Page 5 Foothills Sentry JANUARY 2026 GGuuees st tCCoom m eennt taar ri ey s What do you want to be when you grow up? By Robin Reichelt I’m an Orange resident. I do not work for OUSD, and it’s been quite a few years since my child attended an OUSD school. I can honestly say my knowledge about what goes on inside an OUSD classroom was pretty outdated, and my impressions were frankly skewed by headlines surrounding past OUSD school boards. Lately, I’ve learned something I want to share with the community. The Orange Unified School District is underestimated and underrated. What is overshadowed, overlooked, or ignored is the real magic that happens in OUSD classrooms every day -- the kind of magic that helps your child answer the “what do you want to be” question. Not just once, but many, many times as they grow up and change as individuals. So, here’s a shout-out to the OUSD you may not know much about. Orange Unified has the largest GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program in Orange County. Fourteen percent of the OUSD student body participates in GATE (over 3,000 students). The average participation for the rest of Orange County school districts is just 8%. OUSD has five GATE magnet schools, and every OUSD elementary school has a GATE cluster. More than 80 teachers with GATE credentials support your child’s educational journey. What I thought I knew about GATE programs (based on my child’s OUSD experience) is just as outdated as my impressions of the school district. GATE is not about getting straight As or parroting content. GATE is about curious, imaginative kids whose interests don’t always align with the classroom. It’s about young minds going a mile a minute, the drive to wonder and create, kids who are interested in almost everything. Giftedness is not static - it evolves. And so does the GATE program at OUSD. Your child can be intensely curious and have a learning disability. That doesn’t rule them out from GATE. In fact, they are considered twice exceptional. My child had a learning disability and an IEP (Individual Education Plan). His journey taught me there are many ways to be gifted. Every child learns differently, and matures at a different pace. If your child is in grades two through six, ask that they be evaluated for GATE over multiple years. Bottom line, I wanted my child to fall in love with learning, to read widely, to stay curious, the markers for success that any parent would want for their child in a rapidly changing world. Private school or home school families residing in OUSD can participate in GATE testing - check the OUSD website for details. If you want the best possible outcome for your child’s education, give Orange Unified another look. Open Enrollment begins in January, from the 12th to 26th. Robin Reichelt is a former OUSD parent, now a curious constituent who has learned about the district by attending board meetings, speaking with staff directors and researching educational programs countywide. Former President Shannon Tucker, left, provides the Kiwanis gavel and bell to new Kiwanis President Bruce Morrison. Gavin Cortes, left, and Sofia Villanueva bake pumpkin bread to cheer the seniors. Kiwanis plan year of service The Kiwanis Club of Orange completed its fiscal year on September 30, and elected Bruce Morrison, a longtime resident of the City of Orange, as president for the 2025-26 year. The Kiwanis board members are Shannon Tucker, past president; Frank Tucker, vice president; Debbie Booth, secretary; Rhonda Weiss, treasurer; and Greg Lewin, director/board member. Along with preparing a new budget for the upcoming year, the club has calendared a list of service projects for the city, including: hosting Concerts in the Park; Special Needs Bowling Day; breakfast for the GRIP Spring Break Soccer Camp; providing the Friendly Center with Thanksgiving baskets; Santa photo booth and Orange Tree Lighting; Halloween Treats in the Street; support for the Field of Valor; support for Reading Promise; elementary teacher grants; and scholarships for high school students (last year, the Kiwanis Club of Orange gave out $20,000). For information about becoming involved, see kiwanisoforange.org. Assisteens connect with community Embracing their annual theme of “Connect Our Community,” 12 dedicated members of the Assisteens Auxiliary of Assistance League of Orange took action to support their neighbors ahead of Thanksgiving. Partnering with the Orange Senior Center, these resourceful 11th graders baked homemade pumpkin bread, crafted cork pumpkin decorations, and assembled holiday gift tote bags. Each bag, delivered personally to 58 local Meals on Wheels recipients, was filled with personal hygiene essentials, snacks and a handwritten note of good wishes. The Assisteens were rewarded with notes of thanks from many recipients. "I am a Meals on Wheels recipient and last week I was very blessed with a gift bag from Assisteens of Orange," one senior wrote, "and I just wanted to express my sincere gratitude. When someone takes the time to prepare a gift for someone, that is very special and warms the heart. When it is from a stranger even more so, and when it is from teenagers who easily could think of 50 other things to do, it is even more heartwarming … Thank you so very much." Tustin Area Historical Society annual meeting spotlights past and present leaders Members of the Tustin Area Historical Society (TAHS) gathered at the Clifton Miller Community Center for the group’s annual meeting and socializing, Nov. 22. Committee members Vicki Gray, Becky and Brady Michel, assisted by the Michel family, Kurt and Sandra Bensworth, Randi Bernstein, Barbara Trumbull and Joyce Miller, provided appetizers and adult beverages (courtesy of Red Hill Winery). Musical entertainment was provided by keyboardist Ron Kobayashi and singer Crystal Clulee. Richard Nelson, TAHS president, introduced the two newest board members, Randi Bernstein and Tanner Douthit, and recognized the rest of the 2025 board members, museum docents and volunteers. He explained the purpose of the annual meeting is to bring members together, convey the progress of the society and discuss history. Vicki Gray, 2025 board secretary and the event chair, presented the main program, which spotlighted old Tustin families with their histories and a slide show. Many descendants of these families were present, some coming from out of state to attend. Randy Ema, noted Duesenberg historian, expert, and successful local restorer, entertained the audience with how he evolved from childhood into the car professional he is today. Bringing the day’s gathering full circle was Janet Peal, TAHS member and daughter of Tustin Area Historical Society co-founder Vivien Owen. Janet shared her late mother’s varied and expansive roles in the community from the 1950s until her passing in 2017 at age 88. Janet shares her mother’s love of Tustin history and proclaimed the society to be in good hands since her mother’s efforts resulted in its formation 50 years ago during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. To learn more about the Tustin Area Historical Society and how to become a member, go to tustinhistory.com. The Tustin Museum is located at 395 El Camino Real in Tustin’s Old Town and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Janet Peal Vicki Gray Assisteens Mikayla Garcia, left, and Juliana Romero pack tote bags of goodies for the local seniors.
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