Oak Park High School this summer couldn’t have beenbusier. Summer school went very smoothly thanks to thesuccessful collaboration between Friends of Oak Park andOPUSD staff. Construction is ongoing and themodernization of the science labs is complete with minorwork to be checked off during the evenings of the first fewdays of school. The installation of the new Fire and LifeSafety system is complete with all new alert devices and acentralized control system that improves ourevacuation and response procedures keepingstudents and staff safe in the event of anemergency. The gym has received a sharpmakeover with an updated and newly paintedfloor and wall pads. The area around F-Building is beautifully landscaped withdrought tolerant plantings. Our schoolwebsite has been completely revamped withnew apps and our school colors and logos. The latestSmartBoards are currently being installed and more teachersare receiving the Smart Technology training to become 21stCentury Instructors. And last but not least, the installationof the new synthetic turf field was finished right on time forthe first football scrimmage on August 26. You are all invitedto the ribbon cutting ceremony on September 9th, at7:00 pm, followed by the varsity football game versusChannel Islands High School.

This year’s assessment results once again showsignificant gains across the board including STAR andAdvanced Placement. These results are a reflection of thequality of our staff and instructional programs and the factthat despite state funding constraints, our studentachievement continues to improve. You should have alreadyreceived your child’s STAR test results during registration. Ifyou haven’t, please contact the school.

We have several new staff at OPHS this year and I knowyou’ll join me in welcoming them and offering your supportwhere you can. Joining us from Medea Creek Middle Schoolis Jim Benton in mathematics. Also joining the mathdepartment is Lauren Dakin and Jaquelyn Lac. Scott Deckwill join the special education department, and returning thisyear to OPHS from MCMS is Tim Chevalier in social

The Principal’s Message

pfc newsletterO A K P A R K H I G H S C H O O LSeptember 2011 www.oakparkusd.org/ophs

science and Jeff Appell will remain with the OPHS socialscience department instead of taking over as Dean of MedeaCreek as initially planned. Our custodial staff has done a finejob over the summer of getting classrooms ready for the falland on opening day everything will be up and running.

Please make a special effort to attend our Back to SchoolNight on Thursday, September 22. The evening will begin at6:30 with a short general meeting in the Pavilion. This willbe followed by an opportunity for you to follow your child’sschedule, spending ten-minutes in each class period. We have

allowed for a five-minute passing periodbetween classes. In preparation for thisevening, your student will provide you witha copy of his/her schedule showing teachersand room numbers. You will be given a mapof the school and a teacher locator sheet asyou enter the Pavilion to help you navigatethe campus. We know that you willrecognize this evening as an important step

in communicating to your student the important partnershipbetween parents and the school.

Included in this newsletter is a membership applicationfor our School Site Council (SSC). There are currently twovacancies available for parent volunteers. If you are interestedin assisting our school and being a member of our SSC fornext year, please complete and return the enclosed SSC formby Monday, September 12. Elections will take place at ourBack to School Night on September 22. Parents unable toattend Back to School Night may cast a vote in the OPHSoffice anytime Wednesday, September 21.

During the last week of August, the faculty returned inpreparation for school opening, and to continue working on

Inside This IssueP Back to School night information

P Friends of Oak Park News

P OPHS Class of 2011 Post Grad Plans

P Plus, all the regular news, ‘save-the-dates’ & notices to keep you IN THE KNOW!

Continued on page 6

2

Aug 31 First Day Of SchoolSep 1-2 P.C. Lunch ActivitiesSep 5 Labor Day Holiday - No SchoolSep 6 Choir Booster Parent Meeting, 7 pm, B-1Sep 7 Band Booster Meeting, 7 pm, B-2Sep 9 Last day for schedule changesSep 9 PFC General Meeting, 10 am, Lib. CR Sep 12 Shakespeare Auditions, 3:15 pm, B-1Sep 13 OPPAA Meeting, 7 pm, B-2 Sep 17 Mock SAT, 9 am Sep 19-23 ASB Club Week Sep 20 Board of Education Meeting, 6 pmSep 21 Mock SAT Feedback Session, 7 pm Sep 22 Back to School Night, 6:30 pm, Pav.Sep 23 Fall Kick-Off Rally, GymSep 24-25 Catalyst Boot Camp for SAT, 9 amSep 25 Choir Car Wash, 9 amSep 26-28 PSAT RegistrationSep 26-28 SSA Training (off site)Sep 27 Naviance for Sophomore ParentsSep 29 Local Holiday

Nutr. = Nutrition, Pav. = Pavilion Lib. CR = Library Conference Room

Complete listings on the OPHS Master Calendar!

Campus Calendar, News & NotesStudent Artists

Design the 2011-12 Student Directory Cover!

On September 9th, PFC will select a studentdesigned cover for our Directory. Last year'swinner of this competition was Jeffrey Zia.

Design Parameters:• Submission Paper Size: Pleaseuse 8.5 x 11 paper.• Finished Cover Size:8.5 in. tall x 7 in. wide.• Original Content: an OPHSEagle (please do not use copyrighted or computergenerated artwork). Text can include: 2011-12Student Directory, or we will add it later if it isnot a part of your artwork.• Colors: Any colors may be used.• Due date: September 6th in the OPHS MainOffice by 3 p.m.• Please clearly print your name, grade (at OPHSin September), and contact phone number on theback of your entry.

Sponsored by the OPHS Parent Faculty Club (PFC).Questions? Contact Alka Jha at

alkajha@yahoo.com

PFC General Meeting Dates

The PFC meets on the first Friday of every othermonth at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room.Our first meeting is Friday, September 9th. All PFCmembers are welcome! Mark these dates in yourcalendar.

September 9, 2011

November 4, 2011

January 6, 2012

March 9, 2012

May 4, 2012

June 1, 2012 (Potluck Luncheon)

Please Mark Your Calendars!

PARENTS OF ATHLETES!Stay on top of all the important

information, deadlines and specialannouncements with the

Athletic Booster Club’s Constant Contact:

In The Game!This athlete-exclusive email

communication will be packed withinformation you won’t want to miss. From clearance information to game

schedule chages, you’ll stay

In The Game! with this invaluable

communication service.

Click Here to Sign Up

3

ATTENTION EAGLES!Whether you’re a returning Eagle or new this year, it is important to understand our drop-off traffic flow. Belowis a map showing exactly how this works. If this is new to you, it would be a good idea to come to the schoolbefore the first day to familiarize yourself. Remember, cell phone use in these areas is strictly prohibited!

Proceeds benefit Oak Park High School

4

Advanced Peer CounselingHello again! On behalf of the Advanced Peer

Counseling program, we would like to formallywelcome all those new—and all those returning—toOak Park High School. We hope that you and yourchildren were able to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenatingsummer vacation, and that you are enthusiastic for thisupcoming (and assuredly exciting!) school year.

The Advanced Peer Counseling program wascreated with the intention to train highly ethical andperceptive students to facilitate the wellbeing of theirpeers. As Advanced Peer Counselors, our role is tosupply a safe environment for our fellow classmates toexpress their concerns as well as a means for them tohelp themselves. Through one-on-one mentoring,mediation of conflict between parties, and school-wideactivities we work to promote our message of awarenessand acceptance across our campus.

Our goal for our acting Advanced Peer Counselinggroup is to make our services and ourselves even morereadily accessible to our peers. By promoting ourwillingness to help and by actively and openlycommunicating, we hope to encourage parents—andespecially students—to make use of all we have to offer.Each one of us listed below…

…is committed to supporting your student’s positivehigh school experience. Please feel free to personallycontact us—and please emphasize to your child that heor she is free to contact us—or our advisors, Ms. DebiFries and Mrs. Janet Svoboda, should you have anyquestions or concerns regarding our program. Yourchild may request to speak with a Peer Counselor in theschool counseling office, where our contact informationwill be posted shortly.

As an initial outreach, we will be hosting our annualNew Student Luncheon to meet and greet all new, out-of-district students within the first several weeks of thisschool year. We will continue to keep you informed ofour progress and our sponsored events through thismonthly newsletter and through our website, which weplan to update in the near future.

Thank you for your interest in our program; we lookforward to sharing our ideas with you and hearing yourinput, for we know that together we can do great thingsfor our students and our school.

