OPS Connection August 2021 by Otsego Public Schools

A publication of Otsego Public Schools August 2021

Expect Excellence

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From the Superintendent A Year to Rebound Public Schools to REBOUND from this pandemic. Jeffery S. Haase Otsego Superintendent

I hope your summer has been full of activities you enjoy and plenty of time spent with family and friends. As we prepare for the upcoming school year I can’t help but reflect on all that we have encountered over the past fifteen months. During that time, our district was pushed, pulled, stretched, and tested again and again. I am sure we all felt the same way about circumstances in our own lives, almost like a rubber band trying to hold it all together under an enormous amount of pressure. If they don’t break, rubber bands generally return to their normal state once the pressure is removed. Similarly, we didn’t break under the stress of the past fifteen months and I’m confident we came through it better than how we were prior to the pandemic. I am excited about the opportunity for us to engage again with colleagues, families, students and the community and for Otsego

Our district will be focusing on REBOUNDING, as there can be an increased value and strength following a setback like a pandemic. We will bounce back, incorporating changes based on what worked well, what did not and what should be retained from our days prior to COVID. REBOUNDING gives us the opportunity to move forward, make positive changes and provide learning opportunities that work for all students. We will reflect on what we learned, create a system that is better and return stronger than ever, as Otsego Public Schools REBOUNDS during the 20212022 school year. One big way that we are REBOUNDING is by creating Otsego Public Schools Virtual Academy. This will provide options in a variety of ways including part-time or full-time virtual courses, work-based learning, Advancement Placement (AP) courses, gifted and talented opportunities and also courses available to homeschool students. The academy will be facilitated by Otsego

Public Schools staff, ensuring students and families feel connected to our school community. We are excited about the opportunity to retain this program that was implemented because of COVID, but was proven to be applicable and valuable post-pandemic and will provide a variety of educational programs. As we get closer to the first day of school, we will continue to work with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Allegan County Health Department. Currently, face coverings will be optional for students and staff and social distancing will not be required. However, if your student is not feeling well, please keep them home. As information becomes available, it will be shared on our district website and through your student’s building administrator. I look forward to connecting with you during the school year and the Superintendent Coffee will return this year with the first one scheduled in September. I hope you and your student have a fantastic school year and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Otsego Launches Own Virtual Academy for 2 our students to spread their wings and expand their interests with the option of virtual classes. There are also students currently outside of Otsego Public Schools who may be looking for a virtual platform who can join our Bulldog family in this way.

When schools closed in March of 2020, the need for a virtual school became clear. However, as we emerge from the pandemic, the benefits and opportunities of a virtual school are also coming to the forefront. There are students who flourished in this environment with the self-paced structure and flexibility it offers. In addition, there are opportunities for

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Seeing that there is still a place for virtual instruction, and the possibilities it could provide students for years to come, Otsego Public Schools is launching its own school - Otsego Virtual Academy - bringing the excellence of Otsego to students in a new way. We’re thrilled to have Tina Maxwell as the Director of Otsego Virtual Academy. She comes to Otsego with 24 years of educational experience, 11 of those

years as a school administrator. She’s an Otsego resident and parent of two Otsego High School students. “I have always been impressed with Otsego Public Schools Tina Maxwell, Director both as a parent Otsego Virtual Academy and working with the district as a local administrator, but on a personal level, the relationships that the staff builds with students, including my own, has been incredible. Otsego is a special place and I’m so happy to be here.”

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Instructional Insight Students Soar this Summer Before we officially start our new school year, I want to highlight our summer school programming that is wrapping up after 8 weeks of learning. OPS offers summer school to those who need more time in their learning every year. Typically we offer a three to four week program but this year for incoming 1st8th graders we offered a more robust

Elementary summer school teachers.

eight week program to help stave off the summer slide and also fill gaps that may have been there for some due to COVID learning.

We have focused hard on Reading, Writing and Math using a curriculum that was specifically created for summer school through our Lucy Calkins Curriculum and using our summer school Delta Math Screener to help guide us on which Math standards to focus on so we can give each student what they need. We employed 48 staff members including teachers, paras, bus drivers, and food service workers which served over 170 students. All summer school students received free transportation and free breakfast and lunch this summer. OPS was able to provide more time and services this summer compared to normal due to a summer school grant that we received. We also provided a credit recovery program for OHS students in need and a jump start program for Algebra I for those entering into high school who may have been identified as needing a boost before school starts.

Heather Kortlandt Director of Instruction

experiential learning for K-8 students through some field trip opportunities which included going to the zoo, a culminating race track experience for middle school after they had learned about building a race car in a projectbased unit, kayaking, nature hikes and more! Thanks to some local donations we are also able to give every single incoming 1st-8th grade summer school student a new backpack filled with school supplies on the last day of summer school. We are very excited about getting to work with students all summer long and getting them the best launch into their new school year.

While academics has been our main focus, we also provided some

We wish all families at OPS the best as you begin your new school routines at home and we look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming open houses and orientations.

A student reads during class.

Students visited the zoo during field trip week.

2021 and Beyond Maxwell is focused on bringing the excellence and relationship-focus of OPS to Otsego Virtual Academy, “I’m excited about Otsego Virtual Academy because I think that we need to come up with any avenue needed to educate all students. I’m passionate about reaching kids where they’re at, having flexibility in education, and also allowing students to work more at their pace. ” Otsego Virtual Academy is currently enrolling students for the 202122 School Year. If you’d like more information, visit our website or call the OVA office at 269-694-7980.

segops.org/otsegovirtual/

Middle school students race their homemade cars engineered during class at the race track.

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Back to School Can we reach you? Be sure your contact information is up to date

Key Dates Elementary Orientation / Open House: Alamo Elementary - August 11th Dix Street Elementary - August 12th Washington Street Elem. - August 12th *Exact times and details will be sent to your home with welcome back letters.

Infinite Campus is our Student Information System where we keep your contact information and post grades, absences, etc. and is the system we use to share critical information with our families. The need to be able to reach you was highlighted during the last year and a half. Make sure your address and phone number are correct; and we ask that all families have an email address listed as that is used to send out district updates, important notices and flyers. Also be sure to choose “Preferences” so you are contacted in multiple ways when information is sent out. If you have any questions on how to do this, contact our Director of Technology, Michelle Triemstra at mtriemstra@otsegops.org.

How to update your information 1. Log into Infinite Campus.

2. Click on Household Information to update your phone number or address. 3. Click on Family Members to update individual family members’ contact info. (i.e. cell phones, email addresses, etc.) 4. Click on Contact Preferences to select how you prefer to receive messages.

Infinite Campus is used for: •

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Contacting you for emergency information such as school closings, delays, important information and announcements Contacting you regarding your child, sending letters, newsletters and reports home

•

Sending school-related or approved flyers to you through Peachjar

•

Checking your child’s grades, receiving and setting alerts

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First Day of School August 16th (1st-5th) Kindergarten Open House - August 16th First day of school - August 17th Middle School 6th grade Parent Meeting August 9th, 6pm 6th grade Camp August 10th, 9am - 2pm 7th grade Camp August 10th, 3 - 5pm Open House (6th-8th grade) August 12th, 6 - 7:30pm First day of school - August 16th High School: Freshman orientation August 11th, 1-3pm First day of school - August 16th Learn ‘n Grow Early Childhood Education Center Parent Orientation: August 10th & 11th *Specific times and details were sent via email First Day of School - August 16th or 17th (depending on age/program)

SCHOOL START / END TIMES Regular School Day Hours OMS & OHS Dix Street Elementary Alamo Elementary Washington Street Elem.

7:45am - 2:46pm 8:20am - 3:43pm 8:30am - 3:53pm 8:30am - 3:53pm

Delayed Start School Day Hours OMS & OHS Dix Street Elementary Alamo Elementary Washington Street Elem.

