OS A NEWS
June 7, 2016

A weekly news and information publication for Oakland School for the Arts

OSA News
Donn Harris
OSA Community:

With the close of the 2015-16 school year, I say goodbye to you as your Executive and Artistic Director of the past nine years. It has been a transformative experience for me, spanning the longest position of my professional life, and in fact almost all of the decade of my 50s were spent at OSA. I will turn 61 on August 3 and hope to cap my career with the special project I have taken on across the Bay, but will always look to OSA as the defining position of my career. Most of the prominent and influential people with whom I have dealt know of me as the Director of OSA, and the cache that title has thrills me daily. I am so honored and proud to have been your Director. The little school in the portables in 2007 became the growing school in The Fox by 2010, and after that we became a hotter and hotter ticket until we were sold out and started needing new space.

Our first full musical in The Fox, The Wiz, sold out for the two nights, and we were off and running.

Today we are a place of joy and excitement, of the aspirations of 8 year-olds who have seen us sing and want to be on that stage; a place of hard work where the payoff is some of the best college entry rates for a school of this size anywhere. So congratulations to you the students and your families for having gotten here at all, and for all you did once you were here -- the dedication, the selflessness, the late nights, the clean-ups . . . . . I never took any of this for granted. I presided at my first graduation as a high school principal in 2000, when other speakers at the podium grabbed my notes and programs when they left and l had to wing it and I missed a few things and people. In my second year, at a different school, when I was making a few jokes about the crazy costumes at some graduation I had seen on the news, I was told that my whole school had decorated the caps and gowns and they'd they'd like to be acknowledged at graduation. Today, at OSA, we have then honor of hosting the 10th anniversary of the first graduating class of OSA, the Class of 2006. That was just a year before my arrival, and I have met many of them, and since they opened the school, I feel like I have met almost everyone who has come through these doors. OSA is a special place, a thriving and inspired universe unto itself, and I leave for my next adventure precisely because I am being asked to do across the Bay what we have accomplished here. Nothing stands still, and I am again reminded of that as I watch students get ready to graduate and as I pack up my office.

Thank you. If you can read between the lines: Thank you again. It has been the ride of a lifetime and we have done right by each other, and I honor all of your children's accomplishments. We are part of one another's histories and that is no small thing. As I am big on themes, here's one for the ages: Take nothIng for granted. It's all a miracle, every waking second, and no place embodies that in my experience like Oakland School for the Arts. It is a miracle that it exists at all, and beyond that it is all a gift, one that we give and receive each day.

Thank you,
Donn K. Harris 

OSA News
Editor's Note: 

Thank you Mr. Harris for your many years of dedication to OSA.  It has been a pleasure to know and work with you and an honor to have you know my children. You will be missed.
 
Thank you as well to everyone who submitted articles to the OSA Newsletter this year, and to all of you who read this every week. Have a wonderful summer and I'll see most of you next year. 

OSA News
New Emphasis for 2016/2017:

Audio Production and Engineering
 
Starting this fall, OSA is offering another new emphasis: Audio Production and Engineering. AP&E will be a high-school emphasis offered to students who want to build skills as Audio Engineers, Music Producers, Live Sound Engineers and Sound Designers. Mr. Christopher McGovern, currently a teacher in Instrumental Music, will be the AP&E department chair, and  eight students have already auditioned and been admitted as the first class. AP&E is expected to grow as interest and classroom space expands in the future. All the AP&E courses will take place in room #306 and the adjoining recording studio.
 
Classwork will include studio production, MIDI production, live sound and music theory. To audition, students will need to submit a portfolio of prior work with Music Production, Post Production Sound, Recording, or Live Sound Engineering, and demonstrate a basic understanding of music theory.
 
In addition to providing AP&E students with a comprehensive sound-engineering skillset, Audio Production and Engineering will provide OSA with an in-house audio solutions team and encourage collaborative projects with other emphases. 

