A Publication of Otsego Public SchoolsNovember 2012 District NewsletterVolume II Issue 2

“Linking Students to the World...”

In This Issue:

Spotlight On... p. 2 Community Education Department

Community Connection p. 3 Food Drives, Fire Safety

Sports Highlight p. 5 Tennis Takes Conference Title

Taking a Pledge p. 5 Making Healthy Choices in K-12

Tech Talk p. 7 Fun, Free Ways to Learn at Home

“““LLLLLLLiiiiiiinnnnnnkkkkkkkkiiiiiiinnnnnngggggggg SSSSSSSStttttttttuuuuuuuuuuddddddddddddeeeeeeennnnnnnttttttttttssssssss ttttttttttoooooooo tttttttttthhhhhhhhhhheeeeeee WWWWWWWWWWooooooorrrrrrrlllllllllllddddddddddd.........”””””

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Community Education It’s a small offi ce on

the west side of the middle school, but there’s nothing small about what Community Education provides for the Otsego area. Th eir

logo says “We Off er Everything Under Th e

Sun” for good reason. “Community Education is focused on off ering educational and recreational activities for the residents of our school district,” says Community Education Director Tim Syrek. Th ere are programs for preschool-aged children to senior citizens – adult and youth sports, adult education, youth enrichment, before and aft er school daycare, driver’s education and more.Youth Programs

Discovering athletic skills starts for kids as young as fi ve through basketball and t-ball programs and various summer camps. Kids can then build on those skills with more programs starting in 3rd grade.

Swim lessons for all levels (toddlers to advanced) are off ered at least twice a year; typically in the fall and spring. Th e pool is also open throughout the year for anyone to come in for open swim and lap swim.

Enrichment is an area that

continues to grow for Community Education with Winter and Summer Voyagers, “the idea is provide fun, safe and aff ordable activities for kids K-8th grade during their school breaks,” says Voyagers Coordinator, Lacy Stout, “I like to provide programs that are not only fun, but ones where they can take something away from their experience.” For example, students ages 11 and up can

take a Babysitting Certifi cation class and learn what to do in an emergency, First Aid and CPR. On the creative side, there’s oft en a class to make their own art supplies using items they can fi nd in their own home.

She brings back the popular classes each year, like tie-dying, art with food and bowling; but she also throws in new ideas or fi eld trips to keep it changing.

Teenagers become very familiar with the Community Ed offi ce since they also run Driver’s Education. For Adults

But many adults come back here, too, to earn a high school diploma through the Adult Education program. Th is is one

program that has grown in recent years and provided a new start to

about 36 men and women each year.But the desire to learn doesn’t have

to stop as an adult; another growing program has been our Senior Lifelong Learning group. Senior citizens from all over the area are welcome to attend the gatherings which occur on the fi rst Tuesday of every month. Each one features a local speaker to talk about diff erent aspects of the community, or present more in-depth information on issues that aff ect them. Th e senior group also takes fi eld trips to Turkeyville and shows at the Civic Th eatre. Last year, they also went to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

And More...Otsego’s Learn N’ Grow Preschool

program is run through Community Education; Swim Club is as well and attracts about 80 students; ad right now, all spots are fi lled for the Hunter Safety Course.

Th e list may be long, but Syrek says his door is open, “Our goal is to serve the needs of our residents, and input is always welcome on new programs and ideas.”

FIND OUT MORE:COMMUNITY EDUCATION

www.otsegops.org/commed501 S. Grant St.

Otsego, MI, 49078269-692-6225.

AT A GLANCEYOUTH ACTIVITIES

K-2nd gradeLittle Dawg BasketballT-ball, Otsego Hitters

baseball/soft ball3rd-6th grade

Spikers VolleyballHoopsters

Otsego Hitters

SUMMER SPORTS CAMPSK-12

Boys & Girls BasketballVolleyball, DivingWrestling, Football

Baseball, Soft ball, SoccerCompetitive Cheer

ADULT RECREATIONCoed Volleyball

Mens’ League BasketballOpen Walking, Weight Room

Mens’ & Coed Soft ballOpen Swim, Lap Swim

OTHER:Hunter SafetySwim Lessons

Driver’s EducationAdult Education

Senior Lifelong LivingBASE

Voyagers

CONNECTIONCommunity

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‘Tis the Season for Caring

OHS Student Council members collect canned goods during the Homecoming Parade.

