Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside to honor and remember all of the individuals who have died while serving in the U.S. military. On this Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember their service and strive to be worthy of the incredible sacrifice of our fallen heroes. In honor of the Memorial Day holiday, the school will be closed this coming Monday, May 27. We hope you have a great and restful long weekend!

As a reminder, all textbooks and devices must be returned to the Dance, Music, and Science Center (DMS), Room 120, between Thursday, May 30 and Wednesday, June 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thank you!

In addition to the previously shared Blue Day/Gold Day Calendar, we are pleased to announce that the Bell Schedule and List of Important Dates for the 2024-2025 school year are now available! Please click through the links below to access these important documents. 

Bell Schedule

List of Important Dates

Blue Day/Gold Day Calendar

Here is a brief summary of some important dates in the 2024-2025 school year:

• First Day of School: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
• Last Day of Fall Semester: Thursday, December 19, 2024 
• First Day of Spring Semester: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 
• Spring Break: Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4, 2025 
• Last Day of School: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 

Please make note of the dates above and use the linked documents to make any needed future plans. While we do not anticipate making further changes, it is possible that dates may have to be adjusted based on factors outside of OCSA’s control.

High school students interested in auditioning for the 2024-2025 Mock Trial Team are invited to an interest meeting on Tuesday, May 28 at Lunch in the Humanities Tower, Room 110. At the meeting, students will learn more about the program, time commitment, expectations, and how to prepare for auditions. If they are unable to attend one of the interest meetings this spring, there will be another meeting in the fall prior to auditions.

Middle and high school students interested in auditioning for the 2024-2025 Model United Nations (UN) Team are invited to an interest meeting on Wednesday, May 29 at Lunch in the Humanities Tower, Room 501. Model UN provides a platform for students to play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world problems.

OCSA is planning to launch a new high school Academic Decathlon Team for the 2024-2025 school year. Participants will prepare and collaborate as a team and then compete to showcase a broad range of skills, including art, science, math, economics, and more. If interested, please attend the information meeting on Thursday, May 30 at Lunch in the Humanities Tower, Room 205.

Attention rising high school students: Be a leader this summer for OCSA’s first-ever new student orientation, OCSA Jumpstart, in early August! We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic, and responsible student volunteers who will represent OCSA to incoming students. Click here to apply, and join us for the information session next Wednesday, May 29 at Lunch in the Annex, Room A03. If you have any questions, please email jessica.daniel@ocsarts.net or eric.choi@ocsarts.net.

Attention rising juniors: Today, Friday, May 24, is the deadline to apply for the 2024-2025 Professional Mentorship Program. If you are interested, please click here to submit your application for this program, which provides an invaluable opportunity for students to “test drive” a career of choice and to learn important information about the realities associated with a chosen profession. Please note that there is no guarantee that students will be matched with a professional mentor, although OCSA will work hard to pair as many students as possible.

The deadline to RSVP for this year’s Annual Parent Meeting is this coming Monday, May 27. If you haven’t done so already, please confirm your attendance at your easiest convenience. These mandatory meetings will be held in person on the OCSA campus on the following dates and times depending on your student’s conservatory:

• Saturday, June 1 | 9 a.m. | 11 a.m. | 1 p.m.
• Monday, June 3 | 5:30 p.m. | 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 5 | 5:30 p.m. | 7 p.m.

Please remember that at least one parent/guardian from each family is required to attend this meeting once per school year as a part of the annual enrollment process. 

This year, we will be incorporating a significant portion of the feedback we garnered from the survey that was distributed following last year’s Annual Parent Meetings. In addition to offering a Saturday meeting option, School Leadership will provide a more detailed update on the current state of the school, the vision for the 2024-2025 school year, and the importance of financially supporting your student’s conservatory and academic experience at OCSA through the Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA) and program advertising. You will also continue to hear from your student’s conservatory director about their goals and vision for next school year. We look forward to seeing you at a meeting!

Students: Don’t miss out! Wednesday, May 29 is the final day to pick up your yearbook full of incredible memories of the 2023-2024 school year. If you purchased a yearbook, please pick it up in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad) drop-off area from 12:10-12:55 p.m. Please note, yearbooks are completely sold out at this time.

Attention parents/guardians: Don’t forget to join us next week for our annual Elective Showcase at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre on Thursday, May 30 (Gold Day showcasing Blocks 4, 5, and 6) and Friday, May 31 (Blue Day showcasing Blocks 1, 2, and 3). Free online tickets must be reserved in order to attend. Please click here to reserve your seat. See the flyer below for specific performance times. We hope to see you there!

