On October 17th, Oak Park High School willparticipate in California’s Great Shake Out, the

Statewide Earthquake Drill. So, this month is a goodtime to review our school’s emergency preparedness,procedures and responses for the different types ofemergency situations. The PFC is instrumental in ourEmergency preparedness and Disaster PreparednessChair; Andrea Myerson heads the committee thatmonitors and replenishes the emergency supplies inthe classrooms and in the disaster bins. AssistantPrincipal, Jason Meskis coordinates the school safetyplan and heads the School Safety Committee. Also, onSaturday, October 26 OPHS is having an EmergencyPreparedness Expo on the Great Lawn.

Q: What is the most important point that theparents should remember in an emergency situation?A: School is the second safest place for your child. Thefirst place, and the place that we know your childrenwant to be, is home. We ask parents to reinforce howimportant it is for students to follow the directives ofstaff. The greatest threat to everyone’s safety after adisaster is the panic and irrational behavior ofunprepared people. Parents should talk to theirchildren, make a plan, and listen to emergency officials.Students, staff and parents should keep an emergencybackpack in their car containing a change of clothesand essential safety supplies such as a first aid kit, aflashlight with spare batteries, and water.

Q: What are the types of emergencies for which thehigh school develops plans?A: The three broad categories of emergencies that thehigh school prepares for are fire, lockdown and majordisaster. Fire emergencies include brush or buildingfires on or near the campus, and explosions. Lockdownpreparedness involves responding to a situation wherea dangerous intruder is on campus or in the schoolvicinity; a major chemical spill on campus or in the

The Principal’s Message

pfc newsletterO A K P A R K H I G H S C H O O LOctober 2013 www.oakparkusd.org/ophs

area; and a bomb threat. A major disaster coversemergencies such as earthquakes, plane crashes, andsevere weather.

Q: In the event of a fire on campus, how does theschool respond?A: The fire alarms will sound. Students and staffevacuate the buildings and follow our fire drill plan.Specifically, students will move with their teachers tothe football field using routes as indicated on eachclassroom evacuation map. Staff will then take roll andeither wait for the fire department to arrive and givefurther direction, or allow students to return to classwhen the “all clear” signal is sounded. If the studentsand staff are unable to return to class, parents will benotified by the district’s automated all-call phonesystem and, if feasible, students will be sent home.Specific information will continue to be communicatedthrough the district’s all-call phone system andthrough the district and/or high school website.

Q: What happens at the school in the event of alockdown at the school?A: Lockdowns occur when we want students, staff,and campus guests to remain sheltered in a safe place.This may occur in a situation involving a weapon,gunfire, severe storm, or hazardous materials. Whenwe need to lockdown our campus, a continuous bellwill be sounded and the announcement, “This is aLockdown” will be made to signal staff and students tostay inside, or if outside, to move inside the nearestavailable room. Administrators are assigned to zonesand will “sweep” the campus to ensure everybody isinside a locked room. The initial purpose of alockdown is to isolate an intruder and remove anypotential target from view. We will take roll to accountfor all students and staff. In the case of a hazardousmaterials spill, teachers will seal windows and doors.The “all clear” will come in the form of a schoolemployee going to each room and announcing that thecondition has been identified and resolved.

continued on page 6

2

Campus Calendar, News & NotesOct. 1-3 Senior College Advisement, 7th period, G-9Oct. 1-2 CAHSEE (grades 11-12)Oct. 2 Senior Parent College Meeting, 6:30 pm, G-9Oct. 4 PFA Meeting, 8:30 am, Lib CROct. 7 Naviance Workshop, 6:30 pm, C&CCOct. 10 Mock SAT Results, 7 pm, G-9Oct. 11 Homecoming RallyOct. 12 PFC Mock ACT, 9 am, G-9Oct. 12 Homecoming Dance, 7 pm, GymOct. 15 Board of Education, 6 pm, G-9Oct. 16 College Knowledge Night, 5:30, CHSOct. 17 Comedy Sportz, 7 pm, Pav.Oct. 19 PSAT, 8 am, OPHS G-BuildingOct. 19 College Essay Writing Workshop, 9 am, Pav.Oct. 19 Girls Volleyball Carwash, 9 am - 1 pmOct. 21-22 Winter Preliminary Clearance Oct. 24-26 Black Box Production, 7 pm, Pav.Oct. 26 Black Box Production, 2 pm, Pav. Oct. 31 ASB Blood Drive, 8 am

Nutr. = Nutrition, Pav. = Pavilion

Lib. CR = Library Conference Room

C&CC = College & Career Center

See complete listings for athleticevents and more on theOPHS Master Calendar!

It’s easy as 1-2-3!1. Click here or go to…www.oakparkusd.org/ophs.

2. Hover your mouse on “Calendars” in the yellowmenu bar and select Master Calendar from thedrop down menu or select the athletic team schedule you wish to view.

