Several of our Otsego student-athletes have been making a meaningful impact this year by participating in the 2nd & 7 Foundation reading program with our 2nd grade students. 📚

The 2nd & 7 Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy by pairing positive role models with young readers and providing free books to help spark a love of reading.

Our athletes have stepped into that role in an incredible way—showing leadership, kindness, and commitment as they spend time reading, building relationships, and helping boost confidence in our youngest learners.

Their willingness to give back, despite busy schedules, speaks volumes about their character and the culture of Otsego Athletics.

We are proud of the example they set both on and off the field. 

This is what it means to be a Knight.

This week, we celebrate Assistant Principals Week and recognize the leadership and dedication of two outstanding members of our Otsego team:

🧡 Becky Buchman – Elementary Assistant Principal
🖤 Tom Ferdig – Junior High/High School Assistant Principal

Both Becky and Tom began their careers in education as classroom teachers before stepping into leadership roles, bringing with them a deep understanding of what students and staff need to succeed.

Becky has been part of the Otsego family since 2000 and has served as Elementary Assistant Principal since the 2019–20 school year. Tom joined Otsego in 2003 and has been serving as Assistant Principal since the 2017–18 school year.

Their experience, dedication, and commitment to students make a lasting impact across our district every day. From supporting staff and families to helping guide our schools, their leadership helps create positive and successful learning environments for all.

Please join us in thanking Becky and Tom for all they do! 👏

#AssistantPrincipalsWeek #OtsegoKnights #ThankYou

Have you done any spring cleaning?

While many were dreaming of the final bell before Spring Break, our 5th Grade "Be the Change" Club was busy proving that leadership doesn't take a vacation. These dedicated young Knights spent recess time scouring the campus for litter and tidying up our grounds to ensure our campus looks its absolute best for the many events hosted here in the spring.

Clad in gloves and fueled by school pride, the students organized a massive "spring cleaning" effort to preserve the beauty of our campus. By choosing to spend their free time in service to others, these 5th graders demonstrated exactly what it means to be a Knight: putting the community first and taking initiative to improve our environment. A huge thank you to these student leaders for their hard work and for making our campus shine for all our visitors this week!

#BeTheChange

There has been a different kind of energy in the gym this week! We were thrilled to welcome back Jon Penny from Black Belt Academy, who visited during physical education classes to introduce our Knights to the world of martial arts. Students traded their typical gym routines for a hands-on introduction to fundamental techniques, focusing on the core pillars of the craft: discipline, respect, and confidence.

The excitement doesn’t stop with gym class, though. We are launching a special after-school program where students can dive deeper for just $20. This includes six sessions held right here in our school gym, plus two bonus lessons at the Black Belt Academy dojo! It is a rare opportunity for students to experience a professional training environment while working toward a tangible goal. Those who complete the program will earn their white belt, marking their first official step in their martial arts journey. We are incredibly grateful to Jon Penny for investing in our students’ growth!

Be on the lookout for a yellow flyer coming home with your child. 

At Otsego High School, we are proud to offer meaningful work-based learning opportunities that help students take the next steps toward their future careers.

Through our ConnectED Program, led by Mr. Williams, students focus on transition-to-work goals while building the life skills needed to succeed in the workplace. From learning expectations of employers to developing independence and workplace confidence, this program helps students prepare for their transition into the employment industry.

In our Ag Capstone Course, taught by Mrs. Belleville, students take a different path toward career readiness, by pursuing real-world employment or even exploring entrepreneurship opportunities within their field of interest. This course allows students to gain valuable experience while discovering where their passions and career goals can take them.

Reese Genson, a junior at Otsego High School shares: "I work as a STNA at Bowling Green Manor. My primary job is to assist the nurses in resident hygiene, feeding them, taking vital signs, and providing the best care possible for patients. My favorite part of the job is getting to build connections with my residents, while knowing I am making a difference in their lives and benefiting my future. This has been an awesome job and opportunity for me, that will help me as I go into my nursing career in the future!"

Reese was able to earn her STNA this school year while working at Bowling Green manor, through our work-based learning program. It has been an awesome partnership between her employer and our district, in order to support Reese in her academic endeavors!

