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

We are so excited to kick-off the 2023/24 school year on Monday, August 28 (half day). Mark your calendar for these upcoming breaks/holidays, no school and half days. For more back to school information, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/back-to-school. We can't wait to see you soon, Trojans! For a printable calendar and calendar highlights, please visit https://5il.co/1sl2s.

The 2023 Band Camp wrapped up last week and was a huge success. Throughout the week, 118 PHS band students rehearsed their competitive show, "Looking Back at Me" featuring music by Kendrick Lamar, TLC, Lindsey Stirling and Disney's Mulan. Students worked very hard during camp, rehearsing from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. The Band staff is immensely grateful for their hard work and time last week, from all of us at PCS, way to go Trojan Band! Special thanks to the dozens of parent volunteers who contributed to the success of camp by feeding lunch and dinner to everyone each day! We are grateful for the ongoing support from our parents and community - Plainwell Pride!

During the 2022/23 school year, the PHS Cheer team had such a great competitive season that they qualified to attend the Beast Elite by Champion Cheerleading Summer Camp at Alma College. Last week, they attended the camp and the team practiced and learned amongst the top teams in the state of Michigan at a three day camp. The team practiced from sun up to sun down, attended seminars on growth mindset/team culture, learned new stunts/cheers and performed a routine on the final day. It was an awesome opportunity for the Trojan Cheerleaders - we are so proud of the hard work they put in during this long week. To end the week, one of our seniors, Jillian Comer, received an Alma/cheer scholarship along with four other girls out of the 15 teams in attendance. Way to go, Jillian! Trojan Pride!

We are ready to begin another great year of learning and growing at Plainwell Community Schools. We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back in the buildings to begin the 2023/24 school year on Monday, August 28 (half day). We are happy to share some back to school reminders with you, please visit https://5il.co/21854 for more information. You can also visit plainwellschools.org/page/back-to-school for back to school reminders and upcoming important dates. GO TROJANS!

We are excited to share the new PHS Football uniforms! This morning, Coach Huberty and the PHS football coaches revealed the new uniforms at a team meeting. Next up, the team will officially kick-off the Trojan's football season at their first practice on Monday (8/7). Get ready to cheer on the Trojans at their opening game of the season on Thursday, August 24 at 7 PM against Hamilton High School. GO TROJANS!

New this year! The Michigan School Meals program was signed into law, allowing all public school students, Pre-K through 12th grade, to eat breakfast and lunch FREE for the 2023/24 school year! To participate, we highly encourage all families to complete the free & reduced application. For more information or to apply, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/food-program-details.

Throughout summer incoming 6th grader, Mason, did some Middle School readiness activities by finding classrooms and opening lockers. To go along with the 6th grade camp theme, he also built his own campground from mostly popsicle sticks and recycled materials. Amazing creativity, Mason!

Helping Families with Medicaid Keep Their Coverage - During the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, many changes were made to the Medicaid program's eligibility, administration, and policies to ease rules for providers and prevent Medicaid beneficiaries from losing health care coverage. Per recent federal legislation, Michigan will restart Medicaid eligibility renewals in June, and amend certain waived policies that were in place during the pandemic. The Michigan Department of Education has been asked to share with local school districts urgent information for them to send to families. Districts are being asked to send the #StayCovered information sheet to families, as well as the message for Medicaid redetermination through an email. More information can be found at MDHHS website: www.michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges or on the DIFS website: www.michigan.gov/StayCovered

Students in the Elementary Summer School program are continuing to have lots of fun while learning. Students in the 3rd grade program worked on making ice cream and assorted crafts. In the 5-6th grade program, students painted rocks. Lots of fun learning opportunities this summer at PCS’ Summer School.

Our Elementary Summer School students have been busy learning this summer. Along the way, they have completed several fun projects. Pictured here are the 4th graders painting rocks and making yarn butterflies. Summer school at PCS is filled with fun learning opportunities!

Our Elementary Summer School students have been busy learning this summer. Along the way, they have completed several fun projects. Pictured here are the 4th graders painting rocks and making yarn butterflies. Summer school at PCS is filled with fun learning opportunities!

Our Elementary Summer School students have been busy learning this summer. Along the way, they have completed several fun projects. Pictured here are the 4th graders painting rocks and making yarn butterflies. Summer school at PCS is filled with fun learning opportunities!

Registration is still open for the 2023 Plainwell Football Golf Outing on Saturday, August 12. The event will be held at Lake Doster Golf Club. To register, please scan the QR code or visit https://plainwell.revtrak.net/high-school/summer-camp/hs-football-camps/#/v/football-golf-outing-fundraiser.

Attention Kindergarten & Young Five Families! We can't wait to welcome your Trojan to school in the fall to begin their educational journey at PCS! We would like to remind you about a few important steps in the enrollment process: 1. KINDERGARTEN/YOUNG 5 SCREENING (Final Screening is TOMORROW): If you haven't done so, you will need to sign-up for the Kindergarten/Young 5 screening. Please take a moment to schedule your students' Kindergarten/Young 5 screening by visiting https://kgscreeningall.youcanbook.me/. The final screening for the 2023/24 school year will take place TOMORROW (August 1) at all three elementary buildings. 2. ENROLLMENT: If you haven't started or completed the enrollment process, please take a few minutes to complete the necessary steps to register your Kindergarten or Young 5 student by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/kindergarten. If you have any enrollment questions, please call 269-685-5823 ext. 1000. 3. VISION AND HEARING SCREENING: Next, you will need to schedule your child's Vision and Hearing Screening. This can be done at your child's pediatrician or through Allegan County Health Department (ACHD). The ACHD has a number of upcoming dates for FREE hearing and vision screenings, which are by appointment only. For more information visit allegancounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/11249/638192372989170000. 4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR - Elementary Open Houses: Held at Cooper, GIlkey and Starr Elementary Schools on Tuesday, August 22 from 5:00-6:30 PM - First Day of School: Monday, August 28 (half day) If you have any questions, please contact our Administrative Offices at 269-685-5823 ext. 1000. You can also contact our elementary building offices, which will reopen on Monday, August 7. - Cooper Elementary - 269-349-2674 - Gilkey Elementary - 269-685-2424 - Starr Elementary - 269-685-5835

Attention PHS Fall Athletes! Tryouts begin August 7 - have you completed your athletic physical and uploaded the documentation to your Big Teams account? To participate in PCS athletics, you will need to have a physical form on file in your Big Teams account. For more information, please visit phstrojans.com. If you have any questions, the Athletic Department office will be open beginning Wednesday, August 2. GO TROJANS!

Soon to be Plainwell MIddle School 8th grader, Joshua Pembrook, recently had the opportunity to attend the annual International Trombone Festival in Utah from July 12-15, an event typically reserved for trombone professionals and college students. The International Trombone Festival is the most important event of the year for trombonists worldwide. It attracts about 1,000 participants from multiple countries and includes premiere trombone artists from around the world, as well as a Youth Workshop. This year's event was held at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and Joshua was one of the Youth Workshop participants where for four days he and other students were able to work with renowned trombonists in master classes, warm up sessions, large trombone ensembles, warm up sessions and clinics. They were also able to meet and take photos of some of their trombone "heros" who were attending the Festival. For a quote from Joshua, as well as more information on his experience, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/article/1181838.

Registration is still open for the 2023 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 August 21-24. Camp will be held at the PCS Tennis Courts from 3:00-4:00 PM. Cost is $50 per athlete (camp t-shirt included). To register, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/athletic-tickets. For questions regarding the program, please contact Jeff.Lindstrom@plainwellschools.org.

That’s a wrap on another great season of Plainwell Youthball! This season, we had over 90 participants that joined us to learn the fundamentals of the game. Special thanks to the 2023 Sponsors for their support of PCS’ Youthball Program: - Add Vantage Self Storage - ETNA Supply - Gunnett Excavating - Hudsonville Grille - Mall City Mechanical If you are interested in learning more about youth sports and programs at Plainwell Community Schools, please visit our website: plainwellschools.org/page/community-recreation. As registration opens, we will add additional program information.

That’s a wrap on another great season of Plainwell Youthball! This season, we had over 90 participants that joined us to learn the fundamentals of the game. Special thanks to the 2023 Sponsors for their support of PCS’ Youthball Program: - Add Vantage Self Storage - ETNA Supply - Gunnett Excavating - Hudsonville Grille - Mall City Mechanical If you are interested in learning more about youth sports and programs at Plainwell Community Schools, please visit our website: plainwellschools.org/page/community-recreation. As registration opens, we will add additional program information.

That’s a wrap on another great season of Plainwell Youthball! This season, we had over 90 participants that joined us to learn the fundamentals of the game. Special thanks to the 2023 Sponsors for their support of PCS’ Youthball Program: - Add Vantage Self Storage - ETNA Supply - Gunnett Excavating - Hudsonville Grille - Mall City Mechanical If you are interested in learning more about youth sports and programs at Plainwell Community Schools, please visit our website: plainwellschools.org/page/community-recreation. As registration opens, we will add additional program information.