Otsego Elementary Extra
Principal's Weekly Update - January 27, 2017
Staff Spotlight - Marti Clayton
Ms. Clayton has been teaching since 1985. During that time she has taught Head Start (preschool) in inner city Chicago, primary special education inclusion classes and a 3rd grade general education class in suburban Chicago. She and her family moved to Perrysburg, Ohio in 2004, which is when she began teaching for Otsego. She taught preschool for eleven years and recently “graduated” to 4th grade. She has a B.A. in elementary and special education from the University of Iowa as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois. Her son, Ian, 25, has a degree in French from BGSU. He currently lives in Chicago. Her daughter, Bethany, 22, holds a philosophy degree from Bard College, and is currently living in Kyrgystan-- a former Soviet Bloc country. Ms. Clayton enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, step-daughter, Isabel, and 2 basset hounds. She also likes biking and playing rhythm guitar & amp; singing with the Cottonwood Jam String Band. Here’s a link to her band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6NG6w4DZzY
A Message from our School Nurse:
We have had a few cases of head lice confirmed in the school. Quick attention to the problem will help to prevent further spread. If you suspect that your child may have lice, please contact the school.
After proper treatment, the child may return to school in 24 hours. Proper treatment consists of: washing with a medicated shampoo; thorough combing of the hair to remove nits, washing of all bed linen, combs, hats, clothing, stuffed animals, toys, etc.
You must bring your child to school to be reassessed before he/she will be able to go to class OR ride the bus.
The OES Handbook states:
If a child in the District is found to have lice or fleas, the child's parent will be contacted to have the child treated and to pick him/her up immediately. After treatment and upon returning to school, the child will be examined by the school health staff or principal. The District practices a policy of "no live lice" or fleas and no nits as criteria for return to school.
If you have any questions, please contact the office at 419.823.4381
From the Desk of Katrina Baughman:
I will be sharing one "kernel", or strategy, each month in this newsletter. Please use any part of it that you can, and feel free to contact me at any time with questions. The Wood County ESC partners with Otsego to provide this program to our students, so you are also always welcome to reach out to them as well! I hope that each and every one of you can find something helpful in these posts over the next few months.
PAX Kernel of the Month
Beat the Timer
Have you ever noticed how statements to young people like "Get your room picked up" or "Get these dishes put away" are often met with moans and groans? These are also the types of activities that lead to procrastinating, distractions, or even off-task or disruptive behavior that can result in conflict with peers or adults. These activities can be completed more quickly, with more proficiency, and with less bargaining, arguing, or dawdling by using a simple strategy--Beat the Timer.
The Solution:
Beat the Timer is a way to increase on-task behaviors and focus on a particular task. This strategy has been proven to decrease the dawdling, distractibility, and disruptions that come from performing chores or any other activities that do not go as smoothly as they should.
The Procedure:
1. Select an Activity that is particularly cumbersome, inefficient, or causes arguments between adults and young people when left unfinished. One example could be picking up clothes and putting them away.
2. Explain clearly the expectations for what exactly should be done. For example, "The socks should be folder and put in the drawer and he shirts should be hung in the closet."
3. Decide on an amount of time to complete the task. This causes the young person to focus and work quickly to finish in time.
4. Announce the time that will be given and let them know when to begin. Prominently place the timer so they can check their progress. "OK, I think we'll play Beat the Timer as we do this. I'm going to set the clock for 7 minutes...and you may begin now!"
5. Praise good performance and progress. "Nice job! I like how you separated the dirty clothes by colors. That's a huge help!"
6. Provide occasional reinforcement for a job well done while playing Beat the Timer. Let them know that they get to do something fun or earn a reward for all the time they saved and for getting things done.
The Science:
Beat the Timer uses the principle of reduced allocated time. This is the same principle that causes us to really focus in as the seconds tick away before the last shot at the end of a big basketball game. It is also why children who may have trouble paying attention in school can focus so well on video games. The timer aspect lets them know what they need to focus on to complete the level or finish the race before time runs out.
Beat the Timer takes those same skills of focus and attention in young people and applied them to activities that often cause problems, such as getting dressed to leave, cleaning up, finishing work, or chores. By playing Beat the Timer, young people focus on the task at hand and are more likely to get it done. Perhaps more importantly, they complete the task with less complaining or disrupting. This reduces the opportunities for arguments with peers and adults. Over time, young people learn new procedures for completing those tasks without needing the timer at all.
For more information about PAX and it's creators, visit wright.edu/prevention-science
Preschool and Kindergarten Registration
Preschool Pre-Registration for 2017-2018 will begin February 21st at the Elementary School. Paperwork packets may be picked up in the office or printed off the web site by choosing the District tab and then clicking FORMS. Please drop completed paperwork off to the office between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Classes are on a first come, first serve basis so be sure to register early as classes fill up fast.
We will be accepting Kindergarten Registration for the 2017-2018 school year from March 6th thru March 31st.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR CHILD MUST TURN 5 ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1.
Please bring the following items to the Elementary office with you when you are registering: Birth Certificate, Proof of Residency (rental agreement, utility bill, real estate tax receipt) with full physical address and parent's name, and Custody Papers (if applicable). Also, when registering we will need the Registration Form and Transportation Form completed. Prior to the FIRST day of school we will need the Doctor Physical Form and Updated Immunization Form completed.
If you have any questions, please call the Elementary Office at 419-823-4381 option 4 or e-mail jhelberg@otsegoknights.org and/or barmitage@otsegoknights.org
Weather with Ronnie
Town Hall Forum featuring Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr.
We are very excited to announce that Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. will be coming back to Otsego to talk to the community and our students!
Otsego Local Schools will be hosting a Town Hall Q & A forum featuring Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. on Thursday, February 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. Chief Byers was a 1997 graduate of Otsego High School and is a member of the U.S. Navy.
On February 29, 2016 President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. during a ceremony at the White House; this makes him only the fifth SEAL to receive the Medal of Honor.
http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/moh/byers.html
We would love to have a large representation from the Otsego Community attend this special event. We would greatly appreciate it if you could please help spread the word. I have also sent a letter to every church and post office in the community. There will also be something in the Sentinel.
Please note: There is absolutely NO video allowed during the community presentation.
There will be a couple other events on Friday that will be for our students only, but I wanted to share with everyone what they are.
We will be having a character development/motivational assembly with Chief Byers on Friday, February 3rd with our JH and HS students. In the afternoon, Chief Byers will be taping two segments on the stage of the auditorium with WBGU-TV hosted by Otsego's own Steve Kendall.
Otsego Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - February 3rd
The Otsego Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 3, 2017 in between the JV and Varsity Basketball Game at Otsego High School. This will be the 5th class inducted to the Otsego Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have brought honor to themselves by making significant impacts or contributions to the school, community, or students. The Otsego Hall of Fame also exists for all alumni who have earned distinction beyond graduation. These individuals have made noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors of mankind. The Otsego Hall of Fame also recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Otsego Local Schools as a staff member, coach, or friend of Otsego.
It has been an honor to recognize the following individuals for their contributions to the Otsego Local School District.
Class of 2012-2013 – Dan Cocke, Holly Frantz, Deb Kendall and Gordon Wenig
Class of 2013-2014 – Randy Donald, Ann Laskey and Lawrence Sprague
Class of 2014-2015 – John Brown, Madge Brown, Fred Moor, Bernard Scott and Jean Scott
Class of 2015-2016 – Barb Vollmar, Howard Bluhm, Charlene Genson, Carter Genson and Tim Downey
The 2016-2017 Otsego Hall of Fame Inductees will be: Edward C. Byers, Jr. and Mary Frazier.
Please help us recognize their contributions to the Otsego Local School District on February 3rd. We will be holding a special reception for our guests of honor at 6 pm in the High School Auditorium and would like to invite all family, friends and the community to celebrate with us. There will be light snacks and cake provided.
We would like to thank the Otsego Alumni & Friends Association for financially supporting the Otsego Hall of Fame. If you have any questions please contact Adam Koch or Lauri Dunham.
Mary Frazier - Teacher
- Taught over 3,000 students in her career and for 48 years
- 1st ever kindergarten teacher at Grand Rapids Elementary
- Recently celebrated her 100 birthday
- http://www.sent-trib.com/community/year-old-mary-frazier-shares-her-life-lessons/article_6d907586-2986-11e6-9892-53e7947d340e.html
- Lifelong member of the Grand Rapids and Otsego Communities
Senior Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. - Otsego Alumni and Navy Seal
- He grew up in Grand Rapids and is a 1997 graduate of Otsego High School
In 2002, Byers attended Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) training and graduated with Class 242. After graduation, he attended the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course. Byers was then assigned to an East Coast SEAL Team.
Byers has 11 overseas deployments with nine combat tours. His personal decorations include the Bronze Star with Valor (five awards), the Purple Heart (two awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards, one with Valor), the Combat Action ribbon (two awards), and the Good Conduct Medal (five awards).
Byers was awarded the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony February 29, 2016 for his efforts during a hostage rescue while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. He is only the 11th living service member to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery displayed in Afghanistan.
Counselor's Corner
5th Grade Career Survey
Important Dates
February 6 - 2 Hour Delay for Teacher Inservice
February 17 - District Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
February 20 - President's Day - NO SCHOOL
February 21-24 - Jump Rope for the Heart
March 1 - 2 Hour Delay for Teacher Inservice
March 17 - End of the Third Nine Weeks
March 20 - Spring Picture Day
March 22 & 23 - ELA State Test for Grades 3-5
March 25 - PTO Father/Daughter Dance - Time TBD
March 27-April 7 - Pennies for Patients
March 30 - 2nd Grade Music Program, 7pm
April 8-17 - Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April 26 & 27 - Math State Test for Grades 3-5
April 27 - 1st Grade Music Program, 7pm
April 29 - PTO Pancake Breakfast and Auction
May 2 & 3 - Social Studies State Test Grade 4
May 2 & 3 - Science State Test Grade 5
May 15-16 - Field Day
May 18 - Kindergarten Graduation
May 25 - Last Day for Students
Otsego PTO
“There’s a Minion reasons to join PTO”
Check out the PTO on Facebook and follow on Twitter @OtsegoPTO
The next PTO meeting is February 7th at 6:00 in the Elementary Library.
PTO Pancake Breakfast
If you are interested in donating items for the auction, please contact suzanne.smith@athenacareers.edu
Follow Us on Twitter
Preschool: @OtsegoPreK
Kindergarten: @OtsegoK1st Grade: @OtsegoFirst
2nd Grade: @OtsegoGrade2
3rd Grade: @OtsegoGrade3
4th Grade: @OtsegoGrade4
5th Grade: @OtsegoGrade5
School Counselor: @OEScounselor
Reminders
SAVE ALUMINUM CAN TABS
Please help our students by collecting tabs from aluminum cans. Each tab is easy to remove and can be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. The tabs help fund various projects for Ronald McDonald Houses and its visitors. Send the tabs in a bag to the school and our students will do the rest!
SAVE BOX TOPS AND CAMPBELLS SOUP LABELS
You can help the school earn money for supplies by collecting Box Tops and Campbells labels from soup, juices and snacks. Our PTO collects and counts them and puts the money straight back into the school.
*This year our PTO is going to collect Box Tops monthly, and the class that collects the most will get a pizza party in May.
Heard a rumor or have a question?
Katrina Baughman
Email: kbaughman@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4005)
Twitter: @kbaughman723
Mike Wiley
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4009)
Twitter: @PrincipalWiley
Lianna Mikesina
Email: lmikesina@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://oesknightscounselor.weebly.com/
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4010)
Twitter: @OEScounselor
Bonnie Armitage
Email: barmitage@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4001)
Jenny Helberg
Email: jhelberg@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4003)