OCSA Weekly Wrap - December 16, 2022

December 16, 2022

IMPORTANT SCHEDULE REMINDERS

Please be reminded that there will be no conservatory instruction next week, Monday, December 19 to Wednesday, December 21. See below for the bell schedule that will be in effect on these dates. On Thursday, December 22, there will be no school for students due to a Teacher Planning Day.

Bell schedule for Monday, December 19 to Wednesday, December 21:

HOMEWORK CLUB NEXT WEEK

Middle school families: Due to the No Conservatory schedule, Homework Club will operate from 2:35-5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 19 and Tuesday, December 20.

Homework Club will not be offered on Wednesday, December 21 since it is the last day of the semester. Please be sure to make alternate transportation arrangements.

OFFICES CLOSED DURING WINTER BREAK

Please be reminded that the Administrative and Student Services Offices will be closed during Winter Break, from Friday, December 23 to Friday, January 6.

Additionally, during Winter Break, staff and counselors will not be available to process Entertainment Work Permits, Employment Work Permits, or transcripts. The last day these items can be processed prior to break is today, Friday, December 16.

CANDY CANE GRAMS

Students: Want to surprise your friends, teachers, or staff members with a sweet treat during the last week before Winter Break? The Arts & Enterprise Conservatory will be selling Candy Cane Grams for $2 (cash only) this coming Monday, December 19 and Tuesday, December 20 during Lunch on 10th Street. You pick the card and candy cane and customize the message, then the Arts & Enterprise students will do the rest! Candy Cane Grams will be delivered on Tuesday, December 20 and Wednesday, December 21 during class. They might even get delivered by our special guest, Candy Cane Carl – what better way to spread holiday cheer!

HOLIDAY CONSERVATORY CHALLENGE

Did you hear the exciting news announced earlier this week? Additional prizes have been added to the Holiday Conservatory Challenge! Now, the top THREE conservatories with the best current family participation will be awarded: in addition to the top prize of $10,000, the conservatory with the 2nd highest participation will win $5,000, and the conservatory with the 3rd highest participation will win $2,500! Contribute now to help your conservatory make it to the podium!

As a reminder, all pledges and donations to the Holiday Conservatory Challenge received by Saturday, December 31 will be MATCHED, up to $500,000! Both your donation and the matching gift can be allocated to the conservatory of your choice, or to the area of greatest need.

Please note that contributions made to this campaign and the allocated matching dollars cannot be applied to pre-existing Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA) pledges. For any questions, please contact Family Liaison Becky Parsons at becky.parsons@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 5535.

YEAR-END DONATION REMINDER

Thank you to all of our families who continue to support OCSA so generously! We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that donations to OCSA, including those made through your Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA) and to the Holiday Conservatory Challenge, are tax deductible per the school’s IRS nonprofit designation (Tax ID #33-0891574). If you would like your donation to count toward 2022 for tax purposes, please be sure to make online donations or postmark checks by Saturday, December 31. Checks can be mailed to the OCSA Business Office at 1010 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701; Attention: Becky Parsons.

Tax receipts for 2022 donations will be sent via email by Tuesday, January 31. If you have questions, please contact Family Liaison Becky Parsons at becky.parsons@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 5535.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPEDITION

Calling all eco-explorers and science fans! The science department is hosting a two-week environmental expedition to the Caribbean island of Dominica from Saturday, June 17 to Sunday, July 2. While exploring jungles and coral reefs, students will learn research techniques and collect data used to protect the island. The expedition will include camping, hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving, along with a stay in an 18th century fort! While earning college credit, students will get the opportunity to study birds, butterflies, bats, lizards, volcanoes, frogs, fish, and whales. The deadline to join the trip is Friday, December 23. Click here to join today!

For more information, please visit this link or email Biology Teacher Chris Chong at chris.chong@ocsarts.net with any questions.

Calling high school student poets from all conservatories! Are you interested in participating in OC RYSE, the largest youth poetry slam in the county? Then come to Symphony Hall on Friday, January 13 during Office Hours for an informational meeting with Creative Writing Conservatory Director Josh Wood.

You will hear about this opportunity for OCSA’s poets to compete against teams from other area high schools and be judged by local performers and writers. For more details, please visit the OC RYSE registration page. The deadline to register for OC RYSE is Wednesday, February 1. The competition will take place on Saturday, March 18.

Know someone outside of OCSA who might want to participate as well? Share this link with them!

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOMERS TRIP

Attention all middle school students: You are invited to an exciting adventure at Boomers Irvine! This group excursion will be held on Friday, January 27 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tickets will be on sale for $30 starting Friday, January 13 and will include one-way transportation to Boomers Irvine, located at 3405 Michelson Drive in Irvine. Get ready to enjoy fun games and rides, such as go-karts, golf, bumper boats, laser tag, FlameThrower, Rock N Tug, teacups, and much more.

Please note: This event is only open to OCSA students in grades 7 and 8. Buses will load on 10th Street as close to 2:30 p.m. as possible and will depart as soon as all guests are accounted for. All students must be picked up by their parents/guardians at the Boomers entrance when the event ends at 5:30 p.m.

CONSERVATORY TRANSFERS

For OCSA students wishing to transfer conservatories beginning in fall 2023, the application is now available here. Students wishing to apply to a new conservatory must complete a conservatory transfer application and participate in a Conservatory Placement Activity for their desired conservatory (with the exception of the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory). The deadline to apply for a conservatory transfer for the 2023-2024 school year is Tuesday, January 17. If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Office at admissions@ocsarts.net.

GALA 2023 AUDITIONS FOR SPECIALTY ACTS

Calling students from all grades and conservatories: Gala auditions for specialty acts will be held on Thursday, January 12! This year’s Gala will include roller skaters and a DJ/host. If you are interested in auditioning for one of these special roles, please be sure to sign up for an audition time by Wednesday, January 11 at 11:59 p.m. Click here to complete your application. For more information, please visit www.ocsarts.net/GalaAudition.

Gala 2023 will take place on Saturday, April 29 at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. Gala is the school's largest fundraising event of the year – don't miss your opportunity to be a part of this spectacular show!

For any questions, please contact MONTAGE! Dance Captains/Facilitators Jacob Piattoni at jacob.piattoni@ocsarts.net and Julia Rudge at julia.rudge@ocsarts.net.

PRE-ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY

If you have not done so already, be sure to purchase your yearbook by Friday, January 13! After this deadline, prices will go up and limited copies will be available. We have sold out of yearbooks in the past, and it's very likely we will again. Order through MySchoolBucks today to guarantee your copy! If your family qualifies for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRLP), a discount is available.

SENIOR YEARBOOK INFORMATION

The deadline for seniors to submit their required yearbook information is fast approaching! Please submit all senior portraits, baby photos, and quotes through the Google Form by Friday, January 13. This information is being collected for yearbook and graduation slideshow purposes. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline. If you have any questions, please refer to the Senior Yearbook Information flyer.

Additionally, senior ads in the yearbook are a special way to congratulate your child on their final year of high school or for seniors to celebrate their years at OCSA with friends and peers! Full page, half page, and quarter page ads are available for purchase until Friday, January 13. Please click here to design and purchase a senior ad on the Yearbook Order Center website (use order number 40412). As these ads are accepted on a space-available basis, plan ahead to make sure your student is included! If you have any questions, please review the Senior Ad Information flyer.

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 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. For more information on OCSA’s COVID-19 policies and procedures, please click here.