OPS Connection - March 2024

From the Superintendent... Jeffery S. Haase

Annual District Perception Survey

I hope you have been able to get out and enjoy this spring weather, spend time with people you love, and have plans to participate in your favorite activities over spring break. Unbelievable as it may seem, we are already heading towards the finish of another school year! I wanted to take an opportunity to share information regarding an upcoming survey related to the district strategic plan, and how those results are analyzed and used to improve our systems/practices.

OPS is now in the second year of our 5-year Strategic Plan known as Otsego’s Pledge to Success! This plan, built through stakeholder meetings using Appreciative Inquiry which purposely focuses on the positive, helped identify four main focus areas:

• Student Well-Being

• Culture and Climate

• Individual Student Success

• Career Exploration and Engagement

Each of these four focus areas have short, medium and long-term goals that are to be accomplished by the end of the 2027 school year. In order to ensure progress is made towards these goals, the district has partnered with School Perceptions to administer surveys relevant to Otsego’s Pledge to Success and the four focus areas.

The district first deployed the survey in April 2022 in order to establish baseline data to measure our success moving forward. The same survey was deployed in April 2023, allowing us to compare the results to our baseline data. Overall, we were very pleased with the results. We showed growth in 11 of the 14 indexes! This information was shared with our Board of Education, Administrators, Directors, and Supervisors during their summer 2023 retreats. During their review, they expressed concern with the decreases on two particular areas (see graphs below): - the Staff Survey when it comes to Support - the Parent/Caregiver Survey in regards to Atmosphere

After digging in further to review the openended responses, we determined that the increase in student behavior issues during the 2022-23 school year was elevating stress for both school staff and families. The district used this data to implement a Behavioral Health Services Department which is under the leadership of Anna Starr, a social worker who has been with Otsego for more than 10 years. In addition, we were able to place behavioral health aides in all buildings which provide a drop-in center for students needing additional support. We’re encouraged by these additions since our building data shows a decrease in student behaviors compared to those in the prior year.

KEY DATES & SURVEY NOTES

Survey will be emailed to all parents/guardians on April 29, 2024.

Be sure email and contact info is up to date in Infinite Campus

Survey window is April 29 - May 18

Positive feedback is as important as areas that need improvement

All parents/guardians in the household should complete the survey

This April, the district will once again deploy Otsego’s Pledge to Success survey. This survey will be the same as ones used the past two years and it is extremely important we hear from you. As we’ve shared, the district compares these results with prior years in order to measure our success and/or make necessary changes. Additionally, we would love to include more individuals in one of our four focus area groups that meet in August, November and March. These groups meet to review survey information and ensure the district is moving forward on achieving our defined goals. If you’re interested in joining please reach out to me via email at jhaase@otsegops.org. As always, we appreciate your support of Otsego Public Schools and I hope you have a great finish to the school year.

Are you using artificial intelligence (AI) for anything in your life? Perhaps you use Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri? Have you found other ways to use it to optimize your work life or perhaps just to create a menu plan or grocery list? We keep learning more and more about it and have seen such a wide variety of applications that use AI. OPS has convened an AI team to start to study the use for both staff and students and its implications both good and bad.

educators called Magic School?

The team has a variety of stakeholders from around the district. We have two high school students, one high school teacher and two middle school teachers, one general education teacher and one special education teacher. We also have our Director of Technology, Director of Communications and myself along with an admininstrator from each level.

Team members share how we are each using AI and we continue to learn so many amazing things each time we meet. Did you know that there is an AI program specifically designed for

We are also sharing some of our fears and questions, like if we allow students to use AI at the secondary level, will that hinder creativity or originality or promote cheating? We have a lot more to study and some of the tools we are using include Michigan Virtual’s “Planning Guide for AI: A Framework for School Districts”, UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) “Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research”, and CoSN’s (a national organization of K-12 edtech leaders) “K-12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist.” We are using guidance from these tools along with our Board’s strategic plan to decide what AI use at OPS could or should look like. It is likely that our team’s recommendations regarding AI use may change over time as we continue to learn more, as more AI tools become available, and machine learning becomes more accurate.

