Oley Valley School District
Digital Newsletter -- September 2018
Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year!
Oley Valley Elementary School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyES/
Twitter: @ElemOley
Welcome to OVES!
The elementary school kicked-off the new school year with a school-wide pep rally. The pep rally featured the introduction of all the staff in the school, a review of the school-wide expectations, and a video featuring fifth grade students explaining PAWS – Pride in our school; Act Responsibly; Work Hard; and Show Respect. Staff and students enjoyed the pep rally and are excited for the upcoming school year!
OVES Reaches Out to Support Schools in Need
OVES recently adopted two elementary schools impacted by hurricane Harvey. Both schools are located around the Houston area. The idea to support the schools began when two teachers reached out to individual teachers impacted by the storm. The mission to help and support the teachers quickly grew into a larger focus of supporting both schools. The elementary school is collecting school supplies, books, and basic toiletries. OVES thanks everyone for their generosity.
Click here to view the WFMZ TV story detailing the OVES donation drive.
Oley Valley Middle School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OleyValleyMS/
Twitter: @OleyMS
Welcome Back to the Middle School!
In 2016-2017, the Middle School was 1:1 in that each student was assigned a computer to use for the school year. Unlike at the High School, students had not been permitted to take these computers home.
For the 2017-2018 school year, 8th grade students are taking computers home. A computer (MacBook Air) is assigned to each student. This program mirrors the high school 1:1 program.
The Middle School is featuring a Google View-Master Virtual Reality Lab this school year. This lab allows students to experience virtual field trips and explore many topics in incredible depth and detail. This lab will have 30 View-Masters and is currently being set-up in Room 208. This lab will be open to teachers and students in all three school buildings.
The Middle School welcomes a few new faces this year. These include:
- Mr. Manny Savignano, K-8 Assistant Principal
- Mrs. Nancy Swank, Counselor
- Mr. Nathan Huffman, STEM Teacher
- Mrs. Megan Reichert, Special Education Teacher
Our PTSO organization is always looking for parent volunteers, a great way to support the Middle School! We have had a terrific start to the 2017-2018 school year.
Oley Valley High School Update
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oleyvalleyHS/
Twitter: @OleyValleyHS
PAW Squad Welcomes New Students
Students from the class of 2021 were invited to attend freshman orientation on August 14-16 at the high school. Orientation was hosted by the PAW Squad which is made up of student volunteers who serve as mentors to our new students. 9th graders participated in team building games, reviewed their schedules, received a guided tour, and had a question and answer session with PAW Squad mentors.
PAW Squad mentors will meet with 9th graders periodically throughout the school to assist in making their high school experience a positive one.
OVHS Marching Band to Perform at Penn State University
The Penn State University Athletic Department will be hosting their fourth annual Blue Band Jam Saturday, September 16, 2017, prior to the Georgia State University home game. Twelve high schools, including the Oley Valley “Lynx” High School Marching Band, will be performing at the Bryce Jordan Center alongside the Penn State Blue Band beginning at 5:00pm. The event is free and open to the public. The band will then have an opportunity to attend the Penn State Football game, which begins at 7:30pm to see the pre-game and halftime performances of the Penn State Blue Band.
More information can be found here.
A Busy Summer for OVHS FFA Students
- 1st Place -- Food Science Team (Will compete at the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October).
- 2nd Place -- Environment and Natural Resources Team (Will compete at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts in September).
- 3rd Place -- Milk Quality and Process Team
- 1st Place -- Milk Quality and Process Individual -- Vinny Ferrizzi
4 Oley Valley FFA members were awarded National FFA Scholarships. Congratulations to Hannah Levengood, Zaren Kerper, Jenna Ulrich, and Jeremy Chen See.
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Athletics Update
For Athletic Schedules & Information visit www.ovlynx.org.
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.
Congratulations to the Boys Soccer Team for capturing the 2017 Lynx Kickoff Classic Championship with wins over Berks Catholic and Daniel Boone.
Congratulations to Rebecca Snyder for winning the Northampton Cross Country Invitational in a record time of 18:05!
The Athletic Booster Club is selling Pulled Pork BBQ Tickets for Saturday, September 30th during our homecoming festivities. If you are interested in purchasing tickets please see a Fall Student-Athlete or contact the Athletic Office.
Upcoming Athletic Booster Club Meetings:
Wednesday, September 13th @ 7:00
Thursday, October 12th @ 7:00
*All meetings will be held in the High School Cafeteria
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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.
Dr. Jeffrey F. Zackon 5K Memorial Run & Walk
Oley Valley School District 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.
Annual Special Education Notice
The purpose of this notice is to provide information regarding student records, screening and evaluation, and special education services.
