The Husky Huddle

Students ask for change all the time, but very few get to see how change actually happens. We sit down with our outgoing Olean City School District student board members, Olivia Black and Ava Moses, to celebrate a year of leadership and to pull back the curtain on what it’s like to represent thousands of peers at Board of Education meetings. They share why they chose student board service during s...

Retirement conversations can get sentimental fast, but this one stays grounded in something real: the daily choices that make a teacher and coach matter. We’re joined by Coach Vecchio as he looks back on growing up in the Olean School District, the mentors who shaped him, and the moment he realized education and coaching were the work he wanted to do. Along the way, he shares what it felt like to...

The best high school basketball stories aren’t always about the final score, they’re about what a team becomes when every possession feels like a test. We’re joined by Olean seniors Adrian Bohdanowycz and Joe Mest for a real look at a season shaped by tight games, tough practices, and a playoff run that proved how far belief and execution can carry you. If you love varsity basketball, small-town g...

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 t...

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 po...

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 li...

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...

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 th...

Welcome the return of the remarkable Sarah Morris to the Husky Huddle, where we unlock the secrets to nurturing new talent in our educational family. Together, we dissect the mentorship programs that have been a game-changer for our district's fledgling teachers, ensuring they're not just surviving but thriving. Sarah's expertise shines as we tackle the hurdles of navigating Teach a...

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 th...

Embark on an educational odyssey with us as Jen Kless, Olean City Schools' Director of Curriculum and Instruction, recounts her compelling transition from a kindergarten classroom to the halls of district leadership. Witness the unveiling of a groundbreaking ELA curriculum, as Jen lays bare the transformative journey from a traditional balanced literacy framework to an innovative approach des...

Imagine stepping into a school district radiating with pride and a mission-driven team ready to make a difference. That's exactly what Dr. Michael Irizarry, the Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services in the Olean City School District, does every day, and he's here to share the playbook on how to recruit and retain the cream of the crop in education. In our latest Husky Huddle epis...

Join us as we sit down with Rich DeMartino, assistant principal of Olean Intermediate Middle School (OIMS), to explore the transformative power of extracurriculars in student life. We're not just talking about after-school activities; we're diving into a world where clubs and sports become catalysts for personal growth, leadership development, and forging deep connections within the scho...

Prepare to be whisked away on an educational journey led by Dan Freeman and Matt Woleben, as we explore the cosmic wonders of the upcoming April 8th total solar eclipse. Learn more about Star Lab sessions, where EV, WW, and OIMS students become astute observers of the skies, versed in the delicate dance of celestial bodies. Our hands-on approach equips our future astronomers with knowledge of safe...

Unlock the secrets behind the numbers that shape our children's education, as we sit down with Jenny Bilotta, our OCSD Business Administrator with a treasure trove of experience spanning two decades. She takes us behind the scenes of school district budget development, revealing how strategic foresight blends with the needs of students to craft fiscal blueprints. From the precision required t...

When Susan Boyle decided to pick up the baton as a high school orchestra teacher, little did she know her story would strike a chord with so many. Our latest episode strings together the melody of her journey from a Kansas native to a beacon of musical hope in the Olean City School District. Immerse yourself in Susan's narrative, where the harmony of small group sessions and the crescendo of...

Meet Jennifer Palaszynska-Mellott, the Assistant Principal at Olean High School with a story that's as unique as it is inspiring. As we chat, you'll be drawn into Jennifer's journey from the disciplined life of the military to the vibrant corridors of education. Her tales aren't just captivating – they're a masterclass in leadership adaptability. Witness the transformation...

As the halls of Washington West echo with the sounds of laughter and learning, we're reminded that the heart of education beats not just through textbooks, but through the compassionate connections we foster. On today's Husky Huddle, we're joined by Lauren Stuff, the inspirational principal from Washington West, whose journey from a spirited teacher at IJN to a visionary educational...

Prepare for an astronomical spectacle as Jen Mahar, director of special programs at Olean City Schools, shares her wealth of knowledge on the upcoming total eclipse. In our latest Husky Huddle podcast, Jen, with over two decades of educational expertise, outlines how the community and schools are buzzing with preparations for this rare event. She discusses the expected timeline of the eclipse, vit...

Embark on an educational odyssey with Sarah Morris, whose life story twists like a riveting novel, from PR to pedagogy, across oceans to the heart of Europe, and finally back to American soil here in the Olean City Schools.  In this episode, Sarah discussed the soul of education through her eyes, recounting a 17-year career highlighted by a transformative Czech sojourn. Her narrative isn't ju...

Discover the heartbeat of educational excellence as we delve into the intricacies of school accountability with me, Dr. Genelle Morris. As the proud superintendent of the Olean City School District, I discuss the latest measures shaping our schools and the impact they have on our diverse student body. This episode is a journey through the successes and hurdles we face in providing an equitable lea...

Unlock the secrets to making learning irresistible for our Olean elementary students as Laura Hodara, the energetic principal of East View Elementary, takes us on a journey through her innovative strategies for student engagement. As the first guest on the Husky Huddle podcast, Laura describes how her experiences have prepared her with actionable insights that are transforming the classroom experi...