We share details for Family Fall Fun Night at Washington West with activities that welcome every family and student, plus what’s ahead with Cookies with Santa and an affordable Holiday Shop. Volunteers, prizes, and simple traditions build a warm, inclusive school community.

• Family Fall Fun Night on Friday 5:30–7 pm at Washington West
• Bingo with prizes and announcements throughout
• Temporary tattoos and cookie decorating with 200 cookies provided
• Building-wide scavenger hunt with prize for completed sheets
• Shift from Halloween to inclusive fall theme
• Student and university volunteers supporting stations
• Cookies with Santa on Friday 5 December
• Holiday Shop with all items $2 and gift wrapping
• Every student guaranteed at least one gift to take home
• Future events teased, with ParentSquare updates

We invite all of our families to come and join us this Friday, November 14th, 5:30 to 7 for the Family Fall Fun Night. Of course, check in on Parent Square as more events are shared.

Recognition shouldn’t be rare—or reserved for a select few. We sit down with social studies teacher and Olean parent Joelle Perry to share how a homegrown honor roll celebration turned quiet effort into visible pride, grew participation to hundreds of students, and set a new standard for academic culture at Olean High School.

Joelle traces the spark back to middle school traditions and a candid post-observation chat that asked, “What could we do better?” The answer became a three-times-a-year celebration that blends heartfelt teacher tributes with irresistible incentives: a warm breakfast of home fries, bacon, and local donuts for early honorees, and a third-marking-period push for high honors capped by an extreme ice cream sundae buffet. Along the way, we talk about why students need to hear “we see you,” how naming specific behaviors—late-night study sessions, thoughtful questions, attendance, and steady participation—builds trust, and why the high honor threshold of 92 percent turns momentum into mastery.

This conversation is packed with practical details for educators and families: how to scale recognition without losing authenticity, how logistics and timing support learning, and how to frame excellence as a reachable challenge. Joelle’s message to students is clear and empowering: want excellence, plan the work, ask for help early, and bring the same effort to every class to become a whole student whose habits travel beyond the building. We also shout out the leaders who helped fund and champion the program, proving that budgets can reflect values when the goal is to celebrate achievement and raise expectations.

If you care about school culture, student motivation, and sustainable ways to honor academic excellence, this is your roadmap and a morale boost rolled into one. Subscribe, share with a colleague or parent, and leave a review telling us your best recognition idea—we might feature it next time.

A quiet library turned into a buzzing café of curiosity—and it changed how students read. We sit down with Olean High School librarian Brianna Howard to unpack the “book tasting” that quadrupled circulation in a month, the power of visible mentorship, and the small choices that make reading feel irresistible instead of required. Starting as a social studies teacher and now in her second year as librarian, Brianna blends data, design, and heart to build a space where students explore freely. She walks us through eight high-interest genres, the simple menu system that invites quick sampling, and the classroom partnerships that keep momentum going.

We zoom out to the bigger literacy picture: why foundational reading skills and digital literacy matter in an information-saturated world, and how students learn to evaluate sources, navigate online feeds, and make sense of complex media. Brianna shares how a countywide network of school librarians swaps ideas each quarter, how a neighboring district sparked the tasting concept, and why adapting ideas to your own community is the secret to success. Along the way, we talk genre surprises, Stephen King devotees, and the staff reading wall that turns hallway chats into book recommendations students actually follow.

Mentors matter. When teachers and families talk about what they’re reading—paperbacks, audiobooks, memoirs like Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights—students see reading as a living habit. Brianna offers a timely book recommendation, Mel Robbins’s Let Them Theory, and explains how it reshaped her approach to daily interactions: suggest and support, then let readers choose. We close with a look ahead at new collaborations, family engagement ideas, and the ongoing goal: more students finding books they didn’t expect to love. If you care about school libraries, student choice, and practical literacy strategies you can use tomorrow, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review telling us the last book you couldn’t put down.

Who doesn’t love the magic of "Finding Nemo"? Our latest episode bursts with excitement as we welcome Steve Ahl, our new French teacher at Olean, and a dedicated member of the Summer STAR Program since 2011. Steve takes us on his journey from being an Olean native to becoming an indispensable part of this beloved program. We dive into the STAR program's unique structure, where kids explore activities ranging from cooking and coding to robotics and poetry, all while being free from the pressures of traditional grading. The highlight? The Junior Musical, where this year’s students are gearing up to perform "Finding Nemo," a story close to many hearts.

Feel the buzz of anticipation as we discuss the upcoming "Finding Nemo" performance set to grace Olean’s newly renovated, air-conditioned auditorium. Steve and I share our enthusiasm for the comfortable venue and the sheer joy of seeing our favorite underwater adventure come to life on stage. This episode is a celebration of creativity, fun, and stress-free learning. Join us in our mutual excitement and hear why the STAR program holds a special place in our hearts and how it continues to foster a love for learning in such a unique way. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation that wraps up with our eager anticipation for the big performance on August 2nd!

Ever wondered how debating global issues can shape your future? Join us on this captivating episode of the Husky Huddle podcast as we sit down with Desi Muir and Ruby Chahal, our first-ever student guests, who share their transformative experiences with Model United Nations (Model UN). Desiree, an aspiring English teacher, and Ruby, who plans to major in Political Science, give us a window into their world—recounting their time at various Model UN conferences, including a spirited debate on world hunger at Cornell University. From cultural exchanges to the camaraderie built during overnight stays and delegate dances, their stories are filled with life lessons and unforgettable moments.

Discover how participating in Model UN has been a game-changer for Desi and Ruby, significantly enhancing their public speaking skills and fueling their career aspirations. Throughout our conversation, they showcase their impressive speaking abilities and underscore the value of this unique experience. We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Rakus for her exceptional guidance, and leave an open invitation for Desi and Ruby to return and share updates from their first year in college and beyond. Tune in for this inspiring discussion that highlights the immense benefits of Model UN in shaping the minds and futures of young individuals.

Unlock the mystery behind a school district's budget and discover the pivotal role you play in shaping the future of education! We sit down with Jenny Bilotta, our formidable business administrator, to scrutinize the proposed $56 million budget of the Olean City School District for the 24-25 academic year. This eye-opening discussion peels back the layers of fiscal decisions, revealing how they align with our district's mission and the impact on our cherished student programs. Jenny meticulously outlines strategic initiatives, including the exciting launch of a computer science curriculum and the expansion of our MTSS initiatives, underscoring our dedication to student achievement and success.

Amidst the numbers and statistics, Jenny addresses the heart of our community—our students and educators. She discusses the reintroduction of special education programs within our own schools, highlighting the personal and academic benefits of familiar environments. The conversation also tackles the ongoing challenges of staffing, the importance of professional development, and our commitment to maintaining safe learning spaces. All this, while ensuring fiscal responsibility with a modest tax levy increase of 1%. Tune in to discover how this budget blueprint stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to educational excellence and the prosperity of our students.