Otsego Middle School
June 25, 2018
Upcoming Events
Tuesdays & Thursdays - OMS Football: Strength & Agility Training - 9-10am @ OHS
Aug. 6 - 6th Grade Camp (and school pictures) - 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Registration opens at 9:30 a.m.
Aug. 29 - Meet & Greet (and school pictures) - 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 - First Day with students
We Will Miss You!
Remind Messages
Students Ready for IChallengUth
Six Otsego Middle School students are taking the challenge of a real industry problem this week at the IChallengUth 5-day summer program. During this program, incoming 7th - 8th grade students work in a team at a local business or organization to solve a real-world issue they are facing. Participating students get the unique opportunity to explore innovative local businesses, learn new skills, and meet new friends. The program culminates in a presentation at the end of the week in which the students pitch their solution to the local business.
Our STEM teacher, Mr. McCallum, and Allegan Area Educational Service Agency’s Science Consultant Amy Oliver, will facilitate the week. Otsego has teamed up with Parker Hannifin Corporation, Pneumatic Division, and Brian Binning, the division quality manager, for this summer.
IChallengUth is a part of the Ottawa County Intermediate School District’s Future Prep’d program. Otsego is the first school to pilot this program in Allegan County. McCallum attended Future Prep’d for training last summer and participated as a teacher in IChallengUth with other schools in Ottawa County. He’s excited to have the opportunity to bring this program closer to home. “I have assembled a team of six OMS. They are all excited to be part of the team and experience something new. Among other things students, will be sharpening their soft skills by using the Skills 4 Success and learning problem solving strategies with the Creative Sequence,” McCallum, explains. The students will answer the question: “How can we improve the packaging system for product repair kits to better meet customer needs?”
Students got right to work Thursday. After a brief orientation, they traveled to Parker to tour the facility, learn about the problem, discuss it and begin identifying constraints. By Monday afternoon, they will have developed a solution. They’ll present a prototype for a small audience at the school on Tuesday before their Final Presentation at Parker Hannifin Corporation for the Richland Operations Management Team and Division Staff Management on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.
This is a great visual of how schools and local companies can work together to increase interest in the engineering field and also provide opportunities for students to see how engineering concepts and strategies they learn in class apply to our local industry.
1:1 Parent Meetings
Thanks to voters' approval of our recent bond, OPS is able to provide each student their own Chromebook this fall, commonly called "one to one" or "1:1". We are very excited about the learning possibilities this provides our students!
Before distributing devices, we want to prepare you for this new digital environment. Last week we held six meeting times for parents to learn about the guidelines, expectations, insurance, distribution and new technology handbook details regarding the transition to a 1:1 classroom in the fall. (Students will attend meetings during the first week of school.)
If you were unable to attend one of the 1:1 parent meetings, last week, we will be scheduling additional meetings in August. Look for those dates on our OMS parent webpage https://oms.otsegops.org/apps/pages/parents
Once they are posted, I will also send out a Remind message. Please remember that in order for your student to receive a device, at least one parent must attend one of the meetings and complete a consent form. We plan to deploy devices on Wed., Sept. 5th to students during the school day.
Calling all student athletes!
It is that time of year to begin thinking about getting ready for your next athletic season. Our middle school athletic webpage is updated with the “Need To Know” information to participate in athletics for the 2018-2019 school year! Please go to otsegops.org , click on athletics and then click on middle school! You will see the information and as you read click on, please complete the brief on-line form (click on or right click). Parents, please talk with your student athlete to check and make sure they have not already signup this week during lunches. Also, attached is the listing of local clinics that will be offering Sports Physicals for $15.00. Please remember we are a middle school that participates and follows the rules and guidelines of MHSAA. Have a great summer!
Sports Physicals Available
Allegan Professional Health Services is pleased to be offering clinics for Sports Physicals at all four of our office locations. An appointment is not needed if you plan on attending one of the clinics listed below:
Gobles Medical Clinic
Tuesday, July 31, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
406 N. State St.
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-2196
Fennville Medical Center
Tuesday, July 24, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
200 N. Maple
Fennville, MI 49408
(269) 561-8761
Allegan Medical Clinic
Monday, July 30, 5 – 7 p.m.
551 Linn St.
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 686-5800
Otsego Medical Center
Thursday, July 26, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
900 Dix St.
Otsego, MI 49078
(269) 694-9640
Sports Physicals are $15.00 per child and are not billable to insurance. Please complete, sign, and bring with you the MHSAA form given to you by your school. If you are unable to attend with your child, make sure to send a note giving consent for your child to be examined and the person whom you authorize to act on your behalf. If you are unable to attend one of the clinics listed above, you may call to schedule an appointment with one of our providers or be seen without an appointment at our Walk-In Clinic located within the Allegan Medical Clinic.
