West Ottawa High School is pleased to announce the Top Scholar, valedictorians and salutatorians for
the class of 2013. The Top Scholar is determined by calculating points using GPA, ACT score and
honors points (AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment).

 WOHS Class of 2013 Academic Awards

In this issue:

Voter’s face important May 7 election;
Board members, superintendent participate in ‘March is Reading Month;’
Sounds of reading loud and clear at Glerum;
Harbor Lights exploring math with iPads;
Just for Seniors column: Volunteering presents significant opportunities;
Sheldon Woods shows its heart for cancer fund;
Woodside soars into ‘March is Reading Month;’
Woodside Elementary gets grant from Great Lakes Energy;
Great Lakes begins After School Migrant Club;
Macatawa Bay helping one of its own with fundraisers;
Pine Creek studies address community concern;
Waukazoo is the one to turn the world around;
Thursday, April 11, Kindergarten Enrolllment;
North Holland halls alive with music;
WO senior named National Merit finalist;
Lakewood Elementary is officially IB!;
High school artists haul in the awards;
Panther Athletic News;
All West Ottawa choirs qualify for State Choral Festival;
Cat in the Hat spotted at Lakeshore Elementary!

Great Start Readiness Preschool

Registration Night at Pine Creek Elementary

March 6, 2013

6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tuition Free (Must Qualify), Child must be 4 by November 1, 2013, AM/PM Class Options

Please Bring: Child’s Birth Certificate, 2 Proofs of Residency (ID, utility bill, etc.), Immunization Records and Income Verification (check stub, W-2, etc.)

Dear West Ottawa Family,

I have some terrific news to share with you: The West Ottawa Public School District on January 10 was named an Academic State Champion by Bridge Magazine. We rank 17^th in the state out of a total of 560 traditional public school districts and charter schools offering kindergarten through 12^th grade and rank 13^th among traditional public school districts.

For this year’s study, Bridge adopted a new, value-added ranking system which measures a school’s test scores adjusted for student family income, which is often a predictor of academic achievement. Essentially, Bridge’s Academic State Champions are being recognized for over-achievement, rather than achievement.

Both the District as a whole and our student’s in the grades included in the study over-achieved as reflected by the District’s overall average score of 111.31 for all grades combined and student test scores of 115.37 for 4^th grade, 106.55 for 8^th grade and 111.99 for 11^th grade.

“This recognition affirms the great work and dedication of our staff and their commitment to the academic achievement of our students,” said West Ottawa Superintendent Tom Martin. “I am immensely proud of our staff, our administration and our students.  We are also greatly appreciative of the support we receive from our parents and our community.”

I encourage you to read the story at www.BridgeMI.com and to share this wonderful news with friends, family and others in the community.

Sincerely,

Thomas K. Martin
Superintendent of Schools

West Ottawa Public Schools Presents:

Kindergarten Enrollment Day!

April 11, 2013

1:00 – 3:00pm at your neighborhood

West Ottawa Elementary School

*Enrollment packets are available now at your local elementary school

December 17, 2012 . . .

Dear West Ottawa Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Newtown, Connecticut community and everyone impacted by the tragic event that occurred last Friday. As we face the days ahead with our students, it is important that we care for them as they are dealing with this horrendous event.

It is important to keep in mind that events of this nature are rare. Schools remain one of the safest places for our children. We have many procedures in place that we practice and review on a regular basis. Principals are working with staff to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep your children safe. Communication and collaboration among schools, parents, law enforcement and community is critical to ensure that our students continue to feel safe and secure in our schools. It’s important that we as adults are intentional about our reaction to this tragedy because it will shape their reaction and their perceptions of safety. Listed below are resources from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and I have also provided links to additional resources for your use as you care for your children.

