"Knightly" News

Upcoming Events:

May

8 - FUN RUN!
9 - Fun Run Money Due
11 - 3rd & 4th Grade M-STEP
12 - 5th Grade Field Day @ Bulldog Stadium
15 - 1st Grade to Boulder Ridge Zoo
18 - 3rd Grade to John Ball Zoo
23 - 1st Grade to Memorial Park
25 - Warriors 5k Ultimate Fitness Challenge
29 - Memorial Day - No School
31 - 1st Grade Program, OHS Auditorium - 2:30 pm

June

1 - Field Day
2 - 5th Grade Recognition, WSE Gymnasium - 2 pm
6 - Kindergarten Celebration, OMS Auditorium - 9:30 am
7 - 1/2 Day
8 - 1/2 Day, Last Day of School, Trimester Awards Assembly - 9 am

Fun Run Schedule

Parents are welcome to join us for the Fun Run on Monday! You may watch and/or participate with your student(s) at the following times (please check- in at the bus loop):

10:30-11:00 - 1st Grade
11:00-11:30 - 2nd Grade
11:30-12:00 - 5th Grade
12:00-12:30 - Kindergarten
12:35-1:10 - Lunch for volunteers
1:15-1:45 - 3rd Grade
1:45-2:15 - 4th Grade

Teacher Appreciation Week

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we will honor our staff for going beyond the call of duty to make a positive impact on our children’s learning and development.

What better way to say THANK YOU than by spoiling them with a yummy Taco Bar for lunch on Thursday, May 11th!

If you're interested in donating, please click on the link below to sign up. Or if you have any other ideas, please email me at jknight@otsegops.org. Thank you for your continued support!

DISTRICT PERCEPTION SURVEY - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Each year, OPS is conducting a survey to better understand how you - our school families - feel we are doing on the Focus Areas of our Strategic Plan. It's important to us, and vital, that your voice is part of the decision-making process.

This survey helps us better understand what's going well so we build on our successes, and what we can improve. It's our goal to provide the best educational experience for each student.

Please complete the survey sent to you in your email, sent from "School Perceptions", by May 10th. (The first email was sent on April 24th with a reminder on May 1st.) This survey was also given to our staff and students in grades 4-12. Our goal is for every family to participate. We value your input and hope you will take a few minutes to complete this survey. Thank you!

- Jeff Haase, Otsego Superintendent

2023-2024 Class Placements

Spring is the time of year when we begin planning for the 2023-2024 school year. Placement of children in classes is a part of that planning and a most difficult task. Responsible placement decisions take time and many consultations among staff members. Our goal is to make the best match between student, teacher, and learning environment. Many factors must be considered such as gender ratios, academic ranges, social behavior, personalities, special needs, and learning styles. If you feel you have special insights regarding your child that could assist with our selection, it is certainly welcome. We ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Provide information about your child’s needs.

• Do NOT request a specific teacher or friendship group. A detailed description of your child’s learning style and individual needs is more helpful.

• Information must be in writing-email jknight@otsegops.org this FORM -- or fill out a form in the office on or before May 5th.

Remember that due to the many factors involved, we are unable to make any guarantees, other than the fact that we will put much thought, consideration, and individual attention into each and every placement. We hope you will rely on our expertise and know that the best possible placement will be made for your child.

M-STEP Testing Dates

ELA

4th Grade - 5/11

Math

3rd Grade - 5/11

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STUDENTS ARE IN ATTENDANCE ON THE DAYS OF TESTING!

Field Trip & School Event Parking

PLEASE park at the Middle School if you are attending a field trip or an event at WSE. This will ensure that we can have a normal dismissal. We have many upcoming events and we would like to avoid any added craziness at the end of each day. Thank you!

Bulldog PRIDE

Congratulations to the following students for being selected as their classroom PRIDE winner for the week!

P - Positive Attitude

R - Responsible Actions

I - Integrity Within

D - Determination to Succeed

E - Expect Excellence

Kindergarten: Gibby Bronkema, Joelyzza Johnson, Hailey Sisson

1st grade: Evelyn Rewa, Tripp Schuster, Sibyl Stassek

2nd grade: Ahnicka Brown, Bradley Comer, Madelyn Pettee

3rd grade: Joey Meech, Brylynn Jacobs, Angel Dwire

4th grade: Luke Loftis, Keegan Shumaker, Saige Klok

5th grade: Bryson Tyler, Sophia Gray, Graysen Schuster

Counselor's Corner

Recognizing & Managing Feelings

All children feel worried or upset sometimes. Being aware of these feelings and thoughts is the first step toward managing them in healthy ways. Here are some tips:

Talk about thoughts - When your child seems sad or anxious, ask, “What are you thinking about right now?” Your child might say, for example, “I’m worried no one will sit with me in the cafeteria at lunch.”
Show Understanding - Put your child’s feelings into words. “I know you’re worried about finding someone to eat with at lunch tomorrow.”
“Flip” Thinking - Tell your child to make negative thoughts do a “flip” so they’re more positive or helpful. Your child might think, “I can ask my reading buddy to have lunch with me” or “I can tell my teacher I’m worried about sitting alone.”

If your child often seems worried or upset, talk to your child’s teacher, school counselor, or pediatrician.

**adapted from The Parent Institute

CKH - Capturing Kids Hearts

Integrity is defined as being strong enough to do what you know is right. Integrity is also knowing the difference between right and wrong and choosing to do the right thing, even when it is difficult.