Please be reminded that, this coming 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 and prepare for the campus reopening.
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OPTIONAL CAMPUS TOURS FOR STUDENTS |
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Hey students! Would you like to come preview the OCSA campus before our expected reopening date on Monday, March 22? Whether you are a first-year student preparing for your very first visit or a returning student hoping to get reacclimated, all students are invited to visit the OCSA campus next Friday, March 19 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. to “walk” their class schedules, check out the safety protocols and social distancing guidelines that have been implemented, and step onto school grounds before in-person learning resumes.
OCSA Leadership students will be there to lead campus tours and answer questions from students and parents. Be sure to stop by and see the Parent Support Organization (PSO) in the Humanities Tower breezeway. This opportunity to visit the campus early is optional, but we look forward to seeing many of you next Friday!
Please note: OCSA teachers will not be available to meet with visitors on this day as they are preparing for the start of in-person learning the following week.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT STUDENT MEDICATION |
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Attention families participating in the Hybrid/In-Person Learning Academy: Does your student have scheduled or as-needed medications that they will need to keep on campus for the remainder of the semester? OCSA nurses will be available to receive these medications during the following dates and times:
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Wednesday, March 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Last Names A-M)
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Thursday, March 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Last Names N-Z)
A Medication Authorization Form must be completed for each medication your student will need. The form must be filled out and stamped by your child’s physician and signed by you as the parent.
For more detailed information on the upcoming medication drop-off, please click here.
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CAASPP STATEWIDE ASSESSMENTS |
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At this time, schools in California are still required to administer annual statewide assessments, known as SBAC assessments, in both math and English language arts. OCSA has decided, however, to postpone these assessments so they will not occur during the originally scheduled CAASPP testing week of Tuesday, April 13 - Tuesday, April 20. Instead, all students in grades 7-11 will complete these assessments in late April or May in their academic classes. Additional information and a testing schedule will be communicated as soon as it is finalized. Thank you for your patience.
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Attention AP students and families: We would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on AP exam administration for this school year by sharing this 2021 AP Exam Update Letter. Please read the letter fully for complete details and an FAQ. For many tests, students will have the option to take the paper AP exam in person on the OCSA campus or the digital AP exam remotely at home. AP exams will be administered for OCSA students beginning Monday, May 3 and continuing through Thursday, June 10, depending on the exam format. To view the full schedule, please click here.
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OCSA families are invited to a fun night out to watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on the big screen, from the safety of their cars! Join us Saturday, March 20 from 6-10 p.m. for this Spring Equinox 2021 Drive-In Movie Screening, presented by the OCSA Leadership Class in collaboration with The Frida Cinema.
Tickets are $30 per car. Be on the lookout for a direct link to purchase your tickets through MySchoolBucks that will be sent via Aeries Communications. Ticket sales will be open to juniors and seniors first, beginning today, Friday, March 12, and continuing through Sunday, March 14, and then open to all grade levels Monday, March 15 - Wednesday, March 17. Please click here for full ticketing and event information.
We hope to see you there! After all... “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”
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ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARD NOMINATIONS |
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OCSA is currently accepting nominations for the 2020-2021 Volunteer Awards! Nominees should be individuals or organizations who have demonstrated ongoing commitment to OCSA through contribution of time and/or talents, participation in fundraising events, or support in areas of special need. Nominations can be submitted by OCSA families, support group members, faculty/staff, or administrators. Don't miss this special opportunity to nominate a deserving individual or organization!
All awards will be presented during OCSA’s Virtual Season Finale on Saturday, June 5.
Click here to nominate a volunteer! The deadline to submit a nomination is Sunday, April 11. Please note, if you would like to submit multiple nominations, you will need to complete the form for each individual or organization.
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OC RYSE REGISTRATION DEADLINE
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Attention poets: Time is running out to make your voice heard at the OC RYSE Festival of Voices Youth Open Performance Poetry Event. Students in grades 9-12 from all conservatories at OCSA and from high schools throughout Southern California can register for free by this coming Sunday, March 14 for this virtual poetry event hosted by the Creative Writing Conservatory.
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! 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.
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SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2021-2022 |
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During their meeting on Wednesday, February 24, the OCSA Board of Trustees approved the school calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. The first day of academic classes will be Wednesday, August 11. Please click here to view the approved 2021-2022 school calendar.
Please note: While we do not expect there to be a change to the start/end date of the school year or to major school holiday breaks, some schoolwide events that are still in the process of being scheduled may result in minor adjustments to non-school days. We will continue to keep all families informed if the 2021-2022 school calendar is adjusted.
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COURSE SELECTION FOR 2021-2022 |
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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 after their respective presentation and prior to their grade’s deadline. 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 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 and Juniors:
The link to the recorded parent presentation can be found in your student’s grade level-specific Google Classroom. If you would like to view the presentation, your student can help you access it.
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 Sophomores: Monday, March 22
Rising Freshmen: Monday, March 29
Rising 8th Graders: Friday, April 2
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VIRTUAL SATURDAY ARTS CLASSES AVAILABLE |
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While registration for our CSArts Academy Spring 2021 Eight-Week Classes has officially closed, it’s not too late to join in on the fun! There is still limited enrollment space in select Two-Week Workshops. For example, our Parent and Me Cooking classes offer the perfect Saturday activity for you and your family to enjoy together! Explore new recipes, improve your skills, and try out different techniques, while making lasting family memories.
These two-week virtual sessions have rolling registration deadlines, which are coming up! To view all remaining courses and to register now, click here. Please spread the word to family and friends who may be interested.
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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
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UPCOMING VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES |
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