• Provide a developmentally appropriate, clear, and straightforward explanation of the event
• Return to normalcy and routine to the best extent possible while maintaining flexibility
• Let children know it’s okay to feel upset or angry
• Be a good listener and observer
• Provide various ways for children to express emotion, either through journaling, writing letters, talking, making a collage, or music
• Focus on resiliency as well as the compassion of others

Talking with children about violent events (Spanish)
Talking with children about violent events
Coping with crisis: tips for parents and educators

As part of West Ottawa’s response to families and students; counselors, psychologists and social workers are available in each building to help support as needed. Please know that your child’s safety is our number one priority.

Thomas K. Martin
Superintendent of Schools
West Ottawa Public Schools

Taking Pride in West Ottawa Public Schools

Tune in Monday’s at 8:40 a.m. as West Ottawa’s Superintendent Tom Martin and a West Ottawa guest staff member appear live on WHTC-AM’s Red Kingman show to discuss all the great things happening at WOPS.

TAKING PRIDE IN WEST OTTAWA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
is proudly sponsored by:

February 18, 2013:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with North Holland 5th grade teacher Sara Pedersen and North Holland principal Karen Abraham on their school wide “Million Minutes of Reading” program.
TAKING_PRIDE_16.MP3 (MP3 Format Sound, 7.2 MB)

February 11, 2013:
Here Red Kingman interviews West Ottawa Theater Director Joe Huber and two students from the play “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
TAKING_PRIDE_15.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 7.3 MB)

February 4, 2013:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Linda Pinkham, assistant principal; and Carrie Dewitt, 7th and 8th grade English teacher, at Macatawa Bay Middle School. They talk with Red about the Month of Caring at MacBay, which kicks off on Monday February 4.
TAKING_PRIDE_14.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 6.7 MB)

January 28, 2013:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Lakewood Elementary principal Elizabeth VanderWege about parent involvement at Lakewood school.
TAKING_PRIDE_13.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 4.1 MB)

January 14, 2013:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Dave Stefanich, Principal at Great Lakes Elementary School, and Kevin Westrate, Core Support Teacher (and avid fisherman). They discuss how Great Lakes has implemented a school-wide reading program to help students read at grade level.
TAKING_PRIDE_11.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 6.5 MB)

January 7, 2013:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with Glerum Elementary Principal Mary Gordon and Waukazoo Elementary Principal Amy Taylor as they discuss Kindergarten Round-Up and what that entails.
TAKING_PRIDE_MONDAY.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 14.1 MB)

December 17, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Assistant Superintendent Kent Henson, and Student Services Representatives Ana Patchin and Madison Doenges, about the Senior “Month Of Caring” and what that means to West Ottawa students.
TAKING_PRIDE_10.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 8.7 MB)

December 10, 2012:
Here Red interviews North Holland Principal Karen Abraham about their Student Council Community Service. She also brought in two members of the Student Council, Emily Fossi, and Michael Oriyavon who share their thoughts and experiences as only 4th graders can!
TAKING_PRIDE_9.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 7.4 MB)

December 3, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews the Girls Swimming Coach at West Ottawa High School Steve Boyer about the final state meet for his girls and how they did, plus we get to hear from some of the swimmers that Steve brought in with him.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 4.3 MB)

November 19, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with Lakewood Elementary Principal Elizabeth VanderWege and parent coaches Susan and Rob as they talk about their school’s Lego League Program.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 11.0 MB)

October 29, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with West Ottawa High School Principal Todd Tulgestke about their long running Veterans Day Program they have held since 1967!
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 6.9 MB)

October 15, 2012:
Listen in as Red Kingman talks with Mike Jaeger, CTEE Advisor and West Ottawa Science Teacher; Michgal Pietrangelo, West Ottawa High Grad, Hope student and active CTEE member; along with Kent Henson, Asst. Superintendent of Instructional Services for West Ottawa Public Schools; about the Cultural Technological Environmental Exchange Program.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

October 1, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Assistant Principal of Macatawa Bay Middle School Linda Pinkham about their Nagahama Friendship Program.  School Superintendent Tom Martin also shares his thoughts on the program.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 7.8 MB)