OSA News
June 9th Ceremonies
at the Fox Theater

8th Grade Promotion
10:00 am 

High School Graduation
2:00 pm

Tickets are required to attend.

OSA News
Final Exam Schedule
Spring Semester 2016

9th-11th Grade Students
 
Tuesday, June 7th:
8:15-8:45        Review for 3rd period exam
8:50-10:20      3rd period exam
10:20-10:30    Break
10:35-11:15    Review for 4th period exam
11:15-12:50    4th period exam
Early Release
 
Wednesday, June 8th:
8:15-8:45        Review for 5th period exam and Make up Exams
8:50-10:30      5th period exam
10:45-11:15    Classroom cleanup/Locker cleanout 
                     (3rd Period Classes)
11:20-12:50    Student lead end of the year activities
Early release
 
Thursday, June 9th
8:00-12:50      Make-Up Exams
2:00                High School Graduation for 12th Grade Students


Middle School students will have Art Emphasis every day through 
the end of the school year and have early release June 6-8. 

APT
APT
Greetings all,

As the school year comes to an end, it's time to think about the future.  Some students will be graduating or leaving OSA for other schools.  As moderator, I don't have a list of who's leaving, so I have to rely on parents to let me know.  

I run both the  APT-OSA Family Roster and the OSA-APT Google Group.  These are for current OSA families who have a child enrolled at the school. 

If your child will not be at OSA in the Fall 2016, please let me know so I can update both rosters.  

Please visit the following form " Unsubscribe Request for APT Google Group" and I will remove your name from the group and family roster after June 10.
  
Thank you for your help in this,

David Guerra
APT-OSA Google Group Moderator

OSA News
Middle School 
Math Acceleration Update

The much requested opportunity for math acceleration has been in a pilot phase this year.  Thank you for your patience and cooperation as I, in conjunction with the middle school math teachers and our CPM Coach/Regional Coordinator have designed a process for the transition.  This is the first year students self-selected to do independent study with a goal to be given access to the next course math materials concurrent to their existing course.  Many 7th and 8th grade students have been working through the packets for CC3 and CCA.  Below are the grade specific options for next steps in this process.

Additionally, in response to students who are now interested in doing this independent study, I am offering another option for summer to complete the packets with the understanding that all students were not able to work on the packets during the school year for various reasons.  
 
Another option that some families will be doing is taking the course through the UC Berkeley ADTP offfering at a cost.  They teach the CPM curriculum as well.
 
Current 6th graders who have been recommended by their teachers based on several factors including their in-class performance, prior knowledge and demonstrated problem-solving skills will be receiving notification by email to their parents that they will be enrolled in a combination CC2/CC3 (Linear Algebra) course in 7th grade in preparation for enrollment in CCA (Quadratic Functions) in 8th grade.
 
Current 7th graders who have been working on CC3 independent study packets will be receiving an email notification to their parents with an update on their current completion progress and a plan for assessment.  The first option is the last week of school following and early release day at a time to be determined.  The second option is the week of August 8th, when Admin returns to OSA.  
Upon demonstration of understanding of the course topics, they will be enrolled as 8th graders in CCA (either with 9th graders or as an 8th grade course, depending on the number of students who are eligible).  A minimum of 24 is needed to for a separate section and will be taught by a teacher who normally teaches CC3.
 
Current 8th graders who have been working on the CCA independent study packets will be receiving and email notification to their parents with an update on their current completion progress and a plan for assessment.  The first option is the last week of school following and early release day at a time to be determined.  The second option is the week of August 8th, when Admin returns to OSA.
Upon demonstration of understanding of the course topics, they will be enrolled as 9th graders in CCG (Geometry) with 10th graders.
 
Please keep in mind, the 8th acceleration plan was specifically designed to apply to matriculation at OSA and will not receive a seperate grade on the student's transcript.  If your student is planning to attend a high school that will accept a letter of recommendation, please let me know and I will be happy to support them.
 
Please do not hesitate to speak to your student with an update on the many individual conversations I have had then email me with any questions.  
 
Again, I appreciate the support and cooperation of the OSA student and parent community as we work to come up with a responsive plan to meet the range of needs for our learners.  We will continue to offer a Math Lab for students who need additional support to fill in any gaps they may have from elementary school, with the plan in mind to give students remediation during middle school so they will be prepared to function at their optimal ability upon entering high school.

Staci A. Smith
Middle School Principal
Math Department Chair
Math Instructor

Digital Media
2015-2016 Yearbook Available

Good news! OSA's 2015-2016 Yearbook is now available!

Celebrate an amazing school year with the OSA 2015-2016 Yearbook. Order online and choose the shipping speed that works for you. Books take 3-5 days to print before shipping.

Click here to purchase. Congratulations to our Seniors, and all of our amazing students!

OSA News
2016 - 2017 OSA 
STEP IT UP PROGRAM
 
We are proud to announce the fourth year of Step It Up, OSA's free after-school arts program for 5th-9th grade students. Step It Up is one of OSA's diversity recruitment efforts for Oakland residents and runs from September through February, culminating with a Step-It-Up only audition.

It features the following arts areas: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music,Theatre, Visual Art, Digital Media, Literary Arts, and Production Design. Step It Up's first year saw a total of 60 students, 21 of whom successfully auditioned into OSA for fall 2016.
 
As we prepare for our second year of our afterschool program, we're asking our OSA family--teachers, parents, and students--to help us grow this program with qualified Oakland students. Paper applications, postcards, and FAQ information are available at the 18th St entrance and the front desk. Applications and information are available at  oakarts.org/stepitup. Online applications will be live June 1st. Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, and Cantonese.

Circus Arts
AUDITIONS:
Circus Spire Youth Troupe 
and Circus Kids 4 

Saturday, June 18, 2016 
4:30-­7:00pm

Kinetic Arts Center is looking for Aerialists, Gymnasts, Clowns, Acrobats, Jugglers and everything in between for the Circus Spire Youth Troupe and Circus Kids 4 Performance 2016­/2017 Season.
 
Circus Spire Youth Troupe is a pre­-professional circus training program for performers ages 13­-18 years.
 
Circus Kids 4 is a performance training program for performers ages 9­-13 years.

Application Submission Deadline:  Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Applications Available Online at  www.KineticArtsCenter.com 

Vocal Music


Vocal Music

Theatre


Visual Art


Theatre

Dance

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR 
Savage Jazz Dance Company's 
Summer Intensive 2016!
June 20 - July 1 & July 11-29
 
Monday - Friday:
-10am-1pm (Beginner/Intermediate)
-1:30-5pm (Intermediate/Advanced)
 
Get $100 off the price of tuition 
when you register by May 16!

Download your registration form here

Classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Body Conditioning, Repertory, and more, taught by Mr. Reginald Ray-Savage 
and SJDC dancers and OSA School of Dance alumni.
 

Savage Jazz Dance Company's Summer Intensive is a 5 week training program for students 10 and up, headed by SJDC Artistic Director and Oakland School for the Arts School of Dance Department Chair, Reginald Ray-Savage. The program emphasizes a passionate and committed approach to training, and students will be expected to embrace this approach as they are challenged to hone their technique, improve their strength, and increase their flexibility and stamina.
 
An outstanding training ground for contemporary dancers, students of SJDC have gone on and been accepted to University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, London Contemporary Dance School, Juilliard Summer Intensive, Hubbard Street II, Ailey II, Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, Philadanco, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, Oakland Ballet, Garth Fagan Dance, Mark Morris' Hard Nut, Disney's The Lion King, and more.
 
