We hope you all had a fantastic first week of academic classes! We would like to remind all parents/guardians and students that the first day of conservatory instruction will take place this coming Monday, August 21, 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 distributed during Block 6 on Monday, August 21 and will also be available that afternoon in each student’s Aeries portal.

Don’t forget! All students and their families are invited to the Welcome Week Festival after school TODAY, Friday, August 18 from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Container Lot in front of the Humanities Tower. This annual OCSA bash features carnival-style games, food trucks, music, a dunk tank, and more! Meanwhile, parents/guardians can mix and mingle with school administration and other OCSA families at the Parent Social.

Please refer to our Campus Parking Map for parking options, including the Sycamore Parking Structure near campus. If you park in the structure, be sure to get your parking ticket validated at the Parent Social. We hope to see you there!

Please help OCSA maintain positive relationships with the surrounding community and refrain from dropping off or picking up your student in nearby business parking lots. 

There are two approved drop-off and pick-up zones on the OCSA campus. Please note that with construction planned for the campus this school year, 10th Street will not be utilized for drop-off in the morning. Please refer to the Drop-Off Map and the Pick-Up Map for the most recent information. Students should cross streets only at designated crosswalks.

Additional reminders:



• Please pay attention and follow the instructions of the staff members directing traffic when dropping off or picking up your students.
• Move your car as far forward as possible before dropping off or picking up students.

Students wishing to participate in the Free Lunch Program must reserve their meal selections (including breakfast) each week by Sunday at 5 p.m. so that the Food Services staff 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.

All middle school students on campus after their last class must report to Rooms 108 and 110 of the Tower for the After-School Student Program (ASP), also known as Homework Club. Homework Club provides supervision for students that need to stay on campus for late pick-up. Please note, there is a $10 fee to attend Homework Club and all students must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. For more information, please click here for a one-page handout or click here to visit the Homework Club webpage. 

Financial assistance for Homework Club is available for families who qualify for the National School Lunch Program and have an approved OCSA's Free and Reduced Lunch Program application on file for the 2023-2024 school year. For more information, visit www.ocsarts.net/FRLP or contact Becky Parsons at [email protected] or 714.560.0900 ext. 5535.

Now that the school year is underway, it is time to familiarize students with important topics that will help them to have a successful year. From Monday, August 21 – Thursday, August 24, students will remain in their Block 3 and Block 6 classes during Office Hours to cover the following topics:

Monday, August 21: Student Behavior Norms (Part I)

Tuesday, August 22: Emergency Evacuation Procedures

Wednesday, August 23: Student Behavior Norms (Part II)

Thursday, August 24: Violent Intruder Procedures

If you have questions regarding these presentations, please contact Assistant Principal of Student Supervision Abbe Levine at [email protected] or Dr. William Wallace at [email protected].

If you need a locker change due to a damaged lock or locker or mobility/accessibility issues, please click here to submit a request. Please click here to view the Locker Map.

As a reminder, students utilizing the Metrolink Shuttle, Newport Beach/Bonita Park, or Rossmoor/Rush Park bus routes will need their passes to board the bus starting this Monday, August 21. Be sure to pick up your shuttle passes in the bookroom on the second floor of the Humanities Tower.

In addition, we would like to provide a few resources to help organize carpools:

• The 2023-2024 Parent Directory is available to parents/guardians through the Aeries Parent Portal under the Resources tab, to allow them to connect with other families willing to be contacted/participate in carpools.
• Parents/guardians can also connect to find potential carpools through the Transportation Facebook Group. Please answer the screening questions to become a member of this private group and find connections near you.

Please visit www.ocsarts.net/Transportation for additional information. For any questions, please contact [email protected].

Do you know OCSA has a daily student newsletter called Art Attack? Reading Art Attack is the best way for students to stay informed and find out what’s occurring on campus. Art Attack is automatically updated each day at www.ocsarts.net/ArtAttack. There is also a link in Aeries Communication.

Are you an OCSA solo artist? In a student band or trio? Peak State Records, a student-led record label co-run by the Popular Music and Arts & Enterprise Conservatories, is looking to represent select OCSA artists for the 2023-2024 school year! Any OCSA student or student group that performs their own original material can apply by Friday, September 1. For more information or to apply, click here. If you need any help submitting your materials or have additional questions, please email Ms. Jessica Lipman at [email protected].

If you own your own business or know of one that might be interested in advertising to OCSA’s large and diverse community, now is the time to purchase advertising space in our performance programs! This coming Monday, August 21 is the due date for ad forms, artwork, and payment. Detailed information can be found on our website at www.ocsarts.net/Advertising. If you have questions, please contact Becky Parsons, Family Liaison, at [email protected] or 714.560.0900 ext. 5535.

LAST CHANCE TO ORDER OCSA APPAREL

Time is running out! Be sure to place your order through the Back-to-School Apparel Sale by this coming Tuesday, August 22 at 11:59 p.m. It’s your last chance to gear up for fall with brand-new OCSA sweatshorts, sweatpants, or a special spirit t-shirt designed by Alyssa Uy (VA, ‘24), which is just perfect for OCSA Halloween. These items may not be available again! Visit www.ocsarts.net/FlashSale to browse and shop now. Your items will be shipped directly to you in late September.

GET YOUR YEARBOOK DISCOUNT

Now is the time to reserve your yearbook full of unforgettable memories AND take advantage of the back-to-school discount price of $125! Prices will increase next Friday, August 25. We typically sell out, so act fast! Reserve your copy at www.myschoolbucks.com while supplies last.

SENIOR PACKAGES & YEARBOOK INFORMATION

Bundle and 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 yearbook, cap and gown, grad night ticket, senior t-shirt, and a panoramic class photo, plus you can even add a class ring. Set your senior up for success and purchase through www.myschoolbucks.com by Monday, October 2. 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 and a special way for seniors to celebrate their years at OCSA with friends and peers! Now is the best time to purchase your ad as prices are at their LOWEST! Discount pricing ends Monday, October 2! 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 discount pricing. 

It’s Time to Submit Senior Yearbook Info

Graduating seniors need to submit all of their required senior yearbook information no later than Friday, January 12 (preferably MUCH sooner!) to ensure they are fully celebrated at graduation AND in the yearbook! Click here for all the information you need to know on how to start this process, then please go to www.ocsarts.net/SeniorYearbookInfo to submit your information. 

Welcome Week Festival: Friday, August 18

Conservatory Instruction Begins: Monday, August 21

Labor Day (School Closed): Monday, September 4

Academic Back-to-School Night (No Conservatory): Thursday, September 7

Staff Professional Development (No School): Friday, September 8

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