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

School photos were distributed by Literature & Composition teachers this week. Proofs are available online now through the end of the school year. If you did not order photos, please visit the Lifetouch website and use your student’s ID number to view and place your photo order. Use code F202310OFF for 10% off your order!

Make-up Picture Day 

Students who did not take pictures at On-Campus Registration will take their photos and receive their ID cards at Make-up Picture Day on Wednesday, September 20 on the Michael F. Harrah Symphony Hall stage. Students will receive call slips during class to take pictures according to the following schedule:

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.

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

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

If you would like to pre-order pictures, please use the event code EVTWR4JCF on the Lifetouch website on or before Make-up Picture Day (use code F202310OFF for 10% off). You may also use your student’s school ID number. Retakes will be during Lunch and Office Hours only on Wednesday, September 20 and Thursday, September 21. Students must bring their ID cards and original portrait packet (if purchased) to return to the photographer for retakes.

Today, Friday, September 8, is the last day to participate in the Encore Conservatory Challenge. Join Encore before midnight tonight and your student's conservatory could win $2,500 to support a master artist or an arts enrichment program of the conservatory director’s choice! The conservatory with the highest percentage of families represented in Encore for the 2023-2024 school year will win the challenge. See below for the leaderboard as of yesterday. It’s a close race! 

There’s only one day left to participate in our exciting Opportunity Drawing, happening now as a part of our Season Premiere 2023 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 9. The winner will be notified on the morning of Monday, September 11.

Additionally, you can support our talented students by making a tax-deductible donation. All proceeds will go to OCSA’s Master Artist Series, which creates meaningful and often life-changing experiences for our students. Click here to donate now. Thank you in advance for your generous support!

The world-famous OCSA Halloween Maze, co-produced by the Production & Design and Arts & Enterprise Conservatories, is back! The Halloween Maze is casting actors for multiple roles such as hosts/tour guides with strong improv skills, as well as scare actors with great physicality. Auditions will be held on Friday, September 22 at 3 p.m. in T205. Click here to sign up to audition, as well as for rehearsal dates and more information.

Are you passionate about a specific topic? Are you interested in honing your presentation skills? The Creative Writing Conservatory is hosting OCSA’s second annual TEDx event, open to all grades and conservatories! TEDxOCSA will be recorded live at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre and posted on the official TEDxOCSA website. Apply to be a speaker here before the deadline on Friday, October 6, and please email [email protected] with any questions.

OCSA school counselors have concluded senior presentations. You can find this presentation, created to help you navigate senior year with your student, on our website at www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade. Be sure to refer to the Senior Bulletin for Class of 2024 information, resources, handouts, and helpful links. Senior parents/guardians should read through the 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 seniors and parents/guardians in the spring. If you have any questions after you have read the Senior Bulletin, please feel free to contact your student’s counselor or email [email protected].

Sophomore and junior families: As a reminder, the deadline to register for the PreACT is this Sunday, September 10 by 9 p.m. The exam will be held on Saturday, October 21 on the OCSA campus. Visit MySchoolBucks to register. Pass Back Night, where a presenter will help students interpret their practice test scores and explain how to prepare for the SAT and ACT, will be held on Wednesday, January 17 at 5 p.m.

CSArts Academy Saturday classes are starting in a few short weeks! Be sure to register for the fall session before the special early bird pricing ends this Monday, September 11. CSArts Academy invites students ages 5-15 from throughout the community to experience a variety of arts disciplines through unique classes, offered on Saturdays right here on the OCSA campus. Click here to browse the impressive offering of courses. Spread the word to family and friends who may be interested in this unique and educational arts experience!

Have you heard of State of the Art? It 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. 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.

Spread the word to family and friends with students in grades 6-11 that OCSA Preview Day registration is now open for the 2024-2025 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 7, Saturday, November 4, and Saturday, December 2. Click here to register today! 

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 quarantine 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. 

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

Season Premiere: Saturday, September 9

Make-up Picture Day: Wednesday, September 20 – Thursday, September 21

Non-Student/Non-Teacher Day (No School): Monday, September 25

Homecoming Dance, Grades 9-12: Saturday, October 14

Halloween (No Conservatory): Tuesday, October 31

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

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