Upcoming Events

• June 8: High School and Middle School Minimum Day; Parkside Education Center Graduation; Richland High School Graduation; Orange High School Graduation
• June 9: Last Day of Instruction - Minimum Day; El Modena High School Graduation; Canyon High School Graduation; Villa Park High School Graduation
• July 21: Board of Education Meeting
• August 17: First Day of Instruction
• August 18: Board of Education Meeting

In this Message

• Class of 2022 Outstanding Academic Achievement High School Students
• Every Student Succeeding, Leadership Team Orange Scholarship Recipients
• EDGE Employee of the Month
• El Modena Nature Center’s 50th Anniversary
• Student Board Members
• 2022 Retiree Celebration
• Orange Unified Council of PTAs Honorary Service Award Recipients
• Richland High School Prom
• Summer Learning Opportunities
• School Safety
• Congratulations to our Adult Transition Graduates!
• Preschool Registration
• Child Care Registration
• COVID Testing
• Employment Opportunities
• Class of 2022 – Show Off Your Decorated Graduation Caps!

Dear OUSD Community,

It’s hard to believe that the 2021-2022 school year is coming to an end this week. This is always a busy yet joyful time of year as we celebrate our students, staff, middle school promotions, and high school graduation ceremonies.

Class of 2022 Outstanding Academic Achievement High School Students

This year’s graduates from our four comprehensive high schools are among the most competitive and talented students in our District and have set the bar high in the classroom and the community. We are proud to recognize the high school seniors who achieved outstanding academic achievement at their high school and present these students with a Certificate of Commendation for their outstanding academic accomplishments as part of the Class of 2022.

CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Ohm Patel, Summa Cum Laude

Keira Feng, Summa Cum Laude

Lauren Van Auken, Summa Cum Laude

EL MODENA HIGH SCHOOL

Arvin Tamayosa, Valedictorian

Nathan Krstich, Salutatorian

ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL

Angel Salazar, Valedictorian

Ruth Wilson, Salutatorian

VILLA PARK HIGH SCHOOL

Kellen Lai, Highest Academic Achiever

Mia Rhee, Highest Academic Achiever

The Board of Education congratulates the honorees from the District’s four comprehensive high schools, recognizes their outstanding achievement, and congratulates their teachers and principals for contributing to the academic accomplishments of these exceptional students from the Class of 2022.

Every Student Succeeding, Leadership Team Orange Scholarship Recipients

Leadership Team Orange, our professional organization for certificated and classified OUSD leaders, presented its annual Every Student Succeeding Scholarship awards. Each chosen student has been selected by their high school as a graduating senior who has persevered in the face of extraordinary life challenges and achieved educational success. It is an honor to support these outstanding young people who have inspired our staff and their fellow students by awarding them each $500 to use towards future educational endeavors. Here are the 2022 recipients:

“You’ve Got the EDGE” Employee of the Month

At the Board of Education Meeting last week, Linda Vista Elementary School Head Custodian Son “Sonny” Tan was recognized as the “You’ve Got the EDGE” June Employee of the Month. One award is granted each month during the school year to an employee who exemplifies one or more of the District’s core values of Integrity, Equity, Respect, and Excellence.

Linda Vista Principal Renee Ybarra had this to say about Mr. Tan:

“Son Tan goes above and beyond in every way. Sonny takes pride in keeping our campus amazingly clean and does it with a smile. Most of all, Sonny loves our Linda Vista kids! He will routinely connect with students through soccer or basketball during recess. He encourages them when they are upset. He offers Smarties candies to students and staff who know the answer to his Friday riddles, and it’s fun to see the students line up to try and solve them! We are so thankful for Sonny's support in keeping our campus safe and clean and, most of all, for caring about our staff and students. We are lucky to have Sonny Tan as part of the Linda Vista family.”

El Modena Nature Center’s 50th Anniversary

Last week, the Board of Education issued a proclamation recognizing June 2, 2022, as the 50th Anniversary of the El Modena High School Nature Center and Native Plant Garden. The El Modena High School Nature Center was established in 1972 by El Modena High School Science Teacher Jeanne Carter. It occupies approximately one acre with a large pond, 200-foot stream, and over 100 different native California plants. Over the years, more than 50,000 students have been educated on water conservation and ecological principles through tours led by El Modena High School students. Learn more at https://www.elmodenahs.org/about/community/nature-center

Student Board Members

Our Student Board Members are elected every year from each of the District’s five high schools. These representatives join Board Meetings and provide insight and highlights of their schools’ activities and events on a rotating basis. We would like to recognize our 2021-22 Student Board Members for their excellent service during this school year. To read more about them, please visit https://www.orangeusd.org/about-us/news/release-article/~board/2022/post/ousd-thanks-our-2021-22-ousd-student-board-members.

