Otsego High School
Weekly Newsletter (Semester I Week 11)
From the Desk of Mr. O'Shea
We will have a shortened week this week due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. There is NO SCHOOL on Thursday and Friday.
Conferences are at the high school in the teachers rooms (see times below). Report to your child's classroom at the time slot you signed up for in sign-up genius. You can still call the office or go online and sign up for a conference. There are plenty of time slots available. In fact, I have compiled some data that I think is very eye opening below. We remove two full days of instruction to accommodate conferences and attempt to meet with parents face to face, yet we only get a small percentage of participation. I will be sending out a survey to allow for comments/suggestions as to how we can increase participation in conferences during next weeks newsletter.
I know that we do post grades online and our emails makes it easy and convenient to keep up and in touch with one another. This may be a contributing factor to low attendance. Either way, I encourage you all to please sign up for a conference with your child's teacher even if only to introduce yourself and just quickly touch base.
Many studies have found that students with involved parents, no matter their income or background, are more likely to:
- Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs
- Be promoted, pass their classes and earn credits
- Attend school regularly
- Have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school
- Graduate and go on to post-secondary education
Remember, Our Students, Our Community, Our Success. It takes a village to raise a child but it takes a community to raise a school.
Otsego High School Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up Activity (as of 11/1/2015)
- Total number of Conference Slots: 1,412
- Filled Conference Slots: 109
- Available Slots: 1,303
- % of conference slots filled: 9.2%
Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up Information
Conferences will be held over two days; Wednesday November 4th (4:00pm - 8:00pm) and Thursday November 5th (11:00am - 8:00pm). Parent Teacher Conference Sign-up Link
*This link can be found on the school website, Twitter, as well as the new District phone App.
I have created a short video tutorial to show you just how quick and easy it is to sign up for conferences using Signup Genius. VIDEO TUTORIAL
**If you experience any difficulties, do not panic or get frustrated. Simply call the office and we will be more than happy to get you all signed up. (419) 823-4381.
OCTOBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Capriana Burres Senior
Amara Geiselman Junior
Sarah Cox Sophomore
Guidance Department
Explore PENTA Day: Our entire sophomore class will be visiting Penta Career Center on November 4th for Explore Penta Day. The sophomores will learn about the variety of career opportunities available through education at Penta. We will be leaving Otsego High School in the morning and attending a brief informational session upon our arrival. Penta will provide lunches to all of our students before they tour three career technical labs of their choosing. Our students will return to Otsego High School at the end of the academic day. If your students are interested in attending Penta Career Center, they may start applying after we visit. If you have any questions regarding program opportunities or the application process, contact Jennifer Wronkovich-Clark at 419-823-4381 or via email at jclark@otsegoknights.org.
Otsego Local Schools FAMILY NIGHT
We are just ONE WEEK AWAY from our first ever “Family Night". Monday, November 9th. The goal of Family Night is to encourage families to take the evening to focus on each other and spend time together as a family in whatever way works for your family. There will be NO homework, NO assignments and NO tests or quizzes the next day. There will also be NO athletic practices or any other extra-curricular activities on family night. We hope you can take advantage of this night and celebrate being a family!
Furthermore, a few local businesses have offered discounts and family activities on November 9th.
Weston Public Library: In Cooperation with the Otsego Local School District the Weston Public Library and Grand Rapids Branch Library will be celebrating Family Night on November 9th. Families are encouraged to come to either library location between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., there will be:
Family Games
Prize Drawings
Any family coming to the library on November 9th will have all library fines removed, provided all library material has been returned.
LaRoes in Grand Rapids is offering 15% off your bill on November 9th. Click here for more information. Simply print this or show them the flyer to receive the discount.
Chowders ‘N Moor in Waterville is offering two free tacos and a drink to any Otsego student on November 9th. Click here or more information. Simply print this or show them the flyer to receive the discount.
Peanuts Movie - Click to see details
A few ideas to get you started thinking about your evening together.
Games: Play your favorite family board game or card game
Dinner: Plan a meal together and cook together
Memories: Look through old photos and family videos
Get Creative: Create an art project, crafts, or build something as a family
Get Fit: If the weather is nice, go for a long walk in a park as a family
If you use twitter and would like to post pictures or comments about the Otsego Family Night please use #FamKnight
Veterans Day Breakfast/Assembly
- Daily Announcements Page
- Make sure you send in a written note within 48 hours of your child's absence. This is necessary in order for the absence to be excused.
- Please make sure you include both the first name and last name of student on the absent note.
- Sign up for Remind 101 to get text or email reminders of important events. Text to 81010 and in the message box, type otseg (there is no "o" at the end)
- Parents if you want to check on your child's homework, please access their "Google Classroom". All the teachers are posting their assignments there. You will need to know your child's username and password to get into their classroom. If you are having any issues getting into Google Classroom, let us know and we will work to fix it immediately.
Highlights from the Week
Oh what a Knight!
We are going to Regionals
District Champs
Review Games
Review Games
Goofing off
Keeping warm
Band Concert
Frederick Douglass
AJ Digby
AJ Digby
Decorations
Decorations
Decorations
Honorary Captains
Introducing the Otsego High School Class Cup
Powder Puff Football
Powder Puff is fast approaching! The Powder Puff Football game between the Juniors and Seniors will take place on November 12th.
The gate will open at 6 PM with the game starting at 6:15 PM.
The cost will be $3 or a non-perishable food item at the gate. We will also be offering hot cocoa and a dessert item for $1.
All money raised and items donated will be donated back to the community.
Students, this is a great way to earn Class Cup Points for your class! Points will be awarded based on attendance at the game, so you can help just by showing up! Also, enjoy an awesome halftime show put on by our ManLeaders!
Hope to see you at the game!
Link Crew Fundraiser
The Peanuts Movie is being released on Friday, November 6th. If you would like to start Family Night a little early and take your family to see Peanuts on opening weekend, you can also be supporting Knight Link Crew at the high school! #FamKnight
From Mr. Fryling, 9th Grade Counselor
From Emily Cornish, Otsego ATOD prevention specialist
The ADAMHS Youth Survey, is a biennial survey which is the primary method by which the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board monitors trends in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents in Wood County. The results of the survey are used by educators to integrate targeted prevention efforts into school curriculum, and as data for program planning, and other collaborative community ventures designed to reduce adolescent ATOD use. The survey covers a variety of points relating to drug use, mental health, bullying, school safety and prevention education that is currently in place. The survey is completely anonymous, and is given to all Wood County students in grades 5-12. The results are then compiled to discover trends in Wood County through all of the school districts. This year, the survey will be given on November 24th. The first link below directs you to the Wood County ADAMHS Board website, where you can find previous report and other information. The second link will direct you to the parent letter, which includes the denial form if you choose to not have your child/children not take the survey. If you have any questions please contact Mrs. Emily Cornish the On-Site Prevention Specialist. You may also view the survey, but you will have to set up a meeting with Mrs. Cornish. Email: ecornish@otsegoknights.org
Denial Form Link (Form must be submitted no later than November 17th, 2015)
Yearbook and Senior Pictures
"Yearbook is having a clearance sale. All yearbooks from the following years are being marked down to $10!" (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014). Email yearbook@otsegoknights.org for further information or to purchase one.
Senior Photo Requirements
- Photos should be a high resolution (at least 300 dpi).
- Must be a vertical photo, this allows more room for your classmates in the yearbook.
- Student must be looking at the camera; head cannot be cut off in the picture, & must be able to see student’s full face. Hands, or arms should not be blocking the shoulder shot, or touching the student's face.
- A head and shoulders shot is preferred, but will accept a shot from the waist up. No full body shots or students lying on the ground. We can crop pictures, but if the shot is too far away we will not be able to accept the picture.
- Remember, this is a formal photo, clothing should be appropriate. (Examples- no muscle tees, cleavage, or hats, or flowers in your hair, the list goes on and on.) If you have to question your clothing, then it is probably not appropriate.
- No props in the photo.
Seniors pictures are due by: April 4th, 2016.
If your picture is not turned in by this date, you will not be featured in the senior section of the yearbook.
If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Lockhart via email: yearbook@otsegoknights.org.
ACT Dates
Saturday, December 12th - registration deadline Nov 6
Upcoming Dates
November:
11/4 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
11/5 - No School - Parent Teacher Conferences, 10:00am - 8:00pm
11/6 - No School
11/7 - Athletic Boosters Reverse Raffle, 6:00pm
11/9 - OLS Family Night
11/10 - NHS Induction Ceremony - 6:00pm
11/10 - Fall Sports Awards - 7:30pm
11/11 - Veterans Assembly
News from Athletics
The Otsego Softball team is selling Otsego Decals once again this year. Show your Otsego Pride! They are $5. Click Here for the order form. This is a fundraiser for the team. Thank you for your support!
‘Otsego Athletics’ is on Twitter and Facebook. Follow for high school scores and other athletic department information. Also, if you’d like to receive athletic news and updates by email please email athletics@otsegoknights.org to be added to the list.
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DATES
VOLLEYBALL:
Regional SemiFinals November 4th - 7:30pm vs. Huron @ Lake High School
Athletic Boosters
Parent/Team Informational Flyer for Donations
Our next meeting is Monday (11/2) @ 7pm in the HS library.
Music Boosters
We were blessed with amazing fall Choral and Band concerts the last two weeks! From the classroom, to the field or court and to the stage –it is a great time to be a Knight!
- HS Choir Chicago Trip - $100 Deposit due 10/9 for all students and parent chaperones planning on attending the trip. A reminder notice was sent home with students on Monday 10/5 and initial notice in September. We are looking forward to a fun and educational experience in the Windy City in April 2016!
Welcome Mr. Sewell - our new Choir Director. We encourage everyone to reach out to get to know him and support his efforts as he joins our Otsego family.
We have an amazing video of the 2015 March Band Show from an angle that is rarely seen. We encourage you to watch and be amazed at these formations and remember while marching at swift tempos, they are also concentrating on memorized music, breath support and tone quality. High School Marching Band Fall Show
The dates for upcoming music performances are as follows:
11/21 Bowling Green Holiday Parade10 am
12/10 Junior Bands and Choir Concert 7pm
12/12 Grand Rapids Holiday Lighted Parade 7:30pm
12/15 High School and 6th Grade Band Holiday Concert
12/17 High School Choral Holiday Concert
Transportation Department
Student and bus safety is very important to us at Otsego. We would like to remind you of our procedures for drop-off and pick-up for Junior High and High School students. We have had several incidents recently that did not create a safe environment for our buses and students. We need to create the safest possible scenarios for everyone’s benefit.
Drop-off in the morning:
There should be NO cars in the front of the Junior High or High School. Please drop off all students in the back the building. The front of the building should be BUSES ONLY.
Please do NOT use the far north exit by the Junior High in the morning. When you are dropping your Junior High Students off in the morning either drop them off at the HS Commons or turn around and exit the south end of the property. If you happen to be at the North exit, please YIELD to ALL BUSES. There have been many times this year that cars exit the north exit when buses are trying to pull in. Our buses need to have the right of way. Please do NOT use this exit between 7:15 and 7:30 and if you happen to be there please YIELD to ALL buses. We have tight deadlines when it comes to getting our students to Penta, breakfast before school, and our buses need to get back on the road to pick up our elementary students.
Pick-up in the afternoon:
There should be NO activity at the front of the buildings. All students need to be picked up at the back of the buildings.
In summary, please use extreme caution when our buses are around. We transport over 1,000 students every day, and we all play a role in making sure that it is a safe environment for each one of them. Please drop off and pick up all students in the back of the buildings and do not use the north exit in the mornings. If you have any question please give me a call or call Eva Vasher, Transportation Supervisor, at 419-823-3156
Food Service Department
Dealing with your children’s school money just got a lot easier! You can now add money to their accounts for meals, pay for school-related fees online securely and even see what they are buying. Online Lunch Payment System
For more information, go to www.K12PaymentCenter.com or call the Otsego Local School District at 419-823-4381 ext. 1104. You can also contact Jeanne Jeffers, Food Service Supervisor at jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Please visit https://www.k12paymentcenter.com/HowDoesTheProgramWork.aspx to see a video on how to start managing your child’s account online today!
Click the links to Download the 2015-2016 Lunch and Breakfast Schedules. If you have questions please email our Food Service Supervisor, Jeanie Jeffers
Community Events
Veteran's Day Breakfast and Assembly - We will once again have a Veteran’s Day Assembly and breakfast to honor our local Veterans. There will be a flyer put up around the community, but if you could start spreading the word, we would appreciate it. Breakfast is free to all veterans and Otsego Senior Citizens. Breakfast will start at 8:15 in the High School Commons. The program will start at 9:15 in the High School gym. Please CLICK HERE to RSVP for the breakfast. If you are not able to RSVP online please call Lisa Austin at 419-823-4381 or laustin@otsegoknights.org.
Free Self Defense Class offered to anyone on November 30th. This is a great service to teach people important tools on staying safe. Visit this link and make sure you RSVP. Self Defense Flyer
Senior, Derek Morgan, is in a local play. Senior Otsego Student, Derek Morgan is in the cast of "And Then There Were None" Nov. 20th and 21st at the First United Methodist Church Dessert Theater, Bowing Green.
Reserve Tickets $12 Here is the flyer for more information
Indoor Walking Program - The Elementary Building will be open in the evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for community members that would like to walk the halls. The building will only be open when school is in session. There will not be indoor walking hours when school is canceled or it is a holiday. There will also be a course map that will tell you the distance traveled, along with a sign-in sheet as you enter the elementary building.
The Math in Action Tutoring Hub at BGSU - FREE Math Tutoring
Horizon Youth Theatre Presents - Little Red Robin Hood Click here for more information
Otsego Local Schools App
We have an App for that!
Otsego Local Schools in partnership with SchoolInfoApp has launched the Otsego Local Schools App, now available for iPhones®, iPads®, Android™, Blackberry™ and Windows™ devices. The App is free and gives parents & students quick access to:
- The latest news, information and announcements
- Events and activities
- Teacher, Staff and Administration Contact Information
- Important documents, picture galleries & other media
- School menus, the online gradebook system and more!
Click here to download on an apple device
Click here to download on an android device
***Please understand that this is a new App and we are still working on getting everything updated. If you have suggestions please feel free to reach out and let us know. Thanks.
Communication with the High School
1. High School Website http://www.otsegoknights.org/high-school (The high school website has all the academic and athletic calendars and the HS posts their daily announcements on the website as well)
2. Remind 101 (Text to: 81010 Message: @otseg there is no "o" at the end just @otseg. Thats it. You will receive a message that says you've been added to our group. You will receive text messages straight to your mobile device). If you don't want to text, you can go to https://www.remind.com/join and just type in (otseg) as the class code.
3. Twitter (follow @otsegohsoffice or @KosheaOHS)
4. District App:
Contact Us
Otsego High School
Email: Koshea@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://www.otsegoknights.org/high-school
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Tontogany, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS