September 2021 Edition

Ottawa Elementary School

Dear Little Bucks Families,

I am thrilled to be at Ottawa working with our youngest learners and early childhood teaching staff.

For those of you that may not know me, this is my 23rd year as a Buck. I began my career at Moccasin as a special education teacher for two years, followed by sixteen years as a first grade teacher, and beginning my fifth year as a principal.

Guiding, growing, and empowering others, whether they are five or forty-five years old is why I love my job! I believe in continuous growth and learning and encouraging others to do the same!

Every individual that walks through our doors have the ability to learn and thrive. I am so proud to be a Buck and grateful for the opportunity to serve your family.

If you ever have a concern, question, or comment please feel free to call or email and I will be happy to speak with you.

Stacey Denison, Principal

sdenison@buchananschools.com

Our school office is open 8:00am-4:30pm

Phone: 269.695.8409

Mrs. Stacey Denison, Principal

sdenison@buchananschools.com

Mrs. Hurd, Administrative Assistant

mhurd@buchananschools.com

REGULAR DAY OF SCHOOL

8:35am-3:43pm

ECSE/Preschool AM 8:35am-11:50pm

ECSE/Preschool PM 12:25pm-3:43pm

WACKY WEDNESDAYS

8:35am-3:10pm

HALF DAYS OF SCHOOL

8:35am-12:05pm

No Preschool or ECSE Classes on these days!

6 No School- Labor Day Observance

7 PTO Meeting 6:30 pm

8 Wacky Wednesday 3:10 Dismissal

10 ECSE Extra Friday- Mrs. Clark's Class

13 Hearing and Vision Screening

13 GSRP Open House 5:00-7:00pm

14 Hearing and Vision Screening

14 GSRP Open House 9:00-11:00am

15 GSRP Preschool Begins- Mrs. Chase and Mrs. Monsma

15 Wacky Wednesday 3:10 Dismissal

17 Constitution Day (Wear red, white, and blue)

20 First Grade School Farm Recycling Trip (Sears, Beck)

20 Board of Education Meeting 6:00pm

21 First Grade School Farm Recycling Trip (Stacy, Smith, Traeger)

22 Half Day of School for K-1 Students (Dismissal 12:05), No Preschool/ECSE classes

24 ECSE Extra Friday- Mrs. Clark's Class

29 Wacky Wednesday 3:10 Dismissal

At Ottawa we utilize a three-tiered behavioral system that focuses on improving the school environment with positive behaviors. We model and teach what we expect to see from students with the Buck 3. Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. We have spent the first two weeks focusing on the Buck 3 and teaching students our school-wide expectations.

There are various ways to promote positive behaviors through Buck 3 tickets and Buck High Five certificates. The tickets are collected throughout the building in classrooms, the library, lunchroom, hallways, anytime we spot consistent positive behavior. At the main entrance of our school is a large ticket bin where all tickets are collected to reach school-wide goals! When goals are reached, we reward students with incentives, such as visits from Bucky!

Information will be sent home for you to become familiar with our expectations and the common language we use each day at school. We use phrases such as 'hands and feet to self' and 'personal space'. Reinforcing this language at home helps build the consistency we instill every day at school.

Here is the site to order your Little Bucks gear!

https://ottawa-elementary-spirit-wear.square.site/

Mrs. Henckel is our school counselor and has worked in our elementary schools for over 20 years. She is our PBIS building coach and works to implement career awareness throughout our school. Mrs. Henckel works with students individually and in small groups. She is a great resource when it comes to behavior modification strategies, social and emotional wellness, and de-escalation techniques. If you have questions or would like to speak to her, she can be reached at lhenckel@buchananschools.com.

This wonderful duo are our speech pathologists! Miss P works with our preschoolers and first graders. Mrs. Lietz works with our ECSE and kindergarten students. Both bring a wealth of knowledge regarding speech and language. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's speech patterns, these are the two to speak to. They can be reached at slietz@buchananschools.com and mpatnoudes@buchananschools.com.

We would like to welcome to Ottawa the following fantastic new staff members!

Ms. Prestine is our music teacher. She has taught in several area school systems and comes with an extensive background in music education and working with young students. Her passion for music and inspiring students makes her a great addition to our team!

Mr. Schlutt is our integrated arts teacher. He has an elementary degree and has experience working with students as an interventionist. His goals include integrating all subject areas, especially literacy, into his art instruction. We are so lucky to have Mr. Schlutt join our team!

Mrs. Clark is our teacher in the early childhood special education (ECSE) classroom for the fall semester. Mrs. Clark has been a substitute teacher, primarily at Moccasin last year, holds an elementary degree, and has several children that attend Buchanan. We are happy to have her join the ECSE team and share her teaching expertise with our youngest students.

Miss Kaltenbach joins us as a healthcare paraprofessional. She is a Buchanan graduate and is ecstatic to come back and support our Little Bucks. Her patience and enthusiasm for children makes her a wonderful addition at our school!

We want to make sure every single student gets out the door and home safely. Please remember the following:

• You MUST contact our school office by 2:00 pm if you need to make changes to your child's transportation routine.

• If you need to make changes involving a bus, these changes must be communicated to our office by 1:30 pm, before the buses leave for their middle/high school routes.

• Please do not message or email teachers as they are often in session and do not receive the messages until it is too late.

• If you need a numbered car tag for the pick up line, please come into our office.

• If you are picking your child up as a walker, they will be dismissed at the doors by our front office.

• Only car riders with parents in the pick up line will be dismissed at the north parking lot doors.

Picture Day will take place Monday, October 18th! This year we are excited to be using Geskus Photography Inc.

• September 20th
• October 18th
• November 15th
• December 13th

Meetings will be called to order at 6:00pm unless advertised differently.

269.695.8402

269.695.8400

Superintendent

Mrs. Patricia Robinson probinson@buchananschools.com

Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

Mrs. Michelle Munyon mmunyon@buchananschools.com

Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Mark Kurland mkurland@buchananschools.com

Business Office Specialist

Mrs. Carrie Brunsting cbrunsting@buchananschools.com

Director of Special Education

Mrs. Karin Falkenstein kfalkenstein@buchananschools.com

Director of Technology

Mr. Philip Place psplace@buchananschools.com

We work hard every day to make our school the best it can be. Please tell us how we’re doing!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedhHzyguA0_cCpd2Ue17lUTG5bV9LXzCoe6sP2f_BJrovA1Q/viewform