OCHS Principal’s Report

February, 2013

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the Top Ten students in the Class of 2013: David Gilhooley, Nathan Roberts, Kathryn Marshall, Emily Johnson, Mariel Salkeld, Gabrielle DuBruille, Connor Brady, Ashley Conrad, Lauren Loggi and Christine Mullan.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

Mrs. Sutherland, Lauren Sutherland’s mom, talked to World Cultures Class about growing up in Saudi Arabia. She brought clothing for students to try on and various souvenirs such as a camel saddle bag. She discussed the differences in laws and punishment, women’s rights, and changes that have taken place since the Arab Spring. The students were very interested in her impressions as a child in an ex-pat compound and her education in a Dutch boarding school after 9th grade. Miss Norton’s TIES Classes -- It’s February 1st – the first day of a new month…the last day of the semester…with snow coming down! Miss Norton’s TIES students celebrated their last day of their TIES computer class by creating Valentine’s cards for the US Armed Forces stationed in Afghanistan. They used their TIES skills and Microsoft Publisher Greeting Card menus to add Jersey Shore pictures, patriotic quotes and Valentine symbols. To end our course, the students also participated with a TIES VOCABULARY BINGO GAME! Not only did they enjoy the prizes they received, we also had a student who won her VERY FIRST BINGO GAME EVER! Way To Go Amelia! We say, “Goodbye” to TIES and “Hello” to Financial Literacy!!! Mrs. Bowen’s Advanced Biotechnology/Forensics classes were given a fantastic presentation by Robert Clarke, a retired Police Sergeant now currently a representative of the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance. Mr. Clarke’s presentation gave

the students insight on how Police investigate a car crash scene and the role that physical

evidence plays in Forensics. Students were introduced to what the “Black Box” does and how it helps investigators determine what happened at the crash scene. Students were also able to see the hardware inside the Black

box. Mr. Clarke gave multiple reasons why students should be

highly aware of wearing their seatbelts. Students were shown how accidents can happen in milliseconds and that if seat belts were NOT WORN then the air bags WOULD NOT deploy. He also emphasized that minimizing all distractions should be their utmost importance while driving.

CLUB ACTIVITIES

History Club watched “The Help” to celebrate Black History Month. OCHS Leadership Club is now collecting toothbrushes, bath towels and sample sizes of

toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and shaving cream for the A. C. Rescue Mission. Collection boxes are located in the Library and Room G103. Thank you for helping us give back to our community!

VOICE OF DEMOCRACY

Four Ocean City High School students advanced to the county level in the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Voice of Democracy Essay & Speech Contest. Juniors Isabel Benvenuti and Stephen Paschuk, together with sophomores Jamie Taylor and Justin Smith, were honored by the veterans at a Belleplain VFW post dinner. State Senator Jeff VanDrew, Assemblymen Nelson T. Albano and Matthew Milam presented awards to the students. Special

congratulations to Justin Smith who placed first in the county and Isabel Benvenuti who finished third. Justin will now represent Cape May County as a state finalist. Each year, more than 51,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives

awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.

Assemblymen Milam & Albano, Mr. Benvenuti, Isabel, Mrs. Benevenuti, Senator VanDrew

Stephen Pashuck

Justin Smith

Jamie Taylor

OC’s GOT Talent

The Ocean City High School Key Club hosted the 3rd Annual talent show. Judges included meteorologist Dan Skeldon, Miss New Jersey Lindsey Petrosh, professional vocalist Robert Snodgrass, and Jake Terry, brother to Calvin Klein model Matt Terry. Uday Chinai took home the grand prize for his original mime skit, while The Cliff Morin Band placed second for their original composition “Inside,” followed by Anna Myers who placed third for her performance of Adele’s “Someone Like You.” Gym Class Heroes, a group of dance students, won the people’s choice award. Proceeds from the program will benefit Project Eliminate, a Kiwanis International and UNICEF joint partnership aimed at eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. Please follow the link below for a short video of the performances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-HXT-zFmEk&playnext=1&list=PLC21773ED0DF362FE&feature=results_video

NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY

425 Library Valentine’s Day Cards for the Troops were delivered by Ms. Vicari to the Lite Rock Radio Station after school on Friday, Feb. 8. Thank you to the following teachers and their students for the beautiful Valentine’s Day cards they made for men and women from New Jersey who are serving in the U. S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan: Ms. Megan Riordan and her OCPS kindergarten students, Ms. Rubina Dombrosky and the arts and crafts students, Mrs. Adriana Palmer and her photography students, Miss Sharon Norton and her TIES students, Mrs. Mary Maguire and her child development students, OCHS student library aides, Mrs. Mary Maguire and Mrs. Joan Vicari-Fulton and Leadership Club, Mrs. Jen Bowen and Mrs. Karen Ludwig and Interact Club, and the many individual students who made cards.

STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS

The first Student Council event in February was the Academic Triathlon. In this event OCHS competed against other schools in trivia based knowledge in three categories. Second was the annual carnation sales in which the Student Council sold carnations and delivered them throughout the school to the students and staff. The Student Council also formed a team to participate in Sea Isle City’s Autism Walk/Run. Finally, the Student Council is hosting their second annual Videogame Tournament. On February 6th, the Student Council took part in their first Academic Triathlon. The Students were tested in three categories, History, Math/Science, and Pop Culture/Sports. Members of each team worked together to compete and have a good time.

In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, the Student Council sold carnations. Close to 1000 carnations were sold and the holiday spirit was felt throughout the school as they were handed out. On February 17th, the Student Council

participated in Sea Isle City’s Autism Walk/Run. The team was put together by a general member

trying to raise awareness for the cause. The event was successful and all who attend had a good time

despite the frigid weather. The last event of the month is going to be the Videogame

Tournament. On the 28th of February, the Student Council is hosting its’ annual Videogame Tournament. Some of the favorites from last year were Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. The Student Council is also preparing for its annual Red Cross Blood Drive and will be having a training day for the committee to prep them for the event. In March, Student Council will be holding their Blood Drive as well as taking part in the St. Jude’s Triviathon. The blood drive will be on March 8th, and the St. Jude’s Triviathon will be on March 13th

SPANISH & FRENCH CLUB

Spanish Club's held a cooking day. They made Mexican cuisine and made from scratch chicken fajitas, guacamole, churros y chocolate and tostones!

French Club held a Mardi Gras celebration. They paraded through the hallways passing out beads and candies to

anyone in the building.

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.

Lauren Loggi was the Rotary Club February Student of the Month. Connor Brady was the Exchange Club February Student of the Month.