This Week @ OPS
Good News & Highlights from across the District!
November 27, 2019
Since this is a short week, we've combined it with last week to bring you the latest in the great things happening across the district! Happy Thanksgiving and have a great break!
Thanksgiving Feasts Across the District
From preschool to seniors, it's been an incredible week of students getting together with each other, their families and staff to focus on what they are thankful for.
Young 5's
The Young 5's class at Dix Street welcomed their families to the classroom to enjoy snacks for and thanks!
Friendsgiving
Alamo 3rd graders enjoyed a Friendsgiving feast. They learned about a special friend and wrote them a letter to tell them why.
West Campus Celebration
Students at West Campus were surprised to walk into a decorated room last week and were treated to a feast of spaghetti, meatballs and garlic toast!
OHS RISE Hosts Thanksgiving Feast
OHS RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) students (Level 2 & Level 3 at the HS) put on a Thanksgiving Feast for staff and other guests on Tuesday, November 19th. They had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls and desserts! They decorated the tables and added a special touch where people could write down what they are thankful for on the paper table coverings. The kids also wrote what they are thankful for on the SMART Board.
This is not only a fun event for the kids, but as Mrs. Horton wrote, "The students get to put into practice life, reading, math and social skills and they see people invited into their space. It's a truly meaningful and wonderful opportunity for all involved."
Both lunches were packed! They cooked and served food for about 30-40 people. All of the leftovers were packed up and sent home with a few of our own students whose families could use the meals.
Prepping the meal
Students from both the Level 2 & 3 classes prepared the meal!
Lunch Buddies
The students loved sitting with their favorite teachers for lunch.
Trivia Time!
Trey reads turkey/Thanksgiving trivia to the crowd at 2nd lunch.
Wobble Wobble
How fast can turkeys wobble? Just ask these 1st graders who discovered the answer during their weekly "Mystery Science" lesson. They were exploring gravity and friction to make turkeys wobble down a string. What a fun way to learn!
OMS Science Classes Visit WMU
Our 7th grade STREAM students are currently working on alternative energy proposals to submit to the Lexus Eco Challenge. To help in their research and understanding, they took a field trip to Western Michigan University to learn about how solar power is a renewable energy source and how it can be used to reduce overall energy costs. WMU officials walked them through their solar garden and the students also got to check out their solar car, the Sunseeker, that engineering students drive in competitions. On top of that, they toured a number of labs where students had an opportunity to see how solar can be used to power household items.
Divers Land All-State Honors
Congratulations to Sophomore Abie Sullivan and Freshman Kennedi Reed for scoring an All-State performance last weekend! Abie took 3rd and Kennedi took 8th in diving.
Mamma Mia Workshop
Auditions for this year's high school musical are just two weeks away! To help students prepare for the audition process, learn what's expected from participants and to get their feet moving, Mrs. G held a musical workshop. Choreographer, Patti Herm, led students in a bit of one of the numbers.
Outdoor Discovery Center Visit
Our kindergarten and 1st grade students are piloting a life science unit with the Outdoor Discovery Center this year with a focus on birds. They have bird feeders hanging outside each elementary school. They are learning to observe and collect data. The ODC visited last week to connect with the kids and show them three different birds of prey.
Turkey Trot
WSE held its annual fundraiser fun run this week. It was a gorgeous day on Tuesday for kids to head out and participate in the Turkey Trot! The PTO prepared a fun snack and drink and kids did lots of fun turkey-related activities in class before the break.
Turkey Trot Treat
Students enjoyed a fun turkey-shaped popcorn and goldfish snack.
Bulldog Pride
The Otsego Bulldog was around for the trot giving high fives to all!
Gobble gobble
High fives from parent volunteers in the gobble zone of their lap.
Be Nice Leaders Host New Student Lunch
With 75 students in Be Nice at OMS this year, they are able to divide and conquer to impact more students in more meaningful ways. One of the many teams/committees is the Welcome Committee. Their goal is to provide a pizza lunch for all new students to the school for that month. They held their first one in November and had a great time playing minute-to-win-it games and getting to know their new classmates.
Preschool Nature Walk
Our Learn 'n Grow preschoolers took advantage of the nice weather, too, and explored outside. They learned about different textures outdoors and also stumbled across a few footprints!
Funds of Knowledge for 5th graders
Mrs. Breese is implementing a new feature in her classroom, Funds of Knowledge. It's a topic she's implementing for a graduate class. Funds of Knowledge allows teachers to learn more about their students and their culture and family through family members sharing their careers, talents or interests. With a simple ask at conferences, she has a long list of parents coming in to talk to her class. This week, dad Mike Babin came in to talk about his work at Eaton, Corporation. He shared what the company makes, but also what his job entails and where he's been able to travel. Mrs. Breese has about one parent a week coming in sharing tips and tricks on organization, sales, glass fusion, voting and elections, photography, programming/coding, and video game designers just to name a few.
OHS and LNG Team Up
High school engineering and computer science students took on a project to help out the preschool. They designed, cut and assembled bird feeders. Each feeder looks like a different animal. They'll hang outside on the nature trails for the birds nearby and for students to observe.
Peace Poster Contest Winner
Congratulations to 6th grader Riley Black for winning the Martin Lions Club Peace Poster Contest Her work was chosen from 140 6th, 7th and 8th grade students work. This year the theme was "Journey of Peace". The Martin Lions Club is gracious enough to sponsor Otsego Middle School students because Otsego does not have a Lions Club. Riley received a $50 gift card for this win and her art work will now be judged in a regional competition.
Dress a Teacher
The top fun run earner in each classroom at Alamo won a prize to dress the teacher! They came up with some fun ones!
24-hour music marathon!
The biennial band-a-thon took place last weekend from 4pm Friday to 4pm Saturday! There were more than 100 different musical performances featuring all of our bands, alumni, special guests, solos and ensembles! There was also a silent auction, vendor sales and more!
Have something to share for our new "Weekly Good News"letter?
Let me know! Email or text me!
Have a great weekend and #GoDawgs!
#OtsegoPride
Holly McCaw, Director of Communications
Email: hmccaw@otsegops.org
Website: otsegops.org
Location: 400 Sherwood Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: 269-694-7910
Facebook: facebook.com/otsegops
Twitter: @OtsegoSchools