Dear Families,

Now that April is in the rearview mirror, there are only seven weeks until the end of the 2022-2023 school year! However, we have so many district activities happening within those seven weeks! Between the two schools, we have a number of field trips as well as many grade level celebrations. I want to remind all families that the weekly newsletters from each principal are the best way to stay abreast of the current activities so that you do not miss any of the events. Some of the larger events are outlined in the picture below.

This week, the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment will begin at Maple Place, and students should do their best to get a good night's sleep as well as eat a good breakfast. State testing is just a tiny snapshot of each student's learning experience, but is a data point used in educational decision-making so we encourage our students to always give it their best effort. While Maple Place begins this week, all 3rd-8th graders will test over the next few weeks.

As June 16th approaches, we will also celebrate the long and successful careers of some beloved staff members that will be retiring at the end of this school year. In celebration and gratitude of their work and their positive impact on the school district, each retiree will be honored at the next Board of Education meeting which is scheduled for May 17th at 6pm in the Wolf Hill Gym. All are always welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Enjoy the upcoming warmer and longer days as we approach summer!

Sincerely,
Laura Godlesky, Ed.D.

At the April 26, 2023 Board of Education meeting, the final budget for the 2023-2024 year was approved. The user-friendly budget presentation is linked below, and also can be found on the website.

The budget was created to prioritize items framed around the district mission and vision as well as priorities from the Oceanport Strategic Plan. Please preview the presentation in its entirety, but I want to highlight some of the initiatives planned for the 23-24 school year:

Highlights/Initiatives Anticipated

● Maintain All Current Programs

● Increase Security Personnel

● Enhancements to Staff Professional Development

● New Curricular Materials and Curricular Writing

● Implementation of Student Leadership Initiatives at both schools

● Maintain Capital Reserve (to take advantage of Upcoming ROD grants)

While this budget has been in the work for months, more recently the community has voiced the need to prioritize increased security. The district plan for the 23-24 school year is to work collaboratively with the Oceanport Police Department to have an armed Class III officer in each school. To bridge the gap between now and then, the district has worked with the Oceanport Police Department to have an OP officer between the two schools daily for the remainder of the school year.

Additionally, this is a good place to communicate to the public that the district applied for a grant in January to improve recreational space that is also used outside of school hours. We have received this grant, and can utilize the funding to upgrade the surface of the larger elementary playground to poured rubber. This will be happening in the upcoming weeks.

As many of you are aware, the Oceanport Board of Education has been working diligently to keep our district whole, which regard to continuing to educate all of our students from Oceanport and Sea Bright. To update the public to the current status of the petitions as well as the Commissioner of Education's ruling, please read the press release from the Board of Education below:

Champions Childcare will again be providing before and after school care for our PreK-6th grade students again for the 23-24 school year. (Please note that PreK child care will only be provided if enrollment meets minimum requirements).

Registration for the 2023–2024 school year at Wolf Hill Champions is OPEN! There are flexible full and part time scheduling options and a convenient location on school grounds.

Every day at Champions, your child will have the opportunity to:

Collaborate with others

Explore their own interests

Take risks in a safe space

Express themselves

Problem-solve with buddies

Have questions? Champions has your answers! Call them at 732-456-9662 to learn more or enroll at www.DiscoverChampions.com.

Teacher Appreciation Week is quickly approaching! Thank you to the large number of people that have already taken the time to give our staff some shout outs! I observe daily the work and energy that our entire staff puts forth to provide the educational environment that your children experience every day. If you haven't already, please take a few moments to complete the Google Form below, it will provide you a space to compliment or express appreciation towards a staff member. I will ensure that they receive it. It can be anonymous, or you can choose to put your name to be shared.

I think taking a moment to acknowledge something you appreciate would truly make someone's day. Thank you for taking the time to do this - it means so much!

The Jersey Shore BlueClaws are proud to welcome Oceanport School System to ShoreTown Ballpark! The Wolf Hill and Maple Place Choruses will be singing the national anthem at the Jersey Shore Blue Claws game against the Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday, May 30th. Tickets are $15/each and proceeds will support the arts. We hope to have a lot of Oceanport School District families in the stands supporting the chorus and enjoying a night out! To get your tickets, click the link below. (This offer will only be available until Monday, May 29th at 11:59 PM).

Remember to show your school spirit by wearing spirit wear to the game!

May offers more opportunities for our students to display their success in the visual and performing arts. We will have music concerts at both Wolf Hill and Maple Place Schools as well as the District Art Show. Dates and times can be found below! Thank you to Mrs. Bach, Mr. DiTommaso, Mrs. Jakubowski, and Mrs. Donohoe for working hard to showcase our student talent! We hope you can make some of the celebrations!