CSArts-SGV Weekly Wrap - October 30, 2026

October 30, 2026

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

COLD & FLU SEASON ATTENDANCE REMINDER

The Attendance Office would like to remind families that, as the cold and flu season approaches, it is important to follow CSArts-SGV’s attendance protocol regarding illnesses. If your student is sick or exhibiting cold-like symptoms and misses academic classes, they should also refrain from attending conservatory classes or participating in productions until they are fever-free without the use of medication. Additionally, students with a cough are encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of illness. Doctor's notes are not required unless your student has been absent due to illness for more than three consecutive school days.

ATTENDANCE NOTIFICATION LETTERS

Over the weekend, the Attendance Office will be sending out two different types of attendance notification letters:

Admin Truancy Notifications: These letters address unreported absences that require your attention. To view these letters, please ensure you are logged into your ParentSquare account. If you need to notify the Attendance Office about these absences, please email attendance@sgv.csarts.net.

2026 Attendance Letters: These letters outline your student’s absences as they reach various attendance tiers. For any questions or concerns regarding these letters, please email Assistant Principal of Facilities & Supervision Leon Metoyer at leon.metoyer@sgv.csarts.net.

Please note that you may receive one or both of these letters, which will come from different offices. It is important to direct your inquiries to the appropriate office. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

METRO FARE INSPECTIONS

CSArts-SGV has received notification from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Transit Services Bureau that officers will be conducting ongoing fare inspections aboard Metro trains. These inspections are intended to help ensure that only authorized riders are using the transit system, supporting a safer commuting environment for our students and all passengers.

To help make these inspections quick and convenient, we encourage students who use the Metro to add their TAP card to their phone’s digital wallet. This allows students to easily present their fare card when requested by an officer without having to search for a physical card.

We appreciate this additional effort to promote student safety and thank our families for helping us ensure a safe and smooth commute to and from school.

REMINDERS

IMPORTANT DROP-OFF & PICK-UP RESTRICTIONS

Duarte Unified School District (DUSD) has asked us to remind our families that the alley and DUSD staff parking lot between CSArts-SGV and Duarte High School (DHS) are not to be used for morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up. On multiple occasions this school year, emergency responders have been unable to access the DHS campus because vehicles were blocking the alley and driveway, creating a serious safety concern for both school communities. Additionally, the alley is a designated fire lane.

As community partners and stakeholders, our first responsibility is to keep everyone safe. We ask all CSArts-SGV families to respect this restriction and use designated drop-off and pick-up locations only. Please refer to our campus map for more information. Thank you for your cooperation, understanding, and continued partnership in keeping our students, staff, and neighboring school communities safe.

HIGH SCHOOL SPARK WEEK

From Monday, November 16 – Thursday, November 19, CSArts-SGV will offer its first-ever Spark Week: Discover the Arts in the place of regular high school conservatory classes. Your art form may be what brought you to CSArts-SGV, but Spark Week is your chance to try something different! Please review our previous communication for more information. We ask that students please complete the selection form by the end of the day today, Friday, October 30, to express their interest in the various tracks and workshops. We can’t wait to see what spark you ignite!

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAM ORDERING

Students wishing to take an AP exam this year should pay for the exam(s) through MySchoolBucks as soon as possible, as the deadline for purchasing an exam is quickly approaching on Friday, November 6 at 5 p.m.

In addition to purchasing exams on MySchoolBucks, students must also register with their teacher’s AP Classroom section on the College Board website. Students will then be prompted to indicate whether or not they intend to take the exam. Every student who indicates “yes” must also have purchased the exam through MySchoolBucks. The deadline to indicate through AP Classroom is also Friday, November 6 at 5 p.m. Teachers have been reminding students regularly to make sure to complete both actions if they intend to take an AP exam.

The exam fee established by the College Board for each test is $103, or $66 if your family qualifies for the Federal Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRLP). When ordering exams, we highly encourage both the student and a parent/guardian to be present to ensure that the correct exams are ordered. Please print/save your emailed receipt of payment for your records as students may be asked for this for future reference or refunds.

FEDERAL FREE & REDUCED-PRICE LUNCH PROGRAM

Any CSArts-SGV family who qualifies (based on income level) for the Federal Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRLP) is encouraged to apply! If approved, your family would be eligible for additional discounts on yearbooks, school dance tickets, and more, and the school may be eligible for additional funding. If you think your family may qualify, please apply by the end of the day today, Friday, October 30, through www.schoolcafe.com.

RSVP FOR FALL FESTIVAL

We hope you are getting excited to attend this year's Fall Festival, now rescheduled to Sunday, November 8! Join us for a FREE afternoon of unforgettable family fun, featuring student performances, games, hands-on arts activities, and more. Click here to RSVP and be sure to spread the word!

MORE TIME TO MAKE AN IMPACT

The Make an ImPACt campaign has been extended to Tuesday, December 1, giving you another opportunity to leave your mark on the Duarte Performing Arts Center (PAC) as we make much-needed improvements to this beloved space. By participating, your personalized, custom-engraved plaque will be permanently displayed on a seat. Help us close the remaining funding gap – click here to reserve your seat!

FALL SEMESTER SUCCESS STORIES

Have you heard of State of the Art? It is CSArts-SGV’s way of celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff through a special webpage that features off-campus successes large and small: castings, certifications, awards, scholarships, jobs, special performances, and more. State of the Art is updated biannually at the end of the fall and spring semester; however, you can submit your accomplishments and successes year-round here.

To have your accomplishment featured in the Fall 2026 edition of State of the Art, submit the form by Monday, November 30. An email will also be sent out once accomplishments for the semester are available for viewing. We can’t wait to see all the exciting things you have been up to! Past State of the Art accomplishments are always available to view at sgv.csarts.net/Accomplishments.

CSARTS-SGV APPLICATIONS OPEN

Do you know a student entering grades 6-12 next fall who may be interested in joining our welcoming, creative, and unique school culture? Let them know that the application for the 2027-2028 school year is now live! The deadline for both prospective students to apply and for current students to apply for a conservatory transfer is Friday, January 15. A limited number of openings are also available for mid-year admission in select conservatories and grade levels. Learn more and apply now on our website!

Prospective families are also invited to attend one of our upcoming Preview Days on Saturday, November 7 or Saturday, December 5 to learn about our rigorous high school academic program, exemplary arts program, and unique school culture.

SEEKING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

CSArts-SGV is grateful to have the continued support of the Maxwell H. Gluck Foundation through the Gluck Community Service Arts Fellowship Program. Over the past six years, this funding has provided our students with the opportunity to bring free arts activities to those who have little-to-no access and to become more active and engaged members of the San Gabriel Valley community.

As we begin another year of this influential program, we need your help in identifying community organizations that serve children, seniors, or other groups who could benefit from free arts enrichment programs brought to them by CSArts-SGV students and teachers. All referrals within the San Gabriel Valley are welcome and appreciated. Please send your recommendations and contacts to our Outreach Coordinator Simon Harrison at simon.harrison@sgv.csarts.net.

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES & REMINDERS

Middle School Spark Week

This November, we are excited to bring our middle school conservatory programs together for four days of creativity, collaboration, and discovery! From Monday, November 16 – Thursday, November 19, CSArts-SGV will offer its first-ever Middle School Spark Week in the place of regular middle school conservatory classes. Please see below and refer to our previous communication for more information.

Maxwell IB Academy

School of Dance, School of Music & School of Theatre

Throughout Spark Week, Maxwell students will work in small groups with peers from different conservatories to create, produce, and perform original variety show acts celebrating CSArts-SGV's 10th Anniversary! On Friday, November 20 at 4 p.m., students will present their work for family and friends in the Maxwell Academy Auditorium.

Parents/guardians who typically pick up their students from the CSArts-SGV campus following conservatory should pick up their students from the Maxwell Academy campus at the conclusion of class at 4:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday. On Friday, parents/guardians are welcome to attend the Variety Show performance from 4-5:30 p.m.

Royal Oaks STEAM Academy

School of Fine & Media Arts

During Spark Week, Royal Oaks students will explore the intersection of creative writing and visual arts as they create their own personal zines – small, handmade publications that combine writing, artwork, and creative expression. The week will also provide opportunities for students to share their creations and celebrate one another's work.