pfc newsletter O A K
P A R K
H I G H
S C H O O L
November 2013
www.oakparkusd.org/ophs
The Principal’s Message Last month, a group of OPHS teachers, administrators, and counselors, along with a parent and student, all sponsored by the PFC, attended a Conference put on by the Stanford University Graduate School of Education on the stresses that students face and what high achieving schools and communities can do to improve their students’ social and emotional well-being. Last week at the Kick-off event for the OPHS Safe School Ambassadors, (once again supported by the PFC) students and teachers discussed how to improve our school climate and foster a nurturing school environment. Today, over 150 Advanced and Beginning Peer Counselors conducted their home group meetings and trainings on creating a supportive and positive school culture. Earlier today I watched 200 students line up to eat healthy food prepared by the Four Seasons food truck arranged by our Associated Student Body and the OPUSD Health and Wellness committee. The 2013 California Physical Fitness Test results were just released and 90% of our ninth graders performed in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) passing 5 of 6 of the tests administered in their PE classes. So, once again we turn our attention to student health, and social and emotional well-being. Yet despite all the programs we have at OPHS, many of our students are still experiencing stress and anxiety toward school. Many students are over-scheduled as they attempt to achieve good grades in tough classes while playing sports, working jobs, and participating in countless other extra and co-curricular activities in and out of school. We know that many of our teenagers are not getting enough sleep, and that they spend as many hours on social media or gaming as they do on their studies. We are very concerned about some of the high-risk behaviors that we know some of our students are engaged in and are acutely aware of the continued dangers of substance abuse among our students. We
know and recognize that depression among teenagers is still a real and significant condition that we see too many students struggling with and the impact it has on families and school. We are also working in our leadership groups and in our departments to tackle the issue of academic integrity as overwhelmed students find ways to cut corners and find themselves facing disciplinary consequences. In the upcoming weeks we will be giving our students a survey designed by the teams at Stanford to identify what else we as a school can and should do to help students be successful while maintaining good physical, social, and emotional health. And while there are many things to celebrate as our students, school, and district continue to receive awards and recognition for our achievements and successes, we must be ever vigilant to the risks our students face as they cope with the pressures of adolescence and school. I look for your continued support and am confident that as a school and as a community we will continue to work together to build the supports and safety-nets that the students need to achieve success and be healthy.
Inside This Issue P Honor Roll names list P Important Yearbook deadlines & dates. P Common Core, Article #2 P eScrip changes P Plus, all the regular news, ‘save-the-dates’ & notices to keep you IN THE KNOW!