OceanCityHigh School Principal’s Report
March, 2010
CONGRATULATIONS!
For its exemplary record of leadership, service and activities that serve to improve the school and community, Ocean City High School has been awarded a 2010 National Gold Council of Excellence Award by the National Association of Student Councils. Over 150 high schools were named National Councils of Excellence but OCHS is one of 131 of those high schools nationwide to receive the highly-esteemed honor of being named a National Gold Council of Excellence. Congratulations!!
Congratulations to Mr.OCHS 2010 Lee Cortopassi. Cheerleaders, Jordan Weisbecker, Sami Rumer, Nikki Boylan,and Melissa Bolognospent two weeks choreographing dances and fitness routines and teachingthe contestants. The contestants performed to an almost sold out audience. First Runner Up–Chris Curran,Second Runner Up –Will Wiggins, Third Runner Up–Frank Ungerand Mr. Congeniality –Ryan Zahrend. Special thanks to the other contestantsKeenan Murray, Cory Nickerson and Philip Nappen. The Cinema Production Club is selling DVDs of this show. Ms. Brenda Colón and Mrs. Kathy Sykes would like to thank the judges – Mrs. Cathy Finnegan, Mr. Peter Madden, Ms. Kristy Benton 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.
Class of 2010 senior, Alex Wallace, earned his Eagle Scout through Troop 32 of Ocean City, NJ. Alex’s project consisted of working with the city officials to develop and designate a practice parallel parking space that is located on Shelter Road in Ocean City. Alex’s project will afford students preparing for their driver license a safe location to practice their parallel parking skill.
The members of the Leadership Clubwould like to announce the March staff members of the month:
Mrs. Karen Holder – Support Staff Member of the Month
Mr. Chris Clark – Faculty Member of the Month
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Thanks to the entire Ocean City High School community for their support of the 2010 Red Cross Blood Drive. The students and staff who participated helped to make the 2010 Blood Drive the most productive drive ever at OCHS! The Red Cross staff continually compliments our students for their conduct and level of community service.
We would like to thank the following for their support:Dr. Jamison and the High School Administration, Mrs. Phyllis Turner (Interact Club Advisor), Mr. Gannon and the Custodial staff, Mrs. Workman, the Physical Education Department, the Attendance Office, and all of the staff who participated as well as voluntarily covered classes for staff donors.
Special congratulations to the Student Council Red Cross volunteers:Marie Weatherill, Vince DeSantis, Sean Herron, Sam Stone, Sam Piergross, Ricky Eiselen(Interact), Miles Schoedler, Luke Hogan, Lexis Petrella, Jimmy O’Connor, Jimmy Handshaw, Jillian Baltz, Jenna Nickas, Greg Jones, Emily Walsh, Cody Barr, Andrew DeMaria, Jordan Ippolito, Ryan Zahrend, Tyler Bryce, Charlie Wowlkanech, RJ Pullyblank(Interact), Casey Hughes, Lee Cortoposi, and Will Wiggins.
The Student Council Steering Committee who organized the entire Blood Drive: Cindy Keenan (President), Amanda Catanoso (Senior Executive), TJ Heist (Sergeant-at-Arms), and Alyssa Vogel (Corresponding Secretary)
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES AND VISITORS
Miss Norton would like to announce the winners of her create a raider retailers flyer using Microsoft Publisher contest that she sponsored for her TIES classes. Students had to use their Microsoft Publisher skills learned in their TIES class, access the Raider Retailers school web page, and use school store information and pictures to create their advertising flyer. Flyer entries were examined by former Raider Retailers employees and winners were selected by them as well! The winners are:
Period 2:Megan StewartPeriod 3:CarleyDelsordo
Period 4/5:Nathan RobertsPeriod 7/8:Anya Harris
Period 9/10:Brooke Zukawski
Congratulations to the following students of Mrs. Kathleen Ghanavati’s Chemistry class for the winning posters in the City of Ocean City’s Environmental Poster contest. The students will be honored with a certificate and prize at the Earth Day festival. They are Kaitlin Kirkpatrick, Carolyn Hartman, David Dwer and Amelia Steelman. The posters will be on display at the OCHS Ecology Club table .
