News
A collection of funded projects, events, and news from the foundation.
For many Oley Valley families, Friday mornings at the library became a favorite part of summer. The Oley Valley Community Library’s free Summer Learning Program gave children and families a chance to laugh, learn, move, create, and try something new each week—all close to home and at no cost. This marked the eighth year that the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation financially supported the program. Throughout the summer, 239 patrons attended, with an average of approximately 30 people participating each week. This year’s programs offered something for nearly every interest. Families explored science, practiced juggling and circus skills, participated in creative movement, enjoyed magic, experimented with STEM kits, made music through bucket drumming, and met some memorable visitors during an amazing presentation from Party Animal Express. No two Friday mornings were quite the same. One week, children might have watched a science experiment or learned a new circus skill. The next, they might have moved to music, enjoyed a magic trick, played a bucket drum, or gotten an up-close look at an animal they had never seen before. Although school was out, learning continued—just in a different way. Summer learning does not always need to look like a classroom lesson. It can happen when a science demonstration sparks a question, when a child gathers the courage to try something new, or when an animal encounter leads to a conversation that continues long after the program ends. Just as importantly, the Summer Learning Program gave local families a fun and engaging activity they could enjoy together without having to travel far or spend money. Opportunities like this make a meaningful difference, especially during the long summer weeks when families are looking for affordable ways to keep children active and curious. OVCEF was proud to support the Summer Learning Program for the eighth consecutive year, and we are grateful to the Oley Valley Community Library for planning the programs, welcoming families each week, and continuing to make learning fun throughout the summer. Thank you to everyone who joined in the fun on Friday mornings at the library this summer. We hope your family left with plenty of smiles, a few new memories, and maybe even a new interest or two.
In May, we hosted our second annual OVCEF Alumni Mixer. On paper, it was simple enough: alumni gathering together for an evening of food, conversation, and reconnecting. But somewhere between the handshakes, hugs, and stories that started with, "Do you remember when..." it became obvious that it was really about something else entirely. There is something about growing up in a small town. You may move away. Build a career somewhere else. Raise your children in another community. Years pass. Sometimes decades. But then someone mentions a teacher's name, a Friday night football game, a school play, a field trip, or a memory from the cafeteria, and suddenly you're right back there again. It's funny how quickly that happens. As the evening unfolded, you could see people spotting old friends across the tables and picking up conversations that had simply been paused for a few years — or twenty, or thirty. People weren't talking about job titles or resumes. They were talking about teachers who changed their lives, classmates they hadn't seen in years, and stories they thought only they remembered, only to find everyone else at the table remembered them too. For a few hours, the years in between didn't seem to matter very much. One alumnus summed it up perfectly: "Oley will always feel like home." I don't think they were the only person feeling that way that night. Because maybe that's one of the best things about a community like ours. Home isn't always the place where you live. Sometimes it's the place that helped make you who you are. At OVCEF, we spend a lot of time thinking about the future: scholarships for graduating seniors, education grants that bring new opportunities into classrooms, and community programs that create experiences for students and families. But evenings like the Alumni Mixer serve as an important reminder that our future is built on generations of people who continue believing in this community long after they've walked across the graduation stage. Many of the people helping create opportunities for students today were once students here themselves: The business owners supporting our events. The volunteers giving their time. The parents cheering from the sidelines. Many of them sat in the same classrooms, walked the same hallways, and were encouraged by the same teachers that current students know today. There is something pretty special about that. The Alumni Mixer wasn't really about looking backward. It was about being reminded that communities don't happen by accident. They happen because people continue showing up for them. They happen because people decide that where they came from still matters. They happen because someone who graduated twenty years ago still wants good things for the students walking those same hallways today. As the evening came to an end and conversations slowly wrapped up, it felt less like the end of an event and more like the continuation of a story that has been unfolding here for generations. One group graduates and another takes their place, and somewhere in the middle, a community continues showing up for its schools and its students. To everyone who attended, volunteered, donated raffle items, and helped make the evening possible, thank you! Thank you for the stories, the laughter, and the reminder that some places never really leave you. At OVCEF, our mission has always been to expand opportunities for Oley Valley students and support the surrounding community. Events like the Alumni Mixer remind us that this work isn't only about the next generation. It's also about the generations that came before them and the generations that will come after. And maybe that's exactly what makes Oley Valley feel like home.
The Oley Valley Community Library's Summer Learning Program will be held on Fridays this summer at 10:30 am in Weidner Hall. We are pleased to be the sponsor of this great summer program for the 8th year. Check out the great lineup the library has for families this summer: June 5: Circus Skills You will have firsthand experience in learning how to perform certain juggling skills. You will see a demonstration of these skills and then will have the opportunity to try them yourself. Bring on the fun! June 12: Super Science Show The Super Science Show will be bringing so much fun to the Oley Valley Community Library. You will learn about biology, physics, and chemistry while having so much fun that you will forget that you are also learning science. June 19: Grins and Giggles This fast-paced comedy show incorporates magic, ventriloquism, daring feats of balance, circus skills, and more to create a family-friendly show that is way more than just another juggling act. June 26: Yocum Institute Children and parents will use their imagination and movement to become different characters and objects. Learn about pantomime, characterization, and improvisation. July 3: No Summer Learning Program July 10: KooKoo the Cartoon Magician KooKoo's show focuses on interaction with the children in the audience just as much as it is about performing magic. Come to the library to see a cartoon show combined with a magic show. July 17: Berks County Conservation District Join Environmental Coordinator, Jennifer Brooks, and learn all about worms and the important role they play in the environment. We will read Diary of a Worm and conduct worm experiments. Also, we will learn how to use worms to compost our food scraps. July 24: Music Play Patrol Discover the rhythm that surrounds us every day. Bucket drumming teaches us how to transform everyday objects into a musical instrument. We will create our own rhythm. July 31: Party Animal Express This is an entertaining animal program that introduces you to animals through educational facts and stories. You will learn about their natural lives and how they interact with people. You will also have the opportunity to pet some of them. The Summer Learning Program is geared towards families with elementary-aged students. We would like to thank the library for continuing to plan an amazing lineup of summer programs. We would also like to thank Friedens UCC for allowing the library and families of the Oley Community to use Weidner Hall for these programs. Oley Valley Community Library 339 Main Street, Oley 484-491-1278
On March 27, 2026, something truly special happened at the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation’s 30th Anniversary Gala. In a room filled with supporters, educators, alumni, and community members, we shared a milestone that represents decades of generosity, vision, and belief in our schools: OVCEF has officially awarded over $1,000,000 in Education Grants. That’s one million dollars invested directly into enhancing educational opportunities for students right here in the Oley Valley School District. One million dollars that has helped bring ideas to life, supported classroom innovation, and expanded learning far beyond what traditional funding allows. While $1,000,000 is certainly worth celebrating, what matters most is what that number represents. It’s: Classrooms transformed through hands-on learning tools Teachers empowered to try new and creative approaches Students gaining access to experiences they otherwise wouldn’t have had From cutting-edge technology like Anatomage tables and VR welding simulators, to creative spaces like the OVMS TV Studio, to meaningful learning experiences like field trips to the 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum—these grants have made a real impact. And sometimes, it’s the smaller projects that leave the biggest mark—like the One School, One Book program that puts books directly into the hands of young readers, sparking a lifelong love of learning. This milestone didn’t happen overnight—and it certainly didn’t happen alone. For 30 years, OVCEF has been supported by: Generous donors Dedicated volunteers and Trustees Local businesses and sponsors Engaged alumni and community members Every event attended, every ticket purchased, every sponsorship, every donation—it all adds up. And together, it has built something incredibly meaningful. The announcement at the Gala wasn’t just about looking back. It was about recognizing what’s possible moving forward. Because while $1,000,000 is a major milestone… we’re just getting started. There are still classrooms to support, still ideas waiting to be funded, still opportunities to create experiences that go beyond the classroom. If you’ve ever attended an OVCEF event, supported a fundraiser, or shared what we do, you are part of this story. And if you haven’t yet, we invite you to join us. Because the next million? That's going to be just as exciting!
