Octorara Area School District

Octorara High School students run a student-led Help Desk for computer repairs. https://www.dailylocal.com/2024/11/19/octorara-school-district-reignites-hands-on-learning-with-student-run-it-help-desk/

Tomorrow evening, we will be hosting a meeting for parents about the current trends in social media and use of mobile technology by our students. Based on the book Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, we will be exploring the 4 Harms that Haidt has identified that make our children vulnerable to social media. We will meet in the middle school HUB at 6:30 PM and all are invited.

Please click here to read the November OASD Community Update. https://drive.google.com/file/d/17W-1RYerDfD05AJcX3Ym_6khWibUcsvs/view?usp=sharing

Day #2 of National Apprenticeship Week started with Ms. Deidre Shappelle, Mother of recent graduates and a K-2 Special Education Teacher from Devereux in Landenberg. Ms. Shappelle discussed what is required of her to be a teacher at Devereaux and the opportunties within Devereux for earning undergraduate and advanced degrees while earning and learning being employed. The conversation also centered on all of the different hats Ms. Shappelle is wearing to support her students on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Ms. Shappelle mentioned the need to collaborate with co-workers and agencies to do their best for each child in their care. Thank you for a great conversation, Ms. Shappelle!

Had a great start to National Apprenticeship Week with Mr. Elijah Robinson, a Father to students in the district and a very accomplished Industrial Electrician, provided a snapshot into his experience in high school and then transitioning to the workforce. With a packed room, Mr. Robinson shared how he became an industrial electrician for the Cleveland Cliffs in Coatesville and what he has been able to do because of the opportunties that were available to him once he was employed. OACTEP students from Business, Mechanical Systems, Carpentry/Cabinet Making, and Computer Technology listened intently to the message. We are grateful to Mr. Robinson for sharing his knowledge!

Live Stream Link for the November 18 Regular Meeting: https://youtube.com/live/VW8jmOLt5zU?feature=share

Fall Play: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

All Cadets in the Fire Discipline of the Octorara Homeland Security and Protective Services Program passed the State Skills Certification for Hazardous Materials Operations.

Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country Team and Coach McGinnis who qualified for the PIAA Cross Country State Tournament, a first in its history. The team was led by Mya Trotty’s 2nd place finish, Abby Tuel’s 5th place finish and Meghan McGinnis’ 6th place finish. Congratulations also to Cody Lusby, Boys Cross Country, who received 2nd place overall to qualify for the State Tournament. They will be traveling to Hershey for Saturday’s State Competition at the Parkview Cross Country Course. Also, congratulations to the Football Team and Coach Smith who qualified for the PIAA District 3 Tournament. The Football Team will be playing this Friday evening at ELCO High School. Congratulations to the players, coaches and families as they represent Octorara! Go Braves!

Open Board Director Position Octorara Area School Board of Directors Effective October 21, 2024 Due to Board Director Karen Williamson’s resignation from the Board of Directors, a seat on the Board is open for a term to run from November 18, 2024 through the next General Municipal Election in 2025. Qualifications: Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age; Must have been a resident of the District for at least one (1) year prior to the date of election or appointment; May not also hold an incompatible office such as district attorney, borough or township treasurer, member of council in any municipality, township commissioner, township supervisor, tax collector, assessor, assistant assessor, comptroller, auditor or constable; May not be a District employee or in certain cases, an employee of the Chester County Intermediate Unit; and Must reside in Region 1 Region 1 Parkesburg Borough (North), Atglen Borough, Christiana Borough, West Sadsbury Township To Apply Send Letter of Interest and Resume to: Attention: Jill Hardy, Board Secretary Octorara Area School District 228 Highland Road, Suite 1 Atglen, PA 19310 Or email to: jhardy@octorara.org Deadline for Letter of Interest and Resume: November 6, 2024

On Tuesday, October 15, Aiden Althouse, Kelsey Badman, Kierce Dayton, Rocco DeLuca, Makayla Diviney, Dylan Schreiber, and Sophia Rothenberger represented Octorara at the Chester County Honors Chorus Festival at Immaculata University. It was an incredible experience for them to collaborate with talented peers from across the region, and they performed beautifully. The students showcased not only their musical talents but also their commitment to excellence and teamwork. Congratulations to these students for their hard work and dedication!

