Message from the Superintendent

April 30, 2021

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In this Message

  • Update on Testing
  • In Our Schools
  • Facilities Update
  • Athletics
  • Graduation
  • Job Opportunities
  • CARES Child Care Program is Currently Enrolling for Fall
  • Registration is Open for Preschool


Upcoming Events



Dear OUSD Community,


Each year in the spring, the District provides the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) statewide assessments in English language arts (ELA) and math to students in grades 3-8 and 11th grade. Recently, the California State Board of Education approved a plan that allows school districts to use the most practical option for assessment in their local context for the 2020–21 school year, given the challenging circumstances the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to student learning.


Orange Unified School District has chosen to use our local diagnostic and benchmark assessments for grades 3-8. These align with the California Common Core State Standards for ELA and mathematics and will be uniformly administered across a school site to all eligible students. Our students in grade 11 will continue to take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA and mathematics. This assessment will allow students to submit their ELA and mathematics scores for the California State University Early Assessment Program and utilize the scores to qualify for the State Seal of Biliteracy.


The California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) in ELA, and mathematics, will continue to be available for use with eligible students for in-person test administration, in accordance with their IEP. The District will not be administering the California Science Test.


After the completion of the assessments, parents/guardians and educators will be provided with individual student results. The District will also publicly report for each assessment, in the School Accountability Report Card and the Local Educational Agency Report Card, the performance of students separated out by student group, and the number and percentage of students tested and not tested.

It is our sincere hope that this adjustment to testing will better assess student progress that has taken place over the past year while taking into account the stresses and learning disruption caused by COVID-19.


Warmest Regards,

Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Orange Unified School District

In Our Schools

We are excited to announce that Orange High School made it to the top 50 round of voting for this year's Vans Custom Culture contest! If you have the opportunity, please take a moment to check out the entries and vote online at www.vans.com/customculture. There is a $50,000 grand prize, with other prizes for placing.

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Facilities Update

The Aquatic Center at El Modena High School is coming together, with the pool starting to take shape. Currently, the project is on track to open next spring.

Athletics

In order to better serve our families, we have updated our policy to allow each student-athlete two attendees from their household, including minors. Previous guidance allowed for two spectators age 18+ only. As Orange County eases up on COVID-19 restrictions, we will adjust the number allowed to align with public health guidance.

Graduation

At this time, graduations continue to be planned for June 9 and 10 at Fred Kelly Stadium. Given our present tier on the Orange County COVID-19, each graduate will currently be allowed two attendees, and the event will be live-streamed. Depending on Orange County’s tier, when graduations are scheduled, the number of attendees permitted may be adjusted accordingly. Elementary and middle school promotion details will be shared with families from their children’s school site leaders.

Job Opportunities

Orange Unified School District is gearing up for its spring recruiting and hiring initiative. Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact in the 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. Join the Orange Unified family and Inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow.

CARES Child Care Program is Currently Enrolling for Fall

Fall Registration is now open for the 2021/22 school year. Please register on Eleyo. If you are new to Eleyo you will need to create an account first before you can register. The registration fee of $100.00/$200.00 max per family will be due and billed on Monday, August 2. August (pro-rated) and September tuition will be due and billed on Wednesday, August 18 (the first day of school). Please register as soon as possible. Space is limited at each location: https://ousdcds.ce.eleyo.com/


Summer camp registration opened on Monday, April 19.

Registration is Open for Preschool

Registration for the Early Learning Center’s Preschool Program began on Tuesday, April 20. The ELC Preschool program is offered at Cambridge, Esplanade, Fairhaven, Olive, Lampson, Palmyra, and Sycamore Elementary Schools, with Spanish immersion available at California Elementary and Jordan Academy.


For information and program qualifications, please call 714-628-5577.


Parents can also register students for the Child Development Center’s award-winning Preschool Program. The preschool curriculum includes a variety of activities to stimulate and promote curiosity, learning, and social development. Teachers present a well-developed curriculum using the Preschool Learning Foundations, Preschool GLAD, and Connect4Learning to help in the areas of social and emotional development, English-language development, early literacy skills, early writing skills, print awareness, children’s literature, and early math and science skills presented in a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment.


Please call 714-628-5360 for more information on how to register your child for this opportunity.


Space is limited in each program, and students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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OUSD’s COVID-19 Dashboard

As of January 2021, any student-athlete who is positive for COVID-19 and is on campus during their infectious period is included on the OUSD Dashboard, even if they are in 100% distance learning.

Connect with Us

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