The Oley Valley Community library has faced many struggles with funding over the years. Not part of the Berks County library system means the Library does not receive tax dollars. Completely run off local donations, support from the community keeps the doors open.
Once a year the Oley Valley Library send out a community mailing asking for donations, and 3-4 times a year have book sales at the Oley Fairgrounds. These events generate the funds for there operating budget.
Fundraising through out the year includes painting parties at Clay on Main, craft events at Aulenbach Winery and raffle events thanks to the help of Jennifer Schorr, publisher of Macaroni Kid Reading. These events generate the revenue used to purchase new materials. The Library currently stocks up to 9,000 books, dvd’s and games.
The new computer section features individual workstations, kids desk and a copier.
The Oley Library offers approximately 20 programs a month free of charge to the community. These include school programs, crafts, tutoring, science fair and homework assistance, workshops and classes and events for seniors.
Circulation numbers have tripled since the Library opened our doors in 2009. To allow visitors more time to browse they have also added full time hours and are hoping to extend them even more in the fall.
In January, the Library added a grant writer to there board, who has since brought in 20k to the little library. With the money, Oley Valley Library was able to purchased 4 brand new Apple desk tops computers, a remote circulation computer, funded our summer reading program thanks to Tompkins Vist, and plan to ad stationary iPads to the children’s section.
Plus, thanks to a grant from the Department of Education, the children’s section has remodeled by Wyomissing Woodworking. This will increase the shelving space for several programs and preschool story time.
New shelving units provide the Oley Valley Library with more space for children’s books.
The only downfall Oley Valley has seen so far is not being part of the Berks County Library System. Many patrons come from Boyertown and Fleetwood and can’t drop off other library books at our facility or vice versa. Access to a variety of books can be an issue too.
Although Oley Valley Library has a good assortment of books it doesn’t have everything. If they do not stock a book your looking for they will buy it for their collection, a convenience for patrons but costs the library money.
The Oley Valley Library has had many hurdles to overcome, but with the help of the community they will continue to thrive.
The Oley Valley Library is located at 33 Main Street. Oley, PA 19547.
It’s the end of the school year, a moment kids have been waiting for all year. With it comes longer hours in the day, warmer weather and outdoor sports. All of this can make it pretty hard for a student to concentrate during the year. So how does a teacher combat the constant distractions? One Reading School District Teacher found the solution in a unique way.
In 2010, Eric Garcia, a 4th grade teacher at Glenside Elementary only had a few years of teaching under his belt but quickly realized he needed to find a better way to motivate his students. Of course kids will be kids so he thought why not start a classroom store.
Students earned pretend money for good behavior and used the money to buy small items. One of the items students could buy was a raffle ticket for a chance to win a new bike at the end of the year.
“I chose a bike because so many kids spend a lot of their time on technology and not a lot of kids take the time to be active outdoors” says Garcia.
As Garcia moved to Riverside Elementary, where he teaches today, he realized it was too much work to keep track of the money his students were collecting. Garcia needed a simpler way to manage his students. As they say “There’s an App for that”. So using his phone he researched other ideas. Garcia came across the ClassDojo App.
Garcia pulls a boys bike down from the wall to get a better look.
ClassDojo brought Garcia’s classroom into the digital age, a system no other teacher was using in his school at the time. Abandoning the old “bank” method to keep track of this students behavior Garcia now could upload his class list and instantly keep track of everyone’s standings.
That’s when Garcia had a great idea, use the ClassDojo App as a communication tool for parents. Although it was a new concept for parents, it didn’t take long for them to download the app, login and start using the new system. In the app parents could now see a weekly status report of their kids progress, everything from what homework they missed to notes about their behavior, good or bad.
For the giveaway, Garcia could use a report from the app to see which student earned the most points in a week. Each student then receives a small prize and a raffle ticket for the end of the year drawing.
“It was something different, I would get text messages at night from a parent because they just checked the app and saw their child missed homework the day before.”
Supporting of the initiative Garcia took, administrators at Riverside looked into implementing the ClassDojo app school wide. After getting fellow teachers up to speed the App is now used throughout the school.
Garcia picks out a helmet and bike lock set for his students.
To keep students attending school until the very last day Garcia doesn’t choose the winners until the day before the last day of school. “I choose two winners in front of the class so they know I have the names, I don’t reveal who won, I tell them they have to come back on the last day to find out.”
Later that night Garcia will go and purchases the bikes. He chooses the bike and accessories to match the student. The next day when the names are revealed he gives students the time to call their parents to pick them up for the last day of school.
“The look on their faces when they win and their parents face when they show up to pick up their kid is amazing and makes it all worth it.”
Although he loves giving kids the opportunity to be active outdoors the bike giveaway does come at a price. Garcia uses his own salary to purchase the bikes, which cost about $200 per year. Since 2010 Garcia has spent more than $1,600 on 16 bikes and accompanied accessories.
Being selfless isn’t always easy he says, “I’ve had friends donate in the past, talked with managers of stores for discounts and even looked at partnering with a local bike shop, although it doesn’t always work out getting a discount”.
Despite the finances, Garcia is proud to continue the program. Now on its 8th year, Garcia is able to see the impact on students years later. Coaching Football at the High School Garcia says he occasionally sees his former students in the halls.
“I had one come up to me with her friends and tell them I was the teacher that gave her the bike, I asked where is it today, she said it’s still in the family and she pasted it down to her younger sister”.
“At the end of the year I always wish I could do more than two.” Talking to Garcia about the future he says he is interested in providing bikes not only to his students but to the school. “There are certainly more than just two deserving students”.
“I’m not doing this to get individual accolades, i’m doing it because I want kids to get out, get active and have something to call their own while feeling good for doing the right thing.”
Teachers use a wide variety of methods to help students learn. However, it takes a special person to go above and beyond. Garcia’s dedication to education is a great example for the community. Not only does he motivate his students in school but thanks to his ingenuity he has greatly improved the communication between both teachers and parents in the Reading.
Children will have a convenient way to complete their summer reading this year thanks to the addition of a “Little Free Library” on Penn Avenue in West Reading. Altrusa International of Reading-Berks and Kids Cuts Barbershop officially unveiled the mini library to the public during West Reading’s 2nd Friday festivities.
The Little Free Library is design to help children improve their reading skills. The concept is simple, kids are welcome to borrow or keep any book they choose. Conversely, children and parents are encouraged to donate books back to the library for others.
West Reading residents and officials gather for the dedication of the Little Free Library.
Modeled after the Pagoda on Mount Penn, the Little Free Library is built to last. Constructed by several local craftsmen, the roof is made from metal, structure made from wood and it even comes with lights.
Located on the side walk in front of Kids Cuts, owner John Hansbury told us how the concept began. According to Hansbury, he and his staff regularly encourage their clients to read while waiting for their appointments.
Altrusa members remove the ribbon off of the Little Free Library to during the ceremony.
Hansbury says he was approached by members of Altrusa Int. who were looking for a local business to host the Little Free Library. After almost a year of planning, permits and construction, the library is finally ready.
“I’ve been here 26 years, and as a slower reader myself when i was growing up I feel it is very important to encourage kids to read, they didn’t have this kind of stuff back then” said John Hansbury, owner of Kids Cuts.
John Hansbury, owner of Kids Cuts on Penn Avenue West Reading.
Altrusa International is a non-profit organization that strives to make local communities better through leadership, partnership and service. Altrusa’s mission is to end illiteracy and to actively work in the community to make books available to children who may not have access to books or reading.
To commemorate the 100th year of Altrusa International the organization stocked the Little Free Library with 100 books and bookmarks.
Kids Cuts is located at 626 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611
Dancing Tree Creations Artisans Gallery & Studio has recognized Boyertown High School senior Gwen Farmer as their latest Budding Artist. Farmer is the eleventh Budding Artist to have her work featured in the gallery. I caught up with Farmer during the gallery’s opening reception held during Boyertown’s Fourth Friday Art Walk in May to get to know the young artist.
