OCEAN School Newsletter

September 4th, 2026
In this newsletter:
- In Person Classes Start Tuesday, September 8
- Families and Student Required Orientation September 9
- Performing Arts Class Information
- Student of the Week
- This Week at OCEAN
- From Previous Newsletters
- Community
In Person Classes Start Tuesday, September 8
In person Family Partnership classes start Tuesday, September 8.
Online Classes have already begun. If your student has not started reach out to your conferencing teacher. How to Login to Edgenuity
Open Doors students start September 11th at 1:30pm at the Nest, and regular class begins Monday September 14th at 12:00pm.
OCEAN Required Orientation
Please see the Flyer below for information about the OCEAN Required Orientation for families and students in our Family Partnership and Online Programs. Wednesday September 9th. 8:30 Kinder-5th Grade. Mazy's Room. 9:30AM 6th-8th Grade -Mazy's Room. 10:30AM 9th-12th Grade Kyle's Room. 1:00 PM Online -Lisa's Room-
Performance Arts Class
Check out this great opportunity! OCEAN is offering a Middle School and High school Performing Arts Class with director Marc Weinblatt. This class will focus on "Scenes and Monologues." For questions or to sign up for the weekly class, contact: marmstrong@ptschools.org and 360-680-5656.
Student of the Week: Wynn Mohrbacher
Wynn started off the year this week by attending his first conference of the year and went above and beyond by helping staff get ready for the school year, our conferences, and rounding up staff for the Wednesday staff meeting. We greatly appreciated your help with delivering supplies and helping teachers get to where they needed to be during the busy first week of school.
You are off to a great start, Wynn! You are going to rock 9th grade this year!
This Week at OCEAN
From Previous Newsletters:
Free and Reduced Lunch Info
All families are encouraged to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application for the 2026–27 school year. Applications must be filled out annually, and even if you don’t think your family will qualify, submitting one still helps OCEAN secure vital funding for our school community.
K-8 Otter Time & Enrichment at OCEAN
Many families who are new to OCEAN have questions about what Otter Time and Enrichment are and what the difference is between the two.
Our afternoons at OCEAN include both time for academic support and time to explore interests, build relationships, and connect with others. Here’s a little bit about what this looks like and what Otter Time and Enrichment are all about.
Otter Time
Otter Time is a required part of the school day for students in K–8th grade and runs from 12:00–1:00 p.m.
During Otter Time, students are placed in small groups based on the academic skills they would benefit from working on. Teachers use what they know about each student to decide where they can get the most support.
For one student, that might mean extra time with math. For another, it might be reading or writing. Otter Time gives students a chance to slow down, practice, ask questions, and strengthen the core skills and standards they are working toward.
Enrichment
Enrichment happens from 1:00–3:00 p.m. and is optional. These classes are in addition to the academic school day and give students another opportunity to learn, explore their interests, and make connections with other students and teachers.
Students can choose to participate in an enrichment class or head home at 1:00.
Our K–5 enrichment offerings include:
- Performance & Fabric Arts
- Chess
- Outdoors STEAM
- Creative Writing
- Games
- Violin
For 6–8th grade, students can choose from:
- D&D
- Creative Writing
- Art
- Boats (open to grades 7–10)
- Photography & Printmaking
- Bike Team
- Violin
We see enrichment as a chance to do some of the things there isn't always time for during the academic day—to follow an interest, try something new, work alongside different people, and find another place to connect within the OCEAN community.
Bus Information
The 2026–27 bus routes are now live on the PT Schools website. Families can view routes and stops by visiting the transportation page: https://www.ptschools.org/page/transportation
Please check the site to confirm your student’s route information before the first day of school.
Student Pick Up, Drop Off & Parking
Help make pick up and drop off a success. All students and families should access the OCEAN buildings from the orchard side of the school. Please do not walk across the playground area as there are often Blue Heron classes in that area during the school day. The parking closest to OCEAN near the orchard is reserved for OCEAN families and students. The fire lane behind the OCEAN office building is NOT a parking area.
