Clarification regarding Ventura County Star article ...

Dear OPUSD Staff and Families, The Ventura County Star published a story today stating that Oak Park Unified schools were notified of a threat and that our campuses went into lockdown on December 5. This did not happen.  The district was not notified of any threat to our schools, and none of our campuses were placed on lockdown. Our safety consultant, retired commander Randy Pentis, is following up with the VCSD to confirm that there was no threat to any of our schools.  We believe the Ventura County Star reported this in error. We have asked the paper to correct its reporting so the public record reflects that the district was not notified of any threat and that our campuses were not placed on lockdown. Typically, if there is any potential threat to our schools, the VCSD will contact us directly. We work closely with the Sheriff’s Department, and our goal is to make sure our communication practices remain aligned. Please know that we maintain regular contact with law enforcement and take every precaution to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Our community counts on us to be direct when something affects the safety of our schools. When we receive information about a credible threat, we keep you informed. That is our practice, and it will continue.  I am writing to inform you that no threats were made to our schools yesterday, and no schools were placed on lockdown.    Sincerely, Anais Wenn  Superintendent

Saturday, Dec 06 2025

Reminder: District of Choice applications due Decemb...

Dear OPUSD Families, As you connect with friends and extended family over the break, this is a good time to share that the District of Choice (DOC) application window for the 2026–2027 school year is open through December 31, 2025. The DOC program allows families who live outside Oak Park to apply to attend OPUSD without an interdistrict permit. Many new families learn about OPUSD through recommendations from our community, so your outreach is appreciated. If you have a school-age child who is not yet enrolled in OPUSD, now is the time to submit a DOC application for them. Siblings of current students receive priority under state law. If your child is currently attending an Oak Park Unified school, you do not need to apply. If your child attends OPUSD on an interdistrict permit, or if you are an OPUSD employee and have questions about enrollment options under the District of Choice program, please contact  DOC@opusd.org  for guidance. Age requirements for TK and Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten:  Children who turn  4 on or before September 1, 2026 , are eligible. Kindergarten:  Children who turn  5 on or before September 1, 2026 , are eligible. Information about admission priorities, lottery procedures, and the application timeline is available at   www.opusd.org/DOC . The application link and FAQs are posted there as well.  For questions, please contact  DOC@opusd.org . Best, Brad Benioff Director of Student Support and School Safety

Friday, Nov 21 2025

A Heartfelt Note of Gratitude from the Superintendent

Dear OPUSD Family, The Thanksgiving holiday is almost here, and it's the perfect time to pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the wonderful people in our lives. This break offers a chance to recharge, especially after such a busy and successful year. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for everyone’s contributions to the success of our OPUSD family.  Our teachers, administrators, and classified staff members show up every day with care and compassion and do all they can to support our students. Please take this week to completely unplug from work, spend time with family, and enjoy the simple moments that bring you peace and joy. I am grateful to our parents and guardians for their trust, involvement, and partnership, which strengthen the connection between home and school. Thank you for everything you do to help our kids thrive. During this break, I hope you have the opportunity to spend quality time with your children and plan activities that everyone enjoys as a family. These are the memories they will cherish forever.   Finally, I’m grateful for our students, who have shown consistent effort throughout the school year. I hope they find time to rest and recharge. For our seniors, this week might also involve working on college applications and planning their next steps.  May all your homes be filled with laughter, warmth, and peace that comes from a well-deserved rest. I look forward to welcoming you back, refreshed and ready to complete the final weeks of 2025. On behalf of the Board of Education and our district team, thank you for being part of the OPUSD community. With immense gratitude, Anais Wenn Superintendent

Friday, Nov 21 2025

District of Choice application window open through D...

Dear OPUSD Families, Many new families learn about Oak Park Unified through recommendations from our community. Please share this information with friends, relatives, or neighbors who may be considering Oak Park schools for their child. Families have several enrollment options to attend Oak Park Unified schools, including the  District of Choice (DOC)  program. The application window for the  2026–2027 school year  is now open and will close on  December 31, 2025. The DOC program allows families who live outside Oak Park to apply to attend OPUSD without an interdistrict permit. If accepted, no release is required from their district of residence. If you currently have a child enrolled in OPUSD and wish to apply for a sibling who does not yet attend our schools, please submit a DOC application for that student before the deadline. A separate application is required for each new student requesting a transfer under the DOC program. This application is for students new to OPUSD only. If your child already attends an Oak Park Unified school, you do  not  need to reapply. If your child currently attends on an interdistrict permit or you are an OPUSD employee and would like to learn about eligibility under the District of Choice program, please contact  DOC@opusd.org  for guidance. Admission process Final grade-level capacity will be determined by the OPUSD Board of Education in December. Admission is based on available space at each grade level and school site. If the number of applications exceeds available seats, a  random lottery  will be conducted in accordance with state law. Priority is given to Siblings of students already attending OPUSD Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals Foster youth and homeless youth Children of active military personnel Important reminders Applications are due by  December 31, 2025. Submitting an application does  not  guarantee admission or placement at a school.  Education Code section 48307 limits how many students may transfer from each district of residence under the DOC program. If those limits are reached, OPUSD may not be able to accept additional students from that district. Students already admitted will not be affected. Age requirements for TK and Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten:  Children who turn  4 on or before September 1, 2026 , are eligible. Kindergarten:  Children who turn  5 on or before September 1, 2026 , are eligible. Application and additional information Families may submit applications and find additional information, including program details, lottery timelines, and FAQs, at  www.opusd.org/DOC Prospective families interested in learning about the OPUSD District of Choice Program are invited to a webinar on  Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.  via Zoom:   https://zoom.us/j/91914634395 . We look forward to welcoming new families to Oak Park Unified and appreciate your help in spreading the word about our enrollment options under the DOC program. For questions, please contact  DOC@opusd.org . Sincerely,  Brad Benioff Director of Student Support and School Safety

Friday, Oct 17 2025

OPUSD will participate in the Great California Shake...

Oak Park Unified School District will take part in the Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, October 16. This annual statewide drill gives students and staff the opportunity to practice how to stay safe during a major earthquake. The official time for the ShakeOut is 10:16 a.m., and all schools and the District Office will participate at that time. Each year, this districtwide drill helps us test emergency procedures and communications in the event of a real emergency. Each school site will conduct an earthquake-focused preparedness drill. Schools have been reviewing their emergency plans, completing gas shut-off training, checking evacuation and student release procedures, and updating yearly inventories of emergency supplies. The goal of the Great California ShakeOut is to strengthen preparedness. While students and staff participate at school, families are encouraged to review their own safety plans at home. If you have not done so recently, please look over the recommendations from the  Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety  and the  American Red Cross  linked below. Topics to review with your family: A home emergency and evacuation plan for earthquakes, fires, or other emergencies A communication plan if family members are in different locations Updating safety kits, supplies, and medications Gas shut-off procedures at home Securing your home and yard to reduce earthquake or fire hazards Planning for pets and other animals during an evacuation These links provide information on emergency plans, supply lists, and preparedness resources: Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety American Red Cross Earthquake Preparedness Brad Benioff  Director of Student Support and School Safety

Tuesday, Oct 14 2025