Otselic Valley Central School District

|| Transportation Requests for Parochial Schools A reminder to families: requests for transportation to parochial schools for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by April 1st. These requests will then be reviewed by the Board of Education for approval. If you have any questions, please call 315-653-7218, ext. 4042 or email: gburpee@ovcs.org.

|| Otselic Valley Boys' Basketball All-Stars! Congratulations to our OV Vikings who were recognized as CCL All-Stars for the 2024-25 season! Your hard work and dedication on the court have made us proud! || Second Team: -Lukas Scheiferstein || Honorable Mentions: - Owen Davis - Caleb Loomis ||Great job, Vikings!

|| Healthy Kids Program Update! We are working hard to get everything ready for the Healthy Kids program and are excited to serve as many children and families as possible. While we're not quite ready to open yet, we are putting all of our efforts into getting everything set up and ready to go. We'll keep you updated and let you know as soon as we have a confirmed start date. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

|| Interested in Serving on the Board of Education? Nominating petitions for the Otselic Valley Board of Education will be available starting April 1st from the District Clerk’s office. || Requirements: -Collect at least 25 signatures -Submit a brief biography -Return completed petitions by 5:00 PM on April 21st (No late submissions accepted) For more details, visit our Board of Education page: https://www.ovcs.org/page/board-of-education Questions? Call 315-653-7218, ext. 4042 or email gburpee@ovcs.org.

|| Exploring Future Opportunities with New Vision Programs! Recently, our students had the opportunity to learn about the exciting career pathways available through the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES New Vision Programs, including Allied Health, Law and Government, and Education Professions. Ms. Hunter, the Law and Government instructor, visited during 7th period to share valuable insights about these programs and how they provide hands-on, real-world experiences for students interested in specialized career fields. The New Vision Programs are competitive, one-year programs for high school seniors and require an application process. They offer an immersive learning experience in professional settings, preparing students for future careers. A special thank you to our juniors—Skyler, Makenzie, Emma, and Adrian—for participating and taking the first step toward exploring their futures!

Stay Connected with Our Communication Guidelines! We want to make it easy for parents and community members to get the information you need! Our Communication Guidelines outline the best way to reach out about specific matters, ensuring your questions are answered efficiently. To initiate contact, call 315-653-7218 to be connected with the appropriate staff member. For the latest news, updates, and resources, download our school app and visit our website! Stay informed and never miss an important update. Download the app by scanning the QR code or by visiting your app store. Visit our website: https://www.ovcs.org.

|| State Testing is Coming Up! Attention OV families! State testing for ELA, Math, and Science (5th & 8th grades) is just around the corner for students in grades 3-8. Our students and teachers have been working hard to prepare, and we appreciate your support in helping them succeed! Here are some simple ways you can help your child be ready: -Ensure they get a good night's sleep. -Provide a healthy breakfast & snacks. -Arrive at school on time. -Encourage them to do their best! Testing can be stressful, but with positivity and preparation, we can make it a great experience for all students! Thank you for your support!

|| REMINDER: Spring Sports Sign-Ups Are Open! It’s time to sign up for spring sports! If you haven’t done so yet, please sign up as soon as possible so we can get accurate numbers for teams and planning. Click here to register: https://www.ovcs.org/page/athletics #springsports #OVAthletics #SignUpToday #OVCSD

||REMINDERS! O.V.C.S. Board of Education Upcoming Meetings • March 20, 2025 Finance Committee Meeting, 6:00 PM, Conference Room Regular Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM, Mirrored Cafeteria

Reminder: No Food or Drinks on the Bus! We want to take a moment to remind families that food and drinks should remain in backpacks at all times while on the bus. This rule is in place to help keep our buses safe and clean for all students. Recently, a new social media challenge involving holding water in the mouth to make others laugh has started circulating. While it may seem like harmless fun, it can quickly create safety concerns on the bus. We appreciate your help in reinforcing this rule with your children to ensure a safe and comfortable ride for everyone. Thank you for your support!

|| Spring Sports Parent Meeting – DATE CHANGE! Attention, parents! Please note the new date for our Spring Sports Parent Meeting: February 27th @ 7:00 PM In the Gym

|| Exploring Future Opportunities: 8th Grade CTE Visit! On Wednesday, February 12th, Otselic Valley 8th graders spent the afternoon exploring Career and Technical Education (CTE) with a visit to DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus! || Students kicked off their visit by watching a video presentation showcasing the wide variety of CTE programs available. In the video, instructors shared insights about their classes, giving students a glimpse into each program and how CTE can help shape their future careers! || A special shoutout to our staff for ensuring safe transportation and supporting our students throughout this experience! This visit is an important step in helping students explore their interests and start thinking about potential career paths. We’re excited to see where their journeys take them!

|| Spring Sports Sign-Ups Are OPEN! --Calling OV students! Registration is now open for: --Varsity Baseball --Varsity Softball --Golf AND Modified sports registration opens on March 1st! Don’t sit on the sidelines this season! Register now and gear up for an exciting time of competition, teamwork, and fun! You can register here: https://www.ovcs.org/page/athletics

|| SAVE THE DATE!! SCIENCE NIGHT is coming! Join us for an exciting evening of fun, learning, and hands-on science! When: Friday, March 21st, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Where: The Public Library In collaboration with the Syracuse University Physics Department, Jay Hubisz and his college students are bringing a night full of fun!

|| Powerful Words from OV’s Creative Writing Class! Love comes in many forms, and Ms. Smith’s Creative Writing students captured its depth and meaning through poetry. On February 14th, students shared their heartfelt love poems, expressing emotions ranging from joy and admiration to heartbreak and healing. Many found the process of writing to be therapeutic, using poetry as a way to explore and communicate their feelings. It was truly inspiring to hear their words and witness their creativity!

|| Future Career Exploration During Career and Technical Education Month! On Tuesday, February 11th, Otselic Valley 10th graders visited DCMO BOCES Alan D. Pole Campus to explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs! - Students got a firsthand look at two programs of their choice. They learned about the many career paths available and the benefits of CTE, including earning certifications and skills for their future careers! It was fantastic to also see our juniors act as ambassadors for the programs they’re passionate about! This visit coincides with Career and Technical Education Month, celebrating the value of CTE and the opportunities it brings to students nationwide! -A huge THANK YOU to our dedicated staff who made this experience possible. Want to learn more about CTE at DCMO BOCES?https://www.dcmoboces.com/page/career-technical-education

|| Mrs. Youngs' Fourth Grade Class - Shows Empathy in Action! Mrs. Youngs’ class shared a beautiful lesson on empathy at our Morning Program on February 14th! They've been learning what it means to understand and feel for others. Inspired by this, Kameron, one of our very own students, had a heartwarming idea to help those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. The class is asking for $1 from each student, teacher, and staff member to support the Red Cross in providing aid to those who’ve lost their homes and everything they’ve known. The goal is to raise $150, and every little bit helps! Together, we can make a huge difference! Let’s show our school’s heart and help those in need. Donations can be dropped off in the main office or given directly to Mrs. Youngs’ class. Thank you for your support!

|| Important Potential School Calendar Adjustment! OV has used 5 out of 6 emergency (snow) days, which means any additional closures could impact Spring Break in April. To avoid this, the district is preparing a virtual learning plan for future emergency days if needed. || Read the full letter from Superintendent Brian Collier for details.

||REMINDERS! O.V.C.S. Board of Education Upcoming Meetings • February 13, 2025 Policy Committee Meeting, 6:00 PM, Conference Room Regular Monthly Meeting, 7:00 PM, Mirrored Cafeteria

Otselic Valley Central School Closed Today Thursday, February 6th Due to winter weather conditions, OVCS will be closed today. Stay safe and use caution if traveling!