OCIS Digital Backpack

• Week of Respect - Oct 6 - 10
• National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day - Wednesday, Oct 8 (see below for details)
• PTA Pink Hair Day - Thursday, Oct 9
• No School - Monday, Oct. 13
• OCIS Halloween Dance (6th-8th Grades) - Oct. 17 - 7:00-8:30pm
• PTA Scholastic Book Fair - Oct 20-24
• Parent Teacher Conferences (Early Dismissal Days @ 12:10pm) - Oct 22, 23, 24
• Early Dismissal Day (12:10pm) - Monday, Oct 27
• Red Ribbon Week - Oct 27-31
• Early Dismissal Day (12:10pm) - Friday, Oct 31

This coming week is the Week of Respect in schools across the state. The purpose of this week is to teach students how to respect others, our school, our community, and ourselves, as well as how to prevent harassment, intimidation, and bullying situations. This week is recognized by schools all across the state!

Students are encouraged to participate in the designated theme days outlined below. Please keep in mind that outfits must follow school dress code / safety guidelines for the district.

On Thursday, Oct 9th the PTA will be sponsoring a "Pink Hair Day" fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for the Gilda's Club / Cancer Support Community.

The Cancer Support Community NJ will be selling $10.00 pink clip-in hair extensions during OCIS lunches on Thursday, October 10th. All proceeds benefit CSNJ and their free programs and activities for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

Click Here to view to view a video / get more information!

Congratulations to our OCIS September Students of the Month for showing the character trait of Excellence! We are so proud of their dedication, effort, and positive example during the first month of school.

4th Grade: Dominic Casetellini & Leonardo Vazquez De Leon

5th Grade: Jackson Leonard & Kinley Berberian

6th Grade: Jack Woolery & Alexa Rosetti

7th Grade: Nico D'intino & Quinn LaFerriere

8th Grade: Nicky Kalatsjov & Sadie Harbin

Keep up the amazing work, Red Raiders!

Parent Teachers Conferences at OCIS will be held this year on October 22nd - 24th. Listed below are links to a google form for your child's grade level where you can find available times for their given grade level / classroom teachers. Please note that you must reserve a time if you plan on attending a conference.

• 4th Grade - Click Here
• 5th Grade - Click Here
• 6th Grade - Click Here
• 7th Grade - Click Here
• 8th Grade - Click Here
• Bodenlos / Battelini / Calise Classes - Click Here

Please click a link below to register for a Parent-Teacher Conference. Links will be active until 3:00pm on Friday, October 17th - we ask that you register prior to this time.

Our annual Halloween Dance for 6th-8th Grade students sponsored by the Student Council will be held on Friday, October 17th from 7:00-8:30pm in the OCIS cafeteria. Students must have a completed permission slip on file to attend.

Please click the link below to complete a permission slip for your child if they plan on attending.

OCIS Halloween Dance Permission Slip - Click Here

Please see the image below for all dance rules

Students with excellent attendance throughout the entire month (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 November. 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.

*** Please note that due to the forecasted weather for the morning of Wednesday, October 8th - our guests from Cross County Connection are rescheduling their morning visit for a future date. Please stay tuned for a make-up date!***

This Wednesday, OCIS is joining schools across the country to celebrate National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day! Students are encouraged to practice their safe walking and biking skills as they make their way to school.

Those who walk or bike will be greeted by special guests from the Cross County Connection Transportation Association and will receive fun prizes and safety handouts as they arrive.

We can’t wait to see many of our Red Raiders walking and biking to school on Wednesday!

OCIS is holding a bicycle safety light giveaway for families who would like to participate. To enter your child for the opportunity to win one of these lights, please view the video below and complete the Google Form below containing a "Responsible Walking & Biking Pledge". 5 winners per grade level will be selected. This pledge must be completed by Friday, October 10th to be entered for the chance to win one of the prizes.

Bicycle Safety Video - Click Here

Responsible Walking & Biking Pledge - Click Here

On Friday, October 3rd, all OCIS students attended grade-level assemblies focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety. We thank the Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association and the Ocean City Police Department for partnering with OCSD to provide this valuable information and promote safe practices for our students.

Attention all student artists, artisans, and crafters! Come and showcase (and sell) you creations - art, crafts, jewelry, pottery, crochet, etc..

Free to students grades K-12 and you keep the proceeds!

When: Saturday, October 11 - 10:00am-2:00pm

Where: The Music Pier

How: to Pre-Register click here

Event hosted by the OCNJ Local & OCNJ Media Group.

Volunteer Opportunity!

Are you a 6th or 7th grader looking for volunteer hours to meet your NJHS requirements? Are you a family who would like to spend an afternoon working outside for your community?

St. John Lutheran Church (10th and Central) is looking for volunteers to help with some light yard work at the church this Fall.

Here are the details:

• Students and families are both welcome to come help!

• Gloves will be provided for yard work

• No power tools will be used!

• Pizza and beverages will be provided for lunch

• Times are flexible

This volunteer opportunity will take place on October 22, 23, & 24th (all half days at OCIS). If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Diane Bechtold at (609) 425 - 2671.

Fall Sports Information

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

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

OCSD Athletics Calendar - Click Here

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

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!