1

In this message, I’d like to discuss how parents andstudents can work with the school to prevent bullyingand avoid its potentially devastating effects on theadolescent’s self-esteem and academic achievement. While it is widely known that bullying exists in

primary school and peaks in middle school, bullying

still persists in high school, particularly in 9th grade.We’ve heard how boys and girlsdiffer when it comes to bullyingand that boys hit and girls spreadgossip. Boy bullying in the middlegrades is usually focused onphysical threats of violence,whereas girl bullying is ofteninflicted by groups of girls whowork together against one girl andis more focused on isolating herfrom the group or hurting herreputation. By the time studentsget to high school, both male and female bullyingconsists predominately of verbal insults and attacks,both in person and in social media, to humiliate anddemean others. High school bullying is rarely violent,but is intended to humiliate, intimidate, or tosomehow isolate the child from the social group. Ithas the effect of making the student dread school,knowing that they will be targeted and that there is noway to avoid running into the bully. Students arebound by schedules that move them throughout thesame rooms and hallways everyday. They often eatlunch in the same place, so it’s very easy for the bullyto repeatedly target and harass the child in front of hisor her classmates and friends. The student feelstrapped and that there is no escaping the daily tauntsand insults. Even though the bullying of boys and girlsis primarily verbal, there are significant differencesbetween the ways boys and girls bully that is founded

The Principal’s Message

pfc newsletterO A K P A R K H I G H S C H O O LFebruary 2012 www.oakparkusd.org/ophs

in the nature of the social development and peerrelationships that distinguish the genders. Sadly, all too often, we learn of the bullying after it

has been going on for some time. Parents are in thedark too as the child carries this burden alone notwanting to be a “snitch” and fearing repercussions thathe or she feels would worsen the situation. They willoften retreat into their rooms and give no indicationthat there is anything wrong. But signs of bullying are

similar to those of substance abuseand depression: isolation, declininggrades, lack of interest in school andother interests, and no desire toengage in activities that they oncefound pleasurable.

The impact on the family canalso be very disruptive as parents tryto determine the cause for thebehavior or simply attribute it totypical adolescence. Bullied studentsare sometimes punished further for

their failing grades or sullen behavior therebycompounding the feelings of worthlessness and fear.Schools are also in a difficult position if counselors,teachers, and administrators are not aware of theincidents. Bullying is a serious school safety issue andcan increase the prevalence of school violence anddisruptive behavior in the classroom and in the quad. However, communication is the key to combatting

bullying, and bullying is very easy to deal with once weknow about it. There are strict laws that addressbullying in schools and most schools, including OakPark High School, have adopted a “zero tolerance”policy toward bullying. Discipline for bullies is swift,sure, and unequivocal. The consequences can includesuspension and expulsion, and while there is always asignificant element of counseling that reinforces thepenalties for any retribution or repercussions, themessage is clear to the bully and his or her parents that

Continued on page 3

2

Feb. 2-4 The Odd Couple (Click Here for Details)Feb. 3 Last day for schedule changesFeb. 4 OPHS Recycling Day, 9 amFeb. 7 OPPAA Meeting, 7 pm, B-2Feb. 7-8 CAHSEE grades 10, 11, 12Feb. 8-11 Life Skills Retreat (Seniors)Feb. 9 Comedy Sportz, 7 pm, G-9Feb. 11 ACT (off site)Feb. 13 Musical Auditions, 3:30 pm, B-1Feb. 13 Athletic Booster Club Meeting, 7 pm, Lib. CRFeb. 14 A-OK DayFeb. 14 Site Council Meeting, 3:30 pm, LIb. CRFeb. 18 Mock SAT, 9 amFeb. 20 President’s Day HolidayFeb. 19 Comedy Sportz, 7:30 pm, Pav.Feb. 21 Mock SAT, 9 am, G-9Feb. 21 Baseball, Softball & Volleyball Final Clearance,

2:30 pm, Student StoreFeb. 21 School Board Meeting, 6 pmFeb. 22 Tennis, Golf & Track, Final Clearance, 2:30 pm,

Student StoreFeb. 22 Hypno-Gig, 7 pm, PavilionFeb. 22 OPPAA Meeting, 7 pm, G-9Feb. 23 Lacrosse & Track,Final Clearance, 2:30 pm,

Student StoreFeb. 23 Powder Puff Football Game, 6:30 pm, Stad. Feb. 24 Winter Sports Rally, GymFeb. 24 Comedy Sportz, 7 pm, Pav.Feb. 25 ASB Winter Dance, 7 pmFeb. 27 Ventura City, Mock Trial, 6 pm (off site)Feb. 27 Mock SAT Feedback, 7 pm, G-9Feb. 27 Naviance Training, 7 pm, C&CCFeb. 27 Spring Sports Parent Meeting, 7 pm, GymFeb. 28 Blood Drive, PavilionFeb. 28 Ventura City, Mock Trial, 6 pm, (off site)

Nutr. = Nutrition, Pav. = Pavilion Lib. CR = Library Conference RoomC&CC = College & Career Center

Stad. = Stadium

See complete listings for athletic eventsand more on the OPHS Master Calendar!

