The City of Orange is full of hidden gems and one of these gems will be shining bright at the inaugural “Celebration of Schools” event.

On Wednesday October 9, from 4:45 to 8 pm at Canyon High School, the Orange Unified Public Schools Foundation (OUPSF) and Orange Unified School District (OUSF) will highlight the district’s achievements and education programs.  District representatives and OUPSF leaders will inform parents, businesses and community leaders about how they can help the future of the city through our children.

OUPSF is a non-profit organization that aims to offer students access to resources that further their education and careers.  Originally known as Orange Education Fund, the organization raised money to equip children with necessities such as playground equipment and school supplies.

Now OUPSF has expanded to serve educators and schools as well.  Since the Foundation’s inception two years ago, they have given away $100,000 in grants that went toward helping schools, teachers and staff within OUSD.  In the future, they aim to award students with grants that assist in post secondary education.

OUPSF President Frank Tucker believes that OUSD is a great school district, but knows that the district needs a foundation offering financial support in areas where the district needs it most.  Through OUPSF, Tucker hopes to assist schools in need, bringing  out the full potential of both students and staff within the distrtict.  The “Celebration of Schools” will become a way to involve the entire community with the future workforce.

Wendi Forrest, Fundraising Chair for the OUPSF, is an active member in Orange passionate about improving the community.  “The more I’ve learned about Orange Unified as a parent, it has become clear there are some phenomenal things going on that the general public wouldn’t necessarily know,” she says.

One of the phenomenal things the district offers is the College and Career Readiness programs, which begin at the elementary level and expand throughout high school.  In high school, students can enroll in the Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways.

CTE programs give students the opportunity to explore career education courses, meaning they gain hands-on learning experience and build technical skills that carry over after high school.  These programs aim to expose students to careers at an early age, preparing them to make decisions in post secondary school.

Orange Unified offers CTE programs to develop skills across 12 industry sectors, such as Public Service, Engineering and Architecture and Building and Construction. Students also get the opportunity to connect with employers through internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job experience.

“I think we’re just getting going,” says Tucker, who believes the district’s CTE programs are the city’s “best kept secret” that should be on everyone’s radar.

The district is continuing to improve and expand the CTE programs and are always seeking industry partnerships, guest speakers and industry leaders to cultivate the programs.  Through the “Celebration of Schools,” the OUSD and OUPSF hope to expand the involvement of the community and industry members of the next generation’s workforce.

Forrest believes that everyone in the community can make a difference through involvement in the education programs within OUSD, even if you aren’t a parent.

She believes that the students of today are the leaders of the future.

“I want people to become a champion for our children,” says Forrest.

Those attending “Celebration of Schools” can enjoy appetizers upon arrival, followed by a tour of the campus and the district’s CTE programs.  Dinner will be catered by El Modena’s culinary program, followed by presentations and performances by students from multiple schools throughout OUSD.

Learn more at www.OUPSF.org