OCSA Weekly Wrap - March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

SPRING BREAK

We would like to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Spring Break! As a reminder, the OCSA campus will be closed from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7. Have a wonderful week off, and we will see you back on campus when instruction resumes on Monday, April 10.

There will be no Weekly Wrap next Friday during the break. Be on the lookout for the next Weekly Wrap on Friday, April 14.

FEEDBACK REQUESTED: ANNUAL SURVEY

OCSA Administration would like to request the feedback of all OCSA students and parents/guardians through an annual anonymous survey. Your feedback will help Administration as they work to develop the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). Your participation through the survey is critical to this decision-making process, and we appreciate your insights.

Please follow a link below to access the survey that best represents your role at OCSA:

If you are a student, click here
If you are a parent/guardian, click here

The deadline to respond to the survey is Sunday, April 16. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

OCSA APPAREL NOW AVAILABLE

Now is the time to get your OCSA swag and show your school spirit! The OCSA Apparel Store is now open for a limited time only. Visit www.ocsarts.net/Apparel to check out all of the exciting items available for purchase in our Spring Spirit Sale. Be sure to place your order before the sale closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. Your items will be shipped directly to you in early May.

The Spring Spirit Sale also features the incredible design created by our Student Design Contest winner, Jacob Dan (DM, ‘26) and chosen by the popular vote of the OCSA Community. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the contest; we love seeing the creativity of OCSA students at work!

CAASPP TESTING

Please be reminded that OCSA will be administering the mandated California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Assessments during our annual testing period, Monday, April 17 – Friday, April 28. These online tests will be administered in your student’s Literature and Composition, Social Studies, and/or Science classes. Below is a breakdown of the tests that will be administered to each grade:

Grade 7:

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, and the Physical Fitness Test

Grade 8:

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, and the California Science Test (CAST)

Grade 9:

Physical Fitness Test

Grade 10:

California Science Test (CAST)

Grade 11:

Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments (SBAC) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics

Grade 12:

California Science Test (CAST)

Following testing, students will receive individual score reports that will include an overall score and a description of the student’s achievement level for ELA, mathematics, and science.

The OCSA Board of Trustees believes that it is important for all OCSA students to take all tests associated with the California Department of Education student assessment programs. These tests provide us with important tools to monitor the growth and success of our students and programs. That said, parents do have the right to request that their child not participate in the state mandated testing. Such requests must be submitted in writing no later than Friday, April 7. Please contact Assistant Principal of Instruction Kimberly Barraza Lyons if you wish to opt out or if you have any questions.

CHALLENGE SUCCESS WORKSHOP

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, OCSA has been working with Challenge Success team members to analyze some of our school systems; survey middle and high school students, parents, and faculty/staff; provide parent education; and explore changes (big and small!) that might help to bring balance and deeper fulfillment to the student experience.

We are excited to announce an upcoming parent education workshop as part of this partnership with Challenge Success. On Thursday, April 27, Challenge Success will be hosting a Zoom session called A Healthier Approach to College Admissions from 6-7:30 p.m. Please see this flyer for more information. Additionally, here is the Zoom link for this workshop. All are welcome, and we hope to see you there!

COURSE SELECTION

Course selection presentations for the 2023-2024 school year have concluded. Students selected courses in Aeries during the presentations; however, hard copies of the forms must also be turned in to The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office (T101) with a parent signature by the grade level deadline. Forms received after the deadline will be dated and receive less priority for classes, especially electives. Here are the form deadlines:

Rising Seniors:

Form Deadline Friday, February 24 (Past Due)

Rising Juniors:

Form Deadline Friday, March 10 (Past Due)

Rising Sophomores:

Form Deadline Friday, March 24 (Past Due)

Rising Freshmen:

Form Deadline Friday, March 31 (Due Today!)

Rising 8th Grade:

Form Deadline Friday, April 14

Please note there will not be a presentation for parents/guardians of rising 8th grade students. Course selection questions for rising 8th graders can be directed to Vanessa Musso, Middle School Counselor, at vanessa.musso@ocsarts.net.

ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINATIONS

OCSA is currently accepting nominations for the 2022-2023 Volunteer Awards, which are presented annually at Season Finale! Nominees should be individuals or organizations who have demonstrated ongoing commitment to OCSA through contribution of their time and talents, participation in fundraising events, or support in areas of special need. Don't miss this opportunity to nominate a deserving individual or organization!

Click here to nominate a volunteer! The deadline to submit is Monday, April 10. Please note, if you would like to submit multiple nominations, you will need to complete a separate form for each individual or organization.

BE A PART OF OCSAFEST

Attention students in all grade levels and conservatories: Auditions and applications are now available for the first annual OCSAFEST. The Arts & Enterprise Conservatory is excited to present this inclusive, cross-conservatory music and art festival celebrating the unique talents of OCSA students. OCSAFEST will take place on Friday, June 2 from 3-7 p.m. in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad). Arts & Enterprise is currently looking for performing artists, visual artists, and masters of ceremony to bring this festival to life. Be among the first to perform, exhibit your art, or showcase your unique talent at OCSAFEST! Click here to submit your application by Monday, April 10.

SAVE THE DATE: ANNUAL PARENT MEETINGS

Attention parents/guardians of students in grades 7-11: The Annual Parent Meetings for the 2023-2024 school year have been scheduled! Please be sure to mark your calendars for one of these mandatory meetings, which will be held in person on the OCSA campus on Wednesday, May 24, Thursday, June 1, Monday, June 5, and Tuesday, June 6 at 5:30 and 7 p.m.

At this meeting, school leadership and conservatory directors will provide an overview of schoolwide and conservatory-specific goals for 2023-2024, as well as share about the importance of supporting your child’s arts conservatory experience at OCSA. This year's meetings will also feature a brand-new participation challenge that could result in additional funds for your child's conservatory.

Please remember that at least one parent/guardian from each family is required to attend this meeting once per school year as a part of the annual enrollment process. Stay tuned for the link to RSVP coming soon!

GALA TABLES AND TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

The OCSA Foundation is pleased to announce that a limited number of table sponsorships and individual tickets are currently available for Gala 2023: Sunset & Vinyl on Saturday, April 29 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. We are eagerly anticipating next month's out-of-sight, 70s-inspired event and would be honored if you would join us to celebrate!

Click here to reserve your table, purchase your tickets, donate an auction item, or learn more. You won’t want to miss this retro-glam evening of artfully plated food, exciting giving opportunities, and killer performances in support of the talented student artists of OCSA.

CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATION INFORMATION

Graduation is fast approaching! Please click here to review the Class of 2023 Graduation Information for our soon-to-be graduates and their families. It is very important that seniors and their families read this four-page document carefully, as it contains detailed information regarding the remainder of senior year and graduation. Senior information can also be found on our website at www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade.

Graduation Speech Contest

Would you like to give a speech at graduation? All interested seniors are encouraged to participate in the Graduation Speech Contest by submitting a

written speech to Assistant Principal of Student Services Becca Freeland by Friday, April 14. Be sure to read the speech criteria. Speeches must be uploaded through the Graduation Speech Contest Google Form.

Class of 2023 Important Dates

Wednesday, April 12 – Rescheduled date for the Class of 2023 panoramic photo, 10:45 a.m., Annex Blacktop

Monday, May 22 – Graduation Distribution, during Lunch and Office Hours in the breezeway (caps, gowns, tassels, tickets, and senior class panoramic pictures distributed to seniors only)

Tuesday, June 6 – Textbooks and Devices Return by 12 p.m. (in order to receive a diploma after Graduation Ceremony)

Wednesday, June 7 – Last Day of School

Thursday, June 8 – Rehearsal at Cottonwood Church, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (mandatory)

Thursday, June 8 – Graduation Ceremony, check in no later than 5:15 p.m.

Friday, June 9 – Grad Night at Disney California Adventure Park, tentative check in at 1 p.m. in the DMS Quad (bus mandatory), return to OCSA on Saturday, June 10 tentatively at 3 a.m. (bus mandatory). Times are subject to change.

If you have questions after reading the graduation document, please email student.services@ocsarts.net. All the best to you as you prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime event!

2023-2024 SCHOOL CALENDAR

The 2023-2024 school calendar is now available! 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!

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.