Have you noticed a shift in child behavior over the last decade? Increased anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal? You’re not alone... Read more... https://www.octorara.k12.pa.us/page/anxious-generation

Read questions and answers generated by the Octorara exploration of solar energy. https://www.octorara.k12.pa.us/page/solar-exploration

Mr. and Mrs. Peticca enjoying the day and spreading the good news of Octorara education. Great event. Thanks Atglen.

Congratulations to the 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Recipients: Brandon Arnsberger~ Class of 2012 (accepted by his father) With 117 career wins, Brandon made a name for himself early on, placing 8th in the PIAA AA state tournament in 2010 and, just two years later, securing another 8th place finish in the PIAA AAA state tournament. In addition to being a 2-time state medalist, he was also a 3-time district champion. Kendel Dixon ~ Class of 2005 As a standout member of the track and field team, Kendel was a three-time PIAA District 1 Qualifier in the 400-meter, showcasing his talent and commitment. In his senior year, he took his performance to the next level, becoming the 2005 District champion in the 400-meter and leading the team as captain. His leadership and speed propelled him to a school record in the 400-meter, a mark that still stands today. Additionally, he was a key member of the 4x100 relay team, which qualified for districts twice, finishing 2nd and 5th. In 2005, he capped off his high school career as a PIAA two A State Championship qualifier in the 400-meter, demonstrating his dedication and excellence on the track. Kendel’s athletic journey continued at Kutztown University, where he competed with the same passion and determination that defined his high school career. He became a three-time member of the All-PSAC 4x400m relay team and left his mark on Kutztown’s history as well. He holds the 5th best outdoor 400-meter men’s time in program history with an impressive 47.95, as well as the 5th best indoor time of 49.13, a nationally provisional mark. Kendel is also part of the top 10 indoor 4x400m relay team, with a time of 3:20.19, further solidifying his legacy as an outstanding collegiate athlete. But Kendel’s passion for track and field didn’t stop with his own accomplishments—he went on to inspire others as a coach. At Kutztown, he coached the men’s and women’s teams, guiding the women’s team to the 3rd all-time mark in program history. After returning home to Octorara, he continued to make a difference by coaching the girls’ 4x100m relay team to a 6th place finish at the 2011 PIAA AAA State Championship. He also helped guide Octorara’s 400-meter athletes to a PIAA District 3 AAA 4th place finish and played a pivotal role in setting the 2024 girls’ 400-meter school record, along with leading several athletes to top 10 marks. Cierra Runge ~ Class of 2014 Her journey took her to some of the most prestigious programs in collegiate swimming, including the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Arizona State University. During her time in the PAC 12, Cierra became a PAC 12 Record Holder, PAC 12 Champion, and was honored as the PAC 12 Swimmer of the Meet. But Cierra’s accomplishments didn’t stop there. She went on to break American and NCAA Division 1 records, and in 2015, she became both an NCAA Division 1 individual and team champion. She also earned the distinction of being a 4-time NCAA All-American. These accomplishments were just the beginning of a journey that would see her represent the United States on the world stage, bringing pride not just to Octorara but to the entire nation. Internationally, Cierra’s career boasts victories that span the globe. In 2012, she claimed a silver medal at the Junior Pan Pacific Games. In 2013, at the FINA World Junior Championships, she took home four medals, including gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. She continued her dominance with a silver medal in the 400-meter freestyle and top placements in multiple events at the 2014 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Her dedication culminated in representing Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where she secured a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay—a moment of triumph that commemorates her as an Olympic champion. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Cierra went on to win another gold at the 2017 FINA World Championships.

Season 2 is here. Pod Sup Podcast with Hall of Fame inductees Cierra Runge and Kendel Dixon. https://rss.com/podcasts/podsup

Congratulations on the 2024 Golden Apple winners (from the right) Kelly Doughtie, Christy Spoto, Edgar Rosa, Tom Imms.