pfc newsletter O A K
P A R K
H I G H
September 2012
The Principal’s Message It seems like just yesterday when we watched the graduating class of 2012 walk across the stage, yet here we are again at the beginning of another school year. Summer at OPHS has been a hive of activity and much was accomplished. Summer school went very smoothly thanks to the successful collaboration between Friends of Oak Park and OPUSD staff. Facilities modernization is ongoing and the administrative staff moved into the upgraded offices on August 15th. Please stop by to see what’s been done. I think you’ll agree that the improved layout and appearance not only improves the look and feel of the building, but the functionality and ease of access to administrative services. The central student restrooms are completed with new tile, fixtures, and cubicles, and they look great. The six bungalows along the Great Lawn have received fresh interior paint and new carpets, and fire abatement brush clearance around campus and on the hillside was completed receiving a clear certification by the Fire Marshal. The second phase of the surveillance system installation is underway and will further help us curtail incidents of vandalism and help with student safety. The gym and Eagle Stadium have received brand new sound systems and we have upgraded the Audio/Video in the Pavilion and G9. The JV Softball field now has a scoreboard, and the school grounds have been groomed and cleaned up. Our custodial staff has done a fine job over the summer of getting classrooms ready for the fall semester. STAR results were delayed this year because of an analysis by the CDE of certain security breaches in other districts. We received them too late to distribute them at registration, so the results were mailed home and you should have received them by now. The results were outstanding overall and together with improved Advanced Placement results, are truly a reflection of the
S C H O O L www.oakparkusd.org/ophs quality of our staff and instructional programs, and that despite state funding constraints, our student achievement continues to improve. We have several new staff at OPHS this year and I know you’ll join me in welcoming them and offering your support where you can. Joining us in the math department is Robin Midiri and Yeganeh Gorji. Special education welcomes teachers Susan Mach and Kimberly Villalpando. In modern languages, Anna Blunt will teach Spanish and Christine Firkins is our new American Sign Language teacher. Jordan Harnish is joining the science department, and our new assistant principal is Bryan Martin who will take over athletics, attendance, discipline and activities. Please make a special effort to attend our Back to School Night on Thursday, September 20th. The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with a short general meeting in the Pavilion. This will be followed by an opportunity for you to follow your child’s schedule, spending ten-minutes in each class period. We have allowed for a five-minute passing period between classes. In preparation for this evening, your student will provide you with a copy of his/her schedule showing teachers and room numbers. You will be given a map of the school and a teacher locator sheet as you enter the Pavilion to help you continued on page 5
Inside This Issue P Back to School Night information P Site Council Parent Volunteers Needed P Support ASB, Buy Community Discount Cards! P OPHS Class of 2012 Post Grad Plans P Plus, all the regular news, ‘save-the-dates’ & notices to keep you IN THE KNOW!