|| Morning Program at OV
We started our Friday the OV way with the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song, followed by student shares from each classroom, including the weather, lunch menu, and Kids with Character. Together, we sang the PurposeFull People Perseverance song as a reminder to keep going, even when things feel challenging.
Students also shared jokes and fun facts, bringing lots of smiles to the room. We then celebrated birthdays -- Happy Birthday to Dalylah, Baylor, Charlotte, and Brodi!
We also recognized our OV Stars from each class who demonstrated perseverance, great job students!
To wrap up the program, students enjoyed an awesome Quad presentation by Caesyn, who shared his safety gear, including his helmet and GoPro camera, showed a video of quad riding, and took questions from the audience.
What a great way to start our Friday!
We started our Friday the OV way with the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song, followed by student shares from each classroom, including the weather, lunch menu, and Kids with Character. Together, we sang the PurposeFull People Perseverance song as a reminder to keep going, even when things feel challenging.
Students also shared jokes and fun facts, bringing lots of smiles to the room. We then celebrated birthdays -- Happy Birthday to Dalylah, Baylor, Charlotte, and Brodi!
We also recognized our OV Stars from each class who demonstrated perseverance, great job students!
To wrap up the program, students enjoyed an awesome Quad presentation by Caesyn, who shared his safety gear, including his helmet and GoPro camera, showed a video of quad riding, and took questions from the audience.
What a great way to start our Friday!
|| Yearbook Orders & Senior Ads Now Available!
The 2025–26 Otselic Valley Yearbook is now available to order online!
• Order here: https://rebrand.ly/no1b1hm
• School code: 5405
Pricing:
• Underclassmen yearbook: $50
• Senior yearbook with nameplate: $55
Senior families:
Celebrate your graduate with a yearbook congratulatory ad!
• Quarter-page color ad: $55
• Half-page color ad: $95
Purchase ads online: https://rebrand.ly/no1b1hm
(use school code 5405) and choose "Start Your Ad" instead of "Order a Yearbook"
Important Deadlines
• Senior ads due by February 20
• Yearbook orders due by May 2
Don’t miss the chance to capture memories and milestones from another great year at OV!
|| LPP Program Update
Please note that there will be no LPP Afterschool Program today, including the Colgate student mentoring session.
Thank you for your understanding.
Please note that there will be no LPP Afterschool Program today, including the Colgate student mentoring session.
Thank you for your understanding.
|| The REV Theatre Company Visits OV!
This morning, our PreK–2 students were treated to a fun and interactive performance of Huff and Puff: A Pig Tale by The REV Theatre Co.!
The show offered a fresh and playful twist on familiar fairy tales, following two of the Three Little Pigs as they encounter characters like the Billy Goats Gruff, Rapunzel, Goldilocks, and even a not-so-mean wolf. With audience participation woven throughout the performance, two of our students even had the chance to join the actors on stage!
Thank you to The REV Theatre Company for bringing live theatre, creativity, and important lessons to Otselic Valley!
#OVPride #ArtsInEducation
This morning, our PreK–2 students were treated to a fun and interactive performance of Huff and Puff: A Pig Tale by The REV Theatre Co.!
The show offered a fresh and playful twist on familiar fairy tales, following two of the Three Little Pigs as they encounter characters like the Billy Goats Gruff, Rapunzel, Goldilocks, and even a not-so-mean wolf. With audience participation woven throughout the performance, two of our students even had the chance to join the actors on stage!
Thank you to The REV Theatre Company for bringing live theatre, creativity, and important lessons to Otselic Valley!
#OVPride #ArtsInEducation
|| Throwback Thursday
A look back to 1952 from the Georgetown School yearbook, The Georgetonian. These class photos feature students in grades 5-8, offering a snapshot of school life at Georgetown more than 70 years ago.
A look back to 1952 from the Georgetown School yearbook, The Georgetonian. These class photos feature students in grades 5-8, offering a snapshot of school life at Georgetown more than 70 years ago.
|| Reminder: Upcoming Otselic Valley Board of Education Meetings
Thursday, February 12, 2026
• 6:00 PM – Policy Committee Meeting, Conference Room
• 7:00 PM – Board of Education Meeting, Mirrored Cafeteria
Thursday, February 12, 2026
• 6:00 PM – Policy Committee Meeting, Conference Room
• 7:00 PM – Board of Education Meeting, Mirrored Cafeteria
|| Kindergarten Makes Stone Soup in the Library
Last week in Library, the kindergarten class made Stone Soup based on the book Stone Soup by Jon Muth. The children listened to the story the previous week, read by Mrs. Charles, and then each child was asked to bring in a vegetable to share as part of the soup.
