Saints Peter and Paul
Catholic School
317 Baldie Street, Ionia, MI 48846
Phone (616) 527-3561 Fax (616) 527-3562
Archives
PANTHER PRESS

FROM THE DESK OF MR. MORRIS
If you have applied for assistance with the cost of tuition for the 2009-2010 school year, awards will be made within the next
few weeks.  You will be notified as soon as possible.
Congratulations to our Kindergarten teacher, Miss Jennifer Dutcher, on the upcoming occasion of her marriage to Mr. David
Leik.
Enclosed in this weeks Friday folder is a 2009-2010 school calendar, approved by the Board on May 17.2009.
Every effort was made to match the calendar prepared by the Diocese of Grand Rapids and that of the Ionia Public Schools,
along with meeting requirements for accreditation established by the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools.

Graduation
Eighth Grade Graduation will be Wednesday, May 27th.  The ceremonies will begin with Mass at 6:00 p.m.  Congratulations!


Ionia Free Fair
The Marketing Committee is looking for someone willing to spearhead a SS. Peter & Paul float for the Ionia Free Fair Parade.  
If you have some time and a little talent we would greatly appreciate your help.  For more information please contact the
school office at 616-527-3561 or Mr. Toaz at 616-522-0472.


Registration forms
Bishop Hurley and the Diocese of Grand Rapids are focusing on enrollment numbers around the
Dioceses.  S.S.  Peter & Paul is one that they are closely monitoring.  Please send in your registration forms so we are able to
let the Diocese know we are a strong and viable presence.

Memorial Day Parade
Members of the Saints Peter & Paul School community will be marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May
25th.  We will meet on Main St. by Auto Zone and Olivera’s at 9:00 a.m. and will travel east along Main St. to the
courthouse.  We are Parade entry #9.  The SSPP Chorus will sing on the Courthouse steps following the parade.  Please feel
free to join students and staff in the parade and in the commemorating Memorial Day.

Handbook revisions
At their meeting on Sunday, May 17th, the Board of Education approved a revised electronic devices policy and a revised
tuition refund policy.  These revisions will be included in the student handbook for 2009-2010.


Coaches Meeting  
There will be a coaches meeting on 5/27/09 at 6:00 in the gym for all coaches interested in coaching girl’s and boy’s basketball
in 2009/2010.  I need to know who is interested for what team and set camp schedules and practice times.  Once again, we’ll
have to make decisions on how many boys teams we can have and if any one is interested in coaching.   If you’re interested in
coaching and can’t attend the meeting, please call me at 527-3436.  Thanks-Kevin Miller-Athletic Director.


Tardies
Below is the SS. Peter & Paul policy, as spelled out in the student handbook and approved by the Board of Education,
regarding late arrival at school.

TARDINESS:
Students who report after 7:45 should go directly to the school office to check in so that office personnel know that the
student is in school.  Students who arrive late are considered tardy.  When a student has been tardy three times in a given
quarter, a note will be sent home to the parents to be signed as a warning.  When a student
has been tardy five times in a given quarter, a notice will be sent home and the student will serve a one-hour detention after
school.  If a student is tardy 10 times in a given quarter, school personnel will contact the county truant officer.

This policy has not been strictly enforced this year.  As a result, we are seeing a drastic rise in the number of students who are
tardy.  In addition, we are experiencing more unexcused absences and failure to report absences.  

Enforcement of attendance policies will not change at this point in the school year.  Next year, however, compliance will be
closely monitored and enforced.  The goal here is not to punish but to assure that students are on time and in school, unless
they are too ill to attend.  This sets the stage for school success and positive habits that will last a lifetime.

A Time to Celebrate
Patti Salka has announced that she will be retiring at the end of the school year.  To show our appreciation for all her years of
dedication to our school, we will honor her at the 5:30 Mass on May 30, followed by a reception at the Knight of Columbus
Hall.  Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration as Patti starts her new life of retirement.

Dates to Remember
5/25                    NO School
5/25       Memorial Day Parade
5/27        8th grade Graduation
6/3       Fun Day – Fairgrounds-cold lunch
6/4         Fun Day –Rain date –cold lunch
6/5        Last Day of School -10:15 dismissal


Have a great holiday week-end and take time to remember those who have gone before us.

                                                                                                 SS. Peter & Paul Catholic School
                                                                                                 317 Baldie St.
                                                                                                 Ionia, MI  48846
                                                                                                 616-527-3561 - phone
                                                                                                 616-527-3562 - fax
                                                                                                 Tim Morris – Principal
                                                                                                 ssppcatholic.com