Otsego Marching Band “Ice Blue” for 2023 Season

Get ready for another unforgettable musical experience with this year’s Otsego Marching Band performance, “Ice Blue.” This year’s theme blends classical, modern, rock, and jazz music and features five songs: George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, the jazz number “Blue Moon”, Strauss’ famous waltz “The Blue Danube”, “Ice, Ice, Baby” by Vanilla Ice, and “Troika” by Sergei Prokofiev.

The show will also have surprises like a vocal soloist, small brass ensemble, a rapper, kazoos, and even a touch of Christmas music. Expect fun choreography, including ballroom dancing. “We are very excited about this show and think the audience will really like it,” says band director Mitch Piersma. Don’t miss this unique fusion of music and visuals!

KEY FALL DATES:

Aug. 24 - 1st home football game

Second-year drum majors, Madi Dendel and Landen Yokum, spent a part of their summer at “Music for All” Drum Major Camp held at Ball State University. They learned great leadership skills in their roles as drum majors and got to meet students from all over the country. It’s a fantastic camp and they’re back energized for the new marching season. This year, they will lead an 81-member marching band!

Summertime Adventures!

Otsego students and parents had an actionpacked, enriching trip, exploring the beauty and culture of Costa Rica! Their adventures included white water rafting, swimming at a waterfall, kayaking around a volcano, and zip-lining. The group also visited a pineapple farm, a coffee plantation, and a cocoa farm learning about the process of growing and harvesting these crops and seeing how chocolate is made. In addition, the group had the chance to visit a local school and see their end-of-the-year performances.

Karen Raseman and her two sons loved it! “The experience was amazing and we all want to go back,” she says.

“The trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a new culture, learn about their lifestyle, and explore nature up close,” adds Aundria Meyer who attended with her son. “The food was amazing and the Costa Rican citizens were so welcoming. We made great memories that will last forever.”

Sept. 22 - Homecoming Parade

Sept. 30 - Otsego Band Invitational

Oct. 7 - Hastings Invitational

Oct. 14 - Grandville & Vicksburg Invitationals

Oct. 21 - Jenison & East Kentwood Invitationals

Nov. 10 - Band-a-Thon

OMS students had a new opportunity to kick off their summer - a trip to Washington, DC! Fifty kids and chaperones packed in all of the sights of our nation’s capital visiting the War Memorials, Presidential Monuments, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Holocaust Museum, Museum of American History, Supreme Court, White House, Library of Congress and the US Capitol, and a Baltimore Orioles baseball game! They had an amazing time!

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 at the bottom 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.

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.