Anyone serious about their dance training will benefit from this program. 
Those intending to pursue or currently in training to become professional dancers, particularly those interested in performing with Savage Jazz Dance Company, will have a chance to experience how the company trains and to learn SJDC repertory. 

Those wanting to attend OSA's School of Dance will get to 
experience and gain a deeper understanding of what it is 
like to train as a pre-professional dance student at OSA.
 
Email sjdcfb@yahoo.com with questions or for more information.


Support our OSA students for an exciting TheaterDance Gala event: 

MOMENTUM: A Century of American TheaterDance
 
This unique DANCE program is specifically designed for theater and performing arts students. 

June 27th and 29th
8pm
The Flight Deck
1540 Broadway, Oakland
$25 adult/$10 youth

Tickets are available through theaterdance.brownpapertickets.com or at the door until sold out. Seating is limited. Hope to see many of you there!
 
Contact Lee for more information on classes and camps: 

Mr D's Music Club Summer Camps 
Seek 2- 4 CIT's 
(Counsellors in training)

Student must be punctual, enthusiastic, self motivated and follow directions easily.

Students must enjoy and participate in at least 2 of the following activities: 
Singing, Dancing, Art.

The camps are high energy and super fun.
You will assist the teaching artists and and help prepare the kids for a performance at the end of each week. You will help design the stage, work the sound and help with lights, makeup costumes etc.
The focus of our camps is fun. We work hard but we keep things light.
 
Hours are part time and flexible. This is not a paid job. This is work experience.
 
Camp dates:
June 13-17
July 11-15
July 18-22
Aug 1-5
Aug15-19
 
Send your letter of introduction to 
 

Summer Learn to Row Camps at Artemis Rowing 
Jack London Aquatic Center 
 
Artemis Rowing is offering summer rowing camps - a great opportunity for kids entering 6th to 12th grade to experience rowing, an exciting and rigorous water sport, on the beautiful Oakland/Alameda estuary. Dates for summer camps are:

June 13th - 17th
July 11th - 15th
July 18th - 22nd
August 1st - 5th
August 8th - 12th
 
For more information and to register, click on Artemis Rowing or visit our website at www.artemisrowingclub.org.
 
Not sure if rowing could be for you? Come try it out for free on Saturday, June 4th from 9:00 am to 12:00 PM for the USRowing National Learn to Row Day. This event is free. Click on Regatta Central for pre-registration waiver forms or parents can complete them on site.

Jack London Aquatic Center (JLAC) is located at 115 Embarcadero Avenue in Oakland near Jack London Square.


Kids 'N Dance

Job Opportunities for 
Graduating Seniors and Alumni
 
Master Instructor 
Salaried Position w/ benefits
Candidates must be proficient in two of the three arts: 
Dance, Musical Theater and / or Circus Arts.
Must have a minimum of 1 year experience teaching children.  
Responsibilities include teaching, office work and production support.  
 
Summer Camp Assistants (full or part time)
30-40 hrs/week available
Provide support to camp teacher during the week
Help backstage with performances
Friday evening availability required
$13-$15/hr
 
Backstage Help
Weekend work in May-June, Friday Afternoon-Evening 
work all summer
Move sets, help with costume changes, feed lines
Must be kid-friendly, able to work quickly and multi-task
$13-$16/hr
 
Light & Sound Techie
Weekend work in May-June, Friday Afternoon-Evening 
work all summer
Willing to train the right person.
Must be able to multi-task under high-pressure & be tech savvy 
Theater experience helpful but not required
$15-$25/hr
 
After-School Program Staff
Part-time Fall Position
Must have qualifying units and experience w/children
Provide engaged supervision & guidance in social interactions
Homework help & weekly craft instruction
$13-$15/hr
 
For application information email  kidsndance@gmail.com.

DRAMA WORKSHOP FOR YOUR TEEN, ANYONE?
 

Actor, writer, director, drama teacher, Pascale Roger-McKeever, is pleased to announce a series of drama workshops for teens (12 and up) this summer. No experience necessary, just the passion to be present in all sorts of fun situations!
 
