OCIS Digital Backpack

• OCIS Spirit Day - Monday, March 2
• Read Across America Week - March 2-6
• PTA General Membership Meeting - Wednesday, March 11 - 9:00am @ OCIS
• Student Early Dismissal (12:10pm) - Thursday, March 12
• No School for Students - Staff PD - Friday, March 13
• Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, March 19 - 7:00pm @ OCHS
• Don't Press Send Parent Presentation - Wednesday, March 25 - 6:30pm @ OCHS

This week (March 2-6), we are excited to celebrate Read Across America Week at Ocean City Intermediate School! Throughout the week, students in all grade levels will participate in engaging activities designed to promote and ignite a love of reading.

Below, you will find the daily themes throughout the week for OCIS. We encourage all students to take part in the fun as we highlight the importance of reading in education and beyond!

Monday, March 2 is also SEL Day! OCSD has partnered with SEL4US to promote the day. Please see the link below for additional information.

#SELday Info - Click Here

Students will participate in various activities and presentations throughout the week with Mrs. Uhrich and Mrs. Conover to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of social and emotional learning for our student's well-being and academic success.

Monday, March 2nd marks the mid-point of the 3rd marking period. Please check your students' grades in PowerSchool and contact their teachers with any questions or concerns.

On March 10, 2026 and March 11, 2026, the Greater Wildwood Lions Club will provide FREE vision screenings for students in grades 5-8 at Ocean City Intermediate School. Parents / Guardians MUST complete a permission slip in PowerSchool in order for their child to participate in this FREE screening. Please follow the steps below no later than Friday, March 6, 2026:

• Log into your parent/guardian PowerSchool account

• Navigate to the menu on the left side of the screen and click on "FORMS" look for.

• Scroll to "NURSE'S OFFICE" and click on "OCIS Lions Kidsight USA Screening Permission Form"

• Please complete form for each student *Students without a completed consent form will not be screened*

What does the screening entail?

• Is performed in only a few seconds by a qualified professional

• Is conducted from a distance of 3 feet or more

• Requires no eye drops

• May detect possible vision concerns such as near/far sightedness, astigmatism, strabismus and other eye disorders

Please note:

• This is a preliminary screening only and does not replace a complete eye exam.

• There is no cost for this screening.

• Results will be shared with the School Nurse and sent home to parent/guardian of student.

• If results indicate a concern, follow-up with an eye doctor is the parent/guardian’s responsibility.

• If needed, you may contact the nurse for assistance in locating an eye doctor.

• All information is confidential, HIPAA compliant, and will not be sold or shared.

• Parents/guardians release the Lions District 16L Charitable Foundation, Lions International, the local Lions Club, and the administering facility from liability related to the screening.

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Please reach out to Nurse Cantwell (ccantwell@ocsdnj.org) for additional information and complete the form prior to March 6, 2026.

The district-wide parent presentation, “Don’t Press Send: Parenting in the Digital Age,” has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 25th from from 6:30-7:30pm in the Ocean City High School Auditorium.

This presentation focuses on digital wellness and will provide practical strategies to help families navigate technology use, set healthy boundaries, and protect children from online risks in a world of constant connectivity and rapidly evolving AI-powered content. Please view the attached flyer for additional information.

We look forward to this informational evening and hope you will be able to join us.

Please visit this link below to order your 25-26 Yearbook!

Yearbook Order Link - Click Here

Spring Sports Sign-Ups for 6th-8th grade students at OCIS will be taking place throughout the upcoming weeks. Announcements and additional information will be released from coaches on exact dates and timelines.

Spring sports are as follows:

• Softball (girls)

• Baseball (boys)

• Track and Field (boys)

• Track and Field (girls)

If your child is planning on participating in one of the spring sports, they must have a current physical on file with the nurse that is less than a year old. Contact Nurse Cheryl Cantwell at ccantwell@ocsdnj.org or 609-399-5611 ext. 8742 with any questions.

Please note our sports registration process (instructions below).

This will be completed in your PowerSchool parent account, be sure to have your username and password set up. For PowerSchool account information, please contact guidance.

