OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - September 18th
The updated district dashboard is below. What a great safe and healthy week we had at Otsego. A large group of quarantined students will return on Monday. The data on the dashboard and below represents the latest numbers as of the end of the day today. Please remember that if your children are quarantined that you must stay at home for the duration of the 14 days. Not just at school. I know it is not ideal but the health order that we are given from the Wood County Health Department is that quarantine students must stay home and not be in the general public.
CLICK HERE FOR THE OTSEGO COVID-19 DASHBOARD
Information from the Health Department Regarding Flu Shots and Flu Season
You can help us help the community by sharing these talking points with your employees, customers, clients, family, friends and other members of the community. Please feel free to use these in your newsletters, social media posts or media interviews as well. A PDF is included for you to forward to your contacts. Thanks for all your work.
You can help lessen the potential strain on our community’s health care system this fall and winter by getting a flu shot.
- Getting a flu vaccine means you’re less likely to get sick or spread flu viruses to others.
- CDC recommends flu shots for anyone 6 months or older.
- Fewer people with the flu means hospitals can more easily treat patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- 93 people in Wood County were hospitalized for influenza during the 2019-2020 flu season. This included 50 women and 43 men.
- The most severe recent flu season was 2017-2018, when 203 people were hospitalized. The five-year average is 101.
- 12 percent of hospitalizations were in people under age 18 for 2019-2020. The likelihood of hospitalization increases with age. Age 36-55 (14 percent); Age 56-64 (24 percent); Age 65+ (44 percent)
Nothing’s foolproof. Getting a flu shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, but it helps . Just like wearing a helmet or seat belt helps keep you safer if you’re in an accident. Flu vaccines reduce the chances you’ll get flu, and if you do get sick, they can make your illness less severe. Preliminary effectiveness for the flu vaccine was 39 percent in 2019-2020.
This fall and winter present a lot of health concerns, including COVID-19, colds, stress, and depression
- Getting a flu shot increases your odds of not having to worry about flu.
-Contact your health care provider, or stop in to a pharmacy to get your vaccine by the end of October or go to https://vaccinefinder.org/.
- Learn more about flu shots at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccinations.htm
We need all hands on deck this fall and winter – get a flu shot by the end of October to help our community. It won’t protect you from COVID-19, but it can help ease the strain on our health care system. Getting a flu shot helps you and your friends, family and neighbors stay healthy.
Healthcare and social service providers:
School leaders, teachers, and other school employees:
A yearly flu vaccine is a first and most important step in protecting against the flu. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine by the end of October. Children who need two doses of vaccine to be protected should start the vaccination process sooner because the two doses must be given at least four weeks apart. A 2014 study showed that flu vaccine reduced children’s risk of flu-related pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission by 74% during flu seasons from 2010-2012.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness, like babies and young children, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions.
Quarantined: If a student or staff member has been in close contact with another individual that tests positive for COVID-19 the student will be required to quarantine for 14 days from the date of close contact. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes of the positive individual. The quarantine may end only after 14 days if the student/staff member was symptom-free the entire time.
Isolated: If a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19 they are to isolate at home for 10 days since the symptoms first appeared. The student or staff member may return when there have been 10 days since symptoms began, no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and COVID-19 symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours.
Contact Tracing: We will contact trace through multiple means. We will start with all of our seating charts in classrooms and on the bus. We will also check to see what extracurriculars the students are involved in. We will also be directly communicating with the students to get a detail of their day. The contact tracing will start two days prior to a student having symptoms. For example, if a student tests positive for COVID-19 and symptoms appear on a Wednesday, we will contact trace and determine if any individual had close contact (within 6 ft. for more than 15 minutes) on Monday or Tuesday of that week.
