Echoes from the Valley

Echoes from the Valley

MISSION STATEMENT: The Otselic Valley Central School community will encourage decisions that give all students the opportunity to achieve

their highest level of learning in preparation for a challenging tomorrow.

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Volume 40, Issue 10 June 2011

It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s Valedictorian, Karl Graham. Karl is the son of Jay and Patsy Graham of South Otselic. He will be attending the State University of New York at Delhi to major in the Veterinarian Tech program. After receiving his certification from Delhi, Karl will attend

Cornell University to become a licensed Veterinarian. While at Otselic Valley, Karl has been involved in a variety of clubs including biology club, ski club, National Honor Society, FFA, Envirothon, and 4-H. Karl gave back much of his time to his community through volunteer work at the Holy Family School, as well as FFA and 4-H. Through out his high school career, Karl was a member of the Soccer, Basketball and Baseball teams. Karl won the computing medal award from R.I.T., the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science award from the University of Rochester, and the mathematics and science award from the Air Force Recruiting Service. Karl has undoubtedly shed many milestones for his future classmates. We wish Karl future success at both Delhi and Cornell and all of his future endeavors.

Valedictorian and SalutatorianIt is also with much plea-

sure that we announce this year’s Salutatorian, Douglas Day. Douglas is the son of Gary and Theresa Day of South Otselic. He will be attending the State University of New York at Oswego to major in Mass Communicat ions and Broadcasting. Douglas enjoys

sports and his long-term goal post college is to be a broadcaster for a sports organization. During his high school career, Douglas was on the basketball and baseball teams. In addition, Douglas has been Student Council President as well as the Student Director in the drama club. Douglas was a member of the book club, chorus, and band. We wish him success in attain-ing all of his goals and future aspirations.

We congratulate both of these students for their hard work and effort for they are very deserving of this recognition.

Yearbooks are Here!Books can be picked up in Mrs. Osowski’s room

at the High School during lunch periods and with your homeroom teacher at the Elementary. If you didn’t order a book, there are still some available. They are $60, please see Mrs. Osowski or call 315-653-7218.

NoticeAnyone interested in being considered as a

community member during the hiring process of a 5-12 Principal, please notify Richard J. Hughes, Superintendent of Schools, in writing by June 8, care of the District Office, PO Box 161, South Otselic, NY 13155.

Congratulations Karl and Douglas!

Good Luck Next Year!!

2 OTSELIC VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL

Senior Plans – Class of 2011 Chelsea M. Batchelor ..........Plans on entering the workforce.Jessica Lynne Bencke ..........Will be attending Mohawk Valley Community College to major in Human Services.Joseph S. Billy .....................Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Liberal Arts.Benjamin Davis ...................Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Diesel Technology.Dustin Davis........................Will be attending the State University of New York at Oswego to major in Music.Douglas Day ........................Will be attending the State University of New York at Oswego to major in Mass

Communications/Broadcasting.Christian L. DeBottis .........Plans on seeking employment in the Construction Field.Mark Anthony DeBottis ....Plans on seeking employment in the Music Industry.Jacob F. DeRochie ...............Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Journalism.Kimberly DeVinne ..............Will be attending the State University of New York at Albany.Coleman Ellis ......................Will be entering the workforce.Zachary Edward Forrest .....Will be attending the Morrisville State College to major in Aquaculture and Aquatic

Science.Joshua J. Fox .........................Will be attending Lincoln Tech to major in Auto Technology.Karl Graham ........................Will be attending the State University of New York at Delhi as well as Cornell

University as part of the transfer program for Veterinary studies. Robert W. Heintz III ...........Plans on seeking employment in the Music Industry.Bianca Kelly .........................Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Education.Robert J. Kelly .....................Plans on seeking employment in the Construction and/or Landscaping Field.Bethany Anne Lewis ..........Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Sports Medicine.Angie L Marshall ................Will be attending Tompkins Cortland Community College to major in Nursing.Erich Petersen ......................Will be attending Onondaga Community College to major in Computer Science.Zachary R. Rowland ...........Plans on seeking employment in the Music Industry.Brittany Seager ....................Will be attending Morrisville State College to major in Restaurant Management.Nathan Earle Stark ..............Will be attending the State University of New York at Canton to major in Criminal

Justice.Jenna Lynn Wood ................Will be attending the State University of New York at Delhi to major in Hotel and

Resort Management.Donald Worden ...................Will be attending U.T.I. to major in Mechanics and Diesel.

The Montezuma Audobon Center in Savannah was the host for this year’s Regional Envirothon on April 27 and 28. Our Envirothon Region consisted of thirty nine teams from Cayuga, Chenango, Madison, Onondaga and Wayne Counties competing in aquat-ics, forestry, soils, wildlife, a current issue (this year was Salt and Freshwater Estuaries), and an oral pre-sentation.

Otselic Valley took two teams to the competition. The Super Turbo Turkey Punchers advanced team is Dusty Davis, Karl Graham, Amanda Korb, Bethany Lewis and Nathan Stark. Peter Robinson was the alternate. The Enviro Geeks junior team is Kesshia DeLee, Nick DeRochie, Susan Graham, Lauren

Harris and Jon Lyon. Gaven Plummer was the alter-nate. The teams are coached by Mrs. Betty Robinson and Mrs. Patsy Graham.

The Super Turbo Turkey Punchers team placed first overall in Chenango County and first out of the three counties competing on April 27. We are waiting for the other team results of the two days to see if we will win the Regional trophy. This team also placed first in the soils category of the three counties competing on April 27. This team is headed to Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, for the State Envirothon competition on May 26-27. Congratulations and good luck at states!

—Travis Sheldon, FFA Reporter

Otselic Valley Envirothon Team Wins First Place

ECHOES FROM THE VALLEY 3

6th Grade Tile Project The sixth grade students participated in a tile proj-

ect. In order to decorate the rooms, students teamed up with Ms. Blake to turn the ceiling tiles into Social Studies based works of art. Students were free to pick anything they wanted as long as it tied in to the cur-riculum and they could justify why it should be on the ceiling. Students selected a wide array of symbols, gods and goddesses, mythological creatures, maps, iconic artifacts, and one group painted a mural on the wall. All of the works turned out to be awesome and definitely livened the room up. Jennifer Centner noted that, “Now we have a creative reminder of what we have learned about.”

Lester Lamoree’s render-ing of Poseidon, the

Greek God of the Sea

Destiney Garey and Jade Delee painted a picture of the Nile River Valley

and Delta in Egypt.

Emma Stone and Jillian Waltz decided on paint-

ing the crook and the flail, symbols of power and responsibility for

Egyptian Pharaohs.

Jillian Waltz, Chelsea Amos, and Mersades Cruikshank painted a gorgeous

mural of the pyramids of Giza.

Ag Classes Enjoy Maple Syrup The Otselic Valley agriculture classes ended their

maple syrup unit by eating the syrup they had made on some home made pancakes. The home economics kitchen was busy during the lunch periods on April 29, as Ag. students downed twelve batches of pancakes made from a mix created by the Food and Nutrition Class, under the direction of Mrs. Jean Sutton. In addition to the pancakes, students also fried up some sausage and eggs. It was a delicious way to end the unit.

—Travis Sheldon, FFA Reporter

Disney’s Aladdin kids version will be presented by the 5th and 6th graders on June 10 and 11.

4 OTSELIC VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL

April 2011Citizens of the Month

During the 2010-2011 school year the Otselic Valley Jr/Sr. High School will be selecting students on a monthly basis to receive the Otselic Valley Citizen of the Month Award. This award honors students who have met the following criteria: a. positive interaction with teachers b. positive interaction with peers c. satisfactory academic performance d. following the rules

Congratulations to the following:Grade 7 Macey Rawson, daughter of Eric RawsonGrade 8 Samantha Selinsky, granddaughter of

Volney and Betty MarshallGrade 9 Nicholas DeRochie, son of Frederick and

Tammi DeRochieGrade 10 Brandon Huntley, son of Craig HuntleyGrade 11 Kayla Thorp, daughter of Thomas and Tina

ThorpGrade 12 Bianca Kelly, daughter of Donald and

Heather Kelly, Jr.

Fun at the DanceThe Class of 2014 hosted a multi holiday

dance on April 29. In addition to great music provided by Tim Stone in the MPR, other activi-ties included the quarter drop, face painting, can knock-out, Wii™ dancing, formal pictures with the holiday of your choice background, flower messages and lots of home made goodies, root beer floats and pizza. We had a great time! The Class of 2014 thanks everyone who participated for their support.

—Kesshia DeLee, Class of 2014 Secretary

Youth CheerleadingThe 2010-2011 Youth Cheerleading squad had a great

season this year. After coaching for three years, this year had the highest turnout of over 30 girls participating! The girls needed to be in grades 3-6 to participate. They learned many sidelines, a hello cheer, a floor cheer and a dance rou-tine. They were busy each practice and their effort enabled them to look great while performing for the crowd. We cheered at the home games along with two away games in DeRuyter and Cincinnatus. The girls did a fabulous job and I want to thank parents and girls for their dedication, support and participation to make this season successful.

—Sabrina Conway

ECHOES FROM THE VALLEY 5

Don’t Forget to Read!Research shows that summer reading helps students main-

tain the important learning gains made during the school year. It is also a cure for summer boredom!

To help with your summer reading goals, the elementary and high school libraries will once again allow students to take books home over the summer.

Elementary SchoolStudents may check out up to 10 books for summer loan

by signing up for our SuRF Program (Summer Reading Fun). SuRF forms will go out in June, and require a parent or guardian’s signature. Library books will be signed out June 15-22, and are due back on the first day of school in the fall. Sign up for SuRF and sustain your child’s love of books and reading skills this summer!

High SchoolStudents may come into the library on the final two days of

classes, June 13 and 14, to check out books for summer loan. Students may check out up to five books as long as they have no outstanding loans. Books are due back on the first day of school in the fall. Or, if there is an unexpected move over the summer, please return items to the high school office before leaving. Need help finding a great book? Ask Mrs. LeBlanc directly or visit the high school library web page for book suggestions: http://www.ovcs.org/hslibrary.

Local Public LibrariesThe local public libraries are also a great resource for

summer reading. In addition to offering books, ebooks, DVDs, and other materials for loan, the public libraries offer many fun summer programs for kids.

Local Mid-York branches: DeRuyter, New Woodstock, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Hamilton. For hours and additional information: http://www.midyork.org

Local Four-County Library branches: Sherburne, Smyrna, Norwich (Guernsey)

For hours and additional information: http://www.4cls.org/Questions? Contact Mrs. Hammer at the elementary school,

or Mrs. LeBlanc at the high school.

Alumni Share World Experiences

Mrs. Osowski’s Around the World class hosted two alumni, Samantha Day (2009) and Megan Knickerbocker (2007) in April. The ladies came to class to share their experiences after traveling abroad. On April 20, Samantha Day spoke about her mission trip to Nicaragua. Samantha and a group from the Main Street Baptist Church in Oneonta traveled to the towns of Mangua, Bluefields and Matagalpa. The group’s mission there was to add class-rooms onto a local church. Samantha shared with the class the group’s experience build-ing the school using only manual labor, the sites of the town, and even shared a favored dessert, Dolce de Leches. Samantha is a sopho-more at SUNY Oneonta studying Elementary Education. Students learned that Nicaragua is an extremely poor country, beans and rice are on the menu for every meal, and that Nicaragua’s weather can be similar to ours, wet and rainy. On April 21, Megan Knickerbocker spoke with the class about the semester she spent at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco. Megan shared with the class many aspects of the Moroccan culture including haggling over prices in the Suk, tourist attrac-tions like riding camels in the desert, and of course the food! Students learned that much of Morocco is modern but built around ancient ruins. Megan is a senior at SUNY Albany and received her degree in linguistics and anthro-pology in May. Everyone enjoyed the photos and stories. Several students even commented that they can not wait to travel abroad when they are older. Thanks ladies for taking the time out of your Spring Break to share your trips with us. You are fantastic role models for all our Vikings—Past, Present and Future!

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NYSERDA AwardThe elementary library and fifth grade science

class received a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Energy Smart Students Program to study climate change and energy efficiency. Through this grant, fifth grade students studied the science behind climate change and looked for ways for our school community to conserve energy and reduce pollution. These students created puppet plays to present their research to students in grades K-4. We also used these funds to take two field trips. First, we visited the Syracuse Center of Excellence to learn how research-ers are finding ways to make green buildings and systems. On this trip we also visited the Open Hand Theater to watch a puppet play and learn some tricks of the puppet trade. Next, we visited the Fenner Wind Farm to learn about the benefits of wind power. On this trip we had a picnic lunch at Nichols Pond County Park where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and viewed the remains of an Oneida settlement.

