This Week @ OPS
Good News & Highlights from across the District!
December 20, 2019
Music to their ears
Ensembles from both the middle and high school bands spread holiday cheer to the community this week. They performed for residents at Vicinia Gardens and they loved the music!
Christmas Programs Delight
Learn 'n Grow preschoolers and Dix Street kindergartners delighted audiences this week with their annual Christmas programs. The kids sing holiday songs and always entertain!
Senior Seminar Students talk Scholarships
Larry Collier, president of the Otsego Public Schools Foundation stopped into the OHS Senior Seminar classes this week to talk to students about applying for scholarships, both for college and trade schools. He gave them pointers on the application process and encouraged them to take advantage of every scholarship opportunity out there. He mentioned that one of the $1,000 scholarships last year only had one applicant. The OPS Foundation awards about $20,000 in scholarships on its own, but manages several of the memorial scholarships that are available for OHS students adding up to more than $100,000 more! Each year, students receive a total of almost $200,000 in local scholarships. The scholarships are available in the guidance office and are listed online as they become available at ohs.otsegops.org/scholarships/.
NHS Collects Record Donation
The National Honor Society's annual toy drive for the Otsego Christmas Basket Project brought in a record $4700 this year! This is a donation drive, so the NHS kids get to do the shopping! This way, they're more involved in the process and ensure that recipients are all receiving the equal number of gifts. The kids shop at Meijer, who gives them a discount on toys and a $500 to add to their total! This year, NHS bought gifts for 115 children of all ages. NHS members are proud to be able to help make Christmas bright for so many kids in our own community!
AIM Volunteers at Mileage Club
The AIM kids did a great job of making mileage fun for everyone on Friday. They gave high-fives, did the Macarena, and made tunnels for the kids to run under. There were a lot of smiles!
WCHS Holiday Fun
West Campus High School students enjoyed a break from the day and had their holiday party earlier in the week. They had Pizza Hut for lunch and had fun decorating sugar cookies! The smiles and creativity were a joy to see!
Holiday Snack Time!
The elementary PTOs outdid themselves once again in creating a fun, holiday experience for each student. They arrange a special snack for classes to enjoy together. Thank you to all who volunteer to help coordinate, decorate and serve this special snack!
Alamo Elementary
Students got to decorate their own gingerbread man cookie. It was Gingerbread Day at school, too. Their centerpieces were houses students made and brought in.
Dix Street Elementary
Dix Street students got to make an ornament while they enjoyed a snack mix.
Washington Street Elementary
Building off the school's Disney theme for the year, and the release of Frozen II, WSE's PTO put on a Frozen II themed snack! Kids got to build their own snowman to enjoy and Elsa came to visit!
High school holiday treats
The high school Healthy Living class joined with Mrs. Horton's level 2 class, ASD students, and a few Links to create an amazing opportunity for all. There were about 50 students, and several adult helpers. They split into groups and each prepared a holiday treat. They were able to take home a bag of each one of the treats! It was a fun way for all of the classes to get together.
Be Nice Spirit Week
To make sure all students have a positive week going into break, the OMS Be Nice group puts on spirit week! There is a dress-up theme each day and an activity at lunch to encourage kids to get involved, be kind, notice those around them and challenge each other to do the right thing.
Monday
Students got involved in spirit week by becoming the "i" in NICE at the special photo booth. A big thanks to Art Club students for creating the letters.
Tuesday
There was a crowd around the Be Nice table Tuesday when kids were tasked with writing Positive affirmations for students. Every student received a note during Thursday's holiday movie time.
Thursday
After wi-fi Wednesday, where kids got to bring their own devices to lunch, they enjoyed Trivia Thursday where they answered questions posed on the cafeteria TVs.
Ugly Sweater Contest
The MS week wrapped up with the popular ugly sweater contest! They all entered at lunch, then a top 10 were chosen. Based on applause, students chose the winners at the talent show! Congratulations to Brennon, Teresa & Alannah! (Top 10 below)
Bulldogs Got Talent
OMS puts on its annual talent show right before break. Thanks to our celebrity judges, Mayor Cyndi Trobeck, Otsego grad Meredith Lincoln and Patti Herm for taking on such a tough job! Congratulations to all who participated and to winners. (below)
1st Place
Dance trio of Delaney, Izzy & Mackenzie
2nd Place
Michaela played the ukulele and sang an original song.
3rd Place
Olivia sang "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"
Stuco visits DC Strong to prep for January partnership
The high school student council has a unique partnership planned for 2020. They'll be teaming up with Plainwell High School's student council and work together to raise money for DC strong and help provide a great experience for a local child battling cancer. This week, students visited DC Strong's office in Plainwell to learn more about the organization as they begin planning activities. Both schools plan to host their largest event at Snocoming time. Look for more details in the new year!
OHS Choir Concert
The high school choirs wrapped up a great month of holiday performances on the big stage. The night was filled with beautiful holiday music by the entire choirs as well as soloists. Great job to all this season!
A Tidal Wave of Donations for Helen DeVos
Otsego Junior, Mackenzie Phillips, and the Grand Rapids Tidal Waves Women’s Football team, once again partnered with Dix Street Elementary for the 3rd Annual Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Toy Drive. Mrs. Senn’s and Mrs. Evans’ 5th grade classes have been competing to see who can bring in the most donations. The official drop off at the hospital will be on December 20th. The winning class will have a pizza party on January 10th with the team's coaches and quarterback. Between the two classes, the students donated 583 items!
All-State Honor
Congratulations to senior Caleb Piersma who was selected as first chair bassoon for the Michigan Music Conference MSBOA All State Band. This is the 2nd year he's received this honor!
And much, much more!
This was such a wonderful, busy and fun week! Check out more activities on the Otsego Public Schools Facebook page!
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