Children brought onions, tomatoes, peas, corn, and green beans. They prepared the vegetables by washing and chopping them, and then the veggies went into the pot to cook with the stone. Fox Trail Farm donated sourdough bread to enjoy with the meal.
The children enjoyed preparing their meal and sharing it the next day.
Last week in Library, the kindergarten class made Stone Soup based on the book Stone Soup by Jon Muth. The children listened to the story the previous week, read by Mrs. Charles, and then each child was asked to bring in a vegetable to share as part of the soup.
Children brought onions, tomatoes, peas, corn, and green beans. They prepared the vegetables by washing and chopping them, and then the veggies went into the pot to cook with the stone. Fox Trail Farm donated sourdough bread to enjoy with the meal.
The children enjoyed preparing their meal and sharing it the next day.
|| Colgate Mentors Meet with OV LPP Students
OV LPP students recently met with their Colgate University mentors during another visit to campus, spending time connecting, collaborating, and building confidence together.
We’re grateful to the Colgate mentors, Miss Linda, and our staff for continuing to support this valuable partnership and our students.
OV LPP students recently met with their Colgate University mentors during another visit to campus, spending time connecting, collaborating, and building confidence together.
We’re grateful to the Colgate mentors, Miss Linda, and our staff for continuing to support this valuable partnership and our students.
|| Valentine’s Day Fun Night
The OVCS Class of 2028 is hosting a Valentine’s Day Fun Night for students in grades K-5!
• Friday, February 13, 2026
• 3:00-5:30 PM
• OV Gym & MPR
• $12 admission (includes 1 pizza slice & 1 drink)
Students can look forward to a fun afternoon with games, crafts, a bounce house, face painting, movies, sports, dancing, and more. Additional snacks and candy will be available for purchase.
Permission slips will be sent home this week and must be returned by Thursday, February 12.
For questions, please contact Marisa Raymond at mrice@ovcs.org.
The OVCS Class of 2028 is hosting a Valentine’s Day Fun Night for students in grades K-5!
• Friday, February 13, 2026
• 3:00-5:30 PM
• OV Gym & MPR
• $12 admission (includes 1 pizza slice & 1 drink)
Students can look forward to a fun afternoon with games, crafts, a bounce house, face painting, movies, sports, dancing, and more. Additional snacks and candy will be available for purchase.
Permission slips will be sent home this week and must be returned by Thursday, February 12.
For questions, please contact Marisa Raymond at mrice@ovcs.org.
|| OV Boys Basketball Senior Night, February 2, 2026
The boys varsity team hosted Manlius-Pebble Hill last night for a non-league matchup and made it a Senior Night to remember.
After falling into an early 0-9 hole, the boys responded in a big way. They stormed back to take a 20-18 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, highlighted by a buzzer-beating three from Caleb Loomis.
OV continued to build momentum in the 2nd quarter, extending the lead to 39-34 behind some big baskets from Logan Foster. In the 3rd quarter, Lukas Schieferstein and Owen Davis took over offensively to push the lead to 60-43.
The boys never looked back from there, closing out a strong 76-66 victory.
Scoring leaders:
• Owen Davis – 27 points (5 three-pointers)
• Lukas Schieferstein – 26 points
• Logan Foster – 8 points
• Caleb Loomis – 7 points
• Konyr Clemens – 7 points
On the boards, Caleb, Logan, and Alex each grabbed 6 rebounds. Great job, team!
Congratulations to our varsity seniors:
Lukas Schieferstein, Owen Davis, Caleb Loomis, and Gage Foster
Seniors -- your legacy here is not just in the points scored or games won, but in the example you set for those who follow. Once a Viking, always a Viking. You will always have a home in this program!
A special Senior Night thank-you to Josie Guernsey, senior cheerleader, who has shared her talent by singing the National Anthem at many of our home games. Thank you for being such an important part of our game-day experience.
The evening also included recognition of three OV players with banners celebrating their individual accomplishments, a proud moment for our program and community.
