OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - January 12, 2018
Otsego Community -
Thank you for your patience today and last night. I am ready for spring!!
We would like to see if you could help us out with a project. We have several students district wide that aren’t eating or eating alternate meals because of a variety of unfortunate events. We are required by the USDA (Federal and State Guidelines) to have a charging policy and stick to it. That results in kids only getting 3 charges and then an alternate meal is given to elementary kids and no meal is given to JH/HS kids. We do not want kids to go without a hot meal. I will be honest it is hard to stick to this policy because we want our kids to get a hot meal, but at the end of the day we need to follow the rules or we could get in trouble.
We don’t feel that this is the kids fault. We were approached by a community member that wants to pay it forward and help our students. They have donated $250 to help in the short term so that kids get a hot meal. One of the issues that we have to work through is equality. The Feds can come down hard on us if we are not equal. We had to first start by collecting enough money to zero out all of our students’ negative balances. Our staff, student organizations and a few community members donated $2,460 in just two days to our students who had negative balances!!
We divided the excess money by building and will use the money to pay for kids lunches if they aren’t able to get a hot meal. Here is where we need your help. This money will not last forever. I know our community will rise to the occasion and help each other. We always do! The Otsego Community takes care of people and this will be one more example.
If you are interested in helping with this project you can send money into the central office or any of the buildings. Just put Food Service Donations on the envelope. You can make checks payable to the Otsego BOE. Thank you so much!!
If you have any questions please give Jeanne or I a call or send us an email.
The following letter was written by the generous family that started it all! I cannot thank them enough for their generosity and starting this initiative. Please take a look at the letter below from the parents.
Parent Editorial
As a 3rd grade parent in the Otsego School District, I am passionate by what our school does for our children. Our school does amazing things to help support one another such as Knights Have Your Back, Knight In Shining Armor, Angel Giving Tree, Food/Clothing Drives, and countless service projects. I can’t express how proud I am to have my son enrolled at Otsego. We had many options when picking a school for our son and Otsego soared to the top. I have always been proud of what Otsego does for its kids, community, and love being a part of it.
However, there was something missing. There are still kids pk-12 that are going without a hot lunch throughout the week due to a variety of reasons: parents forgot to send lunch money for a few days, changes in income, parents failed to fill out the free/reduced lunch paperwork on time, etc.
Here is the problem with that – if kids don’t get lunch money, and have been behind with payment for 3 meals, the child then gets an alternate meal (cheese sandwich). The only kids that can get a cheese sandwich meal are those who are without funds so it is evident to the other children and this can cause a child to noticed by others who know why a child is getting that meal; other students in the class, at the table, or in the line. This is a nationwide issue, and has been coined ‘lunch shamming’.
Every child deserves a hot meal at least once a day. But Otsego can’t do it for free. There are many red-tape rules set by the government (state and local) that don’t allow children to eat for free without official documentation. So students that have issues a few times out of a month or a year, have to go without. As a parent, my heart breaks for them. It isn’t the child’s fault that their parent didn’t do their part to ensure a hot meal for them. Please note: Many of the staff and faculty have dipped into their own pockets to help a student pay for lunch, but that isn’t their responsibility. They have done more than they had to and more than should be expected!
Otsego school district was in debt of $1,900 as of just before Thanksgiving for school lunches not paid. This means there were several students missing a hot meal for lunch. My husband and I had a heavy heart for this matter so we donated to the school for lunches and asked for donations from friends and family. Superintendent Mr. Koch (and other staff) took on this matter seriously and awareness spread. They asked for donations from staff, faculty, and student organizations. They raised $2,460 in just a few days! Although this is a great amount, it isn’t enough. Typically, the debt for lunches is around $4,000 for the year for those who couldn’t afford lunch.
I am asking, as a parent in the district, for you to help. If you have spare change, or even extra $3 to help give to the school, there will be no students eating a cheese sandwich meal.
There are 1600 students in pk-12. If each child helps another child, by giving…
$2 per student EXTRA = $3200
$3 per student EXTRA = $4800
Loose change on the car floor, under the couch, or found when taking a stroll is the perfect way to help support children who are without a hot-lunch.
For more information on lunch-shamming at other schools, please visit the sites below. Please note: This is NOT how Otsego operates. Otsego wants to be part of the solution, not the problem. Sites are shown to give perspective on how widely spread of an issue lunch-shamming is.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/15/news/economy/school-lunch-shaming-congress-bill/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/well/family/lunch-shaming-children-parents-school-bills.html
Sincerely,
A concerned but proud, Otsego Parent
Otsego Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony February 9, 2018
The Otsego Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, February 9, 2018 in between the JV and Varsity Basketball Game at Otsego High School. This will be the 6th class inducted to the Otsego Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have brought honor to themselves by making significant impacts or contributions to the school, community, or students. The Otsego Hall of Fame also exists for all alumni who have earned distinction beyond graduation. These individuals have made noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors of mankind. The Otsego Hall of Fame also recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Otsego Local Schools as a staff member, coach, or friend of Otsego.
It has been an honor to recognize the following individuals for their contributions to the Otsego Local School District.
Class of 2012-2013 – Dan Cocke, Holly Frantz, Deb Kendall and Gordon Wenig
Class of 2013-2014 – Randy Donald, Ann Laskey and Lawrence Sprague
Class of 2014-2015 – John Brown, Madge Brown, Fred Moor, Bernard Scott and Jean Scott
Class of 2015-2016 – Barb Vollmar, Howard Bluhm, Charlene Genson, Carter Genson and Tim Downey
Class of 2016-2017 – Edward C. Byers Jr. and Mary Frazier
The 2017-2018 Otsego Hall of Fame Inductees will be: Stephen Kendall and Ann Titus.
Please help us recognize their contributions to the Otsego Local School District on February 9th. We will be holding a special reception for our guests of honor at 6 pm in the High School Auditorium and would like to invite all family, friends and the community to celebrate with us. There will be light snacks and cake provided.
We would like to thank the Otsego Alumni & Friends Association for financially supporting the Otsego Hall of Fame. If you have any questions please contact Adam Koch or Lauri Dunham.
Otsego Community Reads Initiative
Before the students in grades 6-12 leave for Winter Break, they will be given the book, Choosing Courage by Peter Collier. It is theirs to keep and they are encouraged to read it. Copies of the book will be gifted to community agencies, like local EMS and fire departments, too. The Medal of Honor Foundation provided the book for teachers at then end-of-year Professional Development.
We would also like to personally thank Shelen Stevens and the Weston Public Library for donating over 1200 books for this initiative. She has been a major part of helping put this together and we couldn't have done it without her. Thank You Shelen.
This book is the first selection for the Community Reads Initiative (CRI) as it reflects the goals and themes of the 2017-2018 school year "Be An Everyday Hero". A new book will be selected every year.
One of the goals of the CRI is to build community connections through a shared reading experience. Faculty and staff are not being asked to do anything. The CRI is encouraging everyone to read the book and participate in conversations in and around the community.
Knights Have Your Back!
ATHLETICS
Otsego will be hosting a cheerleading competition this Saturday, January 13th. The doors will open at 7:30 am with routines starting at 9:00 and ending at 12:20. There will be 33 routines being performed in the high school gym. Some of the local squads include Bowling Green High School, Anthony Wayne, Genoa, Lake, Springfield, Woodmore, Maumee, and more!
Youth Baseball Winter Clinics - Beginning January 7th; Otsego High School baseball will be conducting youth clinics during open gym time in the Jr. High School gym, from 12:30-2:00 on Sundays through February 18. Otsego students K-8 are welcome to attend the clinics which will include instruction from Otsego coaching staff and current players. Please contact Coach Welker with any questions (cwelker@otsegoknights.org).
3rd and 4th Grade Boys Basketball Youth Clinic
MILITARY NIGHT - Friday, January 19, 2018
Boys Basketball - Lake vs. Otsego @ Lake HS
Any active military personnel or veteran presenting an ID will be admitted free +1 guest to the game. Prior to the varsity game, all personnel will assemble on the floor for a recognition ceremony & the National Anthem.
Student sections from both schools are encouraged to wear camo attire.
Please plan to attend and show our appreciation & respect for our military personnel & veterans.
Otsego Schedule of JH and HS Athletic Events
Saturday, January 13th
9:30 – JV WR @ Lake
Tuesday, January 16th
5:30 – V WR (H) Lake
Thursday, January 18th
4:45 – 7th/8th GBK (H) Eastwood
4:45 – 7th/8th BBK @ Eastwood
6:00 – JV/V GBK (H) Woodmore
Friday, January 19th
4:00 – V WR @ Van Buren
4:45 – 9th/JV/V BBK @ Lake
Saturday, January 20th
TBD – 7th/8th WR @ Elmwood (NBC Championships)
9:00 – V WR @ Van Buren
1:00 – JV/V GBK @ Delta
4:45 – 9th/JV/V @ Liberty Center
Tuesday, March 6
7:00 – HS Winter Athletic Awards
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
There are a ton of great activities this winter at the Wood County Park Department. Check them out on the web. https://reservations.woodcountyparkdistrict.org/programs/
Horizon Youth Theatre is pleased to announce our 2018 Winter Workshops. Registration is open for the following three classes, the first of which begins January 6.
INTRO TO THEATRE
Ages: 6-12 Years Old
Dates and Times: Saturdays, January 13th through March 17th (nine weeks - no class March 3rd), 2:00 to 3:30 pm
Place: St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Bowling Green (2nd floor classroom)
Instructor: Haven Bradam is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she received her Bachelors degree in Communications, with a major in Theatre and a double specialization in Youth Theatre / Puppetry and Acting / Directing. She has extensive experience with youth theatre through the Toledo Repertoire, the Children's Theatre Workshop, and the Treehouse Troupe. Through her work with the CTW, Haven tours area schools as a member of The Imaginators.
Description: This workshop is perfect for newcomers to Horizon Youth Theatre or for young performers who want to further hone their skills. Participants will focus on a range of exercises to help them feel comfortable acting with others. Topics will include improvisation; stage directions and other technical terms; theatre games; and even auditioning for shows. Haven's experience with kids and theatre education will provide a great all-around experience for any youngster.
To register for Intro to Theatre, click here.
MUSICAL THEATRE
Ages: 6-12 years old
Dates and Times: Saturdays, January 20 to February 24, 2018 (six weeks) 9:00 to 11:00 am
Place: First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, 2nd floor
Instructor: Jackie Burns
Description:
Instructor Jackie Burns returns to teach our younger students the basics of musical theatre. Each class session will feature a different performer from BGSU, helping to introduce students to a variety of age-appropriate songs, monologues, and dance routines to expand their understanding of everything musical theatre encompasses. The students will receive one-on-one attention to help foster confidence and performance ability while also collaborating with each other and Ms. Burns on their own 20-minute musical, which will be presented to families and friends at the last session.
To register for Musical Theatre, click here.
For more information about Horizon Youth Theatre, please visit our website at www.horizonyouththeatre.org. As always we would like to thank Otsego Schools for housing our productions, and thanks also to First Presbyterian Church and St. Mark's Lutheran for providing space for the Winter Workshops.
Registration Opens for Kids’ Tech University @ BGSU
This four-session program begins Saturday, Feb. 11, and ends Saturday, March 24 and is open to students who live within a one-hour driving distance of BGSU. To participate, children must be 9-12 years old as of Sept. 30, 2016. There is an $90 registration fee to participate. However, scholarships are also available.
Kids’ Tech University is designed to spark children’s interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by introducing them to scientists who work in those fields, and providing hands-on activities that let kids explore scientific concepts.
The morning sessions feature a talk and extended question period with the invited speaker. Afternoon sessions will include a series of hands-on activities relevant to the session topic that the children can participate in with their parents. Topics covered in this years’ program will include surveying microbes and viruses in the oceans, how drones are used in research, how parasites control host behavior, and improving human health in the developing world by producing plants that are better sources of the essential nutrient iron.
Speakers and topics for the 2018 program:
Feb. 3, 2018. Dr. Mellisa Duhaime, Assistant Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan. “Global change microbiology: the microscopic organisms that fuel our planet’s global carbon cycle”
Feb. 17, 2018 Dr. Anita Simic, Assistant Professor, School of Earth Environment and Society, BGSU. “Earth Through a Drone's Eye”
March 17, 2018 Dr. Kelly Weinersmith, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Rice University
"Sci-Fi Comes to Life: When Parasites Control Host Behavior"
March 24, 2018 Dr. Terri Long, Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University. “Plants are what they eat too! The science of plant nutrient uptake and assimilation”
Online registration will be limited to 150 children, and is first come, first served. Register online at http://kidstechuniversity-bgsu.vbi.vt.edu/. Search for “Kids” Tech University @BGSU”.
Kids’ Tech University at BGSU is directed by Dr. Paul Morris, a BGSU professor in Biological Sciences. Scholarships are available courtesy of the Ohio Farm Bureau. Please contact Dr. Morris Pmorris@bgsu.edu for more information.
BGSU Saturday Art Youth Program
Class descriptions and forms can also be located on the BGSU Fine Arts Website http://www.bgsu.edu/arts-and-sciences/school-of-art/community-engagement/saturday-art-program.html
The instructors for our Saturday Art Program are BGSU seniors studying, Art Education. We have new teachers each semester. My college students enjoy, value, and learn a great deal as they lead their own class through 10 weeks of Saturday Art instruction.
Questions, Concerns, Comments, or Rumors
Otsego Board of Education
President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com
Vice President: Judy Snyder jasnyder715@gmail.com
Board Member: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com
Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com
Board Member: Elizabeth Gorski jegorski@frontier.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
Mike Wiley, Assistant Elementary Principal
Email: mwiley@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @PrincpalWiley
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 and Custodial
Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service
Email: jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe
Rick Haskins, Director of Maintenance
Email: rhaskins@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381