There will be no morning programs on April 3, 10, 17, 24, and May 1.
We’ll see you again on May 8th!
|| Senior Families: Last Chance for Yearbook Ads!
Families of the Class of 2026 -- this is a final reminder to submit senior ads for the 2025-26 Otselic Valley Yearbook.
Senior ads must be submitted by Friday, April 3.
Create your ad online here:https://rebrand.ly/no1b1hm
School code: 5405
Select “Start Your Ad” instead of “Order a Yearbook.”
Ad options:
• Quarter-page color ad: $55
• Half-page color ad: $95
The yearbook itself can still be ordered online through May 2.
Thank you for helping us celebrate the Class of 2026!
|| REMINDER: Early Dismissal – Monday, March 30
This is a friendly reminder that Otselic Valley will have an early dismissal tomorrow, March 30th at 11:15 AM after lunch is served. Morning BOCES students will attend their class as usual.
This will allow members of our school community the opportunity to honor Mr. Thorp's significant contributions to the community and district.
Thank you again for your understanding and support during this difficult time in our district and community.
|| Musical Cast Fun!
We asked the cast of Emma: A Pop Musical an important question…
Who is most likely to drop a line on stage?
Watch our latest reel to see what the cast had to say! Watch it here.
Performance Dates:
• Friday, April 17 – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, April 18 – 2:00 PM (Matinee)
#OVPride #OVMusical
We started our Friday the OV way with the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song, followed by student shares from each grade, including the weather and lunch menu. During Kids with Character, everyone joined together to sing the Cooperation song from PurposeFull People.
Students also shared jokes and fun facts, bringing plenty of smiles to the room. We also celebrated some special OV birthdays today — happy birthday to Claire, Lawson, Clay, Aubree, Nolan, Addison, Natalie, Aerieanna, Bryce, Nick, Owen, Gracelynn, Jayder, and Kameron!
We also recognized our OV Shoutouts for the week. Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized!
Our OV’s Got Talent performance featured Amelia, who sang “Queens Don’t.” She did an amazing job!
Reminder for families: Our next Morning Program will be held on May 8. We’ll share another reminder next week.
What a great way to start our Friday!
Get ready to show your Viking pride with our Spirit Days next week:
• Monday – Meme Day
Dress up as your favorite meme – funny, iconic, or even weird!
• Tuesday – Flower Power
Celebrate spring with colorful hippie or 70’s-inspired outfits.
• Wednesday – Dynamic Duo
Partner with a friend or teacher as your favorite dynamic duo.
• Thursday – Game Day: Black vs Gold
Team Black (odd classes) and Team Gold (even classes) compete for the Viking Cup. Wear your black and gold and cheer on your team!
Teams will earn points based on class participation and school spirit, so let’s see which team brings the most Viking pride!
Students in grades 9-12 who are interested in Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and SUNY Cortland had the opportunity to visit both campuses and learn more about the academic programs, campus life, and activities each school has to offer.
It was a valuable experience that helped students to think about their future goals and college options. Students were also able to compare these campuses to schools we visited in the fall, helping them to reflect on what environments may be the best fit for them.
Visiting college campuses is an important step in the planning process, as it allows students to get a real feel for campus life and better understand what they're looking for in a college. With summer right around the corner, it's a great time for students and families to start scheduling college visits!
We are also looking forward to attending the college fair at DCMO BOCES on April 16, where students will have another opportunity to connect with college representatives. Permission slips will be sent home next week.
The Otselic Valley After Prom Community Committee is inviting local businesses and community members to help support this year’s After Prom celebration on May 29, 2026.
After Prom provides a safe, fun, and memorable environment for our students to celebrate together following the prom. Community support helps make this special event possible.
Sponsorship Levels:
• Gold: $100 and higher
• Silver: $50-$99
• Bronze: Any amount under $50
Community members can also contribute prizes or donations to support the event.
Checks can be made payable to:
OV After Prom Community Committee
Mail to:
Otselic Valley Central School
ATTN: OV After Prom Community Committee
125 County Road 13A
South Otselic, NY 13155
Thank you for supporting our students and helping create a safe and enjoyable night celebrating their accomplishments!
Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Check out this FREE family event at the New York Energy Zone!
Join in the fun on Sunday, March 29 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM for a day full of hands-on activities and springtime excitement.
Event highlights include:
• FREE photos with the Easter Bunny
• Spring crafts
• STEM activities
• Over 40 interactive science exhibits
This is a great opportunity for families to explore, learn, and celebrate the season together!
• New York Energy Zone (next to the Utica Zoo)
• Utica, NY
This week, we’re stepping back to the 1961 South Otselic Centralian yearbook and a glimpse of student life in action.
