Please be reminded that this coming Monday, September 25 is a Non-Student/Non-Teacher Day. We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday, September 26 after a well-earned three-day weekend!

Progress reports for the first six weeks of the fall semester will be available for review beginning at 12 p.m. next Friday, September 29 in the Aeries student/parent portal. To view your student’s progress report, click on the "Grades" tab from the left-hand menu and select "Grades" again from the drop-down menu. Progress reports can be printed under the “Report Card History” tab as well. Simply click on the blue highlighted word "English" to display the progress report for printing.

Points to remember about progress reports:

• Progress reports are a snapshot of your student’s achievement at a specific point in the semester and are not included on high school transcripts. Your student’s prospective college will not see these marks unless you provide them a copy of the progress report.

• Plus and minus marks are used on progress reports to encourage students to continue a strong effort, they are not included with semester grades.

• As a policy, grade changes are not made on progress reports unless there has been a clerical error on the part of the teacher.

• OCSA does not mail home paper copies of progress reports, so please be sure to download and print a copy for your personal use and records.

• The Aeries portal provides 24/7 parent/student access to progress reports, unofficial transcripts, immunization records, test scores, and other important information and documentation. 

If you or your student have questions or concerns regarding your student’s grades, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher directly using their school email. Please note that if you have never accessed the Aeries portal you may need to check with our Tech Support Team for your verification code information. They may be reached at techsupport@ocsarts.net. The next progress reports will be available for review in Aeries on Monday, November 13.

From the dawn of time they came, moving through the hallways of OCSA: Students and artists struggling to reach The Callero Family Foundation Plaza where they will battle to the end. They walk among us … They are the OCSA Dodgeballers! Join us on Friday, October 6 from 2:30-5 p.m. in The Callero Family Foundation Plaza (DMS Quad) to watch 18 OCSA student dodgeball teams battle to win the dodgeball championship title. This is a free event for all to attend. The first game will start promptly at 3 p.m. Refreshments will be available for you to purchase while you bask in the glory of OCSA's greatest athletic spectacle!

We are thrilled to announce this year’s Middle School Dance, Festiv-Fall, will be held on Friday, October 13 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Container Lot! This dance is reserved for OCSA students in grades 7 and 8 only. No older or outside guests are allowed, and an OCSA student ID will be required for entry. Please join us for fun, fall-themed activities, cotton candy, pizza, a ton of snacks, and the best dance music around! Tickets will be available for $15 on MySchoolBucks starting next week on Friday, September 29 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 9. Come enjoy the photo booth, make some unforgettable memories, and have a blast with your friends! For any questions, please email ocsa.leadership@ocsarts.net.

High school students: Are you ready to dance? Homecoming will take place at Hangar 21 Executive in Fullerton on Saturday, October 14 from 7-11 p.m. Tickets will be available on MySchoolBucks for $68 starting this coming Tuesday, September 26 until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 9. For more Homecoming information, click here. 

Guest passes are also available and must be physically turned in to T110 (at the door) no later than 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4. Click here to print a guest pass or you can pick one up at the Student Information Rack outside of The Dhanidina Family Student Services Office (T101). Please note that no electronic submissions for guest passes will be allowed.  

As we continue to observe National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month during September, we want to ensure our community has the support they need by providing resources for mental wellness. With this in mind, here are a few links to useful information about mental health support and suicide prevention:

• Suicide Prevention Resources | AFSP
• Self-Care Strategies for Resilience
• Take Action for Suicide Prevention
• CHOC Mental Health Resources
• The Lifeline and 988

Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is also offering FREE Parent Education opportunities regarding mental health. Please check out their website above for the various webinars offered this year.

Again, if you have any concerns about your student or have any specific questions, please reach out directly to their counselor at OCSA for additional support:

Vanessa Musso: Middle School

Ashley Talbert: High School (A-Do)

Kara McCann: High School (Dr-Kh)

Paige Acuna: High School (Ki-Me)

Sarah Kause: High School (Mi-Sh)

Becky Vance-Freeland: High School (Si-Z)

Attention high school families: Mark your calendars for College Fair 2023, which will be held on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20! Stay tuned for a full lineup of master classes, workshops, panels, booths with college representatives, and more, designed to help our high school students find the right postsecondary fit. Registration will be opening soon. 

If you are passionate about a specific topic and want to hone your presentation skills, don’t miss TEDxOCSA! The deadline to apply as a speaker for OCSA’s second annual TEDx event hosted by the Creative Writing Conservatory is fast approaching on Friday, October 6. This event is open to all grades and conservatories and will be recorded live at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre. Click here to apply today, and email josh.wood@ocsarts.net should you have any questions.

This is an exciting and busy time for the Class of 2024! Please click here to review the Class of 2024 Senior Bulletin, which contains important information and links regarding senior year. To review other informational documents relevant to the senior class, including details about senior yearbook information and senior ads, information from SoCalGrad, and more, please visit www.ocsarts.net/12thGrade.

Below are some important deadlines and dates to keep in mind:

• Senior Package Purchases – Monday, October 2, please click here for more information; purchases can be made through MySchoolBucks

• Recommendation Letter/Transcript Requests – Monday, October 2 is the deadline for November 1 college application deadlines; Monday, October 30 for December 1 deadlines, and Thursday, November 9 for January 1 deadlines

• Diploma Name/Address Verification – Friday, October 27, click here to submit

• Yearbook Information – Friday, January 12 (senior portrait, quote, and baby photo), click here to submit

• Senior Ad Submissions – Friday, January 12, please click here for more information; purchase through MySchoolBucks by Monday, October 2 to take advantage of discounted pricing; once purchased, go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use OCSA’s order number 40412 to create your senior ad

• Panoramic Picture – Wednesday, March 20 at 10:45 a.m. 

• Cap and Gown/Ticket Distribution – Tuesday, May 21 during Office Hours and Lunch

• Graduation – Thursday, June 6 at Cottonwood Church at 6 p.m. 

• Grad Night – Friday, June 7 at Disney California Adventure Park 

Again, please refer to the Class of 2024 Senior Bulletin for more details on the deadlines listed above. In addition, seniors and their parents/guardians will receive an OCSA Commencement Packet in the spring that will include detailed information on graduation and grad night.

We are here for you, Class of 2024! If you have questions after reading the above information, please email student.services@ocsarts.net.

The health and safety of our students, staff, and community remain at the forefront of our efforts. OCSA will continue to follow all quarantine 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. 

Non-Student/Non-Teacher Day (No School): Monday, September 25

Middle School Dance: Friday, October 13

Homecoming Dance, Grades 9-12: Saturday, October 14

Halloween (No Conservatory): Tuesday, October 31

Veterans Day (School Closed): Friday, November 10

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & EVENTS

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