FINAL DAY TO REGISTER - Registration is open through today (May 13) for our elementary athletes to join us for the upcoming Summer Youthball program for 5-8 year olds. There are three programs available: Girls & Boys T-Ball (age 5/6), Girls Coach Pitch (age 7/8) and Boys Coach Pitch (age 7/8). The focus of the Youthball program is recreation and to learn the fundamentals of the game. Cost is $55 per player.
Please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs to register.
The Henry Pestka Art & Poetry Contest held their annual dinner & awards on Monday, May 6 at Frederik Meijer Gardens. This year’s theme, Hope, explores how, despite facing unimaginable tragedies like the Holocaust, hope can be found in our common humanity. Nine districts in the area competed and in the Top 10 finalists for poetry, three were PCS students. At the ceremony, the following students were recognized:
- Audra Huberty was awarded 3rd in the 9th grade category for her poem, “The Journey of Hope”
- Julia Bitely received 2nd place in the 8th grade category for her poem, “ Midnight Moon”
- Josie Longcore placed first in the 10th grade category for her poem, “Red”
They each received prizes, a gift bag of goodies and a book written by the speaker at the event, author Liza Weimer. Congratulations on these outstanding achievements, Trojans - PLAINWELL PRIDE!
Earlier this week, the Plainwell and Otsego Lifelong Learners enjoyed a special event at Ransom District Library - a Taco Tuesday Fiesta! They enjoyed an afternoon with food, bingo, fellowship and lots of fun!
On Thursday, the Gilkey Total Trek Quest (boys 3rd-5th grade running club) met at the high school track to challenge the previously set Gilkey mile record of 6:25.
Three runners beat the old Gilkey record - Ben Stroup, CJ Stroup and Hunter Sopjes. Ben had the fastest time with a 5:51, smashing the old record by 34 seconds! Look out - their names will be hanging on the Gilkey record board in the gymnasium soon!
More importantly, every single boy on the whole team improved from their first timed mile of the season.
It was a great season for the Gilkey Total Trek Quest and their coaches, Ryan Knox and Ethan Oostdyk. Next up, on Saturday (May 18) the team will complete their 5k goal in Newaygo. Way to go, Geckos! 🦎
Registration is still open for the 2024 Spring Elementary Tennis Camp for students in K-5 grade. All skill levels welcome! Join us to improve your game while learning from the Varsity High School Tennis Coaches and Players from May 20-23. Camp will be held at the PHS Tennis Courts from 4:00-5:00 PM. Cost is $50 per athlete. To register, please scan the QR code or visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
Registration is open for the Boys Basketball Kids Camp. Join us for a summer camp from July 15-18 at Plainwell High School taught by PHS coaches and athletes. Program is available for 1st-8th graders (grade in fall 2024). Cost is $35 per athlete. To register, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
Congratulations to PHS Senior, Raya Mergen-Henry, on signing her letter of intent for Cheerleading at Western Michigan University! We are incredibly proud of Raya's athletic achievements while at PHS and wish her all the best next year at WMU. From all of us at PCS, congratulations and best wishes to Raya!
Students in Starr Elementary’s 4th grade Cole’s Crew are enjoying an ABC countdown to wrap up their year.
To start the month, they have to enjoyed:
A was for appreciation
B was for buddy reading
C was for compliments that they delivered into their decorated name bags
D was dance day
E was for exercising with some fun cardio drumming!
Thanks to PCS staff member Kelly DeLorge for this fun idea, these 4th grade Rock Starrs are rocking their last month of school.
Registration is open through May 13 for our elementary athletes to join us for the upcoming Summer Youthball program for 5-8 year olds. There are three programs available: Girls & Boys T-Ball (age 5/6), Girls Coach Pitch (age 7/8) and Boys Coach Pitch (age 7/8). The focus of the Youthball program is recreation and to learn the fundamentals of the game. Cost is $55 per player.
Please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs to register.
The Boys Basketball Camp wrapped up last weekend. During the four week camp, 1st-6th grade athletes learned the fundamentals of the game from PHS coaches and athletes. It was a great experience for the Trojans, with lots of learning and FUN! 🏀
📸 Courtesy of Gavin Heath
Congratulations to the PHS Girls Varsity Soccer team who beat Vicksburg 3-0 tonight and are Wolverine Conference Champions! Way to go, Trojans! ⚽️
Plainwell Middle School 8th grade families, please mark your calendar for Friday, May 31 for the 8th Grade Celebration. Join us to celebrate the 8th grade class with celebration boards, followed by a special event for the 8th graders (students only) which will include a dunk tank, yard games, food and lots of fun.
Please RSVP to lynne.seibert@plainwellschools.org by May 24. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2028 on May 31! GO TROJANS!
Recently, Plainwell Middle School ECO Club had a wonderful day at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Students learned about butterflies, wildlife and plants from around the world. Fun, laughter and learning was done by all involved. Special thanks to the trip chaperones: Mrs. Dotterer and Mrs. Oostdyk.
Europe: Summer 2026! $200 discount if you sign up between 5/13-5/20. This trip is open to current 7th-10th graders.
Travel is so much more than seeing famous sites! Students will gain new perspectives, develop a sense of independence, and build skills for the future through this experience. Please see Ms. Trahan or email julie.trahan@plainwellschools.org for more details about this Summer 2026 trip.
Thank you to the community for your efforts and for voting. Unfortunately, the Plainwell Community Schools 2024 bond proposal was not approved by voters. Stay tuned as we determine next steps in planning for the future of our school district and our facilities.
Congratulations to the Varsity Softball team on their double header wins against Allegan last night! Great teamwork was shown with final scores of 8-5 and 17-7! GO TROJANS! 🥎
It's election day! Remember to vote in the election today (Tuesday, May 7)! The no tax rate increase bond would focus on five key areas:
- Safety & Security Improvements at all buildings to improve district safety and lockdown standards
- New Early Childhood Center to be located on Jersey Street to service birth to 4 year old children
- New Full Size Gymnasium Additions to Cooper and Gilkey Elementaries
- New Tennis Courts at PHS to replace the current courts that are at the end of their life cycle
- Completion of Current Projects
Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you have questions or need voting information, please contact your city/township clerk’s office.
We look forward to seeing you tonight (Monday, May 6) at the PCS Bond Open House - Information Night from 4:30-6:00 PM! Meet us at the new Fieldhouse to see the recent Pool/Gym updates, hear about the ongoing bond projects and learn more about the 2024 bond proposal. Superintendent Montange, Board of Education members and Building Administrators will be on-site to answer questions.
The 2024 Bond Proposal vote is tomorrow (Tuesday, May 7). Polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. To register or learn more about voting, please visit www.michigan.gov/vote.
Have questions or want to learn more about the bond? Visit plainwellschools.org/page/2024-bond for details on the proposed projects, highlight videos of the key projects and answers to 30+ frequently asked questions.
Congratulations to PHS Senior, Logan Beauregard, on signing his letter of intent for Soccer at Grace Christian University! We are incredibly proud of Logan's athletic achievements while at PHS and wish him all the best next year at Grace Christian. From all of us at PCS, congratulations and best wishes to Logan!
Last week, the Middle School Track team competed in a home meet against Three Rivers. Both teams won, with the Girl’s team finishing 71-57 and Boy’s team winning a close meet 67-66. Way to go, Trojans!
📸 Courtesy of Heather Unser Groner
