OCIS Digital Backpack

• 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
• 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 Wednesday, October 1st is our first OCIS School Spirit Day of the year! On the 1st of every month (or the next school day following the 1st), we encourage everyone to show their school spirit!

Students are encourage to represent their favorite Ocean City Sport / Club / Activity or simply wear Red & White to show your school spirit! We hope to see everyone showing their school spirit on Wednesday!!

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 on picture day. For additional details and information, please see the flyer linked below.

OCIS Picture Day Information - Click Here

Pick-Up Begins at 3:00pm on Haven Ave.

If you ordered mums through the PTA for their fall fundraiser, mums will be available for pick-up starting from 3:00-4:00pm on Friday, October 3rd.

The pick-up location is behind OCIS through the rear gates located on Haven Ave.

Please note that parent / guardians will not be able to pick up prior to 3:00pm.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on October 22, 23, and 24th at OCIS. An email containing links for available times to sign-up for a conference will be sent out at the beginning of next week. Please keep an eye out for the email in the days ahead!

If you have not been receiving text messages on your cell phone that is linked to your PowerSchool Portal, please ensure that you have opted in to receive text messages.

Follow the steps below to opt-in:

• Text: Y
• To the Phone Number: 67587

Please contact the OCSD Helpdesk with any questions by emailing the address below:

• help@ocsdnjathome.on.spiceworks.com

The purpose of the Week of Respect 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!

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!)

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

Support OCPTA and have a fun day at Playland’s Castaway Cove!

Click here for additional information & to view the flyer.

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.

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 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

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!