OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - January 25, 2019
School Calendars were approved last night. Graduation date is not set but it will be within the month or so.
Levy Information: The final resolution was passed last night for an income tax levy. We will be placing a .75% Income tax on the May 7, 2019 election. We are looking for volunteers to be on the Levy Campaign Committee. Please consider helping on this team. There will be a meeting on February 6th at 6 pm in the High School Library for anyone interested in being on this team. Please fill out the form below if you are interested and please plan on joining us on February 6th.
Click Here Volunteer for the Levy Campaign Team
The Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night. Below are the highlights.
Informational Items
A. School Board Recognition Month - I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Otsego Board of Education for their public service to the Otsego Community. I would encourage you to do the same. School board members are citizens whose decisions affect our children — what they learn, who will teach them and what kinds of facilities house their classrooms. These are men and women elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for our public schools. With the advice and counsel of the educational professionals they hire, our school board has an impact on virtually every aspect of our schools. It’s a huge responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.
The staff and students at Otsego are asking all local citizens to take a moment to tell a school board member “thanks for caring about our children’s education.”
Otsego is a great school district and having consistent leadership from our Board of Education is a great benefit. Judy Snyder, Mark Tolles, and Brad Anderson have been board members for 10 years, Elizabeth Gorski 16 years, and Jamie Harter has been serving our school district for 20 years! Thank you, Otsego Board of Education! Thank you for caring so deeply about this community!
B. Recognition of Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for January:
6th Grade – Allison Lee, Travis Merrill; 7th Grade – Rylie Kregel, Trey Studer;
8th Grade – Miriam Armas, Tucker Brooks; Freshman – Sophia Konrad,
Sophomore – Madison Wilkerson, Junior – Jake Tercha, Senior – Sadie Helberg
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the December Financial Report
B. Approved the Estimate of Revenues for Submission to Wood County Budget Commission
C. New Funds - Elementary Club: Be the Change 200- 9297; Biddy Wrestling 300-9298
D. Approved the Salary Advancements for the 2018-2019 school year for Lisa Grimmer from Masters +10 to Masters +20 and Brooke Riley Masters to Masters +10
E. Approved all donations to Otsego Local School District
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approve a Resolution Submitting to the Electors of this School District the Question of Imposing a School District Income Tax Pursuant to Section 5748.02 of the Revised Code per Exhibit 6
B. Approve the County Service Agreement – Consortium Services for 2019-2020 school year with Wood County ESC per Exhibit 7
C. Approve the assessment instruments used for Gifted Identification per Exhibit 8
D. Approve the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school year calendars per Exhibit 9
E. Approve the College Credit Plus Partnership Agreement with Owens State Community College and The University of Toledo for the 2019-2020 school year per Exhibit 10
F. Approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the Otsego Educators Association
per Exhibit 11
G. Final reading of the High School Program of Studies for 2019-2020 per Exhibit 12
New Business:
A. Consider recommendation of appointment of the board of the Weston Public Library
-The Board of Education made motions to not approve a recommendation from the Weston Library and to approve Sean Thiebaut as a member of the Weston Library Board Member.
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B. Discuss an Art trip to Paris – Debbie Bowers
- HS Art Teacher, Debbie Bowers pitched an idea of a trip to Paris with HS Art students. This trip will be at NO cost to the district. Information will be sent out through the High School Office and Mrs. Bowers. This trip will happen over spring break in 2020. More details to come.
Approved the following changes to personnel:
Resignation:
Hanna Frate, Junior High Cheerleading coach, effective March 20, 2019
Classified Employee One-Year Limited contract for 2018-2019 School Year:
Tonya Boyer, Custodian II, effective January 31, 2019
2018-2019 Non-Certified Substitutes:
Todd Buehrer, Sharon Hill, Veronica Roeser
2018-2019 Volunteers:
Benjamin Huffer
GO KNIGHTS!
Adam Koch
Blizzard Bag Information
Thank you for the part you play in making sure your children receive the education they need to prepare for their future. That includes making sure they arrive at school on time and ready to learn.
Otsego Local Schools are nearing our five-state allowable 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.
OTSEGO ELEMENTARY STEAM CAMP - SAVE THE DATE
Weston Library Information
Information 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
Otsego Endowment Foundation
Otsego Endowment News:
The Otsego Endowment Foundation is looking for actively engaged people who care about our school system and want to make a difference. We are working on a new and exciting event to raise money for innovative school initiatives. In the recent past, we have funded extraordinary projects like the Robotics Lab, STEM Curricula materials for the elementary, the Community Garden, reading and language arts materials, drones, virtual reality equipment and more, providing $168,472 in funding for school initiatives, and $14,000 in education awards to graduating seniors since 2012. We want to continue to grow the foundation so that we can continue to provide stimulating opportunities that elevate the education of our students where the school budget is unable to do so. We hope to launch a new fundraising event that will engage more people in the community. We need your help to do so! Please consider getting engaged with our group. We meet the second Monday of the month in the high school library at 6:30 pm, eight times a year. We are using our March meeting as a launching pad for event planning and new members. Won’t you consider coming and seeing how you can make a difference for our kids?
Mark your calendars now: Monday, March 11, 6:30 pm, Otsego High School Library.
Preschool Registration
Preschool Registration for 2019-2020
We will begin accepting registration paperwork for NEW preschoolers on Tuesday, February 19th at 8:00am. Paperwork will be online to print out or available for pick up in the Elementary Office beginning February 19th. We will NOT be accepting or distributing paperwork prior to February 19th. Classes are on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to register early as classes fill up quickly.
*Please note: You will need your $200 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.
Kindergarten Roundup
On Wednesday, 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.
Edward C. Byers Jr. Awards for Exceptionalism and Heroism
Master Chief Edward C. Byers Jr. is starting two awards for our students in Grades 6th through 12th. Please take a look at the attached video and letter from Master Chief Byers. Please use the nomination form in the letter to nominate our students. You may turn in nomination forms to the Central Office any time before April 1st. We will mail them to Master Chief Byers. The awards night is May 9th and Master Chief Byers will be in attendance to hand out the awards.
Message from Master Chief Byers
Career Discussion Opportunity
Otsego Community -
We are excited to offer new and innovative experiences for our junior high and high school students. We are inviting professionals such as yourself to come interact with our students as an opportunity to engage them in real-world work experiences through the eyes of an expert. This will be a forty minute experience for our students in which you can present information that would be beneficial as they begin to explore their careeroptions. Things to consider during the presentation would be educational requirements, expectations as they enter the workforce, experiences they can anticipate in your career field. What we are aiming for are real conversations between working adults and our students. We are so excited to share our students with you so that you might be able to inspire a few and not only educate students about their career interests but to also maybe inspire them to follow your career path! We want to give our students an idea of what your job entails, but also to tell them how you got to where you are. What the future job market looks like? What certifications and credentials are needed? I have included below a list of suggested essential questions that can be used to guide your discussions but please do not think that you are limited to these. The groups will be smaller in size. Sample questions that may be asked by students: Describe your typical workday and workweek. Is it 40 hours? More? What skills are most important to you in your work? What interests did you have which led you to this field of work? What education, training, certification, licensure, advanced degrees or credentials do you need to do your work? What employment path did you take that led you to where you are now? What is the employment outlook for your line of work? What challenges do you face in your work? We have put a calendar together for you to choose a date that works best for you. You may choose to talk to Junior High Students (grades 6-8) or High School Students (grades 9-12). Simply click on the building below that you would like to share your experiences with and select a date that fits in your schedule. You will enter in the front of the High School and someone from the office will walk you down to the room. Junior High Success Period Presenter Sign Up Link
Town Ball Registration
Otsego PTO EVENTS
ATHLETICS
Youth Otsego Baseball Camp - Walk-ins welcomed
Junior High and High School Sporting Events
Friday, January 25
6:00 - JV/V GBK @ Genoa
Saturday, January 26
8:30 - 7th/8th WR @ NBC Championships (Fostoria)
9:00 - 8th GBK (H) Fostoria *NBC Tournament Game
10:15 - 7th GBK @ Woodmore vs. Eastwood *NBC Tournament Game
3:00 - 7th/8th BBK @ Rossford (Rossford Recreation Center)
4:45 - 9th BBK (H) Northwood
6:00 - JV/V GBK (H) Ottawa Hills
Tuesday, January 29
4:45 - 9th BBK (H) Liberty Center
6:00 - JV/V BBK (H) Liberty Center
Thursday, January 31
4:15 - 7th/9th WR (H) McCord/Delta
4:15 - 7th/8th BBK @ Woodmore
6:00 - JV/V GBK @ Elmwood
Friday, February 1
4:45 - 9th BBK (H) Elmwood
6:00 - JV/V BBK (H) Elmwood *Little Knights Cheerleading
Saturday, February 2
12:00 - JV/V GBK (H) McComb
4:45 - 9th BBK (H) Patrick Henry
6:00 - JV/V BBK (H) Patrick Henry
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Sonlight Church and Community Center Winter Schedule (Jan-Mar)
Sunday, 6:30-8: basketball grades 6-12
Monday, 6-8: Youth group/ dodgeball
Tuesday, 6:30-8: basketball grades 5 and under
Wednesday, 6:30-8: TeamKID, ages pre-school to 6.
Thursday, volleyball, grades 6-adult
CALCULATE FUN ON STEM NIGHT: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 WITH THE WALLEYE
Join us for Toledo Walleye STEM Night presented by Penta Career Center, supported by RMF Nooter, on Friday, February 1. Beginning at 5 p.m. we’ll have STEM activities provided by Penta Career Center, with Toledo taking on Tulsa at 7:15 p.m.
- Check out a Formula Student race car built by students and experience speed control using die-cast toy cars.
- Learn what it’s like to be a welder using a virtual welding training system.
- Use hand-held controllers to program and operate Motoman robots just like those used in area manufacturing facilities.
- Experience how chefs use safety techniques in the kitchen with pH testing experiments.
- Fly a drone through an obstacle course and play Socketball using VEX robots.
STEM Night tickets are discounted to just $15!
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
Sponsors
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
Jon Rife, Junior High Principal
Email: jrife@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @OJHS_Principal
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