Moms` Night Out Open House Showcases OPIS Students

S P R I N G
2 0 1 1
the
Independent
Barbara Harrison, Editor
bharrison@oakparkusd.org
Moms’ Night Out
Open House Showcases OPIS
Students
Congratulations to all the students who worked so hard on their
presentations for Open House on May 3. Dr. Tony Knight,
OPUSD Superintendent, board member, Barbara Laifman,
OPIS parents and prospective OPIS families responded to the
displays with great interest and enthusiasm. Above, fourth
graders Bianca Hofstatter and Courtney Faggin discuss the
fascinating field of nanotechnology.
Save the Date!
OPIS High
School
Graduation
June 16 Ceremony
begins at 6:00 PM
at OPHS
8th Grade
Culmination
June 9 – 11:30 –
1:00 Oak Canyon
Park Picnic
Pavilion
OPIS Beach
Party and Picnic
June 13
11:00 Zuma Beach
Lifeguard Station
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Principal’s Message
Please enjoy this edition of The Independent. As
we approach the end of the school year, I want
all of you to know how proud I am about the
outstanding accomplishments and progress
demonstrated by our students. The faculty
and staff are commended for their tireless
effort in guiding and supporting the
educational program for each student. On
May 6th, teachers and our counselor were
honored with an Appreciation Luncheon,
sponsored by our site council parents. The
food was wonderful! Also, kudos to our
parents for their commitment and support at
home. Our school is blessed with caring and
loving parents!
Principal Lou Tabone and teacher Jane Schulze enjoy the picnic.
Independent School is truly meeting student
needs and providing the opportunity for
students to pursue their special interests. Read
on and learn about our stellar students and the
exciting activities in Independent School.
Finally, I want to congratulate our 8th grade
culmination students and our outstanding
graduating Class of 2011. Best wishes on your
continued success.
Family Picnic
April 14th was a beautiful evening at Oak Canyon Park
where OPIS families gathered for OPIS’s annual
picnic. Max Schulze, Jane’s husband, brought his golf
clubs to the delight of several students who tried their
hand at driving balls up the hill. Parents and staff
relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company in this
beautiful setting.
As we close out the year, I wish all of you a
safe and restful summer break. I hope to see
all of you in the fall of 2011.
Lou Tabone
Marie Panec OPUSD Board Member
It is with a tremendous sense of loss and sadness that we report
the sudden and unexpected passing on May 3rd of OPUSD
Board of Education member, Marie Panec. Marie was an ardent
supporter of OPIS. Just a few weeks ago she visited our program
and spent a couple of hours with the teachers learning how she
could better support our program. Her dedication to the
community and to the school district was recently acknowledged
in the Acorn. Marie will be greatly missed.
2
Field Trip Fun
NBC Studios
On a drizzly day in
February some very excited
(and patient) OPIS students
endured a long and slow
commute to NBC Studios in Burbank.
Unfortunately our trip was cut short due to our
late arrival but we still saw some highlights. A
short video with clips from dozens of NBC
shows was shown before we toured the lot and
wandered through hallways cluttered with sets,
furniture, rugs, and even a coffin! Passing
studios where soap operas were being filmed,
we saw a wall of NBC peacock logos and saw
how the logos have evolved over the years.
Sadly, Jay Leno’s parking place was empty but
a band was rehearsing on his set. Our guide
told us that Leno keeps his massive car collection in a hangar at Van Nuys Airport and drives a different
car to work every day!
Bananas Anyone? A Visit to the Port of Hueneme
Did you know that bananas are by far America’s favorite fruit? In fact, they are so popular
that about 5,000 TONS of them arrive at Port Hueneme every week! On April 19, OPIS
students and their parents learned all about bananas and their journey from South American to
Southern California. We boarded a bus and were driven around the port so that we could see the bananas
being unloaded. We also saw acres of brand new Mini Coopers and a few Maseratis that had recently been
delivered. Our guide was full of facts and figures about how the port operates, how it compares to
neighboring ports, its relationship to the city of Hueneme, the products it exports and imports and even
information about how important its location was to the Chumash Indians hundreds of years ago. We left
with a greater appreciation of how food is transported and each of us was given a “hand” of green bananas
that we took home to ripen with the gas that is given off by other fruits! It was a very interesting trip!
3
A Rousing Jousting!
OPIS families were transported back to 11th
Century Spain on their January trip to Medieval
Times in Buena Park. Here we were the invited
guests of King Philippe and his daughter-in-law
Lenore who presided over a gala feast and
festival, complete with knights in shining armor
astride their magnificently trained steeds. While
enjoying a delicious four course meal (eaten with
our hands, of course) we cheered for our knight
as he competed with others, in a dazzling display
of horsemanship, bravery and medieval
pageantry. What a great way to experience this
colorful time in history!
Medieval Times
Camarillo Ranch
House
The Camarillo Ranch House,
built in 1892, was originally part
of a 10,000 acre Spanish Land
Grant created in 1837. Our tour
of the house and grounds included
many hands-on activities.
Students made butter, planted
beans, lassoed horses, cracked
walnuts, modeled clothing,
toured the stables (original home
of the famous Camarillo White
Horses) and played with
authentic toys of the early 19th
Century. It was a beautiful day
to experience life as it was in
early California.
4
Marcello Torraca – the Youngest “Red Rider” in
the 32-Mile Ship to Shore Tour de Cure
Marcello Torraca was diagnosed with diabetes
at the young age of three. That year, his dad,
Gianpiero, rode in his first Tour de Cure
determined to raise funds for research that
would lead to a cure for this disease, which is
affecting more and more children annually.
Marcello, now eight, and a third grader at
OPIS, joined his dad on the ride three years ago
and has been biking with him every year since.
Red Riders to do so. (A Red Rider is a
participant with diabetes, so named because of
the bright red jersey they wear.)
On April 30th, riding on a tandem bike, the
father-son team pedaled the streets of Long
Beach from the Queen Mary and across the
Vincent Thomas Bridge. Completing a total of
32 miles, Marcello was the youngest of all the
When asked if Marcello has any advise for
others with diabetes, he replied, “Diabetes is
something you can live with as long as you talk
care of yourself.” That’s great advice for all of
us, diabetes or not!
Marcello and Gianpiero began training on
weekends about two months before the event
and increased their practice to every day
immediately before the event. Together they
raised about $3,000 for diabetes research with
their efforts.
Bandanas for Dogs
OPIS Students Participate in
Community Service Project
Inspired by mother-daughter team, Debra and Gaby
Reublin, elementary and middle school students met
in February to make bandanas for dogs at the Agoura
Animal Shelter. Decorated with creative designs and
texts such as Take Me Home, Love Me, Cold Nose- Warm
Heart and Be Mine, our bandanas were designed to
make the pets irresistible for those looking for a pet
around Valentines Day. We made over 100 colorful
bandanas! Thanks for a great project!
5
Japan, and Mexico. The top tennis players play
all of the same tournaments so I have many
opportunities to spend time with my closest
friends. Another benefit is through my
sponsorship with Prince. I get free equipment
such as racquets, bags, and grips. I also get a lot of
new clothes and shoes for free. Sometimes I don't
know what they are sending me, so when the
large box from Prince comes to my house, it’s like
Christmas. One of the biggest benefits is the
privilege of being recruited by top colleges across
the country.
Spotlight on
Shayne Austin
My name is Shayne Austin, I am 17 years old, from
Oak Park, California. I am currently a junior and
have been in the Oak Park Independent Study
program for 6 years. I play tennis on the Junior
National and International Circuit, and I’m currently
sponsored by Prince Athletics. Playing tennis takes
me away from home for weeks at a time. OPIS has
allowed me to continue living the dream and doing
what I love while keeping up on my education, and
preparing me for college.
I’m currently being recruited by top colleges such
as, UCLA, Notre Dame, Michigan, Washington,
and Tennessee to name a few. I have taken
unofficial visits to each one of these colleges and
I’m looking to make my verbal commitment to
one of them soon. The recruiting process has been
very fun; I get free tickets to sports events, and
even got to be on the field for the UCLA vs. USC
football game. There are many things I am
looking for in a college. One of the biggest is
knowing that whatever college I do commit to
will help me develop my game to the next level.
In order to play at the level I am, I train for many
hours on and off the court. I train at Weil Academy
in Ojai and with my personal coach Blake Russ, at
Sunset Hills Tennis Club in Thousand Oaks. At both
places I train with other highly ranked tennis players.
I train 4 to 6 hours a day on court and about an hour
or two off court. On court training is about game
strategy, technique and timing. My off court training
consists of footwork drills, sprints, jump ropes, and
core exercises. As a 16 year old I reached top 10 in
the nation. I recently moved up to the 18s and I have
had my ranking as high as top 30 in the nation. In
order to train as many hours as I do, it requires a
passion and love for tennis, and a willingness to
make sacrifices.
From long hours on the practice court, to
sacrificing free weekends with my friends, it has
all been worth it. Being sponsored, and recruited
by top companies and colleges is extremely
exciting and rewarding. OPIS has been a key part
in allowing me to experience all these amazing
things, and has helped me become successful not
only in tennis but also in school.
I’ve had to make many sacrifices over the past few
years. The biggest sacrifice has been free time to
spend with friends. I’m never in town when my
friend’s schools have dances therefore I never
participate in them. Another sacrifice is my diet.
Some people may consider my diet as a sacrifice
because I don’t eat a lot of fried food, or candy, but
the truth is, I believe I would continue that diet even
if I weren’t playing tennis. I believe the benefits
outweigh the sacrifices.
There are many benefits to playing tennis at the level
I do. I get to experience many parts of the country
and even the world. I have developed close
friendships with players around the world. I currently
have close friends in Australia, Russia, England,
6
OAK PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
Looking for New Families
SPRING 2011
Teacher Appreciation
Luncheon
OPIS will be holding a meeting for prospective
OPIS families on Thursday, June 2 at 6:30 PM in
the Red Oak Elementary School Multi-Purpose
Room. Please tell your friends and neighbors who
might be interested in our program to attend.
They will get an overview of our school and have
the opportunity to have their questions answered.
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Friends of Oak Park Schools Education
Foundation will be offering summer school for
middle and high school students.
For students currently in grades 5-7 classes will be
offered in a six week session from June 21 – July
28 and a four week session from June 27 – July 22.
Classes will be held at Medea Creek Middle
School from 8:15 – 12:15 daily. Tuition ranges
from $225 for a single one-period 4-week class to
$550 for 2 one-period 6-week classes. For class
offerings please visit
www.friendsofoakparkschools.org.
The high school summer school program for
grades 9-12 is a 6-week program running from
June 21 – July 28 at Oak Park High School.
Classes will be held from 8:00-12:30 daily. Tuition
runs from $200 for Drivers Education, $375 for a
one period 6-week class and $575 for a two-period
6-week class or 2 one-period 6-week classes. For
more information email
mailto:srussell@friendsofoakparkschools.org.
Beach Party
Grab your towels, sunscreen,
beach toys and picnic lunch and head to Zuma
Beach lifeguard station #12. OPIS is having a
school-wide end-of-the-year party on Monday,
June 13 at 11:00. Please join us!
Above: School Site Council Members Terilynn Medrano with
daughter Bella, Beth Marks, Debra and Gaby Reublin set up for a
beautiful luncheon. Below: staff enjoys the lunch.
The OPIS staff would like to send a huge
THANK YOU to all of the parents who
contributed to Teacher Appreciation Day. We
are overwhelmed by your generosity! A special
thank you to Jennifer McIntyre who put together
beautiful gift baskets and our tireless SSC
members – Debra and Gaby Reublin, Beth
Marks and Terilynn Medrano who transformed
D-54 into a classy environment complete with
toile-covered twinkle lights and urns overflowing
with roses. They served a delicious homemade
lunch followed by the best cupcakes ever! We
are so lucky to have such supportive parents and
thoughtful, hard working School Site Council
members. Thank you!
OAK PARK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
SPRING 2011
Hear Ye!
Hear Ye!
On March 25th OPIS students
were treated to a performance of
Willy Wonka Junior produced by
Spotlight Creative Arts Academy
at Calvary Community Church in
Westlake. This stage adaptation
of Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory tells the story of the
famous candy man and his quest
to find an heir. The score
features many memorable
songs including The Candy
Man, Pure Imagination, Oompa
Loompa and I Want It Now.
June 17 – Last day of
school
August 31 – 1st day
of school
Check out our
website
www.oakparkusd.org
for enrollment forms
and information.
Primary students prepare a mural for
Open House
Miss Chili Conejo Valley Pageant
By Lauren Mendoza
Lauren Mendoza, a junior at OPIS,
recently competed in the Miss Chili
Conejo Valley Pageant.
The Miss Chili Conejo Valley Pageant was one of the most memorable
experiences I have ever taken part in. I placed 2nd Runner-up out of 9
amazing girls who were selected to represent their high school in the
Conejo Valley District. The pageant was for a scholarship of $1,000, as
well as a chance to compete in the Miss Regional California Pageant.
We also had the honor of attending a Thousand Oaks Rotary
luncheon, where we met and were introduced to the entire rotary. The
components of the pageant included multiple application essays, a 5minute personal interview with the judges, and an onstage interview.
This wasn't a typical "Beauty Pageant"; this pageant was based on the
ambition, goals, community service, academic excellence, and
character of the participants. I had so much fun with the "Chili Girls",
and was blown away by all of their wonderful personalities and
accomplishments. I am so proud to have been selected to represent
Oak Park in the pageant, and have taken many things, including new
friends, away from the experience.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Santa Barbara will be our destination for the last field trip of the school year. We
have scheduled two tours of McConnell’s Ice Cream plant – one at 9:15 and one at
10:30 on Thursday, May 26. TIME magazine voted McConnell’s “the best ice
cream in the world”! Following the tour, families may explore the Santa Barbara
Mission, Natural History Museum, Maritime Museum or the Zoo.