News and Announcements

Senator DeSaulnier Visits Orion Academy

Senator Mark DeSaulnier visited Orion Academy on Friday to get a first hand look at the Orion Program. The Senator met with a small group that included members of the Orion Board, the PTO president, Administration, and an Alumnus.

After this informative sit down the Senator was given the grand tour and sat in on our Economics class with Mrs. Kilcourse. The Senator told the students and Orion staff that he was “very impressed with our school.”

Orion and the Senator both hope that a trip to visit the State Senate can be orchestrated for this year.

Speakers announced for The Annual Transitions Seminar

Theme this year: Teens entering the Work Force, Self Sufficiency and Life Skills.

Our speakers this year include: -
1. Author: Ashley Stanford.
Her Topic: The Many Places People with AS/NLD Can Thrive
Ms Stanford has published books on the topic: Business for Aspies: 42 best practices for including Asperger Syndrome Traits at work
And Aspergers Syndrome and Long term relationships.

2. Executive Director of Futures Explored: Will Sanford

The mission of Futures Explored, Inc. is to provide life skills and work-related training to adults with developmental disabilities and youth on teh spectrum.

3. Dr. Kathryn Stewart and Dr. Andrew Schelegelmilch

They will open the seminar with an introdroduction to ‘What is transition planning in Middle and High school’, introduce the Laws that impact you after High school, and an overview of life after college.

4. Transitions Counselor at Orion academy: Olivia Flint
She will speak about the importance of internship programs for the teens, types of companies/environments that provide the best opportunities.
5. Parent Panel : Q & A session with the parents of Orion Alumni.

6. Orion Alumni: Two Orion alumnus will give a personal account of life after High school.

When: Saturday, March 10th 2012
Where: John F. Kennedy University
Time: 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m
Cost: $100
To sign up:
Call: 800- 557-1384
Or Print the form send it in.

Orion was recently featured in a KGO Channel 7 story. You can view the story on the KGO website.

Orion Junior Classics League go to “The Games”

On October 22, 2011 at Saint Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco the Orion Academy Latin club attended the California JCL LUDI event.
Ludi means “games” in Latin and this event is an occasion for various latin clubs from Northern California to meet and compete in various academic tests.
There are presentations by some teachers about topics of ancient culture and sometimes on the connections between Latin and the modern world, such as on Harry Potter. Our students did very well and actively participated in all the events. The following students even placed in the academic competition:
won 1st prize in Latin Grammar, 3rd Place in Mythology, and 3rd in Vocabulary

Back to School Night ; Fun and Informative

Survey results are in and Back to School Night has been declared a winner. This new event to Orion’s schedule featured teacher demonstrations, informative presentations, and a chance to get to know new faces. Parents were in overwhelming agreement that this new event is a keeper.

Fall Fiesta a Huge Success!

This combination party and Fundraiser drew over 135 folks and raised over $5000 towards student social events. Positive feedback was plentiful as attendees called this Fiesta the best PTO event yet!

Fall Dance- Black and White and Fun all Over

The Annual PTO sponsored Fall Dance was held September 24th at the Walnut Creek Community Center. The students report having a great time dancing, playing games and socializing.

Orion Goes to Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Over three days Orion students experienced a 400-year old play that explores the tough topic of sexual harassment. Delved in to the mind of a tortured artist who is haunted by the memory of his famous fathers overshadowed death. Laughed uproariously at the honor and bureaucracy of British pirates, and explored the interconnectedness of the human experience. The plays; Measure for Measure, Ghost Light, Pirates of Penzance, and Willful, provided a great variety in theme, style, and philosophical challenge. Although students disagreed as to which was there favorite, they definitely enjoyed each performance.

Freshmen Go Deep Sea Fishing

This year’s fishing trip was a huge success! All the kids had a great time socializing, interacting with one another in a different environment.

The fishing trip is a challenge for our kids, for sure. Many of them are facing their fears and anxieties. The success, pride, and looks on their faces when they caught a fish, or managed through a difficult situation was priceless. There were so many wonderful moments aboard the Golden Eye in which the 9th graders felt successful and proud, many of them left asking their parents when they could do this again!

Alumni News

Alan Imler (’07), a senior in Geography at Cal State University East Bay, has started an academic internship with the East Bay Regional Parks District. He will be identifying and cataloging WPA and CCC sites in the parklands and creating interpretive displays.