Octorara Area School District - Empowering Students to Build Successful Futures

PSSA & Keystone Exams Information Night

Families are invited to attend an interactive information session on Monday, April 13 at 5:00 p.m. in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room.

This session will provide an overview of the PSSA and Keystone Exams, including what students can expect, how the assessments support learning, and how results are used at both the school and district level. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn practical ways to support their child’s success, including building confidence, maintaining healthy routines, and encouraging a positive mindset.

We encourage all families to attend as we work together to support student success.

To RSVP, click here.

Kindergarten registration is currently open for the upcoming school year. If you have not yet registered your child, we encourage you to do so soon.

Our kindergarten program provides a strong foundation for learning, supporting students as they build essential academic and social skills in a welcoming and engaging environment.

Children must be five (5) years old on or before the first day of September to enroll in kindergarten. Families can begin the registration process by visiting the link here.

Octorara Students Make a Difference – Third Year Running!

For the third consecutive year, Amara Campoli has led Octorara’s annual item drive supporting Good Samaritan Services in Coatesville. Over the past two weeks, students at both the high school and middle school demonstrated incredible generosity and school spirit.

At the high school, grades competed to see who could collect the most items. 9th grade came out on top and was rewarded with a pizza lunch from Dr. Propper.

At the middle school, students also participated enthusiastically, with Advisory classrooms joining in the effort. The winning Advisory classes were:

6th Grade: Ms. Morlando
7th Grade: Ms. Mummert
8th Grade: Mr. Gebhardt

Together, students collected 586 items to support families in need. We are proud of our students for demonstrating compassion, teamwork, and a strong commitment to their community.

Words Come to Life at Our 13th Annual Vocab Parade

Words weren’t just spoken last week. They were brought to life.

At our 13th Annual Vocab Parade, students and teachers transformed the hallways into a celebration of language, creativity, and learning. Dressed as their favorite vocabulary words, participants showcased imaginative costumes that turned definitions into something you could see, recognize, and remember.

From clever interpretations to laugh-out-loud moments, each costume reflected not only a strong understanding of vocabulary, but also the joy of learning. The parade continues to be a beloved tradition in our school community. It highlights the power of words while encouraging creativity and confidence in our students.

Each year, the event reminds us that learning can be both meaningful and fun, and this year was no exception. Additional highlights can be viewed in our Instagram reel here.

We’ve made some exciting updates to our Octorara school websites!

Each school subsite has been refreshed to make it easier for families to find important information, navigate pages, and stay connected. You’ll notice a more user-friendly layout, clearer organization, updated content, and a consistent look across all schools.

To explore, click the “Schools” button at the top of the homepage to access your child’s school page. Please take a few minutes to complete our feedback form. Your feedback will help guide future improvements to better serve our school community.

Spring Fest at Octorara Primary Learning Center this Saturday

The Octorara PTO invites families and community members to Spring Fest on Saturday, March 14, from 1:00–5:00 PM at the Octorara Primary Learning Center.

This family-friendly event will feature rides, games, competitions, raffle baskets, and a variety of food trucks. Guests who register in advance can take advantage of special pricing on unlimited rides and game tickets.

Bring your family and friends and join us for an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Mr. Fantazzi!

On February 28, Mr. Greg Fantazzi, OASD Athletic Director, was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame at Oxford High School.

Mr. Fantazzi has dedicated 30 years as a PIAA Wrestling Official, officiating at the sectional, district, regional, and state levels — including six PIAA State Tournaments.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and his continued leadership in Octorara athletics!

Students Shine at Keystone STEM Competition
Creativity and problem-solving were on full display as students in grades 5–12 participated in the first Keystone STEM Competition at the Chester County Intermediate Unit. Teams of up to five students competed in elementary (grades 4–5), middle (grades 6–8), and high school (grades 9–12) divisions.

Students were challenged to brainstorm, design, and create solutions that could improve schools. Using the engineering design process, teams worked together to turn their ideas into working models and presentations.

Our high school team earned 1st place with their design for an improved backpack. One middle school team placed 3rd with their concept for a janitor robot designed to support more efficient cleaning. At the elementary level, students earned 2nd place with their design for a school-supplied robot.

The competition highlighted students’ creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. It was a great opportunity for students to apply STEM concepts to real-world challenges and represent our schools with pride.

Join us for Into the Woods! Our talented students have been working tirelessly to bring this beloved story to life with stunning vocals, dynamic performances, and a touch of fairy tale magic.

From familiar characters to powerful lessons about choices and consequences, this production promises an unforgettable night of theatre.

March 5 & 6 | 7pm
March 7 | 2pm & 7pm

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased in advance here: https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/octorara/entity/schools/3

Senior Families – Yearbook Deadlines

The downhill side of the school year is here, and we want to make sure you don’t miss these important senior yearbook dates:

Tribute Ads (Optional)
Celebrate your graduating senior with a personalized message in the yearbook!
Deadline: February 27, 2026 (https://studentservicesco.com/octorara/yearbook-tribute-ads/)

Photo Submissions
Email photos to 📧 yearbookhs@octorara.org

Please include:
• A baby photo
• A photo with any high school siblings
• “Blast from the past” school-age photos
🗓 Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026

Pre-Order the 2026 Yearbook
Reserve your copy today at https://studentservicesco.com/

Limited extras will be available, so pre-ordering is strongly encouraged.
🗓 Online sales open through at least April 4, 2026

Thank you for supporting the yearbook and helping us celebrate the Class of 2026!

Octorara Area School District Hosts Legislative Luncheon to Share Vision and Student Experience

Octorara Area School District recently welcomed state legislators and staff to campus for a Legislative Luncheon, during which district leadership shared “The Next Chapter of OASD,” outlining the vision, priorities, and forward momentum shaping the district’s future.

The District was honored to host State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Representative Dan Williams, Representative Bryan Cutler, and Representative John Lawrence, along with members of their teams, including Michael Hartman, Chief of Staff to Senator Comitta; Nikki Whitlock, Chief of Staff to Senator Katie Muth; and Bill Scholl, Chief of Staff to Representative Williams.

District leadership spoke candidly about the district’s current academic performance and the need for continued improvement. Leaders outlined the focused work underway to strengthen instructional practices, increase student achievement, and build a clear path forward through the development of the district’s Strategic Roadmap, which will guide priorities and goals in the years ahead.

A highlight of the luncheon was a student conversation featuring four Octorara students who shared reflections on their educational experiences and future aspirations. Their perspectives offered legislators meaningful insight into the impact of public education within the district. Guests enjoyed a lunch prepared from scratch by students in the Octorara Area Career and Technical Education Culinary Arts program, showcasing the talent, professionalism, and real-world skills being developed across the district.

“Our goal was to create space for thoughtful dialogue and to ensure our legislators hear directly from the students and educators they serve,” said Superintendent Dutkiewicz. “We are proud of the progress taking place across our district and remain committed to continued growth, collaboration, and opportunity for every student.”

“Having started my career as a teacher in the Octorara Area School District, it is a pleasure to see the district grow to meet the needs of a diverse community and prepare generations of young people for success in school, work, and life. Octorara is pursuing a strategic vision for the future that includes community partnerships, expanded career programs, enhanced professional development, and more. I look forward to seeing those plans progress and appreciate feeling welcomed home every time I visit or interact with Octorara schools, students, teachers, and families,” said State Senator Carolyn Comitta.

Octorara Area School District values strong partnerships with state leaders and appreciates the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation about the future of public education.