Spartan Newsletter, December 13, 2024

As we approach the final stretch of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible first half of the school year. Our students have excelled both inside and outside the classroom, demonstrating their dedication and the Spartan spirit. I’m proud of their hard work and the strong partnership we share with our families to ensure their success.

Final grades for the fall semester are just around the corner. This is a critical time for students to stay focused and finish strong. Please encourage your student to communicate with their teachers, complete all assignments, and prepare for their finals. Final exams begin next Wednesday and attendance is mandatory. The last day to make up finals will be Friday, December 20, before the semester officially concludes.

Winter break begins on December 23 and school will resume on Monday, January 13, 2025. The spring semester is more like a marathon than a sprint, and we’re excited to continue supporting our students as they progress toward their goals. This is a perfect time to rest and recharge, as a new semester brings fresh opportunities and challenges.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Orcutt Academy community. Wishing you a restful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Go Spartans!

I am thrilled to share some incredible news about our Spartan Cheer team! This past weekend, they not only claimed victory in their level at the Sharp Cheer competition, but they also earned the coveted titles of Division Champions and Judge’s Choice Award recipients. Their performance secured the highest score among all cheer teams competing across various age groups—a truly remarkable accomplishment.

These awards are not easy to achieve and are a testament to the incredible athletic talent, teamwork, and perseverance of our cheerleaders, as well as the outstanding leadership and dedication of their coaches. Great Job Coach Omi Miller and Coach Megan Moore! It’s moments like these that showcase the excellence and determination that define the Spartan spirit.

I’ve attached a photo of our team with the trophy for you to enjoy. If you see any of our athletes on campus or in the community, be sure to congratulate them and let them know how proud we are of their achievements.

Once again, a big congratulations to our lady SPARTANS! We are so proud of you.

This week’s senior spotlight is Rylie Allen! She is a scholar athlete, has been on the varsity swim team for 2 years, did varsity track for 3 years, varsity basketball for 3 years, and varsity cross country for 4 years. She was also a quad varsity athlete her sophomore year, tri varsity last year, passed AP bio test with a 4, had a 3.9 GPA, got cross country MVP for 2 years. She has also received honorable mention for varsity basketball, was MVP for track 1 year, went to state for cross country at sophomore year, went to swim CIF as a sophomore, and got masters for track sophomore year. Congratulations, Rylie!

Introducing this week’s Teacher Spotlight…Mrs. Clayton!

Mrs. Clayton is OA’s Senior Success and P.E. teacher this year, and she is pumped up to talk about her college years! She received an associates degree from Allan Hancock College in Liberal Arts. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in teaching from Chapman University! Amazing job, Mrs. Clayton! We are so proud of your achievements ❤️👏

As we lean into finals next week, we encourage Spartans not just to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of 2.0, but to surpass them. Strive for that extra effort—study a bit longer, seek help when you need it, and finish the semester strong!

Sincerely,

Rhett Carter