OCIS Digital Backpack

• Student Early Dismissal (12:10pm) - Monday, January 12
• 7th Grade PEEC Trip - Tuesday, January 13 - Thursday, January 15
• No School - Monday, January 19
• End of MP2 - Wednesday, January 28
• "Don't Press Send" Parent Presentation - Wednesday, January 28th - 6:30-7:30pm @ OCHS

Please see below for a few reminders for all 7th Grade students attending this week's PEEC trip. We are looking forward to a fun and educational week at the Pocono Environmental Education Center!

Reminders:

• Monday, Jan 12 - Bag drop off from 8:30-11:30am or 12:30-2:30pm - OCIS Main Entrance. Please make sure your items & bags are labeled.
• Tuesday, Jan 13 - Report to school at normal time. Bring your pillow & water bottle for the bus ride

Click here for additional details / reminders & information

Please note - 7th Grade students who are NOT attending the PEEC trip are required to attend school on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Classwork will be assigned / instruction will take place over these 3 days.

Students with excellent attendance throughout the entire month of January (no more than one unverified absence) will be entered into a drawing to win a Wawa gift card. One winner will be selected per grade level and announced at the beginning of February. Click here for additional details and information.

Please note:

• Unverified Absence = any absence without a doctor’s note.

• Verified Absence (with a doctor’s note) will not count against this initiative.

Regular attendance is key to student achievement and success. We look forward to celebrating our students’ commitment to being present and engaged every day.

Congratulations to our OCIS December Students of the Month for showing the character trait of Discipline!

4th Grade: Fiona Halliday & Mason Chorin

5th Grade: Sunnie Niederhofer & Luciana Dougherty

6th Grade: Mauricio Reyna & Ava Bogdan

7th Grade: Madison Keenan & Max Struble

8th Grade: Kelly Cirilo & Giuliana Randazzo

Keep up the amazing work, Red Raiders!

Attention 8th Grade Parents: Create a special “8th Grade Recognition” ad for your student in the 2026 yearbook. Add a special message to your child for them to look back on for years to come. The recognition ads cost $35 and the early bird deadline is January 12, 2026. The price will increase after this date.

Please click below for information on how to order, and examples of previously submitted ads. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Weaver at cweaver@ocsdnj.org.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1056764/Ocean-City-Intermediate-School/

Please see the resources below provided by the state for food assistance:

• New Jersey Basic Needs Information Hub: Get Food This Week
• NJ211 Hotline Provides Local Resources to Help Residents with Food, Housing, Crisis, and Health
• NJ211 Supplemental Food Resource Locations – Search a list of various supplemental food resources in your area
• New Jersey SNAP homepage
• Office of the Food Security Advocate: SNAP Benefits and Food Assistance
• Community Food Banks of New Jersey

You are invited to join us for a district-wide parent presentation, “Don’t Press Send: Parenting in the Digital Age,” being held on Wednesday, January 28th 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

Winter Sports are now underway! Please visit the OCSD athletics calendar for up-to-date information on games and events taking place throughout the upcoming weeks!

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!