Otsego Elementary Extra
Principal's Weekly Update - February 8, 2019
Important Dates
2018-2019
February 15 - NO SCHOOL, Professional Development Day for Teachers
February 18 - NO SCHOOL , President's Day
February 19-22 - Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart)
March 2 - PTO Pancake Breakfast, 8-11am
March 5 - PTO Meeting, 6pm, Elementary Commons
March 6 - Family Fun Knight
March 12 - Kindergarten Round Up, 6:30pm, Elementary Commons
March 15 - End of the third nine weeks
March 28 - 2nd Grade Music Program, 7pm, HS Auditorium
April 2 - 3rd-5th Grade ELA State Test, Part 1
April 2 - PTO Meeting, 6pm, Elementary Commons
April 3 - 3rd-5th Grade ELA State Test, Part 2
April 11 - 1st Grade Music Program, 7pm, HS Auditorium
April 13-April 21 - Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
April 24 - 3rd-5th Grade Math State Test, Part 1
April 25 - 3rd-5th Grade Math State Test, Part 2
April 30 - 5th Grade Science State Test, Part 1
May 1 - 5th Grade Science State Test, Part 2
May 7 - PTO Meeting, 6pm, Elementary Commons
May 11 - PTO Knights Run, Time TBD
May 13 & 14 - Field Day(s)
May 24 - Last Day of School for Students
2018-2019 School Year Calendar
Get real time calendar on our website!
District:
http://www.otsegoknights.org/apps/events/calendar/?id=0&id=1&id=2&id=3&id=4&id=5&id=6&id=7
Elementary only:
Important Food Service Information
Parents, please check your student's meal account balances. We have several students at or over the three meal charge limit. We send letters home twice a week with elementary students and also email parents at all grade levels.
The free and reduced meal applications are available online or in the school office. CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATION
As many of you may remember we have the "Pay it Forward" account which is to keep students from receiving an alternate meal. At this point, the account is nearing zero. If you are interested in donating to the Pay It Forward program please contact Jeanne Jeffers, jjeffers@otsegoknights.org or Adam Koch, akoch@otsegoknights.org. Once the Pay It Forward account gets to zero, we will have no choice but to implement our districts unpaid meal charges policy, which follows.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Jeanne Jeffers, 419-823-4381 ext 1104 or jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
- Lunch Menu
- Elementary - Lunch Menu
- Breakfast = $1.10, $0.30 for students who qualify for reduced lunches
- Lunch = $2.75, $0.40 for students who qualify for reduced lunches
Yearbook Order Final Deadline
Orders can be placed online using ID 11450219 or forms can be picked up in the office.
Kindergarten Round Up and Registration for the 2019-2020 School Year
This is for all incoming kindergarten students including those that are in the Otsego preschool program.
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:30pm, Otsego Elementary School will be holding a Kindergarten Round Up Meeting. This meeting is for all parents of incoming kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year. Students must be 5 years of age on or before August 1, 2019 to enter kindergarten.
Kindergarten Round Up will include basic information about kindergarten, explanation and distribution of registration forms, and an opportunity to sign-up for your child's Kindergarten Screening time slot in June of 2019.
Feel free to bring proof of residency, certified original birth certificate, photo ID of parent/guardian, immunization record, and complete court file-stamped custody papers (if applicable) to the meeting and we can make copies and add them to your student's file following the meeting. If you are unable to bring them at this time, please plan to have them at your screening appointment in June.
If you are unable to attend this meeting, but have a student entering kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year, please stop by the Otsego Elementary Office anytime starting March 13, 2019 to pick up a registration packet, or you can download and print the forms from our school website (otsegoknights.org) under the Parent tab on the Elementary Page.
If you have any questions regarding Kindergarten Round Up, registration and/or screening please call the Otsego Elementary Office at 419-823-4381 Option 4.
Preschool Registration for 2019-2020
*Please note: You will need your $210 deposit as well as the $40 supply fee with you when you register. If you qualify for free tuition with the required paperwork or are placed on the waiting list, your deposit/check will be returned.
*Students must turn 3 on or before August 1st, 2019, and be completely potty trained (unless on an IEP), to attend preschool. Also, 3 year olds may ONLY attend 2 or 3 days per week and are not eligible to attend more days.
IF YOU HAVE A RETURNING PRESCHOOLER, PAPERWORK TO CONTINUE IN THE PROGRAM WILL BE SENT HOME BY FEBRUARY 4TH WITH YOUR STUDENT.
Blizzard Bags Update
Otsego Local Schools has now used all five of our state allowed calamity days. State law requires us to make up any additional time loss after five days. As it is only late January, we anticipate we will face more snow or severe wind-chill before the winter is over.
The Ohio Department of Education allows us to use what’s commonly called “Blizzard Bags” to make up the sixth, seventh, and eighth missed days of school. Blizzard bags are online lessons that students can do at home.
Students must complete the assignments for them to count towards attendance. Students have two weeks from the date of the closure to complete the assignments. Otherwise, students will be counted as absent.
We have now met our 5 day total. On day six, seven, and eight, we will assign Blizzard Bags to students, to be completed. You and your child will be notified through various forms of communication with detailed instructions on how to complete them. By doing this, we avoid having to make up days at the end of the year which could negatively impact family plans.
Please notify your child’s school if you have any questions or your child needs alternative arrangements to complete Blizzard Bag assignments.
A Message from the P.E. Teachers
TENNIS SHOES PLEASE!!!!!!!!
Parents/Guardians:
Tennis shoes are a must for physical education class!!! Students have PE every other school day. We suggest if they do not wear them to school, that they please keep them in their backpacks or their cubbies/lockers.
Thank you so much for your cooperation and keeping your child(ren) prepared for class and safe.
Amy Konoff & Freda Rehbein
Kids Heart Challenge
Save the Date for STEAM Camp
PTO Valentine Candy Gram Fundraiser
PTO Pancake Breakfast
A Message from the School Nurse
We have had a few cases of Type A Influenza. Please take precautions with increasing hand washing and wiping down surfaces with a disinfectant. Below is a handout to brush up on Flu info.
Thank you!
Jane Gray RN, BSN
419-823-4381 Ext. 4002
Powerschool Parent Access
Parents can access student grades and attendance through the Otsego website.
www.otsegoknights.org, students tab, online grades
All students user ID is their lunch number and all passwords are the first 3 letters of the student's FIRST name with the first letter being capitalized (Jane would be Jan).
If you have any trouble logging on, please call the office at 419-823-4381, option 4.
OES Parent Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures
Morning Drop-Off
Please use the entire length of the drop off zone (even past the crosswalk) to keep the line moving. If all cars pull up as far as they possibly can we can fit more vehicles along the sidewalk and more students can exit at a time. This will make drop-off go quicker while maintaining safety.
Students should only be let out on the side of the car that is next to the curb. This is to avoid students being hit by a moving car in the lane farther away from the curb. If your student needs to get out on that side of the car, please park in a parking spot and have your student walk into the building using the crosswalk.
Please do not stop in the crosswalk. If you are dropping a student off, please do not stop your car in the crosswalk. This is a safe place for students to cross, and when there are cars in the crosswalk it creates a safety concern.
The second lane is for driving only. No students should be let out of the car in the lane farther from the curb. Students should only be exiting cars onto the sidewalk so that we can ensure their safety.
Please remember to NOT park your car in front of the school! The line needs to keep moving to efficiently get students into the school in a timely manner, and when there is a parked car in the drop-off line, the whole process gets backed up. If for some reason you need to leave your car, please use the available parking spaces.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Please use the entire length of the pick-up zone (even past the crosswalk) to keep the line moving. If all cars pull up as far as they possibly can we can fit more vehicles along the sidewalk and more students can get into their vehicles. This will make pick-up go quicker while maintaining safety.
Please do not stop in the crosswalk. If you are picking a student up, please do not stop your car in the crosswalk. This is a safe place for students to cross, and when there are cars in the crosswalk it creates a safety concern.
The second lane is for driving only. No students should get into their car in the lane farther from the curb. Students should only be entering cars from the sidewalk or by using the crosswalk so that we can ensure their safety.
Please remember to NOT park and leave your car in front of the school! The line needs to keep moving to efficiently get vehicles out of the pick-up zone in a timely manner, and when there is a parked car in the line, the whole process gets backed up. If for some reason you need to leave your car, please use the available parking spaces. If you are parked while you are waiting for your student (and you are IN the car), that is fine.
THANK YOU so much for your understanding and compliance with these procedures to ensure our students’ safety. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Katrina Baughman, Elementary Principal.
Important Transportation Information
Elementary Bus Passes: We will no longer be able to accept bus passes for grades PK-5 for your child to ride home with a friend on another bus route. We have seen our transportation numbers increase over the past several years and in order to continue to operate the most efficient way possible, we will no longer be able to accept bus passes in the elementary.
If you have any questions, please contact the elementary school office or Eva Vasher.
_____________________________________________________________
Sign up to receive text messages from our Transportation Department!
Using the directions below, sign up for one or more of the notification groups.
You may opt-out any time by texting ‘unsubscribe’ to the appropriate group.
High School & JH Buses (Bus Routes for grades 6-12 & Penta)
Text: @otsbus6-12 to 81010
Elementary Buses (Bus Routes for grades PK -5)
Text: @otsbuspk-5 to 81010
If you have any questions about bus routing information, please contact me at evasher@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 3156
Kindergarten Celebrating Global School Day of Play
Knight in Shining Armor Nominations
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Please use the following form to inform OHS Student Council about a family in need within the school district. While the family does not need to have students in the district, we do ask that they are a member of the Otsego Community. Use this form to share information about their current situation as well as how they can best be assisted.
Please be sure to understand that while Knight in Shining Armor (KISA) would love to help all community members in need, we are still a new program, and may not have the funds to do so. With that being said, we will consider each request on a case by case basis. Filling this form out does not guarantee that we will be able to assist the family, but we will try our hardest to do so!
Here are some things that we have done with KISA funds:
- School supplies were purchased for multiple families.
- Gas money has been provided to get to and from medical treatment.
- Food cards have been provided to help families afford meals while going through medical treatment.
- Cash donations have been made to families to help assist in paying bills during medical treatment.
- Gift cards and supplies have been provided to help make ends meet after housing emergencies have occurred.
We now have TWO ways that you can nominate a family in need. Bookmark the link below to use as the need arises. You can also find this link on the Otsegoknights.org webpage under the "District" tab.
Please do not hesitate to nominate a family in need, and KISA will do their best to help out!
Happy Friday, Knights! Only two quick reminders from me today.
First, Random Acts of Kindness Week kicks off on February 18th and runs through February 22nd. Like last year we will have kindness nomination forms available for your student to recognize someone in the building who has impacted their life in a positive way. We will also be working to create moments of kindness throughout the building and into the community. Be sure to look for more information coming home this next week, as a way to participate in making a change for good.
As we look forward to the spring, I wanted to let everyone know that spring small group counseling will be starting the beginning of March and run until May. At this time topics are not solidified, so if there is an area of need that you think could be filled, please let me know and send any referrals my way. Thank you all for your ongoing support. Stay warm.
Warmly,
Ms. Syrowski
Otsego PTO
Check out the PTO on Facebook and follow on Twitter @OtsegoPTO
The next PTO meeting is March 5th at 6:00 in the Elementary Library.
**Babysitting is provided!!**
Upcoming Post Prom Fundraisers
Community Events & Information
Upcoming Events at Weston Library
Kids Tech University @ BGSU
Kids' Tech University (KTU) is a science outreach program now in its 8th season at BGSU that provides a true university experience for children by introducing them to a scientist, and providing hands-on activities that let kids explore scientific concepts. The morning sessions feature a talk and extended question period with the invited speaker. Afternoon sessions will include a series of hands-on activities relevant to the session topic that the children can participate in with their parents. Topics covered in this year's program will include the importance of human factors in the design of new technologies, the science behind our sense of taste, climate records in the earth's crust, and plant interactions with insects. To participate, children must be 9-12 years old as of Sept. 30, 2019. There is a $100 registration fee to participate. However, scholarships support for registration fees are also available.
Please contact the KTU Program Director, Dr. Paul Morris, at: pmoris@BGSU.edu for more information.
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
Principal: @kbaughman723
Assistant Principal: @PrincipalWiley
STEM Teacher: @jemartinez714
PE Teacher: @AmyKonoff
School Nurse: @nursejaneots
Otsego Food Service: @Otsego_Cafe
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
You can help the school earn money for supplies by collecting Box Tops. Our PTO collects and counts them and puts the money straight back into the school. (We earn 10 cents per Box Top). If you are able to collect a lot of these, it would be great if you could turn them in in groups of 50, but we will take them even if they are not grouped together.
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
Elizabeth Syrowski
Email: esyrowski@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)
Deputy Brian Ruckstuhl
Email: bruckstuhl@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (2099)
Elementary Blizzard Bags are available online under the "Parents" tab on the Otsego Elementary School website or at this link: elementary blizzard bags
If you are unable to print off the Blizzard Bags when school is cancelled, please ask your student's teacher for a copy.