December 5, 2022

Dear OUHSD Families:

Exciting efforts are currently underway in the Oroville Union High School District as we work to identify district priorities and come up with a strategic plan. We embarked on this process because we want to ensure that our schools are points of pride for our community and that our students are graduating with valuable academic, real-world, and life skills that will help them be successful in their career and life.  When finished, this plan will help the district prioritize resources to provide an equitable, well-rounded educational experience for all students and guide OUHSD’s work for years to come.  

As a part of the strategic visioning process, OUHSD has hired Thrive, a strategic planning firm, to guide the process.  Thrive has been engaging with a diverse representation of staff, students, families and community member focus groups, surveys and one-on-one conversations.

Much of the feedback we’ve gathered so far has come in the form of focus groups, which helps us to better learn and understand the lived experience of OUHSD staff, students and families. The more information we gather from our community of students, staff and families, the better we can elevate their voices and determine a plan that accurately represents those groups.  

We’re more than halfway through the information-gathering portion of the process, and we would like to share some of the results from the preliminary data that has been collected.

Survey:  1204 stakeholders (students, parents, staff and community members) responded to the Thrive survey, which was conducted in October-November 2022.

Trends Identified

• Students need a plan for the future that includes college and career.

• Workforce shortages impact school staffing and career options.

• Low engagement is seen in all parts of the community.

• Students want (and need) real world skills and experiences.

• Natural disasters have impacted the well-being of students and staff.

• The City has seen an increase in poverty and a decrease in stability at home.

• Mental health issues are a priority for students, staff and the community.

• Relationships and a sense of belonging are core to improve our culture.

• Technology offers both opportunities and challenges.

• Decrease in emotional quotient humans.

What Students Love

• Teachers & Staff

• Friends  

• School spirit & community 

• Classes, Clubs & Activities: FFA, Cheer Team, Football, Sports, Ag Dept, basketball, clubs, wrestling, culinary class, driving class, art, weight training, ceramics, Harvest Festival

• Wellness Center, tutors 

• Freedom/Open campus 

• Food (food trucks) 

• Diversity 

• Music before class

• Small town & nature 

• Consultation at OHS

Student Suggestions and Concerns:

• Life Skills/Future Vision: taxes, credit, banks, resumes, job opportunities, internships, avenues if not going to college, field trips, CTE, plan when entering as a freshman. 

• A Clear College Pathway: What classes we need, what grades we need, how to apply, help with applications, what grades we need. How to fill out FAFSA and application.

• Culture & Safety: Less fighting, better discipline, more accountability, bullying (especially against LGBTQ & students of color), and bathroom issues (more bathrooms, gender neutral options).

• Other: More activities, clubs, classes, tech, drama, choir, arts, boys volleyball, makerspace, ROP, more languages, community service, coding

OUHSD Staff Love:

• Small town

• Students and colleagues

• Resilience through hard times

Staff Suggestions and Concerns:

• Life Skills/Future Vision: Courses or advisory to teach about credit, banks, life skills.

• College AND Career Skills: Help students have options for the future avenues if not going to college. Clearly outlined plans for college and careers.  Help students create resumes, explore job opportunities, and do internships. 

• Deeper/Hands-on Learning:  Critical thinking skills in all subjects, tech skills integrated, rotations through some shop spaces or creation of a makerspace, community service and field trips to inspire students. 

• Culture, Community & Safety: 

  • Clear program for SEL in all places to address: suicide, bullying, emotional quotient skills, racism, stress, depression, drugs, fights. 

  • Advisory and/or new ways to leverage social workers, SROs and MFTs to build community and create positive discipline. 

  • Strategy to address perceived lack of discipline, lack of accountability and integrated plan to address safety and culture and safety, students disrespectful towards teachers/not held accountable, staff not feeling safe.

• Re-Engage Community:  Staff & students feel disengage/not excited for a common future.
• Other: Coding, Robotics, Video game design, Snowboarding Team, Computer Engineering, more science classes, Psych, Boys volleyball, Nursing, child development, law enforcement, law, vet, Bass fishing, Medical track, shop, trades, home ec, internships, more dances, more activities like Harvest Fest, transportation for all sports, welding, driving classes (behind wheel).

Parents and Community Members Love:

• Small town 

• Staff cares about kids

• School spirit 

• Activities, classes & sports

• Diversity 

• Community supports each

Parents’ and Community Members’ Ideas, Suggestions and Concerns:

• Parity: more equal treatment and outcomes

  • Between schools - one system of great education, not just solo moments

  • For discipline: dress code focuses on girls, student suspension heavy on kids of color

  • Students of color experiencing racism 

• Career skills and pathways: more career skills focus, technology, medical pathway, ranger/parks and recs careers

• Clear Focus on Life Skills: 

  • Being a good person.

  • Life skills, job ready skills.

  • Community connection through internships, community service and field trips.

  • Rigor and integrated critical thinking.

• SEL & Well-Being: Suicide prevention, antibullying, mental health, focus on kindness and connection, a path to address drugs, fights, vaping  .

• Other: More drama, choir, arts, ROP, languages, technology, better football.
  
  

Next Steps in the Process: 

The next big step is creating “A Portrait of a Graduate” based on what students, parents, staff and community members have said. This portrait will  help define what we want students to know and be able to do upon graduation and ultimately, drive program decisions.

Again, thank you for your help as we figure out how to be even more responsive to the needs of our community.  We will continue to keep you informed as we make our way through this exciting process.

Respectfully,

Dr. Corey Willenberg
Superintendent