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Dear Orange Families,
I hope you are enjoying the summer season! As we prepare for this school year, I just want to take a few moments to update you on some of the things that have been happening here on campus as we prepare to welcome back students and staff. I look forward to seeing everyone in a few days.
100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
The 2023-2024 school year marks the Orange Schools' 100th year since the district was established in 1924. I look forward to seeing you all later this month as we begin the year-long celebration, including plans for celebratory events in 2024! The 2023-2024 District Calendars, which we have returned to pre-Covid distribution (minus the $5 charge for this year), are dedicated to the Centennial as well. Enjoy!
WELCOME NEW ADDITIONAL SRO
Please welcome Officer Scott Bennett of the Moreland Hills Police Department as our newest School Resource Officer. SRO Scott is in addition to the existing ongoing support of the Moreland Hills School Support Officer details. He will spend most of his time interacting with students in grades K-8. SRO Scott joins his brother SRO Todd Bennett of Pepper Pike Police Department who will continue to be based at Orange High School. Both SROs will be available across campus.
SAFETY UPDATE
Providing a safe and secure learning environment for students, staff, and community members is very important to all of us. In addition to investing in the aforementioned increased police presence, we have numerous safety and security measures in place that we continue to enhance and upgrade. These areas include technology, campus and structural improvements, staff and visitor identification, good relationships with local safety forces, safety committees, safety drills, lightning detection system, automated external defibrillators (AED), and staff development opportunities and training.
SAFE SCHOOL HELPLINE
This is a reminder to students, parents and community members that the Safe School Helpline is available for them to report threats of violence, suicide, bullying and illegal activity that could harm children and staff in our schools. You can leave a message or speak with a live crisis counselor for immediate needs. It is administered by an independent, outside company. All communications are PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS.
The Safe School Helpline can be accessed via three methods:
- By telephone at 1-800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359 (1-800-418-6423 ext. 359)
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Online at www.safeschoolhelpline.com
- By texting 614-426-0240 and typing "TIPS" as the message.
Your message will be communicated to school officials. All information will remain anonymous to encourage the reporting of all safety concerns. Your report will be assigned a case number, which you may use later to confirm that your report was received and investigated. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s building principal.
WELCOME NEW ADMINISTRATORS
In an effort to continue providing top-notch special education services to our students, we welcome Dr. Katie Fallo as our new Director of Student Services. She joins our Director of Curriculum and Instruction Sheli Amato as part of the Integrated Student Services team. Dr. Fallo replaces Karen Moore who recently retired. Good luck to Katie and best wishes to Karen!
She joins Team Orange along with two new administrators who were announced this spring, Mr. Jamie Hogue, principal of Orange High School and Mr. Lyndon Brooks, assistant principal of Moreland Hills Elementary School.
OHS RENOVATIONS
Phase one of the Orange High School renovation project took place this summer! Updates were made to the first floor educational wing including the classrooms, classroom hallways, academic wing, choir and band rooms, and the media center.
Computer Animation for Phases One & Two; Photos of Phase One
At the end of phase one, construction will begin on a shaft for a new elevator. The elevator cab will be part of phase two which will begin next summer and cover the second floor, basement and Commons. Every OHS classroom will have new furniture for the 2023-2024 school year. New furniture will also be provided for the OHS media center, Commons, and teachers’ workroom, as well as the Brady Middle School cafeteria.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENT FUNDING
Permanent improvement funding provides a dedicated source of funds to cover expenses to repair and replace safety and security equipment, heating and cooling systems, school buses, facilities and campus infrastructure, and technology. For more information about permanent improvement funding and the District’s long-term plan to address campus-wide capital improvement and maintenance needs please visit our PI Fund webpage.
STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
The Orange City Schools District has successfully completed its strategic planning process! Thanks to staff and other stakeholder input, we have a roadmap aligned with the objectives developed by the Impact Group. Visit our Strategic Plan Webpage for more information.
Orange Schools Strategic Plan 2023-2026
Orange Strategic Plan 2023-2026 Poster
Again, welcome to 2023-2024. I wish students, families and staff a wonderful year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Lynn Campbell
Superintendent
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