Voices for OUSD - Content

08/23/2026

08/22/2026

Today is Back to School day for Orange Unified! 🤓👏👩‍🏫🚌✏️ Wishing everyone - students, teachers, staff, and administrators - the best school year ever!

After 34 "Back to School days" during my career as a teacher and principal (not to mention 20 throughout preschool, K-12, and college, and 3 more as a school board member) I still feel the excitement and potential each year holds.🤩

I will never stop advocating for public education, and I am committed to providing the best educational programs and learning environments for each and every child in OUSD. 📣
*Thanks to Jessica Nettles Photography 📸

08/22/2026

Since 2017, e-bike injuries are up nearly 350% nationally. There have been 310 fatalities from e-bike accidents, 16% of e-bike riders involved in accidents in California were under 14, and since 2025 there have been 23 juveniles in accidents in Orange and Villa Park.

With input from parents, students, staff, and community, OUSD is working with local law enforcement agencies to put in place Board Policy 5142.4 E-Bike and Other E-Conveyances.

I'm proud to serve this community and partner with so many who put student safety first.

08/22/2026

08/22/2026

What’s that? MORE Great News for OUSD?!

📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣📣

OUSD is thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students and staff, as ✅Canyon, ✅El Modena, and ✅Villa Park High Schools have secured their place in the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings for the seventh consecutive year.

This prestigious recognition, which also extends to 19 of our district's elementary and middle school programs this year, reflects our steadfast commitment to academic excellence and student success across all levels.

Read the full news story here: https://orangeunified.org/USNewsBestHighSchools

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

📣Excellent financial news for OUSD today:

Three years, three upgrades! ⬆️ Orange Unified’s credit rating has climbed from A+ to AA to AA+ since 2023, and Fitch just reaffirmed that AA+ rating again today, citing unrestricted reserves at 38.3% of spending. District bonds hold the highest score possible, AAA.

That’s independent, verified proof of OUSD’s sound fiscal management. ✅ Great work!

08/16/2026

🌟Proud to have Ruby Hewitt’s endorsement for OUSD school board! 🍎

Ruby is a proud product of El Modena High School and a shining star! 🌟 I had the privilege of watching her serve as our Student Board Representative, where she showed incredible poise, strength, and resilience through some genuinely difficult, and sometimes frightening, board meetings. She represented her fellow students with such grace.

Ruby is currently a 4th-year Political Science student at UC Santa Barbara and has continued her commitment to public service through student government, activism, and Gun Violence Prevention advocacy at the local, university, and statewide levels.

I’m proud of Ruby for her leadership and commitment to making her communities better. ❤️ Her support means the world to me! Thanks, Ruby!