Dear Otay Ranch Mustang Families,

Welcome to the 2021 – 2022 school year! I am thrilled to welcome your children back to school in person. It is truly an honor that in my first full year here, I get to reopen our school. I am privileged to work with an outstanding staff to make it a smooth transition for our students who have been off campus the last year and a half. We missed our students, and are excited to work closely with you to ensure their success, well-being and safety.

We have been working hard all summer to plan for a safe opening of school and to implement best practices to mitigate the risks associated with Covid-19. We continue to implement our sanitation protocol and require masking inside our classrooms. Doors and windows are open to introduce fresh air.  A stronger emphasis will be placed on social emotional learning to help students connect.

Otay Ranch High School is a community of learners who come from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, and as such, a unique place to learn and grow.  Our vision is that all students will graduate with the skills, knowledge and commitment to be college and career ready. We work towards this through our mission, which is to prepare students for post-secondary education and career options by fostering a culture of achievement, developing critical thinking skills across all subject areas, instilling a sense of commitment, and creating a community where everyone belongs. 

Thus, we will focus on three things this year:  our culture of achievement–ensuring students take courses that challenge them academically and prepare them for a career or college; our culture of belonging–ensuring that students feel connected to school and there is a place for everyone who attends and works here; and creating the systems that will allow both these cultures to thrive.

Your support as parents in our efforts to create a school where your students achieve and belong is crucial.  I encourage you to participate in the multiple committees that meet to learn and provide input in ensuring each student’s success at Otay Ranch High School. The English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) is available for the parents of English Learners in order to receive information and provide feedback on the educational needs of their students. Parents may also serve on the School Site Council (SSC) and on district advisory committees with the purpose of discussing school programs, events, interventions and providing input on the Single Plan for Student Achievement. In addition, there are parent boosters that support various programs including football and Band.  Our Coffee with The Principal will meet at least once a quarter to provide you with data and updates on our efforts towards our areas of focus.

With all that we have planned and are planning, I look forward to a great school year.  GO MUSTANGS!

Sincerely,

Mary Rose Peralta