The vision of ORAA is to strengthen the OR community by 1) facilitating alumni networking and communication, 2) providing funds in support of OR events and causes, and 3) increasing awareness of OR issues.
OR Alumni Database: Please help the Oyster River Alumni Association create an alumni database by submitting your contact information via this short survey. Your contact info will only be seen by ORAA organizational staff. We will not share it with anyone else. Thank you for helping us bring together generations of Bobcats!
ORAA is pleased to announce that our second annual ORAA scholarship for excellence in OR community organizing was given to ORHS senior, Emily Dube at the 2011 ORHS Baccalaureate Ceremony. Emily will be attending American University in the fall. The scholarship was in the amount of $250, which we hope to be able to grow in the future.
If you would like to contribute to the ORAA scholarship fund, you can make a donation via our donation page.
Please support OR schools by making a donation to one of the "Mini-Grant" OR classroom projects listed on our donation page. These mini-grant requests are made by OR teachers for small amounts of funding which will support classroom projects that are not being covered by the regular district budget due to budget cuts. Thank you for supporting OR schools!
OYSTER RIVER TEACHERS - HOW TO APPLY FOR A MINI-GRANT (Fall 2011 grant cycle):
1. Mini grant requests must be for $300 or less per project. At this point ORAA does not have built-up funding for mini-grants it can draw from - we have to make an appeal to alumni each year to be able to fund the projects. Because of this, we can not guarantee that your request will be funded and it will take some time to try to raise the requested amount. ORAA will give out a total of $1500 in grant money each year. Therefore as soon as $1500 in requests is reached we will stop accepting applications. Projects which have already been funded in a previous grant cycle must wait at least 2 grant cycles to be renewed again. This will give other projects/teachers opportunity to apply.
2. Write a one-paragraph description of the project, the students it will benefit, and the teachers involved. Email the description to Anita Mathur at
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. Please also attach a digital photo of the project or student beneficiaries if you have one (photos of children must have a signed release form from the parents which your school administrators should provide).
3. Submit the paragraph description by October 1st. Checks will be disbursed as soon as the grant request amount is filled. If it is not filled by May 1st, a check for whatever amount has been collected will be disbursed at that time. Tell Anita Mathur who you would like the check to be made out to (the school versus a teacher's name).
The Oyster River Teen Initiative is designed to expand support and resources for teens in our community through a variety of programs and opportunities. One goal is to provide a welcoming, dynamic, youth-oriented facility that is available after school for those who are not already engaged in other extra-curricular, work or internship commitments. Currently, plans are underway to create a youth center for after-hours recreation, relaxation and connecting over good food and great music. The Center will be available to teens with the hope of also providing a weekend venue for music, entertainment and the arts. Additionally, the goal of the Initiative is to provide mentoring opportunities with area youth in order to provide greater academic support, volunteer service opportunities, and expanded cultural opportunities.
Keep up to date on Oyster River news by subscribing to the student newspaper, the Mouth of the River. For only $20.00 per year you will receive 6 issues delivered by mail to your home.To subscribe, make a $20.00 check payable to "ORHS" and send to: Oyster River High School, Attn: Mouth of the River, 55 Coe Drive, Durham, NH 03824. Questions? contact Judy Kucera at
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Beth Santos (ORHS Class of 2004) is the coordinator of STEP UP OLPC, a subsidiary of a non-profit organization in the African island nation of São Tomé e Príncipe. After stumbling on 100 durable, energy-efficient laptop computers donated by One Laptop per Child (OLPC), Beth developed a class on Saturday mornings for students and teachers in the São João Secondary School. She is currently coordinating with local embassies to bring the program country-wide.
Beth is the former outreach coordinator for Waveplace Foundation, a partner of OLPC that does similar work in the Caribbean. She has since traveled to Haiti and St. John and has picked up an impressive amount of Haitian Creole. Of Portuguese origin, Beth spent a year living in Coimbra, Portugal and is now the Director of Programs for the National Organization of Portuguese Americans.
She is Founder and Editor of Go Girl, an online magazine for and about women who travel around the world (http://www.travelgogirl.com). Go Girl currently features nearly 2,200 readers from 70 different countries, and hosts the work of 25 internationally based female writers.
Beth is a graduate of Wellesley College, where she majored in art history. She currently resides in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, and will be moving to Chicago in June, where her new town will bring her back to the job hunt!
Principal Laura Rogers Leaving ORHS. Todd Allen (ORMS Assistant Principal) to replace her as Interim Principal
The current ORHS Principal, Laura Rogers will be leaving Oyster River High School this year. Principal Rogers was a great supporter of the Oyster River Alumni Association. Principal Rogers had been at Oyster River since 2006. We will be sad to see her go.
Stefany Shaheen (ORHS 1993 and daughter of NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen)
Stefany Shaheen has a blog about the challenges of parenting a child with type 1 diabetes. Check it out at the following link: "http://www.goodmeasures.com/blog"
Richard Tappan ORHS Teacher (Retired)
The Tappan family is pleased to announce that Richard Tappan's first novel was just published with an online publishing company and it is available for sale on Amazon. The title is "Voices from Cold River" and it is historical fiction, but based on the life of Mr. Tappan's grandmother.
Jeff Halldorson (ORHS 1993)
The ORAA is supporting OR Alumnus Jeff Halldorson and his wife Kelly in their book project, Skeletons Don't Sleep. The personal memoir narrates Jeff's childhood in Durham and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his adoptive father, who was eventually arrested and incarcerated for his actions. The story is one of horror, tragedy and sadness but also of triumph, love and support. ORAA feels that this is an important book to help increase awareness of child sexual abuse in our community and therefore it is proud to be a supporter of its publication. Order your copy at Lulu Marketplace