The boys varsity team hosted Manlius-Pebble Hill last night for a non-league matchup and made it a Senior Night to remember.
After falling into an early 0-9 hole, the boys responded in a big way. They stormed back to take a 20-18 lead by the end of the 1st quarter, highlighted by a buzzer-beating three from Caleb Loomis.
OV continued to build momentum in the 2nd quarter, extending the lead to 39-34 behind some big baskets from Logan Foster. In the 3rd quarter, Lukas Schieferstein and Owen Davis took over offensively to push the lead to 60-43.
The boys never looked back from there, closing out a strong 76-66 victory.
Scoring leaders:
• Owen Davis – 27 points (5 three-pointers)
• Lukas Schieferstein – 26 points
• Logan Foster – 8 points
• Caleb Loomis – 7 points
• Konyr Clemens – 7 points
On the boards, Caleb, Logan, and Alex each grabbed 6 rebounds. Great job, team!
Congratulations to our varsity seniors:
Lukas Schieferstein, Owen Davis, Caleb Loomis, and Gage Foster
Seniors -- your legacy here is not just in the points scored or games won, but in the example you set for those who follow. Once a Viking, always a Viking. You will always have a home in this program!
A special Senior Night thank-you to Josie Guernsey, senior cheerleader, who has shared her talent by singing the National Anthem at many of our home games. Thank you for being such an important part of our game-day experience.
The evening also included recognition of three OV players with banners celebrating their individual accomplishments, a proud moment for our program and community.
|| 8th Grade ELA Students Explore Anne Frank’s Story
Mrs. Brown’s 8th grade ELA students spent the last few months learning about Anne Frank’s story and the stories of other Jewish people who were in hiding during World War II. Their culminating task consisted of two parts. First, students wrote an essay comparing and contrasting Anne Frank’s experience with other Jewish people in hiding during WWII. Next, they created a visual project to demonstrate what they learned.
Students shared their visual props with the class, models of the annex, posters, Google Slide presentations, artwork, and other original and creative projects, and talked about both their process and their learning. The students really rose to the occasion and created some wonderful and thoughtful projects.
Mrs. Brown’s 8th grade ELA students spent the last few months learning about Anne Frank’s story and the stories of other Jewish people who were in hiding during World War II. Their culminating task consisted of two parts. First, students wrote an essay comparing and contrasting Anne Frank’s experience with other Jewish people in hiding during WWII. Next, they created a visual project to demonstrate what they learned.
Students shared their visual props with the class, models of the annex, posters, Google Slide presentations, artwork, and other original and creative projects, and talked about both their process and their learning. The students really rose to the occasion and created some wonderful and thoughtful projects.
|| Reminder: DCMO BOCES Capital Project Vote – Today!
Today, February 3rd, is the vote on the proposed DCMO BOCES Capital Building Project. Otselic Valley is serving as a voting site.
• Voting is today, Tuesday, February 3rd, from noon to 8:00 PM
Additional details are available online: https://rebrand.ly/1b4hd1c
|| Let’s Go Vikings!
OV girls and boys basketball teams are in action this week, come out and support our student-athletes!
This Week’s Games:
Monday, Feb. 2
• Girls Varsity @ Brookfield at 6:00 PM
• Boys Varsity vs. Manlius Pebble Hill (Home) at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Girls 7/8 @ DeRuyter at 4:30 PM
• Girls JV vs. Poland (Home) at 5:30 PM
• Girls Varsity vs. McGraw (Home) at 7:00 PM
Thursday, Feb. 5
• Boys Varsity vs. Madison (Home) at 6:00 PM
Friday, Feb. 6
• Girls 7/8 vs. Madison (Home) at 4:30 PM
• Girls JV @ Lyme at 6:00 PM
• Girls Varsity @ Lyme at 7:30 PM
View the full schedule: https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/79
OV girls and boys basketball teams are in action this week, come out and support our student-athletes!
This Week’s Games:
Monday, Feb. 2
• Girls Varsity @ Brookfield at 6:00 PM
• Boys Varsity vs. Manlius Pebble Hill (Home) at 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Girls 7/8 @ DeRuyter at 4:30 PM
• Girls JV vs. Poland (Home) at 5:30 PM
• Girls Varsity vs. McGraw (Home) at 7:00 PM
Thursday, Feb. 5
• Boys Varsity vs. Madison (Home) at 6:00 PM
Friday, Feb. 6
• Girls 7/8 vs. Madison (Home) at 4:30 PM
• Girls JV @ Lyme at 6:00 PM
• Girls Varsity @ Lyme at 7:30 PM
View the full schedule: https://www.schedulegalaxy.com/schools/79
|| Kids Heart Challenge Kicks Off at Otselic Valley!
We’re excited to begin the Kids Heart Challenge at Otselic Valley! Over the next two weeks, elementary students will be learning about healthy choices, staying active, and spreading kindness as part of this heart-healthy initiative.
Families are invited to participate by making a donation of any size, each donation will add a heart to our school’s wall as we work together to fill it with kindness. All proceeds will be donated directly to the American Heart Association to support individuals with special hearts.
All elementary students will receive a small prize for participating, and we hope to expand this program to more grade levels in the future. Families can send donations in to classroom teachers or to our school social worker, Jordan Hicks.
We’ll also be sharing heart-healthy facts and family activity ideas throughout the next two weeks. Thank you for helping our students grow strong, smart, and heart-healthy!
We’re excited to begin the Kids Heart Challenge at Otselic Valley! Over the next two weeks, elementary students will be learning about healthy choices, staying active, and spreading kindness as part of this heart-healthy initiative.
Families are invited to participate by making a donation of any size, each donation will add a heart to our school’s wall as we work together to fill it with kindness. All proceeds will be donated directly to the American Heart Association to support individuals with special hearts.
All elementary students will receive a small prize for participating, and we hope to expand this program to more grade levels in the future. Families can send donations in to classroom teachers or to our school social worker, Jordan Hicks.
We’ll also be sharing heart-healthy facts and family activity ideas throughout the next two weeks. Thank you for helping our students grow strong, smart, and heart-healthy!
|| Otselic Valley Library: Monthly Calendar
Here’s what’s happening at the Otselic Valley Public Library this February!
From programs and clubs to fitness classes and community activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
Take a look at the calendar and plan a visit, the library is open Monday–Friday, 3-7 PM. We hope to see you there!
Here’s what’s happening at the Otselic Valley Public Library this February!
From programs and clubs to fitness classes and community activities, there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
Take a look at the calendar and plan a visit, the library is open Monday–Friday, 3-7 PM. We hope to see you there!
|| Half Way There Day at Otselic Valley!
Grades 3-5 celebrated the 90th day of school -- also known as Half Way There Day -- with an afternoon full of fun and creativity.
Classrooms hosted a variety of activities, from dancing and playing games to drawing and enjoying snacks with classmates.
To wrap up the day, students headed to the gym for some energetic group games. They scooped up colored balls in a “Hungry Hungry Hippos”–style challenge, competed in “Clean Your Room” by tossing balls to the opposite side of the gym, showed off their moves during freeze dance, and raced in a balloon pop relay.
Teachers joined in on the fun too, and who knew our principal was a 90s rapper? 😎 (It was 90s Day, after all!)
What a fantastic way to celebrate being halfway through the school year with our students!
Grades 3-5 celebrated the 90th day of school -- also known as Half Way There Day -- with an afternoon full of fun and creativity.
Classrooms hosted a variety of activities, from dancing and playing games to drawing and enjoying snacks with classmates.
To wrap up the day, students headed to the gym for some energetic group games. They scooped up colored balls in a “Hungry Hungry Hippos”–style challenge, competed in “Clean Your Room” by tossing balls to the opposite side of the gym, showed off their moves during freeze dance, and raced in a balloon pop relay.
Teachers joined in on the fun too, and who knew our principal was a 90s rapper? 😎 (It was 90s Day, after all!)
What a fantastic way to celebrate being halfway through the school year with our students!
|| Starting our Friday the OV way!
We began the morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic song, followed by students sharing the weather and lunch menu. During Kids with Character, we were encouraged to practice perseverance and keep going, even when things feel challenging.
We shared jokes, fun facts, and OV Shoutouts from each classroom, great job to all of our shoutout winners!
We also had a special presentation from Laurie Schmidt from the American Heart Association, who introduced the Kids Heart Challenge. Students learned about the KHC Lifesavers League and ways to take care of their hearts and overall health. We’ll have more to share about this soon!
To wrap up, we enjoyed our OV’s Got Talent Showcase with Mrs. Brown’s students sharing their stop-motion animations. Their videos on gravity, the phases of the moon, and the order of the planets were impressive and so creative. You can watch their animations using the links below!
What a great way to start the day!
Some of our fifth grade families also joined Mrs. Brown’s classroom after the Morning Program to enjoy snacks and spend time with students while celebrating their stop-motion animations. It was a wonderful opportunity to share their learning and creativity with families.
Watch the OV’s Got Talent student animations here:
Gravity – Ireland, Nolan & Adalynn: https://youtu.be/Hni3nSmg6-8
Phases of the Moon – Aerieanna, Carter & Kameron: https://youtu.be/EEMRCkCie3I
Order of the Planets – Piper, Ian & Gabe: https://youtu.be/vMyZEZGemlQ
|| Colgate Mentors Visit OV LPP Students
Our Otselic Valley LPP students recently welcomed their Colgate University mentors back to campus for another mentoring session. These visits give students time to connect, build relationships, and learn from their Colgate peers in a supportive environment.
This partnership with Colgate’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE) continues to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to grow, ask questions, and build confidence.
Thank you to the Colgate mentors, Miss Linda and our staff for making this experience possible, we appreciate your time, energy, and commitment to our students!
Our Otselic Valley LPP students recently welcomed their Colgate University mentors back to campus for another mentoring session. These visits give students time to connect, build relationships, and learn from their Colgate peers in a supportive environment.
This partnership with Colgate’s Center for Outreach, Volunteerism and Education (COVE) continues to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to grow, ask questions, and build confidence.
Thank you to the Colgate mentors, Miss Linda and our staff for making this experience possible, we appreciate your time, energy, and commitment to our students!
|| January Star Awards – Celebrating Empathy!
We’re proud to recognize our January OV Star Award recipients for grades 6-12! Each month, Otselic Valley honors students who demonstrate important character traits, and January’s theme was Empathy, showing care, understanding, and compassion for others.
Congratulations to:
⭐ Madison Hicks
⭐ Kassidy Kelly
⭐ Jayden Waltz
⭐ Paisley Pendell
⭐ Addison Palmer
⭐ Kenzie Reandeau
⭐ Eli Miller
⭐ Josie Guernsey
⭐ Abby White
⭐ Addison Beeman
⭐ Aurora Mason
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and willingness to look out for others. You help make Otselic Valley a supportive and caring community!
We’re proud to recognize our January OV Star Award recipients for grades 6-12! Each month, Otselic Valley honors students who demonstrate important character traits, and January’s theme was Empathy, showing care, understanding, and compassion for others.
Congratulations to:
⭐ Madison Hicks
⭐ Kassidy Kelly
⭐ Jayden Waltz
⭐ Paisley Pendell
⭐ Addison Palmer
⭐ Kenzie Reandeau
⭐ Eli Miller
⭐ Josie Guernsey
⭐ Abby White
⭐ Addison Beeman
⭐ Aurora Mason
Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and willingness to look out for others. You help make Otselic Valley a supportive and caring community!
|| Fractions, Fun, and Fresh Snow at Otselic Valley!
Third grade students in Mr. Gross’s class had a sweet (and snowy!) way to kick off their new math unit on fractions. Students started by learning about whole numbers, numerators, and denominators, then explored how fractions work in real life by reading recipes and comparing fractional amounts.
To make the lesson extra memorable, students put their new knowledge to work by making snow ice cream using fresh snowfall from outside!
This special activity also celebrated a class goal: during December, students earned cotton balls for a classroom “snowman” for each day they were present. When the snowman was completely filled, the class earned a reward, and Mr. Gross surprised them with this delicious hands-on learning experience.
It was a perfect blend of math, motivation, and fun -- and a great example of creative learning at OV!
Third grade students in Mr. Gross’s class had a sweet (and snowy!) way to kick off their new math unit on fractions. Students started by learning about whole numbers, numerators, and denominators, then explored how fractions work in real life by reading recipes and comparing fractional amounts.
To make the lesson extra memorable, students put their new knowledge to work by making snow ice cream using fresh snowfall from outside!
This special activity also celebrated a class goal: during December, students earned cotton balls for a classroom “snowman” for each day they were present. When the snowman was completely filled, the class earned a reward, and Mr. Gross surprised them with this delicious hands-on learning experience.
It was a perfect blend of math, motivation, and fun -- and a great example of creative learning at OV!
