Otsego Elementary Extra
Principal's Weekly Update - May 19, 2017
Staff Spotlight - Sue Tressel (Miss Sue)
Mrs. Sue Tressel (AKA- Miss Sue) has been an Otsego Preschool Teacher since 2007, with more than 20 years of preschool teaching experience. She graduated from the University of Akron with her Bachelor's degree and Pre-Kindergarten Teaching Certification in 1990. She has been married more than 25 years and is blessed with two lovely daughters, Lydia and Leah. Besides school activities and family time, she enjoys going for walks, reading, and cooking.
Happy 50th Birthday to Miss Sue!
School Supply Kits Available
Please see the flyer below for information and directions on how to order!
Important information regarding student registration
Final Forms to replace InfoSnap for our online student registration:
We are excited to announce that Otsego Schools will be utilizing Final Forms for our online student registration starting with the 2017-2018 school year. You will be receiving an email from Final Forms in the near future to set up an account, SO PLEASE DO NOT DELETE IT!
Follow the instructions in the email and once your account is set up you will be ready to register your returning student(s) with ease!
If you do not receive an email from Final Forms please check your SPAM/JUNK folder and then contact Lisa Austin at laustin@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 1100, as we may have an incorrect email address on file for you.
Please Pick Up Your Child's Medications
If your child has any medication/epi pen/inhaler held in the school office, please pick up these item(s) up by Friday, June 2nd. The office is open between 8:00am and 4:00pm.
We are required to dispose of any item(s) not picked up by a parent.
If your child will need any item(s) again next school year, we
will need new paperwork filled out and item(s) returned
in August.
Reminder from the Cafeteria
Parents, your student’s lunch balances must be paid before school is dismissed for summer break. Any balances negative or positive will transfer with the student to the next year. This also includes any free student’s that had a balance prior to the National School Lunch Free and Reduced form being turned in.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jeanne Jeffers at 419-823-4381 ext.1104 or email jjeffers@otsegoknights.org.
Attention Parents of Incoming 5th Graders:
5th grade camp will be September 13, 14, and 15. Mark your calendars now. If you would like to assist Otsego Elementary School in some fashion with 5th grade camp, email Mr. Wiley at mwiley@otsegoknights.org. We will have more information as we get closer to the beginning of the school year.
Summer Reading Program
The Weston Library and Otsego Schools are excited to announce that we will be teaming up again this summer to offer a summer reading program in each Village the month of June and July. We will have weekly story time for children birth to 4 years old, and programs and prizes for students 5-18, and weekly sensory activities and library time for special needs individuals.
The theme this year will be BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY. There is also a kick off to the Summer Reading Program on June 1st. Please come out to this free event on June 1st from 5:30 to 6:15.
Monday - Weston @ Library
Tuesday - Tontogany @ Elementary and Grand Rapids @ Library
Wednesday - Haskins @ Village Hall and Weston @ Library
Thursday and Friday - Weston @ Library
There will be a combined Reading RewardsDay on July 31st from 10:00 to 12:00 at the Otsego Elementary Commons. There will be games, pizza, and drawings to win prizes such as a Fitbit, IPAD, Gift cards, Bikes, Mini Scooter, Xbox and lots more!
The more you read and attend the weekly events, the better your chance at winning awesome prizes! Please contact the school or the Weston Public Library for more information.
You can also get free books this summer at Barnes and Noble. Click here for more info
Class List Information for August 2017
Otsego Elementary School
Grand Rapids Library
Weston Library
Haskins Post Office
Summer 2017 Extended Care Program
Registration now open.
Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 5, 2017 to Friday, August 11, 2017
Closed July 3, 4 and 5 for the holiday
Registration packets may be obtained from the elementary office, the Extended Care staff or on the district website.
The Registration Packet includes:
1. Registration form
2. Student ID card (also referred to as emergency contact info)
3. Behavior contract
4. Swim permission form
5. Calendar of activities/field trips (subject to change)
All items must be filled out completely and turned in to Extended Care staff along with the $10.00 registration fee prior to your child attending.
Students will need to pack lunch and snacks each day as there is no cafeteria service available. Brown bag lunches (all disposable) preferred on field trip days.
Field trip fees are in addition to the hourly rate and a fee sheet will be available as soon as all trips and fees are confirmed.
Please email Crystal Stough with any program questions at cstough@otsegoknights.org.
Camp Invention
**Scholarships now available. Please fill out this google survey or contact Jessica Martinez (jmartinez@otsegoknights.org) for more information.**
Otsego Local Schools will be partnering with the National Inventors Hall of Fame to host Camp Invention, the country’s leading program inspiring creativity, innovation, and STEM interest in children in incoming grades K-6. (open to all current PK students who will be KDG next year and current 5th Graders) The program’s all-inclusive cost is $225 per child. The camp be held June 12-16 8:30 am to 3:00 pm at Otsego Elementary.
The program director will be our Elementary Technology Teacher, Jessica Martinez and will be instructed by other Otsego Elementary Teachers. Please click the following link for more information. OTSEGO STEM CAMP FLYER
YouTube Videos – Below you will find videos that you can share with your students in class or post on social media:
· Launch™ Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OiFeEzgJwA
· Duct Tape Billionaire ™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1La-KUenj1g
· Have a Blast™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEoebK5xqhw
· Mission Space Maker™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHiavm6TwIg
· Operation Keep Out™: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StVtc5AQYtc
Imaginations get their rocket fuel at Camp Invention! An exciting, weeklong summer adventure awaits with activities that explore connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation while sharpening their 21st century STEM skills. A program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Camp Invention allows children in kindergarten through 6th grade to experience real-world problem solving, creative thinking, invention, and teamwork. Children work together to transform the terrain and ecosystem of a distant exoplanet. They take risks as budding business owners, blast rockets, air cannons, and rubber chickens, and wire a circuit to create their own Spy Gadget Alarm Box! Local, certified educators lead a week of hands-on activities that fuel children’s confidence in their natural ability to dream and create. Early registration discounts are available so don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. Visit campinvention.org or call 800.968.4332 for information.
If you have any questions please contact Jessica Martinez at jmartinez@otsegoknights.org
Kindergarten Registration
We are still accepting Kindergarten Registration for the 2017-2018 school year.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR CHILD MUST TURN 5 ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1.
Please bring the following items to the Elementary office with you when you are registering: Birth Certificate, Proof of Residency (rental agreement, utility bill, real estate tax receipt) with full physical address and parent's name, and Custody Papers (if applicable). Also, when registering we will need the Registration Form and Transportation Form completed. Prior to the FIRST day of school we will need the Doctor Physical Form and Updated Immunization Form completed.
If you have any questions, please call the Elementary Office at 419-823-4381 option 4 or e-mail jhelberg@otsegoknights.org and/or barmitage@otsegoknights.org
PAX Kernel of the Month - May
Praise Notes
All too often, the negative part of our day is what sticks with us. The bad luck, our shortcomings, or things we did not succeed at tend to attract a lot of our attention and can cause us to dwell on them. These messages can also be passed down to young people and become overwhelming to them as well. Noticing only the negative can actually increase anxiety, aggression, and violence among young people.
The Solution:
Praise Notes are a strategy for identifying and thanking people for a job well done. Recognizing effort, performance, and goodness in young people through verbal praise and written letters of thanks helps identify and encourage the behavior we would like to see more of.
The Procedure:
1. Identify a behavior, effort, or act of kindness you would like to see more of from young people. Remember, this may also include staying away from some of the disruptive or problematic behavior they may typically be tempted to engage in. This may include things like finishing homework without being asked, earning a good grade on a project, or even not arguing with little sister in the car.
2. Write a Praise Note letting the young person know exactly what they did that you appreciated. Also, include how it made you feel or why it is so appreciated.
3. Post this note in a conspicuous place where the receiver and others can see. Team this note with matching verbal praise to let him/her know you appreciate the effort.
4. Create a collection so the young person can reflect on all the things they have done well that contribute to a more nurturing environment for everyone.
The Science:
Praise Notes utilizes research showing brain cells tend to learn to work together. That means whether it is a problematic behavior we want less of or a productive behavior we want more of, the brain will catch on and continue the behavior that gets noticed. This is why focusing on or harping on the negatives can be harmful--even though it is something we are trying to help the young person do better. This is also why establishing a structured way to notice and identify the goodness is so important to the brain, especially the young person's brain.
Praise Notes are so effective because the written word impacts us so greatly. Some of our most cherished possessions are the cards and notes given to us by others. Writing these types of notes to identify and reinforce the goodness in others ensures our expectations and gratitude are conveyed clearly and helps establish a mutual understanding among adults and young people. In fact, Praise Notes have increased academic and work achievement, physical and emotional health, and decreased violence and aggression.
For more information about PAX and it's creators, visit wright.edu/prevention-science
Weather with Ronnie
Air Extreme
Important Dates
2017-2018
August 9 - Back to School Days, 2-8pm
August 10 - Back to School Days, 12-6pm
August 17 - Open House
August 21 - 1st Day for Students
September 4 - Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
October 9 - NO SCHOOL for students - District Professional Development (
October 20 - End of first nine weeks
October 27 - NO SCHOOL for students - Professional Development/Work Day
November 2-3 - NO SCHOOL - Conferences
November 22-24 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Otsego PTO
“There’s a Minion reasons to join PTO”
Check out the PTO on Facebook and follow on Twitter @OtsegoPTO
The next PTO meeting is June 6 at 6:00 in the Elementary Library.
Baseball Camp
Summer Learning Opportunities at Toledo Botanical Gardens
Fitted for Success
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,
Schedule a Sports Physical Today!
Girl's Basketball Camp
Volleyball for 4th-6th Grade Girls
Horizon Youth Theatre Presents: Cinderella
Follow Us on Twitter
Preschool: @OtsegoPreK
Kindergarten: @OtsegoK1st Grade: @OtsegoFirst
2nd Grade: @OtsegoGrade2
3rd Grade: @OtsegoGrade3
4th Grade: @OtsegoGrade4
5th Grade: @OtsegoGrade5
School Counselor: @OEScounselor
Reminders
SAVE ALUMINUM CAN TABS
Please help our students by collecting tabs from aluminum cans. Each tab is easy to remove and can be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. The tabs help fund various projects for Ronald McDonald Houses and its visitors. Send the tabs in a bag to the school and our students will do the rest!
SAVE BOX TOPS AND CAMPBELLS SOUP LABELS
You can help the school earn money for supplies by collecting Box Tops and Campbells labels from soup, juices and snacks. Our PTO collects and counts them and puts the money straight back into the school.
*This year our PTO is going to collect Box Tops monthly, and the class that collects the most will get a pizza party in May.
Heard a rumor or have a question?
Katrina Baughman
Email: kbaughman@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4005)
Twitter: @kbaughman723
Mike Wiley
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Website: www.otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4009)
Twitter: @PrincipalWiley
Lianna Mikesina
Email: lmikesina@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://oesknightscounselor.weebly.com/
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4010)
Twitter: @OEScounselor
Bonnie Armitage
Email: barmitage@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4001)
Jenny Helberg
Email: jhelberg@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381 (4003)
Deputy Brian Ruckstuhl
Email: bruckstuhl@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381