At first glance, a small self-driving robot navigating a classroom floor may not seem like a big deal. But for students enrolled in Computer Science Essentials , the learning happening behind the scenes is anything but small. Thanks to the forward-thinking of one of our teachers and financial assistance from an OVCEF Education Grant, students are gaining hands-on experience with VEX robotics and vision sensor technology , a critical component of today’s computer science and engineering fields. This grant provides updated vision sensors that allow students to fully participate in a hands-on way. Real-World Coding, Real-Time Problem Solving One-third of the Computer Science Essentials course is dedicated to coding self-driving vehicles (SDVs). Students learn how to program these vehicles to move along specific paths, recognize colors and shapes, and make decisions such as turning, stopping, or continuing forward — all based on visual input from a vision sensor. During a recent class, students focused on the coding portion of this project , running their programs, watching how the vehicle responded, and making adjustments when the outcome wasn’t what they expected. This process of testing, analyzing results, and refining code mirrors how real engineers work in the field. Understanding How Machines “See” Through this project, students gain a deeper understanding of how machines interpret visual information. They learn how vision sensors detect colors and shapes and how that data can be used to trigger specific actions. These concepts are foundational in fields such as robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and autonomous transportation. By working through these challenges, students aren’t just learning how to code — they’re learning how to think critically, troubleshoot problems, and apply logic in meaningful ways. Why This Grant Matters The vision sensors funded through this grant are essential to delivering the full curriculum. Without them, a significant portion of the course — including key concepts assessed on the end-of-course exam — would need to be removed. This grant ensures that students have access to the tools they need to succeed academically and explore future STEM pathways. Investing in the Future What starts as a small self-driving vehicle in a classroom can lead to careers in engineering, technology, and innovation. OVCEF Education Grants make it possible for students to engage in hands-on, future-focused learning experiences that prepare them for what comes next. This is what impact looks like — and it’s why we’re proud to support projects like this throughout the Oley Valley School District.
If you’ve ever watched a student discover something new through art, you know how powerful hands-on creativity can be. Recently, I had the chance to stop by the Middle School art room to see that magic in progress — and it was all centered around a new art kiln , made possible through an Education Grant from Oley Valley Community Education Foundation . The kiln was just about ready to be put to work, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Students were in the middle of glazing their clay pieces, many featuring imaginative animal designs. What looks like one color before firing will transform completely once it goes into the kiln — something that always amazes students. Learning how glazes oxidize and change during the firing process adds a whole new layer of science, patience, and anticipation to the art experience. This kiln upgrade means students can now take their projects all the way from raw clay to finished ceramic artwork, experiencing the entire creative process. It encourages experimentation, problem-solving, and pride in seeing a project through from start to finish — skills that extend far beyond the art room. We’re also incredibly grateful to the Middle School PTO , who helped complete the setup by purchasing the kiln plates. Those plates may seem like a small detail, but they’re an essential part of making the kiln function safely and smoothly. It’s a great example of how collaboration helps turn a good idea into a fully realized learning opportunity. At OVCEF, we're proud to support projects like this - grants that don't just add equipment, but truly expand what's possible for students. This new kiln is already sparking creativity, curiosity, and excitement, and we can't wait to see the finished pieces (and proud smiles) that come out of it.
