CONGRATULATIONS!

From left, Ocean City Chief Education Officer Dr. Kathy Taylor congratulates Ocean City High School American Sign Language (ASL) teacher and the 2017-18 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year Amy T. Andersen. Joining them are Atlantic and Cape May Executive County Superintendent Dr. Richard Stepura and Ocean City HS Principal Dr. Matthew Jamison. 2017-2018 New Jersey Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to the 2017 Homecoming Queen and her Court. Caroline Byrne was crowned queen by Dr. Matthew Jamison and 2016 Homecoming Queen, Brittany Stein on October 20th

during half time of the game against Mainland. Jenna Cordery was first runner up, Aimee Perry was second runner up and Hannah Capito was third runner up. The other members of the court were. Grace Bromhead, Caroline Byrne, Grace Haviland, Hannah Stanks, and Ariel Stell Special thanks to Senior Class Advisors Mrs. Wendy McNally and Mr. George McNally for coordinating this event. Thank you to Spinning Wheel Flower Shop for their generous donation of flowers for the queen, her court and their escorts.

Pictures from left to right: Jenna Cordery, Hannah Capito, Grace Bromhead, Ariel Stell,

Grace Haviland, Aimee Perry, Caroline Byrne and Hannah Stanks

Each senior 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. Avi Rabia was the Rotary Club Student of the Month.

William Mack was the Exchange Club Student of the Month.

OCHS Students of the Month Melissa Kampf - Melissa, a senior at OCHS, is described by her teachers as intelligent,

friendly, positive and motivated . . . all while greeting you with a smile. One teacher commented that Melissa is always an enthusiastic, positive member of class and finds ways to include everyone in-group activities. Another teacher stated that Melissa is polite, both in and out of the classroom, to her classmates and all individuals that she crosses paths with on a daily basis.

Luke Meli - Josh, a junior at OCHS, is described by his teachers as both hard working and

respectful. One teacher commented that along with Luke’s great attitude, he also realizes that there are no shortcuts when it comes to doing well with schoolwork and this will lead him to a great future. Other teachers stated that Luke is a true leader in class through both his pleasant demeanor and leadership persona.

On Sunday October 22, 2017 Ocean City High School recognized its athletic alumni and

inducted members into the Ocean City High School Sports Hall of Fame. The inductees included Phil Birnbaum, Jen Blizzard, Leon Brown, Ralph Carson, Mike Naples, Kevin Sinclair, Abbey Woolley, and the 1996 Football Team. All those inducted were more than grateful, and wished to thank their past coaches, friends, and teammates. The induction ceremony was followed by a luncheon in the cafeteria.

World Mental Health Day Ocean City High School students marked World Mental Health Day by getting involved with the wellness center. The Wellness Center opened at the start of the school year to provide a more specific place for students to relax, de-stress and get connected to mental health resources and help. Students came in and out of the wellness center during community lunch period Tuesday morning. Some stopped by only for a few minutes to pick up some pamphlets and snacks, while others painted and wrote positive messages on poster paper, sat on the various comfy couches and chairs with friends to eat lunch, or practiced some moves while balancing on yoga mats.

Week of Respect

A guest speaker was at OCHS for Red Ribbon Week, School Safety Week and Week of Respect on October 18th. Dr. Fowlin, who prefers to go by “Mykee” has a background in theatre and a doctorate in psychology. His one-man show portrays a combination of both talents by making you laugh and consider why you are laughing at the same time. His mission is to create an atmosphere of worldwide inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. Mykee plays several characters on stage, connecting the dots of diversity and breaking the stigma of stereotyping. The experience of developing an identity as a young person is unique to each individual and Mykee’s presentation encourages student to expand their minds and preconceived thoughts. None of the characters are as they seem and it points out the importance of not judging a book by its cover. Students participated in the Chalk Message Project on October 6. The “You Are Loved” chalk message project that originated at the college level as a suicide prevention program encourages students to write positive messages to their peers that are uplifting and empowering and can change the course of their day.

“Linking Up Against Violence” On the day of October 19, we had a student activity where students were able to pledge their name to maintain a non-violent school environment, their name was added as a part of a ‘chain’

to represent the school community working together.

Red Ribbon Week (Oct 23-31)

Red Ribbon Week was kicked off on Tuesday October 24th with a showing of a Natural High video which promotes pro-social activities and drug-free lifestyles which told the story of Queen Harrison, an Olympic track athlete. STOP Club had a table set up during lunch promoting the organization Natural High. “What is your natural high?” activity encouraged students were able to highlight their healthy drug-free activities and have their pictures displayed. These pictures were then displayed on the monitors

throughout the week to encourage prosocial activities for all students. Friday, October 27 students pledged to be drug free by sporting a red ribbon stamp on their

wrists

SADD Club members participated in Red Ribbon Week Activities—the annual event to raise awareness on drug and alcohol abuse. Monday 10/23: Give Drugs Da Boot!

Tuesday 10/24: Team Up Against Drugs!

Wednesday 10/25: Wacky Wed Wibbon Day!

Thursday 10/26: Denim Against Drugs Friday 10/27: Red Pledge To Be Drug Free!

The freshman PE classes finished up the ropes course unit by going over the wall. This is the culmination of their team building.

PSAT testing took place on October 11th. In addition to being a precursor to the SAT and a valuable guidance instrument, the PSAT could potentially fulfill the testing requirement for graduation mandated by the state of New Jersey. The school district assumed all costs for the test. By taking the PSAT all juniors were automatically enrolled in the National Merit Scholarship program. We had 845 students take the test. While they were testing, seniors participated in Senior Workshops. The workshops included a general college application presentation; healthy lifestyle choices; and essay/resume writing

The Men’s Choir, along with OCIS 8th grade boys, attended Rowan University’s “Young Men’s Festival of Song” on Oct. 25. Attendance totaled 564 young men in grades 8-12. They worked with Dr. Christopher Thomas of Rowan University learning two songs culminating the day with a mini-performance for all teachers and chaperones. It was a day full of singing, comradery, and fun!

Concert Choir had an early morning departure to attend Montclair State University’s ChoralFest 2017 High School Choral Invitational. They were one of six choirs which spent the day in peer-to-peer performances, MSU faculty adjudication, a private choral workshop with MSU’s Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Heather Buchanan, and a private vocal technique workshop with MSU’s Coordinator of Vocal Studies, Dr. Lori McCann. It was a fantastic day; the choir

sang beautifully, and were great sports during the workshops. I encourage you to ask the girls about their experiences.”

On October 7th, the Red Raider “Howie” Band performed in the Sea Isle City Columbus Day Parade.

SADD Club, REBEL Club, and STOP Club joined the Ocean City Primary School for Fire Safety Week. Members of each club worked with Kindergarten and 1st Graders on fire safety skills and joined students for a trip to the Ocean City Fire Department. Activities

included reading and discussing Clifford the Firehouse Dog,

completing a Fire Safety maze, putting out a

simulated house fire,

performing the Stop,

Drop and Roll actions, and other Fire Safety Week tasks.

Mixed Doubles Pickleball - sponsored by the Open Gym Club!

History Club participated in the annual volleyball competition on Tuesday after school. They played against Spanish/Italian and French Clubs to emerge victorious for the second year running. Thank you to French Club for organizing the event.

A big wave of thanks to the Key

Clubbers who attended the 32nd annual Clean Action Beach Sweep in Ocean City on

October 21st. There were an estimated 3,00 volunteers at 57 beach sties from Cape May to

Keyport, as well as in watersheds throughout the state.

Each volunteer’s data and findings will be complied into the 2017 annual report to help reduce marine litter and support the initiatives for clean water. Through these events, volunteers are able to make a positive impact on the coast and marine environment

On Saturday, October 21st, 16 volunteers from

the OCHS Interact Club participated in Clean Ocean Action's Statewide Beach Sweep. Students were given the area to clean from 5th to 8th street beaches including 6th Street Civic Center parking lot as well help clean the trash in the high school bleachers after Friday night’s football game. The club picked up over 400 cigarettes, more than 700 plastic bottles, and almost 200 food wrappers among many other things. As high school division of the Upper Township/Ocean City Rotary, the Interact Club looks forward to service projects such as this one. We work on a local level in addition to an international level. We love to hear fresh ideas and welcome new members! For more information about Interact Club you can contact Ms Jennifer Dean, the club's advisor in Room A217 or jdean@ocsdnj. org

This past Sunday, Key Clubbers and Interact Club braved the wind and rain to join other clubs and groups from OCHS, as well as from around South Jersey for the Hero Walk and 5K Race. The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers®, seeks to end drunk driving tragedies nationwide by promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers. Their goal is to register one million designated drivers and make having a designated driver be as automatic as wearing a seatbelt.

Spirit Week