Octorara Area School District

Live Stream Link for the January 20, 2026 Regular Meeting: https://youtube.com/live/iaxnX8egETY?feature=share

Applications Now Open for Octorara Area Career & Technical Education Programs

Applications are now open for the Octorara Area Career and Technical Education Programs (OACTEP) for the 2026–27 school year. OACTEP offers 12 career-focused programs designed to prepare students for both college and the workforce, with an emphasis on career readiness and hands-on learning beginning in 10th grade.

Explore 12 Career Pathways
Students may apply to one of the following OACTEP programs:

• Animal and Plant Science Technology

• Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship

• The Career Lab: School to Work

• Carpentry and Cabinetmaking

• Child Care Education

• Computer Technology

• Cooperative Education

• Culinary and Baking/Pastry Arts/Institutional Food Worker

• Engineering and Drafting Technology

• Design and Illustration

• Mechanical Systems Technology

• Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy (OHSPSA)

Each program provides students with real-world skills, industry exposure, and opportunities to explore future career pathways while still in high school.

Application Timeline
The Round 1 application deadline is January 31. Students who apply by this date will receive priority consideration, with decisions announced by February 28, 2026. Any remaining seats after Round 1 will be offered to students who apply after the deadline.

Career Lab: School to Work Experience
The Career Lab: School to Work Experience is designed for rising juniors and seniors who are interested in a pathway-related work experience prior to graduation. Through this program, students can earn a paycheck and high school credit while gaining valuable insight into their career goals. This option is available as a selection within the OACTEP application.

Job Shadowing Opportunities
Students who are unsure which program is the best fit are encouraged to participate in monthly job shadowing experiences, which are available for each program. Interested students should stop by the CTE Office (Room B103) at the high school for more information and assistance.

How to Apply
The application for all OACTEP programs, except the Homeland Security and Protective Services Academy, can be found here.

The Octorara Homeland Security and Protective Services Academy (OHSPSA) is held at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus in South Coatesville and has a separate application process. The application can be found here.

Students interested in a program at TCHS at Pennock’s Bridge should speak with their school counselor, as the application timeline is the same.

For more information, please contact Mark Peticca, Director of Career and Technical Education, at mpeticca@octorara.org or 610-593-8238, ext. 30549.

We look forward to supporting students as they explore the many opportunities available through OACTEP and prepare for the next chapter of their high school experience.

Building My Future at the OPLC: A Kindergarten Readiness Event for Families

Families of children who are eligible to attend Kindergarten in the Octorara Area School District this fall are invited to attend "Building My Future at the OPLC" on January 15 from 6:30–7:30 PM.

This interactive event is designed to give children the opportunity to explore and create using a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) materials. Children will participate in hands-on “make and take” activities while enjoying a fun and welcoming environment.

At the same time, caregivers will receive important information about Kindergarten readiness and the registration process, helping families feel informed and prepared as they look ahead to the next school year. Light snacks will be provided.

Families are encouraged to register in advance if they plan to attend.

Where: Octorara Primary Learning Center | 87 Highland Rd, Atglen

When: January 15, 6:30-7:30 PM

Register: Please click here.

Student Design Selected for District Holiday Card

This year’s district holiday card features a unique, student-designed illustration created by Mary Flowers, an 11th-grade student. Mary’s design thoughtfully blends school pride with seasonal charm by transforming familiar school supplies into festive holiday cookies. The result is a creative and original card that feels personal and one-of-a-kind.

Mary created the design as part of her coursework with art teacher Mrs. Rachel Minnich, who encouraged students to explore creative expression through meaningful themes. Her submission stood out for its originality, attention to detail, and the way it captured both the spirit of the school community and the holiday season.

The final design was reviewed by members of the Central Office, who selected Mary’s artwork from student submissions based on creativity and overall design. Her artwork was unanimously chosen to represent the district in this year’s holiday greeting.

We are proud to showcase Mary’s talent and grateful to Mrs. Minnich for fostering creativity in the classroom.

Octorara Area School District is closed today, December 23, due to untreated road conditions in our area and reports of unsafe travel from our transportation team. We appreciate your understanding and wish everyone safe travels and happy holidays.

For generations, Octorara Area School District has been rooted in community, tradition, and a shared commitment to our students.

As we look ahead, we created a short video that captures the pride, optimism, and anticipation we feel as we prepare to begin our next chapter. Grounded in strong values and shaped by the people who make Octorara special, the video reflects our continued focus on creating opportunities where every student can thrive.

Thank you to our students, families, staff, alumni, and community for being part of our story, past, present, and future.

Special thanks to Jill Hardy, Brian Norris, Elena Tachau, Allyson Hallman, and Shawn Dutkiewicz for assisting in the narration.

Please view the video here.

OASD Operating on a 2-Hour Delay Tomorrow

Dear Octorara Area School District Families,

Due to the recent snowstorm and the anticipated freezing of roads overnight, we will operate on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, December 15. This delay will allow additional time for road conditions to improve and for crews to treat and clear roadways.

OMS and OHS will begin at 9:45 AM and the PLC and OIS will begin at 10:45 AM.

We encourage families to use extra caution while traveling. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure a safe start to the day.

Congratulations to our Octorara Football players on their league and academic honors! Proud of our Braves for their hard work on and off the field.

Three Octorara students have been selected for PMEA District 12 Band and Chorus ensembles after a highly competitive audition process involving more than 700 students from the region.

• Lauren Bierlein (Alto 1) – District 12 Chorus
• Z Rossi (Alto 2) – District 12 Chorus
• Sawyer Grocki (Baritone Saxophone) – District 12 Concert Band and Jazz Band

Lauren and Z will perform with the District 12 Chorus on February 10 at Upper Darby High School. Sawyer will perform with the District 12 Band on February 7 at Strath Haven High School as well as with the District 12 Jazz Band on January 17 at Springfield High School.

Congratulations to all three students on this outstanding achievement!

Congratulations Girls' Soccer Team!