CONSERVATORY STARTS MONDAY

We hope that everyone had a great first week of academic classes! Please be reminded that conservatory instruction begins this coming Monday, August 17, which also means the beginning of the regular Bell Schedule.

Here are some important reminders regarding the schedule:


• On Mondays – Thursdays, school begins at 8:30 a.m.; conservatory classes conclude at 3:25 p.m. for grades 7-8 and at 4:45 p.m. for grades 9-12.
  
• On Fridays and days when conservatory classes are not in session, the school day begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 2:30 p.m.
  

Please note: Conservatory classes are not finalized on students' current class schedules. Finalized conservatory schedules will be available in each student’s Aeries portal on Monday, August 17.

DROP-OFF/PICK-UP REMINDERS

Now that families have had a chance to see what OCSA Drop-Off and Pick-Up looks like in practice, we wanted to encourage families to refer back to our First Day of School email. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Parking & Drop-Off/Pick-Up Guidelines Map and keep in mind the following reminders:

• Please pay attention and follow the instructions of the staff members directing traffic during student drop-off and pick-up.

• Students should cross streets only at designated crosswalks.

• Move your car as far forward as possible before dropping off or picking up students.

• Please do not stop your car in a traffic lane, in the middle of the street, or in a bus stop area while your student exits or enters your vehicle.

• Please do not stop anywhere there is a “No Stopping at Any Time” sign. 

• Please do not double-park in any OCSA parking lots while waiting for your student during pick-up.

• Please do not block the entrances to any of our neighbors’ parking lots or facilities or utilize nearby business parking lots to drop off your student.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our OCSA community safe!

LOCKER ISSUES

Students: If you need a locker change due to mobility/accessibility issues or a damaged lock or locker, please click here to submit a request. Requests will be reviewed as they are submitted, and new locker information will be emailed after the locker has been assigned.

ART ATTACK STUDENT NEWSLETTER

Did you know that OCSA has a student newsletter? It's called Art Attack, and it's the best way for students to stay up to date with campus events, schoolwide announcements, and deadlines for opportunities inside and outside of OCSA.

Art Attack is updated on Blue Days and can be accessed at www.ocsarts.net/ArtAttack. The link is also available through Aeries Communications. Select highlights from the newsletter are shared during Art Attack Live, a short daily broadcast shown in classrooms at the beginning of Block 3 and Block 6. Students can revisit details, access forms, and find links that were mentioned during Art Attack Live directly through the Art Attack webpage.

Here’s a partial list of items that are regularly announced in the Art Attack newsletter:

• Administration Announcements and Events
• Honors Societies Membership Deadlines 
• Daily Free Lunch Specials
• Student Council Elections
• Student Services Announcements, Events, and Workshops
• Events Planned by Student Leadership, Student Council, and PAL 
• Spirit Days and Dances
• Club Information
• Senior Class Events and Deadlines
• And Much More!

We encourage families to check out Art Attack to stay connected with what’s happening on campus. Questions regarding Art Attack can be emailed to student.services@ocsarts.net.

MEDICAL INSURANCE INFO

We would like to remind families that OCSA participates in the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a statewide program that allows schools to receive reimbursement through Medi-Cal and private insurance for eligible mental health services provided during the school day. These reimbursements are reinvested directly into OCSA's counseling and mental health programs, helping to sustain and expand services for students.

Important Information for Parents/Guardians

• No Cost to Families: There are no co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses associated with these services.

• No Impact on Insurance Benefits: Reimbursement for school-based services will not affect your insurance coverage, policy limits, premiums, or access to private mental health services.

• Privacy Protected: Student information is maintained in accordance with applicable federal and state privacy laws, including FERPA and HIPAA.

• Passive Consent: Unless a parent/guardian notifies OCSA in writing that they do not wish to participate, OCSA may submit claims to Medi-Cal or private insurance for reimbursement of eligible services provided to their student through the school's Universal Access to Counseling Services program.

Thank you for partnering with OCSA to support the well-being and success of all students.

JOIN PSO

All parents/guardians are invited to become a part of People Supporting OCSA (PSO)! PSO is a vital community of volunteers who support OCSA, similar to a PTA. In addition to facilitating volunteerism, PSO provides a forum through which parents can learn from the experiences of other parents, engage with school leaders on important issues and policies, and make friends across our diverse community. 

PSO’s first Coffee Chat of the school year is taking place next week on Friday, August 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the Event Center, located inside of OCSA's Center for the Arts at 801 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92701. Please click here to RSVP. This is a great opportunity to meet PSO Leadership, get involved, and hear the “OCSA 101” presentation. Additionally, parents/guardians who join PSO prior to next Friday’s Coffee Chat will be entered for a chance to win two tickets to Season Premiere!

PARENT & STUDENT REIMBURSEMENTS

We want to make parents/guardians and students aware of an important change regarding school-related purchases. Under new state requirements, Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including charter schools like OCSA, cannot reimburse parents/guardians or students for school-related purchases or services. This includes purchases made by parents or students on behalf of Leadership, conservatories, clubs, events, fundraisers, or other school activities.

All school-related purchases must be coordinated and processed through OCSA staff. Parents and students should not purchase items with the expectation of being reimbursed by the school. If a parent or student chooses to make a purchase independently, it must be considered a donation. The only exception is a reimbursement specifically required by an IEP or legal settlement. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you have questions about a purchase for a school activity, please contact the appropriate OCSA staff member before making the purchase.

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OCSA

Preview Day registration for the 2027-2028 school year is now open! Invite your friends in grades 6-11 who are passionate about the arts to register now to attend our upcoming Preview Day on Saturday, September 12. Prospective families will learn about our rigorous academic program, exemplary arts program, and unique school culture. Click here to register now. Registration for future Preview Days on Saturday, October 3 and Saturday, November 7 is coming soon.

SUPPORT OCSA STUDENTS IN NEED

The OCSA Foundation raises funds each year to support students who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program and are living below the national poverty line. Donations to the Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program help to ensure that these students receive the full OCSA experience – from their arts training to school essentials like supplies, yearbooks, dance tickets, and transportation. Gifts of any amount make a difference!

This year, approximately 100 families have identified that they are in need of full financial support. Click here to support a family in your conservatory today!

OCSA CLUBS

All OCSA students: Are you interested in being a part of one of the over hundred different OCSA clubs on campus? The OCSA Leadership class keeps a Google Classroom for all student club information so students can start, join, and remain informed on any club. To join, use the invite link here or classroom code: lAEZEHAW. Stay tuned – club applications will be released soon.

WELCOME WEEK FESTIVAL TODAY

Let the 40th Anniversary celebrations begin! All students and their families are invited to the culminating Welcome Week Festival TODAY, Friday, August 14! In honor of our anniversary, this year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever! Join us in the new Lisa Argyros Commons from 2:30-5:30 p.m. for live student performances, more games and food vendors than ever before, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Meanwhile, parents/guardians can mix and mingle with school administration and other OCSA parents at a Parent Social. Please click here to view the flyer. We hope to see you there!

ALL-SCHOOL MUSICAL AUDITIONS

Attention high school students across all conservatories: We are excited to invite you to audition for the All-School Musical, Big Fish, in celebration of OCSA’s 40th Anniversary season. All interested performers are required to participate in both the vocal and dance auditions. However, if you feel stronger in one area, please do not be discouraged. We are looking for singers, dancers, and actors of all experience levels. The audition form deadline has been extended to this coming Thursday, August 20. For more details and to sign up, please click here.


Vocal Auditions

Monday, August 24 & Wednesday, August 26 | 5-9 p.m.

Dance, Music, and Science Center (DMS), Rooms 119 & 217

Please prepare a 45-second contemporary musical theatre vocal selection. Sheet music is required, and an accompanist will be provided.


Dance Auditions

Friday, August 28 | 3-7 p.m.

DMS, Room 215

Please come prepared for a contemporary and musical theatre jazz call (tap call if you have experience). If you have them, please bring tap, jazz, and character shoes to the audition. 


Callbacks (By Invitation Only)

Tuesday, September 1 | 5:30-9 p.m.

DMS, Room 217

SCHOOL PICTURES

If you would like to purchase school pictures from Lifetouch Photography, please click here and enter the Picture Day ID code EVT7G9MWR. Please note that pictures will be shipped directly to the student’s home. Additionally, Photo Make-Up Day will be on Wednesday, September 23.

UPDATED EXTENDED CARE PROGRAM

Returning parents/guardians should be aware that the program known as Homework Club will no longer be available at OCSA. If a student is not able to be immediately picked up from school when their classes conclude for the day, they may wait for their parent/guardian in the Lisa Argyros Commons or in The Larry & Helen Hoag Foundation Student Lounge, as these are the only spaces that will be supervised.

