Students Provide Feedback of Visit to 9/11 Museum & Memorial
On December 11, 2024, Oley Valley's 7th grade students had the incredible opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. This meaningful experience was made possible through an OVCEF Education Grant, allowing students to explore one of the most significant events in recent history and reflect on its impact.
After the visit, the students expressed their gratitude in heartfelt thank-you letters to the Oley Valley Community Education Foundation. Their reflections highlighted just how insightful and thought-provoking the trip was to them.
Here's what some of the students had to say:
"Thank you for the opportunity to visit NYC and tour the 9/11 Museum...While visiting the 9/11 Museum, I saw 5% of the North Tower's antenna on display. I learned about the man who worked on the antenna and kept working until the tower fell so that communication could continue. The museum was quiet so it felt like a respectful place to remember all those who lost their lives...I had been to NYC before but many of my classmates hadn't." ~ Brayden T.
"Thank you for providing my grade with the wonderful opportunity to visit the beautiful city of New York...The museum was very interesting and I learned a lot...It was surprising to me how many people decided to help others first before helping themselves...I really appreciate that you chose to fund this trip for us." ~ Riley F.
"I believe this trip is very valuable because it gives an opportunity to show young people and older people the history of 9/11. It is an amazing opportunity. It gives people an emotional connection and it shows you how big this event was. It also shows you how the United States of America persevered through this tough time. It shows how strong of a country we truly are and we will stay that way no matter what happens in the future." ~ Jesiah B.
"Everything was very interesting, but probably the most appealing was the elevator motor. It was very interesting to learn about it and the story behind it, where there was a guy who was trapped with people in the elevator in the 9/11 attacks, he used his tools and skilled resourcefulness to save him and the other people 5 min before the building came down." ~ Paul P.
"Being at the 9/11 museum really gave me a different perspective of what happened on that day. Seeing everything also made me a little emotional thinking about all the lives that were lost whether they were working in the towers, 911 officers, firemen, or just watching the whole thing happen was really sad...I think this trip was valuable because it really helps you think differently about what happened that day." ~ Madison A.
OVCEF is proud to support opportunities like this, helping to bring history to life for students and fostering deeper learning outside the classroom. Experiences like these not only educate but also inspire students to think critically about the world around them.
We're grateful to our community for supporting OVCEF's mission to enhance education through grants like this, and we're thrilled to see the impact it has on our students.
More OVCEF Blog Posts to catch up on
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.