Canyon High School - Hydar Shmara

El Modena High School - Eliana Lipson

Orange High School - Melissa Medina

Villa Park High School - Evelyn Melgoza

Richland High School - Orlando Neri

2022-23 Incoming Student Board Members:

Canyon High School - Madison Salloum

El Modena High School - Ruby Hewitt

Orange High School - Diego Paz

Villa Park High School - Hope Kimera

2022 RETIREE CELEBRATION

Congratulations to our 2022 Retirees! Whether they served as a teacher or in a support role, their influence endures in the lives of our students. We are grateful for their years of service, accomplishments, and the lives they have positively impacted. We wish them the best in all that is to come and our best wishes as they move onto a new and exciting chapter - retirement!

Orange Unified Council of PTAs Honorary Service Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 2022 Orange Unified Council of PTAs Honorary Service Award Recipients! This award is given to recognize an individual or organization for outstanding service to children and youth in your community, going above and beyond what is asked of them.

Outstanding Administrator Award

Ernie Gonzales, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Honorary Service Award

OUSD Transportation Department, Director Christina Celeste-Russo

Honorary Service Award

Sonie May

Honorary Service Award

Patty Chau

Continuing Service Award

Michelle Deziel Hernandez

Funds contributed to the Honorary Service Award Program provide resources for the California Scholarship, Grant, and Leadership Development Programs.

Thank you for your service to our school community!

Richland High School Prom

Richland High School hosted its first standalone prom this year, with the theme Hollywood, Red Carpet, and Masquerade. Students received formal attire from the Fashion Formal Fair in April, and 98% of interested students were able to attend. This event showcased Richland students at their finest and we are very grateful for the outpouring of donations and volunteerism from staff, community, and board members that helped make this event a successful, fun evening for the students.

Summer Learning Opportunities

Orange Unified is committed to providing our students with a summer school program that addresses student learning needs through interactive, engaging, and targeted instruction in all core subjects, including STEAM education, with integrated Social-Emotional Learning components for all students.

Elementary Student Instructional Hours

June 20 - July 14, from 9 AM-12 PM

• Anaheim Hills - Runnings Springs, Canyon Rim, Imperial
• California -Handy, Villa Park
• Cambridge - Palmyra, Sycamore
• Crescent- Nohl Canyon, Serrano, Linda Vista
• Jordan- Esplanade, Prospect
• McPherson-La Veta, Chapman Hills, Panorama
• Taft- Fletcher, Olive
• West Orange - Fairhaven, Lampson

Middle School Academies

August 1-August 11

Student Hours 8:00-12:00

High School Student Instructional Hours

June 14 - July 21, from 8 AM-12 PM

School Safety

We want to assure you that Orange Unified School District remains committed to the safety of our schools and the well-being of our community.

Conversations about the next steps to strengthen our school safety measures are ongoing. Ideas include, but are not limited to:

• Public forums to allow community members to share concerns and/or ideas regarding school safety
• The development of a task force committee to develop and prioritize the next steps
• Active Shooter training in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies
• Continued dialogue and research regarding safety and security best practices
• Active reviews of OUSD security measures and safety plans currently in place at each school site, as indicated in The Message from the Superintendent on May 26

Whatever you or your family are experiencing, we want you to know that you are not alone. Support is available at school and in our community. If you or someone you know needs help or would like assistance finding mental health care or substance use treatment provider, please contact Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by Orange Unified School District:

• Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in any language.
• Visit caresolace.com/ousdfamilies and click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

If you need help with a mental health emergency:

• Call 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) response
• Go to the closest emergency room for support
• Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with support
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
• English: 800-273-TALK
• Español: 888-628-9454
• TTYY: 800-799-4889
• Online chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

If you have a safety concern:

• If there is an emergency concern: Call 911
• If you have a non-emergency concern about school safety, please contact your site administrator.

CARES Child Care registration for the 2022-2023 school year is now open.

For information about the program and monthly fee schedules, visit their website at

https://www.orangeusd.org/child-development-services/cares/after-school-registration

For summer testing, we will have testing available at the District Office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays ONLY from 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Class of 2022, please email Classof2022@orangeusd.org with photos of your decorated graduation cap no later than Thursday, June 10, for an opportunity to be showcased on our social media and website.

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