Superintendent's Update

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we’re filled with excitement for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. January is a time of fresh starts and renewed focus, and as we approach the end of the first semester, it’s also a time to celebrate our progress and set the tone for a strong second half of the school year.

The hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and families continue to inspire, and I’m confident that together, we’ll achieve great things in the coming months. Let’s embrace the new year with optimism, determination, and the commitment to making 2025 our best year yet. Here’s to a fantastic second semester and a successful January!

Best of luck to all our students who are competing or performing this month.

#OneHeartbeat Go Knights!

On behalf of the Otsego Athletic Boosters, we invite you to be a valued sponsor for our upcoming Reverse Raffle fundraiser, on March 15, 2025 at the Tontogany Legion Hall. This event is a crucial part of our fundraising efforts to support Otsego's athletic programs and provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to excel both on and off the field.

As a sponsor, your business will receive recognition throughout the event. We offer several levels of sponsorship to ensure maximum visibility for your organization or family:

Sponsorship Levels:

• Castle Sponsor - $1,000
• Knight Sponsor - $500
• Shield Sponsor - $250

In addition to the sponsorship levels, we also welcome donations in the form of goods or services for our raffle or silent auction. All proceeds from this event go directly to supporting Otsego's athletic programs, enhancing the student-athlete experience, and ensuring the continued success of our sports teams.

Your sponsorship will not only provide your company with valuable exposure but will also help make a positive impact in our community by supporting the development of young athletes.

We would be honored to have your support. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like more information, please feel free to contact us at OABpresident@gmail.com. Sponsorships can be given by check or credit card https://otsegoathleticboosters.org/product/booster-donation/.

Logos provided will be included on event signage. The deadline for sponsorship commitments and logo submission is 2/28/2025.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the Otsego Athletic Boosters and our student-athletes. We look forward to partnering with you for a successful event!

Warm regards,

Otsego Athletic Boosters

OABPresident@gmail.com

Otsegoathleticboosters.org

• Fri. 1/17 - Staff PD/Work Day - NO STUDENTS
• Fri. 1/17 - End of the First Semester
• Mon. 1/20 - MLK Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

• Sat. 1/25 - Father Daughter Dance

• Mon. 2/17 - Presidents Day - NO SCHOOL

• Mon. 3/24 - Donuts with Grownups (Last Name A-D)

• Tue. 3/25 - Donuts with Grownups (Last Name E-K)

• Wed. 3/26 - Donuts with Grownups (Last Name L-R)

• Thu. 3/27 - Donuts with Grownups (Last Name S-Z)

• 3/26 - 3/30 - JH/HS Spring Musical

• Spring Arts Festival ( all grades ) Date TBD, either April 6 or 13??

• SPRING BREAK April 18 - 25th.

• Thu. 5/8 - HS Band Concert, OHS Auditorium (7:00pm)

• Tue. 5/13 - HS Choir Concert, OHS Auditorium (7:00pm)

• Thu. 5/15 - JH Spring Band Concert, OHS Auditorium (7:00pm)

• Tue. 5/20 - JH Choir Spring Concert, OHS Auditorium (7:00pm)

• Mon. 5/29 - Memorial Day Parade in Tontogany

• Thu. 5/22: Graduation, BGSU Stroh Center (7:00pm)

• FAMILY WEEK - June 27th - July 7th

The Otsego Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals who have brought honor to themselves by making significant impacts or contributions to the school, community, or students. The Otsego Hall of Fame also exists for all alumni who have earned distinction beyond graduation. These individuals have made noteworthy achievements as successful adults in their chosen careers and/or have served as benefactors of mankind. The Otsego Hall of Fame also recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Otsego Local Schools as a staff member, coach, or friend of Otsego.

Thank You for your Nominations. The Awards Reception and Recognition will be January 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Otsego High School. For more information, contact Mary Gase at 419.823.4381 ext 3404 or mgase@otsegoknights.org

Past Hall of Fame Information

Class of 2012-13: Dan Cocke, Holly Frantz, Deb Kendall, and Gordon Wenig

Class of 2013-14: Randy Donald, Ann Laskey, and Lawrence Sprague

Class of 2014-15: John Brown, Madge Brown, Fred Moor, Bernard Scott, and Jean Scott

Class of 2015-16: Barb Vollmar, Howard Bluhm, Charlene Genson, Carter Genson, & Tim Downey

Class of 2016-17: Edward C. Byers Jr. and Mary Frazier

Class of 2017-18: Stephen Kendall and Ann Titus

Class of 2018-19: Janine Baughman, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. Heyman, Joe Long

Class of 2019-20: Tom Sorosiak and Nancy Wright

Class of 2021-22: Richard Conrad, Pablo Castro, Kelly Heile

Class of 2022-23: Jim Carter, Cole Gorski, Lisa Hatfield

Class of 2023-24: Jim Bostdorff, Orville Buehrer, Randy Gardner, Cheryl Jones

Class of 2024-25: Jeff Hall, Dan Sheperd, Chuck Thomas

Otsego prides itself on hiring the very best candidates to work with and for our children.

We accept applications year-round, via our online application system. All applicants, internal and external, must fill out an application via our Certified or Classified Application Google Form in order to be considered for any position with Otsego Local Schools.

CLICK HERE to View our Open Positions

Once you have applied for a position by filling out the application and submitting it, we will contact you if you are chosen for an interview. If you have any questions or issues applying please contact Lisa Austin, Central Office Administrative Assistant (laustin@otsegoknights.org)

CLICK HERE for the online Spirit Store

President: Brad Anderson banderson.otsego@gmail.com

Vice President: James Harter jameslharter@gmail.com

Board Member: Gordon Digby gdigby44@gmail.com

Board Member: Jessica Mehl jmehl.jd@gmail.com

Board Member: Mark Tolles mdt814@cs.com

December 19, 2024

After consultation with the administrative staff, the Superintendent recommends that the Board approve the employment of the following personnel:

Steve has served as the Treasurer of Otsego for six years, following a nine-year stint teaching business and accounting at both Otsego and Springfield. Steve completed his undergrad and Masters degree at Bowling Green State University. He, along with his wife Jenna, resides within the district, and all four of their children are enrolled as students in Otsego, ranging from preschool to 8th grade. In his free time, Steve dedicates his time to coaching our Boy's Basketball team and enjoys time with his family.

Email: scarroll@otsegoknights.org
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

The Treasurer’s Office will be offering community engagement opportunities to increase transparency and local involvement. These sessions are available to the public to bring any questions concerning public finance, specific Otsego financial questions, or anything else. There will not be an agenda or presentation, just an opportunity to come and ask questions. Please see the list of times below. I have tried to create a variety of times and locations to be as accessible as possible. There is no scheduled end time, I will be staying until I have met with everyone who has questions.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at scarroll@otsegoknights.org

Thanks

Steve Carroll

Treasurer

Athletic Passes

Pay-To-Participate - Click Here

Our athletics and extracurricular programs are gearing up for another fantastic year. Participation in these is a great way to build teamwork and school spirit. If you would like to purchase athletic passes or pay your participation fees use the links below. There will be tables set up at our Back-To School Day for this as well. The league has raised ticket prices for entrance into events starting this year.

• Varsity Contests (Including double and triple headers)

• Adults $8

• Students/Senior Citizens $5
  
  

• Stand Alone Freshman and JV Contests and Junior High Contests

• Adults $6

• Students/Senior Citizens $4

Spring soccer registration is now open. Please see registration deadlines. Registration will be open until teams are full or until the deadline.

Youth Soccer Teams Registration: https://forms.gle/RjVtTetkRfmQK44s6 (Deadline February 10th)

Youth Soccer Clinic Registration: https://forms.gle/g1ehbxtW4CH83RZy7 (Deadline March 23rd)

Email: ebires@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

Dear Parents,

As the school year progresses, I wanted to remind you about a few important items regarding your child's lunch account:

• Free and Reduced Lunch Applications: If you haven't already, please consider applying for free or reduced-price lunch. This can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for your child's meals. You can find applications on our school website or by contacting the school office.
• Monitor Your Child's Account: Please make sure to check your child's lunch account balance regularly. This will help you ensure that they have sufficient funds to purchase their meals. If you need to add funds, you can do so online or by sending in a check or cash.
• Questions or Concerns? If you have any questions about your child's lunch account or the lunch program, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to assist you in any way I can.
  
  

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

I am pleased to announce that since lunches are no longer free to all students through federal funding we are bringing this account back. At this point, the account has a zero balance. If you are interested in donating to the Pay It Forward program please contact Emily Bires, ebires@otsegoknights.org or Kevin O'Shea, koshea@otsegoknights.org.

Checks are made payable to the Otsego Board of Education. If you send money in, just make sure you put on the memo or a note that says Pay It Forward - Lunch

Wellness Implementation Survey

Schools alone cannot develop students' healthy behaviors and habits with regard to eating and exercise. It will be necessary for not only the staff, but district stakeholders to be involved in a community-wide effort to promote, support, and model such healthy behaviors & habits. Click the link above and give us your feedback.

Email: evasher@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

Email: kyeuler@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 4198234381

We are trying out a new Dental partner this year, Health Partners of Wester Ohio, and they have local offices that will allow our students to get any needed follow-up appointments scheduled and completed.

The Dentist will be coming to our school on Monday November 4th and offering dental services. Regular dental check-ups are an important part of overall health. We will bill Medicaid and Private Insurance. The dental visit will be considered a preventive visit through your insurance company. If your child has no health coverage there will be NO charge. This organization can also help sign you and your family up for insurance, if eligible. The program is open to all children.

If you are interested, please return the following consent form to our district nurse by October 8th.

Email: ldunham@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

Email: sbihary@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

Email: jweatherwax@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 419-823-4381

Email: lswartz@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 4198234381
Twitter: @OtsegoTv

Technology Integration Specialist

Email: jmartinez@otsegoknights.org
Website: Click Here
Location: 18505 Tontogany Creek Road, Bowling Green, OH, USA
Phone: 4198234381

OES Extended Care is available for students aged 5 through the summer before entering 6th grade. There is a $10.00 per family yearly registration fee for the OES Extended Care Program. The registration fee will be applied from June 1 to May 31 each school year and will be charged to the credit card on file. If you are registering your child for the summer program you will not be required to pay an additional registration fee for the coming school year.

Contact Info and Hours

phone: (419)823-4381 ext 4408

email: extendedcare@otsegoknights.org

Summer: June 10th - August 9th

• Hours are 7am-6pm
• Closed June 19th & July 3-5

School Year 2024-25: August 21 (first day)

The program follows the school calendar

• Before School ~ 6:30 a.m. to THE START OF SCHOOL
• After School ~ END OF SCHOOL to 6:00 p.m.

In the event of a school cancellation after a two-hour delay, OES Extended Care will remain open. If school closed before 6:30, Extended Care is closed also.

Pricing and Registration Info

The hourly rate charged is $3.50 per hour for the first child, $2.00 per hour for the second child, and $1.50 per hour for the third child and any additional children. The hourly rate is billed to the quarter-hour. The Credit Card form in the registration packet MUST be filled out in order to register.

The Credit Card Form will be used to pay your Extended Care amount.

Please print out the registration form (all 5 pages MUST be completed in their entirety) and send it to the elementary school office, attention: Becky Hatfield.

Registration for 2024-2025 will be available on May 13th on the Elementary Website or in the Elementary Office.

Questions may be emailed to:

Billing: Steve Carroll 419-823-4381 extension 1101 or scarroll@otsegoknights.org

Becky Hatfield 419-823-4381 extension 4401 or bhatfield@otsegoknights.org

Registration: Becky Hatfield bhatfield@otsegoknights.org

Please send me any and all community events that you might know of. I love sharing things in and around our great community.

Click Here to download PDF of see images below.

The Otsego Local School District would like to take the time to thank all of our generous sponsors who support our students, staff, and community. Click on the links below to support our sponsors. If you are interested in advertising with us and would like more information, please contact me at koshea@otsegoknights.org or 419-823-4381 ext. 1102

1. District Website CLICK HERE The Otsego Local Schools website will more effectively highlight what is important to us and the community. We keep the site updated with pictures, news articles, and other important information regarding the district and our buildings.

2. Twitter follow @Otsego_Supt

Our district is proud to present a comprehensive Community Resources Book, developed collaboratively by our staff following professional development with Ruby Payne's Bridges Out of Poverty. This valuable resource provides essential information on emergency services, local council members, and a variety of programs available within our community. It is designed to assist individuals and families in accessing the support they need, empowering our community members and promoting well-being throughout our district.

CLICK HERE

Recent polls show that parents’ first concern about schools today is their child’s safety. That is my concern as well. Fortunately, the Otsego is very safe. However, no community is immune from the threats of violence and drugs that endanger public schools nationwide.

We are introducing a Safe School Helpline® to help prevent such actions. It is designed to assist you in reporting any wrongdoing that impacts our schools, our students, or our staff – anonymously, so as to protect your privacy. For example, you may wish to report acts of violence, theft, drug or alcohol use, weapons, or sexual harassment.

Just call from a touch-tone phone to 1-800-4-1-VOICE, ext. 359 (418-6423) to leave your information. Or TEXT: 614-426-0240 Then type: TIPS Your message will not be traced, and you will not be identified. The Safe School Helpline® team will transcribe and fax your message to school officials, so appropriate action can be taken.

Thank you for your continued support to provide a better education for all Otsego students.

800-418-6423 (800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359)

TEXT: 614-426-0240

Then type: TIPS

www.safeschoolhelpline.com