OCEAN School Newsletter
October 2nd, 2026
In this newsletter:
- Picture Retake Day Information - Oct 6
- OCEAN Family Campout Event Oct 9-11
- ASB Movie Night Fundraiser Oct 29
- Personalized Yearbook Information
- OCEAN Calendar and Events
- This Week at OCEAN
- From Previous Newsletters
- Community
Picture Day Retake Day - October 6th
OCEAN Family Campout Oct 9-11
OCEAN families are meeting up for a fun campout at the Wagon Wheel campground at Fort Flagger. This is a fun community building event! Although there may be staff there, this is not a school event, so families are responsible for supervising their kids and can not drop them off. Questions? Please text Amy @ (360)821-1847 or email kilhamanny@gmail.com if you have any questions. Bring Games, Music and stories! There will be a group Sunday breakfast.
The district does not sponsor this event/information and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Port Townsend School District will be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney’s fees and judgments or awards.
ASB Movie Night Fundraiser! Oct 29
Check it out! Bring Cash for food and drinks. This will be a fun time and benefit our Associated Student Body Fund, which helps support more student events.
Personalized Student Yearbook Option
Attention OCEAN students and families, this is your chance to purchase a personalized yearbook at a discounted price. If you purchase a personalized yearbook before October 23rd, 2006 then it only costs $25 (which is the price of a normal yearbook without personalization).
For more questions about this option or about our 2026-2027 yearbook, check in with teacher Shannon Paselk who is on our Yearbook Committee. Shannon's email: spaselk@ptschools.org
Student of the Week
Jules Gardener
Julez has done an amazing job staying on top of his schoolwork while also taking initiative to prepare for his plans after graduation. He is a talented artist who is kind, hardworking, and always willing to ask questions when he needs help. He takes responsibility for what he needs to get done and continues to do an excellent job.
This week, Julez was accepted into the art school of his choice and is already making plans for next year! We are so proud of you Julez!
Upcoming OCEAN Events
- October 6th — Picture Retake Day
- October 9th — OCEAN Family Campout (9th-11th)
- October 10th — Homecoming Dance
- October 15th — 8th Grade Healthcare Fair
- October 19th — Peninsula College Field Trip
View the OCEAN Calendar Online
Want OCEAN K-12 Events to show up on your digital calendar?
OCEAN K-12 Google Calendar (use the +Google Calendar Button) or iCal Format
This Week at OCEAN
Our K–5 students enjoyed CedarRoot/Outdoor class this week. They were given a minute to study a design Ramzy created using natural materials and then worked in teams to recreate it. They also discovered a rough-skinned newt!
Our K–5 students also learned about CPR and then had the opportunity to practice their new skills.
K–5 students are busy learning and having fun with robotics, developing new skills through hands-on exploration and problem-solving.
Students were enthusiastically engaged in all kinds of creative projects this week, including collage and 3D art!
In Kyle’s culinary class, students explored the history of food by preparing Sesame Itrion, an ancient Greek delicacy, as well as Chicken Bouillon, a traditional French chicken soup. The recipe for Chicken Bouillon is one of the very first recipes that was regularly prepared in the early restaurants of France.
Mary Hill watched as the Every Child Matters flag was raised in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. We took time to remember the impacts of residential schools on Indigenous peoples and honor the experiences. Mary and Scott Hill helped with flag raising at Salish Coast Elementary and Blue Heron Middle School. Learn more about Orange Shirt Day and the message that Every Child Matters: https://orangeshirtday.org/
And in yearbook this week, students learned about yearbook terminology and then put their knowledge to the test with a lively game of Jeopardy!
From Previous Newsletters:
Fall Campus Tours Oct 19
11th and 12th grade students, please check out this flyer for our Fall Campus Tours, with the College success foundation on Monday October 19th. This is a great way to learn about careers and college options. To sign up, stop by the OCEAN Office or email: aquinn@ptschools.org
ASVAB
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a test that can help fulfill your graduation pathway requirements, identify your strengths, and explore future career options, both in and beyond the military.
The ASVAB will be offered at OCEAN on November 10th.
To sign up, stop by the OCEAN Office or email:
11th graders PSAT (preliminary SAT testing) Information Oct 29
Hello 11th Grade Students and Families,
We will offer PSAT (preliminary SAT) testing October 29th. Interested 11th graders are invited to participate. Please sign up in the counseling office (or reply to this email).
The PSAT provides practice for the SAT test and connects you to potential scholarship providers. The cost will be approximately $14 (Thanks to a generous grant from the Port Townsend Education Foundation, there is no cost for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch)
Click here for information about how to prepare and practice for the PSAT.
For SAT testing, we are very fortunate that Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary is planning to host testing at PTHS 2-3 Saturdays a year. We encourage all interested Juniors to register for the March 6, 2026 test date when it opens for registration. Students need to create a college board account and register via their account. Please be aware that the test at PTHS is open to students from other districts and seats fill up fast.
Click here to register or set up an account
Click here for information about fee waivers
Click here for a breakdown of SAT related fees
Click here for information about how to prepare and practice for the SAT
Click here for information about test-optional college policies.
If you have a health plan, 504 plan or IEP and will need accommodations on the PSAT or SAT test, please click here for a required consent form to request accommodations. Please send the completed form to Emily Eldridge by September 18th.
Click here for more information on how accommodations work for PSAT or SAT testing.
Attendance at OCEAN
We want to make attendance as easy as possible for OCEAN families!
If your student is going to be absent, please excuse the absence by:
Emailing: oceanattendance@ptschools.org
Calling the OCEAN office: 360-680-5750
You may still receive an automated attendance notification if you contact us after 10:30 a.m. No worries! If you have already emailed or called the school, our OCEAN office staff will make sure the absence is excused.
We use automated attendance messages simply to keep families informed when a student is marked absent from class. If you know you have contacted the school, stay calm—you're all set!
Thank you for helping us keep attendance records accurate and keeping us informed about your student's attendance.
School Safety: ALICE Lessons
OCEAN students will participate in age-appropriate lessons reviewing our ALICE school safety protocols. ALICE stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. These protocols help students understand how to respond in the event of a school emergency involving a dangerous intruder.
Students in grades K–5 will participate in an age-appropriate lesson focused on what to do to stay safe, while students in grades 6–12 will review the ALICE protocols and strategies for responding to an emergency.
Our goal is not to create fear or anxiety, but to help students feel prepared and confident in knowing what to do in an emergency. We approach these lessons in a calm, supportive manner and do not use scare tactics or frightening scenarios.
We encourage families to talk with their children at home about what they learned, answer questions, and reinforce the importance of knowing how to respond to keep themselves and others safe. Thank you for partnering with us to support a safe and prepared school community!
Community Activities:
Parenting Workshop
Check out this parenting workshop opportunity.
Free Counseling and Evaluations for Youth and Young Adults Opportunity through The University of Washington
The district does not sponsor this event/information and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Port Townsend School District will be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney’s fees and judgments or awards.
Port Townsend Chess Tournament
If you are in grades 3rd-12th and love playing chess, check out this Chess Tournament opportunity.
Details and online registration: https://chessreg.com/ptchess
The district does not sponsor this event/information and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Port Townsend School District will be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney’s fees and judgments or awards.
About OCEAN K-12
Sarah Rubenstein, Principal
Email: srubenstein@ptschools.org
Website: https://ocean.ptschools.org/
Location: 3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360-680-5750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceank12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceank12
Port Townsend School District No. 50 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org
Coordinator Title IX Officer, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Shelby Macmeekin, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5762, smacmeekin@ptschools.org
Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education for the OCR/Title IX complaints https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section