Athletes interested in middle school sports can register their children for Football, Volleyball or Cross Country. Practices will begin on August 23 with following schedule:

 7th/8th grade football 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

7th grade volleyball 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

8th grade volleyball 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cross Country 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

The Top Ten students in the class of 2010 have been announced. They are Hannah Beard, Ian Burleigh, Chelsea Campbell, Matthew Darnell, Mina Hirzel, Meagan Kennedy, Reed Moyer, R.J. Saucedo, Sara Weyenberg and Katherine White.
Hannah Beard is the daughter of Thad and Tracy Beard of Otsego. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and O-Club and was also on the volleyball team.
Hannah received Grand Valley State University’s Award of Excellence Scholarship. She plans to study physical therapy at Frederick Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University.
Ian Burleigh’s parents are Jeff and Babette Burleigh of Otsego. He has been a member of the National Honor Society, played football, basketball and baseball all four years of high school and received many athletic awards including Varsity Rookie of the Year as a sophomore in baseball, the Varsity Hank Aaron Award and Gold Glove Award in baseball as a junior; and Scholar Athlete Awards all four years of high school. Ian received a DAR Good Citizen Award, Second Team Academic All-State in football, and a Regents Merit Scholarship from University of Michigan. He plans to attend U of M and is considering studying sports management, business or law.
Chelsea Campbell is the daughter of John and Brenda Campbell of Kalamazoo. She has been a National Honor Society member, Quiz Bowl team member, Freshman mentor, Youth group member and a member of the Marching and Symphonic bands. Chelsea received a Heart and Mind Scholarship and Dean’s Scholarship from Calvin College; Presidential Scholarship from Spring Arbor College; Distinguished Scholar Award from Hope College; and an Award for Excellence from Grand Valley State University. She has not chosen a college, but plans to study pre-veterinary medicine or biology.
Matthew Darnell’s parents are William and Janie Darnell of Otsego. He has served as a freshman mentor, was a National Honor Society member, an Otsego Run Club member, Quiz Bowl team member, Drama Club member and on the cross country and track and field teams. Matt received a faculty scholarship from Grand Valley State University. He plans to go to GVSU, possibly to study history.
Mina Hirzel is the daughter of Tamara and Andrew Hirzel of Kalamazoo. She was been on the cross country, soccer and track and field teams. Mina was also a member of the Otsego Singers and performed in school musicals for three years. She has been admitted to the Honors College at Michigan State University. Mina plans to study linguistics and plant biology and also study abroad in Spain.
Meagan Kennedy is the daughter of Pam and John Kennedy of Kalamazoo. She has been a freshman mentor and has been on the OHS Equestrian team for four years. She plans to start college at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and then transfer to Western Michigan University. Meagan is considering studying elementary education.
Reed Moyer’s parents are Gerard and Laura Moyer of Kalamazoo. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and O-Club and has has also served as a freshman mentor. She has performed in high school musicals and has been a member of the choir. Reed received an Award of Distinction Scholarship. She plans to attend the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University where she will study biology and psychology. Reed’s goal is to continue on to medical school to become a pediatrician.
R.J. Saucedo is the son of Ruben and Julie Saucedo of Otsego. He plans to begin his college studies at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, transferring to Western Michigan University to study computer engineering or possibly computer science.
Katherine White’s parents are Timothy and Anne White of Otsego. She has been a freshman mentor, editor-in-chief of the high school yearbook, and a member of the Quiz Bowl team, National Honor Society and Book Club. Katherine received a Regents Scholarship from the University of Michigan. She plans to study engineering at U of M.
Sara Weyenberg is the daughter of Julie Weyenberg of Kalamazoo and Don Weyenberg of Plainwell. She has been a member of the French Club, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Otsego Woods and Water Club, and the National Kidney Foundation.
Sara received scholarships from Ripon College, Alma College, Western Michigan University and Oakland University. She will go to Ripon College, Alma College or Western Michigan University. Sara is interested in studying environmental science and possibly photography.

