February 19, 2021
COURSE SELECTION FOR 2021-2022
As a reminder, our school counselors have begun working with students to complete the course selection process for the 2021-2022 school year. Students will select courses in Aeries as a part of a Course Selection Presentation during their Social Studies and Health classes. Please keep in mind, however, that course selection forms signed by a parent/guardian must be uploaded through a Google Form by the deadlines listed below.
 
Students will access the forms in their grade level-specific Google Classrooms and are expected to complete their forms prior to the respective deadlines. Forms received after the deadlines will be dated and receive less priority for classes, especially electives.
 
Finally, high school parents are invited to learn more about this process by attending Parent Course Selection Presentations with the school counselors via Zoom. The links and Zoom information can be found below. 
 
The following is the schedule for the remaining student and parent presentations as well as course selection form deadlines.
 
Student Course Selection Presentations
Rising Juniors: Monday, February 22 - Monday, March 1
Rising Sophomores: Monday, March 8 - Tuesday, March 16
Rising Freshmen: Monday, March 22 - Wednesday, March 24
Rising 8th Graders: Monday, March 29 - Thursday, April 1
 
High School Parent Course Selection Presentations
Rising Seniors: 
Friday, February 19 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 983 9862 3815
Passcode: OCSA

Rising Juniors:
Friday, March 5 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 996 5499 6200
Passcode: OCSA
 
Rising Sophomores: 
Friday, March 19 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 922 5789 6194
Passcode: OCSA
 
Rising Freshmen: 
Friday, March 26 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: 959 1138 4732
Passcode: OCSA
 
Course Selection Form Upload Deadlines
Rising Seniors: Monday, February 22
Rising Juniors: Monday, March 8
Rising Sophomores: Monday, March 22
Rising Freshmen: Monday, March 29
Rising 8th Graders: Friday, April 2
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MOCK TRIAL TEAM
We are very proud to share that OCSA’s Mock Trial Team has gone undefeated this year against more than 35 teams from across Orange County and is advancing to the semifinals! Now in the top four, the students will compete against Sage Hill School, University High School, and Valencia High School this coming Tuesday, February 23. If they win, they will progress to the finals which are held on Thursday, February 25. Great work Mock Trial and best of luck in the semifinals!
YEARBOOK APPLICATION MEETINGS
Is your student interested in joining the OCSA yearbook staff? Yearbook is open to students who will be in grades 10-12 in the 2021-2022 school year. Applicants must attend one of the upcoming informational meetings, on either Tuesday, February 23 or Wednesday, February 24 during lunch. The meetings will cover the application process, what it means to be on the yearbook staff, and more. No prior experience is necessary, but attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory in order to apply. The Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode can be found in Art Attack.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Please be aware that on Thursday, March 18, there will be no conservatory classes for all students. Teachers from both OCSA and CSArts-SGV will be participating in a professional development event during conservatory hours on this date. Academic classes on Thursday, March 18 will occur as scheduled.
 
Additionally, there will be no school on Friday, March 19 to allow academic teachers to participate in professional development as well.
OC RYSE FESTIVAL OF VOICES
Attention poets, performers, and deep feelers: Make your voice heard at the OC RYSE Festival of Voices Youth Open Performance Poetry Event. Hosted by the Creative Writing Conservatory, this virtual poetry event is open to high school students from all conservatories at OCSA and from high schools throughout Southern California. Last year, OC RYSE was sidelined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the team aspect has been removed, and the competitiveness of a typical slam downplayed, to encourage all voices to come out to participate — because let's face it, there's a lot to say right now!
 
Students in grades 9-12 can register for free by Sunday, March 14. The event will take place on Saturday, March 27. Twenty-five winners will be chosen to receive a workshop with Project VOICE co-founder Phil Kaye. Visit ocsacw.square.site/oc-ryse to register and for more information.
HELP FUND OUR STUDENTS’ FUTURE
We need your help to ensure a robust and successful spring semester of arts instruction! Our conservatories are facing a significant deficit this year, compounded by the pandemic and the corresponding financial crises. In order to bridge this gap, we are asking our community to join us in supporting our outstanding student artists through our New Year, New Hope Campaign!
 
All donations made to this campaign through Monday, March 1 will be MATCHED, up to $100,000. Double your impact and do twice the good! Give now at www.ocsarts.net/NewYearNewHope. Thank you to all the families who have already generously contributed.
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS TODAY
Calling all young artists! Registration is open for our CSArts Academy Spring 2021 session. This spring, CSArts Academy is offering fully virtual extracurricular classes designed for students ages 8-15 of any skill level, in a variety of artistic disciplines. All classes are taught by the renowned educators of OCSA. Click here to browse our selection of eight-week and two-week online courses in the digital brochure and to learn more about CSArts Academy. 
 
Register for classes before 11:59 p.m. TODAY, Friday, February 19, to take advantage of special early bird pricing, and don’t forget to spread the word to family and friends who may be interested in this unique and educational virtual arts experience!
NOTIFICATION OF AREA CONSTRUCTION
Pursuant to rules established by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD), when construction projects that include the installation of backup generators occur within 1,000 feet of a school, companies are required to notify the school. This project will have no impact or effect on OCSA campus operations. If you would like more information, please click here to read the notification from the South Coast AQMD.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Conservatory Professional Development Day (No Conservatory): Thursday, March 18 

Staff Professional Development Day (No School): Friday, March 19

Non-Student/Teacher Day (No School): Friday, April 2 

Spring Break (School Closed): Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9
UPCOMING VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES
For more information, please visit www.ocsarts.net/BoxOffice.