"Knightly" News

November

• 11: PTO Meeting, Conference Room - 3 pm (new time)
• 11: Board of Education Meeting - 7 pm
• 12: 1/2 Day - Evening Conferences
• 13: 1/2 Day - Afternoon & Evening Conferences
• 13: Parent Training Session - see below
• 14: 1/2 Day - Trimester Awards Assembly - 11 am
• 15: No School
• 18: Stars Performance, OHS Auditorium - 7 pm
• 18-22: 4th & 5th Grade Swimming Unit
• 25-29: Thanksgiving Break - No School

December

• 2: Cookie Capers

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for next week. Attending a conference at school to find out how your child is doing can be an emotional time for parents. Most parents have set high expectations for their children and hope they will hear good news from their child’s teacher. Other parents who may have had difficulties succeeding in school themselves, may be nervous because they don’t want their child to have the same type of learning problems. Whatever the feeling, it is always helpful to know that when a parent and teacher are working together for a child, the best outcomes will be seen. Teachers have only a short time to share a “snapshot” of how your child is doing and explain what they may need extra help with at home. Be assured that they are making suggestions that will help your child to be successful in the future. Parenting is a tough job, teaching is a tough job, and both should be seen as two of the most important jobs in our world.

Here are five things to ask or listen for during your parent/teacher conference:

1. In what academic areas is my child seeing success?

2. In what academic areas does my child have difficulty? What can I do at home to support my child?

3. How is my child doing with grade-level responsibilities? What should I be doing at home to encourage greater responsibility?

4. How is my child doing socially - during academic time as well as free time?

5. How can I (the parent) support you (the teacher)? Please also share what is happening in your child’s home life that may need support from the school staff.

Alicia Van Liere, District Therapist for Otsego Public Schools, will be presenting “Understanding Behavior While Improving Partnership” on November 13 in the Tech Room. Sessions will run at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m., each lasting 45 minutes. Parents are welcome to choose the session time that best fits their schedule!

Session Overview: Do you ever find yourself wondering, "Why is my child doing this?!" or "Why is my child acting like this?!". Are you feeling exhausted and would like some more tools in your parent toolbox to combat negative behaviors? Or maybe, you just want more tools period. If this sounds like you, I would invite you to come and join this session. Parents tell me all of the time, "I just wish I knew how to help my child". In this session we are going to unpack the idea that "All Behavior is Communication" and our child's way of letting us know what they need. When you leave this session, you will be able to identify when a behavioral escalation is coming, and learn helpful tips and tricks to deescalate the situation before it becomes an hour long event. We are all in this together! I hope to see you there!

Conferences will be here before we know it! Let’s show our appreciation for our amazing staff by treating them to a catered dinner before conferences on Wednesday, November 13.

If you'd like to "sponsor" a staff member for this special meal, please sign up using the link below. A big thank you to our PTO for organizing this thoughtful gesture!

Attention skiers and snowboarders: If your family wants to take advantage of skiing/snowboarding at Timber Ridge Ski Area for a discount this winter, stop by the office and pick up a ski club application, or click below to print a copy. Applications and money are due by November 21.

If your child is missing anything, please remind them to check the Lost and Found table soon!

Our piles are overflowing, and any unclaimed items will be donated over Thanksgiving Break.

Congratulations to the following students for being chosen as their classroom's PRIDE winner this week!

P - Positive Attitude

R - Responsible Actions

I - Integrity Within

D - Determination to Succeed

E - Expect Excellence

Kindergarten: Alice Roesly, E la Bonarski, Lincoln Wishart

1st grade: Lucas Wright, Lyla Loftis, Elliot Olmstead

2nd grade: Izabella Gillhespy, Joslynn Richards, Kaydence Wrobleski

3rd grade: Aly Tolley, Bristol Weston, Leo Martinez-Morales

4th grade: Ivy Cardinal, Austin Palmer, Zacory Broadhurst

5th grade: Elizabeth Bodine, Kaleigh Barber, Ayden Scheel

This month we’re challenging students to work together toward a common goal and shared purpose. We are partnering with you to grow and develop teamwork in your child.

We can do this by modeling gratefulness, acknowledging positive moments, and affirming each other.

Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather! Coats, gloves, and hats are essential now, and before long, they’ll also need snow pants and boots.

Also, please label anything you send to school. With up to 23 pairs of black snow pants in a classroom, labeled items make it much easier to keep track of belongings.

Thank you for your help in keeping everyone warm and organized!

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Attendance Line: (269)694-7880

WSE BASE: (269)694-7835

Email: jknight@otsegops.org
Website: http://wse.otsegops.org/
Location: 538 Washington Street, Otsego, MI, United States