Farmer’s obsession with ceramics started during her sophomore year of high school. She always preferred 3D art over 2D. And although 3D art wasn’t as popular with her peers, she was determined to stand out! She had tried and failed to teach herself ceramics in junior high. There were limited options for 3D art classes in high school, but ceramics was an option, so she signed up.
As soon as she touched the clay in Mr. Frunzi’s class, she was hooked. “I love getting messy,” Farmer says, “and the work I made was not only beautiful, but functional. It wouldn’t just sit around and collect dust once it was finished. I created art with which I and others could continually interact. A mug I made in the studio could hold someone’s coffee every morning. I love the idea that pieces I create can become a part of someone’s everyday life.”
Grateful to Mr. Frunzi for inspiring and encouraging her to continue with her art, Farmer also found inspiration in fellow students. “I know a lot of kids in my high school who went on to have careers in Ceramics, I feel this is my stepping stone and i’m following in their footsteps.”
When asking about her style Farmer replied, “i’m still a young artist, I like to try out as many different things as i can”. Looking around the room at her different pieces we asked Farmer about her favorite. “I love different things about all of them, I can’t really choose”.
Dedicated to her craft, Farmer hasn’t taken any other art classes since junior high because she’s filled her schedule with ceramics classes and can usually be found in the ceramics room.
This isn’t the first time she has been honored for her work. Farmer also won first and second place for her wheel-thrown pottery in the 2017 Berks County Intermediate Unit Secondary Art Exhibit at the Goggleworks in Reading, PA.
Farmer anticipates needing her ceramics “fix” even after school is over and plans to enroll in the studio passport program at the Goggleworks. She knows that coming home covered in clay after a day in the studio will be extremely rewarding and provide her a sense of accomplishment.
Next year, through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, she will spend a year in Belgium. She has also been accepted to Boston University and will begin her studies upon returning from Belgium, majoring in Chemistry with a minor in Ceramics. She is sure that art, and ceramics, will always be a part of her life.
How was Farmer chosen to be the next Budding Artist? We spoke with Lyn Camella, co-owner or Dancing Tree about the selection process and the background of the Budding Artist program.
The program is designed to encourage young artists to develop their craft and provide a real world taste of the business of craft. Twice each year, a Budding Artist is selected to sell their work and join over 200 local and national artisans in exhibiting and selling their crafts.
“Meeting with her, listening to her, she is a remarkable young lady with a passion for art and a strong character. Her skill is amazing for someone who has been doing it only for a couple of years” said Lyn Camella.
After hundreds of volunteer hours, fundraising and community support the State Theatre in Boyertown celebrated their re-grand opening showing the new Disney movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Waiting in line movie goers were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by special guest Captain Jack Sparrow (played by Steven Dapcevich).
The tradition of movies in Boyertown was started in 1912 when the Lyric Theatre built by George Unger, William Sabol, Newton Erb and William Schaeffer. Of course, the silent movie was the hi-tech movie of the time. Now, the State Theatre shows movies on a $100,000 digital projector and 17 speakers for surround sound.
Tickets sell out for the first digital movie showing at the State Theatre in Boyertown.
Stepping inside the small theatre guests were immediately immersed into a world of Pirates. Decorations lined the walls with staff handing out balloon swords to kids. Although the State Theatre doesn’t have an arcade or a food court like some nation movie theater chains, the state does not disappoint. Seating is ample and the concessions stocks all of your favorite candies, drinks and of course buttery popcorn.
Moviegoers have fun in the lobby with Captain Jack (Steven Dapcevich) before the start of the movie.
The State Theatre is managed and operated by the State Theatre Preservation Society, a 501c3 nonprofit corporation. First run movies will be featured as well as classics and family favorites. The State Theatre Board of Directors is developing a theatre program for children’s birthday parties as well as special pre-movie social events for adult groups.
Jack Sparrow (Steven Dapcevich) entertains guests in the theater before the movie begins.
If your looking for what’s next just check out the State’s Marquee. Don’t worry, if you can’t drive by you can also visit BoyertownStateTheatre.com for show times and details. The theatre is located at 61 N. Reading Ave. Boyertown.
