OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - September 17th
The football game will be live-streamed tonight HERE
Come out and support our student-athletes as we take on 4-0 Elmwood tonight! The kick-off is at 7 pm and the gates open at 5:30.
FOOD SERVICE INFORMATION:
Dear Otsego School Families:
As we receive more information regarding the food supply shortage, we want to make sure to stay in communication with all of the families as we work to remedy these unprecedented times. We are experiencing major issues with our supply chain. This is affecting not only Otsego Schools, but every school and food service provider nationwide. As you can imagine, this makes menu accuracy very difficult for a cycle menu.
Communication, understanding, and flexibility will be key factors in our school cafeterias operating successfully. We fully understand that the kids and parents would like to know what is going to be offered before they arrive for lunch that day. At this time, we are going to be updating the menus every Thursday by the end of the day for the upcoming week, to reflect any changes as a result of supply issues. This will allow us to have accurate menus eliminating surprise menu items for our students.
The only change we have for next week is in the elementary. We will be serving chicken tenders on Monday, September 20th.
Future menu changes will be posted here:
Junior High and High School 2021-2022 Lunch Menu
Elementary Lunch Menu 2021-2022
Thank you for your understanding and for working with us during these difficult times. Please know, we will continue to do everything in our power to provide healthy and nutritious meals for our students. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Emilia Bires
Director of Food Service
419-823-4381 ext .1104
Current Covid-19 Data
The numbers below represent the current numbers as of the end of the day today.
Message from Jane Gray
We are extremely happy with how well the children and staff are adjusting to our new normal here at Otsego. With that being said we want to stress the importance of keeping an open line of communication between families and school. This is especially true in regards to the health and welfare of our students, parents, and families as well as our teachers and staff. Please contact our school nurse, Jane Gray directly at 419-823-4381 ext. 4002 to report any COVID related symptoms, questions, and/or concerns related to quarantine, and/or isolation. This is the time where it is imperative we remain honest in reporting any symptoms a student or family member may be experiencing. We want our students to be able to attend school here on campus as long as possible therefore if a student or a student’s family member experiences any COVID -19 related symptoms, or has been in contact with anyone who has symptoms, please call the office of Jane Gray.
Even if you aren’t sure it is necessary to report, please call, we can help you through decision-making on how and where to proceed.
We also want to assure you that students will not be punished for missing school because of illness. Make-up work can be provided. We realize that in the past we have discouraged students from missing school due to minor symptoms of a cough or sore throat, but unfortunately, we cannot take the chance of infecting others. The symptoms of COVID – 19 are so vast that we need to act cautiously. Health is our number one priority. We have had students in classrooms telling their teachers that a family member has COVID-19, or is sick at home. We must take a student’s word seriously regardless of age. In such a situation, calls will be made to those parents/guardians to clarify this information. It is our job to look out for the best interest of our staff and students.
It is said that there is a stigma in relation to someone having been diagnosed with COVID – 19 which is why people are afraid to speak up. This is not the case. In fact, what we are witnessing is quite the opposite. Students are concerned about their ill peers and want to be informed so as to take precautions. The care and compassion of our staff and students is overwhelming. So please do not be afraid or uncomfortable about reaching out to the school. The information you provide will remain confidential.
We are all in this together. The staff at Otsego Schools will remain open and honest with all of you and expect the same in return. This is the only way we can get through this is to work together for the good of everyone in the community.
Job Posting
Alumni Tailgate and 40th Reunion of the 1981 State Runner Up Football Team - September 24th
Knights Have Your Back Fundraiser
Student Run Credit Union News
Wood County Health Department Vaccine Information and Talking Points
PTO SPIRIT WEAR
Our Fall Spirit Wear Sale is also up and running! Check it out below
The sale will run until Sept 17th with an estimated delivery date of Oct 12th.
Food Service
Meals will be FREE all year. All students will have access to free breakfast and lunch the entire year. At the JH and HS if your student wants to buy extra meals or ala carte items they can add money to their lunch account just like last year.
