OCS Family Updates - November 11, 2025 - Veterans Day, Upcoming Events

We hope you enjoyed a Happy Veterans Day, and we look forward to seeing everyone in school on Wednesday morning!

See our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram) for updates, including a solemn program hosted by first-graders at Hillsborough Elementary School on Friday, November 7, to honor and remember all who have served in our nation’s armed forces.

OCS AIG (Academically and Intellectually Gifted) Advisory Committee

The OCS AIG Advisory Committee drives the important work of our district surrounding the AIG plan, services provided to students, and advanced learning opportunities. 

Any parents, guardians, and community members who wish to serve on the OCS AIG Advisory Committee should complete the 2025-2026 RSVP Form and ensure they have a background check completed through the OCS Volunteer Program, required by Board Policy. 

• Meeting Schedule for 2025-2026: Meetings will take place on November 19, 2025 and April 8, 2026, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Orange High School Media Center.
• Elementary and Middle School Families: Please contact the AIG Specialist at your child's K-8 school with any questions.
• High School Families: Please contact Emily Myers, Director of Integrated Academics, with any questions: emily.myers@orange.k12.nc.us
   

Become a School Champion! Interest Meeting Wednesday

The next virtual interest meeting for the OCS “School Champions” program is Wednesday, November 12, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Google Meet.

All parents and guardians are invited to learn more! Interpretation is provided. Visit our application to learn more and find the link to join Wednesday’s meeting.

The “School Champions” Program is a volunteer opportunity for parents or guardians of currently-enrolled OCS students to build community with other current and prospective families in our community, and to advance the mission and vision of Orange County Schools. 

Champions come to the table, stand up for their schools, and lead the charge to bring news and insight forward to their schools and the broader community. If you are eager to grow your knowledge and be an effective advocate for Orange County Schools and our students, this may be the right fit for you.
 

OCS Family Academy: Learn About Vaping and More

If you want to learn how to talk to your kids about vaping and tobacco use, join our next OCS Family Academy on November 20 at A.L. Stanback Middle School.

Here’s why!

• Learn about recent trends in vaping and tobacco use among youth.
• Students will facilitate group discussions to help families have healthy conversations about vaping and tobacco use. 
• Grow Your World will bring an “Information Vending Machine” filled with strategies and facts to help families talk about preventing substance use. 
• Starting at 5:30 p.m., OCS staff will help anyone seeking support with Infinite Campus Parent Portal, and Fiya Pit Food Trailer will offer food for purchase. 
• The Family Academy program presented with Orange Partnership for Alcohol and Drug Free Youth starts at 6:00 p.m.
• Stay up to date on Family Academy and share what you want to see in future programs at orangecountyfirst.com/familyacademy.
   

Community Listening Session, December 3 at Orange HS

Let's build the future of Orange County Schools together! Join our next Community Listening Session on Tuesday, December 3 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to help set priorities for our schools in the next five-year strategic plan. Your voice matters, and all are welcome. No registration required. Interpretation is provided. Mark this date on your calendars, and we hope to see you there! To learn more about the OCS Strategic Plan, visit our web page.