Combining improvisation with movement and voice exercises, Pascale will also be working on scenes from Naomi Lizuka's eerily timely play, Anonymous.
 
What folks have said about their teens working with Pascale over the years:
 
"My 14 year-old daughter, also a student at OSA, is always her best self after her class with Pascale. Both her acting skills and her confidence are built. She was in a performance of Pascale's in uptown Oakland. The performance was outstanding and my daughter shined!" JW
 
"Our son loves working with Pascale, who not only teaches young people the craft of acting, but also encourages their curiosity and engagement with the world. We feel fortunate that he has found such a wonderful acting teacher and mentor." DY
 
"Better than therapy!" AMI
 
"Pascale has been an inspirational influence on my daughter's drama career. She has helped build her confidence in her acting ability, and challenged her to work harder and outside of her comfort zone, and brought home to her the dedication, love and absolute artistry involved in theatre. And showed her that you can build great bonds and have a lot of fun at the same time." HV
 
Workshop dates (pick a week or more!)
June options: 06/20 - 06/24 and/or 06/27 - 07/01
August options: 08/15 - 08/19 and/or 08/22 - 08/26
 
Workshop times:
9am-3pm (early drop-off 8am and late pick-up 5pm)
 
Workshop location:
799 Taft  Avenue, Albany, CA 94706
 
Workshop prices:
$400/person
$450/for early drop-off   
$500/for late pick-up  
$550/for early and late pick-up

To be paid in full in cash or check on the first day of the workshop. A non-refundable deposit of $25 is required by May 20th to reserve your spot.
 
If you have any further questions and would like to set up an interview with Pascale with you and your teen to confirm that this would be a good fit, please email her at portraitpascale04@gmail.com or call (510) 847-4743.
 
Please be in touch for more information!
Warmly.
Pascale


News Item Submissions:
(deadline-Monday Noon) 


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 Performance Calendar

Promotion/Graduation
The Fox Theatre
June 9

Please note that some of these dates may change and that not all upcoming shows are listed. 
OSA News  will be bringing you updated information and more details as we get closer to performance dates. Information on all upcoming performances 
can be sent to  osanews@aptosa.org.
Resources
How to Join the
APT Google Group


Are you on the schoolwide APT Google Group? Membership grants access to certain private documents and keeps you up-to-date with issues and group discussions. If you'd like to be added, please email
C. David Guerra 

 

Please provide:

 

Your name

Your child's name, grade & emphasis

Your email  

 

Over 150 families are on the APT-OSA Family Roster, please click here. Please note: You must be a member of the APT-OSA Google Group to view.  This document will not be shared with individuals, so please don't ask... just join the group!

 

To add your name to the APT-OSA Family Roster, please first join the APT Google Group, then  click here.   

 

Questions? Contact C. David Guerra or Bob Sommer  


OSA Learning Center 

 



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For more APT Fundraising opportunities, go to www.aptosa.org/donate

OSA News
brought to you by the
Alliance of
Parents and Teachers
at  
Oakland School for the Arts

Co-Presidents
Bob Sommer

VP Communications
Eric Reynolds

VP Events & Meetings
Summer Giron

Co-Secretaries:
Carrie Finger
Jolie McRae

Treasurer
Stacy Strub

Directors
 
APT Faculty Liaison & Middle School Academic Liaison
Wendy Snyder

Health & Safety Committee
Nicolette Sommer

High School Academic Liaison
Kris Colchico

APT Google Group Administrator
David Guerra

Volunteer Coordinator
  Nicole Thompson
 
Director-at-Large
Juliet Bashore 

OSA News Editor
Leslie Duchesneau


OSA News | 510-873-8800 | osanews@aptosa.org | www.aptosa.org
Oakland School for the Arts
530 18th Street
Oakland, CA 94612