The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the Oley Valley Distinguished Alumni Awards — an annual recognition celebrating outstanding Oley Valley graduates who have made significant contributions in their professions and communities while exemplifying the values of leadership, service, and lifelong learning. Each year, OVCEF and the Oley Valley School District come together to honor alumni who continue to make our community proud through their accomplishments and character. These individuals remind us that the Oley Valley spirit extends far beyond graduation — it lives on through those who inspire others, give back, and make a difference in the world around them. This year’s honorees represent the very best of what it means to be part of the Oley Valley family. Jessica (Valdivieso) Arrowsmith, Class of 1995 Heather Christie, Class of 1988 Richard Dunkelberger, Class of 1981 Lynn Eckert, Class of 1975 Sophia Gladieux, Class of 2020 Charles Miller, Class of 1950 We celebrated these remarkable alumni during the Oley Valley Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony , held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at the Oley Valley High School , where family, friends, students, faculty and school board members gathered to recognize their achievements and hear their inspiring stories. 🎥 Watch the Ceremony: If you weren’t able to attend — or would like to relive the special evening — you can view the full awards presentation on the Oley Valley School District's YouTube Channel here: 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony OVCEF extends heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s honorees. Their accomplishments serve as a testament to the strong foundation built here in the Oley Valley — where dedication, compassion, and community spirit pave the way for a lifetime of success and service. To learn more about the Distinguished Alumni Awards or to nominate a deserving graduate for next year’s recognition, visit https://www.oleyvalleycef.com/alumni-awards Together, we celebrate our past, inspire our future, and continue building a tradition of excellence in the Oley Valley.
The Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is excited to announce a new partnership with the Oley Valley Community Library as the official sponsor of Preschool Storytime, held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the library. Led by Ms. Parry, Preschool Storytime has become a beloved program for families with young children. Each month features a special theme, with new stories shared each week to spark imagination and encourage a love of reading. In addition to listening to the story, children enjoy a hands-on craft that ties directly into the week’s book. Crafts may be completed at the library or taken home to extend the fun and learning beyond storytime. Through this partnership, OVCEF is proud to support early literacy and creative learning opportunities for the youngest members of our community. By connecting children and families with engaging educational experiences, we continue our mission of enriching the lives of Oley Valley students and supporting lifelong learning. We encourage families to join in the fun—stop by the Oley Valley Community Library on Fridays and be part of the magic of stories, crafts, and community! Here is the lineup for September:
As the 2025-2026 school year begins, the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation (OVCEF) is proud to announce that we have awarded more than $135,000 in Education Grants to our district for this school year. These grants are made possible through the generosity of our community and the creativity of our dedicated teachers and staff. Investing in Innovation Education Grants go beyond the regular curriculum to bring unique and hands-on learning opportunities into our classrooms. Each project is designed to inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and give students the chance to explore new ideas and skills. From literacy programs that bring families together to science and technology initiatives that allow students to experiment and discover, these grants provide enriching experiences that last well beyond the classroom. Supporting All Levels of Learning OVCEF is committed to supporting students across all grade levels. This year's grants span elementary, middle, and high school projects, ensuring that every student in the Oley Valley has the opportunity to benefit. These initiatives not only enhance day-to-day learning but also help prepare our students for future success - building confidence, critical thinking, and collaboration along the way. Here are the projects being funded this year: Vex Vision Sensors - High School TV Studio Expansion - Middle School Moblie Ag Lab - Elementary School BioMedical Science Labs - High School Auditorium Expansion - Middle School Teachers in the Parks - Elementary School Classroom STEM Kits - Middle School CMOS Systems for Digital Electronics - High School Aquaponics - Elementary School Junior Envirothon - Middle School PLC and Ladder Logic - High School OVMS FFA Club - Middle School School Murals - High School 9/11 Museum & Memorial Trip - Middle School One School, One Book - Elementary School Spanish Dance Lessons - High School Book Vending Machine - Elementary School Cafeteria Sound System Improvement Project - Middle School Novel Study Books - Elementary School Holocaust Museum Trip - High School Book Clubs & Beyond - Middle School Infuse Our Families with Science - Elementary School Pottery Wheel - High School Weight Room Enhancements - Middle School Powered by Community None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community. Every fundraiser, every donation, and every partnership fuels the mission of OVCEF to enhance opportunities for Oley Valley students. Together, we are making a meaningful impact in education. As we enter this new school year, we look forward to seeing these projects come to life and watching our students grow, create, and achieve. Join us in Making a Difference The work of OVCEF is only possible because of the generosity of our community. Every donation, big or small, directly supports programs and projects that create new opportunities for Oley Valley students. Together, we can continue to spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and open doors to brighter futures. If you'd like to help us expand learning opportunities, please consider making a donation to support our mission HERE .
