by Dkemp
9. September 2009 15:29
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. # # #
by OPS
23. April 2009 13:21
Beginning next fall, kindergartners in the Otsego Public School join the rest of the district’s students in attending school all day, every day.
Superintendent Denny Patzer said the district has been working toward making this change for nearly a decade. The district has already offered all day, every other day kindergarten scheduling for a number of years. This year the district implemented a Kindergarten Plus program, which extends the school day to every day for kindergartners who need extra academic support. Those children are making great strides. According to research and test scores in districts that already have every day kindergarten, the shift to full day programming boosts students’ reading and math comprehension and performance.
Patzer said this is the perfect time to make these changes because the district has room to accommodate more classes and because state initiatives are moving toward full day kindergarten.
Dix Street Elementary Principal Tim Allard agreed, “When the community passed the bond (in 2004), they did so with the idea of growth, so we’re able to house the expanded programs with no disruption.”
“Staff is very excited about getting ready for the expanded curriculum that we’ll offer in the fall,” said Patzer.
Allard said, “Research shows that children’s brains are like sponges when they’re young,” he said. “This gives us a greater opportunity to meet them when they’re at their best and enhance their learning for a lifetime.”
Patzer said this change is a natural progression that will build upon the district’s commitment to early literacy with programs like Rewiring the Brain, Learn N Grow Preschool and the new Five By Five initiative. “A large amount of research shows the benefits of early education,” Patzer said. “Children benefit socially and academically.” He expects reading scores to continue to climb and math achievement to follow.
“I’m excited,” said Dix Street Elementary kindergarten teacher Sue Squires, who has taught kindergarten for the district for 39 years. “I’ve been waiting a long time to be able to teach all day kindergarten. I think it’s really going to help the children of the district to have the consistency of an every day program.”
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