OTSEGO LOCAL SCHOOLS
Superintendent's Weekly Update - January 13, 2022
Reminder - No school tomorrow or Monday.
I would like to share more data with everyone on our covid cases. We have had 113 positive students since we have returned from break. We have had 13 positive staff members. We had more covid positive students in the first 2 weeks of 2022 than we had the entire last year.
No one likes a mask, including myself, but what I do like is in-person learning. If we do not have enough healthy staff members we will have to go remote. Like I said earlier this week, NO ONE WANTS TO GO ONLINE.
I appreciated all the emails this week from both sides. I received a lot. The name-calling and threatening emails are not necessarily needed at this point. I know where you stand. I understand that this upsets a few people, but I also understand that it is appreciated by a lot of people. The masking requirement is temporary and when the mask requirement is lifted the group that is upset at me just changes.
The bottom line is that education is important to all of us and the best education that we can give our students is in-person in from of our teachers. That has always been the goal and we have accomplished this goal as of now. We are proud of that. It should be something that everyone is proud of.
Hall of Fame Induction
Current Covid-19 Data and Information
Board Meeting Highlights
The Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting this week. The highlights are below.
1. Elected Brad Anderson, President, and James Harter, Vice President for 2022.
2. The following 2021 Meeting Dates were set:
Generally, the meetings are on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Meetings start at 6 pm and located in the High School Library. You can enter through the HS commons or the front HS entrance. The only exception is November and December. These meetings will be on the 3rd Wednesday.
2022 Board of Education Regular Meetings:
January 26, 2022
February 23, 2022
March 23, 2022
April 27, 2022
May 25, 2022
June 22, 2022
July 27, 2022
August 24, 2022
September 28, 2022
October 26, 2022
**November 16, 2022
**December 21, 2022
3. Adopted the following Treasurer authorizations for 2022:
- Signature of the Treasurer, or the facsimile thereof, be used for all checks and vouchers.
- Permission to invest inactive funds according to Ohio Revised Code.
- Permission for the Treasurer to pay all bills as they are presented, provided that funds are available, and to report monthly to the Board of Education those bills that were paid.
- Permission for the President and Treasurer to borrow money if needed.
- Permission for the Treasurer to approve workbook prices.
- Permission for the Treasurer to apply on behalf of the school district, to participate in any Federal or State Projects or Programs for which Board approval is required.
- Permission for the Treasurer to attend association, local and state meetings.
- Permission to waive the reading of the board minutes at all meetings.
4. Adopted the following Superintendent authorizations for 2022:
- Permission to attend association, local and state meetings.
- Permission to serve as the purchasing agent for the school district.
- Permission to the Superintendent to enter into tuition contracts.
- Permission to the Superintendent to approve transportation agreements
- Permission to approve meeting attendance, travel requests, and reimbursements as deemed appropriate.
- Permission to the Superintendent or designee to serve as the sexual harassment grievance and compliance officer.
- Permission to employ such temporary personnel as needed for emergency situations. Such employment is to be presented for approval by the Board at the next regular meeting.
- Declare that the purchase of meals and other refreshments at meetings be authorized as a permissible use of funds, and to authorize the Superintendent and/or the Treasurer to determine appropriateness.
- Meals, refreshments, other amenities for staff, students, citizen advisory groups who participate in meetings, staff professional development, staff appreciation breakfast/lunch or on other occasions deemed appropriate. Student, staff, citizen, or board member appreciation items, plaques, or retirement items. Senior Citizen Dinner/Musical, Veteran’s Day Breakfast, and any other community event deemed appropriate.
- Permission for the Superintendent and Treasurer as the Records Commission.
- Authorize the Superintendent to consult with legal counsel as deemed necessary.
- Authorize the Superintendent to make assignments to committees of the Superintendent.
Knights Have Your Back and Knight In Shining Armor Fundraiser
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Knights Have Your Back and Knight In Shining Armor are working together to raise money for our programs. On Friday, January 28th, 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 Elmwood.
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 25 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.
How can you help?
There are several ways you, your company, or your family can help:
Donation of an item for our silent auction. Please get these to us by January 14, 2022.
Sponsor our event, see the reverse side of this letter, the earlier we receive these, the more your name/business will be advertised.
SAVE THE DATE! We would love to see you at the event for our dinner, auction, and basketball game!
If you are interested in helping our Knights, please fill out the form below or contact one of our event coordinators for more information.
Post Prom Fundraisers
Otsego High School Post Prom Raffle
The Otsego High School Junior Class is selling tickets to benefit the 2022 post prom trip to Kalahari. Tickets are $10 each for a chance to win a gift certificate to Belleville Market.
Drawing will be held on January 21, 2022
Prizes awarded are as follows:
1st prize: $500.00 gift card
2nd prize: $250.00 gift card
3rd prize: $100.00 gift card
Contact any Otsego High School junior for tickets. For other inquiries please contact Karla Snyder at ohiosnyder5@gmail.com.
The other fundraiser that they are doing is Super Bowl Squares. This is a parent-run organization and not affiliated with the school. Please see the flyer below.
Eagle Scout Project and Fundraiser
Zack is a member of Tontogany Trop 347 and is working on his Eagle Project. He will be re-doing the flag poles and surrounding area located at the Otsego High School football field. His project estimate is $8,000. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to help Zack and his project, please send checks made out to Troop 347 and note on the memo line Zack Hillyard Eagle Scout Project.
PO Box 201
Haskins, OH 43525
Zack will also be having a Euchre night fundraiser at the Tontogany American Legion. There will be dinner available and a fun night of cards. Dinner starts at 6:00p and play starting at 7:00p
Friday, January 14th
Friday, February 11th
Friday, April 8th
He will also be having a restaurant fundraiser at the following locations…
· Alehouse in Bowling Green on Saturday, February 19th from 3:00p to 9:00p.
· Wildside Brewery in Grand Rapids on Thursday, March 3rd from 4:00p to 9:00p.
Please support Zack and thank you!!!
Dimes for Donuts
Ashton Copeland Memorial Scholarship Fund
Otsego Endowment Foundation Brick Sale
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
Thursday, January 13
5:30 - GBK (H) Genoa
5:30 - JH WR @ Swanton
Saturday, January 15
9:00 - JH WR @ Archbold
12:00 - JV/V GBK (H) Van Buren
Tuesday, January 18
5:30 - JV/V GBK (H) Elmwood
Wednesday, January 19
4:15 - JH GBK (H) Eastwood
5:30 - HS WR (H) Lake
Thursday, January 20
4:14 - JH BBK (H) Fostoria
Friday, January 21
4:45 - 9th/JV/V BBK @ Woodmore
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