OCHS BAND
The Ocean City Band Boosters held its annual Band Booster Pasta Dinner on Friday, March 19. There were approximately 200 people in attendance. All the guests were served by members of the concert band and wind ensemble. Mr. John Feairheller cooked all the pasta, sauce and meatballs for the dinner, and the band parents organized and served from the kitchen. Music was provided by the OCHS Red Raider Jazz Band and Rock Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Donna Schwartz and Mr. Tym Cox.
Some of the selections performed were Roll’Em by Duke Ellington, Feels So Good by Chuck Mangione,Summer Wind, I Get A Kick Out Of You, Maiden Voyage, Cantaloupe Island, Take the A Train, just to name a few. All the guests expressed their appreciation to all the band members and had a very enjoyable evening.
The Ocean City High School Red Raider Jazz Band will be holding their annual concert on March 25.Some of our selections will include: The Look of Love,Witchcraft,Come Fly With Me,Summer Wind, and Feels So Good - just to name a few. We will be joined by the Upper Township Middle School Jazz Band for the finale of Van Morrison’s Domino. Doors open at 7:30
CLUB ACTIVITIES
French students in levels 3,4, and 5 will be cooking foods from Northern Africa and the Caribbean on March 24th. Students from French 1-5 classes will be going to NYC on March 31st to have lunch at Pigalle and to see the show “In The Heights”.
On March 29 Spanish Club is cooking different Spanish Tapas in the foods room to give students an opportunity to taste some authentic Spanish dishes. Twenty three students have signed-up to participate in the making of these delicious tapas.
On March 10th, Nicole Milan-Tyner, Kim McAllister and Constance Pinkston, representatives from Gilda’s Club South Jersey, came to our OCHS Gilda’s Club meeting. The topic of our meeting was HowTo Deal With Loss. We discussed how to deal with loss ofa family member, friend or pet; our reactions to loss; similarities and differences when dealing with loss; and how to keep loved ones memories alive and celebratetheir lives.
On March 11th, representatives from Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions came to OCHS to distribute and review Practice SAT and ACT test scores for parents and students. Students had the opportunity to take this Practice SAT/ACT Test on February 27th. This was a great way for students to determine which test they should take in the future……..and it was a great fundraising activity for OCHS Gilda’s Club with all proceeds to be donated to Gilda’s Club South Jersey
The Senior Dinner Dance was attended by 90 seniors who enjoyed the great buffet provided by Greate Bay and the great music provided by DJ Scot Rainear. It was a fun evening! We are now in the process of designing our senior t-shirts and should have order forms ready in early April.
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
Beginning in February, the Student Council began selling Carnations as their annual fundraiser towards the NJASC State Charity: Family Reach Foundation. The carnations are pre-ordered and purchased from Spinning Wheel Florists. The members assembled the flowers on February 12. They sold close to 300 carnations and delivered them to students in their homerooms right before Valentine’s Day.
On February 9, the Student Council Blood Drive Committee met with a woman from the American Red Cross to explain what happens on the day of the drive. The students learned how the day progresses and what needs to happen in order to have a successful drive. Students began making preparations throughout the month of February for the blood drive scheduled March 9th.
On February 22, the Student Council Videogame Tournament committee met to discuss the logistical set up of the tournament and which games were to be played. The tournament was scheduled for February 25th but due to weather it was cancelled.
On February 24, the Student Council assisted the American Red Cross in hosting an assembly for the donors. The assembly explained to students the importance of giving blood and who blood donations help. The students collected over 300 donor cards and spent the remainder of the month preparing for the drive. A time schedule for the donors were made as well as passes sent to each student who planned to donate.
