I hope this communication finds you well and in good health and spirits. It has certainly been a busy and productive few days across the Orange Public School District as we continue to build momentum and begin the new school year with purpose. There is much to celebrate, much to accomplish, and, as always, much to be grateful for.
I invite you to take a moment to sit back, relax, and enjoy reading this week’s update from the Office of the Superintendent. Within these pages, you will find highlights of the meaningful work taking place throughout our schools and the many ways our scholars and staff continue to move us forward.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support, partnership, and commitment to the success of our scholars and staff. Your support makes a difference, and together, we remain One Orange Strong. In closing, I encourage each of you to have an exceptional weekend; rest, recharge, and embrace every moment on PURPOSE.
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One month into the 2026-2027 school year, and the momentum in the Orange Public School District is already speaking for itself. Greater pride, greater progress and greater possibilities for our young people. And we’re just getting started. This is Orange: Optimal Success in action and moving Forward By Design. Now watch us work: VIEW VIDEO
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October is National Principals Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary contributions of school principals who lead our schools, support our educators, advocate for our scholars, and build strong partnerships with families and communities.
In the Orange Public School District, we know that effective school leadership is at the heart of student success.
Our principals are more than school administrators. They are instructional leaders, culture-builders, problem-solvers, mentors, advocates, and champions for children. Each day, they set the tone for their schools and create the conditions necessary for our scholars and staff to thrive.
National Principals Month provides an opportunity across the nation to pause and recognize the individuals who carry the tremendous responsibility of leading our schools. Throughout October, school communities are encouraged to show appreciation for principals and acknowledge the countless ways they make a difference in the lives of students, educators, families, and communities.
Here in Orange, our principals lead with purpose.
They lead through challenges and opportunities. They make difficult decisions while keeping the needs of our scholars at the center. They collaborate with teachers and staff to strengthen instructional practice. They welcome families into our schools. They celebrate student accomplishments. They respond when our scholars need additional support. Most importantly, they continuously work to ensure that every child has access to opportunity, excellence, and a learning environment where they can experience Optimal Success.
Our principals also serve as the bridge between district vision and school-level implementation. The work of advancing the Orange Public School District’s strategic direction, Moving into Greatness, requires courageous, innovative, and committed leadership at every level. Our principals are instrumental in moving that vision from words on a page to meaningful experiences within classrooms, hallways, athletic fields, auditoriums, and throughout our school communities.
As Superintendent of Schools, I am deeply grateful for the leadership of our Orange Public Schools Principals. I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to our scholars, their willingness to embrace innovation, their advocacy for their staff, and their determination to create schools where excellence is not simply expected, but intentionally cultivated.
To our Orange Public Schools principals, thank you for:
...standing alongside our teachers
...knowing our scholars by name and recognizing their potential.
...partnering with our families.
...celebrating your school communities.
...having the courage to lead, the humility to listen, and the vision to imagine what is possible.
You are what makes our district successful.
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A New Era of Innovation: Orange Scholars Experience the Future of Learning:
On September 24, 2026, the Orange Public School District celebrated a remarkable milestone in our continued commitment to innovation, opportunity, and excellence with the unveiling of state-of-the-art Technology Labs at Orange Preparatory Academy of Inquiry and Innovation and Oakwood Avenue School.
Through the generosity and vision of our valued partners, Verizon Digital Promise, IHeart America, and the University of Arizona, our scholars and educators now have access to innovative learning environments designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, exploration, and the development of skills essential for success in an ever-changing world.
The unveiling ceremony at Orange Preparatory Academy of Inquiry and Innovation was a powerful reminder of what can happen when schools, communities, higher education, and corporate partners come together with a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young people. These Technology Labs represent much more than new equipment and spaces. They represent our collective belief that every Orange scholar deserves access to innovative tools and experiences that prepare them to lead, create, problem-solve, and thrive.
I extend my deepest appreciation to Verizon Digital Promise, IHeart America, and the University of Arizona for investing in the scholars of the Orange Public School District and for helping us move our vision of innovation from aspiration to action.
Thank you to our dedicated staff and students, members of our Senior Leadership Team, Board President Shawneque Johnson, and all of our distinguished guests who joined us for this important unveiling. Your presence demonstrated the strength of the Orange community and our shared commitment to creating extraordinary learning opportunities for our scholars.
These Technology Labs are a tangible representation of our strategic direction, Optimal Success...Forward by Design. They demonstrate our commitment to intentionally designing learning experiences that provide our scholars with meaningful opportunities to innovate, create, collaborate, and develop the skills necessary to thrive in the world of tomorrow.
We are not simply preparing our scholars for the future; we are creating learning environments that allow them to experience, shape, and lead that future today.
This is innovation. This is an opportunity. This is Orange.
Together, we remain committed to Optimal Success...Forward by Design.
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On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Orange Public School District’s Assistant Principals and Supervisors convened for our monthly professional development session, designed to strengthen leadership capacity, sharpen instructional practice, and ensure continued alignment with the District’s strategic direction as led by our Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II.
This month’s session provided a robust opportunity for our instructional leaders to engage in meaningful professional learning and collaborative dialogue. From understanding and implementing technology tools through an Artificial Intelligence lens, to lesson plan review, instructional expectations, and strategic planning, our Assistant Principals and Supervisors were fully engaged in the important work of leading schools and departments with purpose.
The integration of technology and Artificial Intelligence into educational practice continues to present tremendous opportunities for our scholars and educators. Our leadership team examined how these tools can be leveraged thoughtfully and responsibly to enhance instructional practice, increase efficiency, support educators, and ultimately create stronger learning experiences for our scholars.
Instructional leadership remained at the heart of the session. Conversations surrounding lesson plan review and strategic planning reinforced the importance of ensuring that our instructional practices are intentional, aligned, and connected to the outcomes we seek for every Orange scholar. Our leaders were challenged to think critically, examine current practices, identify opportunities for growth, and translate strategic priorities into meaningful action within their respective schools and departments.
We were also pleased to have the Office of Security and School Safety, under the leadership of Mr. Anthony Jackson, provide targeted professional development focused on the nuances of school safety and security. This important component of the session reinforced that creating exceptional learning environments requires not only strong instructional leadership, but also a comprehensive commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and supportive schools for our scholars and staff.
We commend our Assistant Principals, Supervisors, and Senior Leadership Team for their active participation, thoughtful engagement, and commitment to continuous professional growth. The strength of a school district is reflected in the capacity of its leaders, and sessions such as this allow us to collectively reflect, learn, collaborate, and move our work forward.
As we continue to advance our strategic plan, Optimal Success...Forward by Design, we remain focused on developing leaders who are equipped to lead with clarity, purpose, innovation, and intention.
This is what professional learning looks like when leadership is Leading with Purpose.
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Join Orange Public Schools for Homecoming this Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM. Please make plans to join us at Bell Stadium as we celebrate Homecoming & support our Orange Tornadoes! |
Mark your calendars for our Annual Father & Son Fun Day on Saturday, October 17th from 10 AM to 1 PM at Orange High School Gym! Join us for a day filled with fun, connection, and memorable experiences; RSVP HERE
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Check out our incredible Pre-K engineers in Mrs. Mitchell’s class! Our young scholars were excited and extremely proud to share their work-in-progress building designs. What a wonderful example of our youngest learners engaging in creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and hands-on exploration! We love seeing our scholars imagine, design, build & learn. The future is growing right here in our classrooms! |
Lincoln students showed their patriotic pride for Constitution Day! Teachers and staff also joined in the celebration by proudly wearing red, white, and blue throughout the school day. We love seeing our educators lead by example and celebrate alongside our scholars. Thank you to the entire Lincoln Avenue School team for bringing the spirit of Constitution Day to life and helping create a strong sense of community and pride throughout our school! Way to go, Lincoln Avenue School! ❤️🤍💙 |
What an incredible evening at Central Elementary! A heartfelt thank you to our amazing parents, families, staff, and students who joined us for Back to School Night! Our families had the opportunity to visit classrooms, learn more about their scholars’ daily experiences, and connect with the dedicated educators who make Central Elementary such a special place to learn and grow. A special shoutout to our phenomenal Principal Ms. White and Assistant Principal Ms. Washington, for welcoming our families with warmth and enthusiasm and for their continued dedication to the Central Elementary community. 🌟 |
Cleveland Street School's Car Wash was a huge success and filled with plenty of fun, laughter, teamwork, and school spirit! Our amazing scholars and dedicated staff worked together to make the event a memorable one, while our wonderful parents and families came out to show their support. From start to finish, the energy was incredible, and those cars left sparkling clean! A heartfelt THANK YOU to our scholars, teachers, families, and volunteers who helped make this event so special. Your enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment are what make the Cleveland Street School community so strong. 🧽💦🚘
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Professional learning is core in the work happening across Orange Public Schools. Members of our Special Education team recently gathered at Cleveland Street School to strengthen their instructional and supportive practices. Together, our educators had an opportunity to learn, reflect and collab. P.D. isn't simply time away from the classroom. It is an investment that comes right back into your child's classroom in stronger instruction, better support, and educators equipped to help every learner thrive. |
All Back to School Nights were announced in the month of June of 2026 on our social media handles as well as district website. Please visit the school or district website to view the calendar of programs:
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STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges - Monday, October 5, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
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Lunch Menus are posted and always available on the district website. You may review them by visiting the meal planner: Lunch Menus
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October calendars are posted on each school’s website! Stay in the know and adding important events to your personal calendar. |
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Following are the School Year Arrival and Departure Times for Staff and Students 2026-2027 School Year: |
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