Greater Orange News Service

ORANGE HIGH SCHOOL FARM FEST returns this Saturday

For the most part Orange County’s agriculture days are long gone. One notable exception in the Metro Area of Orange County is right here in Orange at Orange High School.  One of Orange High’s many unique programs is its Future Farmers of America and the farm they operate right on campus in the middle of Orange.

 
This Saturday  Orange High School’s Future Farmers of America will open up their farm to the public in the annual Orange High School Farm Fest.

Fun for the whole family, you can get your fill of farm fun with a petting zoo, food, games, prizes and lots of farm animals. Orange High students have been raising sheep, pigs, and cattle and more on their own farm and every year invite the public to come and have a look.

This year’s Farm Fest is Saturday May 11, 2013 from 12 noon-4:00 p.m.

The Orange High School Farm is located at the corners of Walnut, Shaffer and Harwood at Orange High. Cost is only $3.00 or $5.00 for admission and lunch, with funds going directly to support the OHS Future Farmers of America.

For more information call 714-997-6299.

For More information about Orange Home Grown CLICK ON:

http://www.orangehomegrown.org/

The Orange Unified School Trustees will vote to fill several open positions during the Closed Session of their May 9, 2013 OUSD School Board. Two high school principal positions, Canyon High School and El Modena High School, will be filled as well as the Executive Director of Special Education. Two Special Education coordinators and the Assistant Principal position at McPherson Magnet School will also be filled.  OUSD Superintendent Michael Christensen is expected to announce the Board’s hiring decisions at the beginning of the Open Session meeting at 7:00 pm.

OUSD found itself in the unusual position of hiring two high school principals after Canyon High School Principal Dr. Gregg Bowden resigned and El Modena Principal Rebecca Martinez retired. Bowden’s resignation came on the heels of a reported medical leave and Martinez’s retirement came after being appointed to the position just last year. However, both principal’s found themselves at the center of odd controversies

Martinez’s appointment came under attack from inside the school’s community that accused an OUSD district administrator of influencing the selection process in favor of Martinez.  Bowden resigned after an extended leave that was reportedly medical in nature that occurred after a school controversy that received national attention.

Bowden’s leave came on the heels of an investigation into a sanctioned school activity where students of the upper-middle class campus dressed-up as Hispanic stereotypical characters in a day called “Senores and Senoritas” day.  After complaints, the OUSD Administration investigated the event and required cultural sensitivity training for all OUSD Administrators.  The story was picked up by national news services.  OUSD reported to news agencies that Bowden’s leave was not related to the controversy and that no administrator was formally disciplined over the student dress-up day. 

Canyon High School is in the Anaheim Hills section of Anaheim, which is part of the Orange Unified School District. While the City of Anaheim is 53% Hispanic and 28% white, the Anaheim Hills section of Anaheim does not reflect those demographics. The Canyon High School demographics are 55% white and 16% Latino.

For More Information CLICK ON: “Senores and Senoritas”

Peralta Site negotiations focus on “price and terms of payment for potential lease”

Six months after voting to approve an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) for Fairfield Properties LLC, the OUSD Board at its May 9^th meeting will be discussing in Closed Session the “price and terms of payment” for the “potential lease” of the controversial Peralta Property Lease.    

The plan for a 99 year lease of the property to Fairfield would be for the company to build high density apartment buildings.  While the lease with OUSD appears to be a done deal, numerous hurtles with the City of Orange still must be overcome as a very organized and energized neighborhood association opposition continues to mobilize against the high density apartment project. 

The public portion of the Closed Session starts at 5:00 pm. The Board convenes in public and hears any Public Comments on Closed Session items before adjourning to Closed Session.  Any Closed Session decisions must be reported out at the beginning of the Regular Session at 7:00 pm.

INSIDE the OUSD May 9^th Agenda

In November of 2011, OUSD Superintendent Michael Christensen explained to the OUSD Board that the then OUSD 3 year Strategic Plan was good but “We need more time”, OUSD Superintendent Christensen extended the timeline to accomplish the goals to 2014. Honestly explaining to the OUSD Board that “The timelines [to accomplish the goals] are moving back because they cannot be met”, Christensen used the example of technology as how the economy has impacted meeting the goals. Citing the lack of funds to upgrade technology, the elimination of teacher in-service days to train on new technology and the shear stress and workload on the district’s human resources, the forthright Christensen explained “We are not finished with what is in place” and therefore needed to extend the timelines assuring the Board that “We are moving ahead”.

NEXT OUSD Board Meeting THURSDAY  MAY 9, 2013

AGENDA CLICK ON: OUSD MAY 9

OUSD CLOSED SESSION STARTS 5:00 PM, Regular Session: 7:00 pm

For more information call the OUSD Superintendent’s office at 714-628-4040

For budgeting questions call Business Services at 714-628-4015

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