This Week @ OPS
Good News & Highlights from across the District!
January 10, 2020
Merry Christmas!
Yes, it's still Christmastime, at least in other parts of the world. Mrs. Reifert's 2nd graders learned about Christmas in Ethiopia which is celebrated on January 7th! One of her students, Titus Eckert, has two sisters who were adopted from Ethiopia. His sister, Betty, came into school Tuesday and shared with the class. They also had sugar popcorn as a treat!
Feldpausch Foundation Donation
Students across the district are starting the new year with no lunch debt thanks to a generous donation from the Feldpausch Foundation! Otsego Public Schools’ Food Service is grateful to have been chosen as one of five recipients of this year-end gift of $6,100. This donation will clear all lunch debt, with the remaining balance to be used for emergency situations throughout the year. Thank you, Feldpausch family and Foundation! Read more on the Foundation online: http://feldpauschfoundation.org/
Solar Energy at OPS
In the next month or two, you'll be hearing a lot more about solar energy at Otsego Public Schools. As our OMS STREAM school students are working on their own alternative energy projects for the Lexus Eco Challenge, Supt, Haase spoke to their class about some of the future projects and current energy initiatives here at the district.
Toy Drive Celebration & Surprise!
For the 2nd year, Dix Street 5th graders joined the toy drive of the Grand Rapids Tidal Waves Professional Women's Football Team. OHS junior Mackenzie Phillips has been an assistant coach for the team. The 5th grade classes compete to see who who can donate the most gifts - from pencils and books to stuffed animals and games. Together, they donated 538 items for Helen DeVos Children's Hospital!
To celebrate, the team's coach and quarterback hosted a pizza party for the kids and handed out prizes. The biggest prize turned out to be a surprise for Mackenzie - a contract to play for the team! Because of her age, she hadn't been able to be on the team as a player. Congratulations, Mackenzie!
Congratulations, SADD!
The Otsego High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapter just received notification that they have been honored with the 2019 Outstanding Traffic Safety Achievement Award from the Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission. They were nominated by Lt. Michele Dunlap with the Michigan State Police. They'll receive their award at a special ceremony in March.
They also received a $1,000 grant to conduct a safe driving campaign. They've received this grant for the last several years and conducted assemblies and events to help students learn more about the impacts of driving while distracted.
Unique Focus for Be Nice in January
No two snowflakes are the same. That's the fact driving this month's school-wide project for Be Nice at OMS. They are celebrating their differences with a snowflake project. At Friday's meeting, each Be Nice member got the ball rolling and created their own snowflake with a fact or two on what makes them unique. At lunch, the project is launched for the entire school and kids were lining up to create their own snowflakes. They will all hang on the windows by the cafeteria.
Coffee with the Superintendent
This week, Supt. Haase held his monthly Coffee with the Superintendent at Mezzo and shared information about the district's culture and climate survey. We conducted the survey two years ago and will again this February. The survey is given to students, staff and parents and asked a variety of questions to gain more information on the perception of our district. In the last survey, each building developed goals and initiatives to address the largest concerns.
Have something to share for our new "Weekly Good News"letter?
Let me know! Email or text me!
Have a great weekend and #GoDawgs!
#OtsegoPride
Holly McCaw, Director of Communications
Email: hmccaw@otsegops.org
Website: otsegops.org
Location: 400 Sherwood Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: 269-694-7910
Facebook: facebook.com/otsegops
Twitter: @OtsegoSchools