
OCEAN Newsletter

June 8, 2024
Here are the new announcements in this newsletter:
- Return Library books, school books, chromebooks, and hotspots
- Staff Updates
- Welcome Michelle Tipton
- Announcing: The Hobbit 2025 OCEAN Theater Production
- End of the year event Tuesday June 18th at 5PM
- Semester Ends June 27
- High School Student of the Week
- PTA END-OF-SCHOOL YEAR BASH & FUNDRAISER!
- Extra Food Over School Breaks - YMCA
New Announcements
Return Library Books, School Books, Chromebooks and Hotspots
All school library books are due. Please check your student library account to ensure all books are returned and avoid fines. Books can be returned to the OCEAN office or any public library drop box.
All school technology needs to be returned to the OCEAN office no later than June 27. We are accepting chromebooks and hotspots for return anytime between now and the last day of school.
Seniors books and technology are due June 14.
2025 Forms Reminder
This is our second notice regarding back to school forms. If you have already completed the forms for your student/s, thank you, and please ignore this notice!
This is a reminder that in preparation for next school year, all families need to complete the OCEAN Back to School Verification Forms for the 2024-2025 school year.
The forms need to be completed by June 20th, and are available to you through your Skyward account. If you need help logging into Skyward, or with your password, please contact the office for assistance.
Staff Updates
Katie Quimby will be retiring from teaching at the end of June. Katie finished her teaching journey here at OCEAN these past few years. We are extremely grateful to Katie for her hard work and dedication to all learners.
Eliana Rose will moving on from her role as paraeducator at OCEAN. She has be an exceptional member of our team ensuring access for all students to education.
We will be collecting cards and notes in the office to share with Katie and Eliana if you wish to drop one by.
Welcome: Michelle Tipton
We are excited to announce our new OCEAN Teacher Michelle Tipton. Michelle will be teaching high school English, Social Studies, Creative Writing, and middle school enrichment.
Michelle and her family moved to Port Townsend in August from Knoxville, TN where she taught ELA, Creative Writing, and Russian to 9-12 graders. She’s passionate about writing, reading, and making her classroom a welcoming place for all students. Her husband, Joshua, works at Haven Boat Works, and she has two sons: Bjorn will be a 1st grader at Salish Coast Elementary and Addison will be a freshman at PTHS. She also has a very energetic pup named Maddie, who loves long walks on the beach and treats of all kinds. Her favorite things to do in town are visiting North Beach and getting espresso chip ice cream at Elevated.
Announcing: The Hobbit 2025 OCEAN Theater Production
“The Hobbit”
a play based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien
OCEAN School - March 2025
The K-12 OCEAN School is excited to announce that it will be doing a full production of “The Hobbit”, based on the beloved book by J.R.R. Tolkien, in March 2025. Tolkien is considered the “father” of modern fantasy literature and has influenced generations of writers since “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was written.
This ambitious production will feature giant puppets and shadow puppetry under the guidance of Puppet Masters, Thaddeus Jurczynski and Celia Fulton-Walden and original music by Aimee Ringle. Fans of the book and movie can expect some familiar characters including Bilbo the Hobbit and Gandalf, plus dwarves, elves, goblins, a dragon, and of course, Gollum! Preparations are already underway and will involve many K-12 grade students, parents, as well as local community professionals. Students can be involved in a variety of aspects of this production - from acting to puppetry, costumes, sets, poster design, and more.
“The Hobbit” will be directed by Marc Weinblatt, a professional theatre director, educator, activist, and long-time OCEAN parent. Marc recently directed this spring’s OCEAN production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Previously he directed (with Rowen DeLuna) 5 OCEAN student productions from 2011-2015. Marc has also directed multiple adult plays locally for Key City Public Theatre, including acclaimed Shakespeare-in-the-Park productions of “The Tempest” and “Hamlet”.
This exciting school/community project provides the opportunity to make theatre not only fun and entertaining, but also a powerful multi-generational educational experience. Come join us as we bring the fantastical world of Middle Earth to life!
Learn more: https://ocean.ptschools.org/our_school/hobbit
End of the year event Tuesday June 18th at 5PM
End of the year event will be on Tuesday June 18th at 5PM at the Fort Worden Kitchen Shelter.
Students in grades K-8 should prepare your end of year book of knowledge or trifold to share at our end of year party. This includes all the work you are proud of from spring break until the end of the year. This includes the following:
Invasive Species posters
National Parks projects
Water Quality Testing
Math projects
Dance recital performances
Artwork
Outdoor education - Cedar Root Experiences
Starting June 3rd, your student can pick up their in class work to showcase in their book or trifold as well.
Get started early in organizing this so you have something you are proud of to share with your school! This is your chance to help motivate and inspire your students to finish the end of the year strong.
Note:
If you need a tri-fold board, please go to the OCEAN office to get one.
If you need binder rings for booklets, please ask Daniel for them.
Semester Ends June 27
The semester ends June 27.
Graduating Seniors - Last Day of class and all work due June 17, 3pm
All students - Last day of in person classes June 21
High School Students - Semester ends June 27 at 1pm
All students - Conferences June 24-27
OCEAN High School Student of the Week
Luca Tapogna is the OCEAN Student of the week. Luca is a dedicated and focused student and leader at OCEAN. He has been the President of the ASB, and has supported multiple events and student activities throughout the year. Luca completed an impressive and comprehensive History presentation this past month, and is a gifted writer. He has worked very hard throughout the year in all classes. Luca makes sure all students feel welcome at OCEAN and works hard every day to be the best student he can be.
Save the date: End of Year Events
June 18th - OCEAN End of Year Celebration - Fort Worden Beach Shelter 5:00pm
June 21st - Last Day of in person classes
June 24th-27th - End of Year Conferences
June 27th - End of the Semester
OCEAN Highlights
See what has been happening at OCEAN.
JOIN THE PT PTA FOR A END-OF-SCHOOL YEAR BASH & FUNDRAISER!
WHAT: THE HI-VIZ PTA PARTY! Wear your brightest neon to see-and-be-seen at the silent auction, raffle, and on the dance floor! Food from Marina Cafe, La Cocina, Fort Worden Hospitality, 1-2-3 Thai and more; a Silent Auction of unique local experiences; Raffle and Prizes; Music by DJ Silace; Cheap American Legion drinks!
WHO: All the parents, families, teachers, school staff, and community members 21+ who want to support our schools and have a good time!
WHERE: NEW LOCATION! Fort Worden USO, Port Townsend
WHEN: Saturday, June 15th 6:00-10:00 pm
WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS? We have arranged a party for the kids too! Childcare is available at the Rec Center for $10/per kid. TK-aged (four and up) only please. Register when you buy your ticket. Space is limited!
TICKETS:
$35 (includes two drinks)
Port Townsend School District teachers and school staff tickets are free (drinks not included), but everyone must RSVP and register. (If you are in the position, consider sponsoring a teacher/staff ticket to help cover costs.)
Extra Food Over School Breaks - YMCA
FREE for all students and their families in Jefferson County.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Tanya Barnett, Program Executive for Social Responsibility
tanya@olympicpeninsulaymca.org
360-565-6025
Information from previous newsletters:
Kaleidoscope Club Movie Night - June 13
We will be showing Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Kyle's room on June 13th at 5pm. There will be free pizza and any OCEAN students who are 13+ are welcome. Thanks!
Upcoming Events
- June 9-11 - Bike Team Trip
- June 13 - Senior Celebration
- June 13 - Kaleidoscope Club Movie Night
About OCEAN K-12
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
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, Laurie McGinnis, (360) 680-5756, lmcginnis@ptschools.org
Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Shelby MacMeekin, (360) 680-5763, smacmeekin@ptschools.org
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Amy Khile, (360) 680-5757 akhile@ptschools.org