March 26, 2012

Great Things Happening in the Oroville Union High
 School District by Dr. Corey Willenberg

 

Serving 2,612 students and encompasses 647 square miles, the Oroville Union High School District employs approximately 120 teachers at five school sites, two comprehensive high schools, one continuation school, one community day school and one adult school. Our goal is to make a difference with every student in the district and prepare them for the hopes of a very bright future. 

 

OUHSD has some great things going on right now that is helping us achieve our goal!   First, we adopted Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, as a way of practice throughout the district. OUHSD has trained approximately 92 staff members in the principles of Professional Learning Communities.  A PLC is a shared vision on running a school with the idea that everyone can make a contribution. Staffs are encouraged to collectively undertake activities and in order to constantly improve learning for students’, careful reflection of our teaching practice is encouraged. Every aspect of learning is reviewed. We examine what is for students to know, what homework assignments will help students learn the course material and how will we know when a student has learned the material? Furthermore, we seek to find solutions, as a school, and district, if students are not learning. In adopting this district wide practice, we hope to give students an education that will give them the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen career field. As important as academics are to education, research has shown that when kids are involved in extra-curricular activities like athletics and clubs or co-curricular activities like band, FFA, FBLA, FHA-HERO, they will most likely be more successful in school. Our students have done fantastic things this year in the area of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. The LPO Band, led by Mr. Jeff Stratton, is one of the finest high school musical groups in Northern California. During the 2011-2012 school year, the competed in band reviews in Santa Cruz, Pleasanton, Lodi, Napa and Stockton. LPO Alliance Parade Band placed first in four of five competitions. The Las Plumas Future Farmers of America (FFA) participated in the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana and the LPHS Forestry team led by teacher Mr. Jim Knapp, represented Northern California in the national competition. The Las Plumas boys’ soccer team won the CIF North Section Division I championship against Corning. It is the first section championship in soccer for Las Plumas. We have students excelling not only in the classroom, but in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and showcasing their talents and skills not only at the local level, but the State and National level.