BOARD SHOUT-OUTS, NOVEMBER 2023
Paw Paw Public Schools Board of Education
At the end of each regular Board of Education Meeting, the board members each take a moment to share some of the great things they see in the district while serving on the Board. Here are this month's points of Pride & Progress.
“In my 19 years being around Paw Paw Schools, I don’t recall a high school band being as decorated as this one, and we have had some great bands over the years. This year’s band is really something special! Secondly, at the High School, I appreciate the opportunity to substitute in the Digital Photography Class. It has been a great experience, and I appreciate the support from Superintendent Reo and High School Principal Tammy Southworth. In my time at the High School, which ends on Friday, I have seen kids step up and become leaders in modeling positive behaviors. It is evident that the CharacterStrong program is working! Lastly, the Digital Photography Class had an assignment to take senior pictures of Barbies, so I created a hard-copy yearbook that showcases their work over the trimester.” Brent McNitt
“At the Later Elementary, about 90 kids participated in the running club! It has now ended but it was a tremendous success! Also, kudos to the cast and crew of the LE musical “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians” and a special shout-out to Director Sue Goodenough, Music Director Sydney Brown, and Choreographer Sophia Marie Loudin for their great work! This weekend in St. Joseph, two teams from the Later Elementary’s Robotics Team will be competing. Best of luck to them, and I’d like to give a shout-out to Marissa Neidlinger for her work there. Lastly, I was able to attend the Annual Leadership Conference of the MASB (Michigan Association of School Boards) with Superintendent Reo and Board Trustee Nate Mitchell. I learned a lot, and I’d like to give a special shout-out to Alisa Clark, assistant to the superintendent, for handling the details involved with the conference registration!” Lindsay Clark
“I was able to enjoy the Veterans Day festivities at the Middle School. I’m thankful to Middle School Principal Jerry McDaniel, the entire PPMS staff, and the PPPS district for their welcoming support of Veterans. Thank you to The Lions Club members who came to the schools to do the vision screenings last month and thank you for the support that allows that to happen. The Middle School PTO sponsored a Fall Festival that resulted in the donation of over 400 non-perishable food items for the Lions Club food baskets. Community and Kindness were demonstrated all at once!” Ray Martin
“Congratulations to the Early and Later Elementary students who won the PPPS Transportation Department’s “School Bus Safety Week” poster contest! Thank you to Alisa Clark for her help in making the arrangements for the MASB’s Annual Leadership Conference. I learned a great deal, and it was a beneficial to learn from other districts.” Nate Mitchell
“At the Early Elementary, the staff jumped right into the implementation of CharacterStrong! There were some behavior and discipline issues, so Behavior Management Specialist Jessie Reagan and her team worked hard to put the P.R.I.D.E. expectations at the forefront of student behaviors. By using P.R.I.D.E. tickets as positive behavior incentives, students can earn things like erasers, stuffed animals, or coupons for experiences, such as sitting with a friend at lunch or being the principal for a few hours. With the implementation of this program, there have been noticeable improvements in student behavior throughout the building.” Tom Baney