Classes Start Thursday for Ocean City Students

Summer vacation ends today for students in the Ocean City Public School District.

The first day of school for students at the , and is Thursday, Sept. 6. Teachers returned on Tuesday for two in-service days.

Thursday marks the start of 180 days of class time that is scheduled to end on Monday, June 17, 2013.

Here are a few new things for the 2012-13 school year:

SIX-PERIOD SCHEDULE FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL

Ocean City High School will implement a new schedule that will allow more instructional time in longer class periods.

The proposed new schedule would have students retaining a schedule of eight classes — but only six would meet each day, allowing 55 minutes of instruction. The class schedule would rotate — with each class meeting three out of every four days. 

See the district website, for more information on the six-period schedule.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT

• High School: 7 p.m. Sept. 18
• Intermediate School: 7 p.m. Sept. 19
• Primary School: 7 p.m. Sept. 20

CLASSLINK BECOMES 'OC AT HOME'

A new service replaces what was formerly known as Classlink. "OC at Home" allows students/staff to log in from outside of school. Once logged in, users have the option of gaining access to their saved files, software licensed by the district and other shared resources. Visit the Ocean City School District website for more information.

NEW HIRES

The Ocean City School District website includes the following bios for new hires this year:

Laurie Casteen, Speech Language Specialist, received a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology at Kean University.  Ms. Casteen worked as a Speech Language Specialist for Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services and Upper Township School District. Ms. Casteen has worked with students in preschool through high school. Ms. Casteen enjoys what she does and is excited to be working with the Ocean City students and staff.

Christopher Banks, High School Guidance Counselor, is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a BS in Business Administration and a graduate of Wilmington University with M.Eds in both Elementary Education and School Counseling.  Mr. Banks has worked in the guidance departments at Absegami High School and Eastern High School. Mr. Banks started his professional career as a middle school math teacher in Delaware.  Mr. Banks has also enjoyed playing or coaching baseball for over 25 years.  Mr. Banks is looking forward to joining the Ocean City School District’s family and settling in at OCHS! 

Alisha Rittenhouse, High School Teacher of English, earned her bachelor’s degree in English and religion from Rutgers University and earned her master’s degree from Rutgers in secondary English education. Ms. Rittenhouse has taught at Hunter Central Regional High School and Franklin High School.  In addition, she is teaching for the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) at Johns Hopkins University. When Ms. Rittenhouse is not in the classroom, she loves the great outdoors, traveling to new places, and giving back to the community by working in food shelters and running charity races with friends.  She is excited to work with the dynamic staff and students at Ocean City High School this year!

Amy DePasquale, High School Teacher of English, attended North Carolina State University and graduated as Valedictorian with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. While at NC State, she was a member of the Wolfpack gymnastics team. Ms. DePasquale’s hobbies include writing and coaching track. Ms. Depasquale looks forward to being a part of the Ocean City High School family.

Alyssa Preis, High School Health and Physical Education Teacher, graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Management and continued her education at Rowan University where she received her teaching certification in Health, Physical Education, and Driver's Education.  Ms. Preis taught at Shawnee High School, where she also coached cheerleading. Ms. Preis is a student of dance and is competitor in numerous styles of dance and is excited to start a dance program at OCHS.

Kendra Allegretto, English as a Second Language Teacher, is a graduate of Rowan University.  Ms. Allegretto began her career with the Brigantine Public School District and received The Governor Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding dedication and effort in the field of teaching.  Ms. Allegretto also taught in the Ocean City School District as an ESL teacher. She is excited to be teaching again in the Ocean City School District and is looking forward to a great school year.

Danielle Landi, First Grade Teacher, graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where she studied Elementary and Special Education.  Growing up in a family business in Ocean City, she was instilled with a strong work ethic and always knew that these basic principles would guide her in pursuing her long time dream of becoming a teacher. As a graduate from the Ocean City High School, Ms. Landi is honored to have the opportunity to teach in the Ocean City School District.  She enthusiastically looks forward to this school year and to give back to a community that has done so much for her.

New Hires Non-Certificated Staff

Rachel DeVault, Director of Food Services through Aramark, is a graduate of Michigan State University and joined the upon graduation.  She has worked in school districts in Michigan, New York and most recently Plumstead Township School in New Jersey.  Rachel has already jumped in and is planning for the 2012/2013 school year. Ms. DeVault looks forward to getting all the school constituents involved in food services and planning and also the entire community.

Deborah Kafkalas, Part-Time Food Service Worker, has been a substitute food service worker in the Ocean City School District for the past two years.   Ms. Kafkalas lives in Egg Harbor Township with her family.  She is very excited about joining the Ocean City School District on a part-time permanent basis.