Sincerely,– Vivian Rotenstein, Moe Scott

Advanced Peer Counseling Liaisons

12th Grade:Brandon Camhi Jane Desmond Emily DininoJamie Domke Megan Donahue Adam FischerDrew Gregory Sam Hirsch Brianna KaplanAmanda Katz E.J. Levin Christina LovejoyJustin Orens Anish Puri Vivian RotensteinMoe Scott Amos Too

11th Grade:Josh Adler Claire Berner Sarah BucknovitzJustin Camhi Libby Coufal Jacqui GaballPaige Green Eric Jones Erin MatsumotoMeesha Merat Jacob Ojalvo Zack ReillyHannah Rinkov Madison Rosen Erica RosenbergKayla Sadwick Jordan Snyder Sarah Walsh

10th Grade:Katherine Byrne Zack Futterman Gabriela OjalvoJake Phillips Josh Shapiro Kyra Stevens

WELCOME

BACK

EAGLES!

5

OPHS THANKSJoAnn Tattersall, Kelly McGugan &

The Tattersall Teamof Active Real Estate

Kelly McGuganTattersall Team

Cell: 818.207.7408www.tattersallteam.com

JoAnn Tattersall & Kelly McGugan sponsorOak Park High School’s

“All Call,” our computerized phone system -A vital link to our OPHS families!

JoAnn TattersallBroker/Owner, GRI, SFR

Cell: 818.370.7688www.tattersallteam.com

OPHS Has A New Turf Field!!!!

Ribbon Cutting CeremonyRibbon Cutting CeremonyFriday, September 9, 2011

7 pm

Stay to watch the OPHS Varsity Eagles game vs. Channel Islands

JV plays at 4:30 pm

6

Eagle s

implementing the second year of our WASC Action Plan.This is very important work because it will, in part, be ourfocus for the next five years. While Oak Park is a very high-achieving school, we must always look for ways to improveand ensure that every single student is receiving the help andsupport needed to be successful.

I sincerely hope that you and your child take time to readthe monthly PFC Newsletters front-to-back. The articlesand notices provide important information including datesand timelines that will help your family and student stayabreast of all that our school and community is working on.

I’d like to thank all of our ASB students, parents, andstaff for a very successful registration. I’ve received manycompliments on how organized, smooth and efficient it was.Thanks especially to Registration Co-Chairs, Lori DiGrinis,Bev Futterman, and Ann Strauch. Many other parents tooktime out of their busy schedules to help facilitate ourregistration week and we are truly grateful for all their efforts.This allowed our clerical staff to focus on many specializedareas prior to the first day of classes. Also, thank you toeveryone for taking care of the Pertussis/Whooping Coughrequirement. I know my calls home were tedious but by theend of registration we had 99% compliance.

On behalf of the entire staff I would like to sincerelywelcome our new PFC president, Gillian Miller and lookforward to working together with the PFC to help studentsand families develop relationships with our staff and engagein all the educational and co-curricular activities our highschool program for the 2011-2012 school year has to offer.

Have a great school year.

Kevin BuchananPrincipal

OP H S B a c k to S c ho ol N ig h tThursday, September 22

Join us in the Pavilion beginning at 6:30 p.m. for a short welcome by our Principal, Kevin Buchanan, andmessages from various staff members and parent groups. The classrooms will then be open for ten-minute

periods, giving you an opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and to learn about the year ahead. Remindyour student to share their schedule and classroom numbers with you, so you know which rooms to visit andin what order! Maps will be available and students and staff will be strategically placed across campus topoint you in the right direction. Or go to the Campus Map on the OPHS website, print a copy of the map,and have your student mark the classrooms you’ll visit.

Parents Needed for the OPHS School Site Council (SSC)

At Oak Park High School we believe that parentsare an integral part of the educational process for ourstudents. Each year parents are selected to be membersof the OPHS Site Council. The primary task of theSchool Site Council (SSC) is to ensure that OPHS iscontinually engaged in identifying and implementingeffective curriculum and instructional practices thatresult in both strengthening the core academic pro-gram and ensuring that students have access to andsuccess in that program.

If you are interested in assisting our school andbeing a member of our SSC for the 2010-2011 schoolyear, please return the form on page 15* to the schooloffice by 3:30 pm, Monday, September 12th. SchoolSite Council elections will take place on Thursday,September 22nd at our Back to School Night.(Parents unable to attend Back to School Night maycast a vote in the OPHS office anytime Wednesday,September 21).

*See Page 15 for SSC Application

Principal’s Message (continued )

7

PFC Update

President’s LetterDear Parents, Staff and Friends of OPHS,

Hello, my name is Gillian Miller (PFC President), andI would like to welcome you to the school year 2011-2012from the OPHS PFC. I hope you all had a relaxing andwonderful summer.