The team has many things to consider around both the adult use in the district for our job duties and considerations around privacy and guidance, as well as student use and some of the benefits and drawbacks. Something that is hard to imagine is that we are preparing kids for jobs that don’t yet exist, so when we see new tools like this emerge, we must think

carefully and deliberately so that we can give our students as many advantages to success in college, career and life. Did you know that there are already jobs on the market that are referred to as “prompt-engineering” jobs which use techniques for composing input into AI platforms to more closely match the user’s desired intent?

OPS is trying to stay out in front and on the cutting edge to find ways to safely train staff and students about AI and ensure safety. While our team has illuminated possible negative consequences to opening the use of AI to students, we also see a lot of potential benefits like shifting classroom activities to include more critical thinking activities, more immediate feedback and even personal AI tutors. Currently, these AI tools like Chat GPT are blocked for student use on school devices, or devices connected to District WiFi. Our team will continue to discuss whether we will continue to block those in the future or if we will find ways to unlock them in a responsible and “ready” school environment.

Washington Street Elementary Earns TalentFirst Award for Literacy

Washington Street Elementary was among five schools across 13 counties to receive the first Literacy Leader Award from TalentFirst, an honor that recognizes West Michigan schools leading the way in student achievement and growth in reading.

At a special school-wide assembly, TalentFirst leaders praised the staff and students on their investment and commitment to early literacy by presenting them with the award and a $1,000 check. “We care deeply about literacy because a strong West Michigan starts with children knowing how to read,” says TalentFirst President Keven Stotts.

The award recognizes exemplary practices and accomplishment in early literacy. “Witnessing the relentless dedication of our entire staff to improve literacy achievement has been truly inspiring,” says Jennifer Knight, WSE Principal. “This recognition serves as a testament to the

nurturing a culture of literacy excellence.” Read the full story online at otsegops.org.

countless hours of hard work and commitment poured into

Director of Instruction, Heather Kortlandt

The winter season began with a splash with the grand opening of the new Otsego Aquatic Center. This $15 million facility is one of the nicest pool facilities in the region and has been an incredible addition for our students, community and the surrounding area. Programming includes something for all ages and abilities, one of the main goals for Aquatics Director Maggie Darnell. “We are welcoming infants and their parents, seniors from around the area, working adults, school employees, homeschool families, and many awesome Bulldogs, new and old. We have worked closely with teachers and administrators to get students at most ages and ability levels over to the water for both structured and open swim time.”

But the real impact of having this facility was something less structural, and more meaningful. “What I liked the best was when we had morning practice, we got to share the pool with community members who were in the pool at the same time for their lap swim. Having a pool for the entire community was the goal and the fact that my team and the community had room to share and workout was a good feeling. I feel like we accomplished what we set out to do,” Belton says.

“Having a pool for the entire community was the goal... I feel like we accomplished what we set out to do.”

- Darryl Belton, OHS Swim Coach

The new facility was made possible because Otsego District voters passed a bond extension in May 2020. It was the largest part of the facility-focused measure. So far, the return on investment has been visible in many ways, from increased programming and attendance, to hosting new swim competitions, to expanding our rental events. “The feedback from the students and community has been a true highlight,” Darnell says. “The kids walk in amazed and in awe of the facility.”

On the competition side, the boys Swim & Dive team was able to begin their season within a week of Otsego taking occupancy of the building and the first splash was one to remember. It marked an entirely new era for our swim programs and high school coach Darryl Belton, who says he felt “spoiled” all season in the new facility. Not only is it state-of-the-art, but a stark contrast to the 50-year old facility he’s been coaching in for the last 28 years. For teams, the addition of a team room, more storage, a coaches room, air and water quality improvements and the fact that it’s attached right to the high school are just a few of the perks.

For athletics, we were able to do something with the new facility that we haven’t before - hold the Southwest Conference Championships for the league swim & dive meet. We hosted eight schools for that competition. For the Otsego Aquatics Club, which is a swim & dive club for students 5-18, the pool also served as a host site for a large competition, also something we were not able to do in the old pool facility. “I think this a true testament of our district leadership and our community to support a vision of moving Otsego forward and the pride we take in our facilities,” says Otsego Athletic Director John Kubiak.

The pool has been open just four months and has already exceeded expectations. We often have 50+ people enjoying the pool during Open Swim, our morning Lap Swim has regular visitors, the already popular Aqua Aerobics class has grown even more, group swim lessons filled to capacity and the addition of private swim lessons is keeping our instructors busy as well, and even more possibilities to expand current programs and add new ones are on the horizon. “It is my mission to fill it with life and strive for the OAC to be known as a welcoming, safe and courteous hub of activity and I think we’re already fulfilling that,” says Darnell.

WSE students enjoy swimming in PE! Open swim times are a big hit! Private swim lessons now available!

Swimmers cheer on a teammate.

Community C ON N ECTION

Kids Learn Healthy Habits through Heart Challenge!

The annual Kids Heart Challenge, a fun and educational fundraiser for the American Heart Association, was once again a huge success! Alamo and Dix Street students took part this year and raised almost $20,000!

While kids ask for donations, they also learn about different ways to keep their heart healthy like staying away from tobacco and vaping, eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep and being kind. They also earn fun prizes for different fundraising levels. This year’s theme was Legacy of Lifesavers and our kids are definitely lifesavers with their fundraising efforts!

2nd Graders Assemble Birthday Kits

A birthday party is filled with fun and creates memories that last a lifetime! But it can also be costly to put on that birthday party. That’s why our 2nd graders at Washington Street Elementary organized a service project to assemble birthday kits. “The goal of this program is to take the burden off families in need and provide them with a simple kit to make a cake and celebrate their child’s special day,” explains second grade teacher Mikala Brinkert. The kits contain a cake mix, frosting, a pan, party decorations, theme plates and napkins, a card, candles and party favors. The kits were donated to Christian Neighbors. It’s all smiles on assembly day! “The kids love to put them together and pick out the perfect items to put in the bag.”

NHS Shares the Warmth and Love

Otsego Hosts Lifelong Learners

Field trips, special performances, BINGO and more! Otsego is proud to partner with Plainwell schools and Christian Neighbors to increase the activities and outings for area senior citizens. Otsego hosted a field trip, Friendsgiving Feast and BINGO. We’re welcoming great crowds and attendees have a great time getting involved with new activities and connecting with others in the community. Be sure to check out the Senior Lifelong Learning webpage at www.otsegops.org/community/seniorlifelong-learning for the latest events or contact LeAnne Perkowski at lperkowski@otsegops.org to get on the email list.

National Honor Society members have been busy these last several months helping others with their service projects. They were able to provide gifts to more than 120 children in Otsego through their toy drive efforts which raised more than $8,300! In January, they donated more than 800 winter-weather items like hats, gloves, scarves and socks to the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries to help homeless families. They shared the love in February by making Valentine’s cards by hand for local nursing and assisted living home residents. In March, they stayed closer to OHS, visiting the preschool and elementary schools to read to them for March is Reading Month.

Alotobots Having A Lot of Success

In its 10th year, the OHS FIRST Robotics team is embarking on its best season yet. The Alotobots #5152 as they’re called, are headed to the State competition for the 5th consecutive time with high hopes of qualifying for a 3rd consecutive trip to Worlds in Houston. “We definitely have a great chance to go again,” says Michael Miller, the team’s lead mentor.

This year’s competition has been a tough one with the different tasks their robot is programmed to complete. But they’ve learned a lot and have a strategy going into State. “We have a really good robot that we are making some upgrades to. These changes should make us even more competitive. We also have great senior leadership to get us to the championship level.”

The Alotobots finished as a finalist at their first match at Battle Creek Central then lost in the Semifinals at Muskegon. The top 160 teams out of 514 qualify for State. Otsego has been ranked as high as 24th in the State this season and is currently ranked 82nd worldwide. The State competition is April 4-6 at Saginaw Valley State University. Worlds are in Houston April 17-20. “I’m really proud of this team and especially proud of my seniors. Some of them have been doing robotics since 3rd grade. I would love nothing more than to make a great run at state and worlds to cap off their robotics careers,” Miller says.

