We've Got the Beat @ Washington St.
October 29, 2018
Important Numbers
Attendance 269-694-7880
Calendar
Oct. 29th PTO mtg @ 4:10 p.m. in media center
Oct. 31st Halloween Parade 3:10 p.m.
Nov. 2nd Student Council speeches 1:15 p.m.
Nov. 6th Tots 'n Tunes in media center 9:30 a.m.
Nov. 15th Lifetouch Retakes
Nov. 16th AR Store
Nov. 19th Half day of school (P/T Conferences in evening)
Nov. 20th Half day of school (P/T Conferences)
Nov. 21st No School
Great times at Fall Fest
Winner of Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Pesky scarecrow
Important Flyers for WSE kids!
We Need Your Help!
Your Otsego High School Destination Imagination team is running a clothing drive from October 22nd-November 16th!
We are collecting NEW socks, NEW underwear, and NEW AND GENTLY used tennis shoes.
Boxes will be set up in the school lobby
When this clothing drive ends, we will be distributing these items throughout the schools in Otsego and Plainwell to the families who are in need.
Start time 3:10 p.m.
Halloween Costumes
Please donate
New Phone Numbers
Phone numbers at Otsego Public Schools have changed! Don't worry, the old numbers still work, but we'd like to start transitioning to the updated information so we want to let you know now. This change was made over the summer to better communicate with 911 in the event of an emergency. Again, the old numbers will still work for the time being, however, we will soon be listing our new phone numbers on all of our communications, including newsletters, website and the district app. Please take note of the new numbers for this building and update your contacts. Thank you.
Counselor’s Corner
Rita Mitchell, MA, LPC
Discussing Hate and Violence with Children
Children are aware of what is happening in the world around them. Parents and educators cannot assume that children are unaffected by global events. When frightening and violent incidents occur, both children and adults may experience a range of emotions including fear, confusion, sadness and anger. To counteract fear and give reassurance, parents, teachers and day care providers can provide opportunities for children to express how they feel and channel their feelings into positive actions. Discussion between adults and children in difficult situations can be an opening for reinforcing family and community values, beliefs and traditions.
Adults need to first come to terms with their own feelings before they can provide guidance and reassurance to children. Explore and discuss your own feelings and perceptions with other adults. Then begin to help your children by doing the following:
Be alert to signs of upset, such as withdrawal, lack of interest, acting out, fear of normal activities.
Listen carefully to learn what children are thinking. Treat all their questions with respect and seriousness. Clarify the question by repeating it to the child, and then give him/her the information being asked for, giving no more specific detail than necessary. Answer questions as clearly and honestly as you can, using developmentally appropriate language and definitions. If you don't know the answer to a child's question, say so and make a plan to try to find out. Reflect your children’s feelings to let them know you understand and accept their feelings.
Reassure children that they are safe, and that we have many people who working to keep us safe.
Share your perceptions and feelings, but avoid conveying hopelessness. Discuss how hateful behaviors usually begin with unkind words and how even children can challenge name-calling and bullying.
Take action to show children that people are not powerless in the face of hate; there are many things adults and children can do. Have regular discussions about ways people can address hate at home, school, and in the community where they live. Examples include speaking out against name-calling, making friends with people who are different from you, and learning about many cultures. Teach children to seek adult assistance when a situation seems unsafe or someone is being harassed or bullied.
Help your children feel good about themselves so that they learn to see themselves as people who can contribute to creating a better world.
*Excerpts taken from Anti-Defamation League brochure, copyright 2005, https://www.adl.org/media/2196/download
Morning drop off
BASE doors
Heather Badders
Principal
Email: hbadders@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 538 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, USA
Phone: 2696947803