Look on youtube.com for all the live streamed recordings of the music concerts for the High School, Middle School and the Elementary School. The recordings are available to watch on the Oley Valley School District YouTube channel at any time. We have some very talented students in Oley Valley!

I just want to wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and fun-filled holiday season. May your days be filled with friends and family, reminiscing on all the wonderful memories from the past and making new memories that will bring you smiles forever. As you enjoy your break, take time to reach out to an old friend or relative that you have not spoken to in a while. These small acts of kindness can have a huge impact on a person. Also, take a few minutes to remember and be thankful for our veterans, active-duty soldiers, and their families. Their love, service, and sacrifice should never be forgotten. Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank you for all that you do each day to make the Oley Valley School District an amazing place. Your hard work, collaboration, and dedication do not go unnoticed.

Happy Holidays!

Aaron Weston

Facebook: http://facebook.com/OleyValleyES/
Twitter: @ElemOley

Facebook: http://facebook.com/OleyValleyMS/
Twitter: @OleyMS

On Friday, December 6th, the 6th grade chorus and string ensemble groups, lead by Mrs. Kristen Rothenberger and Ms. Jessica Pennington, performed at Glick's Greenhouse.

The middle school chorus groups, select chorus, 6th grade chorus, and the 7th and 8th grade chorus performed in their holiday concert on Tuesday, December 10th. These groups were lead by Mrs. Kristen Rothenberger and Ms. Jessica Pennington.

Facebook: http://facebook.com/oleyvalleyHS/
Twitter: @OleyValleyHS

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, twenty-six juniors and seniors were inducted into the Oley Valley chapter of the National Honor Society. The students were selected by a faculty council based on the 4 pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character. The candle-lit ceremony was led by NHS advisor Mrs. Jennifer Muriel and NHS officers Sam Wagner and Leah Walters (co-presidents), Elizabeth Bronson (secretary) and Molly Stroupe (treasurer) with Mrs. Matthews as the guest speaker. There was a light reception afterwards. Congratulations to all inductees!

The Creative Minds club had a successful start to the school year, lead by Mrs. Bruecks and Mrs. Bechtel. As a new club this year, it was started for students to explore the arts, music, and mindfulness. Creativity and Mindfulness go hand in hand. We are learning what mindfulness means and how we can achieve it through everyday fun activities to expand our minds and open our hearts, finding new ways to approach our lives and make better decisions. In the fall, we went on a nature walk on a beautiful fall day and collected pieces of nature which we then used to be creative in an art project of students’ choice. In December, the students made Christmas ornaments to express themselves creatively while listening to and singing along with holiday music. The students were also given a Creative Minds notebook consisting of motivational stories, coloring pages, journal starters and space to express themselves.

On Friday, December 13th, students in Mr. Kallis’s 9th grade Civics & Government CP class had an opportunity to hear and learn from Officer Joshua Steingraber, the district’s school resource officer. Officer Steingraber has been a member of the Central Berks Regional Police Department, located in Mount Penn, for nearly 20 years.

The students were provided with a presentation regarding the 4th (unlawful searches), 5th (right to remain silent), and 6th (right to legal counsel) amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Officer Steingraber offered a summary of past significant Supreme Court cases dealing with the former amendments. He then continued by addressing how past legal precedents affect his job and the rights of the citizens with which he interacts. Specifically, Officer Steingraber explained how these particular amendments play a role in his day-to-day duties.

The class was afforded a rare window into the personal experiences of a police officer serving Oley Valley. He shared examples ranging from vehicle stops due to speeding and other traffic violations, answering 911 calls by reporting to homes and businesses, and participating in a variety of investigations due to possible illegal activities. At the conclusion of his presentation, students had a chance to ask questions and finally thanked him for his service to our community.

On Tuesday, December 17th, Mr. Jeff Gernsheimer continued his annual tradition of visiting Oley Valley High School to speak to Mr. Kallis’s 11th and 12th grade students enrolled in History of the Holocaust CP. For nearly a decade, Mr. Gernsheimer has shared his family’s history before, during, and after World War II.

During his visit, he focused on the experiences of his mother, Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer, who was born in Germany in 1926 and witnessed the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Fortunately, Hilde managed to escape through the Kindertransport – a rescue operation that relocated thousands of Jewish children from Nazi-controlled areas in Europe to British foster families during the war. Tragically, Hilde lost both her parents and one of her sisters to the Nazi regime's concentration and extermination camps. However, Hilde and her two other sisters eventually made their way to the United States, where they each started new families.

