Oley Valley School District
Digital Update -- December 2016
**CLICK ON IMAGES TO MAKE THEM LARGER**
OVHS Field Hockey State Finals -- Schoolwide Pep Rally
Oley Valley Elementary School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyES/
Twitter: @ElemOley
OVES Students and Staff Help the Community
During the week of December 5th, the OVES Student Council joined forces with the PTO to raise money for the Angel Tree Project. The Angel Tree Project is an annual fundraising drive which donates gift cards to families in need during the holiday season. The elementary school conducted a week-long coin war. Students and staff were extremely giving and donated over and $2700! Grade 5 was the winning class and received a soft pretzel party. The entire school, for their generosity, received a hat day on December 12th.
Thank you to the PTO, Student Council, and all students and staff that helped support our charitable efforts during the holiday season.
Oley Valley Middle School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyMS/
Twitter: @OleyMS
OVMS Students and Veterans are Pen Pals
In early October, eighth grade students in Mrs. Nigrini's American Foundations classes were invited to write a supportive letter to a soldier who was currently deployed overseas. These letters were set to be distributed to international military men and women stationed at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo who were there on a peacekeeping mission. Lt. Col. Michael Wegsheider, father of two OVSD students, kindly facilitated the letter exchange. Students were hopeful for return correspondence, but knew that they were not guaranteed a letter in return. It felt like Christmas morning when, in late November and early December, students began to receive letters and care packages from some of the soldiers under Mr. Wegsheider's command! We are happy to report that Mr. Wegsheider has returned to the United States safely and are grateful for his willingness to help with this valuable learning experience.
Article submitted by Mrs. Anne Nigrini, Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Oley Valley High School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oleyvalleyHS/
Twitter: @OleyValleyHS
Child Holocaust Survivor Invited to Speak to OVHS Students
On November 15th, 2016, Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer and her twin sons, Jeff and Jack, offered an inspirational story of hope, courage, and survival to students enrolled in History of the Holocaust. Hilde was ten years old in 1936, two years into Adolf Hitler's dictatorial rule, when the Nazis ordered that all Jewish children be banned from German public schools. Because of this, Hilde was forced to attend a synagogue in a nearby town in order to continue her education. Then, in November 1938, the catastrophic night known as Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass) occurred. Jewish businesses, homes, synagogues, etc. were burnt and heavily damaged, including property owned by Mrs. Gernsheimer's family. Her father was arrested that same night and taken to one of the first Nazi-run concentration camps. Hilde remembers her father not even having time to tie his shoes as the Nazi authorities dragged him out of the house. Her father would later send a message to his wife warning her to quickly move the children to safety. Hilde and one of her sisters were soon accepted into the Kindertransport program that sent Jewish children to England so they could escape the dangers of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Once across the English Channel, Hilde and her sister stayed in a boarding school where they learned English and made new friends. Unfortunately, after the war was over in 1945, Mrs. Gernsheimer realized that most of her family did not survive the Holocaust. She would then move to Canada and later to the United States, where she would start a family of her own. Hilde considers herself incredibly lucky because she survived unlike the one million other Jewish children who suffered a cruel fate at one of the many infamous concentration or extermination camps. Her survival was something that she cherished, believing she had to “make the best of what was handed” to her. She continues to keep in touch with some of her other “family” members, the young Jewish girls who also endured the same life-saving voyage to escape the Nazis. Hilde and her sons want to share their family’s experiences with others, in the hope that they will learn from this tragic chapter in history so it never repeats itself.
Article Submitted by Mr. Nicholaos Kallis, Social Studies Teacher
School Closing/Cancellation Information
The Oley Valley School District uses the following methods to inform the public of closings, delays and early dismissals:
- School Messenger -- Mass phone call system
- Social Media -- Facebook/Twitter
- School District Webpage -- www.oleyvalleysd.org
- Mass Media -- WFMZ, WGAL, CBS3, NBC10, 6ABC, WEEU
- Text Messaging -- REMIND
The Oley Valley School District makes every effort to inform the public as soon as possible regarding a change in the school schedule.
Raptor Visitor Management Implemented in OVSD
The Oley Valley School District is pleased to announce that we will begin using the Raptor Visitor Management System in all of our district buildings to build on the district’s program of campus safety for students and faculty. Part of keeping students and faculty safe is knowing who is in our building at all times and the Raptor system will allow us to do that. The Raptor system will better allow us to track visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools and provide us with a safer environment for our students and staff.
Upon entering a district building, visitors will be asked to present a valid state-issued ID, which will be scanned into the system. The Raptor system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not entering our buildings. It is important to note that the Raptor system only scans the visitor's name, date of birth and photo for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. Additional visitor data from the driver's license is not gathered nor is the system connected to any other system such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. Therefore, any other information on the ID is not scanned by the system and is not accessible to any of the users. Once entry is approved, Raptor will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit.
A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork. In the event that a person does not have identification, he/she can still be given access to the building, but will be escorted by a school staff member.
If you are interested in learning more about the Raptor visitor management system, please visit the Raptor Technologies website (www.raptortech.com). If you have any questions for the district personnel, please contact 610-987-4100.
The safety of our students is our highest priority and the Raptor visitor management system provides a consistent way to aid in keeping away people who may present a danger to our students. Therefore, all visitors to the school must be scanned into the system and obtain a visitor badge. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding and support of enhancing school safety protocols in our district.
Athletics Update
For Athletic Schedules & Information visit www.ovlynx.org
Follow the Athletic Department on Twitter @OVLynx for varsity scores and live playoff updates each season.
The Winter Season is well underway and games and matches started on Saturday, December 10th. Check out the Athletic Website for a full winter schedule and come out to support our winter Student-Athletes!
Congratulations to the Field Hockey Team for finishing the season 26-1 and as PIAA State Finalists. This was the 6th time in school history that the Field Hockey Team reached the PIAA State Championship Game. The tell fell behind 4-0 early in the 2nd half and battled all the way back to pull within 4-3 before time expired just before they could complete a great comeback. As one National reporter for Topofthecircle.com wrote about the game, “It takes a special team to win any state final, but it takes an even more special team to even think of coming back from a four-goal second-half deficit.” The same national blog website released their final 2016 National Rankings with the Lynx being ranked the 8th best team in the Country! Well done Lady Lynx!
Congratulations to all of our Berks County Fall All-Star Team members:
Golf
Conner Gollwitzer – All-Berks
Chris Kubitz – All-Division II
Jenna Miller – All-Division II Honorable Mention
Boys Soccer
Jaegar Frangakis – All-County
Clark Williamson – All-County
Ethan LaVerdure – All-County
Josh Daniels – All-County 2nd Team/All-Division II
JP Pierdomenico – All-Division II
Dillin Gehris – All-Division II Honorable Mention
Nash Williamson – All-Division II Honorable Mention
Alex Kochey – All-Division II Honorable Mention
Cross Country
Rebecca Snyder – All-Berks & All-State
Molly Talarico – All-Division II
Girls Volleyball
Hannah Bartock – All-Division II Honorable Mention
Girls Soccer
Eliza Meals – All-County 2nd Team/All-Division III
Lindsey Williamson – All-Division III
Sydney Weise – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Allyson Kemmerer – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Kylie Hetrick – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Field Hockey
Samantha Buzalewski – All-County & All-State 1st Team
Shannon Lackey – All-County & All-State 1st Team
Sophia Gladieux – All-County & All-State 1st Team
Madision Kline – All-Division III & All-State 2nd Team
Sydney Gillingham – All-Division III & All-State Honorable Mention
Hannah Beers – All-Division III
Sarah Beers – All-Division III
Becca Heffner – All-Division III
Caitlin Drobek – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Andrea Hinkle – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Sophia Mackrella – All-Division III Honorable Mention
Donations Needed
ATI Sports Medicine is the provider of Athletic Training Services to the Oley Valley School District. This holiday season, we are collecting much-needed personal care items for the Greater Berks Food Bank. Our Certified Athletic Trainers are requesting donations from athletic teams, fans, teachers, faculty, staff, and community members. We will have donation boxes set up in the lobby of each school and at middle school and high school athletic events. The donation drive will run until Monday, January 9th.
Items needed include:
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Diapers & Pull-ups
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste for all ages
- Baby wipes, wash, shampoo, lotion
- Tampons and pads
- Razors and shaving cream.
Monetary donations are accepted at the high school athletic office.
Thank you for your support!
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!
Attention Alumni!
- 1919
- 1956
- 1958
- 1959
- 1960
- 1961
- 1962
- 1972
- 1975
- 1982
- 1985
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- 1987
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.
Click here for more information and ways to donate toward this great organization.
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
High School Assistant Principal
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following certificated vacancy:
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following job opportunities:
Part-Time 182 Day Instructional Assistant(s)
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following substitute openings:
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:
HS Head Track & Field Coach
HS Assistant Track & Field Coaches (Distance, Hurdles, Pole Vault)
MS Head & Assistant Softball Coach
Click here for more information regarding all employment opportunities.
OVSD SMILES Program
The Oley Valley School District invites senior citizens to participate in the SMILES (Senior Motivators In Learning and Education Services) Program. The primary purpose of the program is to enable senior citizens to contribute their time and effort to worthy projects in the district, depending upon interest and skill. Senior citizens may choose to support the school in a variety of ways including, but not limited to:
Tutoring Students
Helping with Service Projects
Clerical Assistance in Building Offices or Libraries
Assisting the Maintenance Staff
Any person who is a resident of the Oley Valley School District, is 62 years of age and is liable for the payment of school property taxes is eligible for this program. Volunteers, who complete up to 100 hours of service, qualify for a maximum rebate in school property taxes of up to $500. Special arrangements are available for residents who would like to participate, but are unable due to a serious medical condition.
Persons who meet the above criteria must complete a Senior Volunteer Application, an Act 34 PA State Police Request for Criminal Record Check, a PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and an FBI Clearance. As a volunteer, there is no cost to obtain the PA State Police Request for Criminal Record Check or the PA Child Abuse History Clearance. However, there is a fee associated with the FBI Clearance. The school district must have these forms prior to a SMILES participant beginning their volunteer time.
For more information and an application, please contact Maria Jones at 610-987-4100, Ext. 1210.
Important Upcoming Events
- 12/22/16 -- HS Winter Dance
- 12/23/16 -- Early Dismissal -- MS @ 10:45, HS @ 11:00, ES @ 12:00
- 12/24/16 -- 1/2/17 -- Schools Closed
- 1/5/17 -- ES Parent Discussion Meeting
- 1/9/17 -- School Board Committee Meetings
- 1/10/17 -- Literature Keystone Exams -- OVHS
- 1/11/17 -- School Board Combined Committee Meeting 7:00PM
- 1/12/17 -- MS PTSO Meeting -- 7:00PM
- 1/12/17 -- Algebra I Keystone Exams -- OVHS
- 1/13/17 -- 6th Grade Dance -- 7:00PM
- 1/16/17 -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day -- Schools Closed -- Possible Snow Make-Up Day
- 1/17/17 -- End of Quarter 2/End of Semester 1
- 1/18/17 -- School Board Meeting 7:00PM
- 1/18/17 -- Grade 2 Chorus Concert -- 10:00AM & 1:00PM
- 1/19/17 -- Biology Keystone Exams -- OVHS
- 1/30/17 -- HS Parent Discussion Meeting
Oley Valley School District Board of Directors
Stephen S. Burns, President
David Pollock, Jr., Vice-President
Carl J. Kubitz, Jr., Treasurer
Joanne Ewing, Board Member
Christopher Hannum, Board Member
Robert Heckman, Board Member
Darrell L. Markley, Ed.D., Board Member
Ralph Richard, Board Member
Dawn Zackon, Board Member
Maria Jones, Board Secretary (non-member)
John Stott, Esquire, Board Solicitor
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