SCHOOL BOARD SHOUT-OUTS, JANUARY 2024

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.

“I am in my sixth year coaching the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Girls Basketball Program and would like to give a shout-out to everyone in the district who helps make that happen. We do skills and drills, and we play during half times of the basketball games at the H.S. For the next eight weeks, practice will be at the L.E. and likely some at the M.S. With 66 girls in the program this year, we have seen tremendous growth. Thanks to the principals, coaches, and the Athletic Department for helping to coordinate, and thanks to the varsity players for their assistance. Lastly, shout-out to PPPS Alumni and U of M Football Player Karsen Barnhart for representing Paw Paw so well on the national stage. I would like to wish U of M the best of luck in their game.” Brent McNitt

“At the Central Office, under the core value of success, I would like to highlight a grant that was awarded to PPPS through the Michigan Kids Back on Track 23g Plan for $290,000. With the goal of helping students reach their grade-level academic standards, the grant funds are used for supplemental learning opportunities, such as summer school and additional academic assistance for students at risk of falling behind their peers. Great work by Business Director Kara Corniel and her team for obtaining this grant! It means more money for the district, and we are also helping students. The funds are good through September 2025.” Dale Pease

“I’d like to give a shout-out to MS Principal McDaniel for clearing the sidewalk of snow and spreading salt for the safety of the kids as they headed outdoors after school. Demonstrating our core value of success, I was happy to see the STAR Growth Report, which showed good growth in all grades in the middle school from fall to winter of 2023. In alignment with our core value of kindness, the middle school has a Kindness Campaign Challenge. Students are encouraged to remove a tab from the Kindness display in the middle school and perform the act of kindness written on the tab.” Ray Martin

“The Later Elementary hosted the Holiday Shop for all the elementary students to get some awesome gifts! I volunteered at this event, and I would like to give a big shout-out to the Elementary PTO parent volunteers for making it such a success. Under the core value of kindness, the Lions Club said the elementary schools did a great job collecting donations for their food drives. I love that our kids are focused on kindness and that our district has made kindness one of our core values. It is also great to see the teachers and administrators focusing on CharacterStrong in their lessens and newsletters.” Lindsay Clark

“I was invited to the Transportation Department’s Holiday Potluck. Thank you, that was fun! We have a great group of people there who are really dedicated to Paw Paw. It was nice to hear their stories, and I pledged to help spread the word that we need more bus drivers and subs. Along with Superintendent Reo and Ray Martin, I also attended the Senior Citizens Luncheon. It was great to see the H.S. Pay it Forward class helping and taking time to visit with the senior citizens. Also, everyone enjoyed the sing-along with the elementary students. Thank you for inviting me!” Nate Mitchell

“The Cedar Street Campus is still collecting items, such as hats, gloves, boots, coats, and more, for their Pop-up Store, where everything is free to help those in need during school hours through the end of the school year. They are still seeking donations. For more information, email: beckah.chartier@ppps.org.” Jon Vick

“I was proud to learn that my granddaughter, a Paw Paw Varsity Girls Basketball player, was asked to help with the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Girls Basketball Program. The young girls really enjoyed having her there, and my granddaughter was honored to have been asked to help.” Tom Baney

Paw Paw High School

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