Student Council members at the high school and middle school are putting together ambitious food drives. The

high school set an 8,000 item goal while the middle school is trying to top last year’s record of 14,000 items.The high school put a twist on this year’s annual food drive

to expand their list of contributors. Along with the fl oats, royalty and sports teams, were two golf carts calling for cans in this year’s homecoming parade.,“We saw this as something different to try to get the community involved,” says Student Council Adviser Merry Beth Ruiz. They collected several bags along the way, “it made for a great start to our annual drive and fun way to kick it off.” The Student Council food drive benefi ts the Otsego Christ-

mas Basket Project, a community effort that identifi es fami-lies who struggle to put food on the table and toys under the tree. The OMS drive, which starts November 5th, benefi ts Christian Neighbors and is one of the pantry’s largest donors.

Toys will be the focus for the National Honor Society as they work to fi ll that void for area families. Their annual effort also benefi ts the Otsego Christmas Basket Project. NHS members will collect new toys and money and are

holding a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s on December 8th. The kids have a shopping night at a local retailer to fulfi ll the basket project requests. Last year, they collected a record $2400 and were able to provide 250 toys to area children.

Otsego Fire Department Assistant Chief Kyle Baker gives students a high fi ve as he demonstrates how fi refi ghters look

for residents when inside a burning home.

Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week has been a fall highlight for hundreds of Otsego students. A 60-year partnership continued this year with visits to the school and trips to the fi re station to learn about fi re safety and prevention. “It’s very important,” says Otsego’s Assistant Fire

Chief Kyle Baker. He met with about 400 Otsego students this October to show them different pieces of fi re and safety equipment and to give them safety tips. They learned to have two exits out of their room and house, have a family meeting place, never to hide and how to call for help.Each student was also given a coloring book

depicting many safety topics for the whole family.

OTSEGO MAIN STREET PROJECT In Otsego, the school and the community go hand in hand. For more than a decade, the collaboration between OPS and the city, township and businesses has only strengthened. OPS is supporting Otsego’s revitalization effort to be a Michigan Main Street community. It’s a four-point approach: Design, Economic Restruc-turing, Promotion and Organization. As a Main Street community, Otsego would receive specialized training for businesses and volunteers to take steps to increase jobs, decrease vacant storefronts, historically preserve down-town businesses and boost overall economic growth. “It’s become very clear that ‘place’ matters,” says Molly Wieber, the Otsego Main Street Chairwoman, “People choose to work, play and stay in vibrant cities that are safe and offer interesting laces to eat, shop and spend time.” Volunteers play a vital role, “The intent is to revitalize the community through volunteer vision and leadership. “In the past, there was not a tangible way for them to make a difference. Now there is,” she says. If you’d like to schedule a visit or have questions, call Molly Wieber at 744-1431, you can also fi nd them on Facebook.

From the Superintendent Dennis M. Patzer

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1-to-1 Technology and Student Learning A major trend in our society is the ownership of cell phones, iPhones, iPads, netbooks, etc. – it is

almost as if everyone has some type of mobile device. Schools and student learning are also a big part of this trend. Pre-school through college students learn by using one-to-one handheld mobile

devices. An important question is whether or not public schools should provide these devices. As an example, “What is really necessary for students to be profi cient and good learners in the 21st Century?”

At OPS, we are constantly trying to answer the above question in a measured, prudent and fi scally responsible way. Consideration must be given to the initial cost and availability of apps that students can use. Durability and the length of time before the device becomes outdated are also important issues. Educationally, one-to-one digital learn-ing comes with mixed reviews from the research. Th is style of learning (like the option of online courses) works well for some students, but is ineff ective for others.