Safety Video:
In collaboration with the Village of Tontogany and the Wood County Sherriff's Office, please visit this short video for safety reminders on our roadways, parking lots, and inside the village. #BeSafe #OtsegoKnights
Food Pick up for ONLINE STUDENTS: Monday, October 5th
Our second food pick up for online students will be Monday, October 5th. The time of the pick up will be from 5 to 6 pm. The location will be the same as the summer pick up. (behind the HS near the football field). We need all signups to be completed by Wednesday, September 30th. We will be providing 10 days worth of breakfast and lunch.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS
We received some great news regarding lunches this week. Starting Monday, September 14th, every single student will receive FREE lunch and breakfast! The USDA extended its reimbursement rules until December 31st. Therefore, starting Monday and running through 12/31/20 all students can go through the line and get a breakfast and a lunch for FREE and the USDA will reimburse Otsego for this meal. Students can still bring in money for their account if they would like to buy extra meals or ala carte items. This process remains the same.
Free and Reduced Applications – We still need those who may qualify for free and reduced meals to fill out their yearly application. You can fill this out online at https://www.lunchapplication.com/ This data is used in multiple different areas and it is very important that we have accurate information.
Adam Koch
GO KNIGHTS!
Board of Education Highlights
Recognition of Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for September:
6th Grade – Quinn Lashaway, Monty Martin; 7th Grade – Janelle Brooks, Ayden Balister; 8th Grade – Grace Dickson, Jacob Obringer; Freshman – Lia Barfield; Sophomore - Joseph Brewster; Junior - Nick Seeger; Senior – Savannah Pickett
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approved the Financial Reports
B. Approved the new Fund 200-9379 – Class of 2024
C. Approval of the Appropriations and Amended Certificate
D. Approved the Payment-in-lieu of Transportation for the 2020-2021 school year
E. Approved the salary advancement for Kirsten Martinez from Masters +10 to Masters +20 and Curt Williams from Masters +20 to Masters +30
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approved the agreement with Midwest Regional ESC for vision services
B. Approved the transportation agreement
C. First reading of the NEOLA Policy revisions
D. Approved the following changes in employment:
Resignation:
Tina Madden, Preschool Aide, effective end of day 8/28/2020
Approve the substitute teacher list as submitted by the Wood County ESC
Classified Employees One-Year Limited Contract for 2020-2021:
Lezlie Hacker Aide, Step 0 effective 9/4/2020
Laurie Limes Music Assistant
Deb Null Custodian, Step 5 effective 9/14/2020
Amy Zimmerman Bus Driver, Step 1 effective 9/1/2020
2020-2021 School Year Supplementals:
Stevan Jechura Quiz Bowl
2020-2021 School Year Substitutes:
Mandy Nusbaum
Athletic Booster Golf Outing Sign up
PTO FUNDRAISER
Otsego Food Pantry
The Otsego Food Pantry is always willing to help those in need. This service is by appointment only. Please call, text, or email to schedule.
Otsego Food Pantry
c/o Lisa Hatfield
PO Box 261
17700 Beaver Street
Grand Rapids, OH 43522
Phone: 419-830-1051
Email: otsegofoodpantryoh@gmail.com
Housed in the Grand Rapids First Presbyterian Church – Supported by our Community!
Athletics
Friday, September 18
7:00 - V FB @ Genoa
Saturday, September 19
9:00 - JH/HS XC @ Genoa Battle of Turtle Creek (Genoa HS)
10:00 - JV FB (H) Genoa
Monday, September 21
4:00 - GG @ Van Buren (Fostoria CC)
4:15 - 7th/8th VB @ Fostoria
Tuesday, September 22
5:00 - BS @ Van Buren
5:30 - JV/V VB @ Elmwood
Wednesday, September 23
4:15 - 7th/8th VB @ Elmwood
Thursday, September 24
4:15 - 7th/8th FB (H) Eastwood
5:00 - GS (H) Rossford
5:30 - JV/V (H) Rossford
7:00 - BS @ Rossford
Friday, September 25
7:00 - FB @ Rossford
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
14U Orange Crush Baseball 2020-21
Orange Crush baseball spirit wear is now open!
*All items before Christmas
Please help support 14U Baseball Team
OUR SHOP DETAILS
- Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/rnhqcDnnpB
- Store Open From: September 23 – October 2, 2020
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
SPONSORS
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.com
Board Member: Gordon Digby gdigby44@gmail.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
Becky Buchman, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: bbuchman@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @buchman_becky
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, Custodial, and Maintenance
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Emily Bires - Director of Food Service
Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe