The Quaker Gazette
January 31, 2026
And The Award Goes To...PULSE!!
There is great news to share about PULSE, the OPHS Literary Magazine. We submitted our 2025 book to the National Council of Teachers of English's REALM Awards, and we got word that we have received a rating of First Class, the highest rating given. Only 13 other magazines in New York State received such a high rating this year, and there were a total of 135 first-class ratings given across the country.
We hope you had a chance to see the 2025 edition of PULSE for yourself, but if you have not, you can find the ebook online here.
Orchard Park Internship Program
The OPHS Career Internship Program has created opportunities for more than 2 decades worth of students to gain valuable workplace experience, and the chance to explore a career field before pursuing it after high school. In this semester-long course, students will build employment qualifications and develop marketable workplace skills, all while earning school credit!
This program is only available to students in their Senior year, and they must apply to the program as a Junior. The competitive application process for the Career Internship Program begins now, and all application materials should be submitted no later than February 6, 2026.
For more information on the Career Internship Program and details on how to apply, can be found at https://ophs.opschools.org/academics-programs/career-internship-program
Questions? Contact: Mrs. Kristen Casto, WBL Coordinator, at kcasto@opschools.org.
IMPORTANT: NHS Invitation Timeline & Service Requirements
National Honor Society (NHS) invitation letters will be distributed via email and USPS mail before February break. We'd like for students to monitor their email accounts closely for these notifications.
Important Deadlines & Requirements:
Community Service: Please ensure all required service hours are completed and logged with the school, as these are a mandatory component of the application.
Midweek (First week back from break): Letter of Intent due.
End of the following week: Final application deadline.
Students of the Month
Congratulations to our Students of the Month for January!
Have you ordered your 2025/26 Yearbook yet?
Any questions, please contact us a ophsyearbook@opschools.org
Important High School Attendance Reminders!
In order to benefit from the educational program, Orchard Park High School students must report to school and to class on time. If your child is absent:
Please leave a message with the Attendance Office at (716) 209-6270 and
Submit an excuse in writing, either 1) electronically through the parent portal or 2) as a hard copy submitted to the Attendance Office.
Written excuses are always required even if a voicemail has been left.
To request work, please contact the Attendance Office at (716) 209-6270.
✅ 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
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Employment Opportunities
There are none this week.
OPHS School Counseling News
January Information
College Night will take place Thursday, February 26th at 7pm in the OPHS Commons. Students (and parents) from all grade levels are encouraged to attend to hear from college admissions officers on a variety of topics related to the college admissions process. This event is a “must'' for any junior planning on applying to college in the fall of their senior year.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available for the 2025-2026 academic year. All students attending college in Fall 2026 and their parents need to complete the FAFSA. Click here for more information.
The NYS TAP application is open for the 2025-2026 academic year. 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.
Students attended a scheduling assembly on January 8th and learned how to enter their course requests for the 2026-27 school year. Students need to submit their course requests through their student portal by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 14th. Counselors will be meeting with students individually to review/update requests starting on Wednesday, January 28th. Students have until June 1st to make changes to their requests.
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.
OPHS PTO News
Please be aware of spam and phishing emails coming from the “PTO”. They are going around again. If you are unsure if an email you have received is legitimate, please reach out to the person who supposedly sent it. Thanks!
OPSEPTSA
Our remaining meetings this year will be:
2/25/2026
3/18/2026
4/22/2026
5/20/2026
6/17/2026
Website
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/share/16L1zq8TB8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/opseptsa?igsh=dHBhajY5OHpvejJm
Best,
Orchard Park Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association
Orchard Park, NY 14127 | opseptsa.org
Community Education
5-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
New drivers must complete this course (or a New York State approved Driver Education Course) before they can schedule their driving test for their driver’s license. You must attend both evenings, be 16 or older and bring your valid NYS Learner’s Permit to class.
Cost: $40
When: Tuesday, February 10 and Thursday, February 12
High School Room 113
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Instructor: Evan DeWald
Register online at www.opschools.org/communityed
SAT Prep Course
Orchard Park Community Education will be accepting registrations for the SAT Prep Course. There will be no refunds after classes begin. The course will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays OR Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
One evening will cover math, the other verbal. Classes will begin the week of March 23rd and end April 30th. There will be no class during spring recess, 4/6-4/10. The exam will be May 2nd at the High School. Registration for this course is through Community Education. Students register for the exam on-line at www.collegeboard.com.
Cost: $165
Instructors: OP Teachers
When: Select One: Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs (5 Weeks) 7:00-9:00pm
(Room assignments will be posted on the first day of class on the door of the Community Education Office located off the HS cafeteria, formerly the location of the Vault Student Bank.) Fee includes SAT Review book.
Please bring your chromebooks to class.
Register online at www.opschools.org/communityed