OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - November 20th
Reminder - No school starting Next Wednesday for Thanksgiving. School resumes on Monday, November 30th.
The dashboard is updated as of the end of the day today. I shared the cumulative data with the Board of Education last night. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS INFORMATION This data is what is allowing us to continue in person 5 days a week. We are entering a very crucial time with the virus and community spread. We are not seeing the spread in school and school-related activities and we believe this is a reflection of the Otsego Community doing their best to control the spread. We need this to continue. We want to continue in-person learning 5 days a week! We all have a personal responsibility to do what's right. Please help us continue what we are doing. The holiday season needs to be different this year. Please take a look at the information below from the Wood County Health Department regarding holiday and social gatherings.
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and for my family, this year it's going to be extremely different. Normally we drive to Philadelphia to be with family members we see only once or twice a year. We are staying home this year for the first time in 20+ years. It's hard. My kids are sad, but it's the right thing to do. I hope everyone has a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
LATEST NEWS FROM THE WOOD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
An open letter from the Wood County Health Commissioner to our Wood County community:
We are currently seeing unprecedented COVID-19 numbers across Ohio, including in Wood County. As of today, we estimate that as many as 1 in 50 people in Wood County could be contagious with COVID-19. Because of this, we are urging all Wood County residents to limit both the number and size of gatherings.
This is even more important as we enter the holiday season. We have seen case increases in the weeks that follow holidays throughout this pandemic. In the weeks since Halloween, the total COVID-19 cases in Wood County increased 46 percent, from 2,695 on Oct. 28 to 3,922 on Nov. 18. If we go into the Thanksgiving holiday with increasing cases, we could face even more substantial surges in mid-December and a more daunting challenge at the end of the year.
For us to reverse this trend, all Wood County residents must work together to respond at this critical time. With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in sight, we are imploring everyone to remain vigilant—to make every effort to reduce and prevent the spread of this virus in Wood County. Like many of you, I am growing weary of COVID-19. But now is not the time to give up! If we persevere in doing the things that prevent this disease (wearing masks, 6+ feet of distancing, staying home when sick, and limiting our gatherings), we will see our cases retreat and our community continue to recover.
Last week Wood County was elevated to Level 3 (Red) in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, and it remains so this week. As a red county, we are under a state advisory to limit gatherings of any size as much as possible. So I am encouraging you, as much as possible, to gather with just your household and limit your activities to only those things that are essential. This may include going to work, responding to an emergency, accessing medical care, or getting groceries or food from a restaurant.
It is a distinct privilege to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you during this time. As your health department, we greatly appreciate your continued partnership and resilience as our community continues to navigate this pandemic. Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to a time in the now, not-so-distant future, when we will all be able to put this pandemic behind us.
Until then, stay strong.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Robison, MPH
Wood County Health Commissioner
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.
Board Meeting Highlights
Informational Items
A. Recognition of Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for November:
6th Grade – Rylie Askins, Leo Percival; 7th Grade – Avery Carpenter, Wolfgang Fearing; 8th Grade – Callie Tschappat, Jake Limes; Freshman – Andrew Gase; Sophomore – Adam Kosinski; Junior – Ellie Feehan; Senior – Brayden Timko
B. Otsego Local Schools Update – Adam Koch
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations:
A. Approve the Financial Reports
B. Approve the Five Year Forecast and assumptions CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FORECAST
C. Approve the salary advancement for Jennifer Fallon from Masters to Masters +10
D. Approve all donations to Otsego Local School District
Superintendent Recommendations:
A. Recommend approval for an Indoor Girls’ Soccer Team and Isaac Puffer and Heather Lorenz as volunteer coaches for this winter and spring
B. First Reading of the High School Program of Studies
C. Approved the following changes in personnel:
2020-2021 School Year Supplementals:
Austin Glosser Asst. Junior High Wrestling
Matt Rohn 0.5 Weight Room Supervisor
Matt Dzierwa 0.5 Weight Room Supervisor
2020-2021 School Year Volunteers:
Kortney Sutter
Leah Rieger
New Business:
Fair Funding discussion and resolution
Otsego Urges Lawmakers to Pass Fair School Funding Proposal
Substitute House Bill 305
Senate Bill 376
New plan based upon: 'What students actually need...for success.’
Otsego has announced it is joining hundreds of school districts statewide to support the Fair School Funding Plan, as introduced in the Ohio House as Sub. H.B. 305 and the Ohio Senate as S.B. 376, and is urging lawmakers to seize this moment to make history for Ohio's K-12 public schools.
The plan is an improved and comprehensive, bipartisan remake of Ohio's current funding formula. It is also the product of three years of concentrated volunteer efforts by a group of active school superintendents and treasurers under the leadership of state representatives Bob Cupp (R-Lima) John Patterson (D-Jefferson) and Gary Scherer (R-Circleville). Senators Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Vernon Sykes (D- Akron) introduced Senate Bill 376 to companion the House version. Otsego is grateful for their leadership.
We believe the plan focuses on what students need to ensure a high-quality education. They added it also gives weight to supporting classroom instruction, as well as making sure Ohio public school students can learn in a safe and secure environment while having access to state-of-the-art technology.
The current funding system is broken and unconstitutional; its provisions have no objectively determined relationship to cost or need.
We believe the plan is fair for students and taxpayers, eliminates arbitrary caps on funding increases, reduces artificial guarantees and respects local control.
In addition to Otsego and hundreds of other districts across Ohio, four of Ohio's most influential and prestigious educational organizations also declared their support for the Fair School Funding Plan: Ohio Association of School Business Officials, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Ohio Federation of Teachers and Ohio Education Association.
Bus Information:
As the weather gets colder, so do the buses. We are going to keep the roof vents open because of COVID-19. This is a best practice to keep the air flowing. Please make sure your children dress appropriately. If they wear shorts to school they are going to likely get cold on the buses. We need to keep the vents open this year. Thank you!
Food Pick up for ONLINE STUDENTS: Monday, November 2nd
Food pick-up is Monday, November 30th from 4-5 pm. Please fill the form out below.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FOOD PICK UP for November 30th
Food Service Reminder - Breakfast and Lunches are FREE all year for ALL students. Even if your child packs every day have them try our lunches. We are ok with that. It would be a great opportunity for them to try out our food service program.
INTERNET ACCESS:
We were able to secure a grant to purchase Chromebooks with internet built-in until December 31st. We have a limited supply and available for our students.
1. If you are an online student taking all classes online and have trouble connecting to the internet either because of a weak signal at home or do not have the internet at home please email me and I will get you set up with this Chromebook.
2. If you are a student in grades 6-12 and do not have reliable internet we can swap your Chromebook out until December 31st and you should have reliable internet.
This is an extremely limited timeline grant. I am sorry that the free internet Chromebooks are only able to be used until December 31st.
Please contact me at akoch@otsegoknights.org and I will connect with you ASAP to get you this Chromebook.
Adam Koch
GO KNIGHTS!
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Weston Public Library Vacancy
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TO: All Media
FROM: Judge David E. Woessner, Wood County Probate Court
RE: Appointment to the Weston Public Library Board of Trustees
DATE: November 6, 2020
A vacancy on the Weston Public Library Board of Trustees currently exists. The Weston Public Library Board of Trustees and the Otsego School District Board of Education have requested the Wood County Probate Court fill this vacancy consistent with Ohio Revised Code 3375.15. As a result, on or before November 20, 2020, any party interested in being considered for this appointment should send a letter of interest and other supporting material to the attention of Judge David Woessner, Wood County Probate Court, One Courthouse Sq., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 [probatecourt@woodcountyohio.gov]. By statute, a majority of the trustees shall be residents of the Otsego School District.
Veteran's Day and Wall
Photographs Needed: We need more pictures to fill our wall of fame (picture below) in the commons area that honors our veterans. If you are a military veteran who attended Otsego, Grand Rapids, Haskins, Washington Township, or Weston or lives in the Otsego Community we are requesting that you provide us with an 8 x 10 photograph (hopefully in uniform) to be placed on the wall. You can email a scanned copy of your photograph to akoch@otsegoknights.org or physically bring a copy of your picture to the High School Main Office. Thank you for helping us honor our local veterans.
Staley's Stories
Hello Otsego community,
My name is Jake Staley. I am currently a senior in the Inclusive Early Childhood program at Bowling Green State University, and I am student teaching in a kindergarten classroom at Otsego Elementary. The 2020 school year has brought a lot of hardships and adversity to students and teachers alike. In an effort to relieve some of that stress and support students in their learning, I am launching a project called Staley's Stories. The goal of Staley's Stories is to build a "library" of stories that teachers and parents can share with children.
If you would like to participate, just use Loom, Zoom, Screencastify, or another favorite recording device while reading your favorite book and then send the video to me for inclusion in the "library." In order to send the video to me please upload your video to Dropbox. Dropbox is an app that can be found in any app store or on your computer. Once the video is uploaded to Dropbox you will be able to share that video to mrstaleyreadaloudproject@gmail.com The videos will then be uploaded to YouTube for teachers and parents to access. If you could please introduce yourself, the book title, and the author as part of the recording, that would be great, too. Participating is as easy as choosing your favorite book, hitting "record," and reading it aloud!
Thank you for considering making a contribution to Staley's Stories. I am certain that together we can bring a smile to teachers and students alike through the power of books!
Eagle Scout Project Donation
Dear Otsego Community,
As a member of Boy Scout Troop of 347, Tontogany, Ohio, and a sophomore at Otsego High School, I am currently pursuing my Eagle Rank. I will be building a batting cage for the Tontogany Legion Ball Fields. This project will benefit the community by providing a recreational outlet for the youth of the Otsego Local School District communities. Baseball and softball are popular and the need for another batting cage at the field is great. Especially in these difficult times, outside recreation is extremely important. The batting cage will be 60X18. My project is to fundraise and build the batting cage with the help of my troop. The estimated cost for the project is $2,500. Any funds that are donated to this worthy project would be greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made in the form of a check to Troop 347, with the Neil Amborski, Eagle Project noted in the memo line. The donation can be mailed to 14016 Cross Creek Rd. Bowling Green, Ohio 43402. If you have any questions about the project, please contact me at the e-mail address 23namborski@otsegoknights.org . Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Neil Amborski
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
Monday, November 23
4:15 - 7th/8th GBK @ Fostoria
Monday, November 30
4:15 - 7th/8th GBK @ Elmwood
4:30 - 7th/8th BBK (H) Evergreen
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
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