Junior High and High School 2021-2022 Lunch Menu
Elementary Lunch Menu 2021-2022
Free and Reduced Application – We still need you to fill out a free and reduced application if you qualify. This is VERY important for a lot of different reasons. There is a very convenient way to fill this out online. https://www.lunchapplication.com/.
Please fill this out if you were free or reduced last year or your circumstances have changed and you think you qualify. If you qualify, you may be allowed to waive other fees throughout the year. It is very important that this gets filled out ASAP.
Otsego and Weston Food Pantry Information
The Otsego Food Pantry is always willing to help those in need. This service is by appointment only. Please call, text, or email to schedule.
Otsego Food Pantry
c/o Lisa Hatfield
PO Box 261
17700 Beaver Street
Grand Rapids, OH 43522
Phone: 419-830-1051
Email: otsegofoodpantryoh@gmail.com
Housed in the Grand Rapids First Presbyterian Church – Supported by our Community!
Athletics
Volley for a Cure - October 12th
5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball League
Junior High and High School Athletic Events
Friday, September 17
7:00 - V FB (H) Elmwood *Little Knights
Saturday, September 18
8:00 - JH VB @ Joe Z-MoJack Classic (Evergreen)
9:00 - JH/HS XC @ Genoa Inv.
10:00 - JV FB @ Elmwood
11:00 - JV GS @ Bowling Green
Monday, September 20
4:15 - JH VB (H) Eastwood
5:00 - JV GS (H) Waite
Tuesday, September 21
4:00 - BG (H) Evergreen
4:30 - GG @ Lake (Hidden Hills)
5:00 - JH/HS XC @ NBC Jamboree (Eastwood)
5:00 - BS (H) Van Buren
5:30 - JV/V VB (H) Eastwood
6:00 - 9th FB @ Rossford
Wednesday, September 22
4:00 - BG (H) Bowling Green/Eastwood
4:15 - JH VB @ Fostoria
Thursday, September 23
4:00 - BG @ Emmanuel Christian (Bedford Hills GC)
4:15 - JH FB @ Rossford
5:00 - BS (H) Rossford
500 - GS @ Rossford
5:30 - JV/V VB @ Woodmore
Friday, September 24
7:00 - V FB (H) Rossford *Homecoming
Safe School Helpline
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
Recent polls show that parents’ first concern about schools today is their child’s safety. That is my concern as well. Fortunately, the Otsego is very safe. However, no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger public schools nationwide.
We are introducing a Safe School Helpline® to help prevent such actions. It is designed to assist you in reporting any wrongdoing that impacts our schools, our students, or our staff – anonymously, so as to protect your privacy. For example, you may wish to report acts of violence, theft, drug or alcohol use, weapons, or sexual harassment.
Just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced, and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken.
Thank you for your continued support to provide a better education for all Otsego students.
800-418-6423 (800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359)
TEXT: 614-426-0240
Then type: TIPS
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
SPONSORS
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.com
Board Member: Gordon Digby gdigby44@gmail.com
Adam Koch, Superintendent
Email: akoch@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @AdamKoch_Otsego
Lisa Austin, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent/EMIS Coordinator
Email: laustin@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Lauri Dunham, Special Education Director
Email: ldunham@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Stephen Bihary, School Psychologist
Email: sbihary@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Luke Swartz, Technology Director
Email: lswartz@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Katrina Baughman, Elementary Principal
Email: kbaughman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KBaughman723
Becky Buchman, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: bbuchman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @buchman_becky
Kevin O'Shea, High School Principal
Email: koshea@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
Jon Rife, Junior High Principal
Email: jrife@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @OJHS_Principal
Tom Ferdig, High School Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Grades 6-12
Email: tferdig@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Eva Vasher, Director of Transportation, Custodial, and Maintenance
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Emily Bires - Director of Food Service
Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe