OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - July 21, 2017
Otsego Community -
Otsego FFA - August is a very busy time for the Otsego FFA Program as well. There are a ton of volunteer opportunities. Take a look at the FFA Newsletter. CLICK HERE
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Music Boosters - The music boosters will be making donuts at the fair this year. This will replace all merchandise sales throughout the year! Please consider signing up for a shift or several shifts. If you have any questions please give one of the music booster representatives a call or email. Their contact information can be found HERE . Please click on the sign up genius link to sign up to sell donuts this year at the Wood County Fair!
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0f45a4a72ca3ff2-donut
*****Also all new choir and all band students are required to attend uniform fitting day August 7th. You can find more info of music boosters Facebook page or contact us at our email.
Athletic Boosters - It is almost tractor pull weekend! Please take a look at the link below for all the times that each sport is in charge of the cleanup. This is a great fundraiser for the athletic boosters and with everyone's help will be easy! The athletic boosters receive $9,500 for the weekend cleanup. Please make sure to have your athletes attend for all of their sports they plan to participate in. 2017 Tractor Pull Clean-Up Info . To help with any of the events listed please contact Karen Smoyer 419-575-9395, ksmoyer@eastwoodschools.org or any Booster member. Please take a look at the other athletic booster information in the athletics section.
THANK YOU MUSIC AND ATHLETIC BOOSTERS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
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Elementary Running Club - Grades K-6
A parent volunteer, Phil Baranski, is organizing a Knights Cross Country Club for Otsego Elementary Students. This is a parent sponsored activity and led by all volunteers.
This is our kick off year for Knights Cross Country. We are planning on practicing three times a week and have information on about 6-7 different meets. The cost to join is $25 per runner. Every runner will get a t-shirt! Race times and events will be posted around the first practice. If there are any questions please contact me Phil Baranski Call/Text/Email!
Grade levels : K-6
Practices Start 8/7/17 at Mary Jane Thurston State Park
Time: 6:30-7:30 pm
Contact: Phil Baranski 419-376-3952 or pbaranski@sbcglobal.net
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2017 SALES TAX HOLIDAY
S.B. 9 enacted a sales tax holiday to occur only in 2017. The holiday starts on Friday, August 4, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, August 6, 2017 at 11:59 p.m.
During the holiday, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
- Clothing priced at $75 per item or less;
- School supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and
- School instructional material priced at $20 per item or less.
Sales Tax Holiday Frequently Asked Questions
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Final Forms - Please continue to fill out registration online through the new system.
TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION - For those that will be filling out an Alternate Transportation request these will be done within Final Forms. The deadline has passed but if you need to fill it out yet, please contact Eva immediately at evasher@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 3156
GO KNIGHTS!
Have a great weekend!
Adam
OTSE-GROW COMMUNITY GARDEN
Board of Education Highlights
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the Financial Report
B. Established petty cash in the amount of $600 for the 2017-2018 school year: Elementary $200, Junior High, High School, Central Office and Athletics each $100
C. Approved a $10 fee for student drug testing for the 2017-2018 school year
D. Appointed a Delegate and Alternate for the 2017 Capital Conference November 12–14, 2017
E. Approved the salary advancement for the 2017-2018 school year for Allison Mills from Bachelors +10 to Bachelors +150
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approved the administrative contract for Jon Rife. Jon will be our JH Principal.
Jon Rife is coming home to Otsego as the new Junior High Principal. He is excited to begin what he calls his “dream job.” Before spending the last six years as an administrator at Penta Career Center, Rife was the Otsego Junior High Physical Education teacher and a School Resource Officer for Otsego. He also spent a few years at two other schools prior to Otsego and spent nine years as a Wood County Sheriff Department Deputy.
An Otsego graduate, Rife is excited to come back home and work in the junior high. “I love this age group,” he said. He is excited to build relationships in the community he grew up in. “I believe in this community and I am proud of this community. I am excited,” he said. “I began my career at five years old here and hopefully will finish when I am 60. It is very dear to my heart.” Rife and his wife Sheryl have four children.
B. Approved the Agreement with NOVA and Otsego Local Schools
C. Final reading and approval of the Gifted Policy
D. Approved the following personnel changes:
Resignation:
Gary Lancaster, substitute custodian
Classified Employees’ Contracts for 2017-2018:
Renee Ackerman Music Tutor
Brad Babcock Music Tutor
Janet Burg Music Tutor
Jim George Mustic Tutor
Ray Novak Musica Tutor
Crystal Louy Aide - Step 0
2017-2018 Supplemental Contracts:
Jason Colyer Head Softball
Katelyn Downing 7th Grade Volleyball
2017-2018 School Year Substitute Non-Teaching Employee:
Jane Alexander, Heather Alfaro, Jane Allison, Michelle Avers, Donna Baker, Jane Barton, Kelsi Blackford, Helen Bonnough, Scot Bressler, Jean Burt, Joe Carone, Jordan Conrad, Katie Cordova, Michele Dewese, LeAnna Difeterici, CoAnn Ducat, Amanda Eggenton, Brandon Fitch, Jim Fouts, Sunday Goodwin, Colleen Irvin, Dana Jogerst, Greg Johns, Ray Johnston, Keith Keifer, Jackie Kleman, Elizabeth Konecki, Danielle Lambert, Jessica Land, Kimberly Little, Crystal Louy, Jen Mag, Jessica Makowski, Jacquelyn McBride, Kathy McCann, Tim McKenzie, Dave Mears, Bruno Mendieta, Doug Michaelis, Nick Niceley, Cory Norrington, Deb Null, Jennifer O’Dell, Nicole Perry, Debra Peterson, John Phillips, Dean Purdy, Susan Riegger, Sharon Robinson, Ashley Sautter, Bernadette Schoonover, Elaine Scott,
Matt Shanahan, Shirley Sheperd, April Shidler, Deb Smith, Julie Snyder, Kelsey Sutter, Teresa Thomas, Taylor Vaught, Donna Warren, Darline Weaver, Chase Welker, Bree Savidge-White, Amy Williams, Frederick Todd Williford, Karen
OTSEGO BACK TO SCHOOL WEEK AND OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION
Back to School Week Information: High School Commons (please park in the back parking lot)
Wednesday, August 9th 2:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, August 10th Noon – 6:00 pm
- School pictures taken for Elementary, Junior High, and High School 9th-12th grades (including Penta Students)
- School fees-pay Elementary and JH.
- Grades K-5 - $40
- Grades 6-8 - $30
- Athletics-all pay to participate fees, schedules.
- Jeanne Jeffers, Food Service Director, to hand out menus, fill out free/reduced lunch forms, and add lunch money to your child’s account.
- Eva Vasher, Transportation Director, to hand out bus schedules and bus stops.
- Schedule pick up for HS and JH students.
- High School Yearbooks will be for sale
- Otsego Music Boosters will have a table at back to school days to collect Band and Choir fees, Music spirit wear, volunteer sign ups, Music related notification listings and Formal wear fittings.
- Otsego Athletic Boosters will have a table for spirit wear sales and volunteer information.
Picture Forms: Please CLICK HERE to download the individual school picture form. There is a code in the top left corner of the page that you can use to order online before the event. If you do not want to order online there will be forms available during back to school days.
Online Registration: By now everyone should have received their email from FinalForms to register your children online for the upcoming school year. All students K-12, including PENTA students must complete the online registration through FinalForms. Please complete this as soon as you can. If you have any questions please contact Lisa Austin in the central office at 419-823-4381.
Open House Information – Thursday, August 17th
Elementary School – 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Junior High – 6:30 to 7:30 pm
High School – 7:00 to 8:00 pm
Community Wide Dinner in the Parking Lot the Night of Open House!
The Otsego Elementary PTO will be sponsoring various food trucks in the parking lot from 4:30 to 8:30 pm. on Thursday, August 17th
Thank you for the support of the Elementary PTO!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL GRADES 1-9 MONDAY, AUGUST 21st
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL GRADES 10-12 – TUESDAY, AUGUST 22nd
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN – THURSDAY, AUGUST 24TH
If you have any questions please contact the school.
Central Office and Food Service: 419-823-4381 option 1
High School: 419-823-4381 option 2
Junior High: 419-823-4381 option 3
Elementary: 419-823-4381 option 4
Transportation: 419-823-4381 option 5
INTERNET OPPORTUNITY
Vaccination Information
Kroger has a new clinic and is run by an Otsego Graduate, Kristen Hogrefe. Take a look at the image below for more information.
BACK PACK AND SCHOOL SUPPLY EVENT
SUMMER READING PROGRAM WITH THE WESTON LIBRARY
The Weston Library and Otsego Schools are excited to announce that we will be teaming up again this summer to offer a summer reading program in each Village the month of June and July. We will have weekly story time for children birth to 4 years old, and programs and prizes for students 5-18, and weekly sensory activities and library time for special needs individuals. The theme this year will be BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY. There is also a kick off to the Summer Reading Program on June 1st. Please come out to this free event on June 1st from 5:30 to 6:15.
Monday - Weston @ Library
Tuesday - Tontogany @ Elementary and Grand Rapids @ Library
Wednesday - Haskins @ Village Hall and Weston @ Library
Thursday and Friday - Weston @ Library
There will be a combined Reading RewardsDay on July 31st from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Otsego Elementary Commons. There will be games, pizza, and drawings to win prizes such as a Fitbit, IPAD, Gift cards, Bikes, Mini Scooter, Xbox and lots more!
The more you read and attend the weekly events, the better your chance at winning awesome prizes! Please contact the school or the Weston Public Library for more information.
Student Achievement
I just wanted to share Eliana participated in 4H for the first time this year. We live in Lucas County, so unlike most of the Otsego 4Hers we attend the Lucas County Fair. Eliana is in Sue Hannewald's club, PPP, in Providence Township. Eliana was chosen to participate in the Ohio State Fair with her veterinary science 1 project. The STEM project judging is July 29th.
Congratulations Eliana!
I want to wish all of our 4H students good luck in the next couple weeks in Columbus and at the Wood County Fair! #OtsegoProud
ATHLETICS
Jesse Wright and Jake Manley represented Otsego and Team Ohio this week in North Dakota. Both boys have qualified to be members of Team Ohio for Greco-Roman wrestling. In addition, Jake is on the Freestyle team. They are participating in an intensive camp with Team Ohio at Ohio Northern University and will be competing in the National Tournament in Fargo, ND. The Freestyle portion began on Saturday, July 15th and the Greco-Roman portion began on Wednesday, July 19th. They have both worked so hard and this is a great opportunity for them and our wrestling program! Good luck Jesse and Jake!
Athletic Booster Information
Senior Ads - CLICK HERE for more information
Business Ads - CLICK HERE for more information
Spirit Wear and food tent at the Tontogany Festival August 12 (Need help)
Fall Sports meet the teams and $6 signing shirts August 18th after the game
BGSU vs. Northern Illinois Football Game October 21st ------ To purchase tickets: The code is “OTSEGOKNIGHTS”, all caps, all one word, no quotation marks. Anyone that uses that code will have their ticket reduced to $14. Otsego will receive $3 for every ticket bought.
Reverse Raffle: November 18th (Committee members NEEDED)
To help with any of the events listed please contact Karen Smoyer 419-575-9395, ksmoyer@eastwoodschools.org or any Booster member. The next meeting will be August 1st at 7p.m. in the high school library. All are welcome to help with the events so we can continue providing support for our athletes!
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
10 u Travel Baseball Tryout : A local team will be having a tryout for kids that will be playing 10u baseball next year. At lusher park in Haskins at 6:00 pm on Friday, July 28th . Kids my not be 11 before may 1 in 2018. Any questions contact Scott Jeremy 419-304-5767
Pampered Chef Fundraiser for Deb Fox
This past school year a long time Otsego employee has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer. Deb started her Otsego career at Grand Rapids Elementary in 1998. She currently works at the Elementary building where she wears many hats. Her favorite one is being able to see all the kids every day. On 7/7/17 Deb had surgery to remove her upper right lung lobe along with lymph nodes. Recovery will be extra-long due to the surgery being done the old fashioned way and a small set back. This fundraiser is to help with medical treatments and bills. Any help is greatly appreciated.
To support Deb please go to: www.pamperedchef.com/go/SupportDeb
Any questions please contact Tami Schuckers at 419-419-9191
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
I had a few comments recently that I am looking into. One of the more recent comments centered around our elementary playground. We are investigating a few changes to the playground and when we get to the point of communicating that out we will.
Often times the comments that are made do not necessarily need a response but some do. I had a comment recently as when I was going to reply. I think I have responded to most if not all of the questions through other newsletters or in the building newsletter, but if I haven't I am sorry. If I could ask the person who asked when am I going to share feedback, will you please email me so that I can make sure I address your question or concern. Thank you!! akoch@otsegoknights.org
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: Judy Snyder jasnyder715@gmail.com
Board Member: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Elizabeth Gorski jegorski@frontier.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
Mike Wiley, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @PrincpalWiley
Kevin O'Shea, High School Principal
Email: koshea@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
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 and Custodial
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service
Email: jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe
Rick Haskins, Director of Maintenance
Email: rhaskins@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381