Campus Calendar, News & Notes

Recycling Dayat OPHS!

Saturday, February 4, 20129 am - 2 pm

You can drop off eWaste,used clothing & documents

for shredding on site!

You and your family can also enjoya student-led sustainability show-case, featuring a solar car derby,an electric car drive-way party, abee keeping demonstration andmore! Gourmet food provided by

CLEAN STREET FOOD truck.

All proceeds support environmental education.

More info atwww.oakparkusd.org/EEAC

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

3

the behavior must stop immediately and that anyfurther incidents will result in more serious disciplinaryconsequences.Parents need to discuss bullying with their

children. The message is fairly straightforward. Yourchild needs to understand that they need to alertsomeone if they are being bullied. If someone at schoolis making hurtful comments, insulting them,threatening them, posting gossip online, making fun oftheir appearance or trying to turn people against them,they must inform an adult or a peer counselor. Somebullying crosses the line into discrimination if they arebeing ridiculed because of their disability, race,religion, or sexual orientation. Your child needs toknow that we are here to help and that we can and willmake it stop. They can confide in a teacher, counselor,or any adult on campus who will protect theirconfidentiality and share it with administration. Oak Park High School has several programs

designed to prevent bullying and help keep our schoolsafe. We have over 100 beginning and advanced peercounselors on campus who regularly go into classroomsto inform students of the resources available to them.We have approximately 60 Safe School Ambassadorswho are trained to spot the signs of bullying andintervene. We have our Safe Schools Task Force whodevelop and monitor our response protocols andprocedures for a wide variety of school safety issues.Also, our teachers and counselors are trained andsensitive to bullying in the classroom and are on thefront line when it comes to prevention and recognition.A last word about cyber-bullying; Today’s

technology allows bullying to extend its reach intoteenagers’ homes and bedrooms. There really is noescape. Kids are using phones and computers, oftenanonymously, to threaten, intimidate, and otherwisehassle their peers. Research tells us that spreadingmean and hurtful comments and rumors online is byfar the most common thing cyber-bullies do to others.Rumors spread at warp speed through the use oftexting, instant messaging, FormSpring, and Facebook.

Principals Message, Continued from page 1

I strongly encourage parents to be proactive in thisarea and use the following as a guide to talk to theirchildren:

e Talk with teens about the risks posed by the Internet.

e Learn what their teens are doing online and keep track of their online behavior.

e Insist on access to your teen’s Facebook page!

e Set online rules and responsibilities for teens and enforce rules with tangible consequences.

e Keep computers in a highly trafficked room in the house where online activities are hard for teens to hide.

e Teach your teens about cyber-bullying andlet them know that engaging in cyber-bullying is unacceptable.

e Explain that youth who cyber-bully sometimes bully because they have a feeling of anonymity and a lack of accountability; however, cyber-bullying is harmful and can have tragic consequences.

e Explain that youth who cyber-bully aren’t always anonymous; they can be traced, located, and punished by both school officials and law enforcement.

e Speak to teens about how to react if they are cyber-bullied.

If you suspect or find out that your child is beingbullied, please notify us immediately. Do not sit on itand wait for it to get better. Without swiftintervention, your child could be subjected to morehumiliation and possibly try to take matters into his orher own hands which usually escalates the situationwith potentially disastrous consequences. This is trulya collaborative effort between home and school to keepour young people informed of the dangers andconsequences of both in-person and electronicintimidation. With diligence and a proactive stancewe can provide an environment where our children cansafely and successfully go about the business of school.

