We thank all parents/guardians that were able to attend yesterday's Academic Back-to-School Night! Attendees were able to meet their students’ teachers and visit their students’ classrooms. We hope it was a fun and informative evening. We encourage parents to reach out directly to teachers if they have additional questions.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. With this in mind, we want to take this opportunity to provide parents/guardians with resources to help support their student, if needed, and also share some additional information in regards to mental health support and suicide prevention. Please see the links below for helpful information:

• Suicide Prevention Resources | AFSP
• Self-Care Strategies for Resilience
• Take Action for Suicide Prevention
• CHOC Mental Health Resources
• The Lifeline and 988

In addition, our community partner Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is offering FREE Parent Education opportunities regarding mental health. Please check out their website above for information regarding the various webinars offered this year, starting next Wednesday, September 18.

NEW: Free Mental Health App

We would also like to introduce Soluna, an innovative, free mobile app that offers confidential mental health support. Soluna offers a wide variety of digital stress management tools, as well as access to personal coaching, to help young people navigate the anxiety and challenges they face. 

If you have any concerns about your student or have any specific questions, please reach out directly to their counselor at OCSA for additional support:

Vanessa Musso: Middle School

Ashley Talbert: High School (A-Do)

Kara McCann: High School (Dr-Kh)

Paige Acuna: High School (Ki-Me)

Sarah Kause: High School (Mi-Sh)

Becky Vance-Freeland: High School (Si-Z)

To align with National Suicide Prevention Month, OCSA is hosting activities as part of “You Matter Month.” You Matter is about ensuring that all students feel connected, supported, and encouraged to seek help when needed. Coming together as a community on a tough subject like suicide helps our school become stronger. To show your support, we encourage students to participate next week, Monday, September 16 – Friday, September 20, in You Matter dress up days (listed below) and to join in the activities that will be held during Lunch on 10th Street on Friday, September 20. 

Monday, September 16: Dress in purple and stand in solidarity against suicide 

Tuesday, September 17: Dress in teal to show your support for the cause 

Wednesday, September 18: Wear your favorite band or musician tee, because music makes everything better

Thursday, September 19: Wear neon, because your future is looking incredibly bright 

Friday, September 20: Be comfortable being you and wear comfy clothes or pajamas

Students and staff who did not take pictures at On-Campus Registration will take their photos and receive their ID cards at Picture Make-up Day this coming Wednesday, September 18, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Albert & Miaad Bushala Stage in Michael F. Harrah Symphony Hall. Students will receive call slips during class to take pictures according to the following schedule:

Students & Staff: 7 to 8:15 a.m. (no retakes)

Grade 7: Block 4 at 8:35 a.m.

Grade 9: Block 4 at 9 a.m.

Grade 8: Block 5 at 10:10 a.m.

Grade 10: Block 5 at 10:40 a.m.

*Retakes: Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.

Grade 11: Block 6 at 12:15 p.m.

Grade 12: Block 6 at 12:55 p.m.

*Retakes: Office Hours from 1:40 to 2:10 p.m.

If students do not receive a summons at the above times and have not been photographed, they should go to Symphony Hall before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. Retakes will only be offered during Lunch and Office Hours on Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19. Students must bring their ID cards and their original portrait packet (if purchased) to return to the photographer for retakes. 

Pictures can be purchased at www.mylifetouch.com using your student's school ID number or event code EVTVV99DW on or before Picture Make-up Day.

High school students: Are you ready to dance? Homecoming is in a few short weeks on Saturday, October 5 from 8 p.m.-12 a.m. at Dave & Busters at the Irvine Spectrum. Tickets are available through MySchoolBucks for $72 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 30. Tickets include a game card, food, dancing, and more! 

Guest passes are also available and must be physically turned in to T110 (at the door) by no later than 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. Click here to print a guest pass or you can pick one up at the Student Information Rack outside of The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office (T101). Signatures are needed from the student’s and the guest’s parents/guardians and the guest’s school administrator (with a business card), so start the process now. Please note that no electronic submissions for guest passes will be allowed.

OCSA’s middle school dance, Surf on the Turf, will be held on Friday, September 27 from 2:45-4:45 p.m. in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad). Please join us for some yummy snacks, pizza, games, fun, and the best dance music around! Tickets are available through MySchoolBucks for $15 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 23. This dance is reserved for OCSA students in grades 7 and 8 only. No older or outside guests are allowed, and an OCSA student ID will be required for entry. Come make some unforgettable memories and have a blast with your friends! For any questions, please email ocsa.leadership@ocsarts.net.