On March 9, the Student Council held their annual blood drive. The students helped assemble the donor room and break room. The committee members helped out at registration and at recovery as a blood buddy. Throughout the day students came down to the Auxiliary Gym during their allotted time and donated blood. They collected close to 300 pints, which saves near 900 lives.
JURIED ART SHOW
The annual juried art show was March 9th in the library. Sixty-seven pieces of art work were on display. Shawna Mulford, a former art club president and the individual who originated the juried art show, was a judge in addition to long time judges Gail Ping and local artist Marian Talese. Sixteen winners were selected from various art criteria: Best of Show – Lilly O’Brien, Photography – Caroline Hartman, Sculpture – Jimmy McMaster, Freshman – Toni Palma, Sophomore – Lilly O’Brien, Junior – Alyson Roberts, Senior – Valerie Lang and Audience Appeal went to Toni Palma. Congratulations to all winners and thanks to all participants.
NHS HOMEWORK CLUB
The NHS is comprised of 80 upperclassman who, as members of the NHS, are dedicated to academics and service in their school community. The NHS will sponsor a Homework Club Monday through Thursday after school in the library from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The OCHS library is staffed through 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday to help and supervise students. There will be at least three NHS members available for tutoring and homework help each day. There is no charge to the families or students for this service. Additionally, the NHS members can also give study tips and provide a positive perspective on academics to the students that they are helping.
Any student may attend Homework Club at any time. Signing up is not required. Students may stay for as long as they feel necessary – 10 minutes or the full 90 minutes. The NHS member will sign the student in and out.Records of the attendees will kept by the NHS Advisor, Ms. Michelle Dill. If you would like to check on your child and see the times and days he or she has attended, you can email Ms. Dill at .
This opportunity is a great way to help get your child on track with their homework and studies in general. It is my hope that you encourage your students to participate in the Homework Club. Late bus transportation home is provided after school at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Parents are encouraged to contact Ms. Dill if they have any questions about the NHS Homework Club.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Sixty-two ASL students have begun planning for our annual ASL Show and Fundraiser “ASL IDOL: SIGNING FOR HAITI” ! Students have selected the InstitutMonfort as this year’s recipient. The Institut Montfort has over six hundred Deaf and Deaf/blind children in three locations in Haiti, the majority were in Port Au Prince. Similar to past years, students will also be raising money for scholarships to be awarded to seniors going on to pursue ASL-related fields. Last year, there were 8 scholarships awarded and a total of $2,000 was raised! Deaf community members from throughout NJ and Pennsylvania traveled to Ocean City to watch our students perform and the hearing audience members were mesmerized by the skillful signing Ocean City High School students consistently demonstrate.
This year’s show will be on June 4th, Friday night at 7:00pm and June 5th, Saturday at 1:00 pm in the OCHS Auditorium. Mark your calendars! This proves to be our best show yet!
LIBRARY ACTIVITIES
I AM WOMAN: WHO AM I?The annual Women’s History Month Program was presented by members of Mrs. Santoro’s period 3 public speaking class in our libraryon Wednesday, March 31, 2010during period 3.Students role-played notable American women and members of the audience won prizes by correctly identifying the women portrayed.
On Tuesday, March 11, 2010, the 9thannual TriviathonMathathon for St. Jude’s Research Hospitals for Children was held in the library from 2:30 p. m.– 3:30 p. m. Ms. Vicaricoordinated the event to raise funds for cancer research and treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospitals throughout the world. OCHS Student Council members, along with Mr. Matthew Purdue, and student library aides worked with Mrs. Debbie Rosander and Mr. John Kemenosh’s 5th grade studentsfrom the Ocean City Intermediate School. The OCHS Psychology Club advised by Mrs. Linda Spengler and Mrs. Mimi Fleming also participated. Students collected donations or had sponsors pledge money for the number of trivia questions or math problems they answered correctly.
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.
Connor Ortolf was the Rotary Club Student of the Month.
Jenna Nickaswas the Exchange Club Student of the Month.