Message from the Superintendent

In this Message:

100th Day of School
Every Student Succeeding Award
Employee of the Month

Upcoming Events

February 12 – 15: Presidents Day Holiday
February 17: Villa Park High School Showcase
February 24: Orange High School Showcase & Richland High School Showcase; Educational Services Equity Task Force Meeting
February 25: Placeholder Board of Education Meeting
March 3: OC Youth Town Hall: Promoting Youth Mental Health and Well-Being through Resiliency and Community Connection

Dear OUSD Community,

I am excited to share that Orange Unified is the first school district in Orange County to join Verizon Innovative Learning, an education initiative that helps provide under-resourced students with free technology, internet access, and hands-on learning experiences so that they have opportunities that align with their peers in non-Title 1 schools. As Verizon Innovative Learning Schools, Portola and Yorba Middle School students and staff members will be provided with free 1:1 devices, free internet access, and a technology-driven curriculum. In addition, Portola and Yorba will each receive extensive teacher training and support from a full-time coach to train teachers to effectively integrate technology into their lessons and enable students to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to build an innovative workforce of the future.

We appreciate the partnership of Verizon Innovative Learning to help reinforce EDGE Focus Area 1.0 – Excellence in Academics and Leadership – by providing our students and teachers at Portola and Yorba Middle Schools with the tools and opportunity to engage in powerful teaching and learning that leverages technology in and out of the classroom. More information about this program can be found in the press release under News on the OUSD website.

100th Day of School

Whether in-person or engaged in distance learning, elementary students and teachers alike celebrated the 100th day of school this week by showing off their counting skills, creating collections of 100 items, and dressing up as 100-year-olds. Check out the album of photos at https://www.orangeusd.org/about-us/news/photo-gallery

Every Student Succeeding Award

During trying times such as these, the need for flexibility, tenacity and resilience has never been greater. Villa Park High School Senior Cameron Waer has displayed these characteristics throughout his life. Working with the hand he was dealt within his family life, Cameron became firmly rooted in hard work and compassion for others. Despite all challenges growing up, Cameron continues to spread positivity and joy to all that he comes to know.

Cameron has proven himself to be an incredibly positive, respectful, and sincere young man and diligent worker. Teachers, coaches, and mentors all comment how far Cameron has come these last four years in high school, becoming the strong young man that he is today. Cameron is described as a hardworking and all-around amazing student by all of his teachers. No matter what is thrown his way, he is always positive and does everything to the best of his ability, whether it is in class or in his own life. For these reasons and more, Cameron is very deserving of the Every Student Succeeding Award. Congratulations to Cameron on this great distinction as he enters this next chapter in his life!

Employee of the Month

Congratulations to our “YOU’VE GOT THE EDGE” Employee of the Month, Mary Porcella, Occupational Therapist in Special Education!

Ms. Porcella exemplifies one or more of the District’s core values of Integrity, Equity, Respect, and Excellence. She goes above and beyond to serve the staff, students and community of Orange Unified, always greeting everyone with a positive attitude and taking time to help anyone that needs her assistance. The Board of Education thanks Ms. Porcella for her dedication and devotion to the Orange Unified School District.