OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - October 11, 2019
REMINDER - NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 14th
The opportunity of a lifetime - Please mark your calendars for Monday, November 4, 2019. Mark Perna, internationally-respected and best-selling author will be speaking at Springfield High School. We are helping sponsor this event and you will not want to miss it. https://www.markcperna.com/
Take a look at the very short video from Mark - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SK-h0StNS66ZLh6mMLniBnUYuXTzSX27/view
Over the summer the District Leadership read his book, Answering Why: Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations, and I can honestly say it was one of the best books I have ever read. Mark will be discussing innovations and strategies for working with today's younger generations. This is event is completely free and if you are one of the first 200 families you will receive a free copy of his book.
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TAILGATE - OCTOBER 18th
Hall of Fame Nominations:
Otsego Local Schools is now accepting nominations for The Otsego Hall of Fame. This program recognizes individuals who have brought honor to themselves by making significant impacts or contributions to the school, community, and/or students. This program also provides an opportunity to honor alumni who have earned distinction beyond graduation. The categories for nomination include: Alumni, Former School Employees, Former Coaches and Friends of Otsego. The deadline to submit the nomination forms is December 2, 2019. The 7th induction class will be recognized at Otsego High School on Friday, January 24, 2020.
CLICK HERE FOR THE NOMINATION FORM
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Substitutes Needed:
Substitute Teacher: We hire our sub teachers through the Wood County ESC. Please contact Stephanie Dyar at 419-354-9010 or sdyar@wcesc.org
Substitute Aide, Custodian, Food Service, and Bus Driver: Please fill out this application and turn it into Lisa Austin in the Central Office. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Austin at 419-823-4381 ext. 1100 or at laustin@otsegoknights.org
GO KNIGHTS!
Adam
VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST AND PROGRAM
PLEASE RSVP by NOVEMBER 1st. Veterans Day Breakfast and Assembly, November 11th - We will once again have a Veterans Day Assembly and breakfast to honor our local Veterans. There will be a flyer put up around the community, but if you could start spreading the word, we would appreciate it. Breakfast is free to all veterans and Otsego Senior Citizens. Breakfast will start at 8:15 in the High School Commons. The program will start at 9:15 in the High School gym. Please RSVP HERE. If you are not able to RSVP online please call Lisa Austin at 419-823-4381 or laustin@otsegoknights.org.
Workout Classes
WEATHER WITH RONNIE IS BACK!
ELEMENTARY PTO NEWS
Knights Have Your Back and Knight in Shining Armor Fundraisers
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Knights Have Your Back and Knight In Shining Armor are working together to raise money for our programs. On Friday, January 17th, we will be co-sponsoring a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, with a silent auction, to help support our goal to give back to our community members. The event will take place during the home Boy’s Basketball game against Eastwood.
Purpose of Our Programs:
Knights Have Your Back - When our Otsego children leave school for the weekend, the last thing they should have to worry about is how they are going to get their next meal. Knights Have Your Back was created to provide the Otsego children in need with non-perishable food to take home over the weekends. The food is placed discreetly in each child's backpack every Friday in order to ensure that no Knight ever goes hungry. This program has grown dramatically since its development in 2017 and is currently providing food to over 45 Otsego families each week. Any questions please contact Jessica Vollmar at jvollmar@otsegoknights.org.
Knights In Shining Armor- We strive to make sure that no matter the circumstances of families in our district, they are supported to help provide basic needs for themselves. This includes, but is not limited to, providing school supplies to families, purchasing clothing and hygiene needs after a house fire, providing gas cards and gift cards to help balance expenses of cancer treatments and health diagnosis. Any questions please contact Megan Pierce at mpierce@otsegoknights.org.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPONSORSHIP FORM
How can you help?
There are several ways you, your company or your family can help:
➔ Donation of an item for our silent auction
➔ Monetary donation to purchase food items for the meal as well as silent auction items
➔ SAVE THE DATE! We would love to see you at the event for our dinner, auction and the basketball game
Immunizations
Dear parents of new students and/or 7th and 12th grade students:
A letter has been sent home this week to those students’ parents /guardians who have not turned in proof of their child’s vaccination(s). This is a state requirement therefore it is extremely important that we abide by the rules. Our report deadline is October 15th. It is imperative to have all records in before this date. If your child has a medical reason and cannot be vaccinated, a waiver must be filled out (every year) and put on file.
If you have any questions please contact Nurse Gray @ 419-823-4381 ext. 4002
Mobile Dentist is Coming!
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT - The Comfortable Care Initiative
Knight In Shining Armor Nominations
Please use the following form to inform OHS Student Council about a family in need within the school district. While the family does not need to have students in the district, we do ask that they are a member of the Otsego Community. Use this form to share information about their current situation as well as how they can best be assisted.
Please be sure to understand that while Knight in Shining Armor (KISA) would love to help all community members in need, we are still a new program, and may not have the funds to do so. With that being said, we will consider each request on a case by case basis. Filling this form out does not guarantee that we will be able to assist the family, but we will try our hardest to do so!
Here are some things that we have done with KISA funds:
- School supplies were purchased for multiple families.
- Gas money has been provided to get to and from medical treatment.
- Food cards have been provided to help families afford meals while going through medical treatment.
- Cash donations have been made to families to help assist in paying bills during medical treatment.
- Gift cards and supplies have been provided to help make ends meet after housing emergencies have occurred.
We now have TWO ways that you can nominate a family in need. Bookmark the link below to use as the need arises. You can also find this link on the Otsegoknights.org webpage under the "District" tab.
Please do not hesitate to nominate a family in need, and KISA will do their best to help out!
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!
PROJECT CONNECT
FOOD SERVICE
Food Service App -Lunch menus are on an App!
Mobile Apps are available in the Apple store and Google Play under “Menu for Schools”
Look for the app with the Apple Logo. Once you have downloaded the app, follow the instructions on the app. Our schools are listed under our Bowling Green, Ohio.
Food Service Pay It Forward Campaign -
As many of you may remember we have the "Pay it Forward" account which is to keep students from receiving an alternate meal. At this point, the account is nearing zero. If you are interested in donating to the Pay It Forward program please contact Jeanne Jeffers, jjeffers@otsegoknights.org or Adam Koch, akoch@otsegoknights.org. Checks are made payable to the Otsego Board of Education. If you send money in, just make sure you put on the memo or a note that says Pay It Forward - Lunch
ATHLETICS
Oct 11th
FB - Home Elmwood
Family Night - Elementary PTO will have games set up near the stadium including bounce houses, and a dunk tank.
Oct 18th
FB - Home Rossford
Military/First Responders - All Active and retired military personnel and first responders will get in free to the game.
Nov 1st
FB - Home Genoa (Senior Night)
ATHLETIC EVENTS
Friday, October 11
7:00 - V FB (H) Elmwood *Little Knights
Saturday, October 12
10:00 - JH/HS XC NBC Championships @ Genoa
10:00 - JV FB @ Elmwood
11:00 - BS @ Swanton
Tuesday, October 15
5:00 - GS @ Delta
Wednesday, October 16
5:00 - BS (H) Woodmore *Sectional Game - No Otsego Passes Accepted
5:30 - VB (H) Spencerville *Sectional Game - No Otsego Passes Accepted
Thursday, October 10
4:15 - 7th/8th FB @ Rossford
Friday, October 18
7:00 - V FB (H) Rossford
Monday, November 11
7:00 - Fall Athletic Awards
Weston Public Library Information
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
Wood County Park District Events - CLICK HERE
Harvest Moon Gala
The Grand Rapids Arts Council, celebrating its 20th year of existence, is excited to announce its upcoming Harvest Moon Gala to be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019, from 5:00 – 8:30 pm at Nazareth Hall. This annual fundraising event includes a delicious fall dinner prepared by the Nazareth Hall chef (served by staff), a silent auction, door prizes, and entertainment by A Brit of Magic.
The silent auction will feature original art by local artists and items and services donated by businesses and supporters of the arts. Door prizes are generous gift certificates from local restaurants. Presentation of the Grand Rapids Volunteer of the Year will also be held during the evening.
A Brit of Magic is a hilarious show presented by World Champion Magician Keith Fields and the effervescent, shoe-loving Lady Sarah. They transform seamlessly between comedy routines, illusions, and wonderful British banter. Fields slips between the role of master magician and hilarious husband, and he is also a master of the art of audience participation. Lady Sarah fills the stage with her sparkling costumes, colorful shoes and the most amazing eyeglasses. Come expecting to leave with a big smile on your face!
Cost is $25 per person. You can reserve seats or a table of eight by calling 419-832-5664 or email grac@grandrapidsartscouncil.org.
Platinum Filament 5k Costume Run
Oak Leaf Productions LLC (nonprofit company) presents the Filament 5k costume Run on Saturday, October 19th in the Whitehouse Village Park, Whitehouse, Ohio. This nonprofit company and 5k event was created for many purposes. Here are a few goals we hope to achieve at this 5k; to raise awareness of the DSP career and recognizing the awesome work and mentorship that DSPs provide to ladies and gentlemen with developmental disabilities who we love. Proceeds from our event will be distributed to our DSP’s through our Platinum Partnership Award of Excellence. Currently the agencies that we are working with are Josina Lott and Friends For Life Residential Care.
DSPs are on the front line of any agencies that serves people with developmental disabilities and yet I still get asked what are the job responsibilities of a DSP. We were looking for a fun way to show appreciation to DSPs and educate on developmental disabilities so we figured we would start a nonprofit company and host and event with a timed costume run 5k with an award, live music which include music from Three 2 Many, Moths In The Attic, The Buzz Anderson Project, Shenanigans and Owen Michael Hubbard, trunk-or-treat, Manny’s Munchies and other food trucks from the food truck association.
The name of this race is inspired by Mike, a participant with autism who passed away. He found motivation in his life through his enjoyment of light bulbs. The words, light bulb, were among the few words in his vocabulary. When Mike was a young adult he assisted our maintenance man on the grounds. Mike would wear a utility belt and change light bulbs when they burned out. The platinum filament is the tungsten wire inside of a light bulb, through which an electric current is passed. Mike’s disabilities are gone now, and his light will always shine in the hearts of those who were fortunate to know him.
This is our 2nd year hosting this event and its really been an uphill challenge trying to get the word out about the Platinum Filament 5K Costume Run and now Music Festival. We know there are people out there who would be interested in supporting this event and great cause but we will never reach them without your help. There is only a month left to register for the Platinum Filament 5k Costume Run/Walk. We are only a month away from the event and we would really appreciate it if we could get your assistance in helping us network. Please pass on and share this information to your friends and family. For those of you who want to support the cause and can’t attend we are excepting donations at www.runsignup.com
Registration for the Platinum Filament 5k Costume Run can also be found at www.runsignup.com. We have an event page and group page on facebook. We come up in a google search if you type in Platinum Filament 5k Costume Run so please like and share our stuff. Thank you in advance!
The Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department and the Bowling Green High School DECA students are collaborating again to bring the 4th Annual BG Zombie Mud Run to the Bowling Green Obstacle Trail located behind the BG Community Center at 1245 W Newton Road. This popular event is a 1 mile obstacle course/mud run where participants put on flag football belts and run through the course, navigating the obstacles and the mud that they encounter along the way and trying to avoid the Zombies on the path who are attempting to pull the flags off their flag football belts. The goal of the participants is to make it to the finish line with at least one of their three flags still intact. If they do so, they are considered a “Survivor”, if they lose all their flags to the hands of the zombies they encounter along the trail, they are considered “Infected”.
This is a fun event and a great experience for participants as well as volunteers. In previous years we have had participants as young as 5 and as old as 74 take part, and as many as 180 people participate in any given year. It is a great way to get kids, teens, adults, families, and older adults active and exercising, while having some fun in the process. More information can be found on the attached flyer.
Below is a video that gives an idea of what this event is all about.
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: Elizabeth Gorski jegorski@frontier.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
Jeanne Jeffers, Director of Food Service
Email: jjeffers@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe