OVA Connector

Here are the 3 important news items you need for this week!

1. The new semester started January 6. Please make sure you start strong and stay on top of all assignments. It's easier to stay on top of things when you work on all classes each day or stay on top of assignments each week.
2. Be sure to keep up with your communications with your mentor each week! Remember that this is how we take attendance.
3. In person support is available each week Tuesday and Thursday 9:15-1:00. Check out the information below.

Study hard & dream big!

May 2 1-3:00 MSTEP Testing for OVA 6th-8th Graders (Reading and Math) in the OVA MS Classroom

May 5 1-3:00 MSTEP Testing for OVA 3rd-5th Graders (Reading and Math) in the OVA MS Classroom

May 7 9-11:00 MSTEP Testing for OVA 8th Graders (Sci and SS) in the OVA MS Classroom

May 7 12:30-3:00 MSTEP Testing for OVA 5th Graders (Sci and SS) in the OVA MS Classroom

May 9 1-3:00 MSTEP Makeup Testing for OVA 3rd-8th Graders (All tests) in the OVA MS Classroom

All OVA students in 3rd through 8th grade are assigned the MSTEP in the next two weeks. Please see the full schedule in the Save the Date above. All testing for 3rd through 8th graders will take place in the OVA classroom at OMS. 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th graders all must take the MSTEP Math and Reading assessments. 5th and 8th graders must take the MSTEP Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies assessments. Therefore 5th and 8th graders were assigned two dates to come for testing. Please contact Tina Cathcart with any questions at tcathcart@otsegops.org or call 269-694-7404.

It's that time of year when we start planning for the next school year. We are asking that each student fills out the form in the link to indicate your plans for next school year as of right now. Please reach out to Mrs. Cathcart if you have any questions.

If you would like to enroll at OVA for the 2025-26 school year, the interest form is now open. Please click the button below.

What: Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important life skill! Tasks that fall under this category include: self awareness, self management, social awareness, and relationship building. Research shows that people who have mastered these four skills do better in school, careers, and relationships. OVA is now offering a twice-weekly resource for students who want practice in these areas. We know life for students can be challenging, we’d love to help. Some examples of topics would include:

• Empathy: possibly doing a community service project

• Mindfulness: Learning our body cues for anxiety and ways to cope

• Being Kind To Yourself: Learning about our unique qualities and celebrating them!

• Stress Management: How can we deal with the stressors of everyday life?

• Goal Setting: What is important to us in and out of school? How can we get there?

Who: This opportunity is for students in 5th - 12th grade.

When: Tuesday/Thursday 9:15 am-1pm

Where: OVA Room is located in the back of Otsego Middle School. Coming from downtown Otsego, go West on M89. Turn left on Grant street. This street empties into a parking lot. The middle school is across from the tennis courts. Our room has an exterior door right near the green dumpsters. We will be outside to greet you!

Details:

Mr. Matt Eldred, retired middle school teacher, will be the teacher on-site. He will interact with students, help them set goals and help with work completion.

Mrs. Anna Starr is the District Behavioral Health Coordinator & School Social Worker. She will be onsite to help social/emotional learning groups.

Both Mrs. Starr & Mr. Eldred are so excited to have fun with OVA secondary education students!

Lunch will be provided (for free) from our food service department. If you child does not want a school lunch, feel free to have them bring their own lunch!

Questions? Feel free to contact Anna Starr at astarr@otsegops.org.

Every OVA student is assigned a mentor teacher. Every Wednesday, the mentor teacher will reach out to the students they are working with with a short assignment. Students are expected to communicate back with their teacher or mentor. Each week, each student must respond to at least two communications with their teacher or mentor. The week starts on Wednesday and ends on Tuesday. This is a requirement and how attendance is taken at OVA. Attendance plays an important role in the success of the student in the OVA program. Please be sure to communicate with your teacher and/or mentor teacher.

Election Day is just over two weeks away and we want to be sure you are informed about the upcoming zero-mill increase bond proposal on the May 6, 2025 ballot. There are four key focus areas and dozens of projects that will address both the needs of the district and opportunities for our students, families and community. Please take a moment to learn more at: https://www.ourfuture-ourstudents-ourcommunity.com/ Thank you!

Registration is now open for our Big Dawg Summer Sports Camps! There are several camps to choose from for various age groups! Click on the link for all the details! https://www.otsegops.org/departments/communityed/big-dawg-summer-camps

• For anything in an online course you have questions about, please contact the online teacher of the course.
• For questions about two-way communication or how to log-into courses, please contact your OVA mentor teacher. For K-8 students, please contact cmcevoy@otsegops.org. For HS students, please contact either cmoore@otsegops.org or mscott@otsegops.org.
• For problems with your OPS email address or your Chromebook, please contact our director of technology, Michelle Triemstra, at mtriemstra@otsegops.org.
• If you are a high school student and have questions about your credits for graduation, dual enrollment or tech center, AP exams, or post-high school information please contact your school counselor. See picture for information on who your counselor is.
• For any other questions, you may contact the OVA coordinator, Mrs. Cathcart, at tcathcart@otsegops.org.