9:15am - 2:46pm 9:50am - 3:43pm 10:00am - 3:53pm 10:00am - 3:53pm

Bus Notes What you need to know before school Your Child’s Bus Information The Transportation Department will mail a postcard to every student on our bus routes; it will include their bus driver’s name, the bus number and animal as well as expected pick-up and drop-off times. It will also include information on any safety measures or requirements for this school year if there are updates from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or Allegan County Health Department. Reminder: Kindergarten Parents There is no bus pick-up for kindergartners on the first day of school, since it is an Open House. Bus service for kindergartners will begin their second day of school on August 17th. Patience, please There may be delays in pick-up and drop-off times for the first few days of school as everyone gets acclimated to a new school year. Contact Us If you have questions about bus service, routes, times, etc., contact the Transportation Office at 269694-7940.

School closings, delays How will you know? When we close school or issue a delay, we will post this information in several ways to ensure the message gets to our families. • Phone call, email and text through Infinite Campus • OPS app notification • Local TV stations • Facebook, Twitter posts

School Begins August 16th

Breakfast & Lunch are FREE for the 2021-22 School Year! Take the worry out of mealtime for the kids! Once again, breakfast and lunch will be offered to ALL students free of charge for the entire school year. There are no income requirements to take advantage of this offering. We want all students to enjoy a nutritious meal for energy throughout the school day.

7 Days a Week Students are eligible for breakfast and lunch on the weekends, as well. Parents just need to fill out the meal request form, located on the Food Service web page, by Sunday at 9pm each week. Attending school virtually? No problem! Otsego Virtual Academy students can request meals for all seven days by filling out the meal request form online.

www.otsegops.org/foodservice/ More Than Meals Why ALL families need to fill out the Free/Reduced App Did you know? The free/reduced lunch application is the baseline for almost $2 million in federal funding for OPS. Even though meals are free for all kids this year, we still need families to fill out the application - whether you think you qualify or not. The more families who end up qualifying, the more money our district receives in federal funds. That frees up General Fund dollars and helps ALL students in the district.

Apply at: lunchapp.com

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Food Service Continues Free Meals for Families Otsego’s Food Service team didn’t skip a beat, or a day, when the school year ended and summer began. They immediately mobilized a new summer meal program serving free meals to local families, supplying both breakfast and lunch for seven days a week. Meals were served Monday through Friday at three mobile locations and Dix Street Elementary (for summer school and BASE students). This was an incredible help to families or daycare facilities to provide this meal worry, time and cost free! On average, 470 meals were served each weekday. On Fridays, families were given two additional lunches and seven breakfasts for the kids for the weekend/week. For families who could not make it to the mobile sites, our team filled request orders for families to pick up seven days worth of breakfast and lunch for their kids. “We’re grateful that we’ve been able to continue to offer meals to our families for the week without any cost to them. We don’t want any child to go hungry or parents to worry about meals, so we hope we’re able to provide help and a good meal.” says Julie Guthrie, Food Service Director.

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Community CONNECTION Otsego Food Service, City Offer Summer Activity Series Each week this summer, Otsego’s Food Service Director and Otsego City Leaders teamed up to bring a fun summer activity to our families and free lunch! This first-time series was a success drawing big crowds each week.

1. Kzoo Disc Dogs put on a great show at the Historical museum. 2. The Kalamazoo Nature Center shared two birds of prey, an owl and a hawk. 3. OHS student and magician Preston Lyford wowed the crowd with his magic. 4. Paleontologist Paleo Joe shared his knowledge and fossils with a large crowd. 5. The City of Otsego brought all their cars and trucks to the museum for a Touch a Truck event. 6. Crowds enjoyed a riverwalk, petting zoo, and Kevin VanDam giveaways.

Otsego / Plainwell Football Rivalry Turns 125 It’s the state’s oldest running rivalry - Otsego vs. Plainwell - and this year marks year 125 since the first game was played in 1896. This year’s game is at Plainwell and is the first game of 2021 season. Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 7pm for the showdown. There is currently a small group organizing signs and a bonfire to gather past players and cheerleaders and celebrate this rivalry that runs deep. Keep an eye out on the Otsego website and social media for more information as the game nears. Go Dawgs!

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Summer Fun Summer Camps

WSE Warriors The 10th annual Washington Street Warriors event went virtual again this year where participants completed a 5K triathlon - swim, bike, run - on their own. There were 48 students who participated which included 15 3x Warriors along with a 4x and a 5x Warrior as some siblings joined in the virtual events. Warriors leader Mrs. Nieuwenhuis attended as many as possible to hand out medals.

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at OPS! Bulldogs Bookin’ Bus

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Legal Notices / Info for Otsego Public Schools Pesticide Advisory

State of Michigan law requires schools that may apply pesticides on school property to provide an annual advisory to parents or guardians of students attending the facility. Please be advised that Otsego Public Schools utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to control pests. IPM is a pest management system that utilizes all suitable techniques in a total pest management system with the intent of preventing pests from reaching unacceptable levels or to reduce an existing population to an acceptable level. Pest management techniques emphasizes sanitation, pest exclusion and biological controls. One of the objectives of using an IPM approach is to reduce or eliminate the need for chemical applications of pesticides. However, certain situations may require the need for pesticides to be utilized. OPS contracts with Rose Pest Solutions which inspects the District’s buildings on a regular basis. As required by State of Michigan law, you will receive advance notice regarding the non-emergency application of a pesticide such as an insecticide, fungicide or herbicide, other than a bait or gel formulation that is made to the school grounds or buildings during this school year. In certain emergencies, such as an infestation of stinging insects pesticides may be applied without prior notice to prevent injury to students but you will be notified following any such application. Advance notification of pesticide applications, other than a bait or gel formulation, will be given by two methods. We will post it at the main entrance to each school building. It will also be posted on the Otsego Public Schools website: www.otsegops.org, under News & Announcements. Please be advised that parents or guardians of children attending the school are entitled to received the advance notice by first class United States mail postmarked at least three days before the pesticide application, if they so request. If you would like to be notified by mail, please contact Nate Jepkema, Director of Operations, at 269-694-7922. Please give your name, mailing address and what school(s) your child(ren) attend and they will put your name on the advance notification by US Mail list.

Website accessibility policy

Otsego Public Schools’ Board of Education approved a Web

Accessibility Policy on June 14, 2018. This policy is located within the Accessibility tab in the top right corner of the OPS main website: www.otsegops.org. For accessibiity issues or questions, contact the District’s Web Accessibility Coordinator, Holly McCaw, at hmccaw@otsegops.org or 269-694-7910.

No Smoking in, Around Schools

All public school districts, including Otsego Public Schools, are tobacco free as of September 1, 1993, as mandated by Public Act 140 of 1993. This law was enacted to protect children, school employees and visitors from the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke. The Tobacco-Free Schools Act bans the use of tobacco products at all times in all buildings and grounds owned by the Otsego Public School District. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified secondhand smoke as a Group A carcinogen. Tobacco smoke is now considered as lethal as asbestos, benzene and radon gas. Eliminating the use of tobacco products by persons on school property is expected to provide a healthier environment in which children can learn and promote healthier behavior.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act

DeLisle Associates completes a regularly scheduled inspection of all remaining asbestos-containing materials in Otsego Public Schools. These inspections and routine six-month inspections performed by District personnel are part of our Management Plan. All asbestos materials in floor and ceiling tiles were removed during the renovation work that was completed during the summer of 2006. Parents who wish to review the District’s Management Plan may do so by contacting Jeff Haase, Superintendent, at (269) 694-7902.

Safe & Drug Free Schools Act

Otsego Public Schools and the Allegan Area Educational Services Agency recognize and abide by the standards of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act. These standards prohibit the unlawful manufacture, possession, use, sale, distribution, or concealment of illegal drugs and alcohol in school programs, school vehicles, school premises, and at school-sponsored activities on and off school property. Drugs include all controlled substances as defined by law, as well as “look-alike” drugs, steroids and alcohol. These standards apply to all Otsego Public Schools and Allegan Area Educational Service Agency students and staff. The use or abuse of drugs and alcohol poses serious health and safety risks to students. We urge students, parents, guardians, and care providers to work hand-in-hand with our district to ensure that these important standards are upheld.

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Title IX & Section 504

The federal government has made legal provisions to ensure that no person is discriminated against on the basis of sex or handicap. In order to protect these rights and assure compliance, Jeffery Haase, Superintendent, and Alice Hoekstra, Special Education Director, serve as the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinators respectively for Otsego Public Schools. Any parent or guardian of a student or an employee who feels that the rights of a male or female handicapped person may have been misused in relationship to the provision of equal opportunity in educational programs and activities or in employment may contact the school. Inquiries concerning the application of, or grievances for either of these regulations should be addressed to: Jeffery Haase, Superintendent, or Alice Hoekstra, Special Education Director, Otsego Public Schools, 400 Sherwood St., Otsego, Michigan, 49078 or (269) 694-7906.

Weapons are prohibited

Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In compliance with Federal regulations, Otsego Public Schools has established the following guidelines concerning student records. Heather Kortlandt, Director of Instruction, is the Records Control Officer for the District and is responsible for the processing and maintenance of all student records. Her office is located at 400 Sherwood St., Otsego, MI or can be reached by calling (269) 6926066. Each student’s records will be kept in a confidential file located in each building principal’s office. The information in a student’s record file will be available for review only by the parents or legal guardian of a student, an adult student (18 years of age or older), and those designated by Federal law or District regulations. If not satisfied with the accuracy of the records or with the District’s compliance with the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, a parent, guardian, or adult student has the right to request a change or addition to a student’s record, and to: A. Obtain a hearing with District officials, or B. File a complaint with the U.S. Office of Education. The District has established the following information about each student as directory information and will make it available upon a legitimate request unless a parent, guardian, or adult student notifies the Records Control Office in writing within 10 days from the date of this notification that they will not permit distribution of any or all information: A. Name, address, and telephone number B. Date and place of birth C. Photograph D. Major field of study E. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports F. Height and weight, if a member of an athletic team G. Dates of attendance, date of graduation, and awards received H. Any other information the District considers would not be harmful or an invasion of privacy, if disclosed. A copy of the Board of Education’s policy and the accompanying District regulations are available at the Superintendent’s office, 400 Sherwood St., Otsego. There will also be a person available to answer any questions concerning the policy or regulations.

The Board of Education prohibits visitors from possessing, storing, making, or using a weapon in any setting that is under the control and supervision of the District for the purpose of school activities approved and authorized by the District including, but not limited to, property leased, owned, or contracted for by the District, a school-sponsored event, or in a District vehicle without the permission of the Superintendent. State law establishes a “Weapon-Free School Zone” that extends 1,000 feet from the boundary of any school property. The term “weapon” means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, guns of any type, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and explosives. The Superintendent shall refer a visitor who violates this policy to law enforcement officials and may take any necessary steps to exclude the visitor from District property and District sponsored events. Exceptions to this policy include: A. Weapons under the control of law enforcement personnel; B. Items approved by a principal as part of a class or individual presentation under adult supervision, if used for the purpose of and in the manner approved; (Working firearms and ammunition shall never be approved.) C. Theatrical props used in appropriate settings; D. Starter pistols used in appropriate sporting events. These restrictions shall not apply in the following circumstances: A. A parent or legal guardian of a student of the school, who is properly licensed to carry a concealed weapon may carry a concealed pistol while in a vehicle on school property, if s/he is dropping the student off at the school or picking up the child from the school. B. A county corrections officer, a motor carrier officer, a State Police Capitol security officer, a member of a Sheriff ’s posse, a police or sheriffs reserve or auxiliary officer, or a State Department of Corrections parole or corrections officer, provided s/he is properly licensed to carry a concealed weapon and is on duty or in the course of his/her employment carry a concealed firearm on school property; C. A retired police or law enforcement officer, if properly licensed to carry a concealed weapon may do so on school property. The Superintendent shall take the necessary steps to prosecute for a violation of the Weapon-Free School Zone.