Though Mrs. Hilde Gernsheimer passed away a few years ago, her son continues her mission of educating future generations about the consequences of antisemitism, the dangers of indifference, and the importance of hope. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Gernsheimer back to our school in the future.

This photograph was taken near the start of the construction of the ag-shop wing of the present HS building …the wing was completed sometime about 1957 (according to the cornerstone). The remainder of the HS was completed by 1962. The old 1929 HS (now demolished) is in the background.

Using tools purchased with funds from an OVCEF Education Grant, Mr. Moll's Principles of Biomedical Science class recently had the chance to dive into the fascinating world of chromosomes through a hands-on lab. Using tools like microscope slides, pipettes, and stains, students learned how to prepare and analyze cells, gaining practical skills essential for future careers in the medical field.

During the lab, the students carefully dropped cells from pipettes onto microscope slides, aiming to break the nucleus so the chromosomes inside could be exposed. They then used dye to make the chromosomes visible under the microscope. After they completed this portion, Mr. Moll explained how this process connects to real-world applications, such as analyzing karyotypes (visual representations of an individual's complete set of chromosomes). These analyses are often used in high-risk pregnancies, such as when a woman over the age of 35 is expecting, to identify potential chromosomal abnormalities.

The students explored actual karyotype, determining whether the chromosome came from a male or female and identifying chromosomal abnormalities. This activity gave them a deeper understanding of how biology is applied in real-life medical scenarios.

In addition to the science, the lab also focused on critical foundational skills that students will use repeatedly in the medical field. They practiced the proper use of protective gear, including lab aprons and safety glasses, and learned how to safely remove medical gloves - an essential step in maintaining a sterile environment.

This lab is a prime example of how OVCEF Education Grants provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful, hands-on learning that goes beyond the textbook. It's experiences like this that prepare students for future success in STEM and medical careers.

We're proud to support these educational opportunities and are excited to see the next generation of scientists and medical professionals developing their skills right here in the Oley Valley.

The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation is awarding $34,500 in scholarships for 2025! The Scholarship Application will remain open through January 31, 2025. Any senior pursuing education beyond high school in a 4-year, 2-year or trade school is highly encouraged to apply.

The 12 scholarships available are:

• 1 x $5,000 Philip B. Fleck Memorial Scholarship
• 3 x $3,000 Sally Breidegam-Miksiewicz Memorial Scholarships
• 1 x $3,000 William S. Gotwals Memorial Scholarship
• 3 x $3,000 OVCEF Scholarships
• 1 x $3,000 Positive Impact Scholarship
• 1 x $3,000 OVCEF Resiliency Scholarship
• 1 x $1,500 Walter Levan Skilled Trades Scholarship
• 1 x $1,000 Sports Medicine Alumni Scholarship

Apply now on our website: www.oleyvalleycef.com/scholarships.

Unified Sports brings people of all abilities together, promoting inclusion, teamwork, and friendships through the power of sports. Unified Bocce pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities to play together on the same team, creating meaningful connections while having fun.

Bocce is a relaxing yet competitive game where players roll balls to get as close as possible to a smaller target ball, called the pallino. Unified Bocce adds the spirit of collaboration, sportsmanship, and community, making it a highlight for participants and spectators alike.

Come cheer on our teams at their remaining home matches this year at the high school:

• Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 3:30 pm
• Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 3:30 pm

Mark your calendars now & plan to join us for the 14th Annual Zackon 5k on Saturday, April 5, 2025.

For families and students who may experience homelessness, information on the McKinney-Vento Act is available on the Oley Valley School District Website or see below.

OVSD Homeless Liaison and Unaccompanied Youth Contact:

Mia K. Pietsch, M.Ed

Director of Student Services

Oley Valley School District

17 Jefferson Street Oley, PA 19547

610. 987.4100 ext. 1187 or ext. 1188

mpietsch@ovsdpa.org

Please Visit the Sites below for information:

Jamie Freed, President

Dawn Zackon, Treasurer

Maria Bogdanova-Peifer, Member

Candice Corle, Member

Mike Fredd, Member

Mary Harris, Member

Andrew Kline, Member

Zachary Moore, Member

Christina Moyer, Member

Levin Legal Group, P.C., Board Solicitor

The Oley Valley School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression and prohibits Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or practice in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination. Compliance issues/questions should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent.