Paw Prints September 16
#OtsegoPride
Principal Corner
There are so many good things happening at Otsego High School! Here are some highlights from this week.
On Monday, September 12, the students participated in a 9/11 Stair Climb with the Otsego Fire Department. Together, to pay tribute to the FDNY who responded to the World Trade Center, the students and Fire Department climbed the equivalent of 110 stories. The students did a wonderful job participating in this silent stair climb to honor the FDNY (see the background picture!).
The Otsego Marching Band marched in the Allegan County Fair Parade on Monday evening. It was great weather for a parade. The OMB has its first competition this weekend in Rockford. Good luck to the band!
All 9th-11th grade students took the Northwest Evaluation Association (or NWEA) assessment this week in Reading, Language, and Math. This is a new assessment for the OPS students in grades 6-11. This assessment is used to measure an individual student’s academic level and growth. The results will help inform classroom instruction.
The Purple Committee continues to meet multiple times a week to prepare for the week of September 26. That week, during each home sporting event, the students will be raising vital funds for the Van Andel Institute for cancer research. It’s been great to see the dedication of this group of students to bring awareness to and funding for the Van Andel Institute.
These are just a few of the good things happening throughout the building lately. I’m sure proud to be a Bulldog! See you next week!
Tina Maxwell, Assistant Principal
School Resource Officer
Our school resource officer, Judd Sikkema, started with the district this week. Officer Judd is at the high school for the majority of his time, but he will be present in all district buildings. This week, OHS students met Officer Judd during lunch. Be sure to welcome him when you see him.
Social Contracts
Vaping Sensors Installed at OHS
High school students are faced with several challenges at this age as they grow and develop and we want to educate them and help them make good decisions and stay healthy. That is why we are taking vaping very seriously and implementing a new safety measure. Through a grant from Allegan County OnPoint, OHS has installed vaping sensors throughout the school. These detectors will alert key staff who can immediately address the problem. If any student is found in possession of or uses a vape, consequences per our handbook will be enforced and police are notified. Consequences could include out-of-school suspension and a citation for a Minor in Possession. We want to inform you of this measure so that we can work together to keep our kids safe and healthy.
This measure is not about consequences, though, it’s about education and safety. Too often, students believe that vaping is harmless. That’s not true. It could contain high levels of nicotine or other drugs. They might not realize what they’re even breathing in. We will first and foremost have a discussion with the student about the dangers of vaping and work to address any root causes of their choosing to participate in this activity and healthy alternatives. Students will also be offered the opportunity to do an online educational program - Vape Educate - to lessen any consequence.
These sensors are just the most recent measure we’ve taken at OHS for the safety of our students and we will continue to look for ways to educate our students to make good, healthy decisions. We hope this will prompt a discussion of this dangerous activity between you and your child, as well. A good resource to get the conversation started is with www.talksooner.org.
Thank you for your support; together we can all work towards a healthy future for our kids.
Steps to Success
It's starting to feel like fall!
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Otsego High School
Attendance line: 269-694-7480
Athletic Office: 269-694-7405
Email: treed@otsegops.org
Website: ohs.otsegops.org
Location: 550 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, USA
Phone: 269-694-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otsegops
Twitter: @TReedPrincipal