OCEAN Newsletter
September 16, 2023
Here are the new announcements in this newsletter:
- Student Photos Monday Sept 18
- Volunteers Needed for Thursday Robotics
- Sign up for Music with Ms. Clark
- Bike Team Info for Sept 18
- 9/22 Mahan Family Homestead Field Trip
- 9/29 Study Hall Starts at 12:30pm
- 9/29 High School Plant Biology Field Trip
- Bike-a- Thon on Monday, October 16
- School Safety: ALICE Safety Drill
- Healthy Youth Survey
New announcements:
Student Photos, Monday 9/18
School photos will be Monday September 18. Picture make-up day is October 24.
- Students in grades 6-12 will have photos taken during regularly scheduled class times.
- Students in grades K-5 can come at 1:10pm to the OCEAN office to have pictures taken, or can plan for photos on make up day on Tuesday, October 24.
If you wish to order school pictures, you can prepay for school photos by clicking on this link.
Volunteers Need for Robotics Thursday 12:40-1:50pm
Adult volunteers needed to help Gabi Ashford with the OCEAN robotics program. It is a 12 week program and starts next week. It takes place on Thursdays from 12:40-1:50 (and clean up from 1:50-2:00). No prior experience needed- just a background check found here. Contact MB for more information: marmstrong@ptschools.org
Sign up for Music with Ms. Clarke
Did you miss music sign up with Ms. Clarke? Sign up for music classes here.
If you want your student to join a different enrichment class (not Ms. Clarke's music) please let the teacher know and they will get you added to the roster. Boats if full with a waitlist.
Bike Team Info
BIKE TEAM FAMILIES: September 18th: Pick up your student at the Recyclery at 3:00. We will meet at OCEAN at our normal time and will be biking to the Recyclery for lessons in bike maintenance. The Recyclery is located at 1925 Blaine Street in Port Townsend (near the dog park and YMCA). Students will need to bring their bike and helmet from home.
9/22 Mahan Family Homestead Field Trip
CHAPERONE VOLUNTEER FORM: If you want to go to be a chaperone, make sure you fill out volunteer paperwork. You only need to complete this ONCE every other year. Select this link
Who: K-12th Graders
When: Friday September 22nd
Meeting Time: 9:15 AM in Daniel’s classroom
Trip Leaves OCEAN: 9:30 AM
Arrive to Homestead: 10:00 AM
We will be visiting the Mahan Family Homestead.
Activities include: Apple picking, honey harvest, animal exploration and learning more about homestead family culture.
NOTE: The farm is off the grid so bathroom’s available are an outhouse. There will be activities around bees, so students and parents need to be aware that bee stings are possible, allergic people need to be prepared. Wasps/hornets are also around alot this year.
Leave Homestead: 1:00 PM
Trip Returns to OCEAN: 1:30 PM
What to bring: Backpack to carry your water bottle, lunch, and snacks. Wear comfortable hiking shoes/boots to walk in any terrain, rain gear, and layers. Be prepared for changes in weather.
Email: kfritchman@ptschools.org OR dmolotsky@ptschools.org Call/Text: 360-379-4248
RSVP and Return field trip permission slips by September 18th (Monday).
Need a school lunch for the field trip? Email Koyuki by September 15th.
9/29 Study Hall Starts at 12:30pm
This is just a reminder that our Friday Study Hall on 9/29 will not begin until 12:30 PM, since Kyle and I will be on a field trip with HS students.
9/29 High School Plant Biology Field Trip
Who: 9-12th Graders in Plant Biology (high school only)
When: Friday September 29th
Meeting Time: 8:45 AM @ Fort Worden Kitchen Shelter
Meet with Washington Native Plant Society
Hike in Fort Worden and identify native plant species
Learn how to use iNaturalist
Make observations of different plant types
Journaling activity with Katie on the beach
Invasive species identification
Nearshore habitat
Endangered species - Sand Verbena Moth
Trip Ends: 12:00 PM @ Fort Worden Kitchen Shelter
What to bring: Backpack to carry your water bottle, lunch, and snacks. Wear comfortable hiking shoes to walk in any terrain, rain gear, and layers. Be prepared for changes in weather.
Email: kreynolds@ptschools.org
Call/Text: 360-379-4251
RSVP and Return field trip permission slips by September 25th (Monday).
Bike-a- Thon on Monday, October 16
The OCEAN ASB is hosting a Bike-a- Thon on Monday, October 16. All grade levels are encouraged to participate. Students collect pledges for riding a certain distance, setting a realistic riding goal based on their age and development.
Look for more information, including pledge sheets, soon. We also need a few parent volunteers to ride with students. If you'd like to volunteer or have any questions please contact oceank12asb@gmail.com
School Safety: ALICE Safety Drill
In the next few weeks students will be participating in a review of the ALICE protocols to utilize in the event of a school emergency regarding intruders and school shootings. The review will be age appropriate. For elementary students we will discuss how to follow directions in an emergency. Middle school and high school students will review decision making in emergency situations.
On Monday, September 25th, our students will practice this type of safety scenario through a discussion of lockdown and evacuation, including practicing the decision making during times of crisis. Our goal is not to create fear, but to provide reminders of the importance of how to respond during a violent intruder event. We never use scare tactics during scenario drill training. We want this experience to be a positive one for our students. While it can make some feel a bit anxious, it is important for students to understand how to make these choices when faced with an emergency situation. Further, I encourage you to talk with your middle or high school student at home about their understanding of the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) principles, and what strategies they can share with you, about our safety protocols. Elementary age students will not be on campus during the ALICE practice session.
Healthy Youth Survey
In October our students in grades 6-12 will be joining other Washington state students in participating in the Healthy Youth Survey. The survey is anonymous and optional, but we highly encourage students to participate as the goal is to provide us with vital information on our student population right here at OCEAN. Questions cover topics such as substance use, mental health, and well-being. The results will determine what additional supports our students are needing and drive our decisions for prevention, intervention, and education lessons regarding healthy living and healthy choices to help your students grow in a positive way. Our school receives critical funding and outside services based on results from this survey.
For any families who are interested, please schedule your appointment to learn more about the important questions that will be asked. For any additional questions, please contact the school counselor, Emily Eldridge, eeldridge@ptschools.org.
OCEAN Highlights
See what has been happening at OCEAN.
Information from previous newsletters:
Want to Volunteer in the Classroom or Field Trips
In order to volunteer in the classroom or attend field trips, all adults need to complete the Secure Volunteer Application. This background check is good for two years.
Additional information for volunteers, including how to complete the volunteer driver process:
Parking and Pick-up Drop off Map
See map below.
Upcoming Events
- September 18, Picture day
- September 22, Mahan Family Homestead Field Trip
- September 25-28, 5th and 6th grade Islandwood Trip
- September 29, HS Plant Biology Field Trip
- October 6-8, ORCA Camp Out
About OCEAN K-12
Email: srubenstein@ptschools.org
Website: https://ocean.ptschools.org/
Location: 3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360-379-4272
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceank12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceank12/
Non-discrimination statement
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:
Title IX Coordinator, Darrell Thomas, (360) 379-4548,dthomas@ptschools.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Shelby MacMeekin, (360) 379-4366, smacmeekin@ptschools.org
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Darrell Thomas, (360) 379-4548, dthomas@ptschools.org