The Otsego Public Schools’ Bulldogs Bookin’ Bus will be making stops on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer to provide students in the district with opportunities to check out books. (Photo provided)
By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
The 2022-23 school year ended today (Thursday, June 8) for students who attend Otsego Public Schools.
But the district’s service to the community will continue into the summer months in the form of free meals and reading opportunities.
OPS recently announced the schedule for its Meet Up & Eat Up meal program and the Bulldogs Bookin’ Bus mobile library.
“Both of these programs are incredibly beneficial to our students, families and community,” Otsego Public School superintendent Jeffery Haase said. “We hope that people will take advantage of both of them to enjoy a meal and a book on us this summer.”
Meet Up & Eat Up is a federal program that allows school districts to offer meals at no cost for students during the summer. OPS has offered this program for the past eight years.
Meet Up & Eat Up offers free breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday beginning Monday, June 12, and ending Friday, Aug. 4. No meal service will be offered the week of July 3 to 7.
No sign-up is needed to participate in the program and there are no income requirements or guidelines. All individuals 18 years of age and under are eligible to receive the free meals. Individuals up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally, physically disabled that is recognized by a state or local public educational agency are also eligible.
Adults can purchase a meal for $5. All meals must be eaten on site.
Locations and times for Meet Up & Eat Up are as follows:
● Washington Street Elementary: (enter from the west side of the building, by the pool)
○ Breakfast is served from 7 to 9 a.m.
○ Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
● Otsego High School: (use main entrance)
○ Breakfast is served from 7 to 9 a.m.
○ Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
● Lombardini Mobile Home Park
○ Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. 12 p.m.
● Otsego’s Northside Park
○ Lunch is served from 12:30 to 1 p.m.
The Bookin’ Bus, meanwhile, allows students to check out book throughout the summer months in an effort to maintain and/or improve reading proficiency.
The Bookin’ Bus will begin making stops on Tuesday, June 13, and will continue through Thursday, Aug. 3. No stops will be made on Tuesday, July 4, or Thursday, July 6.
The Bookin’ Bus stop schedule is as follows:
● Alamo Elementary: Tuesdays from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m.
● Washington Street Elementary: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 11:15 a.m.
● Lombardini Mobile Home Park: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
● Otsego’s Northside Park: Thursdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.