We are all excited about the new science classrooms thathave been renovated during the summer. The PFC hasfunded new science equipment, so we are off to a great start.Classrooms are clean, teachers are rested, and we hope ourstudents are ready for a year of learning, achieving theirgoals, making new friends and finding time to have somefun.

We are planning an exciting school year and want all ofyou to become involved. Thank you in advance for yoursupport, help and participation. Our goal is for 100% PFCMembership. PFC Membership will not only help yourchild, with the many programs the PFC funds, but will alsogive you access to the new PFC online school directory.Another goal of the PFC is to keep you informed with ourweekly e-News. This is usually sent via e-mail on Sundayevenings. This year we are requesting $250 per student andhave new and exciting levels of giving for our No Frillsfundraising, some of which include membership to the PFCand some levels even include parking at Back to SchoolNight and even Season Tickets to OPPAA productions,Band and Choir Concerts and certain sports events.

Serving on the 2011-2012 Parent Faculty Club (PFC)Board this year are Vivienne Goldstein - VP of Fundraising,Shelly Resnick - VP of Programs, Sandy Kadekian-Kaplan-Treasurer , Marcia Gordon – Recording Secretary, LisaShaevitz – Corresponding Secretary and, Gillian Miller asPresident. The mission of the Oak Park High School’s PFCis to improve our students’ learning environment andcollaborate with our Administrative and Teaching Staff aswell. We enhance the classrooms with much needed suppliesand equipment and support the campus with services thatwill improve the students’ experiences while at Oak ParkHigh School.

The school year has barely started and I already wouldlike to thank many people. These individuals have spentcountless hours during their summer organizing.

Lori DeGrinis, Bev Futterman, Ann Strauch, ScottWatters, Marisa Feldman, Ragini Aggarwal and SusieHarris who have worked endlessly and done an outstanding

For all the latest, most up-to-datePFC News and Information

CLICK HERE

job organizing registration and a big thank you to all theparents who volunteered during registration.

Suzie Bock and Uma Narayanan for updating theschool PFC web site. OPUSD has updated their web site.It is easy to use and looks great. Thank you also to all thestaff, especially Jane Mintz, for this huge undertaking.Shelly Resnick and Jean-Hawkins who have been workinghard with area high schools preparing for CollegeKnowledge night.

Thank You, again, to all the individuals above and themany whom I forgot to mention. Also a huge thank you toall the Staff and Administration for preparing us for a greatschool year.

We kick off the school year with our MOCK SAT,Mock ACT , Senior Writing Seminar and our CollegeKnowledge Night. Remember to sign up for the e-News togets all the dates, times and registration information.Remember to mark your calendars for Back To School Nighton September 22nd – where you can meet all the Staff,Administrators and your PFC Board.

Our General Meeting will be held every other month,look at the e-News for the exact dates. The 1st one isSeptember 9th , 10:00 am in the Oak Park LibraryConference room.

I look forward to seeing new and returning parents. Weare going to have a great school year.

- Sincerely,Gillian Miller

OPHS School Presidentophspfc@gmail.com

Don’t forget to make yourNo Frills Donation.

It’s easy and can be done online!

Click here to make yourstudent’s time at

Oak Park High better and brighter!

8

Welcome to the 2011-12 school year and anotherexciting year of Oak Park High Eagle Athletics!! All ofour programs have been hard at work preparing for theupcoming seasons with summer work-outs, contests,tournaments, and leagues. Our facilities have had somephenomenal improvements that we are very excited about– especially noteworthy is our new football/soccer/lacrossefield and our newly surfaced gym floor. Both willdefinitely enhance our programs! We encourage you tocome out and support all our fall sports (football, crosscountry, girl’s volleyball, girl’s tennis, cheer and danceteams); our winter sports (basketball and soccer); and ourspring sports (baseball, softball, boy’s tennis, golf, lacrosse,track, boy’s volleyball). Schedules and directions to thecontests are posted on our web site. Also feel free to e-mail us at any time with questions/concerns atapettit@oakparkusd.org.

Eagle Athletics UpdateOn Sept. 9, we will officially have a ribbon cutting

ceremony for the opening of our new field. Please makeplans to attend at 7:00 p.m. prior to our football homeopener with Channel Islands High School. It will be anexciting community event.

Please remember throughout the year that, as always,we have a big focus on encouraging sportsmanship at alltimes and in all ways – players, coaches, and fans – towardsopponents and officials!! The tradition of Oak Parkathletics is about positively supporting our teams andmaintaining the reputation of a school of character andclass. Please help us continue to maintain that tradition…GO EAGLES!!!

- Ann Pettit and Dick Billingsley, Co-Athletic Directors

OPHS Athletic Booster Club’s First Annual

Rummage SaleSaturday, October 1, 2011

7 am - 11 am

at Oak Park High School

All the money earned at each team’s boothgoes right back to the team!

The teams will be selling all sorts of "stuff" to the community for all ages including electronics,

athletic gear, books etc.The old adage: "One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,"

couldn't be more true at the OPHS Rummage Sale.

For information on how to get involved, contact Dhana Stevens at Dhana_stevens@hotmail.com.

Go F ight Win!Go F ight Win!

9

Yearbook News & Senior NotesRegistration Price Discount Extended!

Purchase a Yearbook today at Registration prices!(Yearbook price will go up later in the year!)

OPHS Yearbooks are beautiful, hardbound editions commemorating the school year at OPHS!

Order a Yearbook today for only $80.

Save $10 Buy your Yearbook together with an OPHS ASB card atthe discounted Eagle Combo rate of $140 (sold separately at $150).

** On January 1st, the yearbook price will go up to $100 **Yearbooks are sold online. Click Here to purchase yours!

Senior Personal Ads - from family to studentBe a part of the OPHS Yearbook Tradition

Your opportunity to purchase a Senior Personal ad with a special, personalized message from you to your

graduating senior is NOW!

Click here for Personal Ad form & pricing

Senior Personal Ad Early Bird deadline with the lowest pricingwill be Monday, October 17 -- mark your calendar.

Senior Signature & Quote are due to Ms. Rohlfsby Friday, October 28, 2011

Seniors: Have you taken your photos at O’Connor Bros?If not, you must contact them at (805) 306-9542 to make an appointment. Only yourposed shot taken by O’Connor Bros. Photography Studio before October 28th

will appear in the yearbook.

On Campus Opportunity for O’Connor Bros Photo:Back to School night, Thursday, Sept. 22nd from 3 - 9 pm in the “middle” of the G-building.

Students enter G-Building from the west entrance (facing locker area).

10

First OPPAA Meeting Sept. 13thThe Oak Park Performing Arts Alliance (OPPAA)

welcomes back our returning Drama families and newfriends, too! Please come and join us for our first OPPAAMeeting of the year on Tuesday, September 13th at 7pmin Room B-2 (the Band Room).

We've been updating our pages on the OPHSwebsite, so please take a moment to check it out. You'llfind a handy, printable monthly calendar with all of ourupcoming important dates, information on this year'sshows, and much more.

Comedy of ErrorsAuditions for this fall's

Shakespeare production - Comedy of Errors

- are coming up quickly! Audition sign-ups will be held onThursday and Friday, September 8thand 9th during lunch and afterschool. If you wish to audition, youmust sign up on these days. Whileyou're signing up, don't forget to graba permission slip or download onefrom our website.

Auditions will be held onMonday and Tuesday, September12th and 13th after school. Pleaseremember to bring parent-signedpermission slip with you in order toaudition!

We're looking forward to a fantastic year!— Jenna DiFonzoOPPAA President

NOTE: Students may not audition without apermission slip signed by a parent. Permission slipsprovided at audition sign-ups or online, click here.

Performing ArtsNews You can learn

safe driving skills

AND

help Oak Park High School

achieve their fundraising goals!

Enroll & complete one of the

following state-approved courses:

Teenage Driver’s Ed: Complete this course to

receive your DMV Driver’s Educationcertificate. Competitively priced at $70.00 for this30 hour course.

CA Traffic School: Got a traffic ticket? Go

online and forget going to class. This 8 hourcourse is only $24.95 and is available in English orSpanish.

Mature Insurance Reduction Program:Specially designed for drivers 55 and older, thisInsurance Reduction course provides a state-mandatory three year discount on your autoinsurance. Only $19.95 for the first time and$17.95 for the renewal course!

40% of All Completed

Sales Go To OPHS!All courses are:

P CA DMV Approved

P Completely Online

P Take at Your Own Pace

P 24/7 Customer Service

P Safe & Secure Site

P Over One Million Served

P Money Back Guarantee

www.idrivesafely.com/ca-oak

11

12

Superintendent’s MessageWelcome!

I am excited to welcome everyone back to school andat the same time extend a special welcome to our manynew families. We expect to open our schools full with4,250 students, our largest student population since thedistrict was formed. This is great news because therevenue associated with the additional 200 students thisyear is helping us to stave off severe budget cuts that are aresult of the state’s ‘flat’ funding for public schoolsfollowing many years of deep cuts. A ‘flat’ budget is farfrom that in reality because we are not receiving over$700,000 in special federal funds that we received last yearand we have increasing costs for employees, utilities,special education, supplies, materials, etc. If it were notfor the additional 200 students, we would be making cutsof nearly $1 million this year and everyone would feel itwith larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, a shorterschool year, etc. Instead, we adopted a budget that is‘status quo’ in terms of class sizes and length of the schoolyear and are offering a larger variety of classes and moresections at our secondary schools than ever before,including more Honors and Advanced Placement courses.Oak Park is one of the few school districts in Californiathat has maintained a full 180-day school year throughoutthe economic crisis.

However, some cuts were required and these includenot filling one of the elementary music teacher positionsthat became open when one of our current teachers optedto teach in a regular classroom. Elementary music willnow involve one credentialed music teacher teaching three10-week sessions - one per elementary school. Theremainder of the time will be covered by hiring twoclassified employees paid for by the PTOs and Friends of

Oak Park Schools. These individuals are fully qualified toteach music but will not have state credentials; so regularclassroom teachers will need to accompany their childrento music class each week. Library services were also cut by50%, however the school site PTO's have also picked upthat time so there will be no change to that program atany school.

The big concern is that the state budget has a triggerbuilt in that will reduce school district budgets if revenuesdo not meet expectations. So, if state tax revenues don'tcome in as projected (and they were projected veryoptimistically) then there will be major mid-year cuts thatwill be determined in December. Along with that, thestate will provide school districts the ability to reduce thisschool year by up to 12 days, however, that reduction mustbe negotiated with employee unions in each district.

In summary, the state budget leaves much uncertaintyfor K-12 public schools. In Oak Park, we are movingforward and intend to have the best school year everdespite these uncertainties. When the school parentorganizations ask you for donations please remember thatwe have cut the school budgets severely over the lastseveral years and that we rely heavily on parent donationsto keep the programs in place that we want to offer ourstudents.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the Back toSchool Nights and other fall events throughout theDistrict.

– Sincerely,Anthony W. Knight, Ed.D.

Superintendent

How Can We Get Over $25,000 For OPHS For Free??

The answer is Escrip! Last year, 671 families signed up for Escrip and OPHS earned $12,800. If all1,450 OPHS families would take the time to sign up for Escrip, we could easily double that number.And, this doesn't require any extra spending on your part. It's simple. If you use a Vons or Pavillionscard and you are signed up to benefit OPHS via Escrip, then every time you purchase your regular

groceries, you are making a financial contribution to our school. If you haven't already completed the Escrip form at Registration, PLEASE do it nowPLEASE do it now. Please send the forms to Linda Cohen (LindaWCohen@gmail. com or FAX 818-864-3230).

13

Community Bulletin Board

Oak Park CERT Training Offered

Following a major disaster, first responders whoprovide fire and medical services will not be able tomeet the demand for service typically rendered. Thelocal population will have to rely on each other forhelp in order to meet their immediate life saving, andlife sustaining needs.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)Training helps prepare individuals, families, and com-munities for this eventuality.

The Ventura County Fire Department will onceagain offer a free seven week training course for OakPark residents, 17 and older, starting October 6, 2011.Classes will meet at the Oak Park High School inroom G-9.

Training Topics Include:• Home Disaster Preparedness• Disaster First Aid• Fire Suppression• Light Search & Rescue Techniques• Utility Management• Disaster Psychology

Be an asset to your community: Get Prepared-Get Trained.

For details or to register email: distarzak@sbcglobal.net

Oak Park High School PFC Newsletter published monthly September - June

by the OPHS Parent Faculty Club (PFC)for families of Oak Park High School

students.

Oak Park High School • Oak Park Unified School District

Principal: Kevin Buchanan899 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377

OPHS Main Line: 735-3300 Attendance/Temp. Off Campus Pass Line: 735-3311

(please call before 9 a.m.)

PFC President: Gillian Miller, ophspfc@gmail.com

Newsletter Editor: Suzie Bock bockgraphx@sbcglobal.net 818-970-5251

eNews Editor: Uma Narayanan umasaa@yahoo.com 818-707-3124

www.oakparkusd.org/ophs • www.oakparkusd.org

Come Celebratewith OPHS!!!

The wait is over -the Eagles now have

a TURF FIELD

Ribbon CuttingRibbon CuttingCeremonyCeremony

Friday, September 9, 20117 pm

Stay to watch the OPHSVarsity Eagles game vs.

Channel Islands

JV plays at 4:30 pm

14

ADULT ENRICHMENT FALL SESSION COURSE LISTING Sept. 26-Nov. 3, 2011

Believe in the Joy and Value of lifelong learning!! Refresh your skills, acquire new knowledge, have fun in a small class setting with trained professional teachers. Six week evening or weekend courses taught at Oak Park High School.

Sign-up NOW for Fall Session

Go to www.ae-ophs.org to read course descriptions, Teacher Bios and SIGN UP for a class today. Registration Deadline:

Sept. 23, 2011

Choose from exciting courses:

• Choir-Vocal

• ‘No Fear’ Acting Class

• Experience Clay-Make Ceramics

• Drawing

• Active Parenting of Teens-Level1

• Microsoft Office

• Photoshop

• Beginning Conversational Spanish

• Self Defense

• Basic Kitchen Skills

• Dance-Jazz Go to www.ae-ophs.org to read course descriptions

! Fall Session:

Sept. 26 thru Nov. 3

! Convenient evening and Saturday courses

! Professional, skilled teachers

! Unique learning opportunities

! Raise funds for OPHS PFC and

the Associated Student Body

! Location: Oak Park High School, 899 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA

“You can’t find a class like this anywhere”

Paulette Walker

Friends of Oak Park Schools EducationFoundation welcomes you back to school.

Thank you to all of our parents, teachers and stu-dents who participated in Friends of Oak Park School'sfirst Summer School Program. This year's programwas a complete success allowing our students to partic-ipate in a program that remained in our own backyard.

In addition to the administration of summerschool, Friends, in a collaborative effort with our threeelementary school's PTO's will be re-creating a vibrantelementary music program providing music instructionat each of the elementary schools. As you know, theOPUSD Elementary Schools are known for theirmusic instruction program. This program is paramountin order to create successful Middle and High SchoolMusic and Drama programs. We are extremely excit-ed to take part in this collaborative effort with ourPTO Partners.

Friends of Oak Park Schools will also be lookingfor new student and teacher/mentor participantsenhancing our first year's successful Idea 2 Impact (i2i)program. i2i is a contest challenging students to makea difference in their community with innovative solu-tions to energy and environmental issues.

While this program is home grown in our district,it has been adopted by the Ventura County Office ofEducation with participation from California StateUniversity, Channel Islands. Friends of Oak ParkSchools Education Foundation is excited about build-ing on last year's extremely successful first year pro-gram modeled after the Edison Challenge.

For more information about Friends of Oak ParkSchools or if you are interested in getting moreinvolved with your Education Foundation, please visitus at www.friendsofoakparkschools.org

"You've got to have Friends"

15

School Site Council Elections –Parent ApplicationDue September 12th

At Oak Park High School we believe that parents are an integral part of the educational process for ourstudents. Each year parents are selected to be members of the OPHS Site Council. The primary task of theSchool Site Council (SSC) is to ensure that OPHS is continually engaged in identifying and implementingeffective curriculum and instructional practices that result in both strengthening the core academic programand ensuring that students have access to and success in that program.

Oak Park High School’s SSC is an integral piece of the school-based management model. To ensure thatthe council operates within a school-wide improvement perspective, the legislation requires that the member-ship of the council be drawn from the total school community. Once established, the SSC is charged with theresponsibility of developing a program that is responsive to the needs of every student in the school.

Our SSC is composed of administrator and teacher representatives selected by teachers at the school; otherschool personnel selected by the staff at the school; parents of pupils attending the school who are selected bysuch parents; and, pupils selected by pupils attending the school.

If you are interested in assisting our school and being a member of our SSC for the 2011-2012 school year,please return this form to the school office by 3:30 Monday, September 12th. School Site Council electionswill take place on Thursday, September 22nd at our Back to School Night (the monthly meetings will be heldthe second Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m.). Parents unable to attend Back to School Night may cast avote in the OPHS office anytime Wednesday, September 21st.

OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Briefly explain why you would like to serve on Oak Park High School’s SSC as well as the attributes that you canbring to the group. This information will be conveyed to the parent community in written form prior to the generalmeeting at Back to School Night on September 22nd. You may attach a separate sheet if you prefer.

Please print name

Signature Date

16

Dear Parents and Community Members,I hope during summer you found time to relax,

travel, refresh and have somewhat of a break from thestructured lives in which we routinely find ourselves. Inthis note, I would like to make you aware of certainBoard and District activities since the close of lastschool year. The Board appointed Sepideh Yeoh as aprovisional board member to fill the board vacancy leftby the unexpected death of long time board member Dr.Marie Panec. Please feel free to view each member’sprofile on the OPUSD website – www.oakparkusd.org andselect Board of Education under the About Us tab. At itsJune meeting, the Board adopted the 2011-2012budget, which for the most part is status quo incomparison to the 2010-2011 school year budget. Theonly caveat is if the state revenues do not actualize asexpected, mid year cuts may be necessary, which couldinclude a shortening of the school year by up to 12 days.We remain optimistic that the anticipated revenues willmaterialize, but I do want you to be aware that mid yearcuts are a possibility. The board reappointed threemembers and appointed two new members to theMeasure R, Measure C6 and Measure C oversightcommittee in order to fill vacancies. Thanks to all whoapplied for these positions as all candidates would haveserved well. We appreciate the service, diligence andefforts of all those who serve on the oversight committeeand truly value their time in support of the district andcommunity.

The board held a special meeting in August toreview and modify the District’s moral imperatives andgoals. This is perhaps one of the most importantobligations of a school board as it sets the direction forthe district administration and leadership at the schoolsites to work towards over the course of the year andinto future years. The board has changed the format ofthe document in order for it to be more succinct,understandable and useable. Final approval of the moralimperatives and goals will be made at the Septemberboard meeting at which point they, along with theaction plan, will be made available on the OPUSDwebsite-www.oakparkusd.org.

At our regular board meeting in August there are acouple of items I thought worth addressing. One is thatthe board approved the award of a bid for school bustransportation. There was significant interest frominterdistrict families to privately fund bus transportationfor their kids to and from school. Please know that thiscost will be born by the interested interdistrict families,NOT the district, and we are hopeful that this will helpto improve traffic in and around the schools. Second,the district has entered into a mutual agreement withsurrounding districts to accept students from thosedistricts and release Oak Park students who wish to beeducated in these alternate districts. This method is inaddition to the District of Choice process for acceptinginterdistrict transfer students and is more limited innature. Please know that although this is an additionalmanner in which to accept students, the capacity set bythe board for each year will still be the limit for allinterdistrict students no matter by what method theyare accepted. In other words, this is not a mechanismto exceed the cap for interdistrict students.

In regard to Measure R projects over summer: thescience labs at the high school have been renovated,painting at Medea Creek Middle School and BrooksideElementary has occurred, fire/life safety systems havebeen installed and completed at all sites, a newplayground was built at Oak Hills Elementary, a newroof was installed at Brookside and more. A newartificial turf field was installed at Oak Park HighSchool, a donation by a local soccer organization inreturn for joint use of certain district fields.

On behalf of the Board of Education I would like towish you a fulfilling, meaningful and productive schoolyear and as we strive for the goals that each hasundertaken to keep in mind throughout the importanceof each day’s experience.

– Barbara LaifmanOPUSD Board President

A Note From the OPUSD Board President

17

College NotesOPHS Post Graduation Plans - Class of 2011

The Oak Park Class of 2011 was one of the most successful classes in Oak Park history. They receivedtremendous recognition from colleges and universities throughout the country! In an exit survey administered toour 290 graduating seniors, the following statistics were collected. Column abbreviations break out the data asfollows: Accepted = the number of Oak Park seniors who reported that they were accepted by this school;Attending= the number of seniors who reported that they have committed to attend this school; AverageAP/C/H = the average number of AP, College and Honors courses taken by the student(s) who will be attend-ing this school. It should be noted that all data is based on information provided by the students themselves.Average Unweighted GPA = the average unweighted GPA of those seniors who reported they were admitted tothis school.

Entire survey results can be viewed on our website. Click Here. How many of last year’s OPHS

seniors went to UCLA or UCSB? Cal State? Chapman? What were their average GPA’s? How many

honors and AP classes did these students take? It’s all in the Exit Survey! Below is a sneak peek....

Total number of graduating seniors = 290