Message from Orange Unified

Upcoming Events

• Feb 26: Board of Education Work Study Session
• March 11: End of 2nd Trimester - Elementary & Middle School Minimum Day
• March 12: Board of Education Meeting
• March 26: Placeholder Board of Education Meeting
• March 28: End of 3rd Quarter - High School Minimum Day
• March 31 – April 4: Spring Break

The Superintendent Search Survey closes on February 26. Be sure to make your voice heard and help guide the search for our next superintendent: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HD6562Q

February is Career Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible opportunities available to OUSD students through our diverse CTE programs. These programs provide hands-on learning experiences, industry-specific training, and real-world applications that prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

OUSD proudly offers 24 CTE pathways across 12 industry sectors, giving students the tools they need to excel in high-demand fields. From Animation and Digital Audio Production to Animal Science, Engineering, Aviation, and Culinary Arts, our programs equip students with both academic and technical skills. Many students graduate with industry-recognized credentials and college credits, setting them up for a strong start in their chosen careers.

Career Technical Education is more than coursework, it’s a bridge to future success. Our students have access to:

• Industry partnerships that connect them with mentors and real-world experiences.
• Internship opportunities that provide hands-on learning and career exploration.
• Certifications and college credits that give them a competitive edge after graduation.

The success of our CTE programs is a testament to the dedication of our educators, counselors, and industry partners, whose commitment ensures that students receive high-quality education and training. We also commend our students for their hard work, creativity, and determination in pursuing their passions.

If you missed our social media series highlighting our various pathways, we encourage you to catch up and learn more about the impact of these programs and the opportunities they provide. For more information on our programs, visit the OUSD CTE website at www.orangeusd.org/CTE

We are very proud to congratulate our “YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE” Employees of the Month for February 2025: Jill McKee, Senior Staff Clerk at Cerro Villa Middle School, and Lori Rivera, teacher and ASB Director at El Modena High School.

Principal Jeff Jones had this to say about Jill:

“Cerro Villa is very fortunate to have Jill McKee as a member of our Viking family. Jill brings Respect and Excellence to our main office. Her solution-driven mindset allows Jill to take on any task and not only complete it efficiently but also add her own creativity. All tasks that Jill completes demonstrate excellence in her job performance. Her preparation for future activities shows the respect and excellence needed to be successful. Jill has a calm, respectful manner whenever speaking with parents, students, teachers, or guests in the office. I appreciate the person Jill is and know Cerro Villa is very fortunate to have her as a part of our Viking family.”

Principal Bob King shared the following about Lori:

“Lori is an outstanding educator who has made inclusivity a core value in her leadership of the ASB program. Through her guidance, ASB [student] leaders place inclusion and diversity at the heart of their activities, leading to events like the ‘Hello Dance’, which was well attended by our Special Education students. These students felt a genuine sense of belonging as ASB members taught them dances and fostered a shared group experience. Lori’s influence has cultivated a campus culture that celebrates all groups, with rallies, posters, and events that equally celebrate the students involved in the many diverse experiences available at El Modena. Her dedication to building up future leaders who value inclusivity and diversity makes her a deserving candidate for the EDGE Award.”

Congratulations again to Jill McKee and Lori Rivera. Thank you for your steadfast dedication and commitment to our students in the Orange Unified School District.

Out of more than 20 school districts in Orange County represented by the Fourth District PTA, OUSD had the highest number of Award of Excellence recipients in this year’s Reflections contest! This outstanding achievement highlights the incredible creativity and talent of our students.

Congratulations to the following OUSD students who earned the prestigious Award of Excellence (first place):

• Mei Watanabe, 1st grade, Fletcher Mandarin Language and GATE Academy
  Literature, TK-2nd Grade Category
• Maya Lee, 2nd grade, Linda Vista Elementary School
  Visual Arts, TK-2nd Grade Category
• Juliette Sargeant, 3rd grade, Panorama Elementary School
  Photography, 3rd-5th Grade Category
• Nikolaos Ward, 5th grade, La Veta Elementary School
  Film Production, Accessible Arts Category
• Katelyn Gooneratne, 11th grade, Canyon High School
  Photography, 9th-12th Grade Category

We also extend our appreciation to all OUSD students who participated in the Reflections contest this year. OUSD has a long-standing commitment to arts education, and it’s inspiring to see our students express themselves, develop artistic literacy, and create meaningful dialogues through the arts.

For over 50 years, the National PTA Reflections Program has encouraged students in Pre-K through 12th grade to create original works of art inspired by a student-selected theme. Each year, over 300,000 students participate nationwide in categories including literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

At the school level, student artwork is judged by grade divisions, with a non-judged Special Artists division celebrating students with special needs. Award of Excellence recipients from each school advance to district-level competition, where submissions are evaluated by professionals in the arts. First-place winners at the district level move on to compete at the county level, overseen by the Fourth District PTA. The county’s Award of Excellence recipients will now advance to the state level, with results expected in early May.

Congratulations again to our talented OUSD students for their artistic achievements!

Congratulations to El Modena’s Color Guard for winning second place in the Winter Guard Association of Southern California’s (WGASC) Competition. They have now been promoted into Scholastic AAA. Go Vanguards!

Register now for Spring Camp! All children in TK through 6th grade are welcome to participate.

• Spring Camp Dates: March 31 to April 4
• Hours: Open from 7 am to 6 pm (field trip-specific drop-off times will be provided during camp)
• Cost: $220
• Camp Locations: Canyon Rim, La Veta, Olive, and Serrano

Learn more at https://www.orangeusd.org/cares/camp-registration

Email: communications@orangeusd.org
Website: www.orangeusd.org
Location: 1401 North Handy Street, Orange, CA, USA
Phone: 714-628-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrangeUnifiedSchoolDistrictCA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orangeusd
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OUSD

We invite you to take a moment to follow Orange Unified on social media to receive the District’s latest news and announcements. Social media may also be a critical line of communication during emergencies and will be an excellent place for you to get up to date information.