OCSA Weekly Wrap - January 27, 2023

January 27, 2023

FOLLOW UP TO YESTERDAY’S ADVISORY

We wanted to take a moment to thank our OCSA parents/guardians for their patience and understanding following the closure of Main Street yesterday afternoon. A big thanks as well to our OCSA Security Team for helping parents and students alike in getting to where they needed to be. While yesterday’s traffic incident in no way involved any member of the OCSA community, the safety of our students remains our top priority. As we have routinely done in the past when incidents like this occur on or near the OCSA campus, we will take this opportunity to review our current practices and procedures to ensure student safety is maintained. Please stay tuned for more updates on this topic in the coming weeks!

2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR

We are pleased to announce that the 2023-2024 school calendar was approved at this week’s meeting of the OCSA Board of Trustees. Please click here to view the year-at-a-glance document for next school year.

Here is a brief summary of some important dates in the 2023-2024 school year:

First Day of School: Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Last Day of Fall Semester: Wednesday, December 20, 2023
First Day of Spring Semester: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Spring Break: Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5, 2024
Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Please make note of the dates above and use the linked calendar to make any needed future plans. While we do not anticipate making further changes, it is possible that dates may have to be further adjusted based on factors outside of OCSA’s control. Stay tuned for the complete list of important dates for the 2023-2024 school year coming soon!

LAST CHANCE FOR CLUB APPLICATIONS

Students: Do you want to create a new club or renew an existing club? Be sure to apply before the deadline TODAY, Friday, January 27 at 11:59 p.m.! Students can join the Google Classroom with code vbxmj6l for more information and to access the application link. Please note that all existing clubs must reapply!

Club Rush will occur during Office Hours and Lunch next Friday, February 3. For those who are unaware, Club Rush is an exciting biannual event where club leaders showcase their clubs and attract interested students to join. Happy clubbing!

MIDDLE SCHOOL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Middle school students: Don’t forget that TODAY, Friday, January 27 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. is the free Ice Cream Social, hosted by OCSA Leadership class! Join us for ice cream treats, a live band, and games in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad). We hope to see you there!

LEADERSHIP CLASS INTEREST MEETINGS

Calling all students in grades 9-11: Are you interested in applying for the 2023-2024 Leadership class? Attend one of next week’s mandatory interest meetings to learn more! These meetings will be held during Lunch in Symphony Hall on Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31. Please note that you are required to attend one of these meetings in order to be eligible to apply.

STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST FOR APPAREL

Attention students in all conservatories and grade levels: Are you interested in having your design skills showcased on a limited-edition OCSA apparel item? We are currently accepting student design submissions to be featured on the front of a t-shirt or sweatshirt in an upcoming schoolwide online apparel sale. Don’t miss your chance to create a new spirit look that all your peers can be proud of, including our newest group of OCSA students being admitted this spring!

To be considered, please submit your design through this form by Tuesday, February 28 at 11:59 p.m. Be sure to review and follow all design guidelines listed on the Google form.

Once all submissions have been received, a panel of administrators and staff will be reviewing the designs to select a small group of finalists. These final designs will be shared on the @WeAreOCSA Instagram account so our OCSA community can vote and determine the winning design! Stay tuned for a future newsletter notifying the OCSA community of how and when to vote.

If you have any questions about this student design contest, please email communications@ocsarts.net. Good luck and happy designing!

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP FOR OC RYSE

Calling high school student poets from all conservatories: Time is running out to register to be a part of OC RYSE, the largest youth poetry slam in the county! Sign up before the deadline this coming Wednesday, February 1 for the opportunity to compete against teams from other area high schools and be judged by local performers and writers at OC RYSE on Saturday, March 18.

Know someone outside of OCSA who might want to participate as well? Share this link with them!

LATE REGISTRATION FOR AP EXAMS

If you have not yet registered for AP exams, late AP exam registration will continue to be available until Tuesday, February 28. There will be an additional $40 fee for late registration. Click here to register and pay for AP exams. When ordering, we highly encourage both student and parent to be present to ensure that the correct exams are ordered. Please print and save your emailed receipt of payment for your records, as students may need it for future reference. All students currently enrolled in an AP class at OCSA are eligible to take the corresponding AP exam. Students are encouraged to register and pay only for those exams they are committed to taking.

2023 AP exams are scheduled to be administered over two weeks in May: Monday, May 1 - Friday, May 5 and Monday, May 8 - Friday, May 12. You may find the full AP testing schedule here. More information about AP exams can be found on our website at www.ocsarts.net/APHonors.

CLASS OF 2023 ANNOUNCEMENTS

Transcripts

Midyear transcripts and reports will be sent through Naviance to Common Application colleges where seniors have applied by the end of January. As a reminder, midyear transcripts and final transcripts are both included in the initial transcript order. Need to order transcripts for scholarships or summer programs? Order on MySchoolBucks and indicate where it should be sent or if you would like to pick up a sealed copy in The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office.

CSF Life Membership

Seniors must apply for the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) for the spring 2023 semester in order to receive the CSF Life Membership seal (Sealbearer status) on their diploma and a gold cord to wear for graduation. One of the qualifications for seniors to achieve Life Membership is that they must qualify for the second semester of senior year, since one semester must be based on grades earned in their senior year. Applications for CSF are due this Sunday, January 29 by 11:59 p.m. Go to Google Classroom and join the CSF classroom with the code revdueu to apply. If you have any questions, email CSF Advisor Deidre Spicer at deidre.spicer@ocsarts.net.

Class Ring Distribution

Did you order a class ring? Class rings will be distributed by SoCalGrad on Tuesday, January 31 at Lunch in the Tower breezeway. Please pick your ring up on this date to avoid a mailing fee.

Graduation Announcements

If you would like to order graduation announcements from SoCalGrad, now is the time. Be sure to order online on SoCalGrad or on-campus during Lunch this coming Tuesday, January 31.

Seal of Biliteracy

Applications are now open for seniors for the California State Seal of Biliteracy. Seniors who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more world languages (in addition to English) have the opportunity to have the Seal of Biliteracy affixed to their diploma. Please be sure to click here to see the requirements and complete the application by Friday, February 24 at 11:59 p.m. in order to be considered for this recognition. No late applications will be accepted. Please direct any questions to student.services@ocsarts.net.

FAFSA Priority Deadline

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for the state of California is Thursday, March 2. As of this school year, all seniors are mandated by the state of California to complete the FAFSA, unless they complete an opt-out form. To complete your application, please click here. For more information about the opt-out form, please see your counselor in The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office.

Senior Class Panoramic Picture

The senior class panoramic picture will be taken on Wednesday, March 22 at 10:45 a.m. on the Annex blacktop.

Please note that more detailed graduation information will be emailed soon. Please refer to the Senior Bulletin or the senior page on our website at www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade for senior information and links.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: GALA PROGRAM ADS

Each year, OCSA families have the opportunity to sell or purchase advertising space in the program for Gala, the school’s largest fundraising event of the year. The deadline to submit ad forms, artwork, and payment for OCSA’s Gala 2023 program has been extended to Friday, February 24. Full-page color ads are still available, as well as quarter-page, half-page, and full-page black and white ads. All funds raised through program advertising will directly benefit the arts conservatories.

Please refer to the ad form for detailed requirements or visit www.ocsarts.net/Advertising for more information. If you have questions, please contact Becky Parsons, Family Liaison, at becky.parsons@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 5535.

HEALTH & SAFETY REMINDERS

The health and safety of our students, staff, and community remain at the forefront of our efforts. OCSA will continue to follow all guidance set by the California Department of Public Health. At this time, mask wearing on the OCSA campus is optional. Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 and/or are exhibiting symptoms should remain at home and fill out the COVID-19 Reporting Form. For more information on OCSA’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, please click here.