Ocean City High School Removes Lunch Period From Hybrid Schedule

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City High School announced students will shift to a modified hybrid schedule without lunch periods beginning Thursday.

The new schedule was organized in response to the Southeast region, which includes the Ocean City School District, reaching a "high risk" level for community coronavirus transmission last week, according to the Cape May County Department of Health.

Principal Matthew Jamison said the school will eliminate lunch periods to "reduce unstructured large group gatherings," in a letter to parents. The school will implement safety precautions due to the added risk of coronavirus transmission.

The release said, “The ultimate goal is to not have to move into full remote learning, but in order to do this, the entire community must take the recommended precautions to prevent the spread on COVID-19.”

Students can still pick up a bagged lunch in the entrance of the media center prior to leaving the building at dismissal, though students are not permitted to eat their lunch on the bus.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the schedule will include eight modified periods. All eight periods will meet and classes will be 30 minutes.

Beginning Monday, periods will go down to six until further notice. More information on next week’s schedule will be released via email on Thursday.

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