Message from the Superintendent

In this Message

• Measure S Bond Update
• Walk to School Day
• Crescent Partners with Local University to Enhance Student Learning

• Anaheim Fire Department Visits Canyon Hills School

• Orange High School’s Michael Short Directs National Anthem at Angel Stadium
• Red Ribbon Week
• Homecoming Game Live Streams
• Treats in the Streets
• Running Springs Academy Accepting 7th Grade Interest Applications for 2023-24
  
• Employment Opportunities
• Health & Safety Plan

Upcoming Events

• October 14: Canyon High School Homecoming Game & Live Stream
• October 19: Parent Workshop -Three Essential Life Skills for Preschoolers
• October 20: Board of Education Meeting
• October 23-31: Red Ribbon Week
• October 27: Treats in the Streets
• November 17: Board of Education Meeting

Dear OUSD Community,

We are excited to have wrapped up Phase One of Measure S with the opening of the Student Food Services/Kitchen Facility at Canyon High School. This new facility joins over 200,000 feet of incredible state-of-the-art classrooms and science labs currently open for teaching and learning at our four comprehensive high schools.

These facilities serve as tangible reminders of our mission to, in partnership with our community, provide a safe, equitable, and innovative culture of learning for each scholar to have a competitive EDGE as a leader.

Due to prudent financial planning and increased overall property values, residents in OUSD’s boundaries were taxed only $25.55 per $100,000 of the assessed property value on their 2022-2023 property taxes. According to District records, this equals $24,518,717 million in total taxpayer savings since 2017-18.

We eagerly look forward to seeing the Measure S Phase Two improvements to our four comprehensive high school campuses that will provide additional campus improvements based on individual site needs.

Next month, Phase Two work will begin at Villa Park High School with preparation to demolish building 500 and continue at Orange High School in December as we will prepare to say goodbye to the administration offices and 100/200 building that has stood for 70 years.

A special thank you goes out to our taxpayers, who continue to fund the Measure S projects at our high schools. It’s been amazing to see how far the dollars have gone, and how far they will continue to go in Phase Two.

For more information and the latest project updates, please visit orangeusd.org/measure-s.

Warmest Regards,
Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Walk to School Day is an annual celebration highlighting the importance of safe, active travel. Thank you to our local law enforcement officers and firefighters for helping to ensure the ongoing safety of our students during this event!

Visit our Walk to School Gallery at orangeusd.org/our-schools/2022-walk-to-school-day

Crescent Elementary School fifth-grade Project Lead the Way students were treated to a presentation about the parasitic helminths (worms) that can be passed from animals to humans by Stanbridge University Parasitology students.

The fifth graders were able to ask the presenting college students questions about their degree program and what pathways they can choose for different careers. Our students enjoyed the presentations, and we appreciate Stanbridge University’s partnership to help enrich our students’ learning.

Learn more about Crescent Elementary at orangeusd.org/crescent-elementary-school

Our Canyon Hills students were thrilled to see the crews from Station 9 visit their school. Thank you to our community partners for their support of our students!

Orange High School Teacher and Choral Director Michael Short directed high school choruses from all over Orange County in singing the National Anthem at Angel Stadium on August 29. Mr. Short has been a longstanding asset to our schools and the Greater Orange community, and we commend his fine work!

Our school sites will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week from October 24 – 28.

Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31) is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in

the nation. This year’s theme is Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.™

Visit redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.

DID YOU KNOW?

Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations. Red Ribbon Week is a great opportunity to start or continue the conversation at home with age-appropriate children.

Canyon High School’s game will be live-streamed tonight, October 14, as the last of our four-part series. In case you missed it, Villa Park beat Canyon last week 56-40. Go Spartans!

Check out that game, as well as the archives of the Orange and El Modena High School Homecoming games, and subscribe to the OUSD channel at youtube.com/OrangeUnifiedCA

We are excited to once again be a part of the City of Orange’s annual Treats in the Streets event at the Old Towne Orange Plaza!

This free community event has been hosted by the City of Orange for over 20 years.

Stop by and get some sweet treats at one of our booths.

We hope to see you there!

Running Springs Academy has been identified as an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.

Currently a K-6 school, Running Springs is now accepting interest forms for students who will be in seventh grade during the 2023-24 school year. Space is limited, and priority enrollment will be given to current 6th-grade Redhawks.

For more information about Running Springs Academy, please visit orangeusd.org/running-springs-elementary-school

Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact un our community? If so, please visit our website at www.orangeusd.org/jobs to view a vast array of employment opportunities that span from entry-level to upper management, classified and certificated.

Stop by the Santiago Canyon College Business and Career Education Career Fair on October 25 to learn more about our career opportunities!

Join the Orange Unified family and Inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow.

Please be sure to check out our 2022-23 Safety and Health-Driven Plan, which outlines what we have implemented to keep our students and staff healthy in the new school year.

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
Twitter: @orangeunifiedCA

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: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube