OCIS Digital Backpack

• PTA General Membership Meeting @ OCIS - Wednesday, Nov 19 - 9:00am
• OCIS Dodgeball Tournament - Thursday, November 20
• PTA Color Run - Friday, Nov 21
• Early Dismissal Day (12:10pm) - Wednesday, Nov 26
• No School - Thursday, Nov 27 & Friday, Nov 28
• OCIS Spirit Day - Monday, Dec 1
• OCIS Winter Concert - Tuesday, December 2nd - 6:30pm @ OCHS

The Ocean City Color Run fundraiser launched earlier this week. We are about 25% towards our goal - but every donation brings us closer! All students earn prizes for their donations. Get started at mybooster.com!!

PLEASE NOTE THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION BELOW FOR THE EVENT ON FRIDAY!

• All OCIS Students will participate in the Color Run events even if they are not registered through mybooster.com
• During the event, students will walk / run on a course through colored powder - this powder comes out in the wash, however students are encouraged to wear clothing they do not mind getting this color on
• If you DO NOT want your child participating in the Color Run, please complete the opt-out form by clicking here no later than Wednesday (Nov 19) at 3:00pm. - If you opt your child out from participating, they will still cheer their classmates on during the event!

Congratulations to our OCIS October Students of the Month for showing the character trait of Respect!

4th Grade: Justin Chen & Maryam Benjamin

5th Grade: Sebastian Judge & Emma Olsen

6th Grade: Ema Rodriguez & Jesus Olmedo-Bautista

7th Grade: Layla Camacho & Easton Lloyd

8th Grade: Brielle Wiggins & Gunner Juleg

Keep up the amazing work, Red Raiders!

Congratulations to the students listed below for winning the "Don't Ghost Us - Be Present" attendance initiative that ran throughout the month of October. All eligible students at OCIS were entered into a drawing and the following students were the lucky winners of a Wawa Gift Card! We look forward to future attendance initiatives to recognize our students with excellent attendance!

Pictured Below:

Colin Barnard

Charles Gheen

Mason McDevitt

Michael Orgovan

Francisco Cetino Mejia

Last Thursday, November 13th, we celebrated World Kindness Day at OCIS!

Teachers and students spent time discussing and displaying what kindness truly means in our school community. Students also had the opportunity to write their own notes sharing what kindness means to them — and their thoughtful messages made our hallways shine a little brighter.

Way to show your kindness, OCIS!

The OCIS Dodgeball Tournament sponsored by the PTA will be held this Thursday, November 20th. If your child signed up to participate, please see the information & details below for the event.

All students & parents must enter through the rear entrance of the building - entering through the Haven Ave. Basketball Courts. Spectators fee is $2.00 per person collected at the door. Participants fee is $5.00 per student collected at the door.

• 4th & 5th Grade Details
• Games - 5:00-6:30pm
• Pick-Up - 6:30pm at OCIS Gym / Haven Ave Entrance
• 6th - 8th Grade Details
• Games - 6:30-8:00pm
• Pick-Up - 8:00pm at OCIS Gym / Haven Ave Entrance

Please note there are no sign-ups at the door. A registration form must be on file for your child to participate. Forms were due Friday, Nov 4th

As we prepare for Thanksgiving Break, we’re adding a little school spirit to the season! On Wednesday, November 26th, one staff member will be chosen as our “Turkey for the Day” and have the honor of dressing the part.

Students will have the chance to vote during lunch THIS WEEK (November 17–21) and next Monday / Tuesday (November 24 & 25) by placing money into the jar of the staff member they’d like to see earn the title. The staff member with the most contributions at the end of the week will be our winner.

This is a fun way to build excitement before the holiday while also supporting our school community. We can’t wait to see who earns the honor!

Please see the resources below provided by the state for food assistance:

• New Jersey Basic Needs Information Hub: Get Food This Week
• NJ211 Hotline Provides Local Resources to Help Residents with Food, Housing, Crisis, and Health
• NJ211 Supplemental Food Resource Locations – Search a list of various supplemental food resources in your area
• New Jersey SNAP homepage
• Office of the Food Security Advocate: SNAP Benefits and Food Assistance
• Community Food Banks of New Jersey

Looking for extra help or support with homework? Come to the NJHS homework help club. Any student attending must have a completed permission slip on file - click here to complete!

See flyer below for additional details!

Mark your calendars! The OCIS Band & Chorus Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:30pm in the High School Auditorium.

Come out to support our talented musician and share in some music to start the Holiday Season!

Please visit this link below to order your 25-26 Yearbook!

Yearbook Order Link - Click Here

It's time for Winter OCIS Sports sign- ups - Please see the important information below outlining the process to register students in PowerSchool.

OCIS Winter Sports are as follows :

Basketball (boys)

Basketball (girls)

Cheer

Wrestling

Please note our sports registration process (instructions below):

Registration will be completed in your PowerSchool parent account, be sure to have your username and password set up. For PowerSchool account information, please contact IT at the high school .

Important :PowerSchool works best with Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, but you can try other browsers.

Instructions for Parents to sign your child up for Winter Sports :

• 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 (PLEASE NOTE: your student needs to login to their own PS account also and complete the student questions section ! You cannot complete it from the parent account!)

• Athletics 3: Physical Upload and Verification for Participation

• Upload your students completed physical.

All physical examinations must have taken place within 365 days of the start date.

Have your student check with Nurse Cantwell if you are unsure of your student's last Physical exam.

Nurse Cantwell email is : ccantwell@ocsdnj.org

GO RED RAIDERS ! 🏀 📣🏐

Please visit the OCSD athletics calendar for up-to-date information on games and events taking place throughout the upcoming weeks!

OCSD Athletics Calendar - 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!