Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation
Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation board members (from left) Marketing Chair Christine Deihl, Grants coordinator Kennedy Schaal, President Frank Tucker, OUSD Liaison Whitney Amsbary and Board member Ron Esparza are planning a State of the Schools event on October 4.

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Public Schools Foundation

In just one year of operation, the new Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (OUPSF) has delivered more than $100,000 in support to the Orange Unified School District.

“The school district is large, consisting of 37 schools with 26,000 kids,” says Frank Tucker, President of the OUPSF board.  “We raise money and focus on areas needing the most support.”

According to Tucker, the school district felt the areas where OUPSF could make the biggest impact were mental health and wellness and visual and performing arts.

OUPSF members also feel it’s important for contributions to go straight to the schools.  “The foundation gives out school and teacher grants directly,” says Tucker.  “For instance, we purchased a new set of violins for El Modena High School.”

The OUPSF has already given out 46 school and teacher grants ranging between $500 to $2,500.

“The Orange Unified School District has a varied level of resources by school,” says Tucker.  “For instance, Canyon and Villa Park High Schools have more resources than Esplanade Elementary School.  The latter school has some of the biggest challenges.  Examples like this are why the foundation was formed —to try to lift some of the less-resourced schools up.  Creating equity across our very diverse population of students is our focus.  We target our funding towards ensuring every student has the resources necessary to succeed.”

Esplanade Elementary received three grants.  “The difference this will make for our students is huge,” says Cheryl Sosa, Ed.D., school principal.  One grant was for $1,000 to keep the book vending machine populated with books. Students earn coins that they use, and the books are theirs to keep.”

The new OUPSF board visited every school in the district last year and went to all the PTAs to meet with parents.

“We shared what we are all about, including what we are raising money for and asked, are these the right things?” says Tucker.  “Mental health and wellness was number one everywhere.”

The principal fundraiser this fall is a car raffle with Stadium Nissan.  Tickets cost $25 for one and $100 for five and are being sold through the schools with the schools keeping part of the proceeds from the ticket sales.

The OUPSF is planning a State of the Schools event on October 4 to cellebrate schools in the Orange Unified School District. provide an overview of the K-12 public schools in Orange.   Tickets are available through the OUPSF website.     

“The biggest opportunity is also our biggest challenge right now, which is getting the word out that this foundation exists,” says Tucker.  “If we can make great students, then we will continue to have great people in the community.  It’s like a virtuous cycle.”

Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation
960 North Tustin St. #411 , Orange, CA 92867  /  657-221-5412

Article Published in the
Sep / Oct 23 edition of the Old Towne Orange Plaza Review
Written by Sheri Ledbetter Photo by Kristin Smetona
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