Oley Valley School District
Digital Newsletter -- May 2018
The End of an Era as the Administration Building Demolition Begins
During the April 18, 2018 school board meeting, the time capsule which was removed from the cornerstone of the building was opened in front of crowd of school officials and guests. Included in the copper time capsule were books, directory listing of teachers, arrowheads, coins, postcards, and board minutes.
Thank you to Mr. Fahrenbach and the HS Yearbook for providing photographs and historical background.
Oley Valley School District’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition
Oley Valley School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Oley Valley School District answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that Oley Valley School District is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing-while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.
Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.
A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, “Striking A Chord,” also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
Oley Valley Elementary School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyES/
Twitter: @ElemOley
Art Show Features Student Work
The annual Art Show was held on Thursday, April 26th. Students and their families enjoyed browsing the art work displayed within the building. Thank you to Mrs. Usner as her hard work and dedication made the Art Show a huge success!
2018-2019 Kindergarten Registration
The Oley Valley School District began its 2018-2019 Kindergarten registration on Monday, January 29, 2018. Parents may register children who reside in the district and will be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2018.
You may come to the Elementary School Office to pick up a registration packet or you may print the forms listed below. Once the registration forms are completed and returned to the Elementary School Office, you may schedule your registration appointment.
http://www.oleyvalleysd.org/posts/2018/01/28/2018-2019-kindergarten-registration/
To register your child, please contact the Elementary School Main Office at 610-987-4100, ext. 2098, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will need to make an appointment to bring your child to the Elementary School on either Tuesday, June 12, 2018, or Wednesday, June 13, 2018, for an informal screening with the kindergarten team.
Kindergarten Academy will be held at the Oley Valley Elementary School on August 15, 2018 during the evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. There will also be a Parent Back-to-School Night for parents during Kindergarten Academy.
If you have any questions regarding Kindergarten registration, please contact the Elementary School Main Office at 610-987-4100, ext. 2098.
Oley Valley Middle School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyMS/
Twitter: @OleyMS
PSSAs Bring Fun Activities for Students and Teachers
The three weeks during which the PSSA testing occurs can be arduous. The middle school has themed dress days and some friendly competitions during the testing window to keep the atmosphere light and comfortable. Participation by students and staff for these themed days and competitions was very high.
On Friday, April 13, Mrs. Boyer’s homeroom were declared the winners of the Homeroom Look-a-Like contest. Mrs. McCracken’s homeroom gave them a run for their money. On April 20th, we had a grade-level dress-up competition…6th grade was 60s, 7th grade was 70s and 8th grade was 80s. The 6th grade students, teachers and classroom aides went all out in earning the victory! On April 27, we held our 3rd annual Lip Sync Battle. Students and staff put on fantastic performances.
Oley Valley High School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oleyvalleyHS/
Twitter: @OleyValleyHS
High School Students Compete in Speech Contest
On Saturday, March 18th, four students from the high school represented the Oley Valley School District at the Rotary 4-Way Speech contest held at Albright College. Participating students were sophomore Ryan Sheetz, junior Alysha Ulrich, and seniors Savannah Martincic and Jennifer Wagner. The students were advised by Mrs. Kallis, who helped prepare them for the competition. All speeches were five to seven minutes in length, and addressed topics including gun violence, the Berks County opioid crisis, and global warming. Jennifer Wagner earned an honorable mention; Alysha Ulrich earned third place; Ryan Sheetz earned second place, and Savannah Martincic won first place. Savannah now advances to the regional level contest that will be held on April 14th. Great job to all, and good luck Savannah!
Article submitted by Alysha Ulrich
Annual Fashion & Talent Show Raises Funds for Senior Party
Thank you to everyone who supported this event and good luck to the graduating Class of 2018.
Students Recognized by Rotary Club
Student of the Month Recipients
October -- Maddie Kaufman
November -- Joseph Wagner
December -- Alex Rubino
January -- Zachary Good
February -- Sarah Tatham
March -- Anna Glick
April -- Bailey Foreman
May -- Jacob Guldin
Academic WorldQuest Goes to National Competition for Eighth Time
The Oley Valley High School Academic WorldQuest™ Team qualified for its eighth trip to the National Examination in Washington, D.C. on March 6th. The history of the club begins with its first victory in 2007; the 2008 Team scored Second Place nationally, and in subsequent years it has tallied a total of eight wins out of the 15 possible yearly local competitions.
You may wonder, “What exactly is WorldQuest?” It is a team game testing competitors’ knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. It is unique to the world affairs council system and has no direct competitor among K-12, knowledge-based competitions in the US or abroad.
During weekly club meetings our students start diligently studying the annual syllabus when it is published in late August/early September. At these meetings, everybody is welcome to attend and participate in the discussion. They are each assigned a topic to present the following week. It is through this peer learning and advisor guidance that forms the teamwork necessary. They work through ten categories of which only current events and a book study series called Great Decisions™ (which also changes in topics yearly) are a constant.
Congratulations to our WorldQuest team.
Article Submitted by Mr. John Small, WorldQuest Adviser
OVHS Students Visit Washington D.C.
FFA Information
Oley Valley Community Education Foundation
The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation's mission is "To enhance educational opportunities for the students, residents, employees, and alumni of the Oley Valley School District while encouraging community support and participation."
OVCEF has provided our students and teachers with activities and tools including Promethean Interactive Whiteboards, scholarships, and the mobile Ag lab.
Visit the OVCEF webpage at www.oleyvalleycef.org.
Additionally, The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is now an approved Amazon Smile organization. Amazon Smile rebates .5% of purchases made by Amazon customers who have registered for the program and who have designated charitable organizations of their choice as rebate recipients. More information about the Amazon Smile program and the registration process may be found at www.smile.amazon.com.
The Foundation will use all Amazon Smile proceeds to fund projects and programs that benefit the education of our Oley Valley students.
Oley Valley Community Education Foundation Seeks Award Nominations
The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is seeking nominations for the annual Oley Valley Distinguished Alumni Award and for the Distinguished Service to the Oley Valley School District Award.
In past years these awards have recognized alumni of Oley Valley High School for their efforts and achievements and other individuals who have provided outstanding service to the Oley Valley School District.
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, 2018.
Nomination forms will be reviewed by a committee of Foundation members, school district representatives, and community members. Award recipients will be recognized at the annual Alumni Awards Program, which will be held during fall 2018 Homecoming activities of the Oley Valley School District.
Athletics Update
For Athletic Schedules & Information visit www.ovlynx.org
*Please note that you can sign up on the athletic website for schedule change notifications which will send you an email or text message to alert you as soon as games are postponed.
For directions on where Berks County High Schools and Middle Schools play their home contests please visit www.bciaa.org. Please note that clicking on an opponent on www.ovlynx.org will only give you directions to the opposing school’s High School, which is not necessarily where they play their contests.
Follow the Athletic Department on Twitter @OVLynx for varsity scores and live playoff updates each season.
2018 Fall Sports Signups will take place during lunch periods at the Middle School on Wednesday, May 2nd and at the High School on Thursday, May 3rd. All sport physicals for the 2018-2019 school year must be authorized after June 1, 2018. The school will be offering sport physicals on Thursday, June 7th from 6:00-8:00PM. The cost is only $5 for those who register in advance and we highly recommend all athletes (Fall, Winter and/or Spring) take advantage of the sport physicals so that their participation in a sport is not delayed by scheduling a personal doctor visit. Physical packets with further directions will be given to each student when they sign up during the Fall signups on 5/2 and 5/3 and any student who would only be participating in a Winter or Spring sport should pick up a physical packet during the Fall lunch period signups. Additional physical packets will be available in the HS Athletic Office or the Middle School Office starting on May 2nd.
The All Sports & Senior Awards presentation will take place on Friday, June 1 at 7:00 in the HS Auditorium. All High School Athletes are invited to attend and more information will be sent home to families in the very near future.
Upcoming Athletic Booster Club Meeting:
Wednesday, May 16th @ 7:00PM *DATE CHANGE
*All meetings are held in the High School Cafeteria or Library
Important Upcoming Events
- 5/4/18 -- MS School Store
- 5/5/18 -- Junior/Senior Prom
- 5/7/18 -- School Board Committee Meetings
- 5/7/18 -- AP Chemistry & Psychology Exams
- 5/8/18 -- Teacher Appreciation Day
- 5/8/18 -- MS Chorus Concert -- 7:00PM
- 5/9/18 -- School Nurse Day
- 5/9/18 -- School Board Combined Committee Meeting -- 7:00PM
- 5/9/18 -- AP Literature Exam
- 5/9/18 -- Athletic Booster Club Meeting -- 7:00PM
- 5/10/18 -- MS PTSO Meeting -- 7:00PM
- 5/10/18 -- AP Environmental Science Exam
- 5/10/18 -- HS Jazz Band & Orchestra Concert
- 5/11/18 -- MS Courtyard Dance, Grades 6-8 -- 7:00PM
- 5/13/18 -- Mother's Day
- 5/14/18 -- 6th Grade Band/MS Jazz Band & MS Percussion Concert 7:00PM
- 5/14/18 -- AP Biology, Music Theory, and Physics Exams
- 5/15/18 -- Algebra I Keystone Exam (HS)
- 5/15/18 -- AP Calculus Exam
- 5/15/18 -- ES Orchestra Concert -- 7:00PM
- 5/16/18 -- School Board Meeting -- 7:00PM
- 5/16/18 -- AP Language Exam
- 5/17/18 -- ESL Parent Meeting -- MS Library -- 6:30PM
- 5/17/18 -- AP Statistics Exam
- 5/17/18 -- Biology Keystone Exam (HS)
- 5/17/18 -- HS Band & Chorus Concert, HS Auditorium 7:00PM
- 5/18/18 -- ES School Store
- 5/18/18 -- AP European History Exam
- 5/21/18 -- HS Academic Awards -- 7:00PM
- 5/22/18 -- ES Band Concert -- 7:00PM
- 5/22/18 -- Literature Keystones (HS)
- 5/23/18 -- Grade 5 Olympic Day
- 5/23/18 -- 7th/8th Grade Band & MS Orchestra Concert -- 7:00PM
- 5/24/18 -- Grade 4 Olympic Day
- 5/24/18 -- MS Field Day
- 5/25/18 -- Schools Closed -- In-Service Day
- 5/28/18 -- Schools Closed -- Memorial Day
- 5/29/18 -- 3rd Grade Recorder Concert, ES Cafeteria 2:30PM
- 5/29/18 -- ES PTO Meeting -- 6:30PM
- 5/29/18 -- Senior Awards Banquet
- 5/30/18 -- KG & Grade 1 Game Day
- 5/30/18 -- STEAM Expo -- 5:30PM
- 5/31/18 -- Grades 2 & 3 Game Day
- 5/31/18 -- 5th Grade Percussion Ensemble Concert -- 7:00PM
- 6/1/18 -- 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony -- ES Cafeteria -- 9:00AM
- 6/1/18 -- MS Music in the Parks Trip
- 6/1/18 -- HS All Sports & Senior Awards -- 7:00PM
- 6/4/18 -- MS Awards Ceremonies -- 8:00AM & 1:00PM
- 6/4/18 -- Baccalaureate -- 7:00PM
- 6/5/18 -- Last Day of School for Students -- Early Dismissal
- 6/5/18 -- Graduation Ceremony -- 7:00PM
- 6/6/18-6/8/18 -- Schools Closed -- Teacher In-Service
Calling All Veterans...
Please send or e-mail a photo, first name, last name, graduating year, armed forces branch, years of service and theater of operation to:
Oley Valley Middle School
Veterans Wall
3247 Friedensburg Road
Oley, PA 19547
or email Dan Marks with the information.
If you do not have a photo to give us, please stop by the Oley Valley Middle School so we may take a digital image of your photo.
Thank you for your service!
Looking for Bus Drivers!
The Quigley Bus Service is looking for school bus and van drivers for the Oley Valley School District. Part-time positions are available driving morning, afternoon or both. Quigley will train new drivers.
Apply in person on weekdays between 9:00AM-5:00PM at 326 Main Street, Bally, PA.
Oley Valley Employment Opportunities
None
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following certificated vacancies:
HS Mathematics & Technology Education -- Permanent Position Starting August 2018
HS/MS Technology Education -- Permanent Position Starting August 2018
Extended School Year -- Learning Support
Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following job opportunities:
Extended School Year -- Learning Support -- Paraprofessionals
Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support -- Paraprofessionals
Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support -- LPNs
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following substitute vacancies:
Substitute Extended School Year -- Learning Support -- Teacher
Substitute Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support -- Teacher
Substitute Extended School Year -- Learning Support -- Paraprofessional
Substitute Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support -- Paraprofessional
Substitute Extended School Year -- Life Skills Support -- LPN
Substitute Certified Teachers
Substitute Instructional Assistants
Substitute Custodians
Substitute Licensed Practical Nurses
Substitute Clerical
Substitute Dining Services
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following coaching vacancies:
MS Head Boys Basketball
Assistant/JV HS Girls Basketball
MS Assistant Boys Soccer
Click here for more information regarding all employment opportunities.
Oley Valley School District Board of Directors
Stephen S. Burns, President
David R. Pollock, Jr., Vice-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
Oley Valley School District
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.
Email: dschmaldienst@ovsdpa.org
Website: www.oleyvalleysd.org
Location: 17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA, United States
Phone: 610-987-4100