OCIS Digital Backpack

• PTA Spring Book Fair - March 16-20
• Rock Your Socks - World Down Syndrome Awareness Day - Friday, March 20
• Don't Press Send Parent Presentation - Wednesday, March 25 - 6:30pm @ OCHS
• Board of Education Meeting - Thursday, March 26 - 7:00pm @ OCHS
• OCIS Spring Concert - Tuesday, March 31 - 6:30pm @ OCHS
• OCIS Spirit Day - Wednesday, April 1
• Early Dismissal Day (12:10pm) - Thursday, April 2
• Spring Break - No School - Friday, April 3 - Friday, April 10
• School Resumes & End of 3rd MP - Monday, April 13

The PTA's Spring Book Fair will be held at the Intermediate School on the week of March 16-20. Students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair during their ELA classes throughout the week.

Please note: If you do not wish for your child to attend the book fair, please email Mr. Engle at mengle@ocsdnj.org and your child's teacher will be notified of your wishes.

Please visit our Scholastic Homepage at the link below to find information on the fair as well as opportunities to volunteer. Please remember that you must be a current member of the OC PTA in order to volunteer for a PTA Event.

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/oceancityintermediateschool

Please note that there will be NO Son Club after school on Thursday, March 19th.

Join the Ocean City School District in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, March 20th. Rock Your Socks! Show off your patterned or mismatched socks to spark conversations. The 2026 theme, "Together Against Loneliness," emphasizes the importance of inclusion. In OCSD, we stand together, celebrate differences, and ensure everyone feels valued, connected, and a true sense of belonging.

A special thank you to OCHS student Erin for creating our Rock Your Socks flyer!

Feeling lucky? Students can buy tickets during lunch throughout the week of March 16-20 to place in buckets for the chance to win various prizes. Thank you to local businesses who generously donated prizes for this Student Council fundraiser!

Winners will be announced at the end of the day on Friday, March 20th. So pick your prize, try your luck, and support the OCIS student Council! See below for additional details.

The district-wide parent presentation, “Don’t Press Send: Parenting in the Digital Age,” has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 25th from from 6:30-7:30pm in the Ocean City High School Auditorium.

This presentation focuses on digital wellness and will provide practical strategies to help families navigate technology use, set healthy boundaries, and protect children from online risks in a world of constant connectivity and rapidly evolving AI-powered content. Please view the attached flyer for additional information.

We look forward to this informational evening and hope you will be able to join us.

The Raider Nation Dance will be held on Friday, April 17th from 7:00–8:30 PM at the Ocean City High School. All 8th grade students from Ocean City Intermediate, Longport, Upper Township Middle, choice students, and any other incoming freshman that is currently enrolled to attend OCHS in the fall are invited. Admission is $10 cash at the door and proceeds benefit OCPTA and OCPTO.

Please complete the permission slip linked below (click on the image) by 4pm on Monday, April 13th. See the flyer for full details.

Congratulations to 8th grade student Paxton Brunetti on setting another school record in the 20 meter PACER test. Paxton has surpassed his previous record of 120 laps to now achieving a new school record of 122 laps! Great job Paxton!

Congratulations to the following students for earning TOP 10 Combined Fitness Scores for the 3rd Marking Period!

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

Yearbook Order Link - Click Here

Spring 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.

Spring sports are as follows:

• Softball (girls)

• Baseball (boys)

• Track and Field (boys)

• Track and Field (girls)

If your child is planning on participating in one of the spring sports, 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 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.

Students should check with Nurse Cantwell if you are unsure of your student's last physical exam. Nurse Cantwell email is: ccantwell@ocsdnj.org

Please be aware - students need a CURRENT sports physical on file in order to try-out as well.

For District Sporting Events & Schedules, please click the link below:

OCSD Athletics Calendar - Click Here

Attention Baseball players: Baseball try outs will be Monday March 23th to March 25th. Please see Nurse Cantwell to ensure you have an updated physical.

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!