OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - September 18th
The updated district dashboard is below. We have also added this to our website broken out by building. The links are below. We will update the numbers on the website in real-time. I will continue to send out district data out every Friday.
CLICK HERE FOR THE OTSEGO COVID-19 DASHBOARD
Communication Reminders:
1. We will communicate with parents immediately if your child is a direct contact of someone who tested positive with COVID-19. (within 6 feet for more than 15 mins)
2. Parents will receive information in an email if someone from your child’s classroom tested positive for COVID-19.
3. We will inform all parents of a positive case through the COVID-19 Updates tab on the website listed above.
Information from the Health Department Regarding Testing:
I wanted to reach out because we are seeing a lot of incorrect guidance around testing recommendations. Please tell your clerical staff or whatever staff are taking calls reporting sick kids/exposures that they should NOT recommend testing to any individuals that are not symptomatic (exposed or not). Individuals with exposure to COVID should complete a 14-day quarantine. If symptoms have not developed by the end of 14 days testing is not recommended or required. A negative test after exposure does NOT end quarantine early. If symptoms do occur (fever, body aches, cough, shortness of breath, ect.) testing should be done by RNA PCR testing. Antigen testing specifically is a screening test that holds the best results when the individual is symptomatic. Antibody testing is also a screening test with lower efficacy than molecular testing (RNA). RNA testing is available through the Mercy healthcare system, Wood County Hospital, Falcon Health Center, The Little Clinic (krogers), and Rite Aide/Walgreens locations. Some urgent cares in the area also do PCR testing and the patients should verify this before making an appointment to get tested.
Thank you,
Tyler Briggs, MPH
Epidemiologist/Back-up Northwest Ohio Regional Public Health Coordinator
1840 E Gypsy Lane Rd.
Bowling Green OH 43402
Direct Office Phone:419-354-4306
19-20 Report Card
The annual report card is extremely limited this year because last year the State Tests were canceled because of COVID-19. The highlights can be found HERE You can also see the dashboard from the Ohio Department of Education HERE
As of now, State Tests are going to happen this year. There is legislation being discussed and waivers being considered but the status is up in the air at this point.
The Otsego Community places an extremely high value on education and expects us to provide a well-rounded experience that prepares students for success in college, career, and life. This type of education goes far beyond what is measured by the report cards issued by the Ohio Department of Education, which focus primarily on the results of standardized tests. State testing is only a small piece of the puzzle. Testing will never be our sole focus at Otsego, and we will never teach to a test. Our students will always be our number one focus. We cannot solely rely on the data outlined in the state report card to make improvements for a multitude of reasons, and we are constantly working together as a team to ensure positive outcomes for our students. We continue to work towards modernizing our student's educational experiences through the use of technology, hands-on learning through cooperative projects, and providing them real-world experiences.
Food Pick up for ONLINE STUDENTS: Monday, September 21st
Our first food pick up for online students will be Monday, September 21st. The time of the pick up will be from 5 to 6 pm. The location will be the same as the summer pick up. (behind the HS near the football field). Make sure you come pick up the food at the designated time. The Knights Have YOU BACK Organization will also be sending home food for the weekends to these families! We will be providing 10 days worth of breakfast and lunch.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS
We received some great news regarding lunches this week. Starting Monday, September 14th, every single student will receive FREE lunch and breakfast! The USDA extended its reimbursement rules until December 31st. Therefore, starting Monday and running through 12/31/20 all students can go through the line and get a breakfast and a lunch for FREE and the USDA will reimburse Otsego for this meal. Students can still bring in money for their account if they would like to buy extra meals or ala carte items. This process remains the same.
Free and Reduced Applications – We still need those who may qualify for free and reduced meals to fill out their yearly application. You can fill this out online at https://www.lunchapplication.com/ This data is used in multiple different areas and it is very important that we have accurate information.
School Board Meeting
The meeting is Thursday, September 24th at 6 pm in C145. This meeting will be live-streamed on our website.
Adam Koch
GO KNIGHTS!
Athletic Booster Golf Outing Sign up
PTO FUNDRAISER
Advertise with us!
Advertise your business here! We are looking for local businesses that would like to advertise with us this year. We are looking for advertisements on our website and newsletters. Our website and newsletters get over 6,000 views per week. The cost is $500 for the year and this will get your link on my newsletter and website for 12 months. This is an affordable way to promote your local business throughout our community. If you are interested in advertising with us and would like more information, please contact me at akoch@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 1102
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!
Athletics
Friday, September 18
7:00 - V FB @ Genoa
Saturday, September 19
9:00 - JH/HS XC @ Genoa Battle of Turtle Creek (Genoa HS)
10:00 - JV FB (H) Genoa
Monday, September 21
4:00 - GG @ Van Buren (Fostoria CC)
4:15 - 7th/8th VB @ Fostoria
Tuesday, September 22
5:00 - BS @ Van Buren
5:30 - JV/V VB @ Elmwood
Wednesday, September 23
4:15 - 7th/8th VB @ Elmwood
Thursday, September 24
4:15 - 7th/8th FB (H) Eastwood
5:00 - GS (H) Rossford
5:30 - JV/V (H) Rossford
7:00 - BS @ Rossford
Friday, September 25
7:00 - FB @ Rossford
COMMUNITY EVENTS SECTION
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: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.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
Emily Bires - Director of Food Service
Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Phone: 419-823-4381
Twitter: @Otsego_Cafe