West Orange Elementary

In November, we held our first Community School Council meeting of the 2025–2026 school year. Teachers, students, parents, and after-school program coordinators worked together in small groups to review data from our 2024–2025 end-of-year community school surveys.

What is Community School Council?

The Community School Council is a team of parents, teachers, staff, and community members who collaborate to support student success and strengthen the school, and its community. The council reviews school data, identifies student and community needs, and recommends plans and policies. It creates a shared decision-making space that deepens the connection between the school and its community.

Join us for our next Community School Council meeting - January 23, 2026 at 2:30 PM.

In partnership with The Hub OC and with the support of our dedicated West Orange Elementary staff, we were able to provide 20 families with complete Thanksgiving turkey meal kits. Each kit included a turkey along with all the traditional sides and ingredients needed to prepare a full, festive Thanksgiving meal.

This collaborative effort reflects our shared commitment to supporting families, strengthening our community, and ensuring that every household has the opportunity to enjoy a warm and nourishing holiday celebration.

December 1 - ESL Class, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

December 4 - Family Engagement Lunch (By Reservation)(Rescheduled from November 20)

December 5 - ESL Class, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

December 8 - ESL Class, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

December 12 - ESL Class, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

December 15 - Holiday Ornament Craft, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

December 17 - Free Community Farmers Market, 10 AM - 11 AM

December 19 - Holiday Program, 9 AM

December 22 - January 9 - Winter Break

Our next farmers market will be on December 17 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

At West Orange, we are now offering proxy pickup for anyone that is unable to attend.

Proxy pickup instructions:

1. Pick up a Proxy Pick Up Form from our school office.

2. Complete and sign the form.

3. Give the form to your authorized proxy pick up person to bring to our farmers market.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

1. Use the What I Need App to locate food banks near you or near our school. This app can be found in your APP store online. Look up the "What I Need App" and set up the App to connect to your local area.
2. Use the Findhelp.org search engine at findhelp.org by findhelp - Search and Connect to Social Care. You only need your Zip Code to access resources near you.
3. Homeless Resources - Shelter App - ShelterApp.org is another phone app that you can use to access local food resources.
4. Feed America also has a great map navigator to food resources here: Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America

OUSD community partners and school site resources:

• El Modena Family Resource Center (CAP OC Programs)

• Friendly Center (Holiday Registration and Food Resources)

• West Orange Elementary Community Center Dry Pantry

• OUSD Community Schools Onsite Dry Pantries

Families Together of Orange County is excited to carry on their cherished tradition, spreading holiday joy by giving away thousands of toys to children throughout Orange County. This year’s event will focus on the toy distribution and families can also look forward to festive entertainment and plenty of holiday cheer.

In 2023, Families Together distributed 30,000 toys through Christmas Together. This year, their dedication to supporting local families remains as strong as ever as they work to brighten the season for even more children.
Toy quantities are limited, and early registration is highly encouraged to secure your spot in this year’s distribution. All participants must be residents of Orange County.

Register Here: https://www.eventleaf.com/e/ChristmasTogether-2025

As a California public school student, your child may be eligible to receive $500 to $1,500 for future higher education expenses. Funded by the State of California, funds in your California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) account can be used for a variety of qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition, books, computer equipment and certain room and board expenses.

For more information and to check your eligibility, visit CalKIDS.org.

Please let us know if you need assistance with claiming your student's account.

CalKIDS Introduction Video:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pX6n-eDYSXGh5ruFUQkLpA#/registration

YOUR OPINION COUNTS!

Help us continue to refine programs, services, and improve student achievement

through our LCAP survey.

Take the Survey Here: https://tinyurl.com/OUSD-LCAP-Family

If you have a child turning 3 or 4, this meeting is for you! Learn about our early learning programs and how to register. Pick one of five sessions to attend in person or virtually.

IN-PERSON December 4, 2025

District Office

1401 North Handy St.

Orange, CA 92867

9:00 am - 10:00 am, Panther Lab

OR

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Board Rooms

*Spanish translation available at both.

VIRTUAL January 13, 2026

9:00 am - 10:00 am, English

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm, English

OR

9:00 am - 10:00 am, Spanish

*See flyers below for virtual meeting links.

Caregivers are invited to bring children aged O-4 for a dynamic and enriching learn ing experience. Our dedicated teachers will guide caregivers to support their child through developmentally appropriate and engaging activities.

No pre-registration required.

Learning Link is a FREE, flexible drop-in program.

Click on the image to learn more!

Come Visit Our Warrior Boutique Clothing Closet!
Located in our Community Center, the Warrior Boutique offers a variety of new and gently used clothing and accessories for babies, toddlers, children, women, and men.

All items have been generously donated by our families and community members.

Have clothing you'd like to donate? We gladly accept new and gently used items—donations can be dropped off at the front office.

Open Monday and Friday from 1pm - 4pm or by appointment.

If you are interested in volunteering to help sort through donations and restocking items, please call (714)628-4211 or email ckrise@orangeusd.org

Need School Uniforms? We're Here to Help!
Through our partnership with the Assistance League of Orange, uniform assistance is available for our students. If your student is in need of school uniforms, please visit the school office to complete a uniform request form.

Uniform items students receive:

Polo shirts

Uniform pants

Uniform shorts/skirts

Hoodie

Socks and Underwear

FREE ESL CLASSES for ADULTS

Learn and Improve your English

with Santiago Canyon College Continuing Education

at West Orange Elementary!

Learn English for work and everyday life!

MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS, 8:30AM - 12:30PM

WEST ORANGE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY CENTER, RM 39

Available Community Resources:

• Dry Food Pantry

• Warrior Boutique Clothing Closet

• Computer Center Access

• School Uniform Assistance

• Backpacks & School Supplies

• Parent & Community Workshops

Contact us for additional information or for any needed supports.

Community Center Open Office Hours: Monday and Friday, 1pm-4pm or by appointment.

Call (714)628-4211 or email ckrise@orangeusd.org

Community School Site Lead

ckrise@orangeusd.org

(714)628-4211