From Superintendent, Dr. Christie Robinson: 

Dear Bulldog Families,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer and are looking forward to another exciting school year this fall.

This summer, my family and I traveled throughout Michigan, spending time together and enjoying the beauty our state has to offer. While the trip was restorative, I am always grateful to return home to Bulldog Country. There is an exciting energy that comes with preparing for a new school year, and I am thrilled to be back alongside our staff as we prepare to welcome students on August 18.

Expect Excellence

At Otsego Public Schools, our commitment to Expect Excellence continues to guide every decision we make. Throughout the 2025–26 school year, we made meaningful progress on our Strategic Plan by strengthening our district vision, supporting student success, and investing in our schools.

Working alongside parents, staff, students, local employers, and community members, we developed our new Portrait of an OPS Graduate—a shared vision defining the knowledge, skills, and character we want every Bulldog to develop before graduation. More information is available on page 6 of this publication.

We also continued focusing on creating schools where every student feels safe, valued, and connected through Capturing Kids’ Hearts and other relationship-building initiatives. Behind the scenes, our facilities team has been making improvements at Dix Street Elementary and Otsego Middle School while preparing campuses for students. At the same time, instructional teams have been refining curriculum and developing resources to help students and families start strong.

Leadership Updates

As we prepare for a new school year, I am excited to welcome several outstanding leaders to new roles within Otsego Public Schools. Please join me in welcoming:

• Jennifer Courtney, Principal of Otsego High School
• Beth Ayotte, Principal of Dix Street Elementary School
• Emma Gannon, Director of Communications
• Dan Crouch, Director of Finance

Each brings valuable experience, fresh perspectives, and a deep commitment to our students, staff, and community. We are excited for the impact they will make.

What to Expect this School Year

The upcoming school year brings exciting opportunities for our students and families.

School breakfast and lunch will continue to be provided at no cost to students. Families are still asked to complete the Educational Benefits form, located on our food service page. Please ensure your contact information is up to date in Infinite Campus to help ensure timely communication in the event of cancellations or emergencies (see the back to school page for instructions.)

Several school handbooks have been updated in collaboration with the Board of Education; finalized versions can be viewed on the back to school page. 

Julie Farmer, Director of Elementary Curriculum, has been working with a committee of staff members, parents, and others to refine the new Standards Based Grading system for grades 2-5. This system is designed to create a fair system that evaluates a student's grasp on core skills. There will be more information to come, so please stay tuned to our communication channels for more details. 

OPS is also launching “Baby Bulldogs,” a welcoming playgroup for our youngest learners and their caregivers to connect and build early school-community relationships.

The first day of school is Tuesday, August 18. For questions regarding transportation, meals, enrollment, or other back-to-school information, please visit www.otsegops.org/backtoschool.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of Otsego Public Schools. Together, we will continue building a district where every student is known, challenged, and inspired to succeed.

As always, it is a great day to be a Bulldog.

Sincerely,
Dr. Christie Robinson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Otsego Public Schools

 

Important 2026-27 School Dates

August 18 – First Day of School

August 21 – No School

August 28 – No School

September 4 – No School

September 7 – Labor Day (No School)

October 13 – Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 14 – High School Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 16 – No School

November 10 – All Students Half Day (MS/HS Exams; Elementary Conference Prep & Evening Conferences)

November 11 – All Students Half Day (MS/HS Exams; Elementary PM & Evening Conferences)

November 12 – All Students Half Day (MS/HS Exams)

November 13 – No School; Last Day of 1st Trimester

November 16 – First Day of 2nd Trimester

November 25 – No School

November 26–27 – Thanksgiving Break

December 21–31 – Winter Break

January 1 – Winter Break

 

Delayed Starts

What is a delayed start? 

Otsego Public Schools has implemented delayed start dates for all of our students to allow teachers time to work in their Professional Learning Communities and support student success. Almost every Wednesday, school begins 90 minutes after your school’s usual start time. 

Delayed start dates can be found at https://www.otsegops.org/aboutops/calendar.  

 

Enrollment

Not a Bulldog yet? Let your true colors shine at Otsego Public Schools! Find more information about how to enroll at https://www.otsegops.org/aboutops/enroll