Oley Valley School District

This fall my 7th grade Social Studies students took part in The Global Read Aloud. This year's Global Read Aloud's novel was Refugee by Alan Gratz. Teachers from all over the globe read this novel with their students at the same time. We were able to communicate with students from all over the world about the novel we were reading. Each week we played a Kahoot! game created by a Canadian teacher about the previous week's chapters content. I sent this teacher my top students' scores and he would post the top 20 students from the thousands of students who took part in this game. Each week my students were among the top scores. As a final project at the end of reading this novel, students were placed into groups of three, one for each of the main characters of the novel. Students were each assigned a topic to research about what led their character to become a refugee. Students were required to find a quote from the book that mentioned their topic and explain how their topic related to the character's story. Students reported their findings to their classmates and teacher. Next, each group was given a National Geographic World Political Map Maker Kit. Students worked hard with their groups to put their world maps together and plot the journey of their assigned character.

Welcome to the Oley Valley School District. Both are new arrivals to our district. We are going to have a great year!

On October 12, 2018, Andrew Kline and Julia Ulsh participated in a Senator for a Day seminar for future leaders at the Perkiomen School District in Pennsburg, PA. The Seminar was sponsored by Senator Bob Mensch 24th District. Advisor Mr. Scott Snyder.

N stands for Nice.

O stands for Ownership.

W stands for Working Together.

High School English Students are grateful:

Mrs. Kallis and her classes surprised all the staff with a beautiful mug full of goodies. This amazing statement accompanied the gift:

We are thankful for one another and consider ourselves blessed. You've been mugged, and now we put you to the test.

The test isn't in English, science, social studies, or math, but it is one that makes sure we are all on the right path. We challenge each other to continue to show everyone kindness, respect, and concern. We will ceaselessly work together to ensure in our Oley Valley High School community everyone can learn.

PAW Squad is a 9th Grade Orientation, Transition, and Mentor Program. PAW Squad Mentors are faculty/staff nominated Juniors and Seniors who participate in leadership training. The Class of 2022 met with their PAW Squad Mentors for a team building activity, and will continue to meet with them throughout the 2018-2019 school year.

The Class of 2021 participated in the Life After High School event on Friday, November 2, 2018. Students met with representatives from local businesses and colleges about what they look for in potential candidates and the importance of professional skills. Each 10th grader also had a mock interview with a staff member during which they received feedback as well. Upperclassmen students ran booths for students to participate in job seeking activities such as How to Tie a Tie, Dress for Success, and Keep a Job/Lose a Job. The 10th graders completed worksheets based on the booths and representatives they met with for their Post-Secondary Planning portfolio.

The members of the Sophomore class practice job interviews and meeting prospective employers during Lynx period. Members of local companies join in and introduce the students to local job opportunities.

Root beer anyone? Mr. Boyer's class conducted an experiment that involved the fermentation process and producing the end product, root beer.

Students signed up on our OV Gifted Schoology Group page to participate in a DNA Extraction Lab. Over the course of two Lynx Periods, students learned about DNA, extracted/isolated DNA from a fruit, stained the extracted DNA and mounted it on a slide for observation under a microscope.

Fifth grade student in Art Enrichment traveled to the Crayola Experience on Wednesday, November 28. While at Crayola They were able to experience 28-hands on, interactive attractions where color, chemistry, and technology magically combines to create a colorful adventure.

Oley Valley High School pottery students are participating in the 17th annual Souper Bowl which will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Reading on January 28, 2019. Our students have participated in this community service event for the past 15 years.

The Souper Bowl is an annual fundraiser for Opportunity House, a Reading-based nonprofit organization that helps the homeless or low-income people and guides them toward self-sufficiency.

The money raised will support the programs run by Opportunity House. The nonprofit runs a homeless shelter; transitional and permanent housing; a 24/7day care center; OppShop, a thrift store; and its Children's Alliance Center, which serves child victims of sexual abuse.

Attendees receive a handmade ceramic bowl donated and created by students, local artists, and community groups as well as a light meal of soup, bread and goodies provided by favorite local restaurants.

Tickets for the event are available at the Opportunity House website.

November is typically the month in which many Spanish speakers remember their deceased loved ones. In commemoration of this custom, Spanish 4 students were asked to write a biography of a famous deceased person or a family member and create a shadow box tribute (ofrenda) to honor the person’s memory. Students were asked to read their work in class and then to speak extemporaneously about why they chose the items for the presentation and what made the person inspirational. Some of the chosen celebrities were Steve Jobs, Marilyn Monroe, Steve Irwin, Bob Ross, Neil Armstrong, Burt Reynolds and John Lennon.

OVCEF seeks nominations for Distinguished Oley Valley Alumni and Distinguished Service to the Oley Valley School District Awards

The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is seeking nominations for the 2019 Oley Valley Distinguished Alumni Award and for the Distinguished Service to the Oley Valley School District Award.

One or more awards are presented each October to alumni for outstanding achievement in their professions, humanitarian efforts, volunteerism, or service in their communities, or a single exceptional achievement. One or more awards may also be presented to individuals who have provided unselfish service to the Oley Valley School District.

Award nomination forms are available at the Oley Valley High School Office, 17 Jefferson Street, Oley; the OVCEF website www.OleyValleyCEF.org; and the OVSD website www.oleyvalleysd.org. The deadline for receipt of nominations is June 30, 2019.

The 7th annual Dr. Jeffrey F. Zackon 5K Run/1K Walk sponsored by the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation took place on Saturday, October 20. The race followed a course beginning and ending at Oley Valley High School and proceeding through the village of Oley and the surrounding countryside.

Medals were awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place finishers (both male and female) in the following age categories: under 15, 15-19 years, 20-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years, and 60+ years. The overall champions in this year’s 5K were Andrew Brown (male adult); Samantha Snyder (female adult); Vinny Ferrizzi (male youth); and Priscilla Harris (female youth). These four champions’ “trophies” were slates featuring Oley Valley scenes hand-painted by art teachers Stacy Olexy and Rhonda Tomel.

Immediately after the race all participants were eligible to win door prizes donated by local merchants.

The 5K is a major fundraising event for the Foundation, which seeks to enhance educational opportunities for Oley Valley students.

Honorees were Mary (Richard) Williams, Class of 1958, Neal Moyer, Class of 1981, and Toni Palmertree, Class of 2000. Toni Palmertree was unable to attend. Madison Wolf, Student Council Co-President accepted the award in her absence.

The Senior Citizens meet once or twice a month in the High School Library and have fun playing Bingo, celebrating birthdays, and keeping up with community events. Looking to join? Please contact Deb Bernecker at 610-987-4100, Ext. 1191 for more information.

12/21/18 – EARLY DISMISSAL- ALL STUDENTS

12/24/18 thru 1/2/19 – SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY

1/8/19 – HS Algebra Keystone Exam

1/8/19 – Athletic Booster Club Meeting 7:00 PM

1/9/19 – School Board Combined Committee Meeting 7:00 PM

1/10/19 – HS Biology Keystone Exam

1/11/19 – Sixth Grade Dance 7:00 – 9:30 PM

1/15/19 – End of Second Quarter, End of First Semester

1/15/19 – HS Literature Keystone Exam

1/16/19 – School Board Meeting 7:00 PM

1/17/19 – Second Grade Concert in MS Auditorium 10:00 AM & 1:00 PM

1/18/19 – EARLY DISMISSAL – ALL STUDENTS

1/19/19 – ES PTO Princess Ball (Snow Date)

1/21/19 – SCHOOL IS IN SESSION – SNOW MAKE UP DAY

1/25/19 – ES Movie Night 7:00 PM

1/29/19 – ES PTO Meeting in ES Cafeteria 6:30 PM

1/31/19 – MS Book Fair

1/31/19 – 8th Grade Transition Night 6:30 PM

1/31/19 – HS Course Selection Night 7:30 PM

Calendar

Stephen S. Burns, Vice-President

David R. Pollock Jr., President

Carl J. Kubitz, Jr., Treasurer

Eric Clemmer, Member

Robert A. Heckman, Member

Darrell L. Markley, Ed.D., Member

Ralph Richard, Member

Stuart Salen, Member

Dawn Zackon, Member

John M. Stott, Esquire, Board Solicitor

Maria H. Jones, Board Secretary, non-member

The Oley Valley School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression and prohibits Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or practice in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination. Compliance issues/questions should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent.