End of Summer Information - OCIS

Dear Ocean City Intermediate School Community and Families,

As summer winds down, we are eagerly preparing to welcome all of our students back to Ocean City Intermediate School for another exciting school year. The first day of school is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th, and we cannot wait to see our students return to our halls.

We are looking forward to an engaging year filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement. The OCIS staff is ready to support students academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring that each child feels valued and inspired to do their best.

In preparation for the upcoming school year, this newsletter contains important information that all parents and guardians are asked to review carefully. This includes details about class schedules, upcoming events, school policies, and other important updates to help ensure a smooth start to the year.

We remain committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and enriching environment for your children, and we look forward to partnering with you to support their success throughout the year.

Thank you for your continued support, and we eagerly anticipate the start of another fantastic year at Ocean City Intermediate School.

Sincerely,

Mr. Matthew Engle

Principal

Ocean City Intermediate School

The district website is an excellent place to for information on our schools, events, and additional information. Please be sure to visit regularly throughout the school year!

The website address is: https://www.ocsdnj.org/

Student drop-off before school is on Haven Avenue behind the basketball courts. Students may be dropped off between 7:20 and 7:40.

• Please do not drop your child off prior to 7:20 as there will not be supervision present before this time.
• Students arriving at the school after 7:40 must enter through the main entrance in the front of the building. Homeroom begins at 7:45.

Student pick-up after the school day has ended also takes place on Haven Avenue behind the basketball courts. We will continue to stagger our student dismissal to avoid overcrowding our hallways. Pick up time will be at 2:20.

Click Here to View a Arrival / Dismissal Map

*In order to facilitate a safer arrival/departure for our students, Haven Avenue becomes a one-way road during student arrival and dismissal. Drivers must enter Haven Avenue from 18th Street for student drop-off and pick-up. For the safety of our students, please do not drop off at an alternate location outside of the Haven Avenue drop off location as indicated on the map linked above.

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.

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 this email does not excuse your child from school. For the absence to be excused, 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.

As you are back to school shopping, we ask that you please review our school's dress code policy:

STUDENT DRESS CODE

Ocean City has always felt that good taste in personal attire and good grooming on the part of its pupils plays a major role in creating the type of overall school atmosphere which is conducive to a positive educational experience. While styles do change, the administration reserves the right to require that a pupil’s appearance be in good taste and in accordance with those principles that encourage good health habits.

Pupils are required to wear clothing that is not dangerous, distractive, or indecent. In classes where long hair or clothing would be a hazard, all pupils are expected to comply with the rules established by the administration and instructor to prevent possible injury. Pupils must always wear some type of shoes, sneakers, or sandals.

Pupils will not wear:

1. Any apparel or accessory with offensive, bias, or profane material on it or refer to drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco products (as determined by administration).
2. Cut-off shirts or blouses, tube tops, muscle shirts, halter, one-strap, or backless tops.
3. Shirts, blouses, skirts, shorts, or pants exposing the midriff or worn below the natural waist.
4. Hats, hoods, scarves, bandanas, or other headgear.
5. Clothing which is designed for beachwear (bathing suits, etc.).
6. Undergarments or pajamas worn as outerwear (including bedroom slippers).
7. Sunglasses.
8. Outer coats or jackets of any length in the cafeteria.
9. Chains, cords, spiked jewelry, or ropes, regardless of intended use.
10. Excessively (above mid-thigh) short skirts and / or shorts.

The administration reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of a pupil’s attire. A pupil found to be in violation of the dress code may be sent home, required to change, subject to disciplinary action, and / or referred to a counselor.

Please click here to view the suggested school supply list for your child's grade level.

The Ocean City PTA plays a vital role in supporting our school community through student activities, field trips, and events throughout the year. To help the PTA share important updates directly with you, we plan to provide the PTA President with parent/guardian email addresses.

We are grateful for our partnership with the PTA and appreciate their efforts and commitment to our school community.

If you prefer not to receive these communications, please complete the opt-out form linked below by Friday, September 12th.

Parent Opt-Out Form - PTA Email Distribution List

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.

Please view the video below for assistance with the PowerSchool Parent Account

• After School Activities Busses Begin - Monday, Sept 8th
• OCIS Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, September 23rd - 6:00-7:00pm
• Picture Day - Thursday, October 2nd
• Parent/Teacher Conferences - October 22nd, 23rd, 24th