Otsego High School
Weekly Newsletter (Semester II, Q3, Week of March 7)
From the Desk of Mr. O'Shea
Gay Straight Club Controversy
This past week student organizers of the GSA club began hanging signs to promote their club and meeting times. This was met with some anger and frustration by other students and signs were pulled off walls and lockers and other signs that quoted bible verses and anti-gay rhetoric were hung throughout the building without permission from the school. I was forced to call a few students down to discuss this. Let me be very clear that NO student was disciplined in any way shape or form. Rather I chose to have open and honest discussions about this issue and their feelings. I did however, make it very clear that hatred and intolerance will not be tolerated and that the GSA club has every right to meet whether they agreed or disagreed with that. I also, made it very clear that any and all signs hung on school grounds must be pre-approved by the administration before they are hung and since that is the case any and all signs that are hung in the halls that have been approved are considered school property and if a student removes or damages any of these signs it will be considered destruction of school property and will be handled according to our student code of conduct approved by the board of education.
I would like to remind everyone that this is a public school and as such it is our duty and I believe 100% our moral responsibility to provide a safe and supportive learning environment to ALL students. This is every child's right under law, to come to school and be protected from hate, violence, harassment, or threats regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, race, etc. Hanging informational signs and holding meetings as a club, does NOT threaten the school environment of any child in this school and therefore is accepted and protected by law. Conversely, hanging signs that aim to isolate, belittle, or that create a hostile environment towards others in the building so as to make them feel threatened or unwelcome is not protected and will not be allowed.
Update
Thanks to all our students especially our Seniors who participated in winter activities. We had a very successful winter. We were highlighted by the local media for our technology and use of the 3D printer and Makerspace. We celebrated two District basketball teams, had our first 1,000 point scorer on the girls team. Had several District wrestlers, one state wrestler, a state/national cheer team, and state dance team. We also had several individual State qualifying indoor track athletes, several State FFA degree recipients, and individuals in our music program honored at the District and State levels. The HS increased its 4 year graduation rate from a "C" 88.5% in 2010, to an "A" 97.8%. Our 5 year graduation rate went from an 88.9% "C" to a 96.7% "A." Finally, we had a former graduate awarded the Medal of Honor by the President of the United States.
I say this not to brag or gloat. I know that we are not perfect by any means and we have a lot of work to do. Rather, I mention these accomplishments to say thank you to our students for their hard work and dedication, our staff for their commitment and dedication to excellence, our parents and community for your support and involvement. I am so proud of the students in this building and the of the people in this community and I am looking forward to the exciting things to come and finishing out this year strong. #GoKnights
HS Musical Tickets are now on sale to the public (10am-2pm, (parent volunteered), $12 for adults and $10 for Children and Seniors.
OGT make-ups will be the week of March 14th. This only applies to Juniors and Seniors that have not passed them yet. Freshmen and Sophomores no longer take the OGT tests. They will be taking the New State Assessments at the end of April into early May.
Upcoming Dates
March:
3rd - HS Musical Tickets on sale to public (10am-2pm, parent volunteered, prices tbd)
4th - Music Boosters Fish Fry
5th - FCCLA Competition at PENTA
7th - Athletic Boosters Mtg. 7:00pm - HS Library
9th - District Leadership Team Mtg.8th - Winter Athletic Awards
9th - Community Forum Meeting - Weston Library 5:30pm
9th - Community Forum Meeting - Grand Rapids Library 7:30pm
10th - Maumee/BG Elks Student of the Month Luncheon
11th - OMEA band & Choir Competition
16th - 2 Hour Delay - Staff Professional In-Service
16th - Free Senior Citizen Dinner Theater - 5:45 HS Commons (Call Lisa Austin to reserve, 419-823-1100 x. 1100)
17th - HS Musical-7pm
18th - HS Musical-7pm
19th - HS Musical-7pm
20th - HS Musical-3pm
18th - End of 3rd Quarter
22nd - Board of Education Meeting, 6pm HS Library
25th - First Day of Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April:
4th - Classes Resume
13th - FFA Banquet
17th - Chicken BBQ
17th - Art Show
20th - 2 Hour Delay - Staff Professional In-Service
22nd - Otsego Endowment Foundation Reverse Raffle
26th - Board of Education Meeting, 6pm HS Library
29th - Choir Trip to Chicago (April 29th - May 1st)
May:
6th - Reading Rewards
7th - HS Prom
10th-Blood Drive
10th - High School Academic Awards Ceremony, 7pm High School Auditorium
11th - 2 Hour Delay - Staff Professional In-Service
12th - Ag Day (4th Graders)
19th - HS Choir Concert, 7pm HS Auditorium
19th - Ag Safety day at ag incubartor Foundation
22nd - Graduation, 2pm
23rd - HS Band Concert, 7pm HS Auditorium
24th - Board of Education Meeting, 6pm HS Library
25th - Exam Day#1
26th - Exam Day #2
27th - Exam Day #3, Early Dismissal
27th - End of 4th Quarter
Highlights
Ryan Lashaway
Lucy Pullins
Collin Kitchen
Dance Dance
Thank You
Cutting down the Nets
State Bound
Gus Gus
FCCLA Presentation
Sectional Champs
District Semi-Finals
Go Knights!
reminders from the High School office
- Daily Announcements Page
- Make sure you send in a written note within 48 hours of your child's absence. This is necessary in order for the absence to be excused. Even if you call your child in sick, a note is still needed.
- Please make sure you include both the first name and last name of student on the absent note.
- Sign up for Remind 101 to get text or email reminders of important events. Text to 81010 and in the message box, type otseg (there is no "o" at the end)
- Parents if you want to check on your child's homework, please access their "Google Classroom". All the teachers are posting their assignments there. You will need to know your child's username and password to get into their classroom. If you are having any issues getting into Google Classroom, let us know and we will work to fix it immediately.
- HOMEWORK CAFE - Please drop of any donated items into the HS office or send in items with your child. Call Betsy Roberts at 419-823-4381 in the HS office for any questions.
- Meningitis Vaccination New Requirements Info
Guidance Department
College & Career Preview Night
Penta Career Center: If your student(s) are interested in attending PENTA Career Center, they may start applying now. If you have any questions regarding program opportunities or the application process, contact Jennifer Wronkovich-Clark at 419-823-4381 or via email at jclark@otsegoknights.org.
PENTA Online Admissions/Applications
AP Parents & Students
Parent and Student Bulletin Please read the attached bulletin. It contains important information for Exam Takers.
New State Graduation Requirements
Applies only to the class of 2018 and beyond.
News from the Yearbook Staff
Senior Photo Requirements
- Photos should be a high resolution (at least 300 dpi).
- Must be a vertical photo, this allows more room for your classmates in the yearbook.
- Student must be looking at the camera; head cannot be cut off in the picture, & must be able to see student’s full face. Hands, or arms should not be blocking the shoulder shot, or touching the student's face.
- A head and shoulders shot is preferred, but will accept a shot from the waist up. No full body shots or students lying on the ground. We can crop pictures, but if the shot is too far away we will not be able to accept the picture.
- Remember, this is a formal photo, clothing should be appropriate. (Examples- no muscle tees, cleavage, or hats, or flowers in your hair, the list goes on and on.) If you have to question your clothing, then it is probably not appropriate.
- No props in the photo.
- Seniors pictures are due by: April 4th, 2016.
- If your picture is not turned in by this date, you will not be featured in the senior section of the yearbook.
- If you have any questions, you can contact Mrs. Lockhart via email: yearbook@otsegoknights.org.
Yearbook is having a clearance sale. All yearbooks from the following years are being marked down to $10!" (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014). Email yearbook@otsegoknights.org for further information or to purchase one.
News from Athletics
Winter Sports Schedule
WRESTLING:
March 4 State @ Jerome Schottenstein Center - 12:15pm
WINTER ATHLETIC AWARDS:
Tuesday, March 8 @ 7:00pm in the High School gym
Spring Sports Schedule
Call 419-823-4381 and choose option 7 on game day for the most updated information. Last updated: 2/26/2016
Baseball
Sat Mar 26 @ Evergreen (DH) 12:00
Mon Mar 29 North Baltimore 5:00
Wed Mar 31 Delta 4:45
Mon Apr 4 @ Port Clinton 5:00
Wed Apr 6 @ Oak Harbor 4:45
Thur Apr 7 @ Napoleon 5:00
Mon Apr 11 Elmwood 4:45
Thur Apr 14 @ Woodmore 4:45
Fri Apr 15 Erie Mason @ Fifth Third Field 7:00
Mon Apr 18 Eastwood 4:45
Wed Apr 20 @ Genoa 4:45
Thur Apr 21 Woodward 5:30
Fri Apr 22 @ Lake 4:45
Sat Apr 23 @ Northwood 11:00
Mon Apr 25 Rossford 4:45
Wed Apr 27 @ Fostoria 4:45
Thur Apr 28 @ Van Buren 5:00
Fri Apr 29 @ Elmwood 4:45
Mon May 2 Woodmore 4:45
Wed May 4 @ Eastwood 4:45
Thur May 5 @ Wauseon 5:00
Fri May 6 Genoa 4:45
Mon May 9 Lake 4:45
Wed May 11 @ Rossford 4:45
Fri May 13 Fostoria 4:45
Softball
Mon Mar 28 Archbold 5:00
Tue Mar 29 North Baltimore 5:00
Thur Mar 31 @ Evergreen 4:45
Mon Apr 4 Anthony Wayne 5:00
Wed Apr 6 @ Bowling Green 4:45
Fri Apr 8 Sylvania Northview 5:00
Sat Apr 9 Sylvania Southview 11:00
Mon Apr 11 Elmwood 4:45
Tue Apr 12 @ Wauseon 5:00
Thur Apr 14 @ Woodmore 4:45
Sat Apr 16 @ Rogers (DH) 12:00
Mon Apr 18 Eastwood 4:45
Wed Apr 20 @ Genoa 4:45
Fri Apr 22 @ Lake 4:45
Sat Apr 23 @ Oak Harbor (Quad) 10:00
Mon Apr 25 Rossford 4:45
Wed Apr 27 @ Fostoria 4:45
Fri Apr 29 @ Elmwood 4:45
Mon May 2 Woodmore 4:45
Wed May 4 @ Eastwood 4:45
Fri May 6 Genoa 4:45
Sat May 7 McComb 10:00
Mon May 9 Lake 4:45
Wed May 11 @ Rossford 4:45
Mon May 13 Fostoria 4:45
Junior-Varsity Baseball
Sat Mar 26 Evergreen (DH) 12:00
Thur Mar 31 @ Delta 5:00
Mon Apr 4 Port Clinton 5:00
Wed Apr 6 Oak Harbor 4:45
Thur Apr 7 Napoleon 5:00
Mon Apr 11 @ Elmwood 4:45
Tue Apr 12 Start 5:00 Sat
Thur Apr 14 Woodmore 4:45
Mon Apr 18 @ Eastwood 4:45
Wed Apr 20 Genoa 4:45
Thur Apr 21 @ Woodward 5:00
Fri Apr 22 Lake 4:45 Mon
Sat Apr 23 Northwood 11:00
Mon Apr 25 @ Rossford 4:45
Wed Apr 27 Fostoria 4:45
Thur Apr 28 Van Buren 4:45
Fri Apr 29 Elmwood 4:45
Mon May 2 @ Woodmore 4:45
Wed May 4 Eastwood 4:45
Thur May 5 Wauseon 5:00
Fri May 6 @ Genoa 4:45
Mon May 9 @ Lake 4:45
Wed May 11 Rossford 4:45
Fri May 13 @ Fostoria 4:45
Junior-Varsity Softball
Mon Mar 28 @ Archbold 5:00
Tue Mar 29 @ North Baltimore 5:00
Thur Mar 31 Evergreen 4:45
Mon Apr 4 @ Anthony Wayne 5:00
Wed Apr 6 Bowling Green 4:45
Fri Apr 8 @ Sylvania Northview 5:00
Apr 9 @ Sylvania Southview 11:00
Mon Apr 11 @ Elmwood 4:45
Tue Apr 12 Wauseon 5:00
Thur Apr 14 Perrysburg 4:45
Sat Apr 16 Rogers (DH) 12:00
Apr 18 @ Eastwood 4:45
Wed Apr 20 Genoa 4:45
Fri Apr 22 Lake 4:45
Mon Apr 25 @ Rossford 4:45
Wed Apr 27 Fostoria 4:45
Fri Apr 29 Elmwood 4:45
Sat April 30 Hilltop (DH) 11:00
Wed May 4 Eastwood 4:45
Fri May 6 @ Genoa 4:45
Mon May 9 @ Lake 4:45
Wed May 11 Rossford 4:45
Mon May 13 @ Fostoria 4:45
Track
Sat Apr 23 Ayersville Inv. 9:00
Tue Apr 26 @ Lake w/Eastwood 4:30
Tue May 3 @ Elmwood w/ Woodmore 4:30
Tue Mar 29 @ Bowling Green 4:00
Sat Apr 2 Polar Bear Relays (Margaretta) 10:00
Sat Apr 9 Lakota Inv. 9:00
Tue Apr 12 @ Genoa 4:45
Thur Apr 14 Springfield Inv. 4:30
Tue Apr 19 Fostoria/Rossford 4:30
Sat Apr 30 Liberty Benton Inv. 9:00
Fri May 6 Tim Downey Memorial Inv. 4:30
Tue May 10 JV @ Eastwood 4:30
Sat May 14 NBC's @ Woodmore 10:00
Pay-to-Participate fees are now due. Please contact athletics@otsegoknights.org if you have a question regarding your student’s balance.
Otsego Athletics is on Twitter and Facebook. Follow for high school scores and other athletic department information. Also, if you’d like to receive athletic news and updates by email please email athletics@otsegoknights.org to be added to the list.
OHS Student Council
Events
Powder Puff Football
Powder Puff forms are due by March 1st. If we do not receive enough forms from underclassmen, there will be a single Jr vs Sr game. Forms and money can be turned in at any time to Miss Pierce.
Student Council Armory
HS Student Council will be collecting items, so we can open our Armory next year. Students in need will be able to "shop" the Armory, and take items at no charge. Please help us stock our shelves so we can give back to our community! Please click on the link for more information regarding the Otsego Student Council Armory
We are OHS StuCo
Seniors:
President: Alissa Jacobs
Vice President: Taylor Gonzalez
Secretary: Olivia Jinnings
Treasurer: Marissa Garrett
Representatives: Zane Maxwell, Zane Thomas
Juniors:
President: Madi Kregel
Vice President: Adam Lewis
Representatives: Parker Lazar
Sophomores:
President: Andrew Richardson
Vice President: Julie Spencer
Representatives: Stone Zimmerman, Christina Gonzalez
Freshmen:
President: Hayle Grimmer
Student Council is looking for students who want to help plan and put on events for second semester. Would you like to help create a biweekly Lavatory Ledger? What about help plan a movie night? A Community Euchre tournament? Or even our Spring Powder Puff game? If you are interested in getting involved, see one of your Student Council members, or Miss Pierce. We will be opening up for new member in second semester!
Student Council Advisor: Megan Pierce
Follow OHS Student Council on Twitter: @OHScouncil
Music Department
Our talented instrumental and vocal musicians have many upcoming events, come out to hear some amazing performances. We have musicians performing locally, in solo or ensemble groups, in Honor’s District level and at the All State level this year. We are so very proud of our musical Knights!
3/4 Fish Fry Otsego HS Commons 5-8pm (Click link for attached ticket order form)
3/8 Otsego Music Boosters Meeting 6:30 in room C145
3/17-3/20 – Musical
3/11 and 3/12 – Large group Solo and Ensemble Contest for HS Choir and Band
(exact day and time not yet available)
4/9 OMB/Thayer Ford “Drive4URSchool” Event – 9am -1 pm Thayer Ford
4/12 Otsego Music Boosters Meeting 6:30 in room C145
4/17 Chicken BBQ and Second annual Silent Auction. Great items of all kinds up for
bid to raise money for our Music Program needs.
5/19 Spring High School Choir Concert
TBD – Spring Band Concert dates
5/22 Graduation 2pm
5/24 Spring Junior High Choir Concert
FFA
FFA Contest results from the District Public Speaking contest
Creed: Hayle Grimmer place 6th
Beginning Prepared: Lucy Pullins 2nd (advanced to state) speech was on GMOs
Prepared Speaking: Madi Kregel 6th speech on women's role in agriculture
Extemporaneous Speaking: Ryan Lashaway 1st (advanced to state)
District Ag Sales contest was Feb 18th team members were: Mackenzie Wenig, Greysen Tolles, Lucy Pullins and Seth Pullins. The team place 4th in the district. Lucy Pullins was the 2nd highest in the district.
Transportation Department
Sign up to receive text messages from our Transportation Department!
High School & JH Buses (Bus Routes for grades 6-12 & Penta)
Text: @otsbus6-12
to: 81010
UPDATE: We have updated our phone system so that our main voice prompts will allow callers to press option 5 for the transportation department. Option 5 will ring extension 3156.
Food Service Department
Click the links to Download the 2015-2016 Lunch and Breakfast Schedules. If you have questions please email our Food Service Supervisor, Jeanie Jeffers or follow on twitter @Otsego_Cafe
Otsego Local Schools - Prevention Newsletter Week of January 25th
Wood County - Click Here
Email: ecornish@otsegoknights.org - ATOD On-Site Specialist
Community News/Events
Baseball/Softball signups for Grand Rapids? There are plenty of spots available and if parents and kids want info they can email grandrapidslittleleague@yahoo.com for more information. They will send you the necessary info to get signed up.
Free Dinner Theater - March 16th
Julie Amos Fundraising
To continue towards our $130,000 goal we are raffling off a package of our very own Thomas Family Cattle Farm beef. The package includes a variety of steaks, roasts and ground beef (between 25-28 pounds -- a value of approximately $250). This package nearly fits into a typical recyclable grocery bag and if you win and don’t have room for all of the beef we’ll be happy to bring it to you in smaller increments. Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. The winning ticket will be drawn on Tuesday, March 29th.
Communication with the High School
1. High School Website www.otsegoknights.org has a new look! The new Otsego Local Schools site will more effectively highlight what is important to us and the community. The new website layout uses responsive design, meaning that it will adjust for tablets and mobile devices. We will keep the high school site updated with pictures, news articles, and other important information regarding the district and the building.
2. Remind 101 (Text to: 81010 Message: @otseg there is no "o" at the end just @otseg. Thats it. You will receive a message that says you've been added to our group. You will receive text messages straight to your mobile device). If you don't want to text, you can go to https://www.remind.com/join and just type in (otseg) as the class code.
3. Twitter (follow @otsegohsoffice or @KosheaOHS)
4. District App:
Contact Us
Otsego High School
Email: Koshea@otsegoknights.org
Website: http://www.otsegoknights.org/high-school
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Tontogany, OH, United States
Phone: (419) 823-4381
Twitter: @KosheaOHS
Classic Weekly Student Joke:
A: Because he always got lost at "C", Duh.
Have a great week.