OCEAN Newsletter

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Here are the new announcements in this newsletter:

• Sign up for Feb Winter Break Intersession Program
• Student Pick Up, Drop Off & Parking
• No School Dec 20
• Future Finder for 11th grade students
• Community Events

We are excited to offer an optional four-day Academic Program for students in TTK through 8th grade during February’s mid-winter break. Please follow the link below to sign your student(s) up by Friday, January 17th, 2025. Early registration helps us with planning. Thank you!

Questions? Please contact Blue Heron Middle School Assistant Principal Erin O’Leary at eoleary@ptschools.org.

• Dates: Tuesday, February 18th – Friday, February 21st
• Location: Salish Coast Elementary School
• Schedule:
  • Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8:15 AM – 2:50 PM
  • Wednesday (Early Release): 8:15 AM – 12:50 PM
• What’s Included:
  • Academic Activities: Tailored to support and engage students.
  • Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided daily.
  • Transportation: Limited routes available. Please complete the registration form to request transportation.
• Fee:
  • $150 per student for families not eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
  • To confirm if you qualify for free or reduced meals, log into Skyward Family access, Select Food Service on the left, then Select Applications in the top right corner.
  • If you did not submit an application for the 2024/25 school year, you can still do so online via Skyward Family Access or by submitting a paper form that can be picked up at your school's office or cafeteria.
  • The fee will be applied to your Skyward account and can be paid online through eFunds or in person via check or cash at your school or the district office.
  • Previously we were able to cover this cost with Covid federal recovery dollars.

Please click here to sign up! Mid Winter Break Intersession Sign Up.

This is a great opportunity for your child to stay engaged, build skills, and have fun during the mid-winter break. We look forward to seeing your student there!

High school students interested in credit recovery during the break should speak with PTHS Assistant Principal Mark Harris mharris@ptschools.org.

Help make pick up and drop off a success.

Please be sure to drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot and pick up lane. Younger students should wait for pick up on the sidewalk and only walk into the parking lot with an adult. Adults should stay with their car in the pick up and drop off lane. If no spaces are available for parking near the orchard please sue the main parking lot.

All students and families should access the OCEAN buildings from the orchard side of the school. Please do not walk across the playground area as there are often Blue Heron classes in that area during the school day. The parking closest to OCEAN near the orchard is reserved for OCEAN families and students. The fire lane behind the OCEAN office building is not a parking area.

There is no school January 20 in honor of MLK Jr Day.

Does your high school junior need some assistance sorting out a post-graduation plan? Does your student have a post-graduation interest but doesn’t know how to start the pursuit? Do you know that in 2023 Washington state had about $65 million in federal Pell grants go unused because eligible families didn't complete the FAFSA?

Future Finder is a series of five 1-hour sessions during Period 7 at PTHS on Wednesdays starting on Feb 12th. Each student will work to identify a career interest or verify a current career interest they are considering – job, trade, certification, two- or four-year degrees – and then build a plan to achieve their interest. Sessions will include a Career Panel of community professionals talking about their professions, research techniques to identify the right job or educational opportunity for you, and detailed information on how to fund the pursuit of your interest. Future Finder dates are February 12 and 26, March 12 and 26, and a 5th session later in May or early June. Participants will be crystal clear coming out of the 5th session as to the steps they need to execute over the summer and early fall to achieve their goals. To sum up Future Finder, one of last year’s participants said, “I appreciate the time put in to help us try to figure out what to do after high school – it is very important!”. Your student can sign up at the PTHS Counseling Office or the OCEAN main office – space is limited. Instructors are former business leaders and Skillmation volunteers living in Port Townsend – follow these LinkedIn links to learn more about them – David Rinn and Norm Tonina

This January, the PT PTA will be hosting the 2nd annual Hi-Viz Party! This event raises funds that allow the PTA to produce fun family activities like the Back-to-School Ice Cream Social, provide ways for the community to express gratitude for the people who care for and educate our kids during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Weeks, put on student enrichment events like Science and Art Nights, and support school initiatives and events across PTSD.

As those who joined us last summer will attest, its also a really good party! You will experience lots of dancing, neon outfits, abundant food and drink, and a chance to have fun with other families and the school community. We will brighten the dark days of January with a great Saturday night. Also, no kids!

WHERE: The USO Hall at Fort Worden

WHEN: Saturday, January 25th, 6:00-10:00 pm

WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS? Childcare will available at the Rec Center for $10/per kid. TK-aged (four and up) only please. Pay and register when you buy your tickets. No walk-ups! Space is limited!

TICKETS: We strongly encourage you to get your tickets in advance.

Tickets are $35 and include two drinks!

Get $5 off through January 10 with promo code EARLYBIRD

PTA members also get $5 off.

Already a member? Check you email for your exclusive promo code.

Not a member yet? Join now!

SCHOOL STAFF/TEACHER TICKETS ARE FREE (drinks not included), use promo code TEACHER at check out. (If you are in the position, consider sponsoring a teacher/staff ticket to help cover costs.)

Don't forget to wear your best and brightest Hi-Viz outfits! From hunting and biking to Barbie and '80s, it all counts!

• MUSIC BY MARCO MARCO!
• FOOD from awesome local restaurants
• SILENT AUCTION of unique experiences
• KILLER RAFFLE of fun and useful items
• GNAR VIBES we promise
• CHEAP DRINKS but classy tho
• NERDY GAMES & PRIZES hosted by Monday Night Fools Bowl! Glowing prizes!
• HI-VIZ COSTUME CONTEST! Prizes for best outfit, best couples outfit, best hi-viz accessory!

Thanks to the support of parents, families, teachers, staff, and community members, the PT PTA had a great swell of support and membership growth last school year. We are on track to go even further this year with 50 members in September alone! THANK YOU to everyone for choosing to support the PT PTA and help create and engaged school community!

If you have not joined yet this school year, do so today so you can make your voice heard at our upcoming membership meeting. As a reminder, PTA membership must be renewed each school year.

From volunteering to organizing activities to simply making a donation or becoming a member, everyone's involvement makes a difference. The State PTA has changed platforms, so the process is a little less clunky :)

West Sound Tech is a Skills Center Program for students in grades 11 & 12.

Important Dates:

Returning Student Priority Registration Period: Jan 6 - Feb 11, 2025

WST Open House (location details to come): Feb 12, 2025, 5-7 PM (Early Registration Opportunity for attendees. Attendees will receive a unique code to use for early enrollment) View the event flyer here: Open House Info

Open Registration Period: March 3, 2025, 8:00 AM

Application Link: wst.smapply.org

WST 25-26 Enrollment Requirements

WST 25-26 Application Instructions - New Students

WST 26-26 Application Instructions - Returning Students

For questions, please contact Erin Scott at 360.473.0557, or erin.mckiernan@westsoundtech.org.

• January 20 - No School MLK Jr Day
• January 30 - End of Semester
• January 31 - No School Semester Break
• February 7 - Field Trip Museum of Flight

View the OCEAN Calendar Online

Want OCEAN K-12 Events to show up on your digital calendar?

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Opt in by texting “Y” or “Yes” to our district’s short code number, 67587.

Email: srubenstein@ptschools.org
Website: https://ocean.ptschools.org/
Location: 3939 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend, WA, USA
Phone: 360-680-5750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceank12

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceank12

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:

Civil Rights Compliance, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org

Coordinator Title IX Officer, Carrie Ehrhardt, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5756, cehrhardt@ptschools.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Shelby Macmeekin, 1610 Blaine Street, (360) 680-5762, smacmeekin@ptschools.org

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education for the OCR/Title IX complaints https://www.justice.gov/crt/educational-opportunities-section

Discrimination Procedure