While each program offers a unique experience, both share the same mission: supporting our students as they prepare for life after high school and helping them build a strong foundation for their post-secondary journeys. Naturally, our post-secondary readiness supports are not limited to these two programs, however we cannot help but share the awesome work our students are doing in these classes for their own growth as well as the betterment of the community! We are proud of the opportunities our students have to learn, grow, and explore their futures!

🧵 Hands-On Learning in the Science of Sewing & Fiber Arts Class! 🧶

Students in our Science of Sewing & Fiber Arts class recently had a unique opportunity to explore the science behind textiles thanks to a visit from the Black Swamp Spinners Guild. Our students learned how spinning wheels and drop spindles work and gained a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the fabrics we use every day.

Even better, they didn’t just learn about it, they tried it themselves! Students had the chance to sew using an antique sewing machine, weave on a loom, and practice basic mending techniques. It was a fantastic hands-on experience that connected science, history, and creativity all in one lesson.

A big thank you to the Black Swamp Spinners Guild for sharing their time, knowledge, and passion with our students. Experiences like this bring learning to life at Otsego High School! 👏

Our 8th-grade Knights are proving that the future of industry is being built right here in our kingdom! Recently, a talented cohort of students participated in the "What’s So Cool About Manufacturing" (WSCAM) competition, a statewide initiative designed to pull back the curtain on the innovative world of modern production.

Our students journeyed to SmartSolve Industries, where they explored the cutting-edge science of water-soluble, eco-friendly packaging. During their quest, students toured the facility, interviewed team members, and captured high-tech footage to produce a professional video documenting the manufacturing process. This hands-on experience didn't just teach them about machinery; it showed them how local innovation solves global waste problems. Our Knights entered the "Viewers' Choice Award" competition against schools across Northwest Ohio. Stay tuned for the results of the competition, set to be announced April 14!

At Otsego Elementary, we are incredibly proud of three remarkable women who embody strength, resilience, and courage every single day.

Mrs. Heather Burgard, who brings creativity and energy to our students through art, music, and physical education; Mrs. Melissa Snyder, our dedicated Occupational Therapist who supports students in meaningful and lasting ways; and Mrs. Mandy Nusbaum, a compassionate paraprofessional who cares for students each day, have each been navigating their own journey with cancer.

While their experiences are different, one just beginning, one having completed treatment, and one now in remission, their stories are united by perseverance, courage, and an unwavering commitment to the students and school community they love.

They are more than their diagnoses. They are educators, caregivers, role models, and fighters who continue to show up with strength and grace, even in the most challenging moments.

Along the way, the Otsego community has come together in support through acts of kindness, encouragement, and visible reminders like our “Shields Up” and “No One Fights Alone” spirit wear. It is these women who inspire that support through their courage and example.

Their strength reminds us what it truly means to be a community.

Because here, we believe it fully: no one fights alone.

The high school transformed into a bustling hub of excitement recently as the OHS Student Council hosted its annual Knightly Madness! This high-energy event invited our younger squires from grades 3 through 8 to step inside the castle for an evening of mentorship and pure fun.

Guided by our high school leaders, students rotated through a whirlwind of activities. From the high-stakes intensity of dodgeball in the gym to the creative quiet of arts and crafts, there was something for every young Knight. Budding thinkers explored "magic" through hands-on Science experiments, while others tested their nerves in hilarious minute-to-win-it games. No one left empty-handed, as every participant walked away with snacks and a prize or two. It was a fantastic display of leadership, community, and school spirit that proves the future of the Otsego Knights is brighter than ever!

Did you catch a familiar face on WTOL 11 this week? Meteorologist Ryan Wichman visited Otsego Elementary this week to talk all things weather with our Kindergarteners! 🌪️☀️

Ryan has been visiting our classrooms since 2014. It’s hard to believe that the very first class he visited at OES is now our Senior Class of 2026! From learning how tornadoes form to mastering storm safety, our students were captivated by his presentation. We love seeing our community experts connect with our students, and we can’t thank Ryan enough for his years of mentorship and education.