Visit ocsdnj.powerschool.com (PowerSchool App is the preferred method)

• Sign in with your parent username and password.

• Select the student’s name for whom you are registering.

• Click on Forms

• If using a browser, find in menu options, on the left

• If using PS App, find in …More, then Forms

• Once in Forms find Athletics

• Then fill out the following for EACH student participating in ANY sport:

• Athletics 1: Registration Form

• Download the blank Physical Evaluation Form to bring to doctor’s office.

• Athletics 2: Waivers and Acknowledgements

• Athletics 3: Physical Upload and Verification for Participation

• Upload your students completed physical.

Students should check with Nurse Cantwell if you are unsure of your student's last physical exam. Nurse Cantwell email is: ccantwell@ocsdnj.org

Please be aware - students need a CURRENT sports physical on file in order to try-out as well.

For District Sporting Events & Schedules, please click the link below:

OCSD Athletics Calendar - Click Here

Please remember to visit the Ocean City PTA website to view the many events / activities / and additional information from our amazing PTA!

OCPTA Website - Click Here

For a calendar containing all upcoming events at the library, please click the link below:

Upcoming Events - Click Here

Parents & guardians are asked to review the student dress code with their child.

At OCIS , we encourage students to express their individuality and personal style. At the same time, we ask that all clothing choices reflect the standards of a respectful and focused learning environment. Appropriate school attire helps us maintain a positive atmosphere where all students feel comfortable and ready to learn. Thank you for your continued support in upholding these expectations.

OCSD STUDENT DRESS CODE - Click Here to View

Students are also reminded that cell phones (including wireless headphones) must be turned off and placed in student lockers or bookbags throughout the day.

To report a student absence:

• Email: OCISattendance@ocsdnj.org
• Please state student's name, grade, homeroom teacher, and reason for the absence

Please note that an email or parent note does not excuse your child from school. For the absence to be coded as an absence not counting towards truancy (verified), a doctor's note or other proper documentation as outlined in the district attendance policy must be submitted to the main office when your child returns to school.

Please Review the School District Attendance Policy by clicking here for additional information on state requirements regarding absences and student attendance.

Tardy / Late To School

Students receive two free unexcused lates per marking period (arriving after 7:45am). Any additional unexcused late arrivals will result in a detention being issued as outlined in the OCIS student code of conduct. Students arriving with a doctors note will be marked as an excused late arrival.

Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for success in school. Students should be absent from school only when it is absolutely necessary. If your child is going to be absent, parents are required to notify the school to report the absence prior to the start of the school day.

OCIS Attendance Guidelines / Types of Absences

• An Excused Absence per the state of New Jersey is a student’s absence from school for a full day or a portion of a day for the observance of a religious holiday pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:36-14 through 16, Take Your Child to Work Day, Veteran’s Day or any other absence determined to be excused by the New Jersey Department of Education

• An Unexcused Absence per the Ocean City School District that does not count towards truancy (however, is still considered an official absence by the state of New Jersey) occurs under the following conditions:
• Illness, supported by doctor's letter
• Family illness or death, supported by parent / doctor letter
• Student’s required attendance in court; supported by written documentation.
• Necessary, unavoidable medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled at a time other than the school day; supported by written documentation.

All other absences are considered unexcused and will count towards truancy.

What happens if my child reaches a high number of absences that count towards truancy?

• Letters are sent home to parents if their child reaches 4, 7, 10, 15, or 20 days of absences that count towards truancy.
• Guidance, Administration, and School Nurses will be in communication to assist and develop the appropriate plan to assist your child and their attendance in school.
• Please communicate with Mrs. Uhrich (Guidance) or Mr. Engle (Principal) if there are ongoing concerns regarding attendance so we can approach in a proactive manner.

• Please continue to check your PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly to stay updated on your child's grades, attendance, and more.
• If you do not already follow our OCIS Facebook page, we encourage you to follow for posts & news throughout the year.
• To view the OCIS Morning Announcements, please visit our Morning Announcement Page
• The Ocean City Intermediate School Website is a great resource for information as well!