Ottawa News

Hello Ottawa Families!

It is hard to believe it is November! We had an amazing October full of learning and all things fall, including Harvest Festival and Halloween. As we continue throughout the school year, we look forward to each month for all of the amazing traditions at Ottawa each year. We have several events coming up, like our PTO Craft Night on November 15th and our Holiday Shop in December. If you need assistance during the upcoming holiday season, please contact the front office for more information.

As the season is changing, we are coming up to longer breaks and colder weather. Please remember as we venture into the winter season to send proper outdoor gear for the colder temps and protection from snow. All students will need to wear jackets, snow pants, boots, and accessories (hats, gloves, etc.). We will be going outside for recess for the fresh air, but being prepared is important.

We are still working on keeping things moving during arrival and dismissal times. Please remember that school hours are from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Students enter the building at 8:00 to prepare for the school day. As a reminder, if you are dropping off or picking up your children in the car line, you MUST remain in your car. Please keep the line moving and follow the expectations by staying in line and following the flow of traffic. If you need to help your child get buckled into the car, please pull forward to the front of the car line. This will help with traffic flow and allow for a quicker dismissal.

Kindly,

Jodi Schreiber

Last month, our superpower was Responsibility. At our monthly PBiS assembly, we celebrated their accomplishments and introduced our new Superpower for the month of November. This month we are focusing on Gratitude.

October Superheroes

Kindergarten - Cash, Nina, & Jasmine

1st Grade - Liam & Stella

2nd Grade - Tessa & Isabella

3rd Grade - Kinsley & Marit

4th Grade - William & Jack

5th Grade - Mira & Keegan

Art: Norah

Music: Jaelin

P.E.: Leo

Technology: Natalie

On Tuesday, November 7, fourth graders at Ottawa visited the Emmet County Transfer Station to learn about recycling and the impact that waste can have on our environment. The students toured the facility and were able to see how recycled materials are sorted, baled, and eventually shipped to other places to be made into new products. After watching the Lorax in class, and participating in a classroom discussion at the recycling center, the students were able to make connections to their learning about Human/Environment interactions.

Every month teachers are recognizing students for following the Full Value Agreement and showing their superpowers by passing out tokens for the book vending machine. We are excited to find ways to celebrate students who are following expectations, but also character traits that we are working on each month. Students are always ecstatic to come to the vending machine to pick out a new book they get to keep!

A huge thank you to the Kroeger-Mainland Foundation for the Book Vending Machine at the end of last year and to Christ Child of Northern Michigan and our Ottawa PTO for their support in filling the vending machines with new books for students to choose!

On Friday November 10th, our 5th Graders took part in a Veterans Day Parade and ceremony downtown. We also had our school-wide Veterans Day Assembly in the afternoon. It was a great day of learning and celebrating Veterans in our community.

We are very lucky to have many opportunities for students to participate in different areas of the arts. On November 2nd we took a trip to the High School to watch the Fall Show and on November 8th we had the opportunity to watch the Elementary Enrichment Choir. GREAT JOB to all of the students for their performances at all elementary schools and for their performance on stage at the Enrichment Choir Tour and Concert!

We are very thankful for our PTO, volunteers, and community for their support in many ways. Last month we had our Annual Ottawa Harvest Festival and it was a huge success! It is always great to have families come to school and enjoy time together. This year, we had several high school students volunteer to run the different stations and enjoy the fun with us. We are looking forward to Craft Night on November 15th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.

November 15: PTO Craft Night 5 - 6 PM

November 16: PTO Meeting @ 3:30 PM

November 16: School Board Meeting @ 7:00 PM

November 21: Grandparents/Special Persons Day

November 22 - 24: No School Thanksgiving Break

December 4: 2nd & 3rd Grade Winter Concert @ PMS

December 13 - 17: PTO Holiday Shop

December 22: School Wide Field Trip to the Movies

December 25 - January 2: No School Winter Break