Our technology department continually researches and explores the value of one-to-one learning and stays in tune with which technology tools are most appropriate for our students. In terms of evaluation, Otsego teachers volunteer to try new tech tools prior to us purchasing on a large scale. Aft er piloting these tools and new techniques, a decision is made on how to proceed in the best interest of our students. Th is fall, an example of this process is evidenced by the start of technology instruction for our Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. Th is curriculum is increas-ing our youngest learners comfort and skill level with technology in an appropriate way and is preparing them for SMARTER Balance online state assessments that are coming to Michigan schools in 2015.

Th e overriding reality of today’s educational system is the incorporation of digital learning as a key component to student learning. For the most part, students are much more engaged when using these devices to collaborate and solve problems. At OPS, we continue to research the overall eff ect on student learning as we move forward –stay tuned.

A sea of purple washed over Bulldog Stadium September 14th for Otsego’s second Purple Community Event. It’s estimated that 5-6,000 people attended the Otsego-Plainwell match-up that doubled as a fundraiser for Van Andel Institute for cancer research. Almost 1500 of those fans were in specially designed purple shirts. The evening raised more than $19,000, putting Otsego in a special category at Van Andel Institute; the school will be placed on their Collaboration of Hope wall which features wooden plaques for any group that raises more than $10,000 for the cause. In the coming weeks, representatives from both schools will travel to VAI for a tour and offi cial check presentation. For a review of the Purple Community Event, go to: www.otsegops.org/news/purple.

Purple Community Games Raise $19,154 for Cancer Research

Players wear special purple jerseys that feature the name of a loved

one aff ected by cancer.

Honor a Volunteer

Accepting Nominations Now!

Each year, Otsego Public Schools honors one of the many volunteers with the Outstanding Citizen Award. This volunteer is someone who goes above and beyond in helping our school and staff enhance our students’ education. If you know of someone deserving of this recognition, nominate them. Forms are available at all building offices and online at: www.otsegops.org/volunteeraward

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Saying “No” with Art

Juniors McKenzie Warner, le , and Bella Hawk look over the art entries with SADD Adviser Mrs. Henry.

Students are taking a pledge to stay away from drugs and alcohol in a creative way this year at OHS. SADD (Students Against Destruc-

tion Decisions), through PYT (Pro Youth Team of Allegan County,) launched an art competition; students were asked to create a poster using the circle and arrow logo of “Above Th e Infl uence.” Th ose who took on the contest, were sending a message - to take the pledge. Th ere were 75 entries, “It’s great,” says PYT/SADD member Bella Hawk, “I fi gured maybe we’d get twenty.” “You don’t know how many kids are serious about not doing drugs and drinking until you do something like this,” says SADD Advisor Kelly Henry. PYT planned the contest which about fi ve other schools are also doing, “Just to get kids’ creativity going and get kids in-volved,” says PYT/SADD member McKenzie Warner. She feels

the creative element helped students take that stand, “I think this helped bring it up; some kids don’t want to speak up,” she says. Once SADD students narrow the fi eld to eight, the OHS student body will choose a winner from each class.

Tennis Tops ConferenceOtsego marks fi rst title for the record books

For the fi rst time in Wolverine Conference history, Otsego Boys’ Tennis took the Conference Championship. Records started in 1952, and this was Otsego’s year, “Winning conference and qualifying for state both brought on a feeling of wondrous disbelief mixed with the thought that, ‘yes, we were meant to do this,’” says Coach Chuck Parker. Parker attributes the players’ success with their hard work in the off -season; many participated in the United States Tennis Association’s Junior Team and some have had private and group lessons with tennis professionals. Th eir determination was another factor, “every player’s willingness to improve at every practice and match,” Parker said. It wasn’t just the team holding the honors, Parker was named Coach of the Year, “I deeply appreciate the validation by my peers and the desire and eff ort by my players to win that honor for me.” He adds, “we can build on this.”

Pledge to

Play 60 Fighting obesity, increasing interest in fi tness and boosting brain power - all are great reasons for kids to be active. Otsego Public Schools stresses physical activity for all of our students through regular PE classes and targeted programs. Th is year, all elementary students are getting more involved with the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 by taking a pledge to get in the recommended 60 minutes of activity a day. Our teachers are helping them do that through a new health class, the GROOVE Method, and by helping them sign on to the website to document the foods they eat and their exercise.