September 24, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Lakewood Elementary School Principal Elizabeth VanderWege and Denise Smyk about the SAIL Program of which Denise is the Program teacher.  Also joining them were students Ben Hoy, 6th grader, and Andrea Kennedy, 5th grader, both SAIL participants.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 7.8 MB)

August 27, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with the Principal of Harbor Lights Middle School Dennis White about their Advanced Placement program.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 6.2 MB)

August 20, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews the new Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Kent Henson, the former Principal of West Ottawa High School.  He shares some stats and rankings of West Ottawa students.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 8.3 MB)

August 13, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman talks with Athletic Director Pat Marsman about an ongoing summer program that helps athletes get ready for the school year.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 12.7 MB)

May 21, 2012:
In this episode Red Kingman interviews Becki Dykstra, Spanish Teacher at Harbor Lights Middle School about the Panther Prowl, an upcoming 5K Run/Walk.
TAKING_PRIDE_1.mp3 (MP3 Format Sound, 5.2 MB)

Holland area residents can get into the Christmas spirit with two upcoming musical events featuring West Ottawa High School’s highly acclaimed choirs.

The first, Holiday Tea with the West Ottawa Select Women’s Ensemble, will be held at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the West Ottawa Performing Arts Center. In addition to special entertainment from the ensemble and friends, you can enjoy a hot drink and some delicious desserts.

Tickets are $6 and will be sold at the door, from Select Women’s Ensemble members or can be reserved by calling Choir Director Pam Pierson at (616) 738-6865.

The second event, The West Ottawa Choir Holiday Concert, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at the West Ottawa Performing Arts Center and is free of charge. Music of the season with Bel Canto, Bella Voce, Select Women’s Ensemble, Concert Choir, Vocalaires and alumni will be featured.

For more information, contact Pierson.

November 29, 2012

In this issue:

Pine Creek “Beating the Odds,”
IB Program Helping to Smooth College Transition,
CTEE Program a West Ottawa Success Story,
West Ottawa Schools Hire 16 New Employees,
Harbor Lights Get Expert Lesson on Electric Car Batteries,
Title I Parent “Right to Know” Notification Provided,
Lakeshore Teacher Wins Haworth Contest,
Sheldon Woods Healthy Efforts Get Rewarded,
North Holland Students Get Out and Vote!,
Mac Bay Students Chosen for State Honors Choir,
Four Inducted into West Ottawa Athletic Hall of Fame,
Our Non-discrimination Policy,
Glerum, Woodside Get Federal Food Grants,
Great Lakes Students Get Early Morning Reading Boost,
Lakewood Students Honor Veterans in Their Lives,
Waukazoo Collects a Ton for the Needy,
Just for Seniors:  Help is on The Way for Improving Your Health,
West Ottawa Voters Elect Three School Board Members,
Legislation Gradually Changes Entry Age for Kindergarten

Eleven West Ottawa Singers performed at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Region A Honors Choir at Rockford High School, with seven selected to rehearse and perform on the State Honors Choir on Jan. 19 at DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids.

Selected to the 2013 State Honors Choir were Mitch Hillerich, Alex Knowles, Justin Seijo, Anna Scheerhorn, Kelly Monahan, Maura Monahan and Logan Jones.

Choir Director Pam Pierson said it was the largest number ever selected from West Ottawa. Only 30 percent of those performing at the regional are chosen to perform at the state level.

“The State Honors Choir is one of the premiere experiences for a high school choral member in Michigan,” Pierson said. “The Honors Choir is made up of the finest choral singers in Michigan.”

West Ottawa High School Region A Honors Choir members pictured above from left to right:  Anna Scheerhorn, Carly Guzman, Mitch Hillerich, Logan Jones, Alex Knowles, Kelly Monahan, Ricky Mireles, Abi Fergus, Maura Monahan, Maegan Johnson and Justin Seijo.

December 4, 2012