Grades K-4
Students in grades K-4 should be picked up directly from the OCEAN classroom after class. Wait outside the room until class is dismissed. The teacher will release the student when they see their grown-up. If your student has permission to walk or bike home, or go home with another family please send them with a note.
Grade 5-12
Will be released at the end of class. If the student is waiting for pick-up they should wait in the waiting area near the fire hydrant (see map). If a student's ride does not come or they need to call home they should come to the OCEAN office.
Families picking up students should either park in a designated parking space, or wait in their car in the pick up and drop off area.
Families need to communicate with the OCEAN office if they are going to be late, or if the pick-up plan changes. Teachers are not always able to pick up voicemail and email in time for pick-up changes.
Athletics Information
OCEAN students are welcome to participate in middle school and high school sports!
High School Sports
Football
Volleyball
Boys’ and girls’ soccer
Boys’ and girls’ cross country
Girls’ swimming
Boys’ and girls’ tennis
Cheer
Boys’ and girls’ basketball
Boys’ and girls’ wrestling
Boys’ and girls’ track and field
Baseball
Softball
Boys’ and girls’ golf
Middle School Sports
Football
Co-ed cross country
Volleyball
Boys’ and girls’ basketball
Co-ed wrestling
Co-ed track and field
For more information, visit PTSchools.org.
Sports Physicals Required
A sports physical is required to participate in school sports. In addition to their regular healthcare providers, students can get sports physicals at our School-Based Health Clinics (SBHCs).
Holly Jarnagin, B.A. (she/her)
Clinic Support / School-Based Health Centers
615 Sheridan Street
Port Townsend, WA 98368
SBHC Mobile Phone: 360-390-8560
For more information about School-Based Health Centers, visit Jefferson County School-Based Health Centers. To Schedule your Sports Physical go to: Link
Robotics Club Information
🤖 OCEAN Robotics Club
Build. Create. Compete.
Robotics Club is a place to collaborate, build robots, solve problems, and explore the world of technology. Join us and be part of something amazing!
This is a Competitive Team!
✔ Weekly practices
✔ Saturday build days
✔ Saturday competitions
Ready to join the team?
Contact Mrs. Janssen at vjanssen@ptschools.org or Gabi Ashford at gabiashfordptstemclub1@gmail.com.
Meals at School Information
Breakfast is available for all OCEAN students. Enter Blue Heron by the basketball court and Judd's room. Doors open: 8:25-8:45. Pick up breakfast at the cafeteria and return to the OCEAN tent or classroom to eat. Students ask a teacher for the door code.
Lunch is available at 11:30. Students getting a cafeteria lunch enter Blue Heron by the OCEAN tent. Lunch is eaten outdoors in the OCEAN tent except in inclement weather we eat in a classroom.
Students will need their 4 digit lunch code to get a school meal. The office will have the codes available at meal times.
Meals are available for all OCEAN students at no cost. Be sure to return your Free and Reduced Lunch Application to ensure accurate reporting for future years eligibility.
Community Activities:
Cedar Root Fall Nature Studies Program
Cedar Root School offers school year programs for kids. Check out their offerings of full day Monday or Friday camps and 1/2 day wednesday Fall registration is now open! Link to offerings
Clemente Course
Check out this great opportunity to study history and receive free college credits.
The district does not sponsor this event/information and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Port Townsend School District will be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney’s fees and judgments or awards.
About OCEAN K-12
Sarah Rubenstein, Principal
Email: srubenstein@ptschools.org
Website: https://ocean.ptschools.org/
Location: 3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360-680-5750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceank12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceank12
Port Townsend School District No. 50 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, immigration status, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org
Coordinator Title IX Officer, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Shelby Macmeekin, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5762, smacmeekin@ptschools.org
Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education for the OCR/Title IX complaints https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section