Supervision will be available from 3:30-5 p.m. on conservatory days and from 2:30-5 p.m. on non-conservatory days. If middle school students need to wait for pick-up during Block 9, they must remain in The Larry & Helen Hoag Foundation Student Lounge to ensure they are not disruptive to ongoing high school conservatory classes.

Any student who is waiting after school hours for a rehearsal to begin must be in a location approved by an administrator or conservatory director.

FOOD SERVICES AT OCSA

Food services will be available daily for students in the following areas of the OCSA campus:


•  Conroy Café, second floor of the Humanities Tower (Breakfast, Lunch and academic nutrition breaks)
• The Kreditor Family Kitchen, Lisa Argyros Commons (Lunch and the Daily Free Selection)
  

Students should pre-load their OCSA Student ID/OCard through MySchoolBucks to expedite food purchases. 

Additionally, all students are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch each school day per the 2021 California state mandate. Each day of the week, a different free lunch option will be available for students to reserve and pick up from The Kreditor Family Kitchen during Lunch. Free breakfast is also available at the Conroy Café on the second floor of the Humanities Tower. Students wishing to participate must reserve their meal selections each week by Sunday at 5 p.m. so that the Food Services Team can prepare the correct quantities of food. Students can click here to access the selection form or may utilize the QR codes found near food service locations on campus. For more information about the free breakfast and lunch available to all students, click here.

FEDERAL FREE & REDUCED-PRICE LUNCH PROGRAM

Regardless of whether or not you plan to utilize the free meal program called out above, any OCSA family who qualifies (based on income level) for the Federal Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRLP) is still encouraged to apply. If approved, your family would be eligible for additional discounts, including reduced prices on lockers, parking passes, yearbooks, school dance tickets, AP exams, and more, and the school may be eligible for additional funding. If you think your family may qualify, please click here to apply.

TIME TO PURCHASE A YEARBOOK

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to purchase your 2026-2027 yearbook, created by the award-winning OCSA Dreamscape Yearbook class. Act fast! Right now you can take advantage of the back-to-school discount price of $135, available for a limited time only! Prices will increase on Monday, August 24. Reserve your copy through MySchoolBucks today.

ADVICE FOR NEW OCSA STUDENTS

Attention all returning OCSA students: As we return to campus, we wanted to give you the chance to pass along some wisdom to the newest members of the OCSA community. Share your best tips and tricks for surviving trips to the 7th floor of the Tower, juggling rehearsals and AP classes, making the most of the OCSA experience, and more. We want to hear from YOU! Please click here to fill out the form for a chance to be included on our @WeAreOCSA socials and our OCSA blog.

SENIOR PACKAGES & YEARBOOK INFORMATION

Bundle & Save with Senior Packages

Save yourself time and money when you get all your important senior purchases with a senior package! These packages include everything your senior will need for a great year, including a yearbook, cap and gown, grad night ticket, senior t-shirt, and panoramic class photo, plus you can even add a class ring. Set your senior up for success and purchase by Monday, November 30 at MySchoolBucks.com. Please click here for more information. 

Discount Prices on Senior Yearbook Ads

Want to celebrate your graduating senior? A senior ad in the yearbook is a great way to congratulate your student on their final year of high school. Now is the time to purchase your ad as prices are at their LOWEST! Discount pricing ends Monday, October 5! For more information, click here. Please go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use OCSA’s order number 40412 to create your senior ad and lock in the current discount pricing.

PERFORMANCE PROGRAM ADVERTISING

If you plan to sell or purchase advertising space in our digital programs, please remember that the due date for ad forms, artwork, and payment is Thursday, August 20. If you own your own business or know of one that may be interested, an ad in OCSA’s performance program is a great opportunity for exposure to our wide and diverse community. Detailed information can be found on our website at www.ocsarts.net/Advertising. If you have questions, please contact Family Giving Coordinator Rachel Steinke at rachel.steinke@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 3222.

Welcome Week Festival: Friday, August 14


Conservatory Instruction Begins: Monday, August 17


Back-to-School Night (No Conservatory): Thursday, September 3


Staff Professional Development Day (No School): Friday, September 4


Labor Day (No School): Monday, September 7

For more information, please visit www.ocsarts.net/BoxOffice.