Fun Family Nights with Science, Robotics & Literacy

Hundreds of families enjoyed a fun night of hands-on learning and literacy at two different special events, thanks to Otsego’s literacy coaches, Allegan Area ESA math and science consultants, and the OPS Foundation. “We were looking for an innovative way to bring together science and literacy that supports Otsego students and especially Otsego families,” says Gina Watson, Otsego elementary literacy coach. They created a three-year rotational event plan between the elementary buildings. The first Science & Literacy Night encouraged engineering concepts, and was held last winter at Washington Street Elementary. It moved to Dix Street this year and WSE introduced the

second event, a Family Robotics Night. A third event will take place next year as they add in Alamo Elementary. “We tailored it so that it was engaging, hands-on, family-oriented, and sparked new learning. Every activity included multiple steps, so it was designed to be parent-facilitated and families worked together to solve problems and complete the activity,” Watson explains.

There’s a literacy component for both nights as well. “We’ve put a focus on increasing opportunities for families to come together in a fun, learning environment, and these nights have turned out even better than we imagined.”

Creating a course at the Slinky station.

Creating the longest rollercoaster. Programming the bee robot to travel a course. Robotics crafts and a good book.

Otsego Breaks Ground on Student Health Center

Construction will soon begin on the new Otsego Student Health Center. This on-site medical and mental health facility is made possible through the Child and Adolescent Health Center Program grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Data shows over 70% of families leave the county for well-child care and pediatrics visits. “The facility will increase access to medical and mental health services for our students, eliminating a barrier for families,” says Superintendent Jeff Haase. InterCare Community Health Network is the healthcare partner on this project. The center will be housed at Washington Street Elementary, but will have a separate outdoor entrance. The OSHC will provide a variety of medical and mental health services including urgent care visits for things like seasonal or sudden illnesses, immunizations, well-child check-ups or counseling. This center serves students ages 3-21. “The Child and Adolescent Health Center would provide an opportunity for our families to receive immediate services for both medical and mental health, on site, which in turn would decrease the amount of time students are absent from school and missing crucial learning opportunities,” Haase adds. Read more about it online at www.otsegops.org/studenthealthcenter.

Exploring, Nurturing Their Environment

Learn ‘n Grow preschoolers don’t just explore nature around them, they learn to tend to it, as well. During February’s Sprouting Naturalist time, an outdoor exploration program that Director Heather Buskard leads, they read a book on how trash can hurt the ocean animals, a topic they could apply to their surroundings. Kids went out and looked for trash along their trails and in the water near their boardwalk. They added in a STEM component, too, building a tool they could use to reach and pick up the trash. They made great trash “catchers” and made a difference, too.

Destination Kansas City for Alamo’s DI Team

Alamo’s Destination Imagination Team, the Brushstroke Buccaneers, is headed back to Global Finals! The team, made up of six 5th graders, earned 1st place at their State competition. Destination Imagination is an international program for students that fosters creativity, problem-solving, communication skills and much more with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) challenges. There are six challenge categories teams can choose and prepare for in competition. There’s also an Instant Challenge at competition that students have to do on the spot.

This year’s team created a solution to the Fine Arts Challenge called IN Motion. The team had to pick a work of art and then create a story inspired by the work of art. It had to include a static and dynamic character along with a conflict and resolution. It all comes together in a skit just a few minutes long. “DI is a student-driven program,” says Terry Webber, one of the team’s managers. “The kids get to make the decisions. I think that is a powerful attraction for students; they earn the rewards from their hard work and dedication.” The team is busy fundraising to help pay for their trip to Global Finals where they’ll meet kids from all over the world. The competition is May 22-25 in Kansas City, MO.

Heartwarming, humorous and incredibly entertaining! This year’s high school musical performance of “Honk!” is one to be remembered. Based on the classic tale of “The Ugly Duckling”, the musical rendition is a story that touches the hearts of the audience with a message of acceptance, inclusion and embracing our differences. The show included a cast of 30 middle and high school students and a tech crew of 13 students who stage, light and work the sound for the show. Congratulations to all!

Music All Around!

Our students have great opportunities to perform, but they are also connected with music professionals outside our school through guest performers and field trips. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s KSO on the Go Percussion Duo visited Alamo this past trimester. Students enjoyed a wonderful performance full of different percussion instruments and even a musical arrangement of the story Where the Wild Things Are. Our 5th graders also traveled to see a concert with the full KSO. Middle and High school band students were treated to two special concerts from Western Michigan University. Their Faculty Quintet and Student Bassoon Quartet visited Otsego for special performances.

Music to our Ears! Students Shine on

Stage

It’s been an incredible season of music with concerts and shows that shine a light on our students’ talents. All five bands put on concerts, band and choir students competed at Festival, and our Stars performers and 3rd graders entertained in their annual musicals.

BAND DISTRICT FESTIVALS

Winter concerts are a warmup for District Festival for the 7th & 8th grade, Concert and Symphonic bands. All of our bands scored perfect 1st Division ratings! They’ll perform at State Festival at OHS in April.

CHOIR DISTRICT FESTIVAL

All five choirs performed at District Festival and did great! OHS’s Bella Voce and Chamber Singers received the top rating, a “1”; the 7th & 8th graders also received a “1” and both earned perfect scores on their sight reading. Concert Choir received a “2” rating, just a couple points shy of a “1”.

STARS SHINE

Our elementary Stars performers delighted audiences just before the holidays. Dix Street performed Jingle Bell Jukebox featuring several upbeat tunes and Alamo & Washington Street paired up to perform Holiday Favorites on stage.

3RD GRADE MUSICAL

Our 3rd graders had a blast at their “Pajama Party” singing songs all about bedtime!

OTSEGO ATHLETICS

Swim & Dive Team Repeats as League Champions!

Otsego’s Swim & Dive team earned another League trophy making it backto-back League Championships! They only had two losses on the season and team members recorded personal bests and record events this year. Six swimmers and one diver made it to State. Here are the State finishes:

• Liam Smith, 1st place, 100 fly, 200 IM

• Bryce Meyer, 16th place, 200 free, 500 free

• Willsun Fuller, 16th place, 100 fly

• Nico Hertz, 14th place, 100 backstroke

• Caleb Wesseldyk, 12th place in diving

• 10th place in both the Medley relay, 400 free relay

Smith Sets New Records, Sights on Future Success

Sophomore Liam Smith continues to shatter records - many his own - and earn big rewards for his talent in the pool. Smith is a State Champ in both the 100 Butterfly and 200 Individual Medley. His times for those two events also earned him All-American honors meaning he is among the 100 fastest swimmers in those events in the country. “NISCA (National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association) sets the time standards to attempt to find the 100 fastest/ best,” explains coach Darryl Belton. “They are extremely fast times and most of the time they don’t have 100 automatic qualifiers. Liam’s times in the 200 IM and 100 fly are automatic qualifying times.”

“It feels amazing to reach All American, that was one of my main goals this year for the 100 butterfly and to reach it in both the 100 butterfly and the 200 IM was amazing,” Smith says. In addition, his time in the 100 fly earned him a spot on the MHSAA Dream Team which means he’s the fastest in the state in that event regardless of division. “To make the Dream Team was just the cherry on top for my expectations going into the weekend.” He is in the pool non-stop, year-round working on everything so he’s happy to see his hard

Winter Season

All-Conference Honors

BOYS BASKETBALL

• Brevin Gabos - 1st Team

• Blake Marks - 1st Team

• Nick Lopez - 2nd Team

• Louis DiGrandi - Honorable Mention

GIRLS BASKETBALL

• Brooke Smalldon - 1st Team

• Hannah Fitzpatrick - 2nd Team

• Tessa Prough - Honorable Mention

BOWLING

• Alicyn Klok - 1st Team

• Jack Ordway - Honorable Mention

• Mercedes Edney - Honorable Mention

• Wybie Burke - Honorable Mention

COMPETITIVE CHEER

• Hannah Crawford - 2nd Team

• Maddie Whitney - Honorable Mention

WRESTLING

• Zeke Andrina - 1st Team

• Lane Blanchard - 1st Team

SWIM & DIVE

Michael Ambs, Carson Bydash, Dillon Campbell, Tyler Campbell, Collin Crites, Willsun Fuller, Blake Guerrant, Nico Hertz, Kory Koubaitary, Bryce Meyer, Caleb Payseno, Liam Smith, Hunter Sunnerville, Caleb Wesseldyk

