Otsego Middle School is holding its own Winter Olympics contests. Opening ceremonies were held on Feb. 18. Each STRIVE class researched and represented a country and competed as a team. Medals will be awarded at closing ceremonies on Feb. 25. 

photos by Katy Baranoski, Otsego High School senior

Congratulations to the Otsego High School boys varsity tennis team and coach Chuck Parker. The team finished second at Regionals and qualified to go on to the State competition.

Congratulations to the following students of the month for September:  Michael Moore (Mrs.Trahan), Vaughn Mehler (Mrs. Badiner), Michelle Dutton (Mr. McMullen), Julie Taylor-Kirsch (Martin), Matt Artis (Mr. Haase), Sierra Frasier (Mr. Belton), Danielle Molenaar (Mr. McMillin), Michael Warner (Mrs. Grile), Kyle Cagle (Mrs. Hemann), Melissa Marcum (Mrs. Cleypool), Dennis Vyletel & Caitlyn Colasanti (Mr. Fox), Jessica Cramer (Mr. Cleypool), Caleb Gallup & Justin Schwartz (Mrs. Soisson), Jessica Hollman (Mrs. Laughlin), and Ella Beuttner (Mr. DeVary).

                                      For information please contact:
Dennis Patzer, Otsego, 269.692.6076
Jennifer Rogers, MASB, 517.327.5908

Sept. 9, 2009

For Immediate Release

Otsego Public Schools’ program top in the state

 LANSING, MI – Nine school districts across Michigan are starting the school year off with a celebration of success. The Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) recently announced the recipients of the 2009 Michigan’s Best Award. While schools face many challenges, the Michigan’s Best award is an example of the quality education taking place in Michigan schools each day.  Otsego Public Schools’ Rewiring the Brain program has been selected as a recipient of the 2009 Michigan’s Best Award. Otsego will accept its award Oct. 24 at an awards ceremony co-sponsored by MASB and SET SEG School Insurance Specialists, the program’s exclusive sponsor. Otsego’s winning program earned the honor in the Professional Development category for its innovativeness and impact on student achievement. Teachers, administrators and school board members will be on hand to celebrate the prestigious award. “We’re being challenged at the state and local level to develop innovative approaches to education,” said Kathy Hayes, MASB executive director. “These districts have a proven record of success, and should be thought of as models for other districts across the state.” 
                   In Allegan County, a literacy initiative has the goal of having all students read at grade level as prescribed by No Child Left Behind. In Otsego, it became evident that there was a wide-range of teacher knowledge and comfort regarding teaching literacy. Countywide assessments were administered by Title I staff, leaving teachers without a clear understanding of the measurement and results. Therefore, Otsego Public Schools adopted Rewiring the Brain, a mandatory, intensive professional development program. A global presentation of curriculum content is represented using half-day trainings, while explicit instruction is addressed within weekly grade level meetings.
                  Programs are judged by an independent panel of experts in each area, based on uniqueness, the critical need served and evidence of impact on student achievement. More than 150 entries were received from districts across the upper and lower peninsulas. Each winner receives a trophy for display at the school and $1,500 to sustain their efforts. These programs won round-two judging and represent the top honor in each of nine categories of MASB’s Education Excellence program. MASB provides quality educational leadership services to all Michigan boards of education, and advocates for student achievement and public education.  #  #  # 

Free haircuts, clothing and school supplies will be available to Washington Street Elementary students during the school?s annual Clothing Exchange on Sept. 2 from 6 to 8:15 p.m.
Gently used clothing will be available and stylists from Elle Salon will be on hand to give haircuts. The Plainwell/Otsego Walmart store has donated $10 shoe vouchers. Goody bags with school supplies will be handed out and information will also be available about the school?s Backpack Buddies food supplement program.
This is the second year that

Washington Street

has hosted the clothing exchange. ?The beginning of school is so expensive for families and we?re trying to make the transition to school as easy as possible,? said Washington Street Elementary principal Heather Badders.
The clothing exchange runs during the school?s orientation session. All services are free.

Otsego Public Schools is pleased to announce the availability of a free online energy tracking tool.  The free website, named GreenQuest, is a personal energy dashboard that enables community members to track and analyze the energy use for their home or place of business.  According to Superintendent Denny Patzer, the district is providing GreenQuest to the community in order to educate, raise awareness, and promote energy conservation.

At http://mygreenquest.com/otsegopsmi/, district residents can track their energy use and cost; compare their building with its peers; evaluate energy saving projects; track their carbon footprint; analyze energy use with AccuWeather weather data; and as an option, obtain an ENERGY STAR building rating (for commercial buildings).  The service is completely free for community members and it’s safe and secure—no confidential user information (account numbers, etc.) is entered into GreenQuest.

Patzer is a strong proponent of energy tracking:  “We use an energy management software program to track the utility bills for all district buildings and have found it to be invaluable.  When you want to save energy and reduce your carbon emissions, the first step is to track your usage.  With GreenQuest, we’re giving every household and business in the district a powerful tool to do the same thing.”

GreenQuest is powered by EnergyCAP® software, the energy efficiency software leader for thirty years.  Both GreenQuest and EnergyCAP are published by Good Steward Software, an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company based in State College, PA.  Visit www.myGreenQuest.com for more information or contact Chris S. Heinz, Director of Marketing, at ChrisH@myGreenQuest.com or 877.327.3702 x24. 

 

by Superintendent Denny Patzer

With all the recent focus on budget woes in the state of Michigan, I want to take this opportunity to explain how OPS is going to allocate and spend the Federal Stimulus dollars that will be coming to the district for the next two years. The Stimulus Funding can be very confusing because it comes to local districts in different pots or categories and each one includes specific rules and guidelines for spending. The main categories are Title I funds, which are tied to free and reduced lunch numbers, Title II funds which are designated for technology and staff development, IDEA funds which are tied to Special Education interventions and programming services, and Stabilization Funds which are tied to State aid.

In Otsego, we have been working with other county schools and the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency to coordinate some of the programming with IDEA funds. The ESA staff is involved because they will receive the money and disburse it to local districts. The main level of responsibility for reporting and accounting of funds will be done by ESA staff. This relieves local staff from the liability in reporting and provides us with checks and balances by an oversight organization.

Our areas selected are: technology purchases of equipment and software, equipment to outfit the new kindergarten classrooms, student intervention programs like our new after school programs that will be held in each of our five buildings beginning this fall and a staff professional development program titled Capturing Kids' Hearts. It is important to note that these funds are to be used in the next two years and must be designated toward programs that will have a lasting effect without the need for long term funding.

I hope you agree that we are using a multi-faceted approach to get the "best bang for the buck" with this stimulus money. We were required to submit an application in June 2009 and we have received initial approval from the state regarding our plan for spending the funds.

(Left to Right) The school district has received an Education Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Otsego Public Schools Board of Education trustee Renny Ransbottom, Washington Street Elementary kindergarten teacher Sue Raven, Dix Street Elementary Principal Tim Allard, early literacy trainer Trish Martin, Dix Street Elementary third grade teacher Kim Seger, Superintendent Denny Patzer and Board of Education trustee Wendy Stafford received an Education Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards for professional development initiatives involving the district’s Rewiring the Brain literacy. 

Otsego High School senior Katie Porter competed in an essay contest sponsored by the Allegan County prosecutor’s office for National Crime Victim’s Rights Week.  Katie and other members of Otsego High School teacher Dan Cleypool’s American History class submitted essays, as did students from other Allegan County schools.  Katie’s essay was selected as the winning essay from over 60 that were accepted.

 

Katie was awarded $100 for her winning paper. The second place prize was $75 and the third place winner received $50.  Cash awards were sponsored by the Perrigo Company.

 

Katie is the daughter of Mike and Jackie Porter. She is a senior at Otsego High School where she has played basketball for four years. During her time as a basketball player she was awarded the coach’s award and was named most improved player and contributed back to her sport by volunteering as a basketball camp coach for younger players. Katie also served as a freshmen mentor to help incoming 9^th graders with the transition into high school. She has also served as a member of the “O” club and has been a member of the National Honor Society. She has achieved a 3.8 GPA and plans to attend Central Michigan University to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. 

 

The photo includes (from left to right) 2nd place winner Elizabeth Storey (Allegan High School), 3rd place winner Kaylani Rubley (Hamilton High School), 1st place winner Katie Porter (Otsego High School) and Bart Shaw from the Sherriff-Community Relations Advisory Board.