Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Ann...

Dear Families,   The Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education announced the appointment of Tammy Ferriera-Herzog as the new Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at their June 7, 2022, special board meeting. Effective July 1, 2022, Mrs. Ferriera-Herzog will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and lead the entire Educational Services Department, including managing the Curriculum & Instruction program and overseeing the Technology Services, Special Education, Student Support and School Safety, and the Extended Care Departments. After an extensive application and screening process, Tammy was selected from a pool of a diverse group of candidates spanning the gamut of experiences, tenures, types of schools, district sizes, and educational philosophies. Tammy has led the instructional programs at Moorpark Unified School District(MUSD) as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction since 2014. Tammy is a lifelong learner and an equity-driven leader who exemplifies the importance of a continuous cycle of inquiry, reflection, and improvement to motivate and encourage change for the benefit of student outcomes. Under Tammy's leadership, MUSD received the 2021-2022 Pivotal Practice Award for proactive prevention, intervention, and enrichment in the areas of academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support. She implemented MUSD's MTSS model, which is a personalized approach to ensure that all students are seen, valued, and known and their varied needs supported. Tammy has led all district-wide initiatives for secondary schools in the past five years, including two middle schools, Moorpark High School and the High School at Moorpark College.    Tammy has been an educator for 28 years and began her career as an adult education teacher in Long Beach Unified School District. She then moved to MUSD, where she taught grades 2nd through 6th before moving into an administrative role as a Program Coordinator serving the elementary, middle, and high school. From 2010 to 2014, Tammy served as the Principal of Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology. She created a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that led to being recognized as a CA Distinguished School. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Music, Tammy also holds a Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Educational Administration. Tammy and Joe Herzog reside in Moorpark. Joe is the Executive Director of Ivy Academia Charter School and a former Dean of Medea Creek Middle School. The Herzogs have three sons: Marcus, 25, Rhett, 22, and Drew, 16. Tammy enjoys camping, hiking, and National Parks and recently started fostering kittens for the Ventura County Animal Shelter.   " I am very passionate about education and strongly believe that all students can learn when they are accepted for who they are and recognized for their individual gifts. I plan to build upon Oak Park's excellence by collaborating with teachers, administrators, support staff, and parents to ensure that all Oak Park students' academic and social-emotional needs are met through a Climate of Care. In my new role as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, I look forward to being part of a leadership team that is continuously striving to find new ways for students of all ages to be innovators and find success through access to these opportunities ," states Tammy Herzog. Tammy's vast experiences, combined with many years of district-level leadership in educational and administrative services, uniquely qualify her for the role of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in OPUSD. Her strong background in building positive school cultures that support a collaborative approach to learning will be instrumental in supporting all students' social, emotional, and academic achievement. Tammy's ability to collaborate with teachers, administrators, support staff, and parents for the success of every child makes her coming to OPUSD the beginning of a new and exciting era for our students, teachers, and families.   On behalf of the Board of Education and my leadership team, please join me in welcoming Tammy Ferriera-Herzog to the Oak Park Unified School District. Dr. Jeff Davis, Superintendent

Wednesday, Jun 08 2022

Oak Park Weekly - May 30, 2022 - Message from the Su...

Oak Park Weekly - May 30, 2022 - Last Issue of the 2021-2022 School Year Oak Park Weekly is a newsletter that helps connect families, staff, students, and the community to all the wonderful things in our schools. We will share information on events, successes, reminders, and content to help keep you in the loop and excited about what's to come. We hope you enjoy exploring the information and links below, and we look forward to staying connected with you. This is the last issue of the 2021-2022 school year. We will be back in August.  WE REMEMBER AND HONOR OUR FALLEN ON MEMORIAL DAY END OF YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT Dear Families, Friday was the last day of the 2021-2022 school year and the energy felt across the District is a mix of accomplishment, excitement, and relief.   We have endured a year of ups and downs. Student, staff, and district achievements, alongside concerns over COVID surges and social and emotional challenges, not to mention returning to full in-person teaching and learning after more than a year of distance and hybrid learning. In the words of one of the greatest soccer players Pele, “ Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. ” I know our students will move on to great things in life, but the pivotal role that our staff and families have played in our students' lives will not be forgotten. I am incredibly grateful for the support of our families, the heartfelt dedication of our staff, and the resilience of our students. This strength, endurance, and resilience are what make OPUSD one of the finest school districts in the county and state. And while the pandemic challenged us, we didn’t let it stop our spirit. Our staff found a way to move forward and continued to provide a high-quality learning environment for our students. Our students persevered and stayed committed to their learning. Our families supported and believed in our students and staff.   It has been an absolute honor to be your superintendent over the past year, and I cannot wait to see what great things we will accomplish together in the upcoming year. The end of a school year is always bittersweet. Along with the joy of celebrating all that we’ve achieved together, there is also the sadness of saying goodbye to our students and colleagues and the routine we have grown accustomed to throughout the school year. And perhaps no group feels this mix of emotions more than our 2022 graduates who will be moving on to the next chapter in their lives, be it middle school, high school, college, or work. As we’ve steadily moved to more typical school experiences, I am optimistic about what is in store for our students and staff next year. Take what summer offers in the way of time and opportunity, set achievable goals for yourself, and learn something new that will positively impact your future, but above all take a moment to take care of yourself! Please keep a lookout for information coming from your schools for the annual enrollment information. Registration forms will be available online beginning July 25, 2022, on the school and district websites. Have a safe and relaxing summer break! Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Dr. Jeff Davis COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES FOR OPUSD CLASS OF 2022  CONGRATULATIONS OPUSD 5TH GRADE CLASS OF 2022 CONGRATULATIONS OPUSD 8TH GRADE CLASS OF 2022 CONGRATULATIONS OPUSD 12TH GRADE CLASS OF 2022 MAY BOARD EEDUCATION MEETING SUMMARY The OPUSD Board of Education held the May 17th regular meeting at Oak Park High School, Presentation Room G9. Members of the public were able to observe the meeting in person using a published live stream link and submit comments via an online form before the meeting and in person at the meeting.  The Board recognized Vicki Hall, Katie Marcon, Tina Kadner, Bing X Liu, and Beth Zeolla with the Partners in Education Award for their outstanding volunteer contributions to the District and heard reports from School Board Members and the Superintendent. The Board also received an update on Equity and Access of Secondary Math Courses from Dr. Davis and an annual report from Mr. Benioff on the work of the Diversity and Equity Task Force. The Board discussed/took action on the following amongst other routine agenda items:  Approved the Overnight Trips for Oak Park High School: for ASB Leadership Retreat Accepted the 2021-2022 Second Period Attendance Report Approved the New 3-Year District Technology Master Plan for 2022-2025 Approved 2022-2023 School Handbooks/Discipline Plans (except for Oak Park High School) Approved 2021-22 School Plans for Student Achievement Approved Instructional Materials for Music Appreciation CP Course at Oak Park Independent School Discussed the Draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Accept Oak Park Citizens’ Oversight Committee 2021 Annual Report for Bond Measures S Received Information on BluePoint Alert Solutions’, Rapid Emergency Response System Installation Districtwide Approved Renewal of Agreement with Developing Outdoors for General Staffing Services for the Extended Care Program for 2022-2023 Authorized Measure S Project 22-04S, Smartboard Replacement Program Award Contract for Inspector of Record Services for Measure S Project 20-18 S Renovate Exteriors of Buildings B and C at Red Oak Elementary School Authorized Measure S Project 22-03S, DSA Certification of Portables Districtwide, and Approve Inspector of Record Services Contract Adopted Resolution #2022-04, Participation in CSBA California School Cash Reserve Program Reviewed and Discussed 2022-2023 Enrollment Projections Held a Public Hearing and Approved the District’s Initial Proposal for Collective Bargaining Negotiations with Oak Park Teachers Association Approved Revised Salary Schedule Placement for the Classified Position of Site Leaders and Assistant Site Leaders for the Extended Care Program Approved Job Description for Instructional Assistant III – Innovation Lab Specialist Approved Resolution #2022-05 Ordering a Regular Governing Board Member Election, Ordering Consolidation with other Elections, and Constituting “Specification of the Election Order” to be held on November 8, 2022 Approved Amendment of the following Administrative Regulations as first and final reading: Exhibit 1330 – Use of School Facilities Administrative Regulation 3280 – Sale, Lease, Rental of District-Owned Real Property Administrative Regulation 3311 – Bids Administrative Regulation 3311.1 – Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Procedures (CUPCCAA) Administrative Regulation 7211 – Developer Fees For a detailed summary of the May 17th meeting, CLICK HERE .  There will be a Public Hearing on the Budget and LCAP on June 7th at 6:00 pm. The next regular Board of Education meeting is on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Agenda and Meeting materials will be posted 72 hours before the meeting on our website HERE . Oak Park USD Board meetings are held at Oak Park High School Room G9 and are open to the public and available virtually on our Youtube Channel. Meetings are live-streamed at www.opusd.org/livestream . JUNE/JULY NATIONAL CALENDAR DAYS  June 1 - 30 Pride Month - Taking place every June, Pride Month celebrates the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The month-long celebration was given the name "Pride" to encourage those feelings as the community comes together to celebrate and bolster LGBTQ+ rights movements.  Before Pride become a celebration, it started out as a protest. The Stonewall Uprising took place in June 1969 when patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBTQ+ Americans were commonly subjected. This event was a turning point in the movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBTQ+ Americans.  June 1 - 30 National Caribbean American Month   - Celebrated every June to honor and celebrate America’s rich and diverse culture, which also includes the Caribbean-American population. People from this community have not only evolved the American culture but have also contributed greatly to the development of the nation in areas of science and medicine. To learn more about Caribbean heritage visit https://caribbeanamericanmonth.com/ . June 1 - 30 National Safety Month - Now’s the time to start planning for National Safety Month ! The National Safety Council will be sharing free resources throughout June so we can help keep each other safe – from the workplace to any place. This year’s topics are Week 1: Musculoskeletal disorders, Week 2: Workplace impairment, Week 3: Injury prevention, and Week 4: Slips, trips, and falls. June 14 National Flag Day is observed In the United States, a day honoring the national flag, observed on June 14. The holiday commemorates the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag. June 19 Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.  June 19 Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, Father’s Day celebrates and honors the men who have embraced the essential role of fatherhood. On this day, we also thank fathers and father figures (uncles, grandfathers) for the sacrifices they make, for embracing the responsibility of nurturing and raising children, and for devotion to their family.  June 20 National American Eagle Day is a special day to commemorate the anniversary of the Bald Eagle’s selection as our National Symbol and to celebrate its return to America’s skies. Proclamations have been issued by governors in 49 states designating June 20th as American Eagle Day. Although the Bald Eagle has made a remarkable comeback, there is still work to be done. Trash and debris continue to pollute ecosystems across the US, especially in parks, roadways, rivers, lakes, and streams. Fishing wire, hooks, tires, and household garbage pose a serious threat to our incredible Bald Eagle and other species. June 21 Summer Solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring when Earth arrives at the point in its orbit where the North Pole is at its maximum tilt (about 23.5 degrees) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day and shortest night of the calendar year. (By longest “day,” we mean the longest period of sunlight hours.) On the day of the June solstice, the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight at the most direct angle of the year.  