Ojai Valley School started the second semester of the 2013/14 academic year on Monday, January 27. Grades and comments from the first semester have been posted on the Family Access Module, which is now directly accessible from the OVS website under the Parents tab. If you experience any challenges accessing your student’s records, please email helpdesk@ovs-archive.ihwy.com.
Talking Shop
Middle school student focuses on woodshop project.
Talking Shop…
The Lower Campus community patiently waits for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the brand new updated Founder’s Shop, scheduled for later this Spring. Students look forward to moving into the new facility after months of being relocated to a temporary woodshop facility.
Woodshop instructors Mr. Lang and Mr. Colborn truly got an opportunity to showcase their craft and craftiness in their persistence to continue delivering the finest curriculum possible in their new surroundings. Regardless of location the students in Mr. Lang’s classes are as enthusiastic as ever to continue the OVS tradition in woodshop studies.
Events
JUNIOR COLLEGE COUNSELING MEETING – February 18, 2014 at 1:40 pm – 2:45 pm
FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORE COLLEGE & COURSE PLANNING MEETING – February 19, 2014 at 1:15 pm – 2:25 pm
VENTURA NACAC COLLEGE FAIR – April 24, 2014 at 5:30 pm – 8:30 pmVentura County Fairgrounds
Class Hikes
Students in grades PK-8 celebrated the end of the first semester last week with traditional Class Hikes into the nearby Sespe Wilderness. Elementary and Middle School students trekked to and from destinations such as Matilija Canyon, Turtle Pond, Piedra Blanca, Lookout Laura, Howard Creek, the Ventura River Preserve, and Middle Lion Campground.
Despite our current drought conditions, students found swimming holes in some areas of the back country brimming with water. Meanwhile, our pre-Kindergarten students enjoyed a walk into downtown Ojai and the Kindergarten walked a stretch of Shelf Road north of town.
Class Hikes, as well as longer camping trips in the fall and spring, are traditions that began in the 1950s under the guidance of school leaders who believed the outdoors provided valuable lessons. The tradition continues to this day.
“Class hikes are a great way of preparing for the spring camping trips, especially for the middle school,” said Gary Gartrell, the Assistant Head of School at Lower Campus. “It also builds class identity and continues a school tradition that began generations ago.”
Visit the Images of OVS page to see pictures from the 2014 Class Hikes.
NEW Theme Park Tour
Extend your stay at Ojai Valley School’s summer programs with a week-long tour of Southern California’s amusement parks and cultural attractions. Destinations are expected to include Disneyland, Universal Studios, the Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Legoland, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.
Participants, ages 10-16, will spend one night on campus when regular summer camp concludes on August 2. The next day they will depart for Los Angeles and then San Diego for six days and five nights of fun and exploration. The tour concludes on Friday, August 8. Resident campers departing from LAX will be transported to the airport on Saturday, August 9, in the morning. Please check the website for the most current travel itinerary for this trip!
This program is offered as an extension to OVS summer camp and available only to campers enrolled in previous two- week, four-week or six-week camp sessions. The cost is $2,400 and includes hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, supervision, and entrance to attractions, museums, and zoos. Click here for the OVS Summer Camp information.
Talent Runs Deep in AP Art
The art curriculum at OVS offers classes for beginning to advanced artists and musicians. At the high school, courses include drawing, music theory and composition, music history, voice, ceramics, photography and three Advanced Placement art courses. Students also have the opportunity to explore costume design, graphic design, film, and sculpture. All students must complete one full year of fine arts to graduate, and for those serious about pursuing art degrees OVS offers a pathway that can lead to some of the finest art schools in the country.
This winter, our high school art students have set a new standard for excellence and expression. Check out some of their work in our website art galleries.
He Shoots, He Scores
By Daphne Psaledakis, Class of 2015
The OVS boys’ basketball team has been playing with the same jerseys for about seven years, and after that much use they look and feel worn-out and tired. Recognizing a need, OVS alumni and former basketball team member Max Wheeler decided to make a very generous donation.
“When I was a senior I saw that soccer and baseball got new jerseys, and I saw that they were donations from parents [whose] children played on the team,” said Wheeler, a senior at Cal Lutheran University. “I decided to do my part and get basketball new jerseys so that we could stay on the same level as all the other sports.”
Recently, Wheeler handed out the new dark green jerseys and warm-up shirts to current team members. Coach Brad Weidlich noted that it’s not the first contribution Wheeler has made to OVS athletics.
“Max was a tremendous team leader. He played with his heart on his sleeve and his jersey in his mouth” he said. “He wanted the ball in his hands when it mattered most, and never made excuses. Most importantly he was committed to his teammates and school. OVS is lucky to have had such a dynamic player and an even better person. Thanks again Max; we will wear these new uniforms with pride.”
Wheeler is not the first alum to donate a set of jerseys. Over the past 5 years alumni have purchased a combined three sets of team uniforms for various teams. Athletic Director Craig Floyd said, “It’s a tremendous gesture for Max, being a recent alumni to make such a generous donation that he felt so passionate about.”
There was an obvious look of excitement on the faces of the boys on the team when Wheeler handed out the new uniforms. There had been a buzz about the team getting new jerseys, but there had been nothing to prove that it was real until the jerseys were handed out.
“They’re really nice jerseys,” said Cody Triggs, captain of the basketball team. “I appreciate his generosity. We’ve been needing new jerseys for a long time, and I’m excited to play in them.”
College Bound
Several Ojai Valley School seniors left for break on a high note after receiving acceptances from their top pick schools. Columbia, New York University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of Alabama, Whittier College and other colleges offered early decisions, and many more announcements are expected in the weeks ahead.
As the college application window drew to a close in November for the Class of 2014, one senior already had already heard her first piece of good news.
Carolita Landers received her first college acceptance from Montana State University, marking what is expected to be the start of a successful college admission season for this year’s seniors. With the first college admission in hand, the next big day for seniors was December 15, when word was scheduled to come out to those who applied for early decisions.
“With all of the pressure and hard work that seniors are putting in, it’s so exciting to get news back,” college counselor Laura Boismenue said. “To get that first affirmation shows that it’s worth all of the hard work…and that there is success on the other side.”
Primary Performers
Our youngest OVS students recently performed for our oldest students at Upper Campus, taking center stage in the outdoor amphitheater. The PK and K students performed a presentation about the Chumash Indians, who are a native tribe to Ojai and this part of Ventura County.
Click the video link below to view a video news segment by senior Shelley Xu, produced for the students’ online newspaper On The Hill.
Ropes Course Challenge
Our middle school students enjoyed a fabulous weekend on the Ropes Course at Upper Campus, testing their confidence and collaborative skills during various challenge exercises. Check out the photos in the Parents section under Images of OVS.
