Ottawa News

Hello Ottawa Families,

We are excited to begin the school year on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. It was wonderful to see so many faces at our Open House this week. Having the students on campus is what makes the school come alive. I know that all of the teachers provided you with wonderful information about their classrooms and what will be happening this year. This newsletter will provide you with additional information about our procedures and protocols we will follow for arrival & dismissal, breakfast & lunch , as well as other important beginning of the year information.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!

Kindly,

Jodi Schreiber

T.E.A.M.

Together Everyone Achieves More

This year we will celebrate and revitalize our school motto, "Together Everyone Achieves More". As a team, we will build trust, commitment, and support to ensure that all stakeholders feel valued and a part of the Ottawa family.

Student Arrival no earlier than 7:55AM

School Opens: 8:00AM

School Starts: 8:10AM

Student Dismissal: 3:05PM

We are excited to get things started and will continue with many of the same procedures from last year with a few minor changes. This year we will only be using 2 entrances for arrival procedures. We know many students will be dropped off, so please make sure that you do not park in the car line, but rather continue to keep the line moving to support all families with dropping their child(ren) off in the morning.

Doors will open at 8:00AM. Please do not drop students off before 7:55AM, as there will be no adult supervision outside until 7:55AM. School ends at 3:05PM, which is when dismissal will begin.

Arrival Procedures (Entry Locations):

• Kindergarten and 1st Grade Students will enter by the Kindergarten classrooms.
• 2nd through 5th Grade students will enter through the front entrance.
• Breakfast will begin at 8:00AM

Dismissal Procedures:

• Office (Early Dismissal): If your child(ren) are leaving early or have a change of dismissal, please make sure to contact to front office no later than 2:30PM. Any time after 2:30PM, you will need to pick up your child through their original dismissal procedure.

Car Line Procedures:

• ALL CAR RIDERS will have an “Ottawa Car Sign” that must be displayed in the passenger side of your windshield. Car Signs will be passed out at Dismissal on the first day of school. We will have several staff members to support with this procedure during the first week of school. If you need additional Car Signs, please let your child’s teacher know and we will make sure to provide additional signs for your family.
• All cars will follow the directions on the signs and pull forward along sidewalk (no dropping/picking up beyond sidewalk denoted in red below); we will bring your student(s) to you.

• Remain in single file line - no passing. To ensure safety for everyone, please use crosswalks, as well as be aware of students using driver’s side doors and students/families crossing to the parking lot.

• No parking/drop-off or pick-up in the emergency lane.

• If parents are picking up their child(ren) in the Car Line, please make sure to stay in your car. Please refer to the map below for a detailed visual of the path you will follow.

Walkers:

• If your child(ren) is a walker, they will exit out of the front entrance and use the cross walk.
• If a parent is parking to pick up their child(ren) as a walker, You are welcome to park in a neighborhood or at Genesis Church and walk to the front of the building. Please be aware that traffic will be a little heavy at the 4 way stop by the entrance to the school parking lot.

Bus Information:

• Our bus loop will continue to run the same as it has in the past. Please know that if you have any questions or concerns about bus transportation, Johnson’s Buses Inc. works closely with Public Schools of Petoskey and will be able to support you in any way.
• One change that will impact our pre-school parents who also have a child(ren) in Kindergarten through 5th Grade will NOT be able to park in the bus loop until 3:30PM. We have an additional bus that will arrive prior to 3:30PM and they will need access to the bus loop prior to pre-school dismissal.
• If your child is riding the bus this year, please make sure to click the link below and fill out the medical release form for the bus garage (if needed). See the link below.

• Breakfast will begin at 8:00AM. Your child(ren) will be able to eat in the cafeteria until the bell rings at 8:10AM.
• If your child(ren) is late (arrives after 8:10AM), they will have the option of a grab-n-go breakfast and head to their classroom.
• This year families will need to complete lunch applications to qualify for Free & Reduced Lunch.
• If students are having lunch from the Cafe’, they will have the option of a hot option or cold option.
• There will NOT be A LA CARTE MILK

September 6: First Day of School

September 29: Ottawa Color Fun Run

October 28: Fall Harvest Festival

November 16: Ottawa Craft Night

December 13 - 20: Holiday Shop