Plainwell Community Schools - Today's Learners Tomorrow's Leaders

❤️🤍💙 Respect, Honor, Gratitude 💙🤍❤️ This morning, PHS hosted its inaugural Veterans Day Breakfast, warmly welcoming local veterans and their guests to honor and celebrate their service and sacrifices. PHS PALS students participated to connect with the veterans and gain insights into their experiences while serving our country. The choir delivered a beautiful performance, while students (Talia and Jackson) and the principals (Mr. Taylor and Mr. Huberty) expressed their appreciation to the veterans. After breakfast, attendees enjoyed tours of the High School and Field House, where they could learn directly from our students about all PHS has to offer. It was truly a fantastic event, providing a wonderful opportunity for everyone to express their gratitude to our local veterans.  🇺🇸 Thank you for your service! 🇺🇸

❤️ Making a Positive Impact ❤️ The members of the PHS Red Cross Club are truly making a difference in our community and beyond! Recently, they organized a school-wide Winter Clothing Drive, successfully collecting 1,208 articles of clothing. The winter coats were delivered to the PHS Multicultural Club's to help support their winter coat drive, while the remaining items will be donated to the Dream Center in Kalamazoo. Additionally, the PHS Red Cross Club hosted a successful blood drive, gathering 34 units of blood, which has the potential to save 102 lives. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported their recent initiatives and to the Red Cross Club members for your efforts and contributions that will greatly benefit many. GO TROJANS!

Attention Current 8th-11th Grade Students! Join Plainwell High School's French teacher and Holocaust educator Ms. Trahan on a 2028 trip through London, Normandy, Paris, Belgium, and Germany, following the history of WWII and the Holocaust. This is an amazing opportunity for students to explore new destinations, experience different cultures and gain lifelong skills. Join us for an informational meeting where Mrs. Trahan will share all the essential details about the trip! 📅 Tuesday, November 17 🕒 6:00 PM 📍 Plainwell High School Media Center 🌐 RSVP Required at https://rsvp.eftours.com/fc7nnjg ❓For questions, please email julie.trahan@plainwellschools.org

Join us for Otis Outdoors' 8th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive! Each year, Otis Outdoors proudly supports our community by providing Thanksgiving dinner to 30+ local families. This year, you can help too! Participate in their food drive by donating traditional Thanksgiving food items on Saturday, November 21 from 12:00-4:00 PM at Gun Plain Fire Department (381 8th Street, Plainwell).

Congratulations to the Girls Swim & Dive team for securing 4th place at the SCC Championship meet last weekend. 💙 PLAINWELL PRIDE 💙 Here are some highlights from the competition: 📣 Sylar Luckett who finished 2nd in the 200 and 100 free 📣 All Conference honors to Annabella McMeekan, Brecken DeHaan, Emily Skinner, Teighlor Nooney, Sylar Luckett, Ellah Anderson, Adalyn Miller & Audra Huberty

🏀 Registration is still open until midnight on November 20 for our upcoming Hoopsters Basketball program for 3rd-5th graders. 🏀 Hoopsters Basketball is the official developmental league for the Plainwell Trojans boys and girls basketball programs. Hoopsters is a 3 v 3 format, which is organized as a way to develop the skills necessary for youth basketball players to compete at the next level while keeping fun at the center of every player’s experience. 🗓️ Dates: Practice will be held during the week from December 7-February 20, with games held on Saturdays in Plainwell, Allegan, and Otsego (specific practice and game day schedules, times & locations TBD) 💲Cost: $60 per athlete 🌐 Register: Scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs

It's beginning to look a lot like... the deadline! If you need holiday assistance, sign up for help from the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project ends this Friday 11/13. Make sure your paper form gets back to the school office by Friday, or sign up online at www.plainwellchristmas.org/get-help.

Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band for their 5th place finish at MCBA Flight 3 State Finals on Saturday! With their score of 83.3, it is the 2nd highest score at state finals in the program’s history! This performance marked the band's 6th straight year making it to State Championships at Ford Field and the first after the program moved up from Flight 4 to Flight 3. This remarkable streak of six years has now surpassed the previous record held by Plainwell Bands, who made the state finals for five consecutive years from 1993 to 1997. Please join us in sharing your congratulations to the TMB for their continued success - PLAINWELL PRIDE!

Today, the Plainwell Girls' Cross Country team competed in the MHSAA Division 2 State Finals at Michigan International Speedway. The team delivered a strong performance, led by All-Stater Natalya Hoffman, who finished in 12th place. They concluded the event in 13th place, marking the third-best result for the program in the last 25 years. Congratulations to Natalya, Mai Nguyen, Molly Bruggink, Fiona Ryan (who achieved her season-best time), Leigha Weldon, Lillian Lucas, and Lillian Szatkowski for their outstanding efforts today! 💙 TROJAN PRIDE 💙

The PHS Multicultural Club had the wonderful opportunity to host Colton Lee, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served as a Foreign Language Educator in Armenia. Mr. Lee shared his experiences of life in Armenia, providing our students with an insightful look into Armenian culture and everyday life. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Lee for dedicating his time to share his journey, offering our students a fantastic chance to broaden their understanding of the world beyond our local community!

