- Need this newsletter in Spanish? Open this webpage and copy the link at the top of the webpage, and then open Google Translate and paste in the link. Select "Spanish" and click the translated link.
- ¿Necesita este boletín en español? Abra esta página web y copie el enlace desde la parte superior de su navegador. Luego, vaya a Google Translate, pegue el enlace, seleccione "español" y haga clic en el enlace traducido.
Leadership Message
- from the Superintendent
Now that we have entered the months of May and June, we have an opportunity to celebrate the many accomplishments that have defined this school year, reflect on the growth and success of our students, and recognize the strong partnerships that continue to strengthen our school community. The progress achieved both inside and outside the classroom is a direct result of the dedication and collaboration of our students, families, faculty, and staff. While we are beginning to look ahead to the opportunities that will shape the coming year, we remain focused on finishing this school year strong. As we approach the end of the academic year, our attention turns to Regents, final examinations, and end of the year assessments. We commend all of our students for the hard work, determination, and perseverance they have demonstrated throughout the year. We are confident that their efforts will be reflected as they complete these important assessments and bring the year to a successful close. One of the highlights of the past month has been our continued emphasis on recognizing and rewarding student achievement. Through our incentive programs, students earned the opportunity to participate in trips to Seabreeze Amusement Park and a Syracuse Mets baseball game. These experiences provided memorable opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments while reinforcing the importance of positive behavior, strong attendance, and academic effort. We would also like to recognize the outstanding success of our elementary musical production, The Lion King. The performance showcased the tremendous talent, creativity, and dedication of our students and staff. It was inspiring to see our school community come together to celebrate the arts and support our young performers as they delivered an entertaining and memorable production. As we look ahead to the final weeks of the school year, we are excited for many of the traditions that make this time so special. Graduation, moving-up ceremonies, and field days provide opportunities to celebrate student growth, achievement, and the strong sense of community that defines our district. These events serve as important milestones for our students and families while allowing us to recognize the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments that have made this another successful school year.
- Brian Collier
Elementary Update
Dear Students, Families, Staff and Community Members, As we close another remarkable school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we have accomplished together and express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year a success. Throughout the year, our students have demonstrated resilience, growth, kindness, and a commitment to learning. From our youngest learners in pre-kindergarten to our graduating seniors, each student has worked hard to reach new milestones, overcome challenges, and achieve personal successes. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and accomplishments. This year has been filled with memorable experiences, including academic achievements, athletic competitions, concerts, performances, field trips, community events and celebrations of learning. These opportunities have helped our students grow not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. I would like to extend a special thank you to our dedicated faculty and staff. Their commitment, passion, and unwavering support for our students create the positive learning environment that makes our school community so special. Their efforts each day truly make a difference. To our families, thank you for your partnership, encouragement, and support throughout the year. Your involvement and collaboration are essential to student success, and we are grateful for the trust you place in us. We also celebrate the graduating seniors as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. We wish them continued success and happiness as they pursue their goals and dreams. They will always be an important part of our Viking family. As summer begins, I encourage everyone to take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. While enjoying a well-deserved break, I also encourage students to continue reading, exploring new interests, and engaging in activities that foster curiosity and learning. Thank you for making this school year one of growth, achievement, and community. It has been an honor to serve as the PK-12 principal, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall for another exciting year of learning and success. Have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer!
- from Shelly Richards (Pre-K through 12 Principal)
News Recap from the Elementary School
Middle School/High School Update
As we conclude another successful school year at Otselic Valley Central School, we celebrate the accomplishments of our students, staff, and families. This year was marked by academic growth, increased student engagement, improved attendance, and continued opportunities for students to excel both inside and outside the classroom. Academic Growth in Grades 6-8 Our middle school students demonstrated strong academic progress throughout the year. Benchmarking data showed significant gains in both Mathematics and English Language Arts:
- Mathematics proficiency increased from 56% of students performing on grade level last year to 62% this year.
- ELA proficiency increased from 48% of students performing on grade level last year to 55% this year.
- 58% of middle school students demonstrated growth in mathematics benchmarks.
- 48% of middle school students demonstrated growth in ELA benchmarks.
These gains reflect the dedication of our students, teachers, and support staff as they worked together to improve learning outcomes and build strong academic foundations. High School Student Success Our high school students continued to prepare for future success through college, career, and civic readiness opportunities. Among the graduating Class of 2026:
- 88% of seniors earned college credits, Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) credentials, or the Seal of Civic Readiness.
These accomplishments demonstrate our commitment to providing multiple pathways for students as they prepare for life after graduation. Student Involvement Beyond the Classroom One of the strengths of Otselic Valley is the willingness of students to become involved in school activities beyond academics. This year:
- 92% of students participated in one or more extracurricular activities.
Students were involved in a wide variety of opportunities, including:
- Athletics
- The school musical
- Drama productions
- Pep Club
- FFA
- Student leadership and service activities
Research consistently shows that participation in extracurricular activities is linked to increased student engagement, stronger school connections, and improved academic outcomes. We are proud of the many students who chose to become active members of our school community. Improved Attendance and Student Engagement Regular attendance is critical to student success, and this year Otselic Valley made meaningful progress. Highlights include:
- Improved overall PK-12 attendance rates
- A reduction in chronic absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing approximately 10% of the school year, or about 18 days of instruction. Reducing missed instructional time allows students to remain connected to their learning, teachers, and peers while increasing opportunities for academic success. Summer Opportunities for Students and Families Learning, recreation, and community involvement continue throughout the summer months. The Town of Otselic Recreation Program will once again provide a variety of opportunities for local youth. The program will run June 29 through July 24 and is available to all Town of Otselic residents. This year's program includes:
- A swim program hosted in Sherburne
- A trip to the Planetarium in Hamilton
- A visit to the Colgate bookstore in Hamilton, where each participant will receive a free book of their choosing
- A trip to Water Safari on July 24
Students are also encouraged to stay active through a variety of summer athletic opportunities. The Perry Cook Post #973 Legion Baseball Team is being sponsored this summer and includes six Otselic Valley student-athletes, along with players from neighboring districts including DeRuyter Central School District and Whitney Point Central School District. Younger students in grades PK-5 can participate in:
- Tee-ball
- Softball
- Peewee Baseball
These are offered through the Town of Otselic recreation program. Families are encouraged to visit the OV Rec page for additional information, registration details, and game schedules. Looking Ahead The accomplishments of this school year reflect the dedication, resilience, and commitment of the entire Otselic Valley community. From academic gains and improved attendance to extracurricular participation and college and career readiness achievements, our students continue to demonstrate what it means to be a Viking. We thank our students for their hard work, our families for their partnership, and our faculty and staff for their unwavering dedication to supporting every learner. I’m thrilled for all the fun that summer break brings, but even more excited to start working towards making the 2026-2027 school year even better than our last. Have a great summer, Vikings!
- from Eric Wentworth (Dean of Students, 6-12 Social Studies Teacher)
News Recap from the Middle/High School
Otselic Valley Central School District • P.O. Box 161, 125 County Road 13A • South Otselic, NY 13155
Phone: (315) 653-7218 • Fax: (315) 653-7500