The Top Ten students from the Otsego High School class of 2010 (pictured on the cover from left to right) are Meagan Kennedy, Mina Hirzel, Sara Weyenberg, Hannah Beard, Ian Burleigh, R.J. Saucedo, Reed Moyer, Katherine White, Chelsea Campbell, and Matt Darnell.

John Dunn, Western Michigan University President, gave the keynote address during Otsego High School’s
June 4 graduation ceremony. His speech was inspiring and the perfect launching pad for the graduates, many of
whom will enroll at WMU next fall.

Alamo Elementary Principal Melissa Koenig, Washington Street Elementary teacher Sue Raven, Alamo Elementary teacher Kristen Glerum, and Dix Street Elementary teacher Kim Seger traveled to San Luis Obispo, California last week for training through the Lindamood-Bell Institute. They attended a conference called Visualizing and Verbalizing to learn how to help children who are having trouble with reading comprehension. They will serve as leaders in their buildings and will train other staff members to use these new techniques.

Left to Right: Kim Seger, Kristen Glerum, presenter Phyllis Lindamood, Sue Raven and Melissa Koenig.

 

Washington Street Elementary kindergarten teacher Sue Raven received the Teacher of the Year Award at the Otsego Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on March 18. One nominee was chosen by each principal from each of the five Otsego Public School buildings. The other nominees were Sheryl Cramer, kindergarten teacher from Alamo Elementary; Kristin VanWyk, kindergarten teacher from Dix Street Elementary; Kathy Chmielewski, social studies teacher from Otsego Middle School; and Merry Beth Ruiz, Otsego High School Spanish teacher.

Washington Street Elementary Principal Heather Badders nominated Mrs. Raven for the award. She said, "I’m pleased to nominate Sue Raven as Teacher of the Year. Sue is a kindergarten teacher at Washington Street Elementary who has also taught 1st and 3rd grades and has been employed by the district for 36 years. Sue is a core team member for the district’s Rewiring the Brain program and has been a dynamic presenter on the topic. Her enthusiasm about the strides that students make with the early literacy techniques is contagious. Sue’s dedication extends far beyond the classroom. She has participated in several extracurricular projects outside of the school setting, including raking leaves for Make a Difference Day and starting a knitting club for students and their parents. She has a great sense of humor and gives 100 percent each day for the staff and students.  She’s enthusiastic, energetic and a positive force at Washington Street Elementary. Congratulations, Sue!" 

Teacher of the Year Sue Raven with Washington Street Elementary Principal Heather Badders.

Teacher of the Year Nominees Sheryl Cramer, Kristin VanWyk, Sue Raven, Merry Beth Ruiz and Kathy Chmielewski.

by Mark Rollandini, Otsego High School Assistant Principal

School Improvement Planning is an on-going process that schools use to make sure all students are achieving at high levels.  Schools can create more effective environments for learning so more students achieve at levels expected by the state and local communities.  Continuous improvement of programs and services is essential to reach these goals.  For more than 100 years, Otsego High School (OHS) has been accredited by the North Central Association (NCA).  The NCA assists, monitors, and evaluates school improvement processes for their member schools.  Otsego uses the NCA process, now know as AdvancED, to remain in compliance with the State’s school improvement requirement to design, develop, and implement a 3-to-5 year school improvement plan.  The 2009-10 school years finds the OHS staff in the first implementation year of the school improvement cycle.   This follows two years of design and development of the plan.  During the design phase, staff evaluated their own values and ideas of education at OHS.  Surveys of students and the community were used to gauge their perceptions and feelings of the atmosphere and academic rigor of the school and its programs.  Standardized test scores as well as local achievement data was also measured.The data gathered from these sources guided the development of the school improvement plan.  The NCA/AdvancED guidelines direct schools to focus on a few areas of need through the 3-to-5-year process.  This is the “what” of the plan; the “how” is determined through a process with the local staff.  Again, the NCA/AdvancED offers exercises for the staff to use in order to develop the “how” of the school improvement plan.In the following editions, the “what” and “how” will be discussed. 

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.