Parents and Guardians,

As we enter the third week of semester 2 and the month of February, I want to highlight the importance of students holding consistent attendance at school. When students are present in class, they are not only exposed to valuable lessons, but they also have the opportunity to engage with their teachers and peers, ask questions, and participate in collaborative activities that foster deeper learning. Missing class time—whether through illness, family obligations, or other reasons—can cause students to fall behind and create gaps in their understanding, making it more difficult for them to catch up.

Research consistently shows that students who attend school regularly tend to have higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates. Conversely, chronic absenteeism—defined as missing 10% or more of school days—can lead to lower academic performance and may impact long-term educational success. It also affects the sense of community within our school, as students who miss class are often less engaged with their peers, which can affect social and emotional development.

We understand that there are times when students may need to miss school due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. However, we encourage families to prioritize consistent attendance, and if an absence is unavoidable, please communicate with the school to help us support your child’s learning. Together, we can work to ensure that students have every opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration!

Sincerely,

Chris Reeve

Principal
Suttons Bay Public Schools

Congratulations to our incredible students of the quarter from both the middle school and high school! Your hard work, dedication, and positive contributions to our school community have truly stood out, and we are so proud of all that you have accomplished.

Please use this link for scholarship information including available scholarships, timelines and events. All Suttons Bay seniors will be receiving a scholarship and financial aid folder this week. Parents and guardians can also expect a letter in the mail with more information. For questions, please reach out to our High School Guidance Counselor, Meredith Schmidt.

Scholarship Link

If you have a student seeking financial aid to support college tuition, please use the link below for an opportunity to attend local events to guide parents and students. Filling out the FAFSA is the gateway to federal, state and local aid such as the Community College Guarantee, Michigan Reconnect and NMC scholarships. The expert team at NMC is ready to assist you with any questions you have and guide you through the process.

Financial Aid Events

The middle and high school staff are excited to celebrate successes during the first semester. All students, 6-12, who met a certain criteria are invited to join us on Tuesday, February 4, from 12:00 pm - 3:20 pm at the Bay Theatre for a showing of Wicked (PG rating). Students will gather at 12:00 pm and will walk to the theatre with Suttons Bay staff. Concessions will be open, so students are welcome to bring money for snacks, but there is no charge for them to attend the movie. Students will be back on school property prior to dismissal at the end of the school day. Eligible students met the following criteria.

• No failed classes during semester 1
• No in school or out of school suspensions
• No after school detentions
• 4 or fewer lunch detentions

All eligible students were made aware this week. We are looking forward to an afternoon of fun for these students!

On Thursday, February 6, regional 10th graders have the opportunity to visit the Career Tech Program housed in Traverse City. For those not familiar with Career Tech, or CTC, here is a blurb from their webiste.

Northwest Education Services (North Ed) Career Tech is a career and technical education school serving more than twenty high schools and over 1,100 juniors and seniors in the northwest lower peninsula of Michigan. The center offers training in 21 career fields utilizing the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment. North Ed Career Tech and regional schools share great pride in preparing students for immediate job placement, postsecondary education, or military service. Learn more about the benefits of career and technical education.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Project Feed The Kids, based in Traverse City, for their generous donation of winter jackets for our middle school and high school students. This thoughtful contribution will ensure that our students stay warm and comfortable throughout the winter months.

On behalf of our entire school community, we thank Project Feed The Kids for their support and for helping to create a warmer winter for our students.

All visitors attending the Donuts with Grownups event must check in at the middle school office.

Please see the flyers below for details regarding the Middle School and High School Awards Ceremonies. All attendees must check in at the high school main office. We hope you can join us in celebrating the academic successes of semester 1!

February 4: Trip to Bay Theatre

February 6: 10th Graders Visit CTC

February 13: Donuts with Grownups in MS

February 13: MS (9:45 - 10:30 am) and HS (12:30 - 1:30 pm) Awards Ceremony