Please be aware that there will be no conservatory this Monday, October 31 in order for our students to fully celebrate Halloween! Additionally, Monday will be a Blue Day with an extended Lunch; please see the complete schedule below.

Monday, October 31

Block 1: 9-10:25 a.m.

Passing: 10:25-10:35 a.m.

Block 2: 10:35 a.m.-12 p.m.

Extended Lunch: 12-1:05 p.m.

Block 3: 1:05-2:30 p.m.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Please see the message below for more information about the Halloween festivities.

We hope you are all excited for Halloween and have already been participating in the fun themed activities that have been taking place! 

Don’t miss out on your final opportunity to experience the Halloween Maze in the Studio Theatre! Be sure to stop by TODAY, Friday, October 28, from 3-5 p.m. to make your way through this frightening fall tradition presented by the OCSA Leadership class, in partnership with the Production & Design and Arts & Enterprise Conservatories. There will be a standby line for $2 cash at the door for those willing to brave the maze!

All current students are also welcome to compete in the Costume Contest, hosted by the Leadership class, which will be held during the extended Lunch on Monday, October 31. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Scariest, Funniest, Most Creative, and Best Group. Students must sign up in person in front of Symphony Hall by 12:15 p.m. on Monday, October 31. Late entries will not be accepted. The winning costumes will be selected by our fantastic panel of teacher judges. Winners of the individual categories will win a $20 gift card, and the Best Group winners will receive a $50 gift card to share.

The Leadership class would also like to share the following dos and don’ts, which can help you plan your costume:

Do:

• Make sure your costume doesn’t hinder your ability to learn. 
• Respect people’s decision to participate or not participate in Halloween festivities.

Don’t:

• Bring toy guns or weapons to school. If your costume includes a replica or foam sword or staff, that is acceptable; however, please be aware that staff or administration may ask to see it and may stow it in their office if it is determined to be potentially dangerous.
• Engage in cultural appropriation or wear a costume that makes fun of a specific religion, race, ethnicity, cultural group, or gender. True appreciation comes in the form of learning about other cultures, befriending different people, going to museums, researching, and listening to others’ stories. Dressing up for one day of the year is not an appropriate demonstration of appreciation. If you would like to learn more about cultural appropriation, you can find a video resource from Teen Vogue here.

A reminder for students enrolled in AP classes: Be sure to register and save on your AP exams! The priority deadline for purchasing AP exams is this coming 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.

Be sure to order your wreaths and holiday gifts this weekend! The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory’s Holiday Evergreens fundraising drive is ending this Monday, October 31. Please click here to browse the exquisite wreath options, perfect for decorating your home or giving as a festive present to teachers, friends, family, or business contacts. Additionally, click here for hand-dipped Chanukah candles. All purchases will directly support The El-Erian Family Acting Conservatory as each student raises funds and competes for prizes.

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.

Good news! The deadline to submit team applications for this semester’s dodgeball tournament has been extended until Monday, November 14. If you haven’t done so already, please pick up an application form in the Student Information Rack outside of Student Services, in order to set up a team of six to eight players. Applications should be submitted to Leadership Advisor Chris Dion in Room T101 prior to the new deadline. The tournament will be capped at 16 teams on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that only current OCSA students are eligible to participate.

Be sure to mark your calendars to come watch the epic fall dodgeball tournament after school on Friday, November 18 in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad)!

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

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