Extra-curricular activities
Otsego students have a wide variety of clubs and activities in which they can get involved. From art to technology, fine arts and academics, there's something for everyone! (Please note: Extra-curricular offerings change from year to year, please check with your school office or child's teacher on specific offerings.)
Club, Activity Descriptions
Elementary
Art Club
Elementary students are welcomed to explore new artistic techniques and ideas during the after school art program. Students who love working with fine arts will enjoy being able to delve deeper into the art world. Not only are students learning more about the arts, they will also be practicing proper material usage, respecting and encouraging others, and working towards individual goals. The 6-week program is open to 3rd - 5th graders. Art Club information and sign-up will be distributed to the students.
Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books is a fun, team-oriented, motivational reading program open to all 3rd-5th grade students. Designed to broaden reading interest and increase reading comprehension, each team develops a team name and competition banner and meets as they'd like to discuss books read from a predetermined reading list. On "Battle Day" teams use the knowledge they've gained from sharing insights on the books and compete (quiz bowl style) for the title of Battle of the Books Champions.
PAWS
PAWS stands for Physical Activity With Spirit and at Otsego our bulldogs love physical activity! We feel it's important that kids not only stay active but enjoy being active. PAWS is an after-school activity where students take part in different games and activities to keep their bodies moving. PAWS runs during the colder months when students don't get outside quite as much. This is a fun way for kids to be involved and stay active. There is a small cost to join the program, but kids get a snack after school and a souvenir of the year's program!
Stars
Otsego Stars is a non-auditioned extracurricular choir open to fourth and fifth graders. The choir practices once a week after school and holds two performances each year. This group focuses on enjoying music and also performance vocal technique. Students who enjoy the fine arts in singing, dancing and acting would enjoy this program!
Warriors
Warriors is a program for girls and boys in 3rd - 5th grade that teaches students all about swimming, biking and running. In some cases, students haven't ever been on a bike and don't know how to swim. This program teaches students the correct form to participate in these activities and talk about the safety of physical activity and the individual sporting events. This is a 6-week program that meets two days after school in the spring. Along with learning about sports, they also learn about being a part of a team, sportsmanship, respect, setting goals and encouraging others. The program ends with a 5K triathlon.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a 10-week program for girls in 3rd-5th grade that meets twice a week to talk about self-esteem, personal strengths, connecting with others and discovering who they are while training for a 5K run. The Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run website describes their program as one that "encourages girls to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. Each season, girls gain a better understanding of who they are and what's important to them, the value of teamwork and healthy relationships and how they can have a positive impact on the world." This is a program that is run outside of the school district, but many staff members and parents coach the teams. Look for sign-up information in the fall online and learn more on the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run Website.
Middle School
Art Club
Art Club is an after-school activity that provides materials, instruction and support for students who are seeking a creative outlet in addition to their academic schedule. Art Club meets every Monday from 2:45-3:30pm in the middle school art room. Art Club with Mrs. Ernstes is fun, free and fabulous! If you are interested, drop in!
Be Nice
Be Nice came to Otsego Middle School in 2017 and our Be Nice student leaders are spreading kindness throughout OMS! Be Nice is a mental health education program that focuses on bully and suicide prevention while creating a positive culture in the schools through simple actions. It's building an understanding that your actions have a direct effect on others.
Our students will surprise students with kind actions or present them with challenges to be nice. NICE is an acronym for: Notice, Invite, Challenge, Empower
Robotics
OMS Robotics is for any student interested in learning more about problem-solving, engineering, programming or building robots. The teams are a part of the FIRST Tech Challenge. Students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles. Teams are challenged to design, build, program and operate robots in a head-to-head challenge.
OMS Robotics teams are coached by parents who work in, or have experience in, the engineering fields.
STAND
STAND - Students Taking A New Direction - is a group of students who plan activities and campaigns to share positive behaviors students should embrace and warn others of the dangers that can come with growing up. The OMS STAND group organizes activities for Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug campaign, among other efforts.
Jazz Band
Jazz band is an offering for current OMS band students. Jazz band meets for 45 minutes once a week after school. This runs from January - May and ends with an outdoor concert in May.
High School
Art Club
A group for all students 9th-12th grade; no artistic experience necessary. We will explore 2D and 3D artistic techniques through projects that students will get to take home when completed.
Book Club
Book club is for anyone who loves to read and talk about books. We meet monthly after school to discuss the book read during the previous month, and to select/get copies of the next book. Book are selected based on group interests. We share our insights, questions, as well as food and fun times, and often view film adaptations of selected books. See Mrs. Trometter in Room 134 to join or for additional details.
Gender and Sexuality Alliance
Our GSA creates a supportive and accepting community for students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexuality. Throughout the year we work to improve awareness among our members as well as develop tolerance for diversity within the school community at Otsego High School. See Mrs. Knetch to get involved!
National Honor Society
At NHS, our mission is to serve our community. We do a variety of service projects throughout the year including the paper recycling program, the Christmas toy drive, and the Roof Sit, to name a few. To be accepted into NHS, you have to have a 3.5 GPA, (unweighted), show that you have a great character, show that you are involved in volunteer activities, and explain your leadership capabilities or practices.
We do at least 1 service project a month, so only kids that are ready to commit to being active in NHS should apply.
The NHS Application is now online here.
Please consider the following when applying:
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Your GPA must be a 3.5 or above
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You must be willing to give at least 8 hours of your time to NHS activities
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Applications are reviewed by a committee of adults who will remain anonymous
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Applications are anonymous, so students names should NOT appear anywhere within the application, only on the first section.
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There is no minimum, nor maximum, to the number of applicants accepted to NHS but the criteria are scrutinized for acceptance, so be clear and honest in the application.
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You are free to go over and discuss your application with Mrs. Wideen before turning it in. It is highly recommended that you do so before the deadline.
Quiz Bowl
Quiz Bowl is a game in which two teams compete head-to-head to answer questions from all areas of knowledge including history, literature, science, fine arts, current events, sports, and popular culture. Students compete against teams from the Allegan County Quiz Bowl League, which gives them several opportunities to earn an invitation to compete at the Michigan State University competition in April. The state competition qualifies a team to compete at nationals.
Robotics
Otsego High School's FIRST Robotics team is named the Alotobots #5152 and has competed for the last 4 years. We have great local partners who lend equipment, time and talent to help our students learn the tools needed to design, build and program the robot to compete in each year's competition. The FIRST Robotics season begins the first weekend in January. Contact Mr. Miller to join and look for sign-ups during lunch in the fall.
Swim Club
Otsego Swim Club helps students develop a love for swimming while training them to swim competitively. OSC is for swimmers ages 6-18 years old. Swim club runs a winter and summer session. OSC is under the Otsego Public Schools Community Education Department but is run entirely by parent volunteers. If you'd like to get involved, send us an email at otsegoswim@gmail.com.