OCIS Digital Backpack

• PTA Meet & Greet - Wednesday, Sept. 17 - 9:00am @ OCPS
• Bike with a Cop - Thursday, Sept. 18 - 7:00am (Details below)
• Board of Education Meeting- Thursday, Sept. 18 - 7:00pm @ OCHS
• OCIS Back to School Night- Tuesday, Sept. 23 - 6:00-7:00pm
• OCIS Spirit Day - Wednesday, Oct. 1
• OCIS Picture Day - Thursday, Oct. 2

We are excited to share that OCIS will be partnering with the Ocean City Police Department for a special “Bike with a Cop” event taking place on Thursday, September 18th, before school.

This event is designed to promote and educate students on safe biking practices and safe routes to and from school. Students will be escorted in the morning to school by OCPD officers, who will share important bicycle safety tips along the ride while students practice and demonstrate safe biking habits.

"Bike with a Cop" Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 18th

• Meeting Time: 7:00 a.m.

• Meeting Locations (two options):

  • Transportation Center (9th & Haven)

  • Wawa (34th Street)

• Destination: Ocean City Intermediate School

• Requirements: Students must wear a helmet.

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Parents are welcome to ride along, but this is not required. Please note that OCPD will not be escorting students after school.

We thank the Ocean City Police Department for their continued partnership in promoting bicycle safety and helping ensure that our students are safe traveling to and from school. If you have any questions about the Bike with a Cop event, please contact the Intermediate School at 609-399-5611.

All students attended a grade level meeting this past week where we reviewed student expectations & the OCSD code of conduct.

If you have not already, all parents / guardians are asked to review the OCIS Student Handbook with your child. This handbook contains important information on student expectations and overall guidelines for our school. All students received a copy of the handbook on our first day of school as part of their "red homework journal". A digital copy can be found at the link below

OCSD Code of Conduct and OCIS Handbook - 2025-2026 - Click Here

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

Linked here is The Kids Menal Health Foundation website - an excellent guide for parents and caregivers.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation Parents Page is designed to support families with trusted resources, practical strategies, and a community of understanding. It helps parents navigate challenges, build stronger connections with their children, and access the tools they need to promote positive mental health and resilience at home.

Free / Reduced Meal Applications:

• English - Click Here
• Spanish - Click Here

Note that this application is ONE PER HOUSEHOLD. This means if you have more than one child attending Ocean City School District, you will include ALL of those children on ONE application.

The application for Free/Reduced priced meals is used to determine eligibility for Summer EBT Benefits, state funding & additional district wide benefits.

Fall 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.

OCIS offers:

• Soccer - Boys / Girls
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Surf (club)

If your child is planning on participating in one of the fall sport, 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 NEW 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.

All physical examinations must have taken place within 365 days of start date

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

OCSD Athletics Calendar - Click Here

Attention all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls: anyone that wants to play Field Hockey, we will have our sign up meeting Monday, September 15th after school in Miss Battelini's room. The first practice will be on Tuesday, September 16th until 3:20. Please double check with Nurse Cantwell that all of your necessary paperwork is completed!

There will be a girls soccer informational meeting Monday, September 15th after school in the cafeteria until 3:20pm.

Come out to the Primary School on Wednesday, September 17th at 9:00am to attend the PTA meet & greet. We hope to see many of you there!

Your membership to PTA helps provide many fun and educational activities for our students.

Please consider joining by clicking:

PTA Membership Form - 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

Footwear Reminder for Outdoor Activities and Field Trips
With warmer weather approaching and a number of outdoor activities and field trips planned, please ensure that your child wears appropriate footwear for these events. While Crocs, slides, and flip-flops may be comfortable, they can pose safety concerns during physical activity or extended periods of walking. Proper footwear helps us keep students safe and comfortable during these various events. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for helping us prevent avoidable injuries.

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!