- 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
The school year is off to a tremendous start, and it already feels like it��s flying by! Our Open House was a wonderful way to kick off the year, with a fantastic turnout from families. We also extend our sincere thanks to the many community agencies and vendors who helped create such a fun and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. We appreciate your continued support in getting the year off to such a positive start, especially as we adjust to the new personal device regulation established by New York State. Your partnership has been invaluable in helping us successfully implement this change.
We are also excited about the success of our new communication app, with over 70% of families already connected. This tool has quickly become a one-stop shop for everything related to school and a simple way to stay in touch with your child’s teacher. If you haven’t signed up yet, we strongly encourage you to do so.
Across the district, we remain focused on our revised strategic plan, making adjustments to ensure our work is aligned with the updated priorities and goals that will guide us forward. We are grateful to our faculty, staff, and students for their dedication to this important work. Most recently, our school community came together to celebrate Homecoming, and what a wonderful week it was! Thanks to the efforts of our staff, students, and families, it became a memorable celebration that highlighted the pride and spirit of our community.
Looking ahead, we are excited for the many upcoming events and opportunities to learn and celebrate together. Each of these moments gives us the chance to highlight and share the successes of all members of our district community.
- Brian Collier
Principal Message (Pre-K through 5)
- from Shelly Richards (Pre-K through 5 Principal and CSE Director)
Dear Otselic Valley Families,
Happy October! It is hard to believe we are already well into the fall season. The hallways are buzzing with excitement, the leaves are changing, pumpkins are popping up on porches, and our classrooms are bursting with excitement and learning. Students are finding their rhythm both in and out of the classroom, making new friends and showing so much curiosity each day. Thank you for helping to make the start of the school year so smooth and successful!
October is full of fun, learning, and a little spooky spirit -- here’s what’s happening this month in the classrooms:
- Teachers have been diving deep into hands-on learning!
- Our STEAM classes and maker space projects are in full swing -- students are creating, coding, and collaborating!
Ask your child when new skills they’ve learned this month -- you’ll be amazed!
October Highlights:
Fire Safety Visit -- October 14th with the South Otselic and Pharsalia Fire Departments
AG in the Classroom started this month for our 2nd-5th graders with our representative from the Cooperative Extension. They do a variety of hands-on learning activities and the students really love it!
Morning program officially begins on October 17th -- where families are invited to attend. As a reminder, it does not start until 8:20 -- doors will open at 8:10 for you to head straight to the MPR. You may not leave the MPR once you have signed in and teachers will not have impromptu conferences with you while they are with their classes
Buddy Reading -- 3rd and 4th grades are doing a Buddy Reading time every Friday
Flat Stanley -- 5th grade Social Studies classes will be working on a Flat Stanley project with each elementary grade. They will also travel across the globe to visit other students that are in the same grade level
Second Grade pen pals -- Second graders are writing letters to another 2nd grade class in Montana. They are so excited when they get letters back from their pen pals and get right to work on their responses
Second grade book publishing -- Every year, Mrs. Marston’s 2nd grade creates their own class book. They’ve already begun production of this year’s project
Room 112 Update: Mrs. Young’s fifth graders are hard at work publishing our very own classroom newspaper -- The Viking Press! To sharpen their interviewing skills, they recently met with Mrs. Davis’s kindergarten class for a special feature they are calling Tiny Humans of OV. Our young journalists had a wonderful time learning more about our kindergarten friends, and they can’t wait to share their stories with you when the newsletter is published!
- October 25th -- Pumpkin Walk: Our Arts in Education team is putting together a pumpkin walk for October 25th from 5-7pm, in conjunction with the fire department and local church Trunk or Treat event
- October 31st -- Halloween Parade at 1:30pm
- November 5th -- Picture Day make-ups
- November 7th -- Veteran’s Day Assembly (in place of morning program)
- Tuesday, November 11th -- Veteran’s Day: No School
- November 14th: Report cards
- November 24th and 25th: Half Day parent teacher conferences
- November 26th, 27th and 28th: Thanksgiving Break, No School
I’m so proud of how our students have started the school year -- with big smiles, kind hearts, and curious minds. Keep encouraging them to read at home every night, ask great question, and to try their best everyday.
Stay connected!
- Follow our school on our OV Facebook page, Apptegy Rooms and our district webpage
- Check your child’s back-pack and take home folders often for upcoming events, flyers and classroom news
News Recap from the Elementary School
Principal Message (6-12)
– from Deb Kurtz (Interim 6-12 Principal and MTSS Coordinator)
Happy Fall! First, I want to thank students, staff, and community members for the warm welcome that I have received since being back in the Valley. I’m truly happy to be back and look forward to serve in the role of your MS/HS Principal on an Interim basis.
What an exciting three weeks it has been for me since being back in the Valley! Fall athletics are well under way and I have had the pleasure of attending soccer games, all levels, both boys and girls. We have two seniors who joined S-E for Varsity football and three students who are also playing at S-E on the modified football team. It has been fun seeing them play and watching them embrace their teams and develop new friendships.
Spirit Week kicked off the events of Homecoming week with each day students sporting a variety of themes including the wearing of tie-dye, pink in support of Breast Cancer, and sport jerseys or black and gold to share Viking pride. Wednesday evening was the HOCO parade through the village with a number of classes and teams represented. Thursday afternoon was the school wide pep-rally where all sports teams including cheer were represented with student athletes being introduced. A variety of competitive games/activities were met with enthusiasm. Thursday afternoon/ evening was the community tailgate celebration with soccer games beginning at 4:00 pm. All soccer teams had home contests with the Varsity games being played under the lights. Senior athletes and their parents were recognized prior to the Varsity games. Thank you to the community for the amazing turn out in support of the weeks activities and events! The week culminated with the HOCO dance which was well attended. A busy but fun week for sure!
Rehearsals for the fall play/production are in full swing! Watch the OVCS webpage and Facebook for updates! If you would like to place an ad to recognize your favorite actor/actress/crew member, please reach out to Chris Kalin at ckalin@ovcs.org. Our students have participated in a variety of field trips in recent weeks including a performance of Hamilton, college visits, the incentive trip to Dorchester Park, as well as trips through BOCES for those students in CTE programming to name a few.
Our new cell phone policy has been relatively successful. While students have expressed disdain over its implementation, they have been trying their best to comply. We appreciate their efforts and your support as it has been a huge change for them!
As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have regarding your students’ education/school experience. My door is always open and I welcome you to stop in.
Deb Kurtz, Interim MS/HS Principal
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