OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - October 29th
Last chance to register for the Veteran's Day breakfast. Please sign up below or contact Lisa Austin to register. If you cannot make Breakfast you are still welcome to come to the program at 9:15.
Football Playoff Game - We hope to pack the stadium again but for those that cannot make it the game will be live-streamed at the link below.
Tickets - www.ohsaa.org/tickets - We are division 5 region 18. There are NO tickets sold at the gate. You have to go online to purchase. We have no authority to do anything other than what OHSAA tells us. We apologize for the inconvenience.
OTSEGO TV WILL BE LIVE TOMORROW FOR THOSE THAT CANNOT MAKE IT OUT TO THE GAME
COVID: Please take a look at the data below in regards to our latest COVID numbers and updated quarantine guidance. I put together a summary of our weekly data and a stat that shows that ZERO out of our 85 identified close contacts who were in an unmasked environment, ended up developing symptoms and testing positive. This is a very encouraging statistic.
Jane Gray and I still need strong communication from all of you. If there are positive cases in the household we need to know about them. It is critical to the health and safety of our students and staff.
The new rules allow for kids to be able to stay in school and participate in extracurriculars but if students refuse to put a mask on for 14 days or if athletes refuse the testing requirements that allow them to continue to participate in extracurriculars they will NOT be able to come to school or play.
Please continue to work with us and communicate with us! We really appreciate the collaboration.
UPDATED QUARANTINE RULES and MASK GUIDELINES
COVID DATA SUMMARY AS OF 10_28_21
No School Reminder: We have conferences next week. No school on campus Thursday, 11/4 and Friday, 11/5
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.
OTSEGO HALL OF FAME INDUCTION NOMINATIONS
Hall of Fame Nominations:
Otsego 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, 2021. The induction class will be recognized at Otsego High School on Friday, February 4, 2022.
Current Covid-19 Data and Information
Board of Education Highlights
Informational Items
A. Recognized Otsego Junior High and High School Students of the Month for October:
6th grade – Addison Hertzfeld, Grady Frank; 7th grade – Katelyn Cline, Ryan Tary;
8th grade – Sophia Schroeder, Eddie Wilson; Freshman – Haylee Williams; Sophomore – Serenity Nickel; Junior – Gavin Miller; Senior – Trevor Hennan
Treasurer’s Financial Reports / Recommendations
A. Approve the Financial Report
B. Establish petty cash for the 2021-2022 school year for Business Club $200
C. Approve all donations to Otsego Local School District
Superintendent Recommendations
A. Approve the Bowling Club and Rich Dubler as the advisor
B. Approve the Softball trip to Myrtle Beach April 10 – April 15, 2022, no cost to the board
C. Approved the following changes in personnel:
Approve the substitute teacher list as submitted by the Wood County ESC
Resignation:
Jackie McBride, aide, effective 9/24/21
Classified Employees’ One-Year Limited Contract for 2021-2022 School Year:
Rachel Coy Aide effective 10/12/21
Shelly Weilnau Cook effective 10/12/21
Student Worker for 2021-2022 School Year:
Trent Leiter effective 10/11/2021
Supplemental Contracts for 2021-2022 School Year:
Hayley Babcock 0.5 Assistant Musical Advisor
Ginger Caris 7th Grade Boys Basketball
Brandon Floro 8th Grade Boys Basketball
Brandon Fitch 8th Grade Girls Basketball
Carter Genson 0.2 Assistant Varsity Wrestling
Joe Gerwin Head Wrestling
Natalie Lambert 0.5 Assistant Musical Advisor
Eric Simon Head Girls Basketball
Andrew Willford JV Girls Basketball
Tracy Wilson Musical Choreographer
Indoor Track 2021-2022 School year - Two supplementals split equally between the following:
Jacob Caris, Shawn Downey, Vince Falk, Adam Lewis, Chad McClory
2021-2022 Substitute Teacher Contract:
Samantha Scott
2021-2022 School Year Classified Substitutes:
Robin Belleville, Rachel Coy, Courtney Iler
2021-2022 School Year Volunteers:
Bill Gerwin, Cole Steele
Old Business
A. Covid-19 Protocols
First Ever Fall Cabaret, "All Together Now"
Tickets are on sale NOW!!!
Join us for our FIRST EVER Fall Cabaret, "All Together Now!"
It will be an evening of performances from over TWELVE different musicals, heartfelt speeches from students who love the arts, and a reminder of what it means to come together on stage.
All proceeds will directly benefit the OHS Drama Club and our spring production of "The Little Mermaid"! After losing so many funds due to COVID show cancellations, we are hoping to raise money for a Sea-tacular Spring Show!
SHOW DATES:
Friday, November 12th @ 7:00pm
Saturday, November 13th @ 7:00pm
Sunday, November 14th @ 2:00pm
On FRIDAY night, you have the option of joining us at 5:30 pm for a Spaghetti Dinner! The actors and actresses will serve you and chat with you about the show.
TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT AT:
https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/57209
...or at the door the nights of the show!
(Please note that the Spaghetti Dinner tickets will cut off 48 hours before the show in order to give us time to prepare.)
Hope to see you there!
Halloween Events in the Community
Haskins: October 30th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Tontogany: October 31st from 5:30 to 7 pm
Weston: October 30th from 6 to 7:30 pm (Party at the Village Hall from 4:30 to 5:45)
Otsego Endowment Foundation Brick Sale
OTSEGO COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Each year, local churches organize Christmas Boxes that are handed out to families and people in need in the Otsego Community.
Please see attached flyers to apply for one of these boxes. They are also in need of donated items and the other flyer lists needed items.
Deadline for Applications is December 4th by 3:00pm.
Deadline for monetary donations is December 5th. (Flyer has address)
Deadline for donated items is Thursday, December 9th by 3:00pm
Returned applications can be:
1. Mailed to Address on the form
2. Mailed to Otsego HS at 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Suite 2, Bowling Green, OH 43402
3. Turned into the office by parent or student.
4. Emailed to broberts@otsegoknights.org
Christmas Box Application Link
Volunteers needed:
• Anyone: Wednesday, Dec 8th, 10:00am at St. Patrick's Church (Grand Rapids) for sorting and bagging toys for ages infant-12 years old
• Anyone: Thursday, December 9th, 6:00pm in St. Patrick's PARISH Hall for the sorting and boxing of all non-toy items
• Post HS age: Saturday, Dec 11th, 8:00am-12:00pm, for the distribution of toys, baskets and warming items from St. Pat's Parish Hall.
Thank you to the local churches: St. Patrick Providence, Tontogany Presbyterian, First Presbyterian, Hosanna Lutheran, Methodist Tontogany, Methodist Grand Rapids, Methodist Weston.
Wood County Health Department Vaccine Information and Talking Points
Otsego and Weston Food Pantry Information
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
Junior High and High School Athletic Events
Saturday, October 30
1:00 - Boys XC at Tiffin (Hedges Boyer Park) *Regionals
Tickets must be purchased ahead of time at ohsaa.org/tickets.
7:00 - V FB (H) Wynford *Tournament Game - No passes accepted
Tickets must be purchased ahead of time at ohsaa.org/tickets. We’re division V region 18.
Safe School Helpline
Dear Parents, Students and Friends,
Recent polls show that parents’ first concern about schools today is their child’s safety. That is my concern as well. Fortunately, the Otsego is very safe. However, no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger public schools nationwide.
We are introducing a Safe School Helpline® to help prevent such actions. It is designed to assist you in reporting any wrongdoing that impacts our schools, our students, or our staff – anonymously, so as to protect your privacy. For example, you may wish to report acts of violence, theft, drug or alcohol use, weapons, or sexual harassment.
Just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced, and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken.
Thank you for your continued support to provide a better education for all Otsego students.
800-418-6423 (800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359)
TEXT: 614-426-0240
Then type: TIPS
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