October 14, 2022

SURVEY DEADLINE TODAY

Attention parents/guardians: Don’t forget! If you have not done so already, please click here to complete the Stanford Survey of Adolescent School Experiences survey by the end of the day TODAY, Friday, October 14. As previously announced, your feedback is requested through this survey as part of the process we are embarking on with Challenge Success this school year. Students, faculty, and staff will be completing the survey on campus; however, insight from our parent community is also highly important. 


This anonymous, online survey measures perspectives on homework, extracurricular activities, sleep, physical health, stress, parent expectations, academic engagement, academic integrity, and teacher support. The survey will help OCSA’s Challenge Success Task Force identify areas of focus to better support our students’ well-being and overall school experience. Thank you in advance for your feedback!

COLLEGE FAIR NEXT WEEK

We are so excited to welcome our high school families to our FREE, comprehensive College Fair this coming Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21. Participants will be provided with the opportunity to attend master classes and workshops, hear from college representatives, and find the right postsecondary fit. Please click here to refer to the full schedule of events.


High School Students: Hurry, registration for College Fair 2022 closes this coming Monday, October 17! Students who do not sign up by the deadline will not be able to attend their desired sessions. Please follow the steps below to register for College Fair 2022.


  1. Click here to visit the College Fair website.
  2. Click on “Register for College Fair Events Here,” and follow the steps to register.


High School Parents/Guardians: Due to space limitations, we ask that parents select and sign up for the sessions they wish to attend. Be sure to register at your earliest convenience by filling out this form.


Additionally, on Thursday, October 20 from 4:45-6:30 p.m., College Fair attendees will also be able to purchase food and beverages on 10th Street from the following vendors: TK Burgers, Juan Taco, Haole Boys Shave Ice, and Dash Coffee Bar.


We hope to see you there!

PSAT TOMORROW

Attention students who are registered for the PSAT scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, October 15: Please be aware of the following reminders. Be sure to arrive on campus by 7:30 a.m. to give yourself time to locate your room and check in (the doors to the Humanities Tower will open at 7:45 a.m.). The test will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and will run for about three hours, so please plan to be picked up after 12 p.m.


Students should ONLY bring the following items with them to the PSAT:


  • Two sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers
  • An approved calculator
  • Student ID card
  • Water
  • Snacks (no nut products are permitted in testing rooms)
  • A watch (smartwatches, fitness trackers, or other digital watches are NOT permitted)
  • Sweater/sweatshirt (dress in layers in case the classroom is cold in the morning)


Don’t forget to get plenty of sleep tonight. Happy testing!

STUDENT EMAIL ACCESS

We would like to provide a quick reminder that, as of Monday, October 3, students are no longer able to utilize the Gmail forwarding feature to access their student emails. All student email accounts must be accessed through Outlook.com. Students can also install the Outlook app to their phones and use it to check their email if they do not wish to use a web browser. After installation, students will be asked to enter their school email address and password. If prompted for extra security questions to complete the setup, students can enroll in two-step authentication or choose to skip. Students can go to the Tech Support Office for assistance before school (between 7 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.), during Lunch, or after school (until 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, until 4 p.m. on Fridays).

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT WEEK

Middle school students! The Peer Assistance Leadership (PAL) class has planned an MSquad Spirit Week next week, Monday, October 17 through Friday, October 21. Please see the themes below. The week will culminate with games and a DJ on 10th Street during Lunch on Friday, October 21.


Monday, October 17: Hippie Day

Put on your grooviest clothing.


Tuesday, October 18: Disney Day

Wear your favorite Disney apparel or dress up as your favorite Disney character.


Wednesday, October 19: OCSA Staff Day

Dress as any member of OCSA’s faculty or staff.


Thursday, October 20: Tropical Thursday

Dress for paradise with your best easy breezy tropical outfit.


Friday, October 21: Squad Day

Create fun group costumes with friends.

PAINTED PUMPKIN AUCTION NOW OPEN

We are pleased to announce that the Visual Arts Conservatory’s Annual Painted Pumpkin Auction opened earlier today, Friday, October 14! Click here or visit the front lobby of the Humanities Tower to view all the incredible and unique pumpkins created by Visual Arts students. Whether you prefer scary, cute, silly, or over-the-top creative, there is sure to be a pumpkin for everyone!

 

Participants will have until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19 to place their bids on the silent auction website. If you are a winner, your pumpkin will be available for pick-up from the OCSA campus during school hours on Thursday, October 20, Friday, October 21, or Monday, October 24, just in time for the holiday festivities! Winners will receive an email with specific instructions for pick-up.

ACTORS SHOWCASE SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Time is running out! If you are interested in auditioning for Actors Showcase 2023, the deadline to submit application materials is this coming Thursday, October 20. As a reminder, this opportunity is open to all OCSA students – in all conservatories and all grade levels.


The cast of the annual Actors Showcase performs for casting directors, agents, and managers with the hope of garnering industry representation and professional bookings in film and television. The majority of cast members from previous years have taken follow-up meetings and, in some cases, signed with an agent and/or manager to begin their professional journey. Whatever the outcome, Actors Showcase provides an extraordinary experience for young artists.


Please visit www.ocsarts.net/ActorsShowcase to learn more and to submit your audition materials. If you have any additional questions, please email Karen Rymar, Director of Arts Enrichment, at karen.rymar@ocsarts.net.

PARENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY

Parents/guardians, OCSA’s PSO would like to invite you to the first part of their Parent Education Series on Thursday, October 27 at 6 p.m. Dr. Jerry Weichman will speak about the many challenges the pandemic has created for parents and their children as they navigate returning to school in person and growing up amid such difficult times. Dr. Weichman will offer perspective and advice for identifying social-emotional issues and tools to help foster resilience in your children.


Click here to RSVP for this event. Please note that this presentation is being held in person only and will not be recorded. For more information, please refer to this flyer for the event.

AP EXAM PURCHASE DEADLINE

Students enrolled in AP classes: Be sure to register and save on your AP exams! The priority deadline for purchasing AP exams is Monday, October 31 at 9 p.m. at MySchoolBucks. The exam fee established by College Board for each test is $96, with the exception of AP Research and AP Seminar, which cost $144. If your family qualifies for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRLP), the fee is $53 per test. Late registration will run from Thursday, December 1 through Tuesday, February 28 and will incur a $40 late fee per exam. For more information on AP exam purchasing and registration, please click here.


All students currently enrolled in an AP class at OCSA are eligible to take the corresponding AP exam in May. Students are encouraged to register and pay only for those exams they are committed to taking. Due to the sizable monetary obligation and extensive study time involved, it is important for students and parents to discuss how many exams the student can realistically manage.


We highly encourage both students and parents to be present when ordering exams 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 or refunds. A full refund will be issued for exams canceled by Saturday, November 12. After that date, only partial refunds will be available. No refunds will be issued after Saturday, April 1.

HOLIDAY EVERGREENS

The holidays are right around the corner! The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory is once again holding their annual Holiday Evergreens fundraising drive. These beautiful evergreens add festive flair to any home and make wonderful gifts for teachers, friends, family, and business contacts! Please click here to view the stunning wreath options. The conservatory fundraiser also offers Chanukah gifts – please click here for hand-dipped candles. Your purchases will directly support The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory as each student raises funds and competes for prizes.


The deadline to order evergreens or Chanukah gifts is Monday, October 31. If you live locally, your items will be available for pick-up from the OCSA campus during the first week of December. Evergreens can also be shipped directly during the two weeks after Thanksgiving, but unfortunately, shipping is not offered this year for Chanukah gifts. If you have any questions, please email ocsa.acting.wreaths@gmail.com.

MENTORS NEEDED

The OCSA Administrative Team is trying to finalize mentorship pairings for as many students as possible for this year’s Professional Mentorship Program. There are students interested in the following fields who are still in need of a mentor:


  • Animation
  • Art Conservation
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biotechnology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Comic Book/Game Lore Writing
  • Computer Science
  • Concept Design
  • Creative Writing
  • Green Engineering
  • Journalism
  • Film Production
  • Film/Television Screenwriter
  • Marketing
  • Music Production
  • Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist)
  • Professional Modeling
  • Professional Musician
  • Published Author
  • Recycling and Waste Reduction
  • Screenwriting
  • Video Game Design
  • Violin Performance
  • Visual Effects Editing

 

If you or someone you know might be willing to support one of our OCSA students this school year, please complete this Professional Mentor Interest Form. Professional mentors will be paired with interested juniors to help them explore career options and receive guidance about postsecondary opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Assistant Principal of Student Services Becca Freeland at becca.freeland@ocsarts.net.

FALL SEMESTER SUCCESS STORIES

We would like to announce that State of the Art will now be updated biannually at the end of the fall and spring semesters. State of the Art is OCSA’s way of celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff through a special webpage that features successes large and small: castings, certifications, awards, scholarships, jobs, special performances, and more. Past State of the Art accomplishments are always available to view at www.ocsarts.net/Accomplishments.


Please continue to submit your successes year-round through the form found at www.ocsarts.net/StateoftheArt. All accomplishments will be posted at the conclusion of the semester in which they were submitted. 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!

SENIOR INFORMATION

This is an exciting and busy time for the Class of 2023! Please click here to review the Class of 2023 Senior Bulletin, which contains important information and links regarding senior year. To review other informational documents relevant to the senior class, including details about senior yearbook information, senior ads, and more, please visit our website at www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade.


Senior deadlines are fast approaching! Below are some important dates to keep in mind.


  • Diploma Name/Address VerificationFriday, October 28
  • Recommendation Letter/Transcript RequestsMonday, October 31 for December 1 deadlines and Thursday, November 10 for January 1 deadlines
  • Yearbook Information/Senior Ad SubmissionsFriday, January 13 (senior portrait, quote, and baby photo) 
  • Panoramic Picture Wednesday, March 22 at 10:45 a.m. 
  • Cap & Gown/Ticket DistributionMonday, May 22 during Office Hours and Lunch
  • GraduationThursday, June 8, Cottonwood Church at 6 p.m. 
  • Grad Night Friday, June 9, Disney California Adventure Park


Seniors and their parents will receive an OCSA Commencement Packet in the spring that will include detailed information on graduation and Grad Night.


We are here for you, Class of 2023! If you have questions after reading the information provided regarding senior deadlines and graduation, please email student.services@ocsarts.net.

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.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Halloween (No Conservatory): Monday, October 31


Veterans’ Day (School Closed): Friday, November 11


Thanksgiving Break (School Closed): Monday, November 21 – Friday, November 25


Last Day of Conservatory, First Semester: Thursday, December 15


No Conservatory: Monday, December 19 – Wednesday, December 21


Teacher Planning Day (No School): Thursday, December 22

View Complete List of 2022-2023 Important Dates

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

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

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