Octorara High School Band Does New Holland

Two videos of the Octorara High School Band in their First Place Performance in Wednesday's Spectacle of Bands Parade in New Holland.
The first from Jenny Hagans:

The second video from Ellen Brown:

Tennis, Volleyball Score Victories Over Oxford

With the rush of news about the storm Friday evening and Octorara's football loss to Great Valley, I missed these two Octorara victories.

Thanks to Maggie Feld for bringing them to my attention.

From the Daily Local News sports desk:

Girls Tennis:

Octorara 7, Oxford 0: Octorara improved to 2-7 with the nonleague win.

Anna Bortle and Ava Bortle lost the first set at third doubles, but rallied for a 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-3 decision.

Geneva Blaha trailed 5-0 in the first set of her match at third singles but prevailed 7-5, 6-3.

Singles

1. King (OC) def. Franjesh 6-1,, 6-2; 2. Graber (OC) def. Sexton 6-1, 6-0; 3. Blaha (OC) def. Keeler 7-5, 6-3.

Doubles

1. Zavala-Feld (OC) def. DeFrank-Johnson 6-3, 6-1; 2. Black-Lewis (OC) def. Roper-Manco 6-2, 6-0; 3. An. Bortle-Av. Bortle (OC) def. Calibey-Green 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-3; 4. Holly-Camacho (OC) def. Denzler-Charlton 6-0, 6-0.

Girls Volleyball

Octorara 3, Oxford 0: Octorara (4-5) earned its fourth straight win by beating Oxford 25-9, 25-4, 25-10 in the nonleague match.

Emily Maxwell notched 13 kills for the Braves, Lindsay Wilde 12 kills and three blocks, and Miranda Kauffman 23 assists.

In the second game, Octorara's Catherine Smith served 23 straight points.

Public Invited To Meet With Octorara Superintendent Tonight

Per LancasterOnline Superintendent Tom Newcome will host his first Superintendent Advisory Committee meeting of the new school year this evening.

The Superintendent's Advisory Committee, hosted by Octorara Superintendent Thomas Newcome, will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, in the district conference room next to the superintendent's office.

Newcome said the committee is open to interested community members and parents.  The meeting will be a forum for questions and suggestions.  Newcome, who also often holds town meetings in the district's communities, plans to hold these advisory committees at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month.

The district office is located between the junior and senior high schools on Highland Road.     

Boys Cross Country Score Defeat Church Farm School

From the Daily Local News Wednesday sports wrap this update of a convincing win for Octorara's boys cross country team over Church Farm School:

Octorara 20, Church Farm 35: Kevin Carr (18:58) finished second with a time of 18:58 to help Octorara (1-4) defeat Church Farm in the non-league meet.

Zac Cornell (19:45) raced to a third-place mark, while Franky Mills of Church Farm was the meet’s top runner at 17:38.

1. Mills (C) 17:38; 2. Carr (O) 18:58; 3. Cornell (O) 19:45; 4. Creveling (O) 19:55; 5. Fritz (O) 20:01; 6. Graber (O) 20:09; 7. Schultz (C) 20:27; 8. Soto (C) 20:34; 9. Owens (C) 20:55; 10. Nicholson (C) 21:18.

Monday's School Board Notes And Articles

Earlier this week Ellen Brown posted notes yesterday from Monday evening's School Board meeting on her Octorara Report Blog here.

Aside from the usual resignations and hirings, topics discussed during the board meeting include:

• Group purchasing opportunities
• PSSA test results
• Cell phone policy pilot
• The 2011-2012 budget calendar
• Time change for the High School Dedication (moved to 2:00 PM)
• A new monthly Superintendent's Advisory Meeting open to the public

In addition to Ellen's blog, local journalist Debbie Wygent weighed in with a good article on My Octorara News about the PSSA test results as reported by Assistannt Superintendent Nancy Bishop Monday evening.

