Ocean City High School Principal’s Report

April, 2015

CONGRATULATIONS! Junior Nickolas Eisele has been accepted to attend the 2015 Governor’s School of Engineering & Technology at Rutgers University. Governor's School of New Jersey is a unique summer program committed to meeting the educational needs of academically talented high school students who have completed their junior year. Emphasis is placed on problem solving of complex issues that exist on a local, state, national, and international level, and leadership training. The Governor's School is an intensive residential learning experience held on two college campuses throughout the state. The admissions process is highly competitive and qualified students not only have outstanding test scores and rank at the top of their class, they are also devoted to engineering, technology, mathematics, and science. Nick will spend four weeks on campus taking five academic classes, completing an intensive research and/or design project in a group of 3 - 5 students, going on site visits to local corporations, and meeting equally talented peers and professionals from across the state.

Junior Julianna Kemenosh has been accepted to attend the 2015 New Jersey Governor’s School for the Sciences for three weeks at the Drew University. The New Jersey Governor’s School in the Sciences (NJGSS) has several objectives. The first is to broaden the scholars’ appreciation and knowledge of science through exposure to a range of scientific topics and scientists. The subject of career exploration and choice is woven throughout the program. The second objective is to introduce scientific research to the scholars via hands-on research experience in a student’s area of interest. Resources from New Jersey’s industrial, governmental, and academic science establishments are used. The selection process is very selective. Prospective attendees must be nominated by their high school and complete a rigorous application including writing multiple essays.

Boys and Girls State

Boys State (held at Rider University) and Girls State (held at Georgian Court University) are selective summer programs where talented students from around the state are brought together to learn the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a franchised citizen as well as actively participate in the operation of a working government. Boys State: Joey Clifford, Dante Monteleone, Brendan McClure Girls State: Taylor Hazlett, Danielle Lloyd, Maria Farnan Juniors Liza Milov and Minh Vu have been accepted to attend the 2015 New Jersey Scholars Program for five weeks at the Lawrenceville School. The mission of the New Jersey Scholars Program is to reach out to 39 able and enthusiastic residents of New Jersey who are rising seniors and who come from a broad socio-economic, ethnic and racial cross-section of the state's population. The Program creates an intense, interdisciplinary intellectual experience that will change their lives -- to awaken in them the awareness of their potential to achieve academic excellence. The rigorous admissions process consisted of multiple interviews as well as writing essays. This is the first time both applicants from Ocean City High

School were accepted since 2008.

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. Madison Knapp was the Rotary Club Student of the Month.

Nathanial Trofa was the Exchange Club Student of the Month

Ocean City High School & the Cape Atlantic School

Counselor’s Association’s College Fair On March 24th, a college fair was held on the campus of Richard Stockton College that was co-sponsored by Ocean City High School and the Cape Atlantic School Counselor’s Association. Students and their families had the opportunity to speak with over 80 college representatives that were in attendance. Our student body was well represented as close to 100 students came out to enjoy and take advantage of the event. Also, the guidance department held a raffle for any student that attended the fair, and junior,

Sarahjane Hehre, was the lucky winner of the drawing and won a new iPad mini! The entire guidance department would like to extend thanks to all involved who helped make this fair into a successful and productive event for our students!

Pictured is Sarahjane Hehre with her new iPad mini

America’s Most Challenging Schools The Washington Post recently published a rank list of America’s Most Challenging High Schools. This list includes public charter and college sponsored schools, in fact the top 20 are all this type of school. The index used was the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year and divide by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. The Challenge Index is designed to identify schools that have done the best job in persuading average students to take college-level courses and actually take the tests (this is very important).

All schools that had a Challenge Index of 1 or higher made the list. This year, 2014, just 11 percent of the approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools managed to reach that standard and earn placement on the list for a total of 2,325 high schools. OCHS had a national rank of 1,485 which places us in the top 6%-7% in the nation based on the High School Challenge Index. New Jersey had 135 high schools on the list. Only Five SJ High Schools were in the NJ top 50

Princeton #5 West Windsor #19 Haddonfield #31 Woodbury #32 Ocean City #47

For more information: http://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/

OCHS Receives National Student Council Award

For its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Ocean City High School student council has been awarded a 2015 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils (NASC).

“Receiving an NASC National Gold Council of Excellence Award reflects the highest dedication on the part of the school to providing a strong, well-rounded student council program,” said Ann Postlewaite, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) student programs director. “NASC applauds the work of the National Gold Councils of Excellence and challenges them to continue their leadership and service to their schools and communities.” To meet the requirements for the NASC National Council of Excellence Award, a student council must meet a variety of criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as a written constitution, regular meetings, a democratic election process, and membership in NASC, councils demonstrate things such as leadership training for council members, teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning, and active participation in state and national student council associations. Those councils awarded the gold level have successfully demonstrated the highest levels of leadership. To learn more about the national Council of Excellence Award, visit

www.nasc.us/ncoe

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AND

VISITORS NJ Superior Court Justice Savio spoke to US History classes about how the justice system works in NJ. He explained how the

constitution is still the basis of our justice system. He used real examples of how the law is applied to various crimes.

April is and on Thursday, April 2, 2015

OCHS hosted their 4th annual World Autism Awareness day. Alec Helm, a senior at OCHS helped organize and coordinate the Autism Awareness Day in conjunction with the special education department, life skills class, best buddies program and administrators. The students and faculty participated in a “blue out” by wearing something blue and participated in a bubble blowing event during community lunch. The Red Retailers school store which is run by the Life Skills class also sold items made by the class to promote Autism Awareness. Alec also purchased autism bracelets which were sold in the school store. All proceeds are going to be donated to

Autism Speaks.

FINANCIAL LITERACY CLASSES LEARN HOW TO DO THEIR OWN FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS!

Our OCHS Financial Literacy students (taught by Mrs. Deb Cathcart, Mr. Brent Earl, Mr. Craig Mensinger and Miss Sharon Norton) just completed their tax preparation unit!! Students were taught how to read and complete a W-4 Form (many students in the classes will begin their first job this summer and will fill out their very first W-4 form!) and why they need to fill out a W-4 Form for their employers.

Next, students were taught how to read a 1099 Form (Bank Interest) and shown what line on their 1040EZ Form (Line 2) they will need to put this interest amount. The W-2 Form came next. Students were shown the most important boxes (wages and federal income tax withheld) that students will need to complete lines 1 and 7 on their 1040EZ Form and what they need to do if they had more than one job throughout the year. Students were shown when their W-2 Forms should be sent to them and how important it is to keep in contact with their employers IF their personal address changes throughout the year! Students were given many "clients" to use to complete their 1040 EZ Forms. Some clients were claimed as dependents (just like the students). They were taught how to calculate line 5 using the

worksheet for dependents on the second page of their 1040EZ. Other clients were not claimed as dependents,

and students learned the amount they needed to place on Line 5. Learning how to read a tax table allowed

students to complete line 10. They learned the difference between single, married filing separately, married filing jointly and head of household.

Most of their clients received refunds...while others owed money. In all, students experienced a "real

life financial experience"...one we hope they will learn from and use the remainder of their lives!

WAY TO GO FINANCIAL LITERACY STUDENTS!!!!!!!

Ocean City Health and Physical Education Department The maiden voyage of the Ocean City High School biking class was held Friday, April 24th at 10:15am. Superintendent of schools Dr. Kathleen Taylor, Board President Joe Clark and members of the Sea Isle and Ocean City Boards of Education, the Ocean Police Department along with the members of the Mayors Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Sports were in attendance for the ribbon cutting.

Take Your Child To

Work Day

On March 23, 2015, a sophomore at

Ocean City High School, who is battling cancer. Megan Duffey, OCIS Student Council Advisor, and her OCIS Student Council students took orders for BE BRAVE AND SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS tie dyed t-shirts. The OC Intermediate School's Spirit Week Motto was BE BRAVE AND SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS and all proceeds from the OCIS Lip Sync Contest on March 23rd as well as the Be Brave t-shirt sales went to help Sarah and her family. The OCHS staff who wore their Be Brave And Show Your True Colors t-shirts on the 23rd to

honor Sarah were: Christine Barnes, Katie Bell, John Bruno, Cheryl Clearkin, Barbara

Daniel, Jenn Dean, Rachel DeVault, Angelo DiBartolo, Michelle Dill, Gina DiLorenzo,

Kim Donoghue, Colleen Dwyer, Sharon Elco, Devon Fogerty, Catherine Georges, Kelly

Halliday, Kim Jesperson,. Debbie Kafkalas, Beth Kelly, Bev Masters, Sean Matthews,

Diane McManus, Bill Nickles, Sharon Norton, Lisa O'Neill, Tobi Oves, Patricia Pepe,

Donna Schwartz, Nicole Schweim, Mari-Anne Segich, and Gretchen Smith

LIFE SKILLS FINANCIAL LITERACY STUDENTS

CELEBRATE OUR OC STAFF!

Who has the BEST SCHOOL DISTRICT STAFF?!?!? Ocean City does!! Miss Norton's and Mrs. Master's Period 5 Life Skills Financial Literacy students decided they wanted to CELEBRATE THE STAFF here at OCHS, the OC Board Office and the OC District Administrative Professionals. They discussed what type of goodies they wanted to create and what their cards/messages would include to honor the staff. Each student had a task during the gift creation assembly process: RYAN PRETTYMAN: Cut ribbon, assembled 10 mints for each glass container, helped put tissue paper in the gift bags, helped put

Administrative Professional goodie jars in each bag, helped put candy in each staff plastic bag, placed staff bags in mailboxes and helped deliver the Administrative Professional and Board

Personnel gift bags on April 23rd. GEORGIE RAUNER: Cut ribbon, assembled 5 chocolate bars for each glass container, helped put tissue paper in gift bags, helped put Administrative Professional goodie jars in each bag, helped put candy in each staff plastic bag, placed staff bags in mailboxes and

helped deliver the Administrative Professional and Board Personnel gift bags on April 23rd. ADRIANNO MODUGNO: Cut ribbon, assembled 6 Tootsie Rolls for each glass container, and helped put candy in each staff plastic bag.

VICTORIA BONINO: Cut ribbon, assembled 7 mints for each glass container, helped put tissue paper in gift bags, helped put Administrative Professional goodie jars in each bag, helped put candy in each staff plastic bag, placed staff bags in mailboxes and helped deliver the Administrative

Professional and Board Personnel gift bags on April 23rd. DESTINY MCKEIVER: Cut ribbon, helped put candy in each staff plastic bag, placed staff bags in mailboxes and helped deliver the Administrative Professional and Board Personnel gift bags on April 23rd.

The students worked well individually and as a team to create a little treat to brighten up everyone's day!!! THANK YOU TO OUR STAFF FOR THEIR HARD

WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS!

Please see this story on our student’s success at the Consumer Bowl: http://www.shorenewstoday.com/ocean_city/news/ochs-represents-county-in-state-consumer-bowl/article_6783b2d8-eab3-11e4-a3f1-9faed2daceeb.html

OCHS April Fitness Results High School Challenge: Broad Jump and Football Accuracy Throw

Broad Jump Females 1st Place Girl = Rachael Wright 7 ft. 7 inches 2nd Place Girl = Dominique Evans 5 ft. 10 inches 3rd Place Girl = Erin Myers 5 ft. 5 inches Broad Jump Males 1st Place Boy = Pat Jones 9 ft. 9 inches 2nd Place Boy = Joe Walkowiak 9 ft. 1 inch 3rd Place Boy = Jared Jones 8 ft. 11 inches Broad Jump Male Staff 1st Place Male = Mr. Matthews 7 ft. 9 inches Broad Jump Female Staff 1st Place Female = Mrs. DePasquale 4 ft. 10 inches Top Administrator: Dr. Jamison at 6 ft. 11 ½ inches Football Accuracy Throw: Top Males Students: John Sheldon, Eric Levai, Joe Walkowiak, Jon Fourke, Zach Alteri - all 2 for 3 Top Male Staff: Mr. McGrath 2 for 3 Thank you to the following High School Participants: Matt Harper, Chris Heist, Erin Myers, Jeff Dahl, Craig Nordberg, Calen Connell, Matt Oleksiak, John Sheldon, Joe Loggi, Christian Baumgarner, Nick Brady, T.J. Rumer, Shane Rauner, Jared Jones, Garrett Jones, Jenna McGrath, Jeff Payne, Jacob Davis, Jeremy Grund, Kevin Catanoso, Matt DiMarino, Chris Robertson, Pat McCarron, Pat Jones, Rachael Wright, Kyle Callahan, Dan Henderson, Trevor Williamson, Jeff Edwards, Kyle Edwards, Emily Rutter, Grace Rutter, Karissa Bourbeau, Brian Tozer, Jason Warner, Dominque Evans, Reed Baker, Brandi Richards, Alyssa McGuigan, Rob Lane, Jon Fourke, Zach Alteri, Doug Shallcross, Eric Easterly, Tucker Perkins, Joey Dilks Dr. Jamison, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Matthews, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Latorre, Mrs. Depasquale, Lisa Rumer, Officer Elias