It is a privilege and joy to return to Canyon Hills as the site
administrator. I truly feel as if I have come home!

We are midway through another wonderful year at Canyon Hills. Students continue to grow and progress in a safe, nurturing environment. Our caring, professional staff enjoys being part of each child’s life during the week.

Over the past few months, students have participated in a variety of school activities including the annual Snow Day, provided by our hardworking and supportive Canyon Hills Parent Group. Students enjoyed a fun and educational experience. During the event, students had opportunities to interact with one another, learn turn-taking, experience new sensory activities, and build fine and gross motor skills. Snow Day remains the most anticipated yearly event at Canyon Hills.

One of the community organizations that generously donates to our school is a local church youth group. Middle and High school aged students and their leaders provided a delicious pasta dinner and entertainment for the annual Sweetheart Dance at Canyon Hills. Approximately fifty volunteers prepared and served dinner, provided music and encouraged Canyon Hills’ students out on the dance floor. Individual students were selected as the prince or princess to represent their class.

Work continues on campus to improve safety and beautify our surroundings. The garden has undergone improvements, including the replacement of wooden headers. The Anaheim Hills Rotary Club has generously offered to replace the former arbor in our central courtyard.

School activities and field trips, made possible in part by generous community donations, offer an opportunity for students to utilize many practical skills in the areas of communication, socialization, and community integration. A focus at Canyon Hills is to encourage student communication. At school, students continue to use a variety of new technologies and software to support expressive language development.

We sincerely thank all who contribute to Canyon Hills to make a difference in the lives of our students.

Sincerely,
Karen Hanson, Ed.D.
Program Coordinator
Special Education & Canyon Hills School
(714) 997-6171
CanyonHillsPrincipal @orangeusd.org