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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Families, as a reminder, the Orange School District will be closed for staff and students on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. Dr. Fitzhugh and the Board of Education, have imposed a half-day session on Wednesday, November 27th. Remember, lunch will not be served. Twilight U will take place beginning at 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM. The district will reopen at regular time on Monday, November 30th. To staff members traveling to visit family and friends, we extend traveling mercies to you. Enjoy the time off! |
What an incredible day of learning, collaboration, and meaningful professional growth across the Orange Public School District! The Office of Special Education and Behavioral Intervention hosted its November Child Study Team (CST) Meeting, bringing together our dedicated professionals for an engaging and informative session focused on strengthening instructional practices, supporting student growth, and ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all scholars.
A special thank you to the Office of Humanities, under the leadership of Ms. Karen Harris, Executive Director of Humanities, for delivering an insightful presentation on multilingual approaches to supporting students who also have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Supervisors Ms. Emily Lamboy and Mr. Frank Tafur led this important discussion, providing our exceptional CST professionals with valuable strategies to address the diverse linguistic, academic, and developmental needs of our students. Their presentation reinforced the importance of intentional collaboration between multilingual education and special education to ensure every scholar has access to meaningful, high-quality learning experiences.
Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II, further emphasized the importance of aligning our collective work with the district’s 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, “Optimal Success…Forward by Design.” Dr. Fitzhugh highlighted the connection between our District Goals, measurable learning targets, and our unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for students with special needs. He reminded participants that our strategic priorities must be reflected in the daily decisions, instructional practices, and individualized supports we provide to our scholars.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Ms. Karry Mullins, our consultant from Magnolia LLC, for sharing her expertise regarding the development and monitoring of meaningful IEP progress goals. Her presentation underscored the importance of establishing clear, measurable, and purposeful goals that drive student learning, inform instructional decisions, and provide meaningful evidence of academic and developmental progress.
Throughout the session, one message remained clear: When educators collaborate with intentionality, align their practices with student needs, and remain committed to continuous improvement, our scholars are the ultimate beneficiaries!
Thank you to the Office of Special Education and Behavioral Intervention, our Humanities leadership team, our consultant, and every member of our dedicated CST Team for your commitment to learning, growing, and advocating for the success of our students.
Learning certainly took place today, and the conversations, strategies, and shared expertise will continue to strengthen the work happening in our classrooms and schools!
What a GREAT day to be part of the Orange Public School District!
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There is nothing more inspiring than witnessing the excitement, curiosity, and joy of learning through the eyes of our youngest scholars! Orange Board of Education Vice President Dr. Fatimah Turner, alongside our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh, II, enjoyed a wonderful visit to the Pre-K Program at Heywood Avenue School!
From listening to an engaging story time to observing our youngest learners actively participating in meaningful learning experiences, the visit was truly a memorable one! Our Pre-K scholars were enthusiastic, inquisitive, and eager to explore the world around them. Their excitement for learning was contagious! These are the moments that remind us why early childhood education is so important. Every story shared, every question asked, and every discovery made helps build the foundation for a lifetime of learning and success.
A special thank you to Assistant Principal Shaltuper, Ms. Springer, Ms. Branco, and Ms. Ford-McPhoy for making this such a wonderful and memorable visit! Your dedication, passion, and commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for our youngest scholars were evident throughout our time together.
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Orange Public Schools is celebrating five incredible years of Parent University, and we’re just getting started! Join us for another exciting season of learning opportunities through our Health & Wellness, Adult Learning, Visual & Performing Arts, and Academic Support academies. Classes begin the week of October 19th. Register Today: https://canva.link/fall-2026-parent-university
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Our scholars from the Orange High School Law and Public Service Track visited Saint Elizabeth University for a firsthand look at college life and careers in criminal justice! Students had the opportunity to sit in on a college-level criminal justice class, explore the university's drone training program through a live demonstration, and learn about college admissions, financial aid, and student support services. A special thank you to Saint Elizabeth University for welcoming our students and providing such a valuable experience. |
The Bilingual, ESL, and World Language Department held their first Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee meeting of the year on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at Lincoln Avenue School. Our supervisors, Mr. Tafur and Ms. Lamboy, and coaches, Ms. Thorpe and Ms. Ingram, reviewed the programs available for multilingual learners in Orange Public Schools, and how parents can support their students' English Language Acquisition at home. Parents were also directed to our great community resources! Come to our next meeting on January 21, 2027, at Rosa Parks Community School from 6-8pm where we will have even more surprises in store! |
Orange Public Schools Principals came together with the Senior Leadership Team and Superintendent Dr. Fitzhugh at Rosa Parks Community School for their monthly leadership meeting. These sessions are a time to collaborate, share insights and align on priorities that support student achievement, school improvement, and continued districtwide success! From an emphasis on instructional practice to operational development, the meeting allowed for reflective practice to continue to move our district in the upward direction. |
From the top of the iconic Edge at Hudson Yards, our students turned calculus into a real-world experience by calculating the Earth's radius using measurements collected during their visit. A special thank you to James Ward III, Orange City Councilman, for sharing his firsthand insight into the planning and construction of this incredible architectural achievement. The day concluded with a walk along the High Line, blending mathematics, engineering, and exploration into an unforgettable learning experience. |
This month’s Assistant Principals and Supervisors meeting, held at Park Avenue School, focused on strengthening instructional leadership through effective classroom observations, meaningful feedback, and strategies to support educators in refining their teaching practices and improving student outcomes. Dr. Fitzhugh facilitated an insightful discussion on evaluative strategies based on goals from our 2036-2031 strategic plan! The Senior Leadership Team advised on best practices. |
Yoga at Park Avenue School was a fun and exciting experience! The children enjoyed stretching, moving their bodies, and practicing relaxation while having a great time with their friends. It was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to stay active, improve their focus, and learn the importance of mindfulness and wellness. The children loved it! A special thank you to Jubilee for hosting an inspiring and engaging Upstander Day Assembly for our Soaring Eagles! Through meaningful discussions, interactive activities, and powerful messages, our students learned the importance of kindness, empathy, respect, and standing up against bullying. |
Forest had the most incredible visit from Jon and his amazing therapy dog, Champ! Our students absolutely loved meeting Champ, spending time with him, and enjoying all the smiles and joy he brought to our school. We are so grateful for this wonderful partnership and the positive impact these visits have on our students. We’re already looking forward to welcoming Jon and Champ back every month! |
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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November school 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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