The Quaker Gazette

As the lyrics from Van Halen's Right Now go;

Don't wanna wait 'til tomorrow
Why put it off another day?
One by one, little problems
Build up, and stand in our way

Unfortunately we dropped to 87.8% attendance on Friday. Let's work together to ensure we are all here at OPHS!

Spirit Days

Pep rally and Flag Football Game

Homecoming Parade and Carnival

• Anything But A Backpack Day
• No people or pets, all ideas must fit through a standard classroom door, and all ideas must be able to be carried/transported using the stairs (no elevator use).

Homecoming tickets are now on sale on the District website. Click HERE.

Tickets are only available on the website and will be on sale until 9/25. You will not be able to purchase tickets at the dance.

Your school ID will be your ticket, so be sure to have your ID when you enter the dance. Entering your student ID number will not be acceptable.

See Mrs. Connors (324) or Ms. Rodemeyer (319) with questions.

Windom Elementary School is looking for students to assist with their annual Trunk or Treat event on Friday October 17th from 5:30-7:30pm. If you have a question about what these hours can count towards please see Mr. Pafk. Interested students can email Windompto@opschools.org to sign up.

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

• The Western New York Collegiate Consortium of Disability Advocates will be hosting a college night for students with disabilities interested in learning about the transition from high school to college. The event will take place at Daemen University on October 28th, 2025. Colleges and agencies that support this transition across the state will present valuable information. Please visit the WNYCCDA website for details and registration information.

• OPHS is a test center for the October ACT, November SAT, May SAT, and June ACT. The deadline for the October ACT is September 12th. The deadline for the November SAT is October 24th. Please visit the ACT and SAT websites for details and registration information.

• During September and October, the High School Counselors are meeting with seniors for their Senior Check-In to discuss post-high school plans. Options including college, trades, military, and employment are discussed.

• 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 recommendations. Common deadlines and Transcript Request Form due dates can be found here on the School Counseling page of the high school website.

• College applications to SUNY schools will be free October 20th to November 3rd. Don’t miss out!

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

• Transcript Request Forms must be turned in to the school counselor by October 20 for a November 1 application deadline.

• Transcript Request Forms must be turned in to the school counselor by October 31 for a November 15 deadline.

• Transcript Request Forms must be turned in to the school counselor by November 17 for a December 1 deadline.

• Transcript Request Form must be turned in to the school counselor by December 12 for a January 1 deadline.

• Transcript Request Form must be turned in to the school counselor by December 19 for a January 15 deadline.

• The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open for current seniors interested in applying for financial aid for college on October 1st. It is recommended that the FAFSA be completed as soon as possible after October 1st. Visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support for more information.

• Throughout the fall semester, many college representatives visit OPHS. When students meet with these representatives, not only are they learning about the institutions, but they are also meeting with a person who may review their college applications. Keep in mind that "demonstrated interest" is a factor some colleges use when making admissions decisions. We highly encourage Juniors and Seniors to meet with the college representatives. Many visits are virtual and will occur after the school day, starting at 2 pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursday visits will be in-person and will take place in room 150. More information can be found here.

• The High School Counseling department hosts a Google Classroom for each grade level. Ask your child to login 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.

Hello OPHS Families!

The first Post Prom meeting will be this Monday 9/22 at 6:00pm in the Library Media Center (LMC). Yes, this is a month earlier than we have met in the past! At this meeting we will be talking about what the party is all about, developing a survey for the seniors, and brainstorming ideas for a fall fundraiser. You don’t have to be a parent of a senior to attend the meeting! Come see what the Post Prom committee is all about!

If you haven’t become a PTO member yet, click the link below to join. Thank you to everyone who has already joined. It was so nice to see everyone at Open house. It was great to meet new people and talk about the ways the PTO supports the students and staff.

Membership link

Please check out the PTO Welcome Back Packet for information regarding PTO meeting dates, PTO events, and other important information.

Welcome Back Packet

The PTO also has a Facebook page! Check out this link to join!

PTO Facebook link

The Homecoming Dance is only one week away! Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help. We appreciate you! All of the slots for food donations have been filled but we still need a few more parent volunteers for that evening to check coats and serve refreshments. Sign up below if you can help that evening.

Homecoming Dance SignUp

The next 5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course will be held on the following dates at the Orchard Park High School:

Monday & Wednesday, October 6 & 8 from 6:30-9:00pm.

You must attend both evenings, be 16 or older and have a valid NYS Learner’s Permit. There is a $40.00 fee. Sign up and pay online at www.opschools.org/communityed or register in person at the Community Education Office (cash or make checks payable to Orchard Park Central School District). Call 209-6295 for more information.