Michael Ciecek

Educator, Principal of Orange County School of the Arts, school administrator, agent of change, innovator, reflective practitioner, #weareocsa

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Paul Frank, renowned artist, fashion designer, and cartoonist, led OCSA students in the “Shirty Shirt Days” workshop this week. Students developed their own t-shirt designs while Frank discussed brand fundamentals, the design creation process, and answered student questions.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

South Coast Repertory (SCR) Artistic Director, David Ivers, and SCR Artistic/Audience Engagement Associate, H. Adam Harris joined Ms. Courtney Harper yesterday afternoon to discuss what it means to produce and teach works from a culturally and linguistically relevant perspective.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

“I am so lucky to go to this school and think I’ve sucked the marrow out of my OCSA experience. I love it all – my classes, my teachers, my friends, my work.” To learn about Elora Sparnicht (CW, '23) and her many projects, visit the OCSA blog: https://t.co/DbOhqu2TmU

[OCSA @weareocsa]

It's Dress Like Your Teacher Thursday on the OCSA campus, and the students NAILED IT! There were some great doppelgängers, and everyone enjoyed the band on 10th Street at lunch.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

“My favorite part of being an OCSA student is the culture at this school. There are so many kids with different backgrounds coming together for their shared love for the arts, which is something I find very powerful.” -Dylan Knight. To read more, visit: https://t.co/pz8pj97d97

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Julian Leon (IM, '23), a Strings & Orchestra Program student, had the incredible opportunity to serve as a musician in the orchestra for the coronation of King Charles III in London earlier this month. Congratulations, Julian!

[OCSA @weareocsa]

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, People Supporting OCSA (PSO) parents celebrated teachers with Taco Tuesday! PSO provided OCSA's outstanding teachers with freshly made food and a goodie bag as a token of appreciation for all they do for the students.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Congratulations to all @ocregister Artist of the Year nominees, semi-finalists, finalists, and winners! Lucie Kim (IM, '24) is Artist of the Year for instrumental music and Jonah Smith (CMD, '23) is Artist of the Year for dance! To learn more, click here: https://t.co/s7kO14FlKo

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Thank you and congratulations to all of our students and staff for a spectacular show tonight! Gala 2023: Sunset & Vinyl was off the charts! We are so proud.

[Michael Ciecek @michaelciecek]

So moving to have this Holocaust survivor speak to our students. You could have heard a pin drop in the building when she shared her story. Proud of the @weareocsa students for the respect they showed #proudprincipal

[OCSA @weareocsa]

To commemorate the Jewish holiday Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance
Day, the Jewish Student Union hosted a presentation with Holocaust survivor Eva Schneider. Students filled Symphony Hall to hear this important conversation.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

The OCSA Leadership Class hosted its first-ever Spring Mini-Market on 10th Street. Students created and sold jewelry, stickers, plants, and more. #DTSA #OC #WeAreOCSA

[OCSA @weareocsa]

The OCSA Elective Showcase began today and continues tomorrow in the Webb Theatre! Students in a variety of elective courses will be showcasing their talents. Come early to enjoy cupcakes created by the Culinary Basics class and view artwork displayed in the lobby!

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Thank you to all who submitted amazing artwork for the Student Apparel Design Contest! Now it's time to cast your vote for the design to be featured in an upcoming OCSA apparel sale. Visit the @weareocsa INSTAGRAM STORY to vote on your favorite! You only have ONE DAY to vote.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Congratulations to this year's Artist Fellowship Award Winners! Patrick Williams, Nancy Alcalá, Vanessa Cortez, and Lilia Muniz were selected as winners of this year's honor which will fund their personal artistic development opportunities.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Congratulations to the OCSA Mock Trial team for their regional championship win! This group has worked hard with their advisers and coaches, committing their time and passionate efforts toward this huge achievement. We can't wait to see the team continue on at the state level!

[OCSA @weareocsa]

State of the Art: Kei Shimabukuro (IM, ‘24) was selected as the winner of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition with his artwork, titled "Lucky Orange," for California's 48th Congressional District. Congratulations to Kei!

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Staff Spotlight: Ms. Rachel Gorman's favorite lesson is the Metaphor Mask narrative. Her students write about themselves in an extended metaphor and create masks that showcase their self-expression. Ms. Gorman enjoys reading these papers and learning more about her students!

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Halloween on 10th Street is always an epic mix of energy and creativity as OCSA students show off their unique costumes in the annual costume contest, and their peers and families cheer them on! We were happy to see that this year was no exception. Happy Halloween!

[Ron Taylor @RonTaylor79]

I’m blown away that teachers still assess all students the same way on the same day. Is it not crystal clear that students learn at different rates? Why then are we sticking to a system that is SO flawed. And worse, most times students are never given an opportunity to recover.

[OCSA @weareocsa]

Summer Adventures: Integrated Arts' production of "The Taming of the Shrew" was asked to perform at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts. The show was directed by OCSA teacher Kaitlyn Tice (MT, '02) with a special guest performance by Kristin Levoy (MT, '02)! #WeAreOCSA