Schools

Oceanport Schools to Open Next Week

The district will host Monmouth Beach's Pre-k and kindergarten classes.

A letter from Oceanport Schools Superintendent Andrew Orefice:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I hope that this letter finds you and your loved ones well.  I know that many of you are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Sandy and the destruction that it has left in its wake.  Our hearts go out to those in need.  Please know that we are working diligently as a professional staff to prepare our schools for student return.  It will be our goal to provide a sense of normalcy for all of our learners in the coming weeks. 

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here is an update of what has been taking place in our schools during this time that schools are closed:

  • The Red Cross has been operating a shelter at Maple Place School that includes meals, beds, health office and FEMA representatives. They have served hundreds of people at this point.
  • The Oceanport Emergency Management CERT team and many other volunteers have been at the forefront of assisting residents and families of those in need and have been doing an outstanding job.
  • The Oceanport Teachers Association has been donating and staffing a clothing donation center, water, food, hygiene and baby products, school supplies and other items in our library. They have been going above and beyond the call of duty and are spending countless hours in this and other endeavors.
  • Our PTO has been assisting with the donation process and organizing “play dates” and games for the benefit of children.
  • Students and scouts have been assisting in the donation process by carrying goods and leading people around the building.
  • The Administrative Team has been organizing and preparing for school to open on Monday as well as working with all of the groups involved to assist with recovery operations.
  • Our food provider, Sodexo, has been assisting the local community with preparing countless meals. I would like to thank Chris Caligouri and Janet Surak and the entire Sodexo crew.

Besides all of these efforts involving our school community, please be advised of the following informational items as well:

Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • School is scheduled to open on Monday, Nov. 12. A Code Red alert message will go out on Sunday to confirm the opening of school on that day.
  • Oceanport will be host to Monmouth Beach School District’s Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. These two classes will use two of our Wolf Hill classrooms for as long as their school is closed.
  • The Oceanport Police Department is temporarily using our Wolf Hill School and we welcome them as long as they need to use our building.
  • Our buildings sustained very minor damage and are safe and sound.

As you know, beginning Monday, Nov. 12 we will open on our regular schedule.  We will be here for our students and the community alike. Our entire counseling staff will be on hand for the foreseeable future for any student that might need to discuss the effects of the storm. Please let us know if your child can benefit from speaking to one of our counselors and we would be happy to accommodate.

I continue to monitor local events and am in consistent contact with the American Red Cross, Oceanport Emergency Management, borough officials, regional educators, and our own board of education. I thank Mayor Mike Mahon, Buzz Baldanza and Chief Harry Sutton for their communication and assistance in these times.

Our spirits may have been tested by these recent events, but I can assure you that we have not been broken.  The pride reflected in our community is apparent in the way our shared hardships have reassured our bonds.  We look forward to refocusing our efforts to provide an excellent education for all. Our goal is to provide a seamless transition for all involved as we negotiate these challenging circumstances collaboratively. 

Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you and yours.

Sincerely,

Andrew J. Orefice, Superintendent

Colin Soyer, Board President and the Oceanport Board of Education

Matthew Howell, Melanie Lipinski and Robin Dunikoski, Administrative Team Members


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