Quaker Gazette

Dear Quaker Families,

Thank you for joining us at our in-person OPHS Open House last night. It was a pleasure meeting many of you. I’m especially excited teachers and parents were able to connect to learn more about your students’ courses. I want to encourage continued communication between parents, teachers and staff throughout the school year. Please reach out to your learner’s teacher, school counselor or social worker, House Principal or me any time so we can work together for their growth and success. Additionally, the virtual open house will be live from September 24, 2026 through October 31st on our website.

As each new school year begins with our students, I am often reminded of traditional New Years celebrations. Much like in late December, early September is a prime time for reflecting on last school year, looking ahead with dreams and aspirations, and setting specific goals or plans for the days, weeks, and months ahead. It is my hope that together we can support each learner at OPHS to dream big at the start of this school year. Every OPHS student should look ahead to what they want their future to look like and who they want to be. With that as their focus, our students can decide what goals, specific plans, and habits will allow them to become all they aspire to be. Making commitments and developing habits early on that support those goals from academics to wellness will help them maximize their potential every day at OPHS this school year.

One habit to be mindful of is screen time and especially our distraction-free learning environment. Students were assigned a specific Yondr pouch that they are responsible for throughout the school year. All cell phones are expected to be locked in the Yondr pouch from bell-to-bell (7:25-1:53) per the NYS regulations and our code of conduct. If you ever need to connect with your student during the school day please contact your house office; additionally, students can call home when needed during the school day from any office. If a student has a cell phone out during the day they will be directed to their house office.

Next week is our incredible OPHS Homecoming week. This is a time for creating connections and lasting memories for all! Shown below are details regarding Homecoming dance tickets, spirit days, and the pep rally. We are also excited about the flag football game on Friday night. As a reminder, tickets are required for this event, and we encourage purchasing pre-sale tickets all week during lunches at a discounted rate of $5 each. Special thanks to the incredible team of teachers and advisors working hard to set up the events including flag football, the Homecoming parade and carnival, and the Homecoming dance!

Thank you for taking the time to review the Quaker Gazette and for continuing to work with us at OPHS.

Go Quakers and Go Bills!

Alexis Langheier, Ed.D

For student and staff safety, please be aware we will begin the required fire drill procedures next week with OPHS faculty, staff and students. Students are expected to comply with all directions.

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

Please consider donating canned goods to our shared cause, there are three ways to participate:

1. Bring in canned goods and place in the boxes in the Baker Foyer

2. Bring canned goods to HRs, our STAP Comm Officers will be coming around to collect by doing “Candy for Cans” - you will get pieces of candy for the cans brought in

3. Come to Tops Friendly Markets (3201 Southwestern Blvd, Orchard Park 14127) on Sunday, 9/20/2026 between 9AM and 3PM, we are holding a “Stuff the Bus” event, and grocery items can be directly added to our bus onsite.

All donations are required to be in by Tuesday, 9/22/2026 as we will be delivering the donations to Highmark Stadium in the afternoon. Thank you in advance for your support!! GO BILLS!!

The PTO needs your help with Homecoming! Check out the sign up to see how you can help out. Thank you!

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.

Check out the PTO Welcome Back Packet for important PTO information about what the PTO does, meetings, Post Prom info, chairpersons, our Facebook page, and more!

🌺 Friday, September 25

• 6 p.m. – Homecoming Pep Rally at OPHS (Current OPHS Students Only) 🎉
• 7:15 p.m. – Senior vs. Junior Girls Flag Football at the OP Stadium 🏈

🌺 Saturday, September 26

• 10 a.m. – Homecoming Parade! The parade begins at OPMS and travels down 20A to the Baker Road Parking lot of OPHS 🥁
• 11 a.m. – Homecoming Carnival at the Baker Road Parking lot of OPHS. Free rides, games, prizes, candy, and more! 🎡
• 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. SD PTO Chicken BBQ available at the Carnival
• 1:45 p.m. - 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Recognized prior to Varsity Football Game 🏆
• 2 p.m. – Homecoming Football Game at OP Stadium 🏈
• 7:30 p.m. – Orchard Park High School Homecoming Dance 🪩

OPHS Tropical Homecoming Spirit Week!

South Davis PTO to host a Weidner's Chicken BBQ during the Homecoming Carnival! Scan the QR code below to pre-order!

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 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 Buffalo State University on October 20th, 2026. Colleges and agencies that support this transition across the state will present valuable information. Please visit the WNYCCDA website 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.

• 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 on the School Counseling page of the website.

• College Application season is underway! Students must complete a Transcript Request Form for each college application. 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.

• College applications to SUNY schools will be free October 19th to November 2nd. Don’t miss out!

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

11/15/26 college deadline. Turned in to Counselor by 10/30/26

12/1/26 college deadline. Turned in to Counselor by 11/16/26

1/1/27 college deadline: Turned in to Counselor by 12/11/26

1/15/27 college deadline. Turned in to Counselor by 12/14/26

• OPHS is a test center for the October and June ACT, and the November and May SAT. Many WNY schools offer the ACT and SAT on other dates as well. Please visit the ACT and SAT websites for details and registration information.

• The 2027-2028 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.

• All seniors have been invited to the Scholarships-Class of 2027 Google Classroom. Please encourage your student to join via the invite in their school email. Important information regarding college, national, and local scholarships will be shared regularly through this classroom.

• Open Campus: Please be aware that if you have Open Campus but do not leave the building, you must report to Senior Study Hall in the cafeteria. If you are roaming the halls during your open period(s), you may receive a referral, which could result in the removal of Open Campus privileges. If you return from Open Campus and there is still time left in the period, you must remain in the Baker foyer until the bell rings.

• 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.

• WNY College Consortium of Higher Education College Fair will take place on Wednesday, September 30th. Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to attend. Underclass students may attend with permission from their teachers. Please see the image below for more information.

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

South Davis Elementary School PTO runs many activities for students and parents outside the school day, and they are always looking for volunteers to assist throughout the school year. From the Homecoming Parade to Trunk or Treat to Holiday Market or Family Fun Night, there are many opportunities for high school students to lend a hand and make a connection with our younger learners.

Some dates include:

9/26 - Homecoming Parade Float and Chicken BBQ at the Carnival

10/23 - Trunk or Treat

12/4 - Holiday Market

3/19 - Family Fun Night

If you are interested in volunteering at these or any other event, please contact Mr. Dolce at jdolce@opschools.org.

Orchard Park Middle School is looking for high school volunteers to help with our upcoming Activity Nights!

Our middle school students get so excited when high school students come over to help at these events, and we would love to have you join us. This is a great opportunity to earn service hours while helping us create a fun night for our students.

We have two upcoming opportunities:

6th Grade Activity Night
Friday, September 18
Volunteers needed from 4:30–7:30 PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A45A9A72FA5F85-63946674-202627#/

7th & 8th Grade Activity Night
Friday, October 16
Volunteers needed from 4:30–7:30 PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A45A9A72FA5F85-65125469-7th8th#/

You are welcome to volunteer for one or both events. We would really appreciate your help, and our middle school students would love to have you there!