Otselic Valley Central School District

||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!

|| Thursday, January 30th Update: The girls JV game against Fabius Pompey tonight has been postponed. However, the girls Varsity game against McGraw is still happening at 7:00 PM. Come cheer on the team!

ATTENTION OV COMMUNITY: || All sporting events scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, January 29th, have been cancelled.

FUN NIGHT CANCELLED! || Due to school being closed today, the Fun Night scheduled for this evening has been cancelled. If you responded to attend, the fee will be refunded. We'll keep you posted if and when the event is rescheduled. Be safe out there!

Due to a lingering heavy band of lake effect snow squalls moving through the area today, Otselic Valley Central School will pivot to FULLY CLOSED today: Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Please stay warm and safe, enjoy a day off.

Due to a swift but heavy band of lake effect snow squall moving through the area this morning, Otselic Valley Central School will be operating under a TWO-HOUR DELAY today: Tuesday, January 28, 2025. There will be no shuttle to morning DCMO-BOCES, and breakfast will not be served.

Attention Elementary Parents — Our Healthy Kids! Afterschool Care Program invites K-5 students and parents to our Valentine’s Day Party & Open House! When: February 14th, 2025 (Valentine’s Day)
 Where: Windowed Cafeteria
 Time: 2:50 PM – 6:00 PM Come enjoy delicious food, music, and tons of Healthy Kids Fun! Meet our director, ask questions, and even sign up to keep the fun going. For more info, contact Melissa Da Costa at 315-316-1660. Let’s celebrate the day together—see you there!

|| Elementary families! Mark your calendars for Fun Night on Tuesday, January 28th from 3-6 p.m. This event for students in K-6 is sponsored and organized by the Senior Class of 2025. Hope to see you there!

As part of the Senior Seminar, seniors planning to move into the workforce after graduation had the opportunity to practice interview skills with representatives from area businesses on Wednesday, January 15th. In preparation for the day students developed their “elevator pitch,” updated resumes, and researched the local job market. Thank you to Gordon Marshall, Sr. and Chelsea Mancuso from Suit-Kote, Dan Buckley of Buckley Excavating Inc., and Sergio Rapp owner of I LOVE New York Rookers for taking the time to work with the seniors to hone their interview skills and share their knowledge of what employers are looking for in a job candidate. This was the first time an event like this was held for seniors and Mrs. Osowski, Ms. Slocum, and Mrs. Gorton are already planning for next year!