STUDENT LIFE
Art Club
Elementary students are welcomed to explore new artistic techniques and ideas during the after school art program. Students who love working with fine arts will enjoy being able to delve deeper into the art world. Not only are students learning more about the arts, they will also be practicing proper material usage, respecting and encouraging others, and working towards individual goals. The 6-week program is open to 3rd - 5th graders. Art Club information and sign-up will be distributed to the students.
Stars
Otsego Stars is an extracurricular performing arts groups that typically rehearse for one hour a week, culminating in a performance. All 4th and 5th graders are welcome to join Stars at their school.
Warriors
Warriors is a program for girls and boys in 3rd - 5th grade that teaches students all about swimming, biking and running. In some cases, students haven't ever been on a bike and don't know how to swim. This program teaches students the correct form to participate in these activities and talk about the safety of physical activity and the individual sporting events. This is a 6-week program that meets two days after school in the spring. Along with learning about sports, they also learn about being a part of a team, sportsmanship, respect, setting goals and encouraging others. The program ends with a 5K triathlon.
Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run is a 10-week program for girls in 3rd-5th grade that meets twice a week to talk about self-esteem, personal strengths, connecting with others and discovering who they are while training for a 5K run. The Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run website describes their program as one that "encourages girls to recognize their individual strengths and celebrate connections with others. Each season, girls gain a better understanding of who they are and what's important to them, the value of teamwork and healthy relationships and how they can have a positive impact on the world." This is a program that is run outside of the school district, but many staff members and parents coach the teams. Look for sign-up information in the fall online and learn more on the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run Website.
Elementary Cross Country
Students in 3rd-5th grades can take their love of Mileage Club to a new level by joining the Elementary Cross Country team! This team begins practicing the second week of school, right after school twice a week. The kids learn healthy habits of running and train for two races. They first race against the teams at our two other elementary schools in the City Championship. The winning school earns a trophy for both boys and girls divisions. The top 20 finishers also receive a medal in each boys/girls division. The kids then run in the Bulldog Invite, one of the largest XC Invitationals in the Midwest. Their race finishes out the day as part of the Little Pups race which is approximately 1.2 miles. Look for sign-ups at the start of the school year.
Bulldogs Blankets for Bronson
This service-oriented group offers students a chance to be a part of something outside of school and make a difference. Students meet twice a week after school for a few weeks to create tie fleece blankets which are donated to Bronson Children's Hospital. There is a fee which helps pay for the materials. They also make cards to give to children who are in the hospital. Look for sign-ups in the newsletter or contact Mrs. Griffith at dgriffith@otsegops.org.
Bulldog Buddies
Students who have a heart for helping their classmates and school will enjoy being a Bulldog Buddy! This group will partner with our Special Education students in the school to help them navigate through their school day and different events. Students can sign up to be a part of one of four options:
- Social Skills, where they help students in daily activities
- Thrive & Survive
- Coffee Cart, where they take staff coffee and tea orders twice a month and deliver them.
- Unified Champion Schools, a Special Olympics program where they partner with students to compete on the basketball court against other Unified Schools
Contact Mrs. Decot for more information at ldecot@otsegops.org.