The first three paragraphs of Debbie's story read as follows:

Students in the Octorara Area School District earned strong SAT scores compared with other students statewide, but three of the district's five schools did not make adequate yearly progress on 2011 PSSA tests, Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop told the school board Monday night.

As a district, Octorara did show improvement on PSSA tests.  Seventy-two percent of all district students were proficient in reading — up from 63 percent in years 2008-10 — and district students scored 67 percent proficient in math, which is up from 56 percent in the years 2008-10. 
   
However, both the high school and intermediate school did not make AYP in either reading or math because of scores from their special education, or IEP, subgroups.  The elementary school missed AYP in reading because of scores from its IEP and economically disadvantaged subgroups, but met all performance targets in math.  The Primary Learning Center and middle school made AYP in both subjects.

Read Debbie's entire test scores article here.

Soccer Boosters Plan Pancake Breakfast

Click to enlarge

Two New Teachers Push Octorara Teacher Count Past 200

Ryne Anthony, left, a science teacher, and Katherine Smith, a math teacher joined the staff at Octorara Area School District this fall. (Photo courtesy of LancasterOnline)

This from LancasterOnline earlier this weekend:

The Octorara Area School District welcomed two new teachers this fall.

The latest members to join the staff are Ryne Anthony, a seventh and eighth grade science teacher, and Katherine Smith, a math instructor to ninth through 12th graders.

The new teachers filled retirement vacancies. Octorara currently has 201 teachers, an increase of 25 positions over the past 15 years, according to superintendent Tom Newcome.

Chili's Give Back to Octorara Baseball

This from Susan Murtagh on Facebook yesterday:

Come out and join the Octorara Baseball Teams at Chili's on Tuesday, October 11th. 

Lunch, Dinner or To Go! 

 

Bring the attached FLYER/Coupon and enjoy an evening out!

Ryan Vogelsong . . . Continued

Octorara alumni and SF Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelson signs autographs and is interviewed at a sports memorabilia show in Santa Clara, California.

Money quote:

"It feels good that people actually want something with your name on it.  It lets you know you're playing pretty well.  One of these days people aren't going to want it anymore so I try to get it out as much as I can,"

Boys Soccer: Octorara Defense Pitches Shutout Against Devon Prep

By Jack Mariano

Octorara boys soccer team defeated Devon Prep this morning 4-0 in a game played on Octorara's home field.

The Braves were paced by three goals by Ian Byerly who had the natural hat trick. Ian scored his first goal with 31:15 remaining in the first half and never looked back.

Octorara (1-2 League; 3-2 overall) protected their lead with a strong defensive effort by fullback Jack Wishneski who turned back a number of shots before they reached the goal area.

The few plays that found their way through were stopped by Octorara's junior goaltender, Dan Jones.

The Tide, whom Octorara faced many times in the old Southern Chester County League and are now a part of the Bicentennial Athletic League, missed a chance for a goal when they were awarded a penalty kick about 20 yards from Octorara’s goal but the shot sailed wide to the right.

The Braves scoring assault was completed by a nifty shot off the foot of Keegan Wilson midway through the second half.

After the game, coach Derek Smith said “Today was a good win for us, we needed this”. Octorara also received strong efforts from John Muchow, Daulton Rutter and Ben Makanski.

Daily Local News Picks Octorara Over Pequea Valley

Notice:  Due to emergency repairs being made to Pequea Valley's field, the game has been moved to Solanco High School at 585 Solanco Road in Quarryville.

Game time remains at 7:00 PM

________________

Daily Local News prognosticators picked Octorara to beat Pequea Valley in tonight's high school football game.

Octorara at Pequea Valley: Old county coach friend Evan Bresblatt is the new head man at Pequea. The Braves should take this road game.

Pick: Octorara 20, Peqeua Valley 13.

Both teams are undefeated at 2-0 heading into the game.

The game at Pequea Valley High School (4033 East Newport Road in Kinzer) starts at 7:00 PM. 