work paying off. “I can’t wait to see what I can do next year.” He’s hoping to continue to set Dream Team times during high school but his sights are set even higher. As a member of the Greater Kalamazoo Crocs, a USA Swim Team, he’s working to get Olympic trial cuts. He’s about 2 seconds off a cut time now.

Smith currently holds the school record in the 200 IM, 100 fly, and 100 backstroke and pool records in those three events along with the 50 free, 100 free, and as a part of the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. He’s also the fastest sophomore swimmer in the state in the 100 fly (swimcloud.com).

For the 2nd time in four years, Otsego’s Girls Basketball team earned the District Title beating Plainwell and a tough South Haven team to take the trophy. This team, with eight seniors, had to battle through injuries and ended their season 14-10 after losing in a competitive regional game against South Christian.

Middle School Teams Undefeated

players put in extra time outside of the season working on their basketball skills,” says coach Mary Reitenour of this talented group.

For the second year, the OMS Competitive Cheer team went undefeated on their season and won the Wolverine Conference championship with their highest scores of the season. “This was one of the best teams I have ever coached,” says coach Jaime Kortokrax. OHS has a bright future here, as well, as eight 8th graders will move on to the next level.

The future of OHS girls basketball is bright! The 8th grade girls basketball team went 12-0 this season and put up some impressive stats. On average, they outscored their opponents by 23 points. They scored a total of 463 points with three players putting up more than 80 points for the season. Hallie Prough was the team’s top scorer with 96. “Many

Wrestling: Two Conference Champs, Milestone Win

Sophomore Lane Blanchard (left) won his second Conference Championship this year claiming the top spot for 144 lbs. Freshman Zeke Andrina will be one to watch, he won the title for 113 lbs.

Congratulations to Senior Brendon Bohl for hitting the century mark in wrestling! He captured his 100th career win in early January.

Girls Make History for Otsego Wrestling

These five girls marked the beginning of a new era in Otsego wrestling as the first official girls wrestling team at OHS. Otsego’s had girls wrestle on the team for years, but they’ve always wrestled with the boys. It’s now an MHSAA sport, and a growing one, so more and more schools are adding girls teams. This year’s team included Lexi Phillips, Addison Gregory, Bailey McIllwain, Hope Cole and Samantha Bonovetz. Phillips has been wrestling for four years, often the only girl to compete. “It feels good knowing you’re not the only girl on the team. We all work together and push each other.”

Gregory grew up around wrestling and was excited for the opportunity to get out of the stands and onto the mat. “My dad wrestled for Otsego and so did my brother so I am excited to be able to share that experience with them and to help blaze a new path for the girls of Otsego,” she says. The sport is still new; not every school has a team so the girls don’t have the same amount of contests or tournaments yet, but they know this is just the beginning. “I hope this is the start of us building a new program for Otsego. I am looking forward to seeing myself and the other girls improving through our next years together,” Gregory adds.

Contact Us

Administration/Business Office

Superintendent Jeffery Haase

Alamo Elementary

Dix Street Elementary

Washington Street Elementary

Otsego Middle School

Otsego High School

Special Education

Community Education / B.A.S.E.

269-694-7900

269-694-7902

269-694-7600

269-694-7700

269-694-7800

269-694-7500

269-694-7400

269-694-7907

269-694-7930

Learn ‘n Grow Early Childhood Education Center

Athletics

High School

Middle School

Transportation Department

Carrie Barnhart, Supervisor

269-694-7960

269-694-7405

269-694-7500

269-694-7940

OPS Foundation www.opsfoundation.org