Thank you again to the parents/guardians that attended Academic Back-to-School Night last week. As we continue to reflect on ways to make this event more meaningful for you, we are requesting your input. Please fill out this short survey to help us improve your experience at Back-to-School Night. Families who did not attend are still encouraged to respond. We appreciate your feedback, thank you.

Attention high school families: As a reminder, College Fair 2024 will be held on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18! At this time, we are pleased to share the College Fair Schedule of Events. Please view below or click here to check out the lineup of master classes, workshops, panels, booths with college representatives, and more, designed to help our high school students find the right postsecondary fit. Stay tuned for information on how to register for this informative multi-day event.

Students: Get ready to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dominate, it is time to sign up for OCSA Dodgeball! The first Dodgeball Tournament of the year will be held on Friday, October 25 from 3-5 p.m. in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad). Click here to sign up before the deadline on Friday, October 4. Don’t wait, as spots are limited. Gather your squad, and get ready to bring your A-game!

Middle school students: Don’t miss the Surf on the Turf dance, held next Friday, September 27 from 2:45-4:45 p.m. in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad). Tickets sales close at 11:59 p.m. this coming Monday, September 23, so don’t delay. Purchase your tickets now through MySchoolBucks for $15. This will be a fun afternoon packed with yummy snacks, pizza, games, and the best dance music around! As a reminder, 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.

High school students: Homecoming is in two 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.  

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. 

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)

Don’t forget, there is a little over a week left to apply as a speaker for OCSA’s third annual TEDx event hosted by the Creative Writing Conservatory! Monday, September 30 is the last day to submit your application. This event is open to all grades and conservatories. Click here to apply now, and email josh.wood@ocsarts.net should you have any questions.

The results are in! Musical Theatre and Integrated Arts TIED in the Encore Conservatory Challenge for having the highest percentage of families join Encore this year. To reward their enthusiasm and support, $2,500 will be split between the conservatories to support a master artist or other arts enrichment initiative of the conservatory directors’ choice. Thank you to every family who generously offered their support by joining Encore this year!

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! 

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.

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

College Fair: Thursday, October 17 – Friday, October 18

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

Last Day of Conservatory, First Semester: Thursday, December 12

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