Solar Update & Summer Facility Projects Solar Panel Installation at OHS

Otsego is just months away now from using solar energy to help power our buildings. This has been a busy summer for crews working on our solar arrays. Otsego partnered with Sun FundED in 2019 to begin this solar initiative for our district to continue our commitment to energy efficiency. All of the racks were installed on the high school roof this spring, and now the wiring and the panels are being installed at OHS. Once that is complete, wiring and panels will be installed on the ground array racks at Dix Street and Alamo Elementary. The middle school ground arrays, which will be located on the field on the northeast side of the building, were installed along with fencing there and at the elementary schools. Once the HVAC projects are complete at Washington Street, crews will continue with the rack placement for the arrays on the WSE roof. We’re excited to complete this project this fall. Once our panels are connected to the grid, any demand for electricity from our buildings will draw from our solar energy first then be supplemented by Consumers Energy on the grid. Through our partnership with Sun FundED, we receive the solar energy at a reduced rate, saving the district an estimated $5 million over 30 years. Any day we produce more energy than needed, it will be sold back to Consumers Energy and go back into the grid for customer demands. Energy efficiency got another boost with new boilers at Washington Street Elementary this summer, which replaced the original system installed in 1960/61. The project was funded with the help of bond funds. Air conditioning was also added to the cafeteria and gymnasium at Washington Street and the A/C was upgraded for the media center and interior classrooms with a more energyefficient system. Air conditioning will be added to the cafeterias and gymnasiums at the other buildings over the next two summers according to the bond series project timeline.

Concrete wall during the project; finishing work is taking place now.

Air conditioning units on the roof of WSE.

Restoration of the concrete in front of the bleachers at Bulldog Stadium is taking place where it was cracking and chipping in spots. The damaged areas were removed and repaired and a new coating was applied to the entire section.

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Otsego Public Schools 400 Sherwood Street Otsego, MI 49078-1281

Administration/Business Office 269-694-7900 Superintendent Jeffery Haase 269-694-7902 Alamo Elementary 269-694-7600 Dix Street Elementary 269-694-7700 Washington Street Elementary 269-694-7800 Otsego Middle School 269-694-7500 Otsego High School 269-694-7400 Special Education 269-694-7907 Community Education / B.A.S.E. 269-694-7930 Learn ‘n Grow Early Childhood Education Center 269-694-7960 Athletics High School 269-694-7405 Middle School 269-694-7500 Transportation Department 269-694-7940 Carrie Barnhart-Root, Supervisor OPS Foundation www.opsfoundation.org

2021-22 School Year Calendar

Stay Connected with OPS!

August 16 - 1st day of school (No school on Fridays in August) September 6 - no school, Labor Day October 5 & 6- MS P/T conferences 6 & 7 - HS P/T conferences 18-22 - Fall Intersession Week November 9, 10, & 11 - half day of school 10 & 11 - elementary P/T conferences 12 - no school, end of trimester 24-26 - no school, Thanksgiving break December 20-31 - Winter Break January 3 - School resumes February 9 - HS P/T conferences 10 - MS P/T conferences 14-18 - Winter Intersession March 8, 9, & 10 - half day of schoo. 9 & 10 - elementary conferences 11 - No school April 4-8 - Spring Break 27 - HS P/T conferences 28 - MS P/T conferences May 30 - No school, Memorial Day June 9 & 10 - half day of schoo. 10 - Last day of school

Otsego Public Schools Website

www.otsegops.org

OPS Connection is published 4 times per year with printing by RiverRun Press, 600 Shoppers Lane, Parchment, MI 49004. It is distributed to all residents of the Otsego Public Schools district. Residents in the district who live north of “G” Avenue receive their newsletter via the Community Shopper’s Guide. Residents who live south of “G” Avenue, and School of Choice families, receive their newsletter via the U.S. Post Office. Changes of address, suggestions, and questions should be signed and sent to Holly McCaw, Director of Communications, Otsego Public Schools, 400 Sherwood Street, Otsego, MI 49078-1281. For more information call Holly at (269) 694-7910 or hmccaw@otsegops.org. The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, including sexual orientation or transgender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, “Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.