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Otsego Middle School
March 17, 2024
FCS cancelled the month of March
Drama Club cancelled the month of March
Track Season Begins
Tuesday, March 19
- Choir Festival for 7th graders
STAND meeting - 7:00 a.m. - Ms. McEvoy's room
Student Council meeting - 7:15 a.m. - Mr. LaRowe’s room
Art Club - 2:50-3:45 p.m.
Stained Glass Club - 2:50-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20
Delayed Start - Doors open at 8:45 a.m. and 1st hour starts at 9:15 a.m.
Musical Preview - 9:45-10:45 a.m. - OHS Audt.
Stained Glass Club - 2:50-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 21
- Choir Festival for 8th graders
Friday, March 22
- 3:3 March Madness Basketball Championship Game - 7:25 a.m
- Opening Night for the musical "HONK" - 7:00 p.m. - Ticket information below
A Message from Our Principals
Dear OMS Families,
We have recently had to address the sharing and showing of inappropriate content with some of our students. As our partners in your child’s education, we ask that you join us in helping to educate your child about the potential consequences and dangers that come with taking part in such an activity. Sharing, possessing or showing others inappropriate content is not only against our school rules, but can be criminal and could lead to charges. It can also be embarrassing and detrimental to the reputation of anyone involved, and be so for a lifetime. Once digital content leaves someone’s possession, they no longer control it; anyone anywhere could potentially have access to it with the speed in which something can be shared.
Please talk to your child about proper use of their device, texting and sharing of information, what to do if they learn of inappropriate content being shared and what the consequences could be, both with school and law enforcement officials. At the middle school age, they need you to set boundaries. In past presentations from law enforcement teams, they have stressed that parents should know every app on their child’s phone, look through it from time to time to be aware of their activity, and have a conversation about responsible, appropriate use of a cell phone or digital device.
If you would like some tips on how you can take a more active role in monitoring your student’s devices, a recommended resource is https://protectyoungeyes.com/
We appreciate your partnership in helping our students be successful students and kids
Thank you.
NWEA Testing March 18-22
Students will be taking the NWEA-MAP test March 18-22 for their final check point. As a reminder, this assessment is given three times a year to progress the learning of your student's English and Math skills. This assessment gives teachers feedback on how to individualize instruction.
Schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday)
NWEA Testing - 7:45-9:05 a.m.
1st hour - 9:15-10:01 a.m.
2nd hour - 10:06-10:52 a.m.
Lunch - 10:52-11:22 - 3rd hour - 11:27-12:13 p.m.
3rd hour - 10:57-11:43 - Lunch - 11:43-12:13 p.m.
4th hour - 12:18-1:04 p.m.
5th hour - 1:09-1:55 p.m.
6th hour - 2:00-2:46 p.m.
Please make sure your student comes to school with a charged chromebook.
Counselors Corner
With NWEA, M-STEP and the PSAT 8/9 coming soon for many of our students, I wanted to share a few test taking strategies that can help students prepare for them. One of the reasons that our students take the NWEA and the M-STEP is to measure our students progress over the course of the school year and to compare it to other students across the state.
The acronym RELAXED is an easy way to remember a few strategies.
R- Read the question carefully and reread the problem to find the right answer.
E- Examine every answer choice before you choose your answer.
L- Label your answer in the passage, leave the hard ones of last.
A- Always check your work.
X- X-out (eliminate) answers that cannot be right.
E- Erase neatly and fix your answers when you check your work.
D- Don't spend too much time on one question.
When preparing for a big test it is important to get a good night's sleep and to eat a big breakfast. When students are tired and hungry they have a harder time paying attention or doing well on the test. It is also a good idea to make the mornings as easy and stress free as possible, so set out clothes the night before, pack lunches and have backpacks packed.
Spring Safety Drills at School
As we move further into March, we want to take a minute to remind students and families of the safety drills we conduct during school. Next week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, students can expect a Tornado Drill soon.
At Otsego, we conduct five different safety drills to adhere to state requirements and to better prepare our safety teams and students. Our drills for a school year include:
5 Fire Drills
2 Tornado Drills
3 Lockdown Drills
2 Code Blue Drills
1 Evacuation Drill
Code Blue is one of the newest drills we have added to our schedule so we’d like to explain what it is and the procedure when it is used. “Blue code” is generally used to indicate a patient requiring resuscitation or otherwise in need of immediate medical attention, most often as the result of a respiratory issue or cardiac arrest. We have a Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) at each building composed of staff members who will respond during a Code Blue.
During this drill, teachers will likely be asked to clear the hallways and close their doors in order to protect the privacy of the individual while they are being treated and/or moved through the hallways. A Code Blue is only called for an individual medical response, not a school-wide situation.
To see more information on each of these drills, visit https://www.otsegops.org/aboutops/school-safety. Thank you for supporting our safety focus at OPS!
Regional Spelling Bee Representatives
We'd like to congratulate Caleb Garcia, Kenneth Rentfrow, Kassandra Lafler & Robert Dembowski for making it to the regional spelling bee level! We are proud of your accomplishment! Thank you for representing OMS!
CKH Leadworthy Word = Courage
What is Courage?
Courage is the ability and strength to face something that may be difficult or challenging. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather perseverance in the presence of fear and the willingness to stand up for what is right or try something new even though it may be uncomfortable or uncertain.
Why focus on Courage?
- Courage encourages engagement. Courage helps students raise their hand, participate, try new things, and voice their opinions.
- Courage builds self-confidence. Courage is the choice to act. By doing something, students increase their belief in themselves and their ability to do difficult or challenging things.
- Courage can help reframe a negative. When something does not go as planned or a student gets upset about a mistake or failure, courage can help reframe the event in a positive light.
Second Trimester Penguin Award Winners
Each trimester, Ms. Sokoloski has her students vote for classmates who they feel are deserving of the Penguin Award. The title of the award comes from the notion that when penguins are about to jump into water that might contain predators, well, somebody's got to be the first to jump. The First Penguin award is, in essence, a celebration of risk taking. In honor of this month's CKH word, Courage, we'd like to congratulate the following students who have earned the honor of this award from their peers:
1st hour- Laura Schreiner
2nd hour - Vivian Howe
3rd Hour- Sophia Waite and Stephen Braun (Tie)
4th Hour - Andrew Patin
6th Hour - Andrew Graves
You're Invited!
Field Trip Information
June 11th
On Tuesday, June 11th, OMS will be venturing off on their grade level field trips! Students joined a Google Meet meeting this week to learn all about the details of the trip! We have included all of the links below. Please keep in mind that this is a trip students earn by good attendance, behavior and grades. In order to attend any of the trips, the following criteria must be met:
Have less than 7 absences during the 3rd trimester.
Have less than 2 office referrals during the 3rd trimester. A student may be ineligible for the trip if they are suspended out of school for any reason or are assigned to in-house suspension during the 3rd trimester.
Passing all 6 classes.
Complete registration by deadline.
Should you have any questions pertaining to the trips, please contact the field trip coordinators.
6th Grade - Ms. McEvoy - cmcevoy@otsegops.org
7th Grade - Mr. Alkire - nalkire@otsegops.org
8th Grade - Mrs. Koenig - mkoenig@otsegops.org
6th Grade - Students Should Join Google Classroom Code: w4sqvh2
8th Grade Dance
May 10th - 7-9 p.m.
Attention 8th grade parents! We have some volunteer and donation opportunities for the 8th grade dance. Links are below. Interested in joining the committee? Please contact either one of our co-chairs Becky Bohl bbohl@otsegops.org or Kecia Bronson at jkbronson@charter.net
Information on STREAM Program 2024-25
Does your student enjoy the outdoors? You will want to learn more about STREAM. At OMS, we are fortunate to have a Science & Math program for our 7th & 8th graders where much of their learning is hands on and outdoors. Click on the video link below to find out more about this unique program.
Mark Your Calendars!
Attendance Line - 269-694-7580
Have you filled out your Free/Reduced Meal App?
Have you filled out the Free/Reduced Meal Application yet? Another round of PEBT cards will be coming out, you must qualify for free or reduced meals to receive this benefit. Applying is easy! It takes less than 10 minutes and you only need one form per family. Click here to get started: https://www.otsegops.org/departments/food-service
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
988--Suicide Prevention HotlineThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 160 crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress
Gryphon Place: 269-381-4357 (HELP). Gryphon Place is a 24/7 service for immediate emotional support or crisis.
Text Hotline: Text the word HOME to 741741. This is a resource for texting support when someone is in emotional distress.
Otsego Middle School
Email: mkoenig@otsegops.org
Website: www.otsegops.org
Location: 540 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, United States
Phone: 269-694-7500