🪄🎩 Learning is magic! 🎩🪄 The students and staff at Starr Elementary were thrilled to welcome a special guest, Magician Alan Kazam, who presented his Buddies Not Bullies show. Throughout the performance, he surprised them with entertaining magic tricks while emphasizing the significance of kindness, encouragement, and including others. It was a wonderful learning opportunity and a truly magical experience for our ⭐ Rock Starr ⭐ students!

🇺🇸 HONOR & CELEBRATE 🇺🇸 Plainwell High School invites Veterans and their guests to a Veterans Day Breakfast on Wednesday, November 11. The breakfast will be held at the PHS Cafeteria starting at 7:30 AM. Let’s come together to honor and celebrate their service and sacrifice. ❤️🤍💙

Join us in wishing the Girls Swim and Dive team GOOD LUCK as they head to Otsego to compete in the SCC Conference Championship Meet today and tomorrow. 💙 GO TROJANS! 💙

🏆🏐 DISTRICT CHAMPS 🏐🏆 Congratulations to the PHS Volleyball team who won the district championship tonight! The Trojans defeated Otsego 3-1 last night to advance to the finals where they swept the South Haven Rams 3-0! Way to go, Trojans! 💙 PLAINWELL PRIDE 💙

Tickets are still available for our upcoming Family Hockey Night at Wings Event Center (3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo). Join us as the Kalamazoo Wings face off against the Wheeling Nailers at their Lavender Ice Game. 🗓️ Saturday, November 28 🕖 7:00 PM ℹ️ Families can look forward to enjoying the game, a $5 concession voucher, a complimentary knit hat, and a voucher for a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center 🎟️ Ticket Information: Adults $17 and children $13, plus FEVO fees 🚘 Transportation is not available and parking is $10 per car at the event (cash only) or $8 in advance online 🏒 For additional information or to purchase tickets, please scan the QR code or visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Please note, the deadline to purchase tickets is November 26 at midnight.

Students in Ms. Trahan's Holocaust Literature class at PHS recently had the opportunity to visit the Zekelman Holocaust Museum in Farmington Hills. During a guided tour designed to complement their studies, they deepened their understanding of the Holocaust. Students listened to a second-generation survivor, Jack Calderon, who shared his mother's (Lici) powerful story and emphasized the critical importance of standing up against injustice. It was a profoundly moving day that extended well beyond the classroom, offering numerous valuable learning experiences for the Trojans.

Plainwell Community Schools recently held its first Career and Technical Education (CTE) advisory committee meeting with industry leaders. Joining the discussion were representatives from local industries, Joe Westra from Buist Electric, Shannon Fritz from Goodwill Industries, Michelle Krcatovich from West Michigan Works!, and Marty Adams from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Together, they initiated the rollout of the new Computer Programming Academy, marking Plainwell's first in-house CTE program. Students enrolled in computer programming at the middle or high school level can access this academy, which will offer industry certifications that enhance earning potential and adequately prepare them for college or trade school - Today's Learners, Tomorrow's Leaders!

🎄🛍️ Looking to tackle your holiday shopping? 🛍️🎄 Join us for a Drop & Shop at our upcoming Winter Cheer Clinic for K-8th grade athletes! Hosted by PHS Cheer at the High School Gymnasium, this clinic provides participants the opportunity to learn a festive routine while enhancing their skills in stunting, tumbling, jumps, and crafts! Register now for the clinic on Saturday, December 5, from 9:00-11:00 AM. After the clinic, the athletes will present a showcase for family and friends at 11:00 AM. The cost is $40 per athlete. Participants are encouraged to embrace the holiday spirit by wearing ❤️💚 festive attire or red and green gear. 💚❤️ To register, please scan the QR code to visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.

The PHS Multicultural Club students had the opportunity to attend the El Concilio Dia de Los Muertos "Day of the Dead" Celebration. They learned about Mexican culture, the traditions of Día de los Muertos, and the importance of honoring loved ones who have passed away. Students also had an awesome time trying authentic Mexican food, watching folkloric dances, and listening to community members share stories about their culture and traditions. It was a fun and educational experience that gave students a greater appreciation for Mexican culture!

🏐 Volleyball Milestone! 🏐 Congratulations to PHS Senior Avery Thorp for achieving the impressive milestone of 1,000 career kills in volleyball! Avery’s daily commitment to improvement has been essential to the varsity team's success this season. We are excited to recognize Avery for reaching this outstanding milestone - PLAINWELL PRIDE!