From the tennis courts to the baseball field, and from the Fair Association to the Athletic Council, students were actively involved both in athletics and in school events and traditions.
It’s great to see the pride, teamwork, and involvement that have long been part of our school community.
The Morning Program will still take place tomorrow. However, the 4th Grade Showcase will not be held this week as originally planned.
Thank you for your understanding.
Students are beginning to learn about the sound /ar/, and since it is a pirate’s favorite sound, they made a day of it!
Students started the day with our “AR Song,” then wrote as many AR words as they could recall from the song on a long strip of paper. They used those strips to create pirate hats!
Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of engaging activities:
• A treasure hunt around the downstairs to find coins with AR words
• Logging the words they found and using them to create sentences
• A sorting game with “pirate words” (with AR) and “shipwrecked words” (without AR)
• Task activities including rhyming, counting sounds and letters, and identifying AR words
• A class-wide AR word hunt using books from their book boxes
They had a blast learning this new sound pattern, and lucky for them, it will be the focus of their spelling list!
Fourth grade students are continuing their clay project thanks to funding from the Chenango County Council of the Arts. This is the second year the grant has supported this work, and students are now in their second round of creating coil pots.
Students are already showing clear growth in their clay skills. Many are creating mugs, and the photos highlight the care and attention they brought to their work. Next week, students will begin adding handles.
Several students have shared plans to gift their finished pieces to family members, and their enthusiasm for the project has been evident throughout.
The pieces will be fired and glazed before being returned to students. We look forward to sharing photos of the finished work.
Thank you to Ms. Cantrell for securing the grant and leading this engaging lesson.
|| Emotion Into Art Inspires Otselic Valley Students
On Wednesday, March 18, Otselic Valley students had the opportunity to experience an unforgettable presentation by Tom Varano, founder of Emotion Into Art™.
Through a powerful combination of storytelling, music, and live speed painting, Tom captivated our audience from start to finish. As he painted in real time to music, he shared personal stories and meaningful life lessons centered on resilience, courage, and the importance of staying true to yourself.
Students were not only amazed by his artistic talent, but also inspired by his message: to be authentic and follow their dreams with passion and purpose.
Thank you to Tom Varano for bringing such an energetic, creative, and impactful experience to our school. His message and artistry truly made a lasting impression on our OV community.
To learn more about Emotion Into Art and its message, visit: https://www.emotionintoart.com/
The OV Booster Club is kicking off their spring apparel fundraiser, don’t miss your chance to grab some OV gear!
Shop here: https://otselicspring.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Thank you for supporting the OV Booster Club and our students!
Otselic Valley remembers Thomas M. Thorp, a 1980 graduate who also served as a dedicated bus driver and trusted confidant to everyone for more than 23 years.
Tom made a lasting impression on the students he transported each day. His hardworking demeanor and dependability were hallmarks of the OV transportation department for many years. He will be remembered for his infectious smile and backwards hat—often the first and last things students experienced in a school day.
Tom took great pride in his work and his community. Whether through his craftsmanship, his willingness to help others, or the relationships he built with students and families, he made a difference that will not be forgotten.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tom’s wife, Tina, his children and grandchildren, and all of his family, friends, and colleagues.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 29 from 1:00-5:00 p.m., with a funeral service on Monday, March 30, at 1:00 p.m. at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home in Norwich.
To allow members of our school community the opportunity to honor his significant contributions to the community and district, Otselic Valley Central School will have a half day of school on Monday, March 30, with dismissal at 11:15 a.m.
To read more about Tom’s life, please visit his obituary here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/norwich-ny/thomas-thorp-12798290
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. We thank you for your support and understanding.
Please see the message from our Superintendent for important information and support.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
We understand that children may respond to grief in different ways. Some may want to talk about what has happened, while others may not. Changes in mood or behavior are normal responses.
Families can support their children by:
• Listening and allowing them to share at their own pace
• Answering questions honestly using simple, clear language
• Maintaining routines to help provide a sense of stability
If your child needs additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our school or counseling team:
• Jordan Hicks – jklein@ovcs.org
• Alyssa Macrino – amacrino@ovcs.org
Helpful resources for families:
• https://www.dougy.org/
• https://nacg.org/
• https://childmind.org/article/helping-children-deal-grief/
• https://hospicecareinc.org/handouts/
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Tom’s family, friends, and all those in our OV community who knew him.
Information regarding services will be shared when it becomes available.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Otselic Valley CSD will be closed on Friday, March 20.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
|| And the wait is over… meet our Harriet!
Congratulations to #6, Ellie, who will be playing Harriet in Emma: A Pop Musical!
Thank you to everyone who made their guesses, we loved seeing the excitement!
Watch the reel here.
Performance Dates:
• Friday, April 17 – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, April 18 – 2:00 PM (Matinee)