Fifth graders created an energy conservation pledge and chart to present to every classroom. These charts gave the following ways to help conserve energy: 1. Turn off your lights • Whenyouleavetheroom • Onbright,sunnydays2. Turn off computers • Whenyou’renotusingthem3. Turn off the faucets • Nodrips!4. Reduce paper use • Usebothsides5. Reuse paper • Usescrappaperwhenpossible6. Recycle paper • Whenbothsidesareused,recycle!

We also plan to plant a tree, to help make our school grounds more beautiful and to help keep our air clean. Through this project, we have all learned to be a little more energy smart!

FFA Convention NewsThe New York State FFA Convention was held

May 5-7, at SUNY Cobleskill. Representing the Junior FFA chapter were Julie Elwood, Tom Foster, Jessica Ossont and Connor Smith. They competed in the Tool Identification contest, placing 4th out of 21 teams. Jessica Ossont placed 5th out of 73 con-testants! Congratulations to the Junior FFA. Mark Andrews, Isaiah Dunagan, Coleman Ellis, Karl Graham, Amanda Korb, Peter Robinson and Nate Stark represented our chapter in the Ag. Mechanics contest and the brand new Maple contest.

In addition to these competitions, members were able to participate in just-for-fun contests like the pedal tractor pull, the Dixie Chopper obstacle course, and others. Members attended two different field trips—to Guernsey’s Schoharie Nurseries and to the New York Power Authority plant in Gilboa. Members also had the opportu-nity to ride in a satellite driven tractor, use a skid steer simulator and check out the career show. Dr. Temple Grandin, the American Doctor of Animal Science and Professor at Colorado State University, best selling author, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, was the convention keynote speaker. She told us how her autism led her to see animal management tech-niques from the animals’ perspective. This led to the use of different management procedures to help animals stay more calm, relaxed and safe.

All in all, it was an exciting and fun convention.In other news, we received the results of the 81st

Hoard’s Dairyman Cow Judging Contest. All the agriculture students participate for something fun to do. A perfect score is 500. The top ten students at Otselic Valley, and their scores, are as follows.1. Karl Graham ............................................... 4562. Jordan Lidell (tie) ........................................ 4222. Corey Stone (tie) .......................................... 4224. Hayley Brown ............................................. 4205. Angel Horvath-Marshall.............................4126. Dusty Davis .................................................4107. Bethany Lewis ............................................ 4088. Tom Foster (tie) ........................................... 4068. Dalton Stone (tie) ........................................ 40610. Dillon Clapp (tie) ........................................ 40210. Crystal Hillman (tie) .................................. 40210. Justine Neal (tie) ......................................... 402

continued on the next page

ECHOES FROM THE VALLEY 7

Perfect scores (100) in a single breed were as follows:

Brown Swiss—Jon BowerHolstein—Crystal Hayner, Angel Horvath-

Marshall, Crystal Hillman, Justine Neal, Jennifer Rhoades, Colby Van Voorhis

Guernsey—Hayley Brown, Dusty Davis, Jordan Lidell

Milking Shorthorn—Jessica Hoag, Brandon Miller

Jersey—Mark Andrews, Jon Bower, Karl Graham, Maddie Plummer

Congratulations to all the cow judging winners!Respectfully submitted,Travis Sheldon, FFA Reporter

7th Grade High HonorComfort, EmilyDavies, Robert

7th Grade HonorCosta, Ella

Gillette, Mikayla Jones, Marianne Lidell, McKenzie

Lowry, Grace O’Hara, Coleman

Puccio, SierraStark, Kent

7th Grade MeritBard, Sabrina

Billy, LeviCortez, FrancescaGarey, MatthewHolmes, KeachiaHotaling, Megan

MacLaury, DominickMills, Hunter

Rawson, MaceyThornton, Amber

8th Grade High HonorHayner, Crystal

Lidell, JordanNeal, Justine

Neal, MatthewOssont, Jessica

Rhoades, Jennifer

8th Grade Honor Elwood, JulieAnne

Plummer, Madeleine Puccio, Joseph

8th Grade MeritFoster, Thomas

Horvath-Marshall, Angel Liuzzo, Jonathan

Olin, JasonSelinsky, Samantha

Smith, Connor Thornton, Brandon

9th Grade High HonorHarris, LaurenKorb, Amanda

Marshall, Dakota Reichard, Grace

Stone, Carly

9th Grade HonorBrown, BenjaminDeLee, Kesshia

DeRochie, NicholasGraham, Susan Lyon, Jonathan

Morse, Elizabeth Moyer, GregoryParshall, BrianaPetersen, Elyse

9th Grade MeritPlummer, Gaven

10th Grade High HonorGraves, KelseaHamlin, Sydni Harris, Rachael

Huntley, BrandonLyon, Esther

Manwarren, KayleenaMarston, TrevorMonroe, Amber

Mott, AlethaStone, Eva

Straight, Howard

10th Grade HonorAgren, Allyzza

Lamoree, ALexiaMikula, KaraleeMuller, Zachary

Pitts, Ashley Reynolds, Hope Scanlon, EmilyStith, Chantal

10th Grade MeritDavis, Kaitlyne

DeLee, KaylaDeRochie, Gregory

Joyce, IndigoOlin, Nikole

Rasmussen, BrentonSaladino, Carmine

Stone, Dalton

11th Grade High HonorBassett, Kyleigh

Bishop III, Charles Carsten, Logan

Graves, AngelaLarkin, Michael

Lewis, Alan Loomis, JessicaLyon, Gabrielle

Quick, KaraReichard, Elisabeth

11th Grade HonorAlise, Kayla

Brown, MarinaCross, Joshua

Hillman, Crystal Hillman, Shelby Martin, TamikaMonroe, AdamMorgan, CodyMoyer, Bradley

Roalef, ElyseSergent, Autumn

Stone, Corey Thorp, Kayla

11th Grade MeritGrace, Hunter

ManWarren, Sheleen

Minor, Alexis

12th Grade High HonorBencke, Jessica Day, Douglas

DeRochie, JacobDeVinne, Kimberly

Graham, KarlKelly, Bianca

Lewis, Bethany

12th Grade HonorBatchelor, Chelsea

Davis, Dustin DeBottis, Mark

Kelly, RobertMarshall, Angie Seager, BrittanyStark, NathanWood, Jenna

12th Grade MeritBeesmer, StephenDavis, Benjamin

DeBottis, ChristianForrest, Zachary

Rowland, Zachary

Honor Roll

Non-profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

P A I DSouth Otselic,

NY 13155PERMIT #3

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YOTSELIC VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOLGeorgetown, New York 13072South Otselic, New York 13155Board MembersDavid Cruikshank, PresidentDale Fox, Vice PresidentGregory BrownDouglas EvansTerri HammondGail Evans Burpee, District Clerk

“The Otselic Valley Central School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disabilities, marital or veteran status.”

Contact person: Richard J. Hughes, Superintendent, P.O. Box 161, 125 County Road 13A, South Otselic, NY 13155 (315) 653-7218.

CURRENT RESIDENT OR

ECRWSSBOXHOLDER

Nursery School RegistrationApplications for 2011-2012 are now available. If you

would like to register your child, and/or apply for a scholarship or know of parents with children who may be interested in our Nursery School program, please contact Nancy Stiles for Registration forms.

Nancy Stiles, DirectorUMC Nursery School

PO Box 38North Pitcher, NY 13124

(315) 653-7221Applications for next year will also be available at the

Nursery School until June 10.The State requires more and more from school age chil-

dren and pre-school gives them an early start to become socially and mentally ready for kindergarten. We strive to provide a learning experience that will help to prepare the children for school by working on socialization and basic school activities.

Nursery School will begin on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in South Otselic. We operate from September to June on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and follow the Otselic Valley Central School calendar.

Calendar of EventsJune 1-3 Science Assessments, Grades 4 & 8 2 American Red Cross Blood Drive, MPR,

9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Athletic Booster Club Meeting, HS 3-5 Senior Trip 6 Science Written Test, Grades 4 & 8 7 High School Awards Program, MPR 10 Elementary Musical, Elementary

Gymnasium 11 Elementary Musical, Elementary

Gymnasium 14 K-6th Grade Field Day 15-24 Regents Examinations 15 BOE Meeting, Elementary School 16 K-6th Grade School Picnic 21 6th Grade Graduation 24 Graduation Rehearsal, HS Gym Baccalaureate, Georgetown Baptist Church,

7:30 p.m. 25 Graduation, HS Gym, 11:00 a.m.

**Be sure to check the OV website, www.ovcs.org, for additions and updates.

FFA American Red Cross Blood DriveThe Otselic Valley FFA is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on June 2, from 9:00 a.m. to

2:30 p.m. To make an appointment, call Mrs. Robinson at 315-653-7218. Walk-ins are accepted.Respectfully submitted,Travis Sheldon, FFA Reporter