"Knightly" News

October

• 16: No School - Fall Break
• 19-23: School Safety Week
• 20: PTO Decorating Lobby for Halloween, 9 am
• 26-30: Red Ribbon Week
• 26: Pumpkin Decorating Contest
• 26: Standards-Based Grading Parent Meeting, WSE Media Center, 9 am
• 27: PTO Snack Prep for Halloween, 9 am
• 30: Classroom Hayrides (throughout the day)
• 30: WSE Trail for Treaters Set Up, 1:45 pm
• 30: Costume Parade, spectator viewing in Gym, 2:15 pm (doors open at 2:05 pm)

November

• 3: Picture Retakes
• 10: 1/2 Day, Conferences
• 11: 1/2 Day, Conferences
• 12: 1/2 Day
• 13: No School
• 16-20: 4th & 5th Grade Swim Unit
• 25-27: Thanksgiving Break, No School

October 19–23 is National Safe Schools Week. Otsego Public Schools will participate by practicing each type of safety drill throughout the week, reinforcing our commitment to preparedness and keeping students and staff safe.

Otsego has adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation. Some terms may be different from those you’ve heard in the past. Students will practice the following safety responses:

• Hold

• Evacuate

• Lockdown

• Shelter

• Secure

We encourage families to become familiar with these terms by visiting our School Safety web page, where you can learn more and watch an informational video.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools safe!

❤️ Red Ribbon Week is October 26–30! Join us as we celebrate healthy choices and living a drug-free life with fun spirit days! Wear red on Monday, sweats on Tuesday, superhero attire on Wednesday, and a hat on Thursday. On Friday, students can wear their Halloween costumes during the parade! See the flyer below for details. Together, we can make a difference!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are approaching soon! Please use the link below to sign up for a conference time for each of your students. Once you've signed up, you'll receive a confirmation email for your child’s scheduled conference. Our goal is 100% participation!

Classroom teachers are listed by grade level, and if you'd like to meet with any of the Specials teachers, they are available at the bottom of the list.

If you have any questions or need assistance with scheduling, feel free to contact our office. We’re happy to help!

Conferences are just 3.5 weeks away! Let’s show our appreciation for our amazing staff by treating them to a catered dinner before conferences on Tuesday, November 10.

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!

Congratulations to the following students for being selected as their classroom PRIDE winner for the week!

P - Positive Attitude

R - Responsible Actions

I - Integrity Within

D - Determination to Succeed

E - Expect Excellence

Y5s & Kindergarten: Apollo Mauchamar Yoesting, Misha Mossman, Olias Lopez, Lucas King

1st grade: Gracie Johnson, Jackson VanHaun, Emerson Augustine

2nd grade: Rylee Augustine, Fordson Stender, Teagan Timbs, Elias Riley

3rd grade: Asher Tackett, Colt Keeley, Nahla Miller

4th grade: Joslynn Richards, Millie Guritz, Ravin Lipsey, Kennedy Sanders

5th grade: Elizabeth Dembowski, Lea Truax, Mason Reed

Friendship Wesleyan Church is offering Thanksgiving baskets with an uncooked turkey, sides, and dessert to families needing support. Baskets will be available November 21, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Please complete the form below to request one.

This is the time of year when illness begins to spread. If your child has a fever or is sent home with one, please make sure they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to school.

Likewise, if your child has vomited, they should remain home for at least 24 hours with no vomiting. These precautions help keep both our students and staff healthy. Thank you!

Otsego Public Schools is implementing Standards-Based Grading in Young 5’s–5th grade to give families a clearer picture of their child’s learning. This approach shows progress toward grade-level learning standards, highlights strengths and areas for growth, and helps students understand their next steps. Clear, meaningful feedback helps families support learning at home!

For more infomation, visit our website: https://www.otsegops.org/departments/curriculum/standardsbasedgrading

Halloween is just around the corner, and we’re excited to bring back our Halloween Parade & Trail for Treaters on Friday, October 30! The costume parade will begin inside the building at 2:15 p.m., with spectators watching from the gymnasium.

Students should bring their costumes to school and will change before their classroom parties and the parade. Please choose a costume your child can put on independently.

Costume reminders: Costumes must be non-violent. Weapon accessories and scary masks are not allowed. Due to allergies, spray-painted hair is also prohibited.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

During the parade, we will also host our Trail for Treaters! Families who would like to participate can set up along the parade route and hand out treats to students. Think of it as a “Trunk or Treat”... just without the trunks! 😉

If you’re interested in participating, please reserve your spot by signing up below.

Show off your creativity in our Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Pumpkins should be decorated, not carved.

Please drop off your pumpkins on Monday, October 26 to be displayed. We can’t wait to see your spook-tacular designs!

Children are still learning to manage big emotions. When anger rises, help your child feel safe and regain control with these six strategies:

1. Stay calm. Take a deep breath and use a gentle voice to model self-control.

2. Acknowledge feelings. Try, “It’s okay to feel angry. It’s not okay to hurt someone.”

3. Use fewer words. Keep directions brief and save discussions for when your child is calm.

4. Offer space and choices. Ask, “Would you like quiet time or for me to sit with you?”

5. Practice calming skills. Explore deep breathing, drawing, or a quiet space when your child is calm. Avoid forcing a strategy during an outburst.

6. Reconnect afterward. Discuss what happened, what to try next time, and how to make things right.

All feelings are acceptable, but some behaviors are not. Keep boundaries clear while offering patience and support.

Goal for the Week: If your student doesn’t already use a planner, empower them to start using one to manage their time better. Have a weekly meeting with your student to share what they have added to their planners. You can help them add family gatherings, school events, and due dates.

As the weather cools down, please send your child with appropriate layers for outdoor recess! Review our Recess Dress Code below, which is based on the “real feel” temperature. Snow gear is required whenever there is snow, regardless of temperature. Thank you for helping our kids stay warm and ready to play!

🏀 Hoopsters Basketball is open to boys and girls in 3rd–5th grade! This 3-on-3 program costs $60, with practices beginning in December and games in January. Register by November 10 to join the fun!

📣 Otsego Junior Cheer’s winter session is open to students in Young 5’s–5th grade! The season runs November 9–February 6 and costs $60. Practices will take place in the OMS Cafeteria, with practice days to be announced. Young 5’s participants must turn 5 by December 1.

Little Kickers is open to 1st and 2nd grade boys and girls and will focus on soccer drills and skills. Sessions begin November 7 and take place Saturday mornings from 9:00–10:15 a.m. Cost is $45, and space is limited.

Register by October 16!

New this year: A copy of your driver’s license must be included with all background check forms.

If you already submitted a form without a copy, please provide one to the WSE office. You may bring in a copy or take a picture and email it to:

Ashley Lindsey: alindsey@otsegops.org
Amber Verbeek: averbeek@otsegops.org

Planning to cheer on our Otsego Bulldogs this year? 🐾 OPS Home Event Passes/Punch Cards are now available and can be used for regular-season home athletic events! 💙💛

Young 5s

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Join us for Mileage Club on Tuesdays & Fridays! Walk or run during lunch recess and help rack up miles for your student’s classroom. Every lap counts! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️Weather permitting.

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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wseparents/?rf=371830666323356