– Kevin Buchanan,Principal

4

•!"#$%&'$()*&(+&',#-.*/(0*&%/(•12"*&()*&(34'"5'67(8(9*$#(•3##(:##;'67(+#<26=%&*%'26(•>$%','%'#=?(+#<2=?(*65(@2&#(

((A5#*(%2(A<;*$%(1%45#6%(%#*<=(B'""(=C2B$*=#(%C#'&(((((B2&D(&#"*%#5(%2(#6#&7/((*65(%C#(#6,'&26<#6%(((#-.*=%#E9#$/$"'67(+&',#(F()"'$D(G#&#(((H24&<#%(I225(0&2,'5#5(J/()K!>L(1M9!!M(((((I225(M&4$D(

((((1;26=2&#5(J/(N0O1+?(!!>)(*65(I&'#65=(2P(N*D(0*&D(1$C22"=(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((BBBQ2*D;*&D4=5Q2&7E!!>)!

(R2'6(O=(P2&(14;#&(1*%4&5*/("#$%&'%(!)*+!'*!,'-!.'%-!/0!

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

J5#&2=621;

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

>!!?1+O0N/J*2QBBB

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

2=56#'&I56*)!E7&2Q5=4D&*;D*

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

2C1$D&*0D*NP2)>!!

( ( (( ( ( ( (

( ( (( ( (

(( ( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( ( ( (( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ((( ( ( ( ( ((((( ( (

(((( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( !

( ( ( ( ( (! ! ! ! !

="22

5

The Odd Couple

With comedic introductions and interjectionsby the Drama Department’s

“Runaways: Misfits of Mayhem!”

Directed byALLAN HUNT

OPHS Performing Arts Program Presents

Neil Simon’s

FEBRUARY 2 - 4, 2012 OPHS Pavilion

Guy’s VersionThursday at 7pSaturday at 7p

Gal’s VersionFriday at 7p

Saturday at 2p

6

Superintendent’s MessageCalifornia Budget Saga Continues…

We have heard the Governor’s budget proposal fornext year and it is not good news. Even though themedia is touting that it is more money for schools (if atax measure is passed in November) it really isn’t andhere’s why. The funding increase will be used todecrease the deferrals of cash payments to schools notto provide us with more money for operations. In thecurrent year, for example, a full 40% of appropriationsfor public school districts from the state are deferredinto the next fiscal year, forcing us to borrow money tomeet our expenses. This is an accounting mechanism(I should use the word ‘trick’ but I will refrain) thatallows a company or agency to function for a shortperiod of time on less money. A ‘flat’ funding proposal is not anything close to

that for the simple reason that school districts haveescalating costs for employees, utilities, and otherexpenses and moreover, we are all spending more thanwe have and have ‘structural deficits.’ The reason forthis is that we have been getting along with one-timegrants from the federal government that are now overand every last cent that has been saved and stretchedout has been spent. This is certainly the case for us asof the end of this fiscal year when we are projected toexhaust the entire general fund and dip into our man-dated reserve for the first time.

A best-case scenario for us at this time means a cutof over $1 million next year. If the proposed ballotmeasure fails in November, then we will have hugemid-year cuts because the new tax revenue is slated forschools. We are still analyzing the proposal and manyprovisions are unclear as I am writing this, including anew weighted student funding formula proposal thatwould give more money to schools with higher num-bers of English Learners and children participating inthe Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Oak Park hasvery small numbers of these students and would notseemingly fair very well under such a proposal.However, we don’t have all the facts on this and Iwouldn’t want to jump to a conclusion. Keeping the wheels on the bus in public school dis-

tricts in California these past few years has been adaunting task when we have seen our budgets cut over20%. I again appreciate your continued help and sup-port. Somehow we are making it a day at a time andgrowing and improving our program regardless. OakPark Schools will remain the very best public schoolsin California.

- Thank You,Anthony W. Knight, Ed.D., Superintendent

HappyHappy

Valentine’s Valentine’s

Day!Day!

7

8

No Frills Donations AppreciatedThe PFC would like to thank the following families for their No Frills contribution. Our goal is to raise $30,000.00, this year. We appreciate your continued support.

AggarwalAhdootS. AndersonV. AndersonW. AndersonAnninoAppelrouthArshtAsherAxelrodeBagamianBalenBartolomeaBearBelangerBelicheskyBensonBermanBernerBittonBoganimBriton-JonesL. BrownR. BrownBuckleyBussByrneL. CamhiCarrilloCatoneChandramohanChasinCheneyChrysiliouChiuClarkClearyJeff CohenJordan CohenLeslie CohenLinda Cohen

CookCorbittCoufalCovertDarlingDelgadoDininoDoheneyDolabsonDuerfeldtEichstadtFeemsterFieldsFisherFongFordFreyGalaifGarbGebhardGeeGeldinGerberGhaffariGoldsteinGordonGorelikGreenGronichGunnHainesHarrisHassaniehHedlundM. HelfordS. HelfordHileHirschHolmesHorwitzHotchkiss

JamisonJassoJhaJohnsonKalmanovichKatzKhawKiernanKopeckyKristensenKubikLaifmanLamLambLevinLevineLezakLindenauLitvakLiuLouieLuMamrothMandellMaholchicMarshallMcCleeryMertzelMeyerMillerMogaveroMoghimiMoshkovichMoriartyMouzayaMyersT. MyersMyersonNathansonNeimanNiemerow

NigamNguyenOjalvoS. OrensOrnsteinPauleM. PhillipsR. PhillipsPiurkowskyPowersRedaResnickRifkinRinkovRosenSadwickSalingerSanta CruzSantiagoSaravisSandersSchaferJ. SchapiroSchlatterSchroederScheimanM. SchwartzK. SearsSeeganShaevitzShiresShortsSimons

Click Here to use PayPal to make your No Frills Donation!

Continued on page 9

9

Used English Readers

The PFC is collecting gently usedcopies of English readers. Pleasebring to your English classes duringFebruary and March. Boxes will be inall English classes and in thecounseling office. Books with writingin them will not be accepted. Thebooks will be resold duringregistration.

Contact Vivienne Goldstein atkiwimde@sbcglobal.net forquestions or comments.

PFC Update

President’s LetterOur students are onto their second semester classes

and many of us are looking forward to Spring!I would like to thank Shirin Sexton and her

wonderful team of parents who helped with the 2nd

semester textbook collection and distribution.With only a few more months left in this school

year, we, the PFC, are searching for volunteers to fillsome important roles for the next school year! Youmay find the perfect opportunity to contribute yourtime and talents from the many different positions wehave opening up, VP Fundraising, Treasurer, DisasterPreparedness Co-Chair, Escrip, Senior Breakfast,Grad Night, Hospitality Committee, PFCMembership, Adult Enrichment, Textbook Co-Chair,and more. We will have job descriptions included innext month’s newsletter. If you have questions or are

interested in being part of the PFC TEAM in the fall,please e-mail me ASAP.A reminder that we have our PFC Mock SAT on

February 18th , the Catalyst Bootcamp on March 3rd

and 4th, and the MOCK ACT on March 24th. Forboth the Mock exams we will using a differentcompany this semester so come and try it out.Our next General PFC meeting will be March

9th, at 10 a.m. in the large Library Conference room.

I look forward to seeing you there.– Regards,

Gillian MillerOPHS PFC President

ophspfc@gmail.com

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

CLICK HEREA BIG THANK YOU

to our wonderful No Frills Donors!

Continued from page 8

SimmonsSklarL. SmithS. SmithSteinhardtStutzL. SnyderT. SnyderD. StarkJ. StarkStevensSwedelsonTaylorThedingaTobiasTooTorigian

TreitmanUckerVermaWagonerWaldmanWalshWangWayneWelinWheatleyWhiteleyWiederspahnWooWuWulfYeomanYip

10

It pains us to write in the wake of the recentAgoura High School tragedies that we at Oak ParkHigh must now cope with a tragedy of our own. JohnAlbrigo, a twelfth-grade classmate and friend of ours,took his own life. The loss of such a promising younglife has gravely saddened our community; our deepestcondolences go out to John’s family.Our annual Acceptance Week of tolerance-foster-

ing events and activities is now Awareness Week, andwill begin Monday, March 5. Join us as we strive todiscover what lies behind the mask we wear in oureveryday lives.

Advanced Peer Counseling News

Save the DateSunday May 6th

OPUSD’sCommunity

Outreach Committee

will host Oak Parks 1st Annual Day of Service.In conjunction with the National Big Sundaycampaign of volunteerism, Oak Park USD willbe asking our “school community” to cometogether for a few hours of service followed byan awesome community event! We hope youand your family will give back a few hours tohelp your school, your neighbors and yourcommunity. Specific tasks will be determinedat each of our schools and throughout ourcommunity. We are looking for one contactperson at each school site to be the liaison withour committee. If you are interested in thatposition, please contact Toni Caruso atcarusoktr@sbcglobal.net.

Now more than ever, we would like to reiteratethat we are here to support your students, our peers,whether they need a helping hand to uplift or simplyan ear and an open mind to listen. We encourage themto seek out our help.As always, thank you for your continued interest in

our program.— With heavy hearts,

Moe Scott, Vivian Rotenstein,and the Advanced Peer Counselors

GET THE LATESTOAK PARKNEWS!

Visit www.OakParkUpdate.com regularly for the latestin local news and events!Don’t Miss

Comedy Sportz!

There are TWO, (yes, 2)Oppportunities to Attend

This Month!!

Thursday, February 9th, 7 pmG-9

AND

Friday, February 24th, 7 pmPavilion

Ticket Prices: $5 for adults

$3 for studentsRefreshments sold!

11

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

12

As winter sports head towards the end of the sea-son, our teams are vying for TVL championships andspots in the CIF play-offs. Listed below are there cur-rent league and overall records:

League OverallGirls BasketballVarsity 6-1 14-7Jr. Varsity 5-2 10-8

Boys BasketballVarsity 7-0 17-5Jr. Varsity 7-0 14-5Frosh/Soph 6-1 12-8

Girls SoccerVarsity 3-5 7-9-2Jr. Varsity 6-0-1 11-1-5

Boys SoccerVarsity 3-5 8-7-2Jr. Varsity 1-4-2 2-12-2

Schedules and locations of remaining regularseason contests are located on the athletic web site.Please come out and support our teams.

SPRING SPORTS – IMPORTANT DATES

Final ClearanceFeb. 21 2:30 Baseball

2:50 Boys Volleyball3:10 Softball

Feb. 22 2:30 Golf2:45 Boys Tennis3:00 Track

Feb. 23 2:30 Girls Lacrosse2:45 Boys Lacrosse3:00 Track

Parent MeetingFeb. 27 7:00 p.m. Gym

Information on what is required for final clearance islocated on our web site. If you have questions, pleasecontact the athletic department. at 818-735-3303 orapettit@oakparkusd.org.

- Ann Pettit and Dick Billingsley,Co-Athletic Directors

Eagle Athletics Update

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 Ed: Complete this course to

receive your DMV Drivers Education certifi-cate. Competitively priced at $70.00 for this 30hour 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 Englishor Spanish.

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

13

Dear Parents and Community Members,The new year in Oak Park is off to a bustling start.

At the January Board meeting we were fortunate to beable to honor both elementary and high school stu-dents as well as our former president. We had a fullaudience with the families and friends of the partici-pants in the Brookside Elementary School PTAReflections program and the Oak Park High SchoolMilitary Club. We also presented a plaque to the 2011School Board President, Barbara Laifman, in recogni-tion of and thanks for her service to the district.This is the second year that we have held a lottery

randomized by computer for spots in our District ofChoice program. We had over 900 applicants for the360 available spots for next year and the computerassigned numbers to each applicant family in a matterof minutes. The numbers are posted for viewing on ourwebsite and the families will be notified of the resultsshortly.We are very pleased with the report in which our

auditor presented the results of our three annual audits.We had one minor finding in the financial audit whichwas due to an oversight. We had no findings on eitherProposition 39 Bond audit, Measure C6 funds andMeasure R funds.

In other business, we updated our Board Policy onStudent Use of Technology. This policy is intended toassure that our students are using the technology pro-vided in both a safe and appropriate manner. OurBoard Policies are updated on a regular basis and post-ed on our website to be available for your perusal.Martin Klauss, our Assistant Superintendent for

Business Services, reported to us on the Governor’sproposed budget for fiscal 2012-2013. After findingthat we did not sustain as severe budget cuts inDecember as we had feared, we are still facing $79.6million or more in cuts for K-12 education in the statein the current year. The Governor is also proposing atax initiative he hopes to place on the November bal-lot. If this initiative does not pass, the cuts are expect-ed to grow to $4.8 billion which would translate to theequivalent of a loss of three weeks of instruction. Forthe time being we are feeling very fortunate to not befacing larger cuts but we will be budgeting very care-fully in order to be prepared for whatever comes.Until next month my best to all of you.

– Jan IcelandOPUSD Board President

News from OPUSD Board President

Athletic Booster Club Scholarships

The Athletic Booster Club will be providing two (2) $1,000 scholarships this year tograduating seniors. Students interested in applying for these scholarships will need tosubmit an Oak Park High School Common Scholarship application, provide a copy of

their transcript, and a 2-page essay describing how athletics, and their uniqueexperiences at Oak Park High School, have benefitted them individually.

Please contact the College and Career Center to obtain a copy of the scholarshipapplication. The application and supplemental documents will be due Wednesday,

April 18, 2012 by 12:30pm.

14

College NewsImportant College Dates & Deadlines for Seniors:

January 1st – March 2nd: Now is the time for seniors and their parents to be submitting the (FAFSA) FederalFinancial Aid Application. The preferred method for submission is via internet through their website at:http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

February: Mid-Year transcripts must be sent to many colleges and universities as part of their applicationprocess. See the section below for more details.

March 2nd: Deadline to submit GPA verification form to apply for a Cal Grant

Mid-March: is when most UC and CSU schools begin notifying applicants of acceptance or denial. Berkeley andUCLA are the last to send notices (surprise, surprise)!

Spring Break: Spring Break is the time to make final visits to schools that have made offers of acceptance. Thisis also the month students will notify most schools of their decisions. Information about scheduling trips to UC& CSU campuses can be found at the OPHS Counseling "UC & CSU Admissions" web page.

May 1st: Commitment Deadline! Students must formally confirm acceptance or declination of an offer of admis-sion by this date.

May & June: are critical months for seniors because last semester grades do count! Spring semester classes (thatwere listed on the student’s admission application) that are dropped or not passed with at least a "C" may resultin a college rescinding its offer. Most competitive universities expect seniors to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA inthe senior year.

Ordering Mid-Year Transcripts for Colleges & Scholarships:• February is the month when most private/independent schools require students to send Mid-YearGrade reports (i.e. 7th semester transcripts). • Schools that students applied to using the Common Application will typically require mid-yeartranscripts.• Some CSU’s (like CSUN) may also request transcripts at this time if they are seeking supplemen-tal information.• For those schools that are requiring them you can begin pre-ordering them now.• Many scholarships request transcripts as part of their application as well. The ordering process is thesame.• Once you commit to attend a school you will be asked to send a final (8th semester) transcript tothat school. Again, the ordering process is the same.

Check the “colleges I’m applying to” page in Naviance to determine what kind ofdocument transmission format your schools use.

This is a Common App school and will require mid-year transcript. All transcripts will be transmittedelectronically to these schools.

Continued on next page

15

Continued from previous page

This is an electronic school. If they require a transcript or any other supporting documentation it can betransmitted electronically.

This is not an electronic school. If they require a transcript or other supporting documentation it must bemailed via USPS.

If your school or destination is not on the naviance.docufide list then you may either provide a stamped pre-addressed envelope to the Registrar, or we will put the transcript in a sealed envelope for you to pick up and mailyourself. Please review the items at the bottom of the page for this option.

• Please check the following web link to view the list of destinations that accept electronictransmission of documents: http://naviance.docufide.com/general/edocs_destinations If yourschool/destination is on this list make sure you have added it to your list of “active applications” in the“colleges” section of Naviance. Note: you must still pay for electronically submitted transcripts.• If this transcript is for the NCAA please make sure you have added the NCAA to your list of “activeapplications” in the “colleges” section of Naviance, and provide your clearinghouse registration numberbelow. • If your school or destination is not on the naviance.docufide list then you may either provide astamped, pre-addressed envelope to the Registrar, or we will put the transcript in a sealed envelope foryou to pick up and mail yourself. Please review the options below, and indicate which your prefer on theTranscript Request form.

Check the option(s) that apply to your transcript order.____ I have reviewed the electronic transmission information above and understand that my transcriptwill be submitted electronically. Please indicate (ED) below next to the schools/NCAA destinations thatwill be sent electronically. ____ Hold in the Counseling Office for me to pick-up. I understand that I am responsible for picking upand mailing the transcript(s). Please indicate (H) below next to the schools/destinations that you wantyour transcript “held’ for. ____ Please mail my transcript(s) and any other related documents in the pre-addressed, stampedenvelope(s) I have provided to the OPHS Registrar. I understand that I am responsible for putting thecorrect mailing address and postage on the envelope(s). I will leave the return address blank on theenvelopes I provide. Please indicate (PA) below next to the schools/destinations that you have providedpre-addressed, stamped envelopes for. ____ Give transcript(s) to my Counselor as part of my college/scholarship/summer programapplication(s). I have discussed this option with my Counselor. Please indicate (C) below next to theschools/destinations that you want given to your Counselor.

Download/Print the form below, complete it and take it with you to the Student Store to pay for yourtranscripts.

Seniors, for initial transcript orders this form is part of your required "Counselor's Meeting". Yourcounselor must review and sign-off on your initial transcript requests before you take the form to theStudent Store to pay. Seniors do not need their Counselor’s signature for mid-year or other subsequenttranscript orders.

Transcript Request Form in PDF

16

17