Students at Washington Street Elem. sign the Fuel Up to Play 60 pledge banner.

Using Data to Make a Diff erence NowTh e school year is in full swing and the day-to-day routines have been established.

But they are far from being set in stone thanks to new assessment tools that allow staff to craft instruction for each grade, each classroom, and even each individual student.

Th rough daily assignments and screeners, our teachers have been assessing the summer slide - what your child retained and what they forgot. Th e assessments have also helped to determine your child’s knowledge on the current grade’s content.

Otsego uses DIBELS and STAR tests in the elementary schools to assess reading comprehension and language. In addition, Delta Math screeners are used in grades one through eight to determine if essential skills have been mas-tered. Common assessments at all three levels also provide valuable information. Th ese tests have become a criti-cal component of our curriculum because they provide us with immediate results. Within days, we can see not only students’ scores, but the actual questions – in turn the concepts – they missed or mastered. Th is data allows us to pinpoint areas where instruction can be strengthened to help students reach the goals of the Core Curriculum this is done through our PLC work among the classroom teachers.

Th ese types of assessments support Otsego’s focus on learning. Research shows that the most powerful impact on student achievement occurs through frequent review of data and a collaborative response to that data. We are com-mitted to identifying those missed learning targets as immediately as possible and intervening so the students’ learn-ing is managed more eff ectively.

From the Directors’ ChairDirector of Elementary Instruction Director of Secondary InstructionAlamo Elementary Principal OHS Asst. PrincipalMelissa Koenig Heather Kortlandt

6

The Otsego Marching Band has marked another successful season. Fans have enjoyed their performances and judges have as well. They scored all 1’s at their District Fes val on October 9th. Performing their selec ons, “Pictures of Russia”, the band took 2nd place at the Rockford Invita onal, 1st at Gull Lake, 2nd in Jenison and 1st at East Kentwood where they also took 3rd place overall along with Marching, Music and Percussion awards. The students head to Florida December 27th where the marching band will perform in a Disney parade; the symphonic and concert bands will also perform during their 7-day trip.

Marching to Success

From left : Ayaka Suzuki, Japan; Grace Gunteeganog, Th ailand; Florian Hunold and Th eresa Bauer, Germany; Erik Rigan, Slovakia; Patricia Gonzalez, Spain.

New Home, New Experience, New Friends

OHS is hosting six exchange students for the year from fi ve diff erent countries. For the fi rst time, there’s a stu-dent from Slovakia which adds another country’s fl ag to the high school entrance. Most of them say they decided to study in the United States to better their English, but are here for the experi-ence, “I want to know a new culture, meet new people,” says Erik Rigan. Read more online:www.otsegops.org/news/exchangestudents

Free, Fun Online Learning Resources

The school year is already off to a great start! It’s fun to see our students being engaged during the school day using technology; especially the SMART Boards and iPads. Even if you can’t have a SMART Board or an iPad in your own home, there are sev-eral educational websites that offers free resources to students and parents.

Does your elementary student need to practice their multiplication tables? Does your high school or middle school student need to study their vo-cabulary words? Quizlet.com is a web-based study tool that students, parents, and teachers can use to create online fl ash cards that can also be printed. Students can use these fl ashcards online to study or play games that test their knowledge of the infor-mation. Quizlet is free to use and has hundreds of ready-made fl ashcard sets available covering a va-riety of subjects. You can also create custom fl ash-card sets, making this a tool for all ages. Quizlet also has an app available for mobile devices.

Starfall.com is a free website that focuses on phonics. This website is primarily geared towards Preschool – second grade students. Parents can also download and print “ABC Printouts” to practice writing the letters of the alphabet.

ABCYa.com is another educational website offer-ing free games for grades K – 5. Lessons incorpo-rate areas such as Math, Language Arts, and basic computer skills. Kindergarten students can practice the alphabet by playing “Alphabet Bingo”, while your fi fth-grader can practice their spelling words with the “Spelling Bees” game. ABCYa.com also has some apps available for 99 cents for Apple devices, including Math Bingo, Fraction Tiles, and Word Bingo.

For a list of additional educational websites, visit the Parents section on our district website at www.

otsegops.org.

TECH TALK

Director of TechnologyMichelle Triemstra

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Otsego Public Schools News & Notes Don’t miss out on any of the great things

happening at Otsego Public Schools! Bookmark our website“Like” us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter @OtsegoSchools

Otsego Public Schools C U

Administra on/Business Offi ce 269-692-6066 Superintendent Denny Patzer 269-692-6076Alamo Elementary 269-692-6150 Melissa Koenig, PrincipalDix Street Elementary 269-692-6099 Mark Rollandini, PrincipalWashington Street Elementary 269-692-6069 Heather Badders, PrincipalOtsego Middle School 269-692-6199 Bill Houseman, PrincipalOtsego High School 269-692-6166 Hervé Dardis, PrincipalSpecial Educa on 269-692-6233 Alice Hoekstra, Director Community Educa on 269-692-6225 Tim Syrek, DirectorLearn N’ Grow Preschool Alamo 269-692-6152 Dix Street 269-692-6099 Washington Street 269-692-6092B.A.S.E. Alamo 269-692-6140 Dix Street 269-692-6114 Washington Street 269-692-6088Athle cs High School 269-692-6163 Middle School 269-692-6225Transporta on Department 269-692-6245 Carrie Barnhart, Supervisor

Otsego Public Schools Website www.otsegops.orgFacebook www.facebook.com/otsegopsTwi er @OtsegoSchoolsOPS Founda on www.opsfounda on.org

Homecoming 2012 RoyaltyPrince and Princess: Logan Haight and Shaina Smith-Headings

King and Queen: Mitchell Kiel and Kera Campbell (photo courtesy: Gary Shook)

To: Postal Customer **ECRWSS**

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDOtsego, MI

Permit No. 23

From: Otsego Public Schools 400 Sherwood Street Otsego, MI 49078-1281

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OPS CONNECTION is published 4 times per year with printing by Premiere Printing Corporation, 720 N. Main St., Plainwell. It is distributed to all residents of the Otsego Public School district. Residents in the district who live north of “F” Avenue receive their newsletter via the Community Shopper’s Guide. Residents who live south of “F” Avenue and residents with Allegan and Gobles addresses receive their news-letter via the U.S. Post Offi ce. Changes of address, suggestions, questions and contributed articles should be signed and sent to Holly McCaw, OPS CONNECTION editor, Otsego Public Schools, 400 Sherwood Street, Otsego, MI 49078-1281. For more information, call Holly at (269) 692-6073.

The Otsego Public School District complies with all federal laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, genetic information or any other legally protected characteristic, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Upon request to the Superintendent, the District shall make reasonable accommodations for a disabled person to participate in any building activity.

Calendar of EventsNovember 7-8 Elementary students 1/2 day, Parent-Teacher Conferences 9-10 Band-A-Th on 12 Board of Education Mtg, 7pm, Dix Street Elem. Media Center 20 All students 1/2 day 21-26 No school, Th anksgiving Break

December 3 OHS Blood Drive 5 OMS/OHS early release, 1:30pm 13 Stars Concert “North Pole Musical”, 7pm, OHS Auditorium24 - January 4 - Holiday Break

January 14 Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Board Room 24 OMS/OHS Parent-Teacher Conferences 25 OMS/OHS students 1/2 day, Parent-Teacher Conferences

February 4-9 Snocoming Week 6 Pre-Festival HS Band Concert, 7pm, OHS Auditorium 7 Pre-Festival MS Band Concert, 7pm, OHS Auditorium 11 Board of Education Meeting, 7pm, Board Room15-18 No School, Mid-Winter Break 19 Pre-Festival Choir Concert, 7pm, OHS Auditorium 28 Stars Concert “Joust”, 7pm, OHS Auditorium

March 6 All students 1/2 day, Parent-Teacher Conferences 7 Elementary students no school, MS/HS students 1/2 day 8 No School

Save the Date!

Mother/Son DanceFriday

February 1st 7-9pm

Father/Daughter Dance

Saturday February 2nd

7-9pm

$10/family $5 pictures

Washington Street Elementary All ages welcome