Ocean City High School Principal’s Report

March, 2016

CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Amy Anderson for being named in the 2016 County Teacher Recognition Program as OCHS Teacher of the Year. Listed below are some characteristics that colleagues noted about Amy: She’s passionate and able to make ASL come alive for students; She makes the subject both accessible and fascinating for all levels and something that grows into a passion; Amy gives her students many opportunities to interact with members of the deaf community.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH Each student was chosen to be Student of the Month because of exemplary behavior, character and performance. We appreciate the support of each of the community organizations. There is a critical connection between a successful public high school and a

strong relationship with its community. Sarah Olandt was the Rotary Club Student of the Month.

Patrick Cusack was the Exchange Club Student of the Month.

Mr. OCHS 2016!! Congratulations to Billy Cundiff Mr. OCHS 2016! Cheerleaders, Sarah

Prosser and Maddie Hunt spent two weeks choreographing and teaching the guys dances and a fitness routine. The contestants

performed to a sold out audience. First Runner Up – Jeff Hoffner Second Runner Up – Declan McGuigan, Third Runner Up – John Oves and Mr. Congeniality – Joe Clifford. Other contestants were Brett Johnson, Dominic Fiorentino, John Mazurie, Justin Angelastro and Louis Diluzio. The Cinema Production Club is selling DVDs of this show. Mrs. Brenda Colón-Smith, Mrs. Kathy Sykes and Ms. Meg

Riordan would like to thank the judges – Mrs.

Cathy Finnegan, Mr. Drew Fasy, Miss Megan Maguire and

Mr. Michael Martirone, the cheerleaders, contestants, Mr. Bruno, Mr. Trauger and the technical production staff for all their help during the two weeks of rehearsals.

CLUB ACTIVITIES Members of STOP Club acknowledged Eating Disorder Awareness Week (February 21-27) which we labeled “Love Yourself Week”:

Mirrorless Monday: all mirrors in the school were covered for the day. Beauty is more than skin deep.

Rebound Tuesday: Students had the opportunity to scribble down a negative thought, put it in the shredder and replace it with a positive thought.

Weightless Wednesday: no scales, no weighing!

Thursday: Love Your Body Day: resources were handed out during community lunch Throughout the week, STOP Club

sold woven hearts with a positive message and a lollipop for $1. You could keep it for yourself or give it to someone in need.

SADD Club and REBEL Club members, along with advisor’s Mrs. Cathcart and Ms. Kline, spent time with Mrs. Bendig’s Health Classes at OCIS for National Kick Butts Day (March 16), an event dedicated to the fight against tobacco. High school students began each class with an interactive presentation illustrating the health hazards of tobacco products that included a question/answer session with intermediate school students. Students then paired up to create anti-tobacco bracelets and anti-tobacco artwork to spread the message about the harmful effects of tobacco.

PI DAY PIE A TEACHER

Classroom Activities

FINANCIAL LITERACY INTERVIEWS PROVIDE

POSITIVE FINANCIAL INSIGHT F-HALLWAY was transformed to the FINANCIAL HELPUL HINTS HALLWAY! Miss Norton's Financial Literacy students interviewed a variety of adults (21 years of age and older) and asked them what helpful hints they had for teenagers regarding money, saving, jobs, budgeting and credit/debit cards.

The students decided to share their interview hints with the students of OCHS by using their Microsoft Word techniques to create TEENAGE FINANCIAL HELPFUL HINTS POSTERS and posting their helpful

hints in the F-Hallway to give their fellow OCHS classmates inspiration and suggestions to create a positive, well-thought out financial future!

Mr. Bill Pesda was a guest speaker in Contemporary World Cultures. He shared his photographs and his experiences visiting Egypt before the 2011 Arab Spring. Students enjoyed insights into life in the Middle East.

News from ASL ASL is hosting a Deaf artist from Baltimore, MD – Ashley Shaffer - to do a painting party as a fundraiser using De’Via Art (Deaf View Image Art) Please click this link for more information: http://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/ocean-city-high-school-hosts-deaf-painting-party-march-18?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&utm_term=schools&utm_campaign=recirc&utm_content=aol ASL Honor Society Students who are accepted into interpreting and Deaf education programs next year, volunteered at The Children’s Place with a Deaf 1 year old, Madi. http://ocnjdaily.com/ochs-sign-language-students-help-deaf-toddler/ Please see the end of this newsletter for more ASL activities!!

Life Skills Program Ms. Laura Daniel (daughter of teacher Barb Daniel) visited the Life Skills Program students to demonstrate proper grooming techniques. Female students learned about hair, nail care, and how to apply makeup. Male students were instructed about shaving, hair care, and grooming.

The students (seated) Destiny McKeiver, Nick McDaniel, Trevon Dorn, Sam Bry, and Derek Frasca. (standing) Ryan Prettyman, Zach Ginet, Dillon Haskins, Laura Daniel, Victoria Bonino, and Sydnee Lisa.

National Popcorn Pep contest Miss Pohlidal’s and Mrs. Cook’s Family and Consumer Sciences classes won a 2nd place prize of $1,000 in the National Popcorn Pep Club contest. For the contest, schools from all over the U.S. were invited to showcase their team spirit and love of popcorn. The cooking classes created original popcorn recipes. The child development classes created crafts, learning games and educational tools for children between the ages of 5-6 using unpopped and popped popcorn. Independent living classes created motivational advertisements using popcorn to encourage a positive environment.

Boardwalk Chili Popcorn

From the Kitchen of Ocean City High School Family and Consumer Sciences

Ingredients

3 Tbsp vegetable oil 2 Tbsp butter ½ cup unpopped popcorn

½ tsp salt ¼ cup hot sauce 1 tsp salt

½ cup cooked bacon, chopped ½ Tbsp chili powder ½ cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

Heat the oil in a 2-3 quart saucepan or pot with a lid set over medium heat/high. Pour

in popcorn kernels and sprinkle ½ tsp salt.

Add the butter to the pot and cover with the lid. As soon as the kernels start to pop,

shake the pan back and forth across the burner constantly until the popping slows down.

As soon as the pops are about 2 seconds apart, remove from the heat.

In a separate bowl mix together the hot sauce, chili powder, 1 tsp salt, cheddar cheese

and chopped bacon. Combine with the popcorn. Enjoy!

On March 18th, 2016 Mrs. Capizola’s Italian II Advanced classes presented their annual food project. Each student was required to research an authentic Italian meal (its origin, ingredients, and tradition behind it) and prepare it for the rest of the class. This project was very successful in many ways: students learned about an essential component of the Italian culture and they had a chance to bond at home with grandparents or parents while preparing these delicious meals. Many students of Italian heritage felt more connected to their ancestors’ culture thanks to this project! Mrs. Capizola’s students prepared “espresso” for everyone with an Italian “caffettiera”.

Mainland, Ocean City, win first coding competition

at Stockton

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Teams from Mainland Regional and Ocean City high schools won the first computer coding competition sponsored by the Computer Science Teachers Association’s South Jersey chapter Friday at Stockton University. http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/education/mainland-ocean-city-win-first-coding-competition-at-stockton/article_44af3816-ed52-11e5-a82d-6b0f67798d32.html

OCHS March Monthly Fitness Challenge

Max. Pull-ups and Standing Long Jump Congratulations to the following participants for taking part in our Pull-

up and Broad jump competitions! Municipal Alliance Committee & FWF will be donating Prizes.

1st Place Male Student: Mike Gardner 17 pull-ups/ 101 inches 2nd Place Male Student: Adam King 8 pull-ups/ 95 inches 1st Place Female Student: Rachel Wright 49 sec. (flexed arm hang)/ 89 inches 2nd Place Female Student: Mikenzie Pearce 32 sec. (flexed arm hang)/ 75 inches 1st Place Male Staff: Mr. Kevin Mays 13 pull-ups/ 97 inches 2nd Place Male Staff: Mr. Joe Latorre 7 pull-ups/ 86 ½ inches

1st Place Administrator: Dr. Matt Jamison 10 pull-ups/ 92 ½ inches 1st Place Female Staff: Mrs. Amy Depasquale 4 pull-ups/ 58 inches P.S. Mr. Shane McGrath had 13 pull-ups, but he obviously can’t jump

70 inches

ASL EVENTS! On March 1st, 6 Deaf adults visited the ASL classes and formed a “Deaf Panel”. They each shared their backgrounds and students saw the diversity within the Deaf community. Students signed questions and had them answered in ASL. A 2009 OCHS graduate voice interpreted. All of the Deaf visitors stayed after school to practice with our

ASL 3 students preparing for the Seal of Biliteracy test on March 7th. The evening of March 3rd, the first ASL Honor Society Recognition Celebration was held in the community room. Twelve students earned the honor of being part of this national organization. During the celebration, students signed a short narrative about themselves, their plans for next year and the significance of ASL to them. Our guest speaker, Mrs. Michelle Cline, traveled all the way from Bloomingdale, NJ! She gave a truly inspirational speech about the students’ role as hearing individuals within Deaf Culture. Michelle is the former president of the NJ Association of the Deaf, on the Board and the Region 1 Representative for the National Association of the Deaf, and currently runs a residential treatment facility for Deaf and hard of hearing adolescents. Michelle finished by signing the song “Dare to Dream” to the students. OCHS graduate of 2010, Emily DuBruille was our interpreter and Sara Pustizzi (class of 2009), now a speech therapist, was there to support the

students as well. Six members of the local Deaf Community presented the ASLHS certificates and welcomed students into the Deaf Community.

Michelle Cline's song presentation to the new ASLHS members.mp4 On March 17th, Ms. Jacqueline McAlister (OCHS BOE) brought 19 Ocean City girl scouts between the ages of 6 – 11 to the ASL classroom. Four ASL seniors / ASLHS members did an introductory lesson for the girls about St. Patrick’s Day signs, Foreign Sign Languages around the world and De’Via Art. Before they left, the Girl Scouts were able to connect with one of our Deaf Community friends, Carrie Pogue, using the classroom video phone. This was a hit! The girls were very enthusiastic learners and a joy to have.

IMG_0257.mov

On March 18th, a professional Deaf artist from Baltimore visited the ASL classes. She presented to students about her job as a Deaf artist and where her inspiration comes from as well as her intended message with her art. That evening, from 6pm-8pm she led her first painting party to a cafeteria filled with 90 participants! Ashley Shaffer designed an original piece of Deaf Art, called De’Via Art, and took participants (both Deaf and hearing) step by step through the process of recreating her piece of art. This

was a fundraiser

ASL

Scholarships. This was hosted by the ASLHS students and the event raised $1,850.00.

On Monday March 21st, 30 students traveled to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the only liberal arts college for Deaf students in the country. All chaperones on the trip were Deaf, except for one parent, so students used ASL only, voice-off, throughout the bus ride, time on Gallaudet’s campus and bus ride home. One student said, “When I got off the bus and said HI to a friend, I told her she was the first person I had SPOKEN to all day!” Students had a tour of the campus, led by a current Deaf Gallaudet student. Our chaperones were alumni of Gallaudet so they supplemented with their own stories as well. Then students ate in the student cafeteria with the Deaf college students – once again ASL only and voice off. After visiting the book store, we headed home. The most popular reaction from students was that it felt like being in a different country where Deafness and ASL was the majority culture and language and being hearing, using spoken English was a minority – a very new experience for many of them.