Otselic Valley Central School District

School Resource Officers are uniquely positioned to build community partnerships, and sometimes that starts with a very big “show and tell” on four wheels parked in front of our school building.Recently Deputy Kent Smith, Otselic Valley’s new SRO, spent time with our youngest Vikings from several classrooms, and provided a personal tour of his patrol car, along with some age-appropriate demonstrations. Students were invited to take turns sitting inside both the front and back seats if they wanted, and there was more: the red lights flashed for a bit, and he arranged for a radio check. Through the crackle of the radio (that really sounds just like it does on television), Deputy Smith stated his Otselic Valley location, and his colleague on the other end of the radio channel confirmed it. It sounded official, and it was. It's not often you get to see something in person that you're used to seeing on television or a movie screen! If students didn't want to have a seat in the patrol car, that was okay too. All could watch from a distance that made them most comfortable.Back in the classroom, he also gifted students with coloring books, crayons, pencils, and rulers from the Chenango County Sheriffs Office. It is hoped that these connections between school and community will be of benefit.Thank you, Deputy Smith!Look for the helpers... -- Mr. Fred Rogers