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Principal Corner
We're incredibly excited to start the new year here at Otsego High School.
I'm writing this after watching the freshman go on student-led tours around the building. It's always inspiring to see how excited they are as they begin the next four years of their educational journey. The opportunities are endless and each student is learning about themselves along the way as well.
No matter where your students are in their high school career - the staff here at Otsego is dedicated to their success. We'll continue to keep you updated as the school year progresses, and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
It's going to be a great school year!
- Mr. Reed
Looking Ahead
Aug 21 - First Day of School
Aug 25 - No School
Aug 28 - Aug 31 - Fall NWEA Testing
Sep 1 - No School
Sep 4 - No School
Sep 22 - Homecoming
Sep 23 - Homecoming Dance
Oct 11 - National Honor Society Induction
After-School Support
We will send out a schedule each week during the school year, but please plan on this as additional support for your students!
Reminder: Dress Code Policy
We wanted to remind students of the dress code policy at OHS. If you have specific questions, please talk with Mrs. Maxwell.
The wearing of clothing advertising profanity, vulgar suggestions, sexual connotations, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are not permissible on clothing.
Hoods are not to be worn in the building.
Extremely short shorts and skirts are unacceptable. As a guideline, skirts and shorts should extend to the end of fingertips when standing in a relaxed state.
Tops that expose the midriff may not be worn. In general, student’s pants and shirts must overlap one another while sitting or standing. Tops must have straps.
Undergarments of any kind may not be showing at any time. Clothing that exposes undergarments while standing or sitting is not acceptable. Also, exposed skin on any student that occurs inside of the extended fingertip guideline area of dress code, will not be permitted.
Chains, wallet chains, spike necklace/bracelets, choke chains etc. will be confiscated and returned when it is certain that guidelines will be followed.
Pajamas, slippers, and blankets are not acceptable school attire.
Unless otherwise approved, these policies are in effect during the regular school day and for all school activities.
The ultimate determination regarding the appropriateness of students’ attire lies with the school administration.
Students violating the dress code will receive a warning to comply and any additional offenses may result in disciplinary action for insubordination. In general, all students are expected to wear clean, complete and reasonably well-fitted clothing.
Student Schedules
If you were not able to make it to the Open House to pick up your schedule, it will be available in Infinite Campus. You may also pick up a copy of your schedule on Monday morning. It will be available at a table outside the counseling office.
Chromebooks
Students who have not received their Chromebook yet will receive them in their 1st period class once the parent agreement has been submitted. Here is the information that went out to parents regarding the agreement.
Allegan Area ESA Tech Center Student Information
- Tech Center classes begin on 8/28/23.
- Tech Center students who are in the building (OHS) are expected to be in the media center during their scheduled tech center classes.
Fall NWEA Testing
All 9th thru 11th-grade students will be NWEA testing August 28 - 31. Students will report to their first-hour classes for testing, and regular classes will begin at 9:15 AM.
Seniors do not need to report for testing but should plan on being at school for their first-period class at 9:15 AM.
School Lunch Changes
Good news! With the passage of Michigan's budget this year, breakfast and lunch will be FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS for the 2023-24 school year! However, it is still vital that you fill out the Free & Reduced Meal Application because it is tied to more than school lunches. If you qualify, you could receive discounts on internet service, school Chromebook insurance fees, testing fees and more! These applications are also tied to a portion of the district's federal funding that helps provide tutors, summer school, counselors, programs and materials, and more. It's a quick form to fill out - you only complete one per family. Fill it out today at otsego.familyportal.cloud.
Please note: students who take a second meal will be charged the regular meal prices for that meal.
Attention Juniors!
The PSAT/NMSQT test will be Tuesday, October 10th, from 7:45 - 11:30 AM in the Media Center. Students will get practice taking a standardized test and the test results will give students feedback to SAT preparation. Students will know how they compare to other college-bound juniors nationwide as well. This is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships. The cost to take this test is $20. You can sign up for the test in Mrs. Wideen’s room. It is open to the first 30 juniors who sign up. Information about submitting your payment will be sent to you through your email. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Wideen.
Juniors and Seniors
Are you interested in growing your leadership skills? Do you enjoy helping out in the community? Do you have a GPA of at least 3.5? The National Honor Society may be just what you are looking for. Applications for the National Honor Society are being accepted now through September 25th at 3:00 pm. The application can be found on the website under "Student Life". If you have questions about what the National Honor Society is or about the application process, please see or email Mrs. Wideen.
Student Parking Lot Information
Otsego Public Schools engages in various drills and practices to keep our students, and their learning environment safe. One of those safety measures is contracting with Interquest Detection Canines to inspect areas on our school campuses in order to help every student and staff member feel safe and secure at school.
Interquest Detection Canines train their dogs to find and identify substances that are of concern to the school environment including Illicit drugs, alcohol, gunpowder-based items, and over-the-counter medications. Their program is set up to be a friendly, unintimidating, yet effective presence with a focus on keeping contraband off campus through inspections and education.
The dogs are trained in live school environments to ensure they are absolutely safe around students, yet have the focus to work effectively. There is no need to lock down a campus or prevent students from being in the vicinity of the working dog, in fact, the visibility factor is a big piece of the deterrence. The goal is not to scare students, but instead to be a positive presence to help everyone on campus feel safe.
Commonly inspected areas include school parking lots and school lockers. We stress to students that even if the dog detects a substance, it does not mean a student has done something wrong. In most cases, items detected are not cause for concern nor do they typically violate our school policy. Common items detected in searches are empty cans that contained alcohol, over-the-counter medications - including ibuprofen, gun powder residue from empty rounds of ammunition, energy drinks, vape pens, and dab pens to name a few. With all this in mind, we’d like to remind students that parking at school is a privilege and requires the purchase of a permit, and students should be aware that their vehicle is subject to these searches as part of this safety measure.
Because these dogs are not associated with a law enforcement agency, any detection is reported to our school administrators and any consequence would follow the guidance of our handbook.
Athletics
Let’s go Bulldogs!! Ready to cheer on your Otsego Bulldogs? Get your athletic game pass today!
NEW THIS YEAR - a Wolverine Conference Pass for Otsego students!
This pass is only for Otsego students and will get them entry into all regular season home games and all regular season away games at Wolverine Conference Schools all year long for just $53! If you think your student will only attend home games, there’s an OPS Student Pass for just $28. Adults can purchase a 10-event or 25-event pass or individual tickets, both online and with credit/debit at the gate. Save money and purchase your pass today! Go to otsegops.org/athletics/tickets to purchase! (Please note: the Wolverine Conference Student Pass is a separate link from our regular Hometown Ticketing menu. You will find all ticket links on our athletics tickets webpage.)
Otsego High School
Attendance line: 269-694-7480
Athletic Office: 269-694-7405
Email: treed@otsegops.org
Website: ohs.otsegops.org
Location: 550 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, USA
Phone: 269-694-7400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otsegops
Twitter: @TReedPrincipal