
One of the ways that Mr. Manting (Middle School Principal) and Mr. Hattendorf (Middle School Assistant Principal) celebrate during Reading Month is to read to the 5th grade students throughout the district. Recently, they stopped by all three elementary buildings to read a book. They also spent time sharing information about Middle School and answered questions from the incoming fall 2024 6th graders. It was a great experience for the Koalas, Geckos and Rock Starrs!


This week, students from Ms. Martin’s and Ms. Beach’s fourth grade classes from Cooper Elementary had the opportunity to take a field trip to Lansing. During their visit, students were able to visit the Michigan Historical Center and Capitol Building. It was an outstanding learning opportunity for the fourth grade Koalas!


The Girls Basketball Skills Camp wrapped up this weekend! The 1st-8th grade athletes had a great time while learning new skills from the PHS coaches and players. Trojans leading Trojans - PLAINWELL PRIDE! 💙🏀💙




Did you know that the 2024 no tax rate increase bond proposal has five focus areas?
- Safety and Security
- New Early Childhood Center
- Two New Gymnasiums (Cooper and Gilkey)
- Replacement Tennis Courts
- Complete Current Projects
We welcome you this evening (3/22) at the Fieldhouse from 5:00-7:30 PM to learn more about these projects, tour the Fieldhouse and hear details about 2024 Bond Proposal. Superintendent Montange, Board of Education members and Building Administrators will be on-site to answer questions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join the State Finalist PHS Cheer Team at their Youth Cheer Clinic where your 1st-7th grade athlete will learn stunts, tumbling, jumps & chants! The clinic will be held on Tuesday evenings from April 9-30 at Plainwell High School. Cost is $50 per athlete. To register, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs or scan the QR code. GO TROJANS!


We welcome you to join us for the PCS Bond Open House - Information Night. Join us at the Fieldhouse tomorrow (Friday, March 22) from 5:00-7:30 PM to see the new Pool/Gym project, 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 and share details on the 2024 bond proposal.
Learn more about the no tax rate increase bond proposal at plainwellschools.org/page/2024-bond.


The Cooper Elementary Young Five students went on a field trip to Gernaat's Greenhouse for an engaging experience that kicks off their next math and science unit on flowers! 🌸🌻🌺🌼


Miss Currier, along with a Cooper Elementary’s 4th grade Friendship Group organized a donut cart and stopped to visit with every staff member to perform a random act of kindness today. Way to go, Koalas! 🐨


On May 7, 2024, PCS will be pursuing a NO TAX RATE INCREASE bond proposal to continue to improve our facilities and prioritize the educational experiences of our students, families and staff.
Did you know that our preschool programs have been at 95% capacity for the past 5+ years? To meet the high demand for early childhood care in our community, the May 7 bond proposal would allow Plainwell to build an Early Childhood Center (ECC). With consolidated resources and a specifically designed space, we could have a strong impact on the future of students and continue to provide programs that support young families.
Read more about the proposed ECC and the 2024 bond proposal by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/2024-bond.


Cooper Elementary celebrated their next Golden Spatula winners. Throughout this year, they wanted to focus on positive lunchroom behavior, so everyday one upper elementary and one lower elementary classroom is selected to receive a golden spatula. To earn this award, students must show kindness and respect to each other, be tidy while they eat, clean up after themselves and chat amongst themselves at a respectable noise level. The classrooms that earn the most golden spatulas throughout the month earn a VIP lunch to celebrate their hard work. This month, the Golden Spatula winners had lunch with Superintendent Montange. Great job to these students, keep up the great work Koalas!



Mark your calendar for the PCS Bond Open House - Information Night! Join us at the Fieldhouse on Friday, March 22 to see the Pool/Gym project, hear about the ongoing bond projects and learn more about the 2024 bond proposal.
Superintendent Montange and Board of Education members will be on site to answer questions and share details on the 2024 Bond Proposal. Learn more at plainwellschools.org/page/2024-bond.


We are excited to welcome the newest Trojans to Plainwell Community Schools next fall for the 2024/25 school year! Registration is open, for more information about Kindergarten and the Young 5 program at PCS or to begin the enrollment process, please scan the QR code or visit: plainwellschools.org/page/kindergarten.
Please mark your calendar for some important upcoming dates for your Kindergarten or Young 5 student.
ROUND-UP DATES:
- Gilkey: Tuesday, April 30 from 4:30-6:00 pm
- Cooper: Wednesday, May 1 from 4:30-6:00 pm
- Starr: Thursday, May 2 from 4:30-6:00 pm
- PLEASE NOTE: During Round-up, PCS will offer limited Hearing, Vision and Dental screenings. Spots are limited, so please register today! To sign-up, please visit:
- Hearing & Vision - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FACAD2AA5FBCF8-48356786-kindergarten#/
- Dental - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FACAD2AA5FBCF8-48350385-kindergarten#/
KINDERGARTEN/YOