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It is a good idea to talk to your child about cold weather safety. It is important to check your child’s (even teenagers') outerwear. Protecting exposed skin during cold weather is extremely important: warm coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots will help protect your child during the winter season. When considering the safety of students in cold weather the following information from the National Weather Service is used as a guideline in making a determination to close schools: Cautionary: Wind Chills of -18 to -20 degrees Advisory: Wind Chills of -25 degrees or below Warning: Wind Chills of -35 degrees or below In many areas of the country, schools will not close until the wind chill temperature is at the Warning level of -40 degrees or below. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no one should be outside with unprotected skin with wind-chill factors in the range of -40 degrees or below. In Orchard Park, if the wind chill temperature reaches above the advisory level, school may be delayed or closed.
The Orchard Park Central School District will continue its 2024-2025 Parent Information Series with two upcoming virtual presentations in January and early February. State of the District – January 22, 2025 Superintendent of Schools, Dave Lilleck will give a Virtual Presentation about the State of the District on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. It will showcase how the Orchard Park Central School District is advancing student success through equity, inclusion, and community engagement, guided by our District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP). It will delve into the Science of Reading in grades K-6 and explore transformative initiatives in diploma pathways, regionalization, and New York State learning standards. This presentation will also highlight OPCSD’s efforts to foster strong community partnerships, enhance safety initiatives, expand inclusive programming, and engage families to create a thriving educational environment while providing key updates and important dates for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. The presentation will be available on the District website www.opschools.org. Teen Dating Violence & Healthy Relationships – February 4, 2025 On February 4, at 7 p.m. the Rachael Warrior Foundation, in partnership with Child and Family Services, will provide a Virtual Presentation to parents and Community members about Teen Dating Violence/Healthy Relationships. Teen dating violence affects 1 in 3 U.S. teens, with nearly 1.5 million high school students experiencing physical abuse by dating partners annually. Tragically, Rachael Wierzbicki, a 2014 OPHS graduate dedicated to helping others, was a victim of domestic violence. In her honor, the foundation works to educate the community, support survivors of domestic violence, and equip parents and community members with tools to recognize warning signs, assist those in need, and foster healthy relationships. Click here to learn more or register.
The 2024-2025 wrestling season marks an exciting milestone for female wrestlers in Orchard Park and across New York State. Orchard Park is proud to announce the launch of a dedicated Varsity and Junior Varsity girls’ wrestling team. This team will operate independently from the boys’ wrestling team, offering a focused and specialized environment for female athletes. For the first time, OPHS’ girls’ wrestling team will practice and compete exclusively against other female wrestlers throughout the winter sports season, embracing the "freestyle" format, also known as Olympic-style wrestling. This initiative aligns with the rapid growth of Girls Freestyle Wrestling, one of the fastest-growing sports for young women in New York State and nationwide. Historically, female wrestlers in New York have participated on boys’ wrestling teams, training and competing alongside and against their male counterparts. While some schools will continue this practice, a groundbreaking change from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has spurred the creation of separate programs. NYSPHSAA will now host a sanctioned, girls-only State Championship in freestyle wrestling, which requires athletes to qualify through sectional championships dedicated exclusively to female competitors. Orchard Park is among the first schools in Section 6 to establish a separate girls’ wrestling team. This decision ensures that female wrestlers can train and compete in the freestyle format throughout the entire season, in a space designed specifically for their growth and success. Orchard Park is proud to be at the forefront of this exciting movement, providing expanded opportunities for female athletes to thrive and compete.
Stakeholders and students from OPCSD, along with local community members, gathered with representatives from the New York State Comptroller's Office to discuss incorporating essential financial skills such as budgeting, saving, and investing into a Personal Finance graduation requirement. The OPHS Business Department is proud to lead this initiative, committed to preparing students for a lifetime of financial well-being. We are honored to be part of a statewide effort to make financial literacy a priority for every graduate!
On November 5, students from SUNY Fredonia's opera production of Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte visited OPHS and performed for Maria Szezepanik's Choraliers students. The Fredonia students, along with their director Don Marrazzo, did a performance and then a little outreach program.
Students in Mrs. Guetta and Mrs. Masters' science classes recently embarked on an exciting hands-on learning experience by launching rockets. This engaging activity provided students with the opportunity to explore key concepts in their 6th grade science curriculum. Through collaborative teamwork and experimentation, our young scientists applied their critical thinking skills to design, build, and successfully launch their rockets.
On Wednesday, October 9, South Davis Elementary students took part in the school’s annual Bike to School event, a tradition held each fall and spring to encourage a healthy and active start to the day. With support from the Orchard Park Police Department and the South Davis PTO, students and their families were invited to enjoy a morning bike ride to school. Led by Principal Jeff Dolce, the group rode together on a beautiful fall morning, making the most of the fresh air and exercise before classes began. The event brought students, families, and staff together for a fun, active start to the day, and everyone had a great time.
On October 8, Ellicott Elementary School in Orchard Park, N.Y. welcomed a very special guest – Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins and representatives from Crayola – to celebrate creativity and its importance in students’ lives. The event was part of Crayola’s Campaign for Creativity, which focuses on inspiring children to express themselves through art. Hollins, known for his passion for creativity, encouraged students to embrace drawing and dancing as fun ways to show their individuality. One of the highlights of the celebration was the return of a special piece of artwork created by Kailey Artiles, a former Ellicott Elementary student. Her artwork, made over 25 years ago in 1997, had been safely kept at Crayola’s headquarters in Pennsylvania. Now, it was coming home, showing students the lasting impact creativity can have on their lives. This was part of a larger Crayola program that began in 1984, where children’s artwork from across the country was showcased in museums and galleries. In addition to inspiring the students with stories of creativity, Crayola made a generous donation of more than $1500 worth of art supplies to Ellicott Elementary School and The Teacher’s Desk, a local nonprofit. These supplies will help students continue to explore their creative sides, ensuring that their artistic journeys are just beginning. The day was filled with excitement, art, and the reminder that creativity plays a key role in helping students reach their full potential.
Liz Love, STEM teacher at Ellicott Elementary, has been awarded a NYSCATE grant for her project, Reimagine Play: Board Game Design with Glowforge. Click here to learn more.
Parents and guardians are able to submit attendance notes and pick up information online, i.e. excuses for absences. Log in to the Parent Portal, click Forms, and complete and submit the General Attendance Form. Click here for more information.
The Community Education course catalogue is now available online! Click here to research, register and pay for Community Education classes. In-person registration and mail in registration is still available.
Please click the title to learn more about photo/video opt out procedures and district use of student information.
Please click the headline to read instructions on how to subscribe to the Orchard Park Central School District iCal calendar.
The OP Schools mobile app contains essential information on district news, events, and important reference information. Download the app for free by searching for “OP Schools” in the App Store or Google Play.
