Greetings CCA parents!

The Newsletter Spotlight is on CCA's amazing, award-winning Envision Cinema and Theatre programs.

CCA's Envision program consists of seven disciplines focused on visual and performing arts and the Humanities. Each discipline offer day classes which are available to every student on campus. Participation in our Envision Conservatory, an afterschool program for eligible 10th-12th graders, requires a student audition and commitment to concurrent enrollment within the specific discipline.   

Current Canyon Crest Academy Teacher of the Year, Mark Raines, leads CCA's Envision Cinema discipline and coordinates the video/film production program. Cinema day classes consist of Introduction to Video/Film, Advanced Video/Film and ROP Media Production. The Cinema Conservatory program operates much like an independent production company and allows students to produce video and film projects, from scriptwriting to post production enhancements. Cinema Conservatory students also produce monthly CCA TV episodes which you can watch on CCA TV's YouTube channel. If you are a music lover, check out the CCA Cinema-produced documentary: Switchfoot, Close to our Hearts, the Bro-Am Documentary. CCA's Cinema program also produces CCA Foundation's Back to School video. CCA TV played a big role in Raven's Wellness Day and produced a thoughtful, informative and clever Raven Wellness episode.

If you love film and could use a good laugh, please consider attending the MiniCine Fest on October 24th to see 22 student-produced spooky comedies!

Returning teacher Jeannine Marquie leads the amazing Envision Theatre Program. Theatre day classes consist of Acting, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting, Honors Acting and ROP Stagecraft. Theatre Conservatory exposes student artists to a broad range of theatrical skills, genres, and experiences. Professional teaching artists lead students in workshops, classes, and performances. Students explore a variety of theatrical areas of study, including movement and voice for the actor, design, acting theories, audition technique, and ensemble process. The Theatre Conservatory aims to graduate theatre artists with a broad understanding of theatre, a variety of skills, and an ability to articulate their own creative process.

The Theatre Conservatory Programs creates a variety of musical and theatre programs throughout the year. This fall, EnvisionTheatre features the musical, "Zombie Prom" (already sold out), and the play, "Museum" followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita" and Woody Allen's "Don't Drink the Water" in the spring. Please check the Envision Events calendar for upcoming shows and performances.  

On November 7-15, stop by the Proscenium to see Museum, an intentionally ridiculous play that makes some serious points about art and how people relate to it. Buy your tickets early! These shows are popular and almost always sell out!

For more information on our amazing Envision teachers, please see the recent Del Mar Times article.

If you love the arts, please consider supporting Envision programs by making a donation to the CCA Foundation using the 'Make a Donation' button above. Thank you for your continued support of the CCA Foundation.  

Dear parents,

Last Friday, CCA students stepped out of their classroom and embraced a variety of activities that made up our inaugural Raven Wellness Day. Designed as team building, stress reducing, and opportunity to increase student connectedness, Raven Wellness Day successfully brought the CCA community together.

In response to faculty feedback and aligned with our WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) action steps, the Raven Wellness Committee designed an experience for all members of our school to embrace. Activities were developed with the goal of celebrating and promoting the unique and inclusive culture we are so proud of.

This was an amazing experience for our students and staff to connect, relate and relax. Some memorable experiences include the student conga line, group meditation, and the after school dance party. The feedback from students and staff were extremely positive.

Period 1 Theme: Student Connectedness - To build connections among students and staff

Period 2 Theme: Balance - Unplug your phone, enjoy your life!

Period 3 Theme: Leadership - Celebrating 'everyday' leadership as a responsibility

Period 4 Theme: Community - Learning sympathy vs. empathy

I am very proud of CCA's 'Student Ambassador Program,' introduced last year by Assistant Principal Jeff Copeland, which encourages Raven school spirit and connectedness. Different groups of students are encouraged to support each other's efforts. For example, groups of students from different disciplines in Conservatory attend and support an 'adopted' team and, in return, that team supports that Conservatory program. Last Thursday, a group of CCA Vocal Music conservatory students made signs and decorated our van for an away golf match, then joined our Samba band on the sidelines of a field hockey match to root on the Ravens! It was a great turnout and display of support/spirit. In return, the field hockey and golf teams are going to attend opening night of Zombie Prom and give each actor/stage/musician a 'goodie bag' for good luck! 

I am thrilled that our students captured the spirit of Raven Wellness Day and continue to support each other through the Student Ambassador Program.

An adopted and popular 'tag line' among students is to 'Keep CCA Weird' - we believe that nurturing our unique culture instills and strengthens the Raven Pride felt by our entire school community.

Thank you for continuing to support and champion our efforts! 

Go Ravens!

NEWS FROM COUNSELING

Join Kerry Traylor, CCA Mom and Owner of 'College Strategy Experts', to learn how you can 'Survive the High Cost of College'. This workshop will be held at the CCA Media Center on October 28th from 7:00-8:30pm. THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL AND WALK-INS CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED.  LOOK OUT FOR A REPEAT OF THIS EVENT ON 2/25/2015.