Otsego High School
Weekly Newsletter (Semester 2, Quarter 4, Week 6)
From the Desk of Mr. O'Shea
School Nutrition Employee Week.
Please join me on, Friday May 5, 2017 "School Lunch Hero Day" and recognize the hardworking professionals in our school cafeteria. When you're in the cafeteria let them know what a great job they do for you.
Between preparing healthy meals for students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, school nutrition professionals are true heroes. Thanks ladies for all your hard work and dedication.
Upcoming Dates/Events
May
5/8-End of Course SCI test part one (Orange Day schedule)
5/9-End of Course SCI test part one (Black Day schedule)
5/10-End of Course SCI test part two (Orange Day schedule)
5/11-End of Course SCI test part two (Black Day schedule)
5/13-OTSEGO HS PROM-6:00PM, Grand Lenhart Ballroom, BGSU
***Week of May 15th-Make-up testing, students just pulled from class to test.
5/17-FFA AG DAY
5/21-HS Graduation, 2:00pm, HS Gym, Seating is first come, first served
5/25-Last Day for students
Summer Testing Re-Take Option
In an effort to get students on track with achieving success on the AIR assessments, Otsego, through PENTA, will be offering a summer intervention and testing opportunity on July 25th, 26th and 27th from 9 AM to noon. July 25th and 26th will be devoted to important academic intervention/support for 3 hours each day and the test will be administered on Friday, July 27th.
A commitment to participate can provide your student with a jump start in getting on track prior to the start of the new school year at a minimum cost of $25 per student. All AIR classes including Algebra I, Geometry, English, Biology, American History and Government will be taught by certified academic teachers Penta and associated schools.
Parents/students can register online at http://www.pentacareercenter.org/AIRAcademy.aspx.
I have attached an informational packet and registration sheet as well. We will send out letters to students that we feel should take advantage of this opportunity.
13 Reasons Why
As a school district, it is our job to focus on the social, emotional and academic needs of all students. This is why we felt it was important to reach out to all Otsego Local School families and make them aware of a new television series that is a bit concerning to us.
13 Reasons Why is a new series on Netflix and is already claimed to be the most watched series that Netflix has ever produced. If you have not watched or heard about this series, it follows a high schooler who has received 13 cassette tapes made by a classmate before she died by suicide; the tapes explain her 13 reasons for killing herself, essentially uncovering dark secrets that caused her suicide.
Here are a few of the concerns surrounding the series:
- This show is FICTION, though many people (children and adults alike) are taking the show as the reality for many high school students today.
- The graphic depictions of bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and suicide can be very triggering, especially for anyone who is or has struggled with any of these things.
- Young people may over identify with the characters in this show, particularly the main protagonist, Hannah, who dies by suicide.
- The show very much over-simplifies suicide. The majority of people who have suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or die by suicide, have an underlying mental illness that they need professional treatment for. This show does not mention mental illness, or specifically, depression, at all. Not even once.
- The 13 tapes created by Hannah before her death romanticize the ability to speak to people “from the beyond.” This is completely unrealistic. The tapes would have taken a rational mind to create; Hannah was not thinking rationally near the end of her life. In fact, most people who die by suicide end up acting impulsively at the very end. Suicide notes are not common.
- The other theme throughout the show seems to be about how kindness can save lives. Sounds great, right? After all, we want our children to be kind. However, Hannah references in almost all of her tapes that if that person had just done one thing differently, she might not feel as badly as she does. In the last episode, Hannah says, “Some of you cared. None of you cared enough.” Kindness is not enough; suicidal ideation requires PROFESSIONAL help! Again, this is not mentioned AT ALL in this series.
Let’s not let the message to our children be that if they had just been more kind to so-and-so, maybe they wouldn’t have killed themselves. Talk about guilt!
- The adults in this series, yikes. None of them appear to know how to help when they see their children/students struggling, or they don’t have the time. This is also a very dangerous message. The School Counselor in the series, Mr. Porter, is cringe-worthy when it comes to his responses to Hannah in the last episode. He is dismissive, distracted, and unhelpful. We need our children to know that there ARE adults who will listen and who know how to help them.
- There are little to no help-seeking behaviors shown in this series. Hannah appears to be helpless and hopeless. The series offers no alternatives to suicide as a means to deal with serious problems.
- Contagion. Experts in this field know that research shows that young people are more likely to attempt or die by suicide themselves after experiencing a suicide death of someone close to them (about 4 to 5 times more likely). You might say, “But this is just a show. They don’t really know Hannah.” And you would be right, except that there has already been an increase in young people who are attempting suicide in the same way depicted in the show. Contagion is real.
- Finally, producers of this show claim to have consulted suicide experts and medial portrayal experts. The truth is that they did not consult said experts until after the show was already completed.
Why are we sharing this information and sending this out? We have received a few parent phone calls and emails surrounding this series and we feel, as a school, that there is a possibility that this program could affect the emotional safety of our students.
Please know that when we take this topic very seriously and that every student’s well-being is our number one priority. When we discuss any mental health concern with students, our emphasis is for them to identify and tell a responsible adult. Our fear is that this series could be giving our children mixed messages about the appropriate ways to help a friend.” If you have questions and or concerns please contact us.
Seniors and Parents of Seniors:
Please make sure that the following two forms are completed ASAP. The Senior Survey is for ALL seniors to complete and is mandatory. This is also how seniors will indicate where their final transcripts will be sent at the end of the year. Only OHS seniors can complete this. This is due by May 2, 2017.
The Scholarship Information for Graduation Program is not mandatory for seniors to complete, but is mandatory for any senior who wishes to have scholarships printed in the graduation program. In order to have their scholarships listed in the program, it is the responsibility of the senior student to enter the information requested on the form and then verify all the information with copies of award letters to Mrs. Clary no later than 5/9/17. Grants and loans do not count as scholarships and will not be listed. Any scholarships awarded on Academic Awards Night will be listed automatically for our seniors.
SENIOR PARENT LETTER OF IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP
Our seniors are looking forward to the closing weeks of school with great anticipation. This letter is to advise you of the activities and requirements for seniors during the closing days leading up to graduation.
Tuesday, May 9th
- Academic Awards Night (7:00pm in the Otsego HS Auditorium).
- Last day to submit scholarship info to Mrs. Clark in order to guarantee printing in graduation program.
Friday, May 12th
- All outstanding fees are due on this date if paying by check. Please make checks payable to: Otsego BOE.
Saturday, May 13th
- Prom at BGSU Grand Ballroom (ticket sales end May 5th).
Tuesday, May 16th
- Last regular day of school for OHS seniors.
- If you are taking correspondence courses (not CCP), your final transcripts are due this day.
- Senior Cookout (11:30am - 1:00pm in the HS Gymnasium.
Wednesday, May 17th
***Exams for OHS seniors. These dates may change weather permitting (fog).
Thursday, May 18th
***Exams for OHS seniors. These dates may change weather permitting (fog).
Friday, May 19th
- Senior graduation practice (8:00 AM in OHS Commons)
- Attendance is MANDATORY: All seniors who plan to participate in the graduation ceremony MUST attend this practice.
- Seniors, please dress nicely for graduation practice and bring your cap and gown with you. We will parade through the hallways of the HS/JHS/Elementary after
rehearsal.
- A breakfast will be provided for you by the cafeteria staff.
- Make-up day for exams for Seniors.
PENTA IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, May 11th
- Penta Senior Exams.
Friday, May 12th
- Penta Senior Exams
- Last day for Penta Seniors, All outstanding school fees are due.
***Penta students are still responsible for paying their Otsego class dues and any outstanding balances.
Tuesday, May 16th
- Penta Senior Recognition Ceremonies for select programs.
Wednesday, May 17th
- Penta Senior Recognition Ceremonies for select programs.
Thursday, May 18th
- Penta Senior Recognition Ceremonies for select programs.
Sunday, May 21st
- Graduation Ceremony (2:00 PM in the Otsego High School Gym)
- The OHS gym seats at least 1500 people – finding seats for anyone wishing to attend should not be a problem.
***THERE ARE NO TICKETS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION.
- Seniors must be at OHS (meet in corridor “C”) by 1:15 PM.
- Boys should wear dress pants, dress shirt with a collar and tie, dress shoes and socks (no sandals or tennis shoes).
- Girls should wear a dress, skirt, or dark pants with dress shoes that are dark or neutral in color with a moderate heel (no flip-flops, floppy sandals, or tennis shoes).
- Seniors who do not participate in the graduation ceremony may pick up their diplomas in the OHS Office on or after May 23rd.
This is an exciting and memorable time for your senior. Otsego students have traditionally behaved like ladies and gentlemen at all school activities. We have come to expect this from all Otsego students, and it is the exception rather than the rule, when this does not happen. A word of caution about senior pranks - please talk with your son or daughter and help us keep the last few weeks safe and devoid of any controversies which might affect graduation activities. In order to avoid potential problems, we will again have campus security.
Please review the dates and activities with your senior so that everyone may cooperate to make the last days of school and graduation a pleasant occasion that will be remembered with pride.
Seniors and Scholarships
April and May scholarships are arriving quickly! Several local scholarships that are due right after we come back from spring break. Many are turned in to Mrs. Clark's office. Do not miss out on these scholarships. This is money specifically for our graduating seniors! All local scholarship information can be found at the 2017-2018 Community Scholarship page. Contact Jen Wronkovich-Clark with any questions (jclark@otsegoknights.org).
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award!
Jen Mag and OTSEGO HIGH SCHOOL Received the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School Award! Congratulations Jen.
This award recognizes high schools that help to keep young athletes safe. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.
In order to achieve Safe Sport School status, as Otsego High School did the following:
- Create a positive athletic health care administrative system
- Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations
- Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities
- Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment
- Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes
- Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions
- Provide or facilitate injury intervention
- Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan
- Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education
- Be sure athletes and parents are educated of the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities
For more information please visit: www.athletictrainers.org.
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
All-Star Driving
All Star Driving is in need of 2 more students to sign up for the May class. Check out allstardriversed.com for details.
PSAT Sign Up
On October 10, Otsego High School will be offering the PSAT for any interested sophomore and junior student. The PSAT measures what you learn in high school and what you need to succeed in college. There are many benefits to taking the PSAT. It will connect you to scholarship opportunities, from the National Merit Scholarship Program and scholarships through their partners. It can help you prepare for other nationally standardized tests like the SAT and the ACT. The PSAT provides students with excellent feedback on your results, including a breakdown of what you answered correctly and incorrectly. You will even receive free practice through Kahn Academy that is tailored to meet individual student needs.
In order to register for the PSAT, students need to complete the form below. There is no fee to take the test, and it will be offered here at Otsego High School. If you do register, you will be required to take the test. Registration will be available through May 25th. We cannot accept late registrations, as all tests are ordered in June.
Racing for Recovery
Spring Testing Dates
Below are the dates that Otsego High School will be administering each test. (Note: Other high schools may have chosen different dates to test. Also, this does not reflect the JH and Elementary testing times either).
Science State Tests (EOC Biology Exams)
5/8, 5/9, 5/10, 5/11
*Freshman and Sophomores ONLY
KNIGHT in Shining Armor Fund
Student Council is asking for your help to begin a new fundraiser to help those afflicted when an unexpected situation occurs. The Otsego High School Student Council has decided to create a year round fund, the Knight in Shining Armor Fund, to be used to aid families in our community in times of misfortune.
Tutoring Services
Crisis Text Line Ohio
Any person may need help in coping with a stressful situation. Reach out by text to communicate with someone trained to listen and respond in a method that is private, secure and confidential. See attachment for more details.
Applying to PENTA Career Center
How to APPLY to PENTA Career Center - Click Here
Admission to Junior or Senior Programs
CLICK HERE for the online application for admission to a Junior or Senior PENTA program for the 2017-2018 school year.
Application for Career Assessment and/or Admission to the Sophomore Exploratory Program
The online application for students who need a Career Assessment or who wish to apply for admission to Penta’s Sophomore Exploratory Program for the 2017-2018 school year is available now by clicking HERE.
Athletics Department
Communication/Updates
***For the most up to date Schedules please go to the main HS Website, these only get posted once per week and may not reflect changes. High School Website with updated Dates
Music Department
Alumni Choir Scholarship
Seniors: Please see attached link for information about the Alumni Choir Scholarship.
Transportation Department
News from the Cafeteria
Menus
2016-2017 Lunch and Breakfast Schedules
If you have questions please email our Food Service Director, Jeanie Jeffers
Madi Kregel - Chasing her Dreams
Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net is welcoming five student reporters that will be helping cover the 2017 Ohio FFA Convention May 4th and 5th.
Next year, Madi will be attending Ohio University, where she will be studying broadcast journalism at OU’s E.W. Scripps, College of Journalism. She hopes to someday be a reporter or anchor for The Today Show on NBC.
Community Events
Fitted for Success
Informational Flier - CLICK HERE
Wood County Department of Job & Family Services is now accepting applications for the Wood County School Supply Program. JFS will be assisting 500 Wood County students who will be in grades K-12 for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year with backpacks, school supplies, shoes, socks and possibly hats and gloves.
Income eligibility is for families at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. For a family of 4, this is $4,100 or less in gross income per month or $49,200 per year.
Applications must be received by July 31, 2017. Applications can be picked up or mailed on request. See attached flyer for details. Assistance is provided on a first come/first serve basis.
Information can be found on Poverty guidelines at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.cfm. There is a chart calculating 200% of poverty on the following site,
Youth Employment Opportunities
The Youth Employment Program at the WCESC is recruiting Wood County youth ages 14 to 24 for summer employment opportunities.
Summer Employment Informational Flier - CLICK HERE
“Jobapalooza!” - Informational Flier - CLICK HERE
This event will be held on May 13th at the BGSU Perry Field House. This is a free fun event open to everyone, with the goal to recruit youth for our program.
If you are aware of any businesses or organizations who could use some “free” workers this summer please contact Leslie Head at the Wood County Educational Service Center. (lhead@wcesc.org)
Volunteers Needed for Wood County Special Olympics Basketball!!!
Wood County Prevention Newsletter - SPECIAL EDITION
Weather with Ronnie!
Communication with the High School
2016-2017 Otsego High School Staff Directory
Below are a few of the other ways to connect with us and to have access to updates and communications from us. Please remember that we desire two-way communication and encourage everyone to reach out to us and ask questions, voice concerns, and give feedback. Thank You.
1. High School Website The Otsego Local Schools site highlights what is important to us and the community. The website layout uses responsive design, meaning that it will adjust for tablets and mobile devices. We will keep the high school site updated with pictures, news articles, and other important information regarding the district and the building.
2. Remind 101 (Text to: 81010 Message: @otseg there is no "o" at the end just @otseg. Thats it. You will receive a message that says you've been added to our group. You will receive text messages straight to your mobile device). If you don't want to text, you can go to https://www.remind.com/join and just type in (otseg) as the class code.
3. Twitter (follow @otsegohsoffice or @KosheaOHS)
4. District App:
Classic Joke of the Week:
A: Because they want to do SUMMER-saults...Duh!
Have a Great Week.
Kevin O'Shea - High School Principal
2016-2017 Otsego High School Staff Directory
Email: Koshea@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://highschool.otsegoknights.org/
Location: Otsego High School, Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
Mr. Ferdig - Dean of Students
Email: tferdig@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://highschool.otsegoknights.org/
Location: Otsego High School, Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Mrs. Wronkovich-Clark - School Counselor (Grades 10-12)
Email: jclark@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Twitter: @CounselorClark
Mr. David Fryling - School Counselor (Grades 6-9)
Email: dfryling@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Mrs. Betsy Roberts - High School Secretary
Email: broberts@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Twitter: @OtsegoHSOffice
Mrs. Jane Gray - District Nurse
Email: jgray@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://www.otsegoknights.org/
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Deputy Brian Ruckstuhl - School Resource Officer
Email: bruckstuhl@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381