July 1 - 31 French American Heritage Month - Every July, we celebrate French-American Heritage Month. From supporting our War of Independence and becoming the United States’ first official ally, to major contributions to art, culture, and science, France’s role in shaping early U.S. history is difficult to overstate. Similarly, French-American individuals have played key roles in virtually every aspect of America’s growth to prominence and prosperity. July 1 National U.S. Postage Stamp Day - The first US stamp was issued on July 1, 1847. Up until that then, people could send a mailed item and the receiver could simply pay when it arrived. Once the first stamp was issued, however, it was so effective that by 1855 the postage stamp became required. National US Postage Stamp Day recognizes the ease and simplicity with which we can send and receive mail. A stamp represents payment for the delivery of a letter or a package.  July 4 Independence Day has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.  DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE OAK PARK WEEKLY? The Communications Coordinator, Ragini Aggarwal, acts as a trusted resource for schools, students, families, staff, and community members. If you want to share a story of interest or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you! Don't hesitate to get in touch with Ragini at raggarwal@opusd.org , and she is always looking to share information about events happening at our schools and the successes of our students and staff.  We would also like to run an alumni spotlight feature. If you know of alumni we can highlight, please send the information to Ragini. In case you missed any of the previous editions of the Oak Park Weekly, you can find them on this page on our website : Follow us on social media  @OakParkUSD         

Tuesday, May 31 2022

Tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas

Dear OPUSD Families, As you have likely seen, a horrific tragedy occurred today in Uvalde, Texas, where at least 18 children and one teacher were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde CISD. This horrific scene has played out before our eyes too many times, including the recent racially motivated mass shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Beach. Our students and staff should be safe at their schools, and our families should feel secure that when they send their loved ones to school, they will come home to them at the end of the day. At OPUSD, we train our staff and students with shelter in place and lockdown drills every year. School Safety Plans are updated and reviewed each year. The Safe Kids Task Force and the Safety and Security Task Force meet every month to review, discuss, and strengthen our safety protocols, including working closely with our law enforcement partners. While this event was over one thousand miles away from our community, the nature of this tragedy and media coverage brings it into our homes and lives. The American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists have shared the following resources to help families cope with such traumatic events: American Psychological Association •  Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting •  Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting •  Talking to your children about the recent spate of school shootings National Association of School Psychologists •  Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers •  Responding to School Violence: Tips for Administrators •  School Violence Prevention: Tips for Parents & Educators Please continue to keep the community of Uvalde and the students, teachers, staff, and parents of Robb Elementary School in your thoughts and prayers.     Respectfully,   Dr. Jeff Davis Superintendent Mr. Brad Benioff Director of Student Support and School Safety

Wednesday, May 25 2022

Oak Park Weekly - May 22, 2022 - Cast of Big Nate Vi...

Oak Park Weekly - May 22, 2022 Oak Park Weekly is a newsletter that helps connect families, staff, students, and the community to all the wonderful things in our schools. We will share information on events, successes, reminders, and content to help keep you in the loop and excited about what's to come. We hope you enjoy exploring the information and links below, and we look forward to staying connected with you. IN THIS ISSUE CAST OF BIG NATE VISITS OAK HILLS 4TH GRADE MCMS ART SHOWCASE SPRING SPORTS UPDATE VC LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM "WATER IS LIFE" ART CONTEST LAST WEEK MAY 21-29 NATIONAL CALENDAR DAYS  UPCOMING EVENT 5/25/22:  MCMS 8th Grade Culmination 6:00 pm at OPHS 5/26/22: OPHS/OPIS Graduation 6:00 pm at OPHS 5/27/22: BES 5th Grade Culmination 8:30 am at BES 5/27/22: OHES 5th Grade Culmination 8:45 am at OHES 5/27/22:  ROES 5th Grade Culmination 8:45 am at ROES 5/27/22: OVHS Graduation 5:00 pm at OVHS  CAST OF BIG NATE VISITS OAK HILLS 4TH GRADE The cast of the Paramount Plus animated series “Big Nate” participated in an assembly held on April 21st at Oak Hills Elementary School (the students were from all fourth-grade classes at Oak Hills: Mrs. Novak, Mrs. Chobanian, and Mrs. Lockrey.) Local actor Charles “Charlie” Schlatter coordinated the event in which the show’s voiceover actors performed a read-through of one of the series’ episodes. Schlatter is a former Oak Park parent who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is best known for portraying Dr. Jesse Travis, the resident student of Dr. Mark Sloan played by Dick Van Dyke, on the CBS series “Diagnosis: Murder” and for starring in the big-screen comedy “18 Again!” opposite George Burns. Since the 1990s, Schlatter has continued to work mainly as a voice actor, including work on “Big Nate.” He voices Chad Applewhite in the Paramount kids’ series. The cast engaged in a script reading with the students. The hilarious cast inspired the fourth-graders while highlighting the work of author Lincoln Peirce, upon whose book series the show is based. Here is a note from Mrs. Eva Novak… "The event exceeded our expectations. The actors had great energy and were hilarious. The reading was enjoyed by staff and students alike. The actors were so excited to perform for the fourth graders.  In fact, I think this was the first time that the cast members had a chance to see each other in person, so everyone was so excited.  When they would read their lines, they were laughing and smiled at each other; truly enjoying the experience and the performances of their colleagues.  I'm so grateful to Oak Hills' former parent Charlie Schlatter for coordinating with the actors and to the entire cast for sharing their time and talent with us. The fourth graders thought the visit was fantastic and talked nonstop about it, both before and after.  In fact, many students remarked that this event was one of their favorite memories from the school year.  Students recognized some of the actors from other shows they watch as well so it was really fun for them to meet in person.  Anytime we can inspire students to read more and write more is a win, and this event did both! " Here is a slideshow Mrs. Novak has created from the visit, with lots of great pictures and a few videos as well.   Thank you to the cast of Big Nate and Charlie Schlatter for providing our fourth-grade students at Oak Hills Elementary School with a wonderful experience. MCMS ART SHOWCASE  Mrs. Malia Cadle's students held an Art Showcase on Friday, May 20th.  The Showcase Art class is the advanced art course at Medea. The curriculum focus is on painting and a drawing concentration, selected by the student artist. The environment mimics a "studio space", where student artists discover their unique styles and improve on their drawing and painting techniques.   The showcase class was excited to share their artwork at this special show! On display were   1. Ceiling tile replicas 2. Small original paintings inspired by their ceiling tile 3. Mixed Media Abstract paintings.   Congratulations to Avery Nguyen and Lily Radick for receiving the Art award for 2022. Also pictured is Darya Ghavami and her sibling (OPHS) next to her original portrait painting of the two of them. A shoutout to all the advanced art students of Medea for their outstanding artwork and a special thank you to Mrs. Malia Cadle for your guidance, dedication, and commitment to our students.  SPRING SPORTS UPDATE Boys Tennis Finished the season 11-4 and 7-1 in the league. Drew Koval was league MVP with a record of 42-0. Austin Lamy was named 1st team all-league with a record of 42-3. His only 3 losses were to Drew in the league finals singles championship. Trent Chu and Ronith Vishal were named to the all-league 2nd team. Thank you to Coach Adam Nielson for mentoring and guiding this team to a league championship. First time in 4 years. Boys Golf Finished the season 10-4 overall, 6-2 in the league. We did have the league MVP in senior Gylles Alford while freshman Parker Schurer was 2nd team All-League. Gylles qualified for CIF Individuals and the team qualified for CIF Team Regionals. Boys Volleyball   18-7 overall and 6-2 in the league. 2nd place finish. The Eagles made the playoffs and lost in the Quarterfinals to St. Margaret’s after a fantastic 2nd round win at Calabasas in 5 games. Girls Beach Volleyball 11-10 overall 8-8 in the league. This was the first year that beach volleyball is an official CIF sport. It was a very successful season for the Eagles! Baseball 14-13 overall.  First winning season in 13 years. 13-2 in non-league games. Barely missed the playoffs! Softball 13-12 overall, 4th in the league.  First winning record in a full season in 8 years. Won the Thousand Oaks Tournament.  JV also had a winning record and placed second in the Simi Valley Tournament. This team performed very well under the leadership of 1st-year head coach Eric Pryor. Hopefully, many more to come and another solid squad next year. STUNT 1-12 record and 0-8 in the league. The girls were a young team this year and will be greatly improved next year. Our girls competed against some very good teams in Camarillo, Simi, Royal, and Moorpark. Track and Field In the Coastal Canyon League Championships. Junior Kymara Brodie swept the girls' sprints, winning the 100 in a personal record of 11.93 seconds and the 200 in 25.14. Kymara is the 2021 defending league and Division 3 section champion in the 100 meters. Senior Madison Parrone won the girls' 3,200 in 11:36.57. Senior Jaren Hyde finished third in the 100 meters (11.01).   It didn't end the way in which any of the CIF female athletes would have wanted it to due to injuries. Kymara Brodie, who was one of the injured runners of the 4x100, had to forgo the 100 and 200 finals.  Jaren Hyde did get to compete in the boys' D3 100 Finals (that makes him one of the nine fastest sprinters in D3.)  Jaren ran a very good race crammed into lane nine at Moorpark but did not advance to the Masters. Swim Team Our first ever Oak Park High School Swim Team and the first-ever season in the books! In Coastal Canyon League, JV Boys, JV Girls & Varsity Boys came in 4th, beating Moorpark. Our highlights were having many top individual event finishers at League Championships and sending a small but strong team to the CIF D4 championship. Girl's Team finished in 6th place at the CIF Finals! Eagle competitors: Emma Schmidt, Emmie Tsai, Madie Tran, Natalie Turner, & Yvonne Wu individual top 8 finishers: Madie Tran (2nd 200 Free, 2nd 100 Butterfly), Emmie Tsai (7th 200 IM, 6th 100 Breaststroke) Boy's Team finished in 3rd place at the CIF Finals! Eagle competitors: Taylor Cruz, Hunter Glass, March Yuan, Marshall Yuan individual top 8 finishers: Marshall Yuan (8th 100 Butterfly), March Yuan (6th 100 Butterfly, 4th 500 Free), Taylor Cruz (5th 100 Breaststroke) A big congratulations to all of our swimmers this year. It was a lot of trial and error, learning techniques, fast racing, some general new growing pains, and lots of laughs! Boys Lacrosse 10-10 overall. We were freelance and were not part of a league. The Lacrosse team ended their season in the playoffs against Temecula Valley on 5/6/22. This is Coach Ergin’s last year as Head Coach and he will pass the torch to Max Luchs next season. Dylan Hardy and Benen Powers steady the ship for the boys this year. Girls Lacrosse 5-10 overall record. The girls were freelance this year as there was no league for lacrosse. This team is a really special group. They played for each other and had fun doing it. They’re really smart in the classroom and genuinely care for each other. Coach Tabor is a solid individual and we hope to have him for a long time!  VENTURA COUNTY LIBRARY SUMMER READING PROGRAM Ventura County Library launched its “Read Beyond the Beaten Path!” summer reading challenge on May 15, 2022 . Over the summer , the library will host a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage and support a love of reading .   Themed events include bi-weekly STEAM Kits and challenges, participation in the library ’s online reading and activity log (register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org ), themed Storytimes, and a closing party hosted by Kona Ice. This year Ventura County Library is giving away 13 Nintendo Switch Grand Prizes as well as smaller STEAM prizes, including musical instruments, throughout the summer . In addition, once a student has logged 500 minutes, they may visit their local branch to choose a free new book to add to their home libraries.     There’s so much to see, so much to do at the library !  It is one of the best places to take kids, especially during the summer months when children are out of school. The library is a place to learn, read, and have fun…a place the entire family can enjoy. The amount of time children spend reading outside of school is linked to improvements in reading achievement. Many studies show that access to books and other reading materials is directly related to higher reading achievement.   Registration continues through August 14, 2022. To learn more about the summer reading adventure at the library , please check out the library ’s website at vencolibrary.org . "WATER IS LIFE" ART CONTEST - LAST WEEK TO SUBMIT ENTRIES ART CONTEST THEME The theme of the 2023 digital student art calendar contest: “Water is Life,” relates to the stewardship and conservation of our precious natural resource, water.  This means wise and efficient water use inside and outside of the home, at school, in the community, in business and industry, in agriculture, and in recreation.  The importance of clean and reliable water to public health has been made even more clear this past year. Additionally, climate change is already stressing Southern California’s water supplies.  Every watershed that the Southland depends on, from the Colorado River to the Sierra Nevada, to our own groundwater basins, is becoming less reliable.  This theme of water conservation and stewardship should be reflected in the artwork. For more information and details about the contest -   CLICK HERE . ART SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The deadline for submission of artwork is Friday, May 27, 2022 , to your schools or the District Office. All submissions must include a completed 2023, Art Information Card . Please ensure that all names (Student/Teacher/School) are spelled properly.  All submissions must include a completed Student Artwork Rights / Parental Approval Form .  All art becomes the property of MWD and Triunfo Water & Sanitation District. Metropolitan and Triunfo have the right to use any selected art for the “Water is Life” calendar, promotional items, and/or for other public relations use. This includes but is not limited to Metropolitan’s/Triunfo’s websites, social media, and reproduction of copies on such items as t-shirts, stickers, postcards, etc.  PREVIOUS YEAR'S WINNERS' GALLERY On Dec. 6, 2021, 37 K through 12th-grade students were recognized for being selected for inclusion in the "Water is Life" 2022 calendar. The calendar is distributed to about 13,000 recipients each year. View the 2022 calendar . MAY 21-29 NATIONAL CALENDAR DAYS  May 21 - National Armed Forces Day - The United States Military is composed of six branches, including the Army, Airforce, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. As of 2019, more than 1.3 million active-duty service members are stationed in the United States and around the world. An additional 800,000 reservists stand ready in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Do you know what is the difference between Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day? Unlike Veterans Day (previously observed as Armistice Day - the end of World War I), which honors those who wore the cloth of our nation at war; and unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who died wearing the cloth of our nation at war, Armed Forces Day is the proper day to honor all of the men and women currently serving, as well as those who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom. May 22 - National Maritime Day - The United States has always been and will always be a great maritime nation. The day honors America’s Merchant Marines for their contributions and sacrifices for our country. Special acknowledgment is given to ships and seafarers that power the world’s largest economy and strengthen our ties with trading partners around the world, all while supporting our military forces by shipping troops and supplies wherever they need to go. In 1933, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. During World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6,700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and more than 800 U.S. merchant ships being sunk or damaged. May 24 - Declaration of the Bab - Is celebrated by Bahá'ís, being one of their nine holy days. It commemorates when the Báb announced in 1844 that he was the new messenger of God. The Báb was born Siyyid Ali-Muhammad on October 20, 1918, in Shiraz, Iran. He was the founder of Bábism, and one of the central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1844, at the age of twenty-four, he claimed to be a messenger of God and took the name “Báb,” which means “gate” or “door” in Arabic to emphasize his role as the portal through which the revelation of God would enter. He served as a herald for Bahá’u’lláh, who is the central prophet of the Baha’i faith. May 26 - Ascension Day  -  The Christian holiday of Ascension Day, also known as the Feast of the Ascension, celebrates when Jesus ascended to heaven.  It is celebrated by Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Orthodox, and Lutheran churches Ascension Day is generally observed on a Thursday, the fortieth day after Easter. Christian Scriptures (also known as the Bible) record the ascension in Acts chapter 1. May 28 - Jerusalem Day - Also known as Yom Yerushalayim in Hebrew, is a commemoration of the reunification of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War in 1967. It is celebrated on the 28th of the Hebrew month of Iyar. Following the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, it had been agreed that Jerusalem would be an international city for ten years, after which time the residents could vote for what country they wanted to join. However, Israel was attacked by Jordan in May 1948 resulting in parts of Jerusalem being under Israeli control and parts under Jordanian rule. On June 6th, 1967, the Six-day war began. On June 7th (28th of Iyar), the Jordanian-controlled part of Jerusalem was taken by Israeli forces. The war ended with a cease-fire on June 11th, 1967. In May 1968, The 28th of Iyar was proclaimed as a holiday to mark the unification of Jerusalem. In 1998, the Israeli government passed the Jerusalem Day Law, making this day a national holiday. May 29 - Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh  - Bahá’ís commemorate the anniversary of the death of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith; it took place in what is now northern Israel in 1892. The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh is one of the nine holy days in the year where work is suspended. DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE OAK PARK WEEKLY? The Communications Coordinator, Ragini Aggarwal, acts as a trusted resource for schools, students, families, staff, and community members. If you want to share a story of interest or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you! Don't hesitate to get in touch with Ragini at raggarwal@opusd.org , and she is always looking to share information about events happening at our schools and the successes of our students and staff.  We would also like to run an alumni spotlight feature. If you know of alumni we can highlight, please send the information to Ragini. In case you missed any of the previous editions of the Oak Park Weekly, you can find them on this page on our website : Follow us on social media  @OakParkUSD         

Monday, May 23 2022

Oak Park Weekly - May 15, 2022 - Uptick in COVID Cas...

Oak Park Weekly - May 15, 2022 Oak Park Weekly is a newsletter that helps connect families, staff, students, and the community to all the wonderful things in our schools. We will share information on events, successes, reminders, and content to help keep you in the loop and excited about what's to come. We hope you enjoy exploring the information and links below, and we look forward to staying connected with you. IN THIS ISSUE Uptick in COVID Cases Mental Health Awareness Month Change of Leadership - Director of Pupil Services MCMS - New Mile Record Reminder for the Water is Life Artwork Submission OPHS Speech and Debate State Competition April 19, Board of Education Meeting Summary Marie Panec Awards 2022 UPCOMING EVENT 5/17/22: May Regular Board Meeting 5/18/22:  OPIS 8th Grade Culmination 10:00 am 5/25/22:  MCMS 8th Grade Culmination 6:00 pm at OPHS 5/26/22: OPHS/OPIS Graduation 6:00 pm at OPHS 5/27/22: BES 5th Grade Culmination 8:30 am at BES 5/27/22: OHES 5th Grade Culmination 8:45 am at OHES 5/27/22:  ROES 5th Grade Culmination 8:45 am at ROES 5/27/22: OVHS Graduation 5:00 pm at OVHS  UPTICK IN COVID CASES - MASKS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED We understand that after two years there is a fatigue with the masking and isolation and people are fully committing back to social events, eating out, and bigger group events. Unfortunately, we are seeing a sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases, and with only two weeks left before the last day of school, we are STRONGLY RECOMMENDING indoor masking. Students, Staff, and families are looking forward to end-of-year events and we urge everyone to take extra precautions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Since our May 10th message, we have seen a further increase in student cases at our schools . This trend is noticeable in the county and statewide.   Here are a few important COVID-19 Safety reminders:   In case of an infection or known exposure, all positive cases must be reported to our COVID Safety Team at www.opusd.org/COVIDReporting .  Please keep in mind that for individuals who test positive for COVID the current guidelines require masks to be worn within the ten-day infection period. Watch for COVID symptoms. The Omicron variant does not necessarily exhibit the same symptoms as the earlier variants did: Watch for fevers - although not present in each case, nasal congestion or runny nose, headaches, sore throat, cough, “tickle in the throat”, Fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, headaches, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will need to wear a mask after 5-day isolation and/or quarantine period(will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test if returning to school before 10-days) when around others for an additional five days, except when eating, drinking, or outdoors. Individuals who experience COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and obtain testing.   What has been observed by our COVID safety team is that a positive test is coming a few days after the onset of symptoms. We highly encourage those with ongoing or worsening symptoms to test more than once and to remain at home with viral symptoms If they receive a negative result and are fever-free without the use of medications for a 24-hour period, and symptoms are resolving they can return to school.   Masks are strongly recommended until symptoms fully resolve.  Our weekly PCR testing on campuses is ongoing and will continue for summer school as a further measure to minimize the spread of this highly contagious virus in our schools/offices. We thank you for your ongoing efforts in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our school community safe and healthy. If you have a question regarding symptoms or protocols, please reach out to me or our COVID-19 Team at COVID@opusd.org . MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH  Mental health is an essential component of one’s health and wellbeing. Together, we can make an impact by educating and changing the mindset behind mental health. We celebrate being human by normalizing that sometimes it’s ok not to be ok. What can you do to promote Mental Health Awareness? Take care of yourself You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first. Take care of your loved ones Check up on your friends and family. Talk about mental health The more you talk about it, the more normal it will become. When people are physically hurt or ill, they react with first aid or medical care without hesitation; it should be the same for mental health.  And just as there is preventative care for physical health, there is preventative mental health care.  This week, we will focus on three areas of care: Nutrition, Sleep, and Managing Test Anxiety. Nutrition:  In our recent California Healthy Kids Survey, a concerning trend surfaced with 17% of our 5th graders and 43% of our 11th graders reporting not eating breakfast prior to coming to school.  This is a dramatic increase from previous years.  Eating healthy is a difficult proposition for any young person, but it can have a tremendous impact on a student’s well-being, social-emotional state, and performance in school.   This article from the Mayo Clinic gives guidelines on nutrition at different ages for children: Sleep: We always hear that people need 8 hours of sleep a night, but this is not true for children and teenagers, as they need 10 hours on average!  In our recent survey, our middle school students averaged about 7 hours per night, and about 13% reported less than 6 hours a night.  This can have profound effects on student wellbeing. Some general tips to help students achieve better sleep: Make the connections: talk to your children about how they feel when they have taken a test or participated in an activity when they are rested, and how they feel when they are not.  Have them understand the connection between sleep and output. Remove technology from the bedroom: Not only does tech cut into sleep time, but screens suppress melatonin production. Alerts and the availability of checking a device will interrupt sleep cycles.  Create consistent routines, including planning a sleep schedule, and start the routines at least a half-hour before bedtime.  Reduce light and noise in the bedroom Reduce caffeine intake, particularly in the afternoon. Don’t eat too late - if your child needs a snack, light and healthy is better than having anything spicy or fatty.  Test Anxiety This is a month when there are a number of tests, assessments, and final exams that cause anxiety for our students.  There will always be some stress in the preparation and the taking of tests, but managing the stress and keeping it from becoming counterproductive and resulting in anxiety is critical.   Here is a link to addressing test anxiety from the University of California, Davis.  