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Owatin Creek Elementary

Grades K-4 | 610-406-4580

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Directory

Owatin Creek ELEMENTARY

5000 Boyertown Pike | Reading, PA 19606
(610) 406-4580

Click Here For A District Directory
  • Office

    x8002 Charlie Payne, Principal
    x8000 Karla Tryon, Attendance Secretary
    x8004 Andrea Williams, Secretary

  • Counselor & Psychologist

    x8031 Paola Cordova, School Counselor K-2
    x8141 Emily Perri, School Counselor 3-4
    x8032 Joanne Miano, Psychologist

  • Nurse

    x8006 Susan Templin

  • Technology Support

    x8016 Kristin Kenagy

Note: Faculty phone numbers go to voice mail during school hours

  • Kindergarten

    x8207 Meghan Motze
    x8203 Melissa Murphy
    x8205 Karen Okonski
    x8201 Christine Vogt
    x8206 Wendy Warchol

  • Grade 1

    x8225 Stephanie Arnold
    x8226 Francine Daniels
    x8216 Cristina Stoudt
    x8223 Amy Wright
    x8224 Catherine Zervanos

  • Grade 2

    x8234 Meghan Bezler
    x8235 Marjorie Haines
    x8215 Thomas Hirshorn
    x8236 Danielle Jupina
    x8237 Kimberly Smith

  • Grade 3

    x8122 Brooke Beane
    x8124 Joseph Bertolet
    x8121 Stephanie Douglas
    x8123 Kristen McBride
    x8114 Carole Moyer

  • Grade 4

    x8132 Alisse Auchenbach
    x8148 Marie Clark
    x8134 Steven Dibler
    x8133 Alexandra Schlotzhauer
    x8135 Karina Tramont

  • Reading & Intervention Specialists

    x8249 Tina Greth, Reading Specialist
    x8146 Tiffany Mell, Reading Specialist
    x8246 Jennifer Schuster, Reading Specialist

  • Special Education

    x8232 Dana Caron, Life Skills
    x8125 Jennifer Elliott, Learning Support
    x8131 Erika Moyer, Learning Support
    x8214 Taylor Schollenberger, Learning Support
    x8245 Kathleen Walker, Gifted
    x8221 Jill Weaver, Life Skills

  • Specials

    x8410 Diana Bogust, Physical Education
    x8441 Britta Hyneman, Art
    x8423 Amanda Mrenna, Music
    x8415 Emily Reppert, Instrumental Music
    x8014 Allison Swoyer, Library

  • Therapists

    x8417 Jessica Dimitriadis, Occupational & Physical Therapist
    x8248 Sydney Manwiller, Speech Therapist
    x8417 Monika Touri, Occupational & Physical Therapist

Home » Community & Learning Experience Sprouts at Elementary Schools

Following weeks of preparation, a small section of Owatin Creek’s stage was transformed into a promising farm yesterday as students carefully transplanted little romaine and leaf lettuce seedlings into an upright, hydroponic “flex farm.” For the next month, students in Mrs. Jill Weaver’s class will visit the flex farm to watch their little seedlings grow into fully-developed heads of lettuce, which will then be harvested and given to the local food pantry. The hydroponics system, which was developed by Fork Farms along with a learning curriculum for students and support for teachers, offers schools the ability to grow up to 394 pounds of produce annually in an upright and portable system that only needs a little bit of space, water and an electrical outlet. Within a month, the farm promises students that they’ll have about 25 pounds of food with minimal maintenance and work following yesterday’s successful transplanting. 

But better yet, says Mrs. Weaver, it provides an incredible learning experience and cooperative opportunity for all of her students to learn a real-life skill. “Our classroom has worked the past few weeks on learning about hydroponics, plants and where our food comes from,” she said. “The students have been involved in the whole process from planting the seeds, watering the seedlings, watching the seedlings grow, to transplanting the seedlings. They are so excited that they should be able to harvest their lettuce by the middle of November.” 

The system was purchased through a grant obtained by the Exeter Community Education Foundation (ECEF), who provided one flex farm each to Owatin Creek, Lorane and Jacksonwald. Following training provided by Fork Farms during a half-day professional development session in September, teachers and their students set forward to germinate their lettuce seeds and grow them into seedlings hearty enough to be transplanted into the flex farm. Once planted, it will just take a month for the seedlings to grow to maturity under timed LED lights and with recycled water that continuously drips over their roots. In addition to lettuce, the system promises best results with plants such as herbs, cucumbers, strawberries, peppers and tomatoes–all of which can be grown out of the way on a small section of the stage at any time of the year. Mrs. Weaver said her class is also excited to try non-edible plants, such as flowers, which they hope to grow next.

When asked by ECEF what new learning opportunities the organization could bring to students, Dr. Christy Haller, Superintendent, said she loved the idea of a project that could provide hands-on learning experiences to students while also benefiting the community. From that, the Flex Farm idea was generated. “We are so grateful that ECEF was able to bring this vision to life to lend a hand to our local food pantry while also providing a fantastic way for students to learn. It’s definitely a win-win for our students as well as the community.”  

Owatin Creek Elementary School

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Address & Contact Info

  • 5000 Boyertown Pike
    Reading, PA 19606

  • Phone:
    610-406-4580

  • Fax:
    610-898-0910

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Our Schools

Exeter Township Senior High

Exeter Township Junior High

Reiffton School

Jacksonwald Elementary

Lorane Elementary

Owatin Creek Elementary