If you have not already, be sure to mark OCSAFEST on your calendar! You will not want to miss this two-day music and art festival presented by the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory. OCSAFEST is a cross-conservatory festival that showcases the talents of more than 100 OCSA students and local artists, featuring live music, dance performances, an artisan market, and fun activities for the whole community. Come ride the waves in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad) on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1! Click here to learn more and purchase your tickets.

Please plan ahead! If your student needs an Entertainment Work Permit (EWP) for the summer, they must submit an EWP application for approval no later than Monday, June 3 to The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office in the Humanities Tower, Room 101. EWPs that have already been submitted need to be picked up at your earliest convenience. During the summer months when school is closed, EWP applications with your student’s current report card will be accepted by the Labor Standards Department in place of the school’s signature and school stamp. Check the Labor Standards Department website for more details on summer submissions. EWP processing will begin again at OCSA in August when staff is back on campus.

Class of 2024 families: There are currently TWO exciting opportunities to commemorate your senior’s OCSA journey! 

Personalized Brick Pavers

Students and staff will be able to see your words of support and celebration every day when you engrave a brick for the Walk of Fame, located outside the Dance, Music, and Science Center (DMS), right in the heart of the OCSA campus. Click here to reserve your brick as part of the Leave Your Legacy Gifting Opportunity by Friday, May 31 to guarantee a personalized certificate by graduation.

Class of 2024 Senior Gift Campaign

Led by the senior class, this gift campaign will help fund opportunities next year for an OCSA student in need. Help the Class of 2024 make a lasting impact, reach their goal of $2,500, and receive a commemorative plaque by making a donation by Friday, May 31. 

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Perry Page, Development Manager, at katie.page@ocsarts.net.

Seniors: OCSA would like to know what your plans are for next year! If you haven't done so already, please inform us of your post-high school plans by completing this survey. If you are undecided or need some help, please reach out to your counselor for support. We are excited to see what the future holds for you! 

Class of 2024 Important Dates

Wednesday, May 29

Graduation Items | 12-1 p.m. | Humanities Tower, Room 112B

Last chance to retrieve academic distinctions and Seal of Biliteracy recognitions.

Thursday, May 30 – Tuesday, June 4

Textbooks and Devices Return | DMS, Room 120 

All textbooks and devices must be returned no later than 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4 in order to receive a diploma after the Graduation Ceremony.

Friday, May 31 

Senior Sunset | 6:30-8:15 p.m. | 10th Street

Enjoy the sun setting on your senior year! 

Wednesday, June 5 

Last Day of School

Thursday, June 6 

Graduation Rehearsal | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Cottonwood Church

Rehearsal is mandatory. 

Thursday, June 6

Graduation Ceremony | 5:15 p.m. | Cottonwood Church

Check in at Cottonwood no later than 5:15 p.m. The ceremony will start at 6 p.m.

Friday, June 7 – Saturday, June 8

Grad Night | 1 p.m.-3 a.m. | DMS Quad 

Check in promptly at 1 p.m. for the Grad Night bus (riding the bus is mandatory), which will transport you to Disney California Adventure Park and return to OCSA on Saturday, June 8 tentatively at 3 a.m.; times are subject to change.

Graduation is fast approaching! Please review the Class of 2024 Graduation Information for compiled information for our soon-to-be graduates and their families. It is very important that seniors and their families read this four-page document carefully, as it contains detailed information regarding the remainder of senior year and graduation. Senior information can also be found on our website at www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade. 

If you have questions after reading the graduation document, please email student.services@ocsarts.net. All the best to you as you prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime event!

We hope to see all of our wonderful students returning next year, but if you plan to disenroll from OCSA and enroll in another school for the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the OCSA withdrawal form before Wednesday, June 5, so that we may open the spot to a student on our waitlist.

A few important notes:

• End-of-the-year/summer withdrawals have no formal process other than to complete the withdrawal form and to return school property at the end of the school year.
• Your student’s next school of attendance will request your student’s cumulative education record from OCSA. This record will be forwarded in early August and will include your student’s final report card/transcript for the school’s use. 

Please keep in mind that Aeries portal access will close for parents/guardians and students on Thursday, June 27. If you are withdrawing your student, take the time prior to Thursday, June 27 to go through the Aeries parent/student portal and download/print any of your student’s documents (report cards/transcripts, immunization records, test scores, attendance records, etc.) that may be necessary for registering your student at their new school. Second semester final report cards and transcripts will be available for you to download on the Aeries portal beginning Friday, June 21. Please note that OCSA does not mail home report cards/transcripts.

Memorial Day (School Closed): Monday, May 27

Last Day of School: Wednesday, June 5

Teacher Planning Day (No School): Thursday, June 6

Graduation, Class of 2024: Thursday, June 6

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

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