OCIS Digital Backpack

• OCIS Back to School Night- Tuesday, Sept. 23 - 6:00-7:00pm
• OCIS Spirit Day - Wednesday, Oct. 1
• OCIS Picture Day - Thursday, Oct. 2
• Week of Respect - Oct 6 - 10
• PTA Pink Hair Day - Thursday, Oct 9
• No School - Monday, Oct. 13

Back to School Night will be held this Tuesday, September 23. The main doors (Bay Ave. entrance) will open at 5:50pm for Parents & Guardians. We ask that you are seated in your child's homeroom by 6:05pm. You will receive a copy of your child's schedule in homeroom. Please come prepared knowing your child's homeroom teacher.

Please note that this event is for Parents & Guardians (students are asked to remain home for this event).

Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to meet you child's teachers and get an overview of their classes. Please see the email previously sent for additional details and information on the night. We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Ocean City Public Library will have their bookmobile parked outside the school in the bus loop throughout the evening of Back-to-School Night. Parents & Guardians are encouraged to stop by to sign up for a library card and to learn more about what the library has to offer.

Help support the PTA and our OCIS Students & Teachers.

Back by popular demand, the PTA is partnering with Lang’s Garden Center for a mums pre-sale! Mums are $12 each if you purchase 1-4 pots. Quantities of 5+ are $10 each. They come in 9" pots and are available in white, purple, red, orange, or yellow. Mums must be pre-ordered.

Please click here for more information and to access the Mums Order Form.

Orders are due next Friday, October 3rd!!

Picture day for all OCIS students will be held on Thursday, October 2nd. Please note that this year we are using a different company than previous years. Picture packets and order forms will not be needed prior to picture day. For additional details and information, please see the flyer linked below.

OCIS Picture Day Information - 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.

September is Attendance Awareness month! Please take a moment to review our district's attendance policy and procedures that are outlined at the end of this newsletter in the Attendance Reminders & Requirements section.

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.

Please see the resources below for additional information on the importance of attendance in school and ways to help support good attendance:

• Elementary School Attendance Resources - English

• Elementary School Attendance Resources - Spanish
• Middle School Attendance Resources - English
• Middle School Attendance Resources - Spanish

This past week we launched our Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Campaign at OCIS to help educate and raise awareness to the importance of safe practices and procedures. The Bike With a Cop event was a great start and we thank the families and students who participated!

Throughout the month of October, students will be participating in the following events:

• Friday, October 3rd - Pedestrian & Bike Safety Presentations with Cape May Education and Community Outreach / Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association
• Wednesday, October 8th - National Walk to School Day (more information to come!)

Win a free bike light!!!!

We are will also be 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

Attention 7th Grade Parents

The initial deposit for PEEC was due last Friday. At this time, we have enough students attending to take 1 bus of students. If there are any other students who wish to go, the PEEC Committee has extended the deadline to Wednesday, September 24th, which will give us the opportunity to add another bus. After that time, the PEEC Committee will create a waiting list for students who may change their mind about the trip during the fall.

If there are any concerns about making the deposit, please reach out to Mr. Butterick fbutterick@ocsdnj.org or Mrs. Tornblom (mictornblom@ocsdnj.org)

Attention all 6,7,8 grade students, the time has come to start preparing for this year’s Drama production of “Madagascar”. For any students interested, information packets are available in the main office and at lunch on the stage. You can also find the packet linked below

Madagascar Information Packet - Click Here

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 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

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!