For Immediate Release:
Contact: Lisa Shanley, Communications Director
lisa.shanley@ppps.org
269-415-5594
Paw Paw, MI – On Wednesday, June 8, Paw Paw Public Schools hosted its annual school year-end celebration and awards luncheon in recognition of the district’s dedicated teachers and staff. Because of the pandemic, this event had not been held in-person since 2019.
In a letter to teachers and staff, PPPS Superintendent Rick Reo said, “These past few years have been a roller coaster of a ride. Those in education everywhere have faced some pretty unique and unexpected challenges. The work has been hard, sometimes exhausting, oftentimes feeling like a never-ending uphill battle. Whether your daily responsibilities include providing instruction, counseling, transporting students, cooking and serving meals, supervising students, maintaining or cleaning our facilities, providing tech support, managing or assisting in our offices, supervising staff, coaching, caring for the physical or mental health needs of students, or supporting the education of students in any other way, you have been impacted by these challenges. In spite of the adversity, you continue to make an incredible difference in the lives of the students we serve. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! You are heroes because you dedicate yourselves to the noble cause of serving, mentoring, and educating kids.”
This year’s celebration theme was a “Fiesta!” The PPPS Food Service Team prepared a special menu, which included: Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, Tortilla Chips, Pico deGallo, Guacamole and Pineapple with Tajin.
At 1:30 p.m., Superintendent Rick Reo kicked off the awards and recognition portion of the program with assistance from Board of Education President Brent McNitt. Teachers and staff were recognized for their years of service to the district, retirements were announced; and lastly, winners of the following awards were announced and recognized: Education Hero Awards, the PPPS Teacher of the Year Award and the PPPS Support Staff of the Year Award.
As a final note Superintendent Reo said, “This was an opportunity for teachers and staff to enjoy some food, fun, recognition, and time together as we wrap up the 2021-22 school year!”
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