Otsego Middle School
April 12, 2024
Monday, April 15
FCS - 6:45 a.m. - Media Center
Rehearsal for Honors Night
Drama Club - 3:00 p.m. - OHS Choir Room
Tuesday, April 16
Student Council meeting - 7:15 a.m. - Mr. LaRowe's room
Art Club - 2:50-3:45 p.m.
Stained Glass Club - 2:50-4:30 p.m.
Honors Night - 7:00 p.m. - OHS Audt.
Wednesday, April 17
Delayed Start - Doors open at 8:45 a.m. and 1st hour starts at 9:15 a.m.
PSAT for 8th graders
Stained Glass Club - 2:50-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18
- High School Counselors will be visiting 8th grade ELA classes
- 8th Graders Visit OHS - 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Friday, April 19
- Wyldlife - 2:50-4:30 p.m. - Media Center
8th Graders to Take PSAT on April 17th
In the spring, it is a requirement that all public school students in grades 3-11 be assessed in Math & English Language Arts. The PSAT replaces the ELA & Math M-STEP for our 8th graders. The PSAT must be taken on the scheduled state testing day. This year, the test for 8th graders will be Wednesday, April 17th. Our 8th graders will begin testing at 9:30 a.m. Students should report to their 1st hour class at 9:10 a.m. There are four sections to the test along with one scheduled 10 minute break. PLEASE try to avoid absences on this day as make ups will need to be conducted. Students will need to bring a calculator, graphing calculators are allowed, with them to the test. If your student does not have a calculator, one will be provided. Students should also bring 2 sharpened pencils and a water bottle. The PSAT test is given in 8th, 9th& 10th grades in preparation for the SAT in 11th grade. Students are not allowed to bring cell phones, smart watches or airpods into the testing room. Those items must be kept in their locker on testing day.
REMINDER: End of the Year Field Trip Registration & Money Due Fri., April 19th
On Tuesday, June 11th, OMS will be venturing off on their grade level field trips! Students joined a Google Meet meeting this week to learn all about the details of the trip! We have included all of the links below. Please keep in mind that this is a trip students earn by good attendance, behavior and grades. In order to attend any of the trips, the following criteria must be met:
Have less than 7 absences during the 3rd trimester.
Have less than 2 office referrals during the 3rd trimester. A student may be ineligible for the trip if they are suspended out of school for any reason or are assigned to in-house suspension during the 3rd trimester.
Passing all 6 classes.
Complete registration by deadline.
Should you have any questions pertaining to the trips, please contact the field trip coordinators.
6th Grade - Ms. McEvoy - cmcevoy@otsegops.org
7th Grade - Mr. Alkire - nalkire@otsegops.org
8th Grade - Mrs. Koenig - mkoenig@otsegops.org
Not sure if your student has all of their forms turned in for the upcoming 7th grade field trip?
Click below to check and see if your student is all set.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w5_P0PfLkMlVThzCU2OdO5KAQpLMEAxTDEa1E63Syxg/edit
6th Grade Field Trip Information
Students should Join Google Classroom Code: w4sqvh2
Reminder: Deadline to register and pay for the trip is Friday, April 19th.
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Our final parent-teacher conference designated evening is right around the corner. Please know you can always contact our teachers if you have a concern or a question, you don't need to wait until this designated evening. Conference times are 10 minutes in length. Please click on the link to choose which teachers and which times you would like to meet. If you need to adjust your conference time, there is a button at the top of the sign up to adjust it.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0945A4AB29AAFC1-49049152-parentteacher
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024, 05:00 PM
Otsego Middle School, Washington Street, Otsego, MI, USA
Meet our April Students of the Month!
Pictured above left to right - 6th graders Carsen Perry & Ava McDaniel, 7th graders Jaden Shaffer & Morgan Thomson, and 8th graders Reid Anderson & Alexis Chaivre
Perseverance is Key!
Pictured below is a collage of our monthly assembly. This month, we showcased the word “Perseverance” as our Capturing Kids Hearts Character word. Several students shared how they persevere in the classroom and how it motivates them to be their best. Then, each grade competed in the game “The Human Knot”, where each student had to untangle themselves back into a circle. Congratulations to the 7th graders for taking the win!
CKH Leadworthy Word = Perseverance
What is Perseverance?
Perseverance is the willingness and ability to keep going when things are tough. People who persevere show steadfastness and give the extra effort needed to do something despite how hard it is or how long it takes to reach the goal.
Why focus on Perseverance?
- Perseverance encourages positive self-talk and thinking. When faced with difficult tasks, perseverance helps students reframe with positive thoughts, such as: "I'm not good at this YET!"
- Perseverance develops empathy. Students gain a better understanding of who they are and develop more empathy and compassion for others who may struggle to reach a goal.
- Perseverance sparks personal growth. Pushing through complex tasks builds resilience and helps students discover how capable they are.
Perseverance in Action:
- Share stories and challenging experiences. Be vulnerable and share personal experiences when you have struggled with a task or concept and had to work hard to push through.
- Praise effort and process, not intelligence or performance. Affirm students for the process they used to tackle tasks and point out how their abilities grow through their own hard work.
- Give your students the chance to struggle. Struggle builds self-confidence, independence, and perseverance. Resist the urge to intervene immediately and give students time to figure it out.
Link of the Week!
Lydia is an incredible LINK who demonstrates patience, empathy, and flexibility on a daily basis. Lydia consistently goes above and beyond to meet and anticipate the needs of her peers. We are so lucky to have Lydia in LINKS at OMS!
M-STEP Testing to Take Place April 29-May 7
Students in grades 3-8 and 11 will be assessed on Michigan's current content standards in English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science & Social Studies. This year, the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress) window is April 8th through May 17th and is an on-line format with the 8th graders going first. Replacing the 8th grade ELA & Math M-STEP was the PSAT. In addition, 8th graders will be tested in Science & Social Studies. Grades 6th & 7th will be tested in English Language Arts and Math. It is very important for students to be in attendance on these scheduled testing dates. We will be testing April 29, 30, May 2, 3, 6 & 7 from 7:45-9:40 a.m. After that, we will return our 6 period day. This schedule will allow each class period to test first thing in the morning when students are fresh and rested. Thank you in advance for ensuring that your student is here, well rested and has had a good breakfast. We are excited for them to show all that they know. They have been well prepared, and we are confident they will hit a homerun!
6th Grade Tapping the Power of Nonfiction
Our 6th graders in ELA class are ready to get going with our Power of Nonfiction unit. Teachers are hoping to begin chatting about the books with students on April 22nd and handing out books on April 29th. Check out the links below on the unit overview as well as the teaching points.
Solar Eclipse at OMS!
Volunteers Needed for Day of Awesomeness on May 15th
Register Now for Summer Sports Camps
8th Grade Dance
May 10th - 7-9 p.m.
Attention 8th grade parents! We have some volunteer and donation opportunities for the 8th grade dance. Links are below. Interested in joining the committee? Please contact either one of our co-chairs Becky Bohl bbohl@otsegops.org or Kecia Bronson at jkbronson@charter.net
Attendance Line - 269-694-7580
Have you filled out your Free/Reduced Meal App?
Have you filled out the Free/Reduced Meal Application yet? Another round of PEBT cards will be coming out, you must qualify for free or reduced meals to receive this benefit. Applying is easy! It takes less than 10 minutes and you only need one form per family. Click here to get started: https://www.otsegops.org/departments/food-service
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
988--Suicide Prevention HotlineThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress
Gryphon Place: 269-381-4357 (HELP). Gryphon Place is a 24/7 service for immediate emotional support or crisis.
Text Hotline: Text the word HOME to 741741. This is a resource for texting support when someone is in emotional distress.
Otsego Middle School
Email: mkoenig@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 540 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: 269-694-7500