Vol: 17 No: 1 August 26, 2018
APT Welcome
Meet Phillip Gedeon, OSA’s new Chief Academic Officer
After School Program Update
Save the Date!
Upcoming Events for High School Seniors
Important Dates
Apply for Free or Reduced Lunch (It helps the school!)
Weekly Announcements
Did You Know…?
Useful Links
APT Welcome
To all fellow parents and guardians of OSA students,
My name is Mark Lecker and this is my second year as president of the Alliance of Parents and Teachers (APT) at Oakland School for the Arts. On behalf of the entire APT board, welcome to what promises to be an exciting year!
The mission of the APT has four key components: communication, enhancement of school culture, volunteerism and fundraising. This mission succeeds only through the combined talents and energies of our amazing parent community. You are the people who make OSA a wonderful place for our children to grow artistically and intellectually.
Throughout the year, you will be informed of important news regarding our school. Circling back to our primary mission, they include the following:
- Communications: a weekly newsletter; our website (aptosa.org); announcements sent via Konstella.
- School Culture: community events, such as OSA Night At The A’s; parent education meetings; conversations with school staff.
- Volunteerism: helping out with school-wide events; assisting your art emphasis with their event needs; chaperoning field trips.
- Fundraising: contributing to the Annual Fund; purchasing tickets to art events; buying OSA clothing.
Thank you in advance for all that you do. Our school depends on all of us for its success.
All the best now and throughout the year,
Mark Lecker
APT President
Welcome Phillip Gedeon!
Phillip Gedeon, OSA’s new Chief Academic Officer, arrives at Oakland School of the Arts with over 13 years of experience at the district and state level in public and charter schools. His strengths and expertise include, but are not limited to, implementing Common Core standards in all subjects, designing and facilitating highly effective professional development, instructional coaching of teachers, developing a school-wide co-teaching model, data-driven instructions, and increasing graduation rates.
Phillip most recently served as the Director/Principal on the leadership team of Synergy Quantum Academy in Los Angeles, California. Prior to joining Synergy, he was the Director of Math Instruction for the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, an Instructional Secondary Mathematics Coach for Aspire Public Schools, a Professional Learning Communities Math Facilitator for Teach or America, and he served in various administrative roles as well as a math teacher and department chair with Los Angeles Unified School District.
Phillip is currently enrolled in the University of Southern California’s Doctorate of Education specializing in K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings. He has a Master’s Degree in Masters of Arts in School Administration from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics and Race Relations from Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut.
Phillip believes that students can learn if given a positive learning atmosphere that welcomes exploration and enhances student confidence. An educator’s mission is to make school enjoyable and exciting—if students look forward to attending school, they will want to LEARN. Educators are a part of the most rewarding and challenging profession. We have the ability to shape and impact the future. Students need to be the priority and focal point for all educators at all times.
After School Program Update
In accordance with our commitment to provide safe after school care for our students, we will be organizing our own after school care program under the direction of assistant principal Mike Oz and supervision of Cassandra Freeman.
Start Date: Tuesday, 9/4
Times: Mondays, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, & Tuesdays – Fridays, 3:15 – 5:00 pm
Where: Student Center
Cost: $10 daily flat rate for families that pay in advance; $20 drop-in flat rate. The program coordinator will alert families when the account balance reaches $30 or less. (The daily fee will be waived for families who qualify and sign up for free and reduced lunch.)
To Sign Up: Print and fill out the attached form and return to the front office (Mr. Oz’s box) by 9:00 am on Friday, 8/31. Payments should be included with the form and are by cash or check only (make checks to OSA and write “After School” on memo line). Only families turning in the form and payment by the 8/31 deadline will be eligible for the $10 daily rate on 9/4.
Save the Date!
Click to view larger
Picture Day
When: Thursday, September 6 & Friday, September 7
Order forms and specific dates by grade level will be sent the week of 8/27.
Senior Picture Day
When: Monday, September 10
Academic Back to School Night
When: Thursday, September 6, 6:00 – 7:40 pm (Time is tentative and subject to change.)
APT Emphasis Meetings
When: Tuesday, September 11, 7:00 pm (right after the APT General Meeting)
State of the School, Annual Fund Kick-Off
When: Tuesday, September 18, or Thursday, September 20, 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Families have the option of which night to attend.
Upcoming Events for High School Seniors
College Application Workshops for Seniors
Support with college list, Naviance, personal statements
and the application process
Dates: Mondays ongoing starting August 27
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Location: Room 338
College Counseling Meeting for 12th Graders
Date: Wednesday, September 5
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Location: Student Center
Financial Aid for College
Learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, loans,
scholarships, grants, etc.
Date: Wednesday, September 26
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Location: Student Center
Important Dates
Wednesday, August 29
Event: Board of Directors Meeting
Time: 6:15 to 7:30 pm
Location: Newberry Building, 1922 Telegraph, Oakland, Rm 408
Thursday, August 30
Event: Konstella Training
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: OSA Student Center
Monday, September 3
Event: Labor Day – No School
Tuesday, September 4
Event: APT Board Meeting
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: OSA Student Center
Wednesday, September 5
Event: College Counseling Night
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: OSA Student Center
Thursday, September 6
Event: Picture Day
Location: OSA
Event: Back to School Night
Time: 6:00 – 7:40 pm (Time is tentative and subject to change.)
Location: OSA Student Center
Friday, September 7
Event: 2018 – 2019 Picture Day
Location: OSA
Monday, September 10
Event: 2018 – 2019 Senior Portraits
Location: OSA
Tuesday, September 11
Event: APT General Meeting (Emphasis meetings will take place immediately after, at 7:00 pm.)
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Location: OSA Student Center
Tuesday, September 18
Event: State of the School
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: Sweet’s Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland
Thursday, September 20
Event: State of the School
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: Sweet’s Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland
Wednesday, September 26
Event: Financial Aid Workshop
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: OSA Student Center
Apply for Free or Reduced Lunch
It helps the school, and anyone can apply!
Hey students and families, did you know that applications for free or reduced price lunches areavailable in the main office and on the home page of our website? Please pick up a form from Ms. Jones or fill it out entirely online by visiting https://mealapps.ousd.org. Qualifying students will receive free or reduced-price lunches in our student center from our OUSD lunch provider.
As a reminder, if you qualify for free or reduced lunch, not only do you get lunch, but you also help the school and qualify for free or reduced rates on college-prep exams like the SAT, ACT, or AP exams.
Get a form and return it today – anyone can apply!
Questions? Ask Romy Douglass at rdouglass@oakarts.org
Weekly Announcements
Student Clubs: For students who led a club offered on campus last year, or who are are interested in starting a new club, it’s time to submit a club renewal/application form. Forms can be picked up from Mr. Oz. OSA’s student leadership/club assembly will be on Friday, 9/14, so it is important for students to start meeting with their clubs as soon as possible.
KOSA Radio: Tune into OSA’s 24 hour radio station, www.kosaradio.org, where you’ll hear all of your favorite artist plus exciting talk shows, special features and all the 411 on what’s happening in the hallways and in Hollywood. That’s www.kosaradio.org Where Minds, Words, Music, and Rhymes Meet.
Latinos Unidos: We will be meeting this Tuesday, 8/28, at lunch (12:50 – 1:35) in Mr. Chazaro’s Room (306) to touch base about our summers and talk about group goals this year. We look forward to seeing anyone who is interested in this group and learning about our cultures. Adelante siempre!
Senior Meeting: We will be having a senior meeting in Room 306 this Friday, 8/31, during lunch. Seniors, please join us to discuss prom, graduation, senior trip, end of year of events etc. Feel free to bring your food.
Did You Know…?
Parent Meetings for each emphasis take place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. These important meetings give parents a chance to meet new parents and get to know each other. Parent leadership is needed to support each emphasis so students can thrive. Examples of leadership vary by emphasis and may include chaperoning field trips, helping with after-school activities, supporting the many efforts required for successful performances, searching for supplies, etc. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend!
Shopping at konstella.com/amazon is better than shopping at smile.amazon.com! When you shop on Amazon via konstella.com/amazon or the Amazon links on Konstella, OSA receives 2% of the purchase amount. Compared to 0.5% for going directly to smile.amazon.com purchases, that’s a clear win. Bookmark konstella.com/amazon now so you’ll have it next time you shop!
Useful Links
- OSA Spotlight – June 2018 edition
- Hot Lunch Menu
- My School Bucks – Add money to School Lunch Account
- KOSA Radio – student radio
- konstella.com/amazon – Use this link when shopping on Amazon. It brings more money into the school than going directly to smile.amazon.com.
News item submissions (deadline-end of school-day Wednesday) osanews@aptosa.org
Submission Guidelines