End of Summer Information
August 2024
Dear Ocean City Intermediate School Community and Families,
As we approach the end of summer, 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 Tuesday, September 3rd, and we cannot wait to see our students return to our halls.
This year, the Ocean City School District will be focusing on the theme of "New Beginnings". We have many exciting changes across the district as we continue to honor our past and build for our future. I hope you and your child are excited to be part of these new beginnings!
In preparation for the upcoming school year, this newsletter contains important information that all parents and guardians are asked to review carefully. This information includes details about class schedules, upcoming events, school policies, and other pertinent updates for the start of the academic year.
We are committed to providing a safe and enriching learning environment for your children, and we look forward to partnering with you to ensure their success throughout the year.
Thank you for your continued support, and we eagerly anticipate the start of another fantastic school year at Ocean City Intermediate School.
Sincerely,
Mr. Matthew Engle
Principal
Ocean City Intermediate School
6th Grade Locker Orientation - Monday, August 26th 10:00-11:00am
Incoming 6th grade students and their parents are invited to visit OCIS on Monday, August 26th between 10:00am-11:00am to practice opening lockers prior to the first day of school. Please note - students & parents will not be able to access classrooms / teachers during this time.
4th Grade Orientation - Tuesday, August 27th - 9:00am
New Student Orientation - Tuesday, August 27th - 11:00am
Any 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade student / family that is new to OCIS for the upcoming school year are invited to attend an orientation on Tuesday, August 27th at 11:00am in the OCIS Multipurpose Room. Students and families will have the opportunity to meet staff members and to tour the building prior to the first day of school.
Student Schedules & PowerSchool
Schedules, locker information (6th - 8th grade), and other important information will be available in PowerSchool starting Friday, August 23rd.
Please note that prior to accessing this information, parents / guardians must complete and electronically sign several online forms within the Parent Portal of Powerschool. Please click here for directions on how to access and complete these forms.
The successful update and completion of these forms is needed every school year for use of school issued materials, including your student's Chromebook. This process needs to be completed for each student in your household.
When accessing the forms, you will also see located in the left navigation bar "School Messenger". This app is our new district communication tool. Please click the School Messenger and follow the prompts to verify your communication preferences. It is important that all of these preferences are updated to receive vital district and school communications.
If you feel there is a mistake in your child's schedule or if you have a question or concern, please contact our school's guidance counselor Mr. DiBartolo @ adibartolo@ocsdnj.org or contact the OCIS main office at 609-399-5611.
School Hours
The School day for students is 7:45am - 2:20pm.
- Homeroom begins promptly at 7:45am. Students arriving after this time will be marked as tardy.
Please note that students can be dropped off between 7:25-7:40 on Haven Avenue behind the basketball courts. Students arriving after 7:40 must enter through the main office entrance on Bay Ave. Pick-up in the afternoon is at 2:20pm on Haven Avenue.
Please see the detailed information below on parent drop-off and pick-up.
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. Please remember that drivers must enter Haven Avenue from 18th Street for student drop-off and pick-up.
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.
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.
As you are back to school shopping, we ask that you please review our school's dress code policy:
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:
- Any apparel or accessory with offensive, bias, or profane material on it or refer to drugs, sex, alcohol, tobacco products (as determined by administration).
- Cut-off shirts or blouses, tube tops, muscle shirts, halter, one-strap, or backless tops.
- Shirts, blouses, skirts, shorts, or pants exposing the midriff or worn below the natural waist.
- Hats, hoods, scarves, bandanas, or other headgear.
- Clothing which is designed for beachwear (bathing suits, etc.).
- Undergarments or pajamas worn as outerwear (including bedroom slippers).
- Sunglasses.
- Outer coats or jackets of any length in the cafeteria.
- Chains, cords, spiked jewelry, or ropes, regardless of intended use.
- 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.
Fall Sports Information
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.
Below are links to the required documents that would need to be completed & turned in to Nurse Cantwell:
- Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form (PPE) - Required Only if your current physical on file is less than 365 days old.
- Sign-Off Forms - Required for each sport, every season a student participates
- OCIS Fall Sports Registration - Required
Son Club
If you are interested in your child receiving a ride to Son Club at the Ocean City Tabernacle, please complete the form below:
You must also register your child(ren) with the Ocean City Tabernacle found at this link. Son Club Afterschool Program - Ocean City Tabernacle (octabernacle.org)
OCIS Breakfast / Lunch
Student Accident Insurance
The Ocean City Board of Education provides accident insurance for all students while at school. This insurance is excess coverage; it pays those expenses not covered by your insurance. You must submit all bills to your insurance company first. The school policy will pay the unpaid balances, up to the limits and conditions of the policy. In the event you do not have medical insurance, the student accident insurance may still apply.
All injuries must be reported to the coach, athletic trainer, or the school nurse immediately. Failure to do so will jeopardize insurance coverage. Claim forms will be provided by the school.
24-25 District Calendar
Ocean City PTA
Please consider joining by clicking:
PTA Membership Form - CLICK HERE
You can find out more about our wonderful PTA by visiting the following site:
Ocean City Education Foundation
The Ocean City Education Foundation is thrilled to be able to continue their mission to expand enrichment opportunities for students in The Ocean City School District and the Community.
This mission is not possible without your help! Please become a member of OCEF.
Join for $20 (per OCSD family) and be in the know for future events, gain access to our e-newsletter and scholarship eligibility
To join, please click the following link:
