Otsego Elementary’s new library. (Photos: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune)

TONTOGANY – Those who walk into the new Otsego Elementary will probably take special notice of the mural:
a mosaic that stretches for 25 feet along the common room wall, depicting knights, a dragon and a
swirling sky reminiscent of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
The mural is called "Mosaic By Knights" and is the result of a collaborative effort between
students, staff and local artists who designed the mural, created it and mounted it in the new school in
June.
Local artist Gail Christofferson-Works headed the project and it remains a focal point of pride in a new
building that has, literally, brought everyone together.
"Generally, we like everything about this school," said Otsego Superintendent Adam Koch.
"It allows collaborating between all the teachers. They all work together now."
That brings about five teachers per grade together in one space where can discuss curriculum and other
issues they share, said Jim Garber, the elementary school principal.
The school’s close proximity to the high school also mean high school students will be available.
"During study halls, high school students can work as aides in the elementary school," Garber
said.

Inside look at the new cafeteria.

The new 80,000-square-foot school consolidated three separate schools into one, accommodating about 700
students, with about five teachers per grade. Despite the fact that one school is replacing three, the
new school still offers more space, Koch said.
Garber said the older schools ran out of space and were dependent on modular buildings for classrooms.
Students would have to run inside the big buildings to use the restrooms.
The new school is energy-efficient, spacious and packed with state-of-the-art technology, he said. Every
classroom has a sound system, he said, that teachers can use when hearing-disabled kids are in class.
The entire school is ADA-compliant, which makes it welcoming to kids with disabilities.
And Otsego Elementary is all about training kids for the Internet age.
"Every inch of the school is a wireless hot spot," Koch said.
The wall-to-wall chalkboards have given way to smart boards in every classroom, and the result is a
high-technology, energy-efficient building that will ultimately save the district money, he said.

Exterior view of the new Otsego Elementary School.

So far, the school’s new digs have been a hit, Koch said.
"We were pretty excited to open the school, and the excitement from parents and students has been
outstanding," he said.
For Garber, the upgrades have been a huge perk of the new building.
"The technology upgrade is just incredible," he said.
Security is also improved. There is now one entrance for visitors, making it easier to keep track of who
is in the building. At 9:05 a.m. the other doors lock from the outside.
Parents and students are learning the new-school routines, such as pick up and drop off locations.
But the commons area, with its 12-paneled mosaic, remains the uncontested pride of the school.
"It’s a really pretty spectacular area," Garber said.