating in the free and reduced lunch program must apply for the benefit. If the Michigan Meals program is approved, and Lake Orion Schools participates in the program, families will be notified.

More information is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

Note: It is important that all families who qualify for free and reduced lunch complete the form within this registration process to receive additional services at reduced cost (pay to participate for athletics, holiday assistance, field trip assistance etc.) The forms are available at https://lakeorion.familyportal.cloud/.

Reminder, a message was sent to all LOCS Families in June announcing the new form of parent communication called ParentSquare. This unified communications platform is designed to keep parents and guardians informed and encourage greater engagement and connection with LOCS.

All district and school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via ParentSquare’s email and/or text message. Families are already enrolled in ParentSquare as their PowerSchool profiles are imported into the platform/

Here is a video for families to get started with ParentSquare. LOCS also has 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.

Whenever children are brought into group settings, there is a chance for diseases to spread. Children must follow the Michigan state vaccine laws to attend school. For more information about vaccines and waivers, please visit LOCS Central enrollment, or contact Mrs. Patricia Humes, the attendance secretary.

Lake Orion Community Schools(LOCS) offers an optional protection coverage for district assigned devices. LOCS also recognizes multiple costs for a family might be a deterrent so a family or household maximum dollar amount is also available.

To cover each device in the household you would need to purchase coverage for each individual device: a single device is $51.75. The family plan will only be an option once you add up the total of all the optional coverage you would like to purchase and that dollar amount is greater than $174.50 which is the maximum.

All the information about the optional device protection coverage is located below and in the 1:1 device handbook. If you have not located our 1:1 device handbook section it is located on our website.

Here is the link to information just about the (PDF) Optional Device Coverage Information.

Register for the coverage opens August 18, 2025:

2025 - 2026 Device Protection Sign Up Form Click Here

Families can access bus routes for the 2025-2026 school year through the PowerSchool website starting Tuesday, August 26.

This feature is only accessible through the PowerSchool website, not the mobile app. Once you log in go the "Transportation Info" (see screenshot below). Special Requests, such as day care locations, have forms available on the LOCS Transportation site. Those need to be completed and emailed back to Pam King. If there is an alternate stop request form, please return it as soon as possible before school starts to ensure it is addressed appropriately and in a timely manner.

If there are questions, please contact Transportation Director Pam King via email (pamela.king@lok12.org).

On Thursday, August 28, LOHS will host the New Dragon Day for all students new to LOHS (ex. freshmen, transfers, international students, others new to LOHS.)

The day's events will run from 7:30-10:45 a.m. and students will have the opportunity to become familiar with the building, walk their schedule, ask questions and enjoy a fun start to the new school year.

Transportation is provided for students who will be riding the bus on New Dragon Day.

What do they need to bring, you ask?
Their schedule or cell phone with PowerSchool to access schedule and a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Beginning in the fall of 2025, Lake Orion Community Schools will be implementing a "cell phone free" policy for all students during the school day. The district's goal with this policy is to minimize distractions in the classroom, encourage face-to-face interactions, and enhance overall student engagement in learning.

By eliminating the presence of personal electronic devices during the school day, Lake Orion Community Schools aims to foster a more focused and interactive educational environment. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss this policy with their students and help ensure a smooth transition when the policy goes into effect.

Key Protocol Details

• Personal electronic devices must be stored out of sight during class periods.
• The term "device" generally includes cell phones, personal laptops, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, and other wireless communication devices.
• The policy applies to all students, with legal exceptions for those covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individualized Education Programs (IEP), Section 504 Plans, or students with documented medical needs.
• Click here for more details about the new policy.

Lake Orion High School's Career Center provides students families the resources necessary to ensure post secondary planning is current and seamless. Please visit this site often to see what is happening!

In the Career Center, students can ask questions about Xello and their EDPs, obtain Work Permits, and receive information about Service Hours.

Kristi Pavelich

Service Learning Associate

kristi.pavelich@lok12.org

On site college, military and trade school admission visits begin on Sept 8. These are half hour opportunities for students to speak to admission representatives, during the school day. We currently have over 40 schools signed up to visit our campus. A letter explaining the process for signing up will be sent to all Juniors and Seniors on Wednesday, September 3. Follow up emails as schools are added to the calendar will be sent each Friday throughout the fall. If students have any questions, stop by the Career Center to see Ms. Pavelich.

Looking to explore in-demand careers and discover the degrees or credentials needed to pursue them? Want to know what opportunities will set your kids up for future success?

Use Pathfinder, Michigan’s online career exploration tool that uses current information related to employment and the workforce, as well as data about the relationship between education and training programs, to help you learn about career paths and jobs in the state.

Start the journey at www.Pathfinder.MiTalent.org

Check out this this 30-second video for a visual presentation of the experience users will have on Pathfinder:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvZJfBJdnHg

OSTC Students and Families,

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 or Mrs. Everitt.

OSTC 2025-26 Calendar

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

Who to contact if your child is not attending school?

Patricia Humes, Attendance Secretary

248-693-5420, option 1 or patricia.humes@lok12.org

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: Athletics Calendar - Lake Orion Community Schools (lakeorionschools.org)

Dr. Daniel Haas

Principal

Amy Thebo

Principal's Secretary

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Anthony Kiner - 11th & 12th grade

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS:

Danielle Bredemus - 10th grade

Brad Bailey - 9th grade

Christopher Bell

Heather Rutledge

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 Fawn Bullock

Ste-Z Scott Boeneman

Patricia Humes - Attendance Secretary

Jennifer Ply - Attendance Clerk

Jess Mardlin - Front Office Clerk

Nicole Rudenga - School Nurse

Catherine Srock - Media Specialist

Kristin Varney - Records Secretary

Security Staff - SHIELD

Laura Biernat
Beth DiFranco
Erik Dolan

Chase Ellsworth

Brian Gannon

JoJo Misiak

Loretta Tracey

Looking for a way to give back to the LOHS Staff, consider being a part of the LOHS Parent Group. This group meets a couple of times a year, and is NOT a big time commitment. If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you. Please email Mrs. Bredemus at danielle.bredemus@lok12.org.

• LOHS drop off and pick up entrance for students is from SCRIPPS RD only.
  
  
• Please pull forward in the student drop-off loop as far as you can before having your student exit/enter the vehicle.

• DO NOT use the Staff Lot or Bus Loop for picking up or dropping off students.
• Students are NO longer allowed to park in the lower pool lot.

The 2025-26 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