The Oley Valley School District and its employees are required by federal law and state and federal rules and regulations to protect the rights of students. The foundation of these rights comes from federal legislation entitled “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974” (also known as the Buckley Amendments). These are state rules and regulations dealing with regular and special education students’ rights and privacy. All students are covered by the state regulations contained in Chapter 12 known as “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.”
Parents maintain the following rights related to their child’s education records:
- To access the child’s records within 30 days of their request
- To request that information be amended, and
- To include a statement commenting on disputed information contained in their child’s education records.
Local school districts maintain the following responsibilities concerning student records:
- Inform parents, annually, of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Designate individual(s) to ensure the confidentiality of records
- Train personnel regarding confidentiality procedures and policies
- Maintain a listing of personnel who have access to educational records
- Obtain written parental consent prior to release of educational records
- Notify parents when their child’s records contain irrelevant information
- Furnish prior written notification of the destruction of irrelevant information and their rights to obtain copies of such information
The Oley Valley School District uses the following procedures for locating, identifying and evaluating specified needs of school-aged students requiring special programs or services. These procedures, as required by law, are as follows:
The District as prescribed by section 1402 of the School Code routinely conducts screenings of a child’s hearing acuity in grades K-3, 6, 7 and 11 during the fall, visual acuity of all students throughout the year, and speech and language skills of kindergarten students. Contact your child’s building principal for specific screening dates. Gross motor and fine motor skills, academic skills and social emotional skills are assessed by classroom teachers on an ongoing basis. Specified needs from all of these screening sources are noted within the child’s official file. These school records are open and available to parents, and only to school officials who have legitimate “need to know” information about the child. Information from the records is released to other persons or agencies only upon receipt of written signed permission from the parent. Parents with concerns regarding their child may contact building principals at any time to request a screening or evaluation of their child. Communication with parents and exceptional students shall be in English or the native language of the parents.
A building support team, such as MTSS, EPASS, or PASS, within the student’s school will use screening information to identify specific needs or to document the need for further evaluation. If it is determined that a child needs additional services, the support team will make adjustments relative to such things as the child’s learning style, behavior, physical difficulties and speech concerns to assist with classroom expectation. Parents will be notified if a child is receiving support. If a student does not make progress, parents may be asked to give written permission for necessary individual professional evaluations.
When all of the evaluations are completed, a multi-disciplinary evaluation report will be compiled with parent involvement and include specific recommendations for the types of intervention necessary to deal with the child’s specific needs.
Parents are then invited to discuss the results of the multi-disciplinary report. When a student qualifies for services, an appropriate Individualized Education Program will be developed indicating specialized services for the student. Parents are then presented a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP) with which they may agree or disagree.
Chapter 15/Other Protected Handicapped Students
A protected handicapped student is a student who is school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to any aspect of the school program.
In compliance with state and federal law, the Oley Valley School District will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services, or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.
Special Education Services & Programs
The Oley Valley School District provides the following services and programs for identified students. Some of the special education programs are administered by the district while others are a cooperative effort between Oley Valley, other school districts, the Berks County Intermediate Unit and other appropriate agencies. The services and programs are offered to meet the needs of students who require specially designed instruction and are eligible in the following areas: intellectual disability; deafness or hearing impairment; speech or language impairments; visual impairments including blindness; serious emotional disturbance; orthopedic impairments; autism; traumatic brain injury; other health impairments; or specific learning disability.
Information about early intervention, parent rights, mediation or due process proceedings; specific special education services and programs offered by Oley Valley; and our educational records policy are available upon request from the building principal in the child’s school or on the district’s website. A parent may request the district to initiate a screening or evaluation of their child’s specified needs at any time by contacting the building principal.
Americans with Disabilities Act Notice
If you or a member of your family is planning to attend a function in the schools of the Oley Valley School district and have a physical disability, which will result in the creation of a barrier to attendance, please inform the principal of the school at which the event is taking place. This information should be forwarded to the principal well in advance of the event. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the administration will take action to reduce or eliminate the barrier to attendance, whether it be by moving the activity, providing assistive devices or some other invention.
Non-Discrimination Policy
We are 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, family and medical leave, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. We prohibit 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 participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination. Compliance issues/questions should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent.
Child Find Activities
Every child with, or suspected of having, a disability and who resides in Berks County, Pennsylvania is entitled to a comprehensive evaluation by a multi-disciplinary team tht includes the child’s parents, current teachers, and a school district of residence representative. The purpose of such an evaluation is to determine whether the child has a disability and, if so, to determine the nature and severity of the disability and the educational needs of the child. If the child is identified as having a disability, he or she is entitled to special education and related services from his or her school district of residence and might be entitled to certain special education and related services from Berks County Intermediate Unite in conjunction with his or her private school program. A child can be suspected of having such a disability even if he or she is progressing from grade to grade.
For further information about the above services, please call Mrs. Dawn Cambria, Director of Student Services, 610-987-4100, ext 1187.
Annual Notification of Rights Under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students who are 18 years of age or older (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are:
- The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the Oley Valley School District receives a request for access.
Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal a written request that identifies the records they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
- The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
Parents or eligible students who wish to ask the District to amend a records should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it should be changed. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
- The right to provide written consent before the school discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. On exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel) or a person serving on the school board. A school official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the school who performs an institutional service or function for which the school would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the school with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist; a parent or student, or other volunteer assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
Upon request, the school discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes of the student’s enrollment or transfer.
FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the parent or eligible student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in Section 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures ot the parent or eligible student, Section 99.32 of the FERPA regulations requires the school to record the disclosure. Parents and eligible students have a right to inspect and review the records of disclosures.
- The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Oley Valley School District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20202
Integrated Pest Management Annual Notice
The Oley Valley School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents, and weeds. Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school buildings and grounds to detect any pests that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our school personnel. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.
From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem. Chemicals will be used only when necessary, and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used, the school will use the least toxic product possible. (Applications will be made only after school hours.) Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the application.
Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notifications, you must be placed in the school notification registry. If you would like to be placed on the registry, please notify the district in writing. Please include your e-mail address if you would like to be notified electronically. Please send requests to: Ms. Lori McIlvee, Oley Valley School District, 17 Jefferson St., Oley, PA 19547.
If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem (ex., stinging insects), notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has requested in writing such notification. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and anti-microbial products: self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids.
Each year the district will prepare a new notification registry. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Lori McIlvee, at 610-987-4100, ext. 1312.
Important Upcoming Events
- 9/7/17 -- HS Gifted Parent Meeting -- 6:00PM
- 9/7/17 -- HS Open House -- 6:30PM
- 9/11/17 -- Patriots Day
- 9/11/17 -- School Board Committee Meetings
- 9/12/17 -- HS Financial Aid Night -- HS Cafeteria -- 6:30PM
- 9/12/17 -- School Board Communications Committee Meeting -- HS Library -- 7:00PM
- 9/13/17 -- School Board Combined Committee Meeting -- HS Library -- 7:00PM
- 9/14/17 -- OVSD Special Education Parent Meeting -- MS Music Room -- 6:00PM
- 9/14/17 -- MS Gifted Parent Discussion Meeting -- MS Library -- 6:00PM
- 9/14/17 -- MS Open House -- 6:30PM
- 9/15/17 -- HS Picture Retake Day
- 9/15/17 -- 7th & 8th Grade Dance -- 7:00PM
- 9/17/17 -- Constitution Day
- 9/18/17 -- MS Picture Day
- 9/19/17 -- ES Picture Day
- 9/20/17 -- School Board Meeting -- HS Library -- 7:00PM
- 9/20/17 -- Oley Valley Community Fair
- 9/20/17 -- MS PTSO Meeting -- MS Library --7:00PM
- 9/21/17 -- Oley Valley Community Fair
- 9/22/17 -- Schools Closed
- 9/22/17 -- Oley Valley Community Fair
- 9/23/17 -- Oley Valley Community Fair
- 9/24/17 -- Homecoming Week
- 9/25/17 -- ES PTO Meeting -- ES Library -- 6:30PM
- 9/29/17 -- Alumni Awards Presentation
- 9/29/17 -- Powderpuff Football/Homecoming Bonfire -- 6:30PM
- 9/30/17 -- Homecoming Athletic Events
- 9/30/17 -- Athletic Booster Chicken BBQ
- 9/30/17 -- Homecoming Dance -- 7:00PM
- 10/2/17 -- School Board Committee Meetings
- 10/5/17 -- HS Musical Showcase -- HS Auditorium -- 7:00PM
- 10/8/17 -- Fire Prevention Week
- 10/8/17 -- National School Lunch Week
- 10/9/17 -- Schools Closed -- In Service
Donation Opportunity
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!
- 1907-1919
- 1956
- 1958-1962
- 1972
- 1982
- 1985-1986
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
Business Manager
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following certificated vacancies:
High School Special Education Teacher
High School Special Education Teacher (LTS)
High School English (LTS)
High School Math (LTS)
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following job opportunities:
Food Service -- Part Time
Instructional Aide -- Part Time
The Oley Valley School District currently has the following substitute vacancies:
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 Asst. Girls Basketball
MS Asst. Baseball
Click here for more information regarding all employment opportunities.
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