Following is a letter from Ocean City High School Principal Dr. Matthew Jamison and Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor:
Dear OCHS students and families,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirit.
With Governor's Murphy announcement last Monday closing all schools for the remainder of the year and given that we receive guidance from local and state authorities seemingly on a daily basis, please allow this correspondence and information to guide us moving forward.
Grades 9-11
Drop off/yearbooks/belongings: When the school is permitted to open for students, we will post a schedule per grade level for students to: retrieve personal belongings, return textbooks/materials, and pick up their yearbook. At this time, we cannot offer a date, but we anticipate sometime in June.
Academic Awards: sadly, and unfortunately the Academic Awards ceremony was canceled. However, all first, second, and third year award winners will receive their certificates in the mail and their names will be posted on the school's webpage for recognition.
Senior Class 2020
In addition to the previously posted information, I can share more specific information regarding our plans. Although the COVID19 health crisis remains fluid, recent guidance has solidified some of the following events/plans:
Monday, May 18th is the official kick off of our Class of 2020 celebrations. Seniors will be invited to the school to pick up: Cap/gown, honors cords, NHS stole, graduation instructions, Class of 2020 lawn sign, and senior T-shirt. Special notes: the senior T-shirt was provided by the Teacher's Association; the Class of 2020 lawn sign was provided by the Ocean City Education Foundation. The seniors will be invited to submit a picture of themselves wearing their cap and gown to be included in a Graduation 2020 montage. Directions for the montage will be included in the senior packet.
Senior Red Carpet -- Although current guidelines from the state prohibit this event, we will continue to seek authorization to hold the event during the first week of June.
Senior Family Photos -- Seniors and family will be invited to come to the school to take cap & gown family photos at the "OCHS" garden stadium sign. The traditional "Farewell" sign will be available for photos as well. Because we must follow social distancing guidelines/mandates, a schedule will be developed and posted for those that choose to participate. We plan to have the photo opportunity between June 3rd-5th.
Senior Awards/Scholarship
We have planned for a virtual scholarship and senior awards gala. There are various instructions for applying for scholarships have been sent and posted by the college/ career counselor and the guidance department. The virtual gala is planned to be posted June 8th and families will receive an email notice. Students/families will be able to view and download the ceremony.
Commencement Ceremony 2020
We have planned for three types of graduation ceremonies given the current set of COVID19 circumstances. Graduation is scheduled for June 16th.
We are currently developing a virtual commencement ceremony (VC) that senior/ families can view, download and repost. We are currently planning a large group celebratory screening of the VC.
This event will follow social distancing requirements mandated by the state and local authorities. In advance, we thank our community partners for working with us to secure a location large enough to host the event.
The third plan is a stadium commencement. At this lime, all state and local guidelines/mandates prohibit this event. However, if social restrictions are modified to an extent that we can host the Class of 2020 at the stadium --we will.
Senior Diplomas, Yearbooks, Barbeque
We hold hope that the social restrictions will be relaxed to the point that we can bring the senior class together for an informal good-bye.
We plan to host a senior barbeque in the stadium courtyard where seniors can sign yearbooks; receive and return ancillary items; and if the diplomas were not distributed to date, distribute diplomas. We believe a personal "awarding" of the diploma will be meaningful to our seniors. While we cannot offer a date currently, we anticipate mid/late June.
In closing, I stand with our students and families during this time of challenge. During the "COVID19" shutdown our students/ families showed a special resiliency that can only be described as Raider Nation Strong!
Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew Jamison and Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor
