Celebrating Partnerships and Support: OEF's Inaugural VIP Event

On February 8th, the Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) hosted its first annual VIP Event at Brookshire Event Center, marking a significant milestone in our journey of supporting innovative classroom grants in Olentangy Schools. The evening was a celebration of the invaluable partnerships and unwavering support that have enabled us to enhance the education experience for every Olentangy student.

Among the guests in attendance were OEF's community partners, distinguished leaders from Olentangy Schools, and passionate educators who are at the forefront of driving positive change in our district. Together, we came together to reflect on our shared accomplishments and to envision a future filled with even greater possibilities.

One highlight of the evening was the recognition of Clair Howey for his years of steadfast support. In 2019, Mr. Howey established the Maryann Howey Art Fund with OEF in honor of his late wife and art enthusiast Maryann. His fund has reached endowed status and has been making a significant impact in art programs in all elementary schools across the district. In a touching moment, we presented Beth and Don Dennis, Mr. Howey's daughter and son-in-law, with the first annual "Maryann Howey Award of Excellence" in honor of Mr. Howey's outstanding contributions as a community partner. This award serves as a testament to the profound impact that individuals like Mr. Howey have in shaping the future of our community.

CLICK HERE to view a short video of “Thank you!” from some of our elementary students.

Dr. Michelle Blackley, Chief Academic Officer of Olentangy Schools, delivered an inspiring address highlighting the pivotal partnership between OEF and Olentangy Schools. Dr. Blackley emphasized the importance of continued growth and support, especially as our district continues to expand. Her words served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we share in nurturing the educational journey of our students.

In the 2023-24 school year, OEF awarded more than $56,000 in innovative classroom grants, fueling creativity and fostering a love for learning in classrooms across our district. Looking ahead, we have budgeted to approve up to $75,000 for the 2024-25 school year, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our students and educators.

As we reflect on the success of our inaugural VIP Event, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community partners, Olentangy Schools leadership, and dedicated educators for their continued support. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of every Olentangy student.

Special thank you to Jonathan Juravich, Art Teacher at Liberty Tree Elementary and District Elementary Art Department Chair and all the elementary school art teachers! With their help we were able to gift our guests with beautiful gift cards featuring artwork from all 16 elementary schools! Please see the represented art in the video below.

"Building the Future: OEF Grant 'LEGO My STEAM' Empowers Students at Berlin Middle School"

In an exciting initiative fueled by the Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) Grant and sponsored by DCTS, Berlin Middle School is witnessing a transformative educational experience with the "LEGO My STEAM" program. Lead by Math Specialist Roscoe Holt, this innovative endeavor aims to cultivate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) skills among students while nurturing essential 21st-century skills like collaboration and critical thinking.

The program, designed to evolve with students, focuses on building confidence in coding, robotics, and computer science. Students are not only engaged in hands-on activities but are also presented with real-life challenges to enhance their problem-solving abilities. The first challenge tasked students with creating a moving vehicle, and the subsequent challenge delved into the realm of robotics by requiring them to design a vehicle that could autonomously turn away from obstacles, similar to the technology used in a Roomba sweeper.

Mr. Holt expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "LEGO My STEAM has been a big hit at Berlin MS. As soon as the kids saw the kits, they were excited with the possibilities. Everybody loves LEGO, and these kits provide a perfect opportunity to get kids coding, designing, and building to overcome real-life challenges. It has been a great way to spark curiosity and creativity. We are busy coming up with challenges and excited for the connections to the real world."

Currently, the LEGO My STEAM kits are being utilized in an afterschool club, where students eagerly explore the realms of coding and robotics. The success of the program has laid the foundation for its expansion into classrooms, promising to bring the excitement and educational benefits of STEAM to even more students at Berlin Middle School.

This initiative not only demonstrates the power of innovative teaching methods but also highlights the OEF's commitment to enriching the educational experience for Olentangy students. As we look forward to the continued success of LEGO My STEAM, we celebrate the collaborative efforts that make such transformative programs possible.

THANK YOU TO DCTS FOR SPONSORING THIS INNOVATIVE GRANT.

Olentangy For Kids (OFK) - who are they?

Some of you may have received information regarding the upcoming school ballot levy from an organization called Olentangy for Kids (OFK). We know there might be some confusion between OFK and Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) so we thought we would try to help resolve any confusion.

Olentangy for Kids (OFK) and Olentangy Education Foundation (OEF) play distinct yet complementary roles within the Olentangy community. OFK is a grassroots group of dedicated residents solely focused on educating the community about school ballot issues during campaign years. Run entirely by volunteers and funded through private donations, OFK's primary goal is to provide voters with factual information to make informed decisions during elections. On the other hand, Olentangy Education Foundation is a year-round non-profit organization committed to enhancing education in Olentangy Schools. OEF supports teachers and students in creating enriching learning experiences by funding innovative classroom grants. OEF relies on sponsorships and private donors for its funding and operates consistently every year, irrespective of campaign cycles.

To learn more about Olentangy for Kids and how you can support their efforts, please click HERE. If you have any other questions regarding the mission of OEF, please feel free to contact Mary Lorenz. We appreciate your support of Olentangy Schools!

Unlocking Innovation: Olentangy Academy's STEM Students Gear Up for VEX Robotics Showdown

By Mary Lorenz

In the bustling halls of Olentangy Academy's STEM School, the air is charged with the unmistakable buzz of creativity and innovation. This semester, 80 sophomore students have embarked on a thrilling journey as they dive headfirst into the world of robotics through the VEX Robotics Project. Divided into four teams, each equipped with six cutting-edge robot kits, these students are on a mission to engineer, program, and perfect their creations before the semester concludes.

Leading the charge is Benjamin Lloyd, a dynamic force behind the VEX Robotics initiative at Olentangy Academy. Lloyd's passion for nurturing young minds in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is evident as he guides the students through the intricacies of designing and building their robots.

The VEX Robotics Project, a hands-on educational program, not only cultivates technical skills but also fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. During a recent visit to the classroom, I witnessed firsthand the students' infectious enthusiasm and engagement as they tinkered with gears, wired circuits, and programmed their robots to perform a myriad of tasks.

Olentangy Education Foundation was able to support this project with a $8000 grant sponsored by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This investment ensures that these students have access to state-of-the-art technology, propelling them into the forefront of STEM education.

As the semester winds down, anticipation is building for the grand finale in January, when the teams will put their creations to the test in a series of fun and challenging activities. The culmination of weeks of hard work and collaboration, this event promises to showcase the students' ingenuity and the transformative power of hands-on learning.

The impact of programs like VEX Robotics extends far beyond the classroom, inspiring a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers. The dedication of educators like Benjamin Lloyd, coupled with the support of organizations like the Olentangy Education Foundation and the OSU Wexner Medical Center, propels students toward a future filled with endless possibilities.

Stay tuned as we return in January to report on the exhilarating VEX Robotics showdown, where these talented students will unleash their robotic creations in a display of skill, teamwork, and pure STEM prowess. The Olentangy Academy's STEM School is undeniably shaping the future, one robot at a time.

 Thank you to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center FOR SPONSORING THIS INNOVATIVE GRANT.