For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Shanley, Communications Director
Paw Paw, MI – Beginning Sept. 8, every student at Paw Paw Middle School and Paw Paw High School will have the opportunity to tour the Anne Frank Exhibit, a traveling exhibit from the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina. The 32-panel, museum-quality display has been assembled in the media center at Paw Paw Middle School, where student tours will take place daily through Sept. 25, 2026.
What sets this exhibition apart is that a select group of seventh- and eighth-grade students from Paw Paw Middle School helped assemble the exhibit, completed a comprehensive two-day training program with experts from the Anne Frank Center and are now sharing their knowledge with peers, teachers, staff, parents, and community members.
“Our vision as a district is to be united with our community to build success, which is why we’re also proud to invite our entire community to experience this powerful learning opportunity at no cost during Community Night on Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.,” said PPPS Superintendent Jeremy Davison. “This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the Anne Frank Exhibit, hear from our student peer guides and reflect together on the lessons of history, empathy, and kindness.”
The Anne Frank Exhibit provides a powerful, real-world example of Paw Paw Public Schools’ five Core Values – Integrity, Community, Success, Innovation and Kindness – brought to life.
Integrity – Students learn and share history, even when the stories are difficult.
Community – Students, staff, families and community members come together to learn, reflect and engage in meaningful conversations.
Success – Students develop leadership, communication and presentation skills.
Innovation – Students move beyond the classroom learning by becoming peer guides.
Kindness – The exhibit encourages empathy, compassion, respect for differences and understanding.
“Experiences like the Anne Frank Exhibit allow our students the opportunity to step beyond the traditional classroom and see history through a new lens,” said Paw Paw Middle School Principal Tracy Derhammer. “Our peer guides are developing leadership, communication and empathy as they share what they’ve learned, while the students they guide can engage with history in a more personal way. Together, they’re learning how the lessons of the past can shape how we understand and treat others today.”
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