You will notice that good nutrition and sleep are connected to the reduction of anxiety! In OPUSD, we strongly believe in the climate of care and there is always a resource to reach out to at each school site or at the District Office.  Every site has counselors who you can contact regarding any mental health concern, but you can also reach out to an administrator or teacher at your school.  Please encourage your children to ask questions and seek support - “It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to seek help. ” DIRECTOR OF PUPIL SERVICES - CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP Susan Roberts, Director of Pupil Services, has decided to retire at the end of this school year (June 30).  Susan has worked in public education for 35 years and in Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) for 12 years. Prior to her current position, Susan was with Simi Valley Unified School District, where she served as the program specialist/Interim Assistant Director.  Under Susan’s direction, the OPUSD has expanded the supports available to students with disabilities, including increased behavior and mental health services.  She has continued to develop the District’s highly regarded inclusive approach to programming for students with disabilities, significantly increasing opportunities for students to be successfully educated in their home schools and integrated into all aspects of student life, including sports, the arts, and advanced academics, leadership, and clubs.  In her role as Director of Pupil Services, Susan has facilitated ongoing collaboration between special education staff, teachers, and administrators to ensure the implementation of effective special education practices.  Susan has served on many committees at the county level, ensuring that the needs of the students, families, and staff of OPUSD are represented and addressed. In May 2018, Susan was awarded the Region 13 Special Education Administrator of Year award by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) for her work in Oak Park to ensure students with disabilities are educated to the greatest extent possible with students without disabilities. Susan has a long and distinguished record of making thoughtful decisions that have greatly benefited the students and staff of OPUSD. At their meeting on Tuesday, April 19th, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Marcus Konantz as the new Director of Pupil Services, effective July 1, 2022. Marcus began his career in special education as a child of special educators. He would spend man y summer days working with students with special needs facilitating community-based instruction activities in the San Fernando Valley. Since then, he has been working professionally with students with special needs for nearly two decades, beginning in the Los Angeles Unified School District and, most recently, with the Ventura Unified School District. During this time, Marcus has worked in many roles, including Moderate/Severe and Mild/Moderate special education teacher, special education department chair, post-secondary transition planning specialist, and currently working as the Executive Director of Special Education with the Ventura Unified School District. Each of these roles has provided Marcus with the opportunity to experience the many facets of the special education process and has contributed to the development of professional and personal skills that enable him to apply a high level of expertise in supporting students, parents, faculty, and staff in the student-centered implementation of the district, state, and national educational requirements to ensure that all students with special needs receive a high-quality public school educational experience. Marcus earned his B.A. in Music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, a Masters of Arts in Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Masters of Educational Leadership from California Lutheran University. Throughout the process, his experience, passion, and strong advocacy for students and support of staff were repeatedly noted as part of Marcus’ work. On a personal note, Marcus is a 1993 graduate of Royal High School and currently resides in Newbury Park with his wife and two daughters. Marcus is excited about working at OPUSD and says, " After having worked in special education for the last 19 years in multiple roles, I am truly humbled, honored, and thrilled to be able to join such a stellar team of professional educators in service of the Oak Park Unified School District community. " Please join us in thanking Susan and wishing her the best on her retirement and welcoming Marcus to OPUSD. MCMS HAS A NEW MILE RECORD Kean Castaneda, MCMS 8th grader broke Medea’s mile record on May 3, 2022 with a time of 4:53. Kean broke the school record of 4:57 set in 2015 by Antonio Andrus. Kean has been running United Track for 8 years. His favorite thing about running is finishing and his favorite event is the 800 meters. Kean plans on running Cross Country and track at OPHS. Congratulations Kean! "WATER IS LIFE" ART CONTEST The “Water is Life” Student Art Contest is now open to all K-12th grade Oak Park Unified School District students. Sponsored by Triunfo Water & Sanitation District and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), participating students are asked to submit artwork portraying the water-wise theme, along with a short message about water conservation for a chance to be featured in MWD's 2023 Calendar! The Board of Directors of Triunfo Water & Sanitation District will judge the submissions from students in OPUSD and will select a maximum of five winners in each category to submit to MWD. Their judges will select 37 entries submitted by students throughout Southern California to be displayed and printed in the 2023 “Water is Life” calendar and digital library. Selected artists will be recognized and honored. ART CONTEST THEME The theme of the 2023 digital student art calendar contest: “Water is Life,” relates to the stewardship and conservation of our precious natural resource, water.  This means wise and efficient water use inside and outside of the home, at school, in the community, in business and industry, in agriculture, and in recreation.  The importance of clean and reliable water to public health has been made even more clear this past year. Additionally, climate change is already stressing Southern California’s water supplies.  Every watershed that the Southland depends on, from the Colorado River to the Sierra Nevada, to our own groundwater basins, is becoming less reliable.  This theme of water conservation and stewardship should be reflected in the artwork. For more information and details about the contest -   CLICK HERE . ART SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The deadline for submission of artwork is Friday, May 20, 2022, to your schools. A representative from Triunfo Water & Sanitation District will visit the district office the following week to collect the submissions. All submissions must include a completed 2023, Art Information Card . Please ensure that all names (Student/Teacher/School) are spelled properly.  All submissions must include a completed Student Artwork Rights / Parental Approval Form .  All art becomes the property of MWD and Triunfo Water & Sanitation District. Metropolitan and Triunfo have the right to use any selected art for the “Water is Life” calendar, promotional items, and/or for other public relations use. This includes but is not limited to Metropolitan’s/Triunfo’s websites, social media, and reproduction of copies on such items as t-shirts, stickers, postcards, etc.  If students would need paper for submission, we have these available at each school office along with printed copies of the permission form.   Please submit the entries with the completed forms to the school office by May 20th.   PREVIOUS YEAR'S WINNERS' GALLERY On Dec. 6, 2021, 37 K through 12th-grade students were recognized for being selected for inclusion in the "Water is Life" 2022 calendar. The calendar is distributed to about 13,000 recipients each year. View the 2022 calendar . OPHS SPEECH AND DEBATE - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP On April 29th, 30th, and May 1st Oak Park High School sent 7 students to the Speech and Debate State Championships.  All of our students did an exceptional job. They proved, once again, that they are more than capable of standing with the best Speech and Debate students from across the state of California. Two of our students qualified to the Octo rounds of competition. That means that they are ranked Top 16 in CA. Congratulations to Harshitha Dasari: Rank 11 and Prisha Suresh: Rank 12 This is an amazing accomplishment. Congratulations to our Harshitha and Prisha and our entire state team. APRIL 19, 2022 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING SUMMARY The OPUSD Board of Education held the April 19th regular meeting at Oak Park High School, Presentation Room G9. Members of the public were able to observe the meeting in person using a published live stream link and submit comments via an online form before the meeting and in person at the meeting. There were three public comments submitted online and one in-person item VI.A.5. Discussion on Equity and Access of Secondary Math Courses.  The Board recognized the OPHS Mock Trial Team for winning the Ventura County Mock Trial Competition and heard reports from School Board Members and the Superintendent. The Board discussed/took action on the following amongst other routine agenda items:  Approved the Overnight Trips for Oak Park High School: for Cross Country Camp and Cheer Camp. Reviewed the 2021-2022 CA Healthy Kids Survey Report, Mr. Brad Benioff shared this presentation Certified the 2021-22 School Bell Schedules and Minimum Instructional Minutes  Approved the A-G Success Grant Approved K-5 Next Generation Science Standards Curriculum Adoption Approved Updated Textbook for CP Economics and CP World History Courses at Oak Park High School Appointed a sub-committee of the Board comprising Board members Denise Helfstein and Soyon Hardy to work on amendments to the Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 6152.1 Placement in Mathematics Courses Approved Oak Park Independent School Mid-Cycle WASC Progress Report Discussed the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey Data Awarded Contract for Measure S Project 20-18 S Renovate Exteriors of Building B & C at ROES Accepted 2020-21 Annual Audit Reports for Bond Measure S Approved Agreement with Christy White and Associates for Audit Services Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Public Disclosure and Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement and Compensation adjustment for members of the OPTA, OPCA, Management, Confidential, and unrepresented employees  Established a new Classified Position of Registered Behavior Technician Reclassified the position of College and Career Advisor to College and Career Counselor and Associated Job Description and Placement on the Certificated Salary Schedule Established New Certificated Position Wellness Center Counselor and Associated Job Description Establish a New Management Position, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and Associated Job Description and Placement on the Salary Schedule Approved 2022 CSBA Delegate Assembly Run-off Ballot Election of Candidates Approved Amendment to Employment Contracts with Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Approved Amendment to Employment Contract with Superintendent For a detailed summary of the April 19th meeting, CLICK HERE . The next regular Board of Education meeting is on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 6:00 pm. Agenda and Meeting materials are posted and are available on our website HERE . Oak Park USD Board meetings are held at Oak Park High School Room G9 and are open to the public and available virtually on our Youtube Channel. Meetings are live-streamed at www.opusd.org/livestream . MARIE PANEC AWARDS 2022 The Marie Panec Educating Compassionate and Creative Global Citizens Awards are based on the District motto and in honor and memory of Marie Panec, a Board Member who passed away suddenly in 2011, who embodied these values.  The criteria include any of the following:   • Exemplary service to the schools, community, or beyond • Demonstration of compassion, empathy, creativity, and selflessness in their service • Demonstration of ethical, moral behavior – integrity, honesty, and sound moral values • Demonstration of anti-bullying efforts • Demonstration of social and environmental responsibility Congratulations to the following students who were nominated to receive the Marie Panec Awards for 2022 from their schools. The awards ceremony was held at a Special Board of Education Meeting on May 10th where these students were honored.  The ceremony can be viewed at www.opusd.org/MariePanecAwards .  DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR WANT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION FOR THE OAK PARK WEEKLY? The Communications Coordinator, Ragini Aggarwal, acts as a trusted resource for schools, students, families, staff, and community members. If you want to share a story of interest or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you! Don't hesitate to get in touch with Ragini at raggarwal@opusd.org ; and she is always looking to share information about events happening at our schools and the successes of our students and staff.  We would also like to run an alumni spotlight feature. If you know of alumni we can highlight, please send the information to Ragini. In case you missed any of the previous editions of the Oak Park Weekly, you can find them on this page on our website : Follow us on social media  @OakParkUSD         

Monday, May 16 2022