Dates to Remember
- September 30: Creative Arts Festival
- October 4 - October 31: OVA Count Month
- October 4: In-Person Academic Support Begins
- October 11: In-Person Social Emotional Support Begins
- October 16-19: Secondary OVA Conferences (More info. to come)
- October 27: OVA Elementary Gull Meadow Farm Trip
Where: Otsego High School, Room 205
When: Every Wednesday, Starting October 11
Grades 3-6: 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Grades 7-12: 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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 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?
Where: Otsego High School, Room 205
When: Every Wednesday, Starting October 4
Grades K-12: 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
*If attending the social emotional learning, you may stay before or after your timeslot to also work on academics.
What: Mrs. Raseman is opening up her classroom at the high school to support students K-12 with their Edgenuity coursework. She has a secondary math and science degree in addition to her elementary education degree. Mrs. Nast will also be there on Wednesdays to provide support and guidance as well.
Attendance is always important in any academic setting, but it is especially important for the upcoming four weeks for OVA students. Please ensure that your student(s) are responding to their teacher or mentor's emails, phone calls, texts, and attending any Zoom sessions that are set up for them, along with staying on pace with their Edgenuity coursework.
Please reach out to Mrs. Nast if you ever have any questions!
Elementary Field Trip
- Wagon Ride to the apple orchard to pick apples
- Apple picking (1/2 bushel for every 15 paid guests)
- 10 minute educational talk from one of our farm hands
- Glass of cider and a donut
- Small (pre-picked) pumpkin to take home
- Petting Farm • Apple Chute Slide • Fun on the Farm Barn • Ball Zone • Combine Slide • Labyrinth • Rope Maze • No Turn Left Maze • Duck Races • Pumpkin Lane • Photo ops • Tractor Pull • Sound Garden
October's monthly character trait is Self-Direct. We utilize these character traits to help students both socially and emotionally. We understand that a student's mental well-being takes priority over their academic achievement, and that the more we pour into their heart, the more they will pour into us and their academics.
What does it mean to Self-Direct?
Self-Direction is the ability and learned skill to cast a vision of future goals and then take intentional steps toward who, where, and what we want to be. Instead of focusing on things to control or avoid, we emphasize our responsibility to make positive choices related to our emotions, attitudes, and actions.
Why focus on Self-direction?
- Self-direction strengthens relationships. Self-direction helps to grow social skills and develop meaningful, positive relationships with others.
- Self-direction teaches personal responsibility. Learning to self-direct teaches students to take responsibility for their own actions.
- Self-direction helps us to regulate emotions: Self-direction empowers students to regulate their impulses and emotional responses to situations and circumstances in their life.
Contact Information
Amanda Nast | Coordinator/Mentor
Karen Raseman | K-5 OVA Teacher
Ashley Leneway | OVA Mentor
Merry Beth Scott | OVA Mentor