3. If you selected Master Calendar, click on any event listed for more information!

College KnowledgeCollege KnowledgeNightNight

Calabasas High SchoolCalabasas High School

Wed., Oct. 16th5:30 pm

Get all the Information by Turning to page 5

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: Shelly Resnick 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

Inside This Issue

PCollege Knowledge Night, Oct. 16th

P Important Yearbook deadlines & dates.

P PFC to PFA. . . Read all about it!

P New All-Call Sponsor!

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

3

On behalf of the Advanced Peer Counselingprogram, we would like to welcome you to the

2013-2014 school year. We hope you and yourstudent(s) had a very enjoyable and relaxing summervacation, as well as a successful first four weeks ofschool.

Our mission as Advanced Peer Counselors is topromote awareness and acceptance on campus. Alongwith promoting awareness and acceptance, we are hereto confidently support and facilitate students' navigationthrough any problem that they might encounter, and tocreate a trusting, safe, and caring environment on theOak Park High School campus. As Peer Counselors, ourrole is to create a sense of inclusion, and help facilitatethe wellbeing of out fellow students. Programs such asone-on-one mentoring, conflict mediation, BeginningPeer Counseling, and various other school wideactivities, promote and spread our message of acceptanceand awareness throughout the student body.

Below is a list of Advanced Peer Counselors

Sophomores:Jayda Nalamlieng

Max DavisJake Davis

Claire MatulisKenny Park

Amanda ReillyAnastasia Greer Tyler FordTrenton HallRachel Julius

Malika Khamidova Kobi Weisberg

Juniors:Yael KarolyMalia LannerJasmine FloraRachel CohenBen Winck

Juniors: (continued)Tyler Kristensen Emily Powers

Summer Taneman Gabe Rashba Russell Tagawa

Michelle Velasquez Maris PadenVictoria TorresSam Sklar

Taylor Chock-Wong

Seniors:Lexi Balter

Katherine Byrne Gabriela OjalvoGreg KatzKyra Stevens

Cameron O'BrienJosh ShapiroMegan Mertzel Zack FuttermanJack Philips

Each and every Peer Counselor is available and veryeager to work with your student in whatever capacitythey can to encourage and foster a positive high schoolexperience. Please feel free to personally contact us-and/or our advisors, Ms. Debi Fries and Mrs. JanetSvoboda. You may request to meet with a PeerCounselor in the school counseling office, where ourcontact information is posted, and we will always beavailable to you upon request. You can also fill out arequest online on the Peer Counseling web page.

We will keep you and your student(s) informed asthe school year goes on. Thank you for showing aninterest in our program.

— Sincerely,Cameron S. O'Brien and Kyra Stevens

Advanced Peer Counseling Liaisons

Advanced Peer Counseling Update

4

PFC Update

President’s MessageDear Friends and OPHS Families –

It has been a little over a month since we returnedto school. I would imagine everyone is now settled intoa routine and well on their way to a successful schoolyear. Prior to school beginning, many volunteersworked very hard behind the scenes to see that theschool year started off running smoothly. I would liketo thank Lori DeGrinis and Andrea Shapiro formaking registration so easy for our parents andstudents. I would also like to thank the executive PFCBoard; Susie Harris, Julie Ahdoot, Ragini Aggarwal,Lisa Shaevitz and Michelle Perlmutter for all the workthey did throughout the summer. Another memberwho donated her time during the summer is UmaNarayanan, she is responsible for keeping everyone inthe KNOW through our weekly eNews.

This year comes with many changes in the PFC. Anew board, new members and a new name for us. Atthe first PFC meeting on September 26th, those whoattended got to vote on the proposed plan of becominga PFA (Parent Faculty Association). After thorough

discussion of why the move from a PFC to a PFA, itwas a unanimous vote to convert to a PFA. Thischange means we are breaking away from the Oak ParkCommunity Foundation and becoming our own entity.The only changes being made are that our boardmeetings are now at 8:30 am for everyone to attend,and anyone who joins the PFA has a right to vote onall issues that will be addressed at these meetings. Thepurpose of the now PFA will remain the same. It is tosupport the academic needs of our students andteachers.

It would be great to see more PFA members attendthe meetings to learn more about what is going on atour school.

Thank you for your time. I wish you all a greatmonth.

–Shelly ResnickOPHS PFA, President

5

Save The Date!!

College Knowledge NightWednesday, October 16, 2013

Calabasas High School22855 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas, 91302

5:30 pm - SAT/ACT Test Prep Vendor Fair5:30 pm - SAT/ACT Test Prep Vendor Fair

6:30 - 8:30 pm - Introduction 6:30 - 8:30 pm - Introduction in the Performing Arts Centerin the Performing Arts Center

7 – 7:30 p.m. first workshop

7:40 – 8:10 p.m. second workshop

8:20 – 8:50 p.m. last workshop

Maps/Schedules will be available on site

All Grade-Levels Students and Parents fromOak Park, Agoura and Calabasas High Schools

ARE INVITED!!Workshop Topics:Workshop Topics: ACT versus the SAT; Advantages to Attending Out-of-State Colleges;California Community College System; California Private Colleges; California State UniversitySystem; College-Bound Athletes/ Getting a Head Start; College Essays; Cost of College; How toChoose a College Major/ Career; How to Choose a College and How a College Chooses You;I’m Not an A Student, What Now?; Military Academies: Air Force, Coast Guard, Naval, WestPoint; Naviance Nuances; Out-of-State Financial Aid; Western Undergraduate Exchange; STEM:College Majors for the 21st Century/ Science, Technology, Engineering, Math; Students with504’s, IEP’s: Laying the Groundwork for College; University of California System; University of

Southern California; Visual & Performing Arts Colleges.

Sponsored by the Agoura, Calabasas and Oak Park Parent Faculty ClubsWith Coordinator/Consultant Jean Gilbert Hawkins

6

Eagle Athletics Update

Q: Have provisions been made in the case thatstudents are in lockdown for an extended period oftime?A: Each classroom contains emergency kits thatcontain provisions to sustain all students for up to 72hours. The kit includes such things as water, food, asanitation system with privacy screen, 12-hour lightsticks, extensive first aid supplies and an evacuationmap.

Q: What would happen if there was a naturaldisaster or catastrophic event and the students wereunable leave to campus, or, for safety reasons, wererequired to remain on campus for an extended periodof time?A: Students would be moved to a safe location, whereteachers would remain with the students until such

Principal’s Message continued from page 1

continued on page 10

The 2013-14 school year is underway which means our fall sports programs are in full swing.Listed below are each of our fall sports and their head coaches:Football

Varsity Terry ShortenJr. Varsity Cliff ZoneFrosh Cliff Zone

Girls VolleyballVarsity Patrick QuinnJr. Varsity Adam QuinnFrosh-Soph Hayley Verner

Cross CountryBoys/Girls Al Calce

Girls TennisCo-Varsity/JV Carl Joyce and Tim Schnaible

CheerVarsity/JV Carolyn Purkey

Dance Kristin Atkins

ALL THE FALL SCHEDULES ARE ON THE OPHS WEBSITE. PLEASE COMEOUT AND SUPPORT OUR TEAMS!!

time we deem it prudent to release them. We will takeroll and account for all staff and students while ouremergency disaster teams, such as our Site EmergencyResponse Team organize and assess the situation. Thehigh school has provisions to accommodate studentsand staff on campus for several days. These supplies arechecked on a regular basis and are kept in large securedbins on the campus. When it becomes feasible torelease students to parents or guardians, a reunion gatewill be set-up. As soon as possible, the nature of theemergency and the plans to handle it will becommunicated to parents and our community throughthe emergency broadcasting stations in Ventura, thedistrict’s all-call phone system or the school/districtwebsite.

OPHS THANKS

Tom Bregman – RealtorBroker / Owner Bregman Properties

7

Student Counseling Reminder:Student Counseling Reminder:Besides support and nutrition,

counselors are available during yourlunch period.

Please stop in the counseling office.

Tom Bregman -Broker/Owner

Direct: 818.915.3360www.BregmanProperties.com

®

Bregman Properties is pleased to sponsorOak Park High School’s “All Call” system.

The computerized phone system is avital link to our OPHS families!

Serving Oak Park and the Surrounding Communities

www.MoveToOakPark.com

www.ConejoValleyHouseValue.com

DRE#01852520

8

For tickets sale dates and information, please go to the OPPAA website

9

Yearbook News & NotesYearbook News & Notes

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!Personal Ad PricingPersonal Ad Form

FirstFirst Senior Personal Ad deadline is Thursday, October 10thSecondSecond Senior Personal Ad deadline is Tuesday, December 10th

All write ups, photos, payment and forms MUST all be included -you cannot pay early and reserve a spot to submit later

Senior Quote, Name & SignatureAND

Senior “Bests”are due Friday, October 25th

If you have lost the sheet,you may print out a new one from the links below:

Senior Quote, Name & Signature FormSenior Bests Voting Form

Yearbook Not Orderd Yet?Order a Yearbook today for $90online at the OPHS webstore!

10

No Frills Donations AppreciatedThank you to the following families for their generous donations to our 2013 No Frills Campaign. Without theircontributions, the PFC could not continue to support Oak Park High School teachers and students.

AggarwalAhdootAlchanatiAldrich**AlicerAlkoby**Alwash**AndersenAnderson, P&D.**Annino**AokiAppelrouthArdiAsulinAviram**Bagamian**Baker, E&J.

BalintBarrettBartolomea**BatraBaumann**BautistaBearBecerraBeemanBender**BeneduceBensonBernerBoganimBongiovi**BorreroBradbury

BraniganBrowneBuckleyBuiBulkoBurger**Burnison**Byrne**CarrilloCastillo**ChandramohanChang, S&K.Chasin**CheneyChittickChiuClarke

ClearyCleveland**Cohen, B&J.**Cohen, I&D.**Cohen, J&S.**Cohen, S&V.ColaoCombsCook**CorbittCounsilCruzDauchyDaveDavis, H&K.deCaussin**Dem**

Continued on page 11** denotes Gold Level donors; families who donated $250 or more per student!

Q: Are any OPHS teachers or staff trained inemergency management and procedures?A: Our staff has been trained on emergencyprocedures and is well prepared to respond to anypossible life-threatening situation. Many members ofour staff, including all physical education teachers,coaches, campus supervisors, administrators, students,and support staff have completed CPR and CERTtraining. The school’s safety committee continues tomeet to review and refine our school safety plan. As adistrict, we will continue to review and practice safetyprocedures and preparedness.

Q: Do OPHS students participate in fire oremergency drills so that they become familiar withthe school’s safety plan and procedures?A: Throughout the course of the year, our studentsand staff participate in emergency drills: fire,earthquake and lockdown. We will be participating inthe Statewide Great Shake Out on October 17th,when we will practice drop and cover, full evacuation,search and rescue, triage, and student release.

Following the drill, our Administration and schoolsafety committee conducts a full review of the drill andfollows up with feedback to our staff as to how thepractice can be improved. Each classroom has a kitthat outlines basic emergency responses and clearlyhighlights the evacuation route for that class. Parentsare asked to encourage their children to look at theevacuation map that is posted in each class.

Your support of the PFC helps provide foremergencies. The PFC replenishes supplies in theclassroom emergency boxes and in the disaster binsand duffle bags. The PFC continues to buy all thesupplies to not only replenish our supplies that aregoing out of date, but also to increase our amounts ofwater on campus in case of an emergency.

One of the features of the modern day emergencysituations is the use of cell phones. It is vey likely thatin the event of an actual emergency, students will calltheir parents. It is vey understandable that parents willwant to show up and collect their child. It is importantthat parents follow the instructions and procedures

Principal’s Message continued from page 6

Continued on page 12

No Frills Donations AppreciatedThank you to the following families for their generous donations to our 2012 No Frills Campaign. Without theircontributions, the PFC could not continue to support Oak Park High School teachers and students.

11

Continued from page 10

DeveauDiPaolo**Dolabson**DollisonDorian**Dubey**Duerfeldt**Eghbali**ElayneEllis**FaxasFeemsterFelder**FestaFields**Fiouzi**FlaschnerFollett**Ford**FreyFriedman, A&A.Friedman, N&D.FritzFuttermanGabrielGarfinkel, S&M.**Garvin**Gebhard**GeldinGerwe WijesekeraGhaffariGilbertGilliamGlassman, R&A**Glickstein**GlucroftGodsick**GoldesGoldsteinGoodwell**GorelikGortner**GowderGravesGreen, K&S.Green, U&A.

GreenbaumGreenwaldGrimmHaberHadariHaddoxHaikinHaines**Harris, L&G.Harris, S&O.HartHeatleyHedlund Helfand**HennessyHenteleffHerbert, D&S.HerscuHillHillman**HindsHiscocksHoffman, L&S.Holmes**Horwitz**Hsiong**HsuHughes, A&D.**ImmkeJamison**Jasso**JenningsJhaJimenezJohn**Johnson, A&S.Julius**KalinkeKalmanovichKaminskyKatz, B&J.Katz, L&G.Katz, S&M.KealerKellyKeynejad

KhawKiernanKoe**KoffiKramer**Kristensen**Krys**KubikKulkarniLabrecqueLaifman**Lam**LambLee, M.Lee, S&P.LehrerLenkoLevanonLevinLezakLinLiu, H&D.Liu, M&D.Lovett-LoveLozitoMacofsky**MaioMajamMandellManyakMarkarian**MarshallMartinelli**MasudaMatticoliMayemuraMcAuleyMcCarthy**McCleery**McGuire,A&R.McGuire,V&M.McLoudMedinaMelnik**

Melzer Bronstein**Meyer, B&S.Meyer, L&R.Miremadi**MitchellMoghimi**MohabeerMorner**MorrisseyMouzaya**Movich**NiemerowNietoNikolajevic**O'BrienO'Connor**OngOrnsteinOrtizPark**Parry**PerlmutterPerry, P&R.Peters, J&R.PetersenPfeiffer**Phillips, L&R.**Phillips, S&M.**Pittler**PiurkowskyPokrasPowers, K&T.Ramirez, L&D.Ramirez, M&P.RandazzoRanieriRaslan**Ravetch**Reda**Resnick**Richard**Rifkind**RobertsonRodinRomanova**

Continued on page 13** denotes Gold Level donors; families who donated $250 or more per student!

12

Fall UpdateAs a brief overview of your Education Foundation,

Friends of Oak Park Schools helps fund programswhich benefit students of all grades at all schools in ourdistrict. Our fund-raising is event and donation basedfrom our parents, community, business partners andmatching donations.

In the past few years, Friends has partially or fullyfunded the district's Science Enrichment Program thatincludes the Idea to Impact (i2i) science competitionprogram and elementary/middle school field trips, dis-trict music programs including the new high schoolJazz Band program, elementary art programs as well asstart-up funding for many of the middle and highschool clubs.

Our commitment to programs at the high schoolhas never been greater as all students in all of our ele-mentary and our middle school end up at Oak ParkHigh School.

Friends of Oak Park Schools is the administrator ofthe Oak Park Summer School Program. SummerSchool provides remedial and acceleration classes foralmost 500 students entering middle school through12th grade. One of the most successful class offeringsis for incoming 9th grade students entering highschool for the first time and helps them acclimate tothe requirements of their next four years. Take a look

at the class offerings as they are announced nextspring!

The Friends' Endowment drive held during regis-tration provides all of us an opportunity to leave ourlegacy; an eventual interest bearing account that willfund programs in the future.

The collaborative working relationship betweenour school's Parent Teacher Organizations, SiteCouncils and Education Foundation is unique to ourdistrict and we are the only district in Ventura Countywho has monthly meetings with the Presidents ofthese organizations creating a brain trust of ideas andsupport for all of our students in each of our schools.

The Friends' board consists of parents from allschools and community members as well. We arealways looking for volunteers with a district focus asboard members or assisting us with event(s). If youhave any interest, please contact us at info@friendso-foakparkschools.org

We look forward to providing you informationthroughout the year about your EducationFoundation. It pays to have "Friends!"

Friends of Oak Park Schools

that the school gives regarding student releases.Usually, students will be released from the football fieldafter we have accounted for everybody. Parents shouldnot enter the classrooms and buildings looking fortheir child or taking their child before we’ve accountedfor him or her. Our resources and emergency responseteams need to be used to search for students who areunaccounted for and to treat students who may needemergency medical attention.

Of course, we hope that we do not have to usethese measures and supplies in a real emergencysituation, but student safety is our number one priority.Disaster preparedness is as much a critical part ofschool as is college preparedness, and with yoursupport we will continue to be successful on bothfronts.

– Sincerely,Kevin Buchanan, Principal

Eagle s

Principal’s Message continued from page 9

Homecoming DanceHomecoming Dance

Saturday, October 12th7:00 to 11:00 pm

OPHS Gym

13

Hello Oak Park!Awareness Week is right around the corner!

Every year, Advanced Peer Counseling plans a week topromote the awareness of issues that students face oncampus at Oak Park High, along with other highschools all around the world. This is accomplishedthrough a series of activities, classroom presentations,guest speakers, and discussions held during school forstudents and after school for entire families. Every dayof the week brings a new activity, and every new activ-ity hopefully will encourage students to step outsidetheir comfort zone, be aware, and think about prob-lems that their peers may be facing. Awareness Week isfrom October 22 to October 26.

Along with one-on-one mentoring, AdvancedPeer Counseling works to help students navigatethrough high school with the conflict mediation pro-gram. Conflict Mediation is a unique program inwhich disputants are encouraged to find a commonground and look for a problem from multiple points ofview and compromise to reach a win-win solution for

a conflict. Conflict mediations can be requested by ateacher, counselor, or the students themselves.

Peer Counselors are always available to talk!

There are request forms online as well as in theCounseling Office. Please do not hesitate to contactus!

We hope you have a fantastic month of October!

– Sincerely,Kayla Sadwick and Zack Reilly

Advanced Peer Counseling Liasons

Rosen, F&P.Rosen, L&M.Rosen, M&J.**Rosenberg**RosenkrantzRubinsteinSalingerSalzmanSantaCruzSchaffner**Schapiro**Schneider**Schnurr**Schwartz, L&M.**Sharpstone**Shemtov**SherinShevittShieldsShiloniShiresShneyder

SimonSimons**Sklar**Smith, K&K.**Smith, L&S.Smith, S.SnaderSpooner, C&W.StilloStone, A&M.StoopsStrauchStutzSullivan, J&T.Sunguroglu**TagawaTakedaTangTaylor, M&M.Tesoro**Tobias**Too

TorigianTownsend**TrnavskyTsai, Y&T.TsoUngarVelasquezVermaVolchokVolkVosbergWada**WalikeWallWang, WWang, Y&B.WayneWdowiakWeeks**Welin**WhealenWheatley

WhiteleyWigulWilliams, M&M.**Williams, S&S.WingWise**WulfWynerYardenyYerichZafarZaitlenZiegler

Click Here to use

PayPal to make your

No Frills Donation!

No Frills Donations Appreciated Continued from page 11

** denotes Gold Level donors; families who donated $250 or more per student!

14

PSAT/NMSQTPRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST/NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST

Saturday, October 19, 2012 - Oak Park High School at 8 a.m.The PSAT is important because:

*It enables students to practice for the SAT I Reasoning Test.

*It measures verbal and mathematical reasoning skills important for academic success in college.

*It lets individual students compare their ability to do college work with the ability of other college-bound students. After the test, students receive a Report of Student Answers and a test book to review their performance.

*Taken in the junior year it serves as an initial screening of more than one millionparticipants in the National Merit Scholarship Program which identifies and honors academically talented students and which provides college undergraduate scholarships for a sizable number of the participants.

*Sophomore students may take the PSAT for practice reasons. They may pick up registration information in the Student Store.

The PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin, which provides a description of the test, test-taking strategies,sample questions with explanations of correct answers, a practice test that students can take and score, and adescription of scholarship programs, will be given to students when they pay their registration fee.

Registration Dates & Fees:

Registration Dates FeesSept. 23th - Oct. 15, 2012 (Grades 9, 10 & 11) $25

Students must register at the Student Store during nutrition, lunch & 7th period only.Make checks payable to OPHS,

No registrations will be takenNo registrations will be takenafter 12 Noon October 15th!after 12 Noon October 15th!

If you have questions, contact the counseling office at 818.735.3310

15

ARE YOU PREPARED TO CARE FOR YOURSELF ANDYOUR FAMILY DURING A DISASTER??

This Training will help you get started……read on

Ventura County Fire DepartmentCOMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

FREE Oak Park Community CERT Training

Oct. 9th - Nov. 13th 2013 (Wednesday Nights)6:30 pm-9:30 pm

One Saturday: Nov. 16th: Hands-On Exercise Oak Park High School Room G-9

899 N. Kanan Rd. Oak Park, CA 91377

Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be ableto meet the demand for service typically rendered. The local population will have to rely

on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving, and life sustaining needs. The Community Emergency Response Team is a program that focuses on that preparedness.

The six week training is conducted by the Ventura County Fire Department.

Topics Include:Light Search & rescueFire SuppressionDisaster First AidDisaster Psychology

Home Disaster PreparednessIntroduction to Homeland Security

For questions and to register email Di Starzak: DiStarzak@sbcglobal.net or phone: 818-268-8936

Have you been CERT trained in the past? Register for the one-day County CERT Refresher on October 20, 2012.

http://fire.countyofventura.org Click on CERT.

Refresh those skills!! You need them!!Refresh those skills!! You need them!!

16

Common Core State Standards Initiative An Overview

Each month, I plan to contribute an article aboutsome aspect of the Common Core State StandardsInitiative. This first article will be an overview of theCommon Core with subsequent articles addressingEnglish Language Arts, Math, ProfessionalDevelopment and Assessments.California is one of 49 states throughout the

country to adopt the Common Core State Standards(CCSS). These states realized the need to workcollaboratively to develop standards that enable allstudents to acquire the necessary skills to succeed intoday’s global society. These Kindergarten-to-12thgrade standards define the educational goals for ourstudents and a new way to ensure those goals areattained. This is not a new concept - for decades educators

and policy makers have debated the importance ofarticulated, ambitious common standards. In 1959President Eisenhower discussed the advantages of anational and common understanding of educationalgoals to help the next generation compete globally!In August 2010 the California Board of Education

began the process of adopting the Common CoreState Standards. This came in response to thechanging nature of work, technology and competitionin the global market and research citing that theUnited States is one of the few developed countrieslacking national educational standards and aconsistent level of achievement to determineproficiency. These Common Core Standards areinternationally benchmarked and modeled after themost effective practices both in this country andworldwide. According to The Common CoreInitiative’s website, the standards:

• Are aligned with college and work expectations• Are clear, understandable and consistent• Include rigorous content and application ofknowledge through high-order skills• Build on strengths and lessons of current statestandards• Are informed by other top-performing countriesso that all students are prepared to succeed in ourglobal economy and society• Are evidence based

We have developed a three-year implementationprocess in Oak Park. Our transition process includesprofessional development for all staff, the purchase ofadditional instructional materials and additionaltraining and funding for technology. The State isproviding a Common Core Grant to each schooldistrict to be used within the next two years fortraining, materials and technology. As parents, the best way to prepare your children

for the Common Core is to be comfortable yourselveswith this new learning opportunity. There are amyriad of online resources to assist in this transition.Resources specific to Mathematics and Language

Arts: www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cc.The National Parent Teacher Association’s

Website:http://www.pta.org/parentsguide.This year, I will be presenting an overview of the

Common Core at each school site. Please check yourschool calendar for information about thesemeetings!

Yours,Leslie Heilbron, Ed.D

Assistant Superintendent, HumanResources/Curriculum and Instruction

17

College NewsSENIOR YEAR - The College Application Process

Important Dates & Deadlines:

October 1, 2 & 3rd (2:30-3:30pm) in G-9: Ms. Heeney, Ms. Fries, and Mr. McLelland will hold a collegeapplication advisement session for their respective Seniors.Oct. 1 - for Mr. McLelland's Seniors; Oct. 2 - forMs. Heeney's Seniors;Oct. 3 - for Ms. Fries' Seniors.

October 2nd, (6:30-8:00pm) in G-9: Senior College Advisement Night for all senior parents.

October 1st thru November 30th: This is the window for students to submit their online application to allUC's & CSU's. For more information go to the following link:http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/index.html For CSU information go to:http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/

Early Action/Early Decision application deadlines vary from as early as October 15th to as late as February 1stfor some schools. Most "Regular Admission" deadlines, will be somewhere between November 30th and January15th, (although some colleges have even later deadlines). For more details go to:http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1102

October 16th: College Knowledge Night @ Calabasas High School.

October 19, 2013: College Essay Writing workshop offered by Mrs. Schultheis 9:00 AM - 11:00AM (Pavilion).

November 22nd: This is the deadline for students to request a letter of recommendation for any applicationwith a deadline prior to January 15th. Counselors and Teachers must have a minimum of 3 weeks lead time forall recommendations! The Counselor's Checklist must be completed in order to request a recommendation fromany teacher or counselor.

January 1st: Federal Financial Aid applications (FAFSA’s) may only be submitted after this date. Paper formsare available in the Counseling Office now. However, the preferred method for submission is via internetthrough their website at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

January 9, 2014 (6:30-8:30pm) - G-9: Financial Aid Workshop.

February 15, 2014: Some colleges also require the CSS Profile, found online athttps://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp; complete the CSS PROFILE before your earliest college orprogram priority filing date. At the very latest, you must submit your PROFILE Application by February 15th.

March 2, 2014: Deadline to submit the Cal Grant GPA verification form to apply. For more information go tothe following link on our website: http://www.oakparkusd.org/page/1080.

Mid-March, 2014 is when most UC and CSU schools begin notifying applicants of acceptance or denial.Berkeley and UCLA are the last to send notices (surprise, surprise)!

Spring Break, 2014: Spring Break is the time to make final visits to schools that have made offers ofacceptance. This is also the month students will notify most schools of their decisions. Information aboutscheduling trips to UC & CSU campuses can be found here:http://www.oakparkusd.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=1155

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

May & June, 2014 are critical months for seniors because last semester grades do count! Spring semester classes(that were listed on the student’s admission application) that are dropped or not passed with at least a "C" mayresult in a college rescinding its offer. Most competitive universities expect seniors to maintain at least a 3.0GPA in the senior year.

CLICK ONANY BLUETEXT LINK!

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SENIOR "To Do" LIST:• This is when students truly find out what the term “college prep” has

all been about! Seniors should not construe this a “cruise year.” Colleges and universities want students to continue to take the most challenging classes available to them and to perform to the top of their ability.

• Still focus on academics! Contrary to the urban myth - grades DO count in the senior year!

• Most competitive universities expect seniors to carry at least FIVE College Preparatory, AP or Honors courses each semester, and they also expect seniors to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the year.

• Seniors should be taking their SAT Reasoning test, Subject tests, or ACT test for the last time during the fall of their senior year. The December SAT or ACT testing date is the absolute last date to take either of these tests for most fall collegeadmission cycles.

• The deadlines for some college applications begin early in the fall semester of the senior year, but vary widely from school to school. Seniors must be aware of DEADLINES! If they are applying Early Decision or Early Action, everything hasto be done EARLY! Some colleges want the application in by a certain date and some accept applications on a "Rolling" basis. It is absolutely critical to pay attention to deadline criteria!

CRITICAL APPLICATION ISSUES:

• Be 100% honest, colleges do verify everything and will "cancel" your admittance if theydiscover discrepancies, or if you don't complete classes you've listed on the application, or if your grades drop dramatically in the final semester.

• All classes taken should be listed on the "self-report" portion of the application, even those that were repeated later.

• Pay attention to the application deadlines for all applications (admissions, housing, financial aid, scholarships etc...)

• If you are submitting the application online take the time to go through whatever tutorialor help sessions are offered. Read the "Online Application Do's & Don'ts" section below.

• If you are mailing a paper application get a receipt, known as a “Certificate of Mailing” from the Post Office. Do not mail "certified, Fed Ex, UPS or registered," there is a difference. Colleges have no one in their admissions departments to sign for these kinds of special handling packages!

• Contact all campuses you applied to immediately if: w You receive a D or F in your senior year. w There are any changes to the reported classes for your senior year.w You have a change of address, phone number or e-mail address.

For more on the Senior College applications process go to the OPHS website at the following link: http: //www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=4275

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What is the PSAT? Who should be taking it?The PSAT was originally created as a "practice" test to be taken by Juniors inthe fall of the 11th grade year in preparation for taking the "real" SAT in theSpring. The PSAT's Score Report Plus is designed to help studentsdetermine their strengths and weaknesses by providing personalized feedback

on academic skills and to help them determine what subjects to focus their preparation on for the "real"SAT - also known as the SAT Reasoning Test. Although the PSAT is based on curriculum that mosthigh school students have taken through the beginning of their junior year - at Oak Park High Schoolwe have many 10th and even 9th grade students who are already pursuing advanced curriculum inmathematics (i.e. Algebra II or higher), along with Honors and/or AP Science, English and Historycourses. For these advanced students taking the PSAT in the 9th and 10th grades simply provides themvaluable test-taking practice, and a very concrete way of tracking their academic growth over time. It isfor these same reasons that our OPHS PFC also sponsors "Mock SAT" test-taking opportunities everyyear!

The 2013 PSAT will be administered on Saturday morning 8 a.m., October 19th at OPHS.

• Registration Dates: September 23rd thru October 15th at the OPHS Student Store during nutrition, lunch and 7th period only.

• Registration Fee: is $25• Test results are typically received the week before our Holiday break in December.

On the morning of the test Saturday, October 19, 2013

• CHECK-IN TIME: You must report to your testing room by 8:00 a.m. SHARP! You will need the following:

• PHOTO IDENTIFICATION: You will NOT be admitted to the testing room without yourphoto I.D. or any picture I.D. (i.e., Driver’s license, school I.D., etc.)

• ROOM ASSIGNMENTS: Locate your room on the list posted on the windows of the G-Building, Counseling Office, and Student Store.

• BRING: Two #2 pencils and a calculator, if desired.

What is the National Merit Scholarship?

The (NMSC) is an independent not-for-profitorganization that operates without governmentassistance. NMSC conducts two privately financed

annual competitions for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships — the National Merit®Scholarship Program and the National Achievements Scholarship Program. Through the National MeritProgram, NMSC also conducts competitions for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporate andbusiness organizations. High school students who meet published entry/participation requirements enterthese competitions by taking the Preliminary SAT as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test(e.g. NMSQT ® ), as juniors. Each year's test is the entry vehicle to a specific annual competition. As co-sponsor of the test, NMSC receives the scores of all students who take the PSAT/NMSQT. SelectionIndex scores (verbal + math + writing skills scores) of students who meet NMSC program entryrequirements are used to designate high scorers to receive recognition. In both the Merit Scholarship®and Achievement Scholarship® competitions, students who qualify as Semifinalists, and then meetacademic and other standards to advance to the Finalist level, are considered for scholarships. NMSCidentifies candidates and sends scholarship applications to them through their high schools. For moreinformation about the PSAT/NMSQT and NMSC scholarship programs click on the links above, or goto the national merit at the following hyperlink: www.nationalmerit.org.

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UC & National Merit: For more information about the new UC Policy with respect to the NationalMerit Scholarship Program go to the OPHS website at the following link:http://www.oakparkusd.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1158.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Something new on the Transcript order form this year is the completion of the "FERPA" waiver.In the past we simply asked students to complete this in Naviance, but the release of recordsauthorization process has now been moved to the Common Application. Since many of our students willnot be applying to colleges that use the Common Applications, or will be ordering transcripts for otherpurposes (i.e. scholarships, NCAA etc...), we will now be including the following release authorizationlanguage on all transcript order forms.

The questions you will see below relate to your educational records. The first pertains to thetransmission of your educational records from your secondary school(s) to the colleges to which you areapplying. The second concerns your right of access to confidential letters of recommendation. Under theterms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), you can review recommendationsand accompanying forms if you are age 18 or older or upon enrollment at a postsecondary institutionprovided that institution saves the documents. You may, however, waive this right of access altogether.

Why should you consider waiving your right of access? Waiving your right lets colleges know thatyou will never try to read your recommendations. That in turn reassures colleges that your recommendershave provided support that is candid and truthful. While you are free to respond as you wish, if youchoose not to waive your right, some recommenders may decline your request, and some colleges maydisregard recommendations submitted on your behalf.

After you make your selection about whether you want to waive your right of access, you will beable to invite your recommenders. Once you make the first invitation, you will not be able to changeyour waiver selection. To ensure that you fully understand the implications of your decision, we urge younot to answer the waiver question until you have consulted with your counselor, another school official,or your parent/legal guardian.

❑ I have fully read and understood the FERPA Release Authorization explanation above

❑ I authorize Oak Park High School to release all requested records and recommendations to collegesto which I am applying for admission. I also authorize employees at these colleges to confidentiallycontact my current and former schools should they have questions about the information submitted onmy behalf

Please select one:

❑ I waive my right to review all recommendations and supporting documents submitted by me or on mybehalf.

❑ I DO NOT waive my right to review all recommendations and supporting documents submitted byme or on my behalf.

If you do not waive your right please check below:

❑ I have chosen not to waive my right to review my recommendations and supporting documents. Iunderstand that my decision may lead my counselors or teachers to decline to write recommendations onmy behalf. I also understand that my decision may lead colleges to disregard any recommendationssubmitted on my behalf.

Mandatory:

❑ I understand that my waiver or no waiver selection above pertains to all colleges, scholarships, NCAAor other entities to which I am applying.