Board Irked Over High School Cell Phone Pilot

LancasterOnline has a story this morning on Octorara High School's new student cell phone policy pilot and the disappointment expressed by school board members they weren't consulted BEFORE the pilot began.

The pilot policy, posted here on Parkesburg Today a couple of days ago, moves away from the school's zero-tolerance cell phone policy toward allowing students to use their smart phones between periods and during lunch for non-verbal purposes.

The Money Quote comes from High School Principal Scott Rohrer:

"This is a new era. Students have access to [smartphones]. It's amazing what you can use cellphones for. They're minicomputers. The short end of it is to see if we can steer this in a more positive way. I see more positives than negatives so far this year"

Two weeks into the school year, high school administrators report a good response from the students saying they would pull the stop the pilot immediately if issues show up.  They intend to evaluate the pilot at the end of the first marking period.

Meanwhile school board members were more than a little put off that no one told them about the cell phone pilot ahead of time.  Said board member Bob Hume of Parkesburg pointedly during Monday's debate:

"If we make a change, we have a policy committee, and they make a thorough investigation.  There might even be a few drawbacks to (the pilot policy)."

Here's the entire article written by local reporter Debbie Wygent on LancasterOnline.

Click here to read the back and forth comments made by board members at Monday evening's board work session.

Octorara Passes Its Way Big Springs Victory

Big Springs William Wiser (44) takes a hand-off from QB Jordan Houck (6) and looks for running room while Octorara senior Mitch King (19) gets ready to stop him. Wiser finished with 190 yards and three touchdowns for Big Spring. (Submitted photo/Courtesy Shawnee Smith)

From the Shippensburg News-Chronicle as submitted by Jack Mariano

Ten days after Millersburg’s Josh Howard dropped a handful of touchdowns on Big Spring, Dan Soloman threw five of his own and piled up 292 yards to lead Octorara Area to a 40-28 victory over Big Spring in its home-opener Monday night.

All five of Soloman’s scoring strikes came in the second half. Soloman’s first two went to Charles Cooper, who also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, from 46 and 50 yards out. Mitch King pulled in an 11-yard touchdown before Soloman hooked up with Anthony Dinorscia for his last two 6-pointers in the fourth quarter.

William Wiser rushed 39 times for 190 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs’ offense, which racked up 289 total yards on the ground to Octorara’s 62. Wiser rushed for 203 yards a week ago at Millersburg and now has 393 yards through two games on the ground.

However, the running game was not a high priority to Octorara’s game plan. The Braves ran only 13 times compared to 27 passing plays while Big Spring ran 65 times and passed on just six plays.

Jakes Bales also scored for the Bulldogs, securing a 14-7 advantage at halftime before Soloman found his rhythm through the air.

Wiser’s third touchdown, a 1-yard plunge, gave Big Spring a 28-26 advantage heading into the fourth quarter before Soloman’s pair of touchdowns to Dinorscia gave Octorara (2-0, 0-0 Ches-Mont American) the win.

Cooper finished with 127 yards on five catches to lead all Braves receivers. James Brown caught six passes for 97 yards.

The Braves travel to nearby Pequea Valley High School this Friday night at 7 p.m. for the 2nd annual “Battle Of The Braves” game.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Octorara (W)	7	0	33	0	40
Big Spring (L)	7	7	14	0	28

Rushing	Attempts	YDS
Charles Cooper	2	37
Dan Soloman	2	14
Passing	Attempts	Completed	YDS	TD	INT
Dan Soloman	27	15	127	5	0
Receiving	Receptions	YDS	TD
Charles Cooper	5	127	2
James Brown	6	97	0
Anthony Dinorscia	2	40	2
Mitch King	2	28	1

Click to enlarge

Octorara School Board Work Session Notes

Board members confer with Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop prior to the start of Monday's work session.

 OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

WORK SESSION

September 12, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.

Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. Lord’s Prayer

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

3. Roll Call

Board member John Malone not present

4. Presentations

None

5. Visitors’ Comments - Agenda Items Only

None

6. Information Items:

A. Ms. Robyn Frye will be student teaching from August 29, 2011 through December 15, 2011. She will be returning to her position as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective December 16, 2011.

B. Ms. Linda Haslett will be student teaching from August 29, 2011 through December 16, 2011. She will be returning to her position as a Title I reading assistant at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective December 17, 2011.

7. Presentation of Agenda Items for the September 19, 2011 Regular Monthly Public Meeting:

A. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus drivers employed by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2011-2012 school year.

B. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the list of school bus runs by Althouse Transportation, Inc. for the 2011-2012 school year.

Board member Sam Ganow asks if this year was a decrease or increase in Althouse budget.  Bus manager said it should be a decrease given the new kindergarten program

Board member McCarthy asked why are the bus stops so close together.  If we asked the students to walk we could save money on gas.  He gave an example of stops along Route 41. 

Board member Brian Norris fired back he wouldn’t want his kids walking on Route 41. 

Board President Bowman explained students are asked to gather in one spot in developments.  Safety is always stressed.  The district started working with Althouse several years ago to consolidate stops. 

Resignation Approvals:

C. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Beth Lambert as a cafeteria employee at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 18, 2011. (Hired November 4, 2008)

D. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Bonnie Fuller as a cafeteria employee at the Octorara Sr. High School effective August 16, 2011. (Hired October 1, 2009)

E. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Donna Crawford as a lunchroom/playground aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011. (Hired August 27, 2007)

F. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Doris Klein as a Title I math assistant at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 23, 2011. (Hired February 27, 2009)

G. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the resignation of Ms. Stephanie Rusen as a half-time gifted education teacher at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 23, 2011. (Hired August 22, 2007)

Hiring Approvals:

H. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Danae Dick as a long term substitute Title I math assistant at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 through December 15, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Dick’s rate will be $10.15 per hour. (Replacing Robyn Frye who will be student teaching.)

I. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Gwenanne Hartshorn as a long term substitute Speech and Language Therapist at the Octorara Primary Learning Center effective August 29, 2011 through approximately October 14, 2011 pending completion of work related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Hartshorn’s rate will be $140 per day. (Replacing a medical leave of absence.)

J. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Jan D’Angelo as a halftime gifted education teacher at the Octorara Jr. High School effective August 29, 2011. Ms. D’Angelo’s salary will be $29,735 pro-rated. (Ms. D’Angelo has worked for the District previously and will be replacing Stephanie Rusen who resigned.)

K. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Tara Busby as a lunchroom/playground aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Busby’s rate will be $8.75 per hour. (Replacing Donna Crawford who resigned.)

L. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Ms. Kelly Reuter as a personal care aide at the Octorara Elementary School effective August 29, 2011 pending completion of employee related documents required by law and the District. Ms. Reuter’s rate will be $11.65 per hour. (Replacing Wanda Fisher who resigned.)

M. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve Mr. David Villa as Access Assistant for the District effective October 1, 2011. Mr. Villa’s rate will be $18.49 per hour for 20 hours per week.

N. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following as proctors for the PSAT/PLAN being given on Saturday, October 15, 2011. The rate is a maximum of $30 per hour not to exceed four hours per test administration.  Lisa Budzik, Jeff Butch, Danielle Cullen, Scott Cullen, Sandy Federici, Jen German, Edward Golden, Maria Hoff, Ashley Kimbrough, Dan Lefever, Karen Letts, Joanne Moore, David Rutledge

Board member Bob Hume asked about what role these proctors would fill.  They will not be assisting students take the test. 

O. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute teachers for the 2011-2012 school year:

Tammy Anthony (Elementary)

Karen Baillie (Early Childhood)

Kristen Ciaccia (Elementary)

Ann Clymer (Biology, General Science)

Erin Himes (Elementary, Middle LA, FACS)

Brittany Iler (Music K-12)

Joyce Kruse (FACS, Library Science)

Paul McAndrew (Social Studies 7-12)

Jodi Mincer (Special Education, Middle English)

Julie Umlah (Elementary, Middle Math)

Nicole Webster (Early Childhood, Reading)

Christopher Wrigley (Elementary)

P. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following substitute support personnel for the 2011-2012 school year:

Danise Miller (Cafeteria)

Wendy Nellius (Cafeteria)

Jennifer Zimath (Cafeteria)

Q. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following supplemental contracts for the 2011-2012 school year:

To be announced

R. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following changes in salary due to graduate credits earned:

To be announced

S. That the Octorara Board of School Directors approve the following change orders:

·         408-03 Reed Assoc Casework modifications $772.00

·         008 Bristol Asbestos abatement $4,500.00

8. Facilities Committee Report

• Met this evening before the meeting
• Project is complete except for the punch list which may take 30 to 60 days to complete
• Sump pump will be installed in an old tunnel under the high school.  No price yet
• Concerned about water issues in all the buildings,  Leaks are being worked on
• Cell Tower – don’t have any plans to sell it
• Custodian outsourcing – some complaints, some praises
• Assessment appeal from residents and businesses were received – looking for legal advice

9. Other Items/Concerns

None

10. Visitors’ Comments – General

None 

11. Administrator Comments/Announcements

Scott Rohrer, High School Principal

• Student Rep introduced

•  Student cell phone policy (Click here for a copy of the pilot policy)– Principal Rohrer met with student and parent advisor committee.  An issue that always comes up is cell phone use.  The high school has a zero tolerance policy currently.  In this new era the question always comes up, is that appropriate?  Current policy is too much off a hassle for the school and parents.  Cell phones are small, handheld computers.  Over the summer the High School developed a pilot to allow cell phone to be used for non verbal communication.    Students are allowed to use their cell phone between periods, in the cafeteria, during lunches.  We’ll try it for one semester and see how it goes.  So far pretty positive.  No concerns from staff about the policy yet.  Students are on time to class.  If we start having issues we can pull the pilot and go in a different direction. 

Student rep stated everyone likes the new policy.  There are so many things you can do with cell phones.  Listen to music when you’re working during a study hall for example.

Board member Brian Norris asked about difference between those who have smart phones and those who don’t.  The answer was no.

Board member Bob Hume wondered why this wasn’t brought to the policy committee.  There may be a few drawback, he said.  The phones give students the opportunity to stray, not pay attention. 

Scott Rohrer, principal, responds this is why we did it as a pilot, to see how it worked and make changes before we brought it to the board

Board President Lisa Bowman said she appreciates the fact that the school is trying new things and trying to stay in front of rapidly changing technology.

Hume stated emphatically that existing policy is there to be followed.

Brian Norris weighed in stating that it’s a fine line.  The high school would have been wise to advise the board about the pilot in case there were issues. 

Scott Roher responded by stating this is a pilot.  We will not go any further without coming back to the board first

Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop stated that administrators look at the consequences of what the students do with these phones.  We have been to a legal workshop to learn what we can and can’t do with the phones.  Sexting, texting are just two of the issues.  We will review these with you.  But we want to be proactive to keep our students above the law and out of trouble.

Board member Sam Ganow  suggested adding an agenda item for next week’s meeting allowing the board to approve the pilot.

Board member McCarthy- spoke about the ball point pen not being allowed to write a check, same with calculators in schools.

• Principal Rohrer spoke about the High School dedication scheduled for October 8^th.

• Things are moving forward on Fall Fest idea.  There’s a meeting this Wednesday to finalize plans

Administrators will be presenting PSSA results for the 2010-2011 school year at next week’s board meeting

12. Board Comments

Board member Sam Ganow spoke about distance between bus stops as well as Wolfs Hollow County Park and the Atglen to Susquehanna low grade trail (23 miles) – neither is used much.

Board member Nelson Stolzfus spoke briefly about the distance between bus stops, stating there is policy about that and asking that the policy be represented to the board.

Board member John McCarthy found the education survey in the packet this week is interesting.  He called the office in H that sent the survey.  Spoke about a Harrisburg task force focused on school spending.  The office was unfamiliar with the task forces report that would have saved school districts billions of dollars. 

Board member Bob Hume spoke of having a number of big events coming up including:

• September 30^th – Homecoming Parade 
• October 1^st – Homecoming
• October 6^th – 9^th Fall Festival
• October 8thnHigh School dedication
• November 13^th Dedication of Memorial Alcove

Bob Hume noted a publication titled “Public School In Crisis.” Our political people don’t understand the situation our public schools are in.  No one else can take the blame.  Not the board, not the teachers, not the administrators.  It’s the politicians in Harrisburg.  Changing subjects, Hume continued by saying maybe with cell phones we won’t need schools.  Kids will get their education over the phone.

Board President Lisa Bowman said she saw something on CNN about a school district spending $200,000 to equipping every Kindergarten student with iPad.  That’s not going to happen here. 

13. Adjournment

• Facility Committee Meeting – Monday, September 12, 2011 – 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
• Finance/Policy Committee Meeting – Monday, September 19, 2011 – 6:30 p.m. in the District Office Conference Room
• Next regularly scheduled Board Meeting – Monday, September 19, 2011– 7:30 p.m. in the Octorara Jr./Sr. High School Multi-Purpose Room

Octorara High School Building Dedication

Octorara HS Dedication

DLN Picks Octorara Over Big Sky

Note from Jack Mariano on Saturday 9.10.2011: According to Coach Jed King, because of the intense rains this week, especially in the mid-state region, the game will be played Monday (9/12) at 5:00 PM at Big Springs.
Note from Jack Mariano: According to Coach Jed King, because of the intense rains this week, especially in the mid-state region, Friday's game has been delayed one day.  The game will be played Saturday (9/10) at 7:00 PM at Big Springs.

The Daily Local News picks Octorara to beat Big Springs under the lights Friday night:

The Braves won their opener last week while Big Spring lost to Millersburg. The Braves’ offense, led by Charles Cooper, should score enough for the win.

Pick: Octorara 27, Big Spring 21.

The game Starts at 7:00 PM.

Here are directions to the game:

Directions from Harrisburg - Proceed South on Interstate 81 to the Newville Exit (Exit 37). Go right on Route 233 and drive approximately 4 miles to the traffic light in Newville. Turn right onto Route 641. Go mile and turn right onto Mount Rock Road. Proceed approximately 1/2 mile to the top of the hill. The Administration Office and the Middle School is on top of the hill on your left. If you continue to the bottom of the hill, the High School is on your right.

Octorara New Soccer Coach Looks Back, Forward

West Chester's Daily Local News surveys Chester County's high school soccer scene and takes note of the 5 new coaches including Derek Smith, Octorara's new field general.

Coach Derek Smith

Money quote from Smith:

The new man in charge at Octorara was a player on the school's most successful team.

"I was part of their state championship team back in 1999. I was a junior that year," said Smith. "I'm thrilled to be back coaching at Octorara.

"Things were a lot different when I played -- they were still a member of the Southern Chester County League. It's definitely more of a challenge for us now being in the Ches-Mont as a AA school, where we are going out and playing the bigger schools each and every day."

Another article in the same paper profiled this year's boys soccer team.

OCTORARA

Head Coach: Derek Smith (1st year)

Last Season: 9-7-3 overall, 5-6-2 league

Key Players: John Muchow (Jr., defense); Jack Wishenski (Sr., defense); Daulton Rutter (Sr., midfielder); Ben Makansi (Sr., midfielder); Ian Byerly (Jr., forward).

Outlook: The Braves return 14 seniors from a squad that made it all the way to the District 1 Class AA semifinals last season. Leadership will be a big strength of the team for first-year coach Smith, who hopes to see his group contend for the American Division title.

Both articles can be found here and here.