Our providers strive to give the best care, and want to make sure you know the differences between a Sports Physical and a Well Child Exam:
· During a Sports Physical, your provider is checking to make sure your child’s current health meets the requirements to play a particular sport. The provider checks basic criteria, such as height, weight, flexibility, vitals, and strength.
· A well-child exam is a more thorough, comprehensive exam. Your provider often covers topics such as your child’s health history, behavioral and developmental milestones, nutrition, sleep, preventive health, and any necessary lab work. Within the exam, your child will get a full physical, immunizations if needed, and a completed form to be cleared for sports if requested.
If your child hasn’t received a well-child exam this year, please call your child’s primary care provider to discuss scheduling an appointment for this.
If your child has already received a well-child exam for the calendar year, please call the office as there may have been enough done to complete the sports physical form. If not, a sports physical can be scheduled with their primary provider, or you can come to one of the above dates.
Summer Office Hours
Application to Participate in STAND 2018-19
“Students Taking A New Direction”
STAND is a grassroots middle school based alcohol and other drug abuse prevention program committed to the idea that empowerment of youth is a key element in the creation of drug free communities. The STAND program is designed for the middle school student, with attention to their positive youth development and skills. Being a part of this organization will offer opportunities for building relationships, participation in meaningful activities and the assumption of responsibility. It will offer opportunities for meaningful participation and responsibility (skill development, community service, parent involvement, social activities and safety awareness). If you are interested in helping to promote a drug free and safe environment at OMS, we would love to have you apply to join! STAND will meet every other week starting in October at 6:45 in the Media Center. Students will have the opportunity to sign up to bring in a healthy breakfast item to share once meetings begin.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tera Secord, the STAND advisor or Mrs. Kalleward the co-advisor. Please carefully consider if you are willing to commit to this organization and apply by filling out this application. We are seeking people who really want to make a difference and have lots of fun!
Mrs. Secord 269-692-6199 ext 6520 Mrs. Kalleward 269-692-6560 Please click on the link for the STAND application https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yiR2k8KVXXfV0-Gk7TcMxhotbTMqJ1hIIjEcn5M6Nb4/edit?usp=sharing
Avoid the Summer Slide
Summer is also a great time to enjoy reading. Our local library kicked off their summer reading program on June 16th. The program runs through July 28th. Stop by and check it out!
13 Reasons Why - Tips from Oakland County
We received this helpful information from Oakland County regarding the popular Netflix series "The 13 Reasons Why." We found the article to be helpful and timely.
The second season of the Netflix original series “13 Reasons Why”, based on a popular novel of the same name, was released on Friday, May 18.
The first season, which was popular among adolescents, raised significant concerns for parents, educators, and mental health professionals because of its dramatic and graphic portrayal of difficult issues such as sexual assault and suicide. The Journal of American Medical Association Internal Medicine study found that internet searches related to suicide were 19% higher in the 19 days following the series release.
Season 2 tells the story of the characters' attempts to return to a normal life following the suicide of their peer. It also centers around a story of rape that occurred in Season 1 and covers other sensitive subject matters such as sexual abuse, substance abuse, mental health, and bullying.
Due to the popularity and the subject matter of the series, the Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force is providing the information below to assist parents in conversations with their children about these serious and sensitive topics. It is important for adults to be aware of what youth are watching. This includes monitoring access to content and viewed content via computers and mobile devices. It is suggested that:
- Parents/caregivers view the series first if possible.
- If you consider the series suitable for your children, watch it with them.
- Please note, the series is not recommended for vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, per the National Association of School Psychologists.
- Create a safe, judgment-free zone when talking about the series and the subject matter.
- Use the “13 Reasons Why” Discussion Guide created by Netflix to help guide conversation about sensitive topics related to the series.
- Access resources created by the Oakland County Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, including a Parent Toolkit and Suicide Warning Signs Flyer.
- Reach out for help if you feel you and/or your child needs it. Call or text the Common Ground Resource and Crisis Helpline at 1-800-231-1127 or chat online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.commongroundhelps.org.
Encourage your child to understand the "13 Reasons WHY NOT" (below) created by Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, a Task Force member agency.
OPS Compliment Box
Free & Reduced Lunch Application
To determine if your child is eligible for free or reduced breakfast and lunch, you can apply atLunchApp.com. Paper copies are available in our office.
Otsego Middle School
Email: mkoenig@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 540 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: 269-692-6199