As a reminder, we need everyone’s help to ensure that morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up run smoothly and safely. We ask that you adhere to the following:

• Please ensure that you are utilizing the designated drop-off and pick-up locations referred to on the Drop-Off/Pick-Up Map.
• Pay attention and follow the instructions of staff members directing traffic.
• Move your car as far forward as possible before dropping off or picking up students. Students should always enter and exit the vehicle from the side of the car facing the curb and utilize pedestrian crosswalks.
• 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 refrain from dropping off or picking up your student by parking/waiting in nearby business parking lots or in OCSA student parking lots.
• Please do not stop anywhere there is a “No Stopping at Any Time” sign.
• Please do not block the entrances to any of our neighbors’ parking lots or facilities.
• Please do not park in the new drop-off zone on Sycamore Street (in purple on the map) or your car will be ticketed or towed.

We appreciate your continued cooperation.

There’s only one day left to participate in our exciting Opportunity Drawing, happening now as a part of our Season Premiere 2024 festivities! Whether or not you are attending tomorrow’s Season Premiere event, everyone is invited to participate in the drawing for a chance to win the “Ultimate OCSA Experience.” Click here to learn more and purchase tickets before the drawing closes at 10 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, September 14. The winner will be notified on the morning of Monday, September 16.

Additionally, you can support our talented students by making a tax-deductible donation. Click here to donate now. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

We are trying to finalize mentorship pairings for as many students as possible for this year’s Professional Mentorship Program. There are students interested in a variety of fields who are still in need of a mentor. To view the list of all needed fields, please click here. 

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 post-secondary opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Arts Enrichment Karen Rymar at karen.rymar@ocsarts.net.

Next Wednesday, September 18, celebrated musician, actor, writer, and radio host Seth Rudetsky will be performing his award-winning show, Seth's Big Fat Broadway Show, at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre. After hosting a private master class for our Musical Theatre Conservatory students, Seth will take the stage and ALL members of the OCSA family are invited to come! Click here for a sneak peek. Tickets are $15, and all proceeds will be donated back to OCSA. Please click here to reserve your seats. We hope to see you there!

If you are passionate about a specific topic and want to hone your presentation skills, don’t miss TEDxOCSA! The deadline to apply as a speaker for OCSA’s third annual TEDx event hosted by the Creative Writing Conservatory is fast approaching on Monday, September 30. This event is open to all grades and conservatories. Click here to apply today, and email josh.wood@ocsarts.net should you have any questions.

CSArts Academy’s Saturday Series starts next Saturday, September 21! Don’t delay, as registration closes this coming Monday, September 16. Register your student today for one of the fun and exciting courses available, such as Drawing & Painting or Public Speaking. Click here to browse all of the offerings.

Spread the word to family and friends with students in grades 6-11 that OCSA Preview Day registration is now open for the 2025-2026 school year! At Preview Day, families can learn about our rigorous academic program, exemplary arts program, and unique school culture. Join us on the following Preview Days to learn more: Saturday, October 5, Saturday, November 2, and Saturday, December 7. Click here to register today! 

Have you heard of State of the Art? It is OCSA’s way of celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff through a special webpage that features successes large and small: castings, certifications, awards, scholarships, jobs, special performances, and more. State of the Art is updated biannually at the end of fall and spring semesters; however, you can submit your accomplishments and successes year-round 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! Past State of the Art accomplishments are always available to view at www.ocsarts.net/Accomplishments.

Class of 2025 families: Please be aware of the following important dates and deadlines so that you don’t miss out on any part of your senior experience!

Fast Approaching Deadlines

Monday, September 30 – Coca-Cola Scholarships 

Click here for more information and to submit your application.

Monday, October 7 – Aeries Diploma Name Verification 

Monday, October 7 – November 1 Deadlines for Transcript and Letter of Recommendation Requests 

Monday, October 7 – Senior Packages or Cap and Gown Order Deadline

Bundle and save with a senior package! Purchase all the essential Class of 2025 items in one package, including a yearbook, cap and gown, Grad Night ticket, senior t-shirt, and panoramic class photo, plus you can even add a class ring. Click here for more information or purchase now through MySchoolBucks. 

Monday, October 7 – Discount Pricing on Senior Yearbook Ads Ends

If you are looking to celebrate your graduating senior in a special way, consider purchasing an ad for placement in the yearbook today. Click here for more information, and go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use OCSA’s order number 40412 to create your senior ad and lock in the current discount pricing. 

Senior Bulletin

Senior families should read the Class of 2025 Senior Bulletin thoroughly, as it contains all the information needed for this culminating year and will answer many questions you may have. Student Services will email detailed graduation information to the Class of 2025 and parents/guardians in the spring. If you have any questions after you have read the Senior Bulletin, please feel free to email student.services@ocsarts.net. 

Please also refer to www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade often for Class of 2025 information, resources, handouts, and helpful links.

Season Premiere: Saturday, September 14

Homecoming Dance, Grades 9-12: Saturday, October 5 

Halloween (No Conservatory): Thursday, October 31

Non-Teacher/Non-Student Day (No School): Friday, November 1

Veterans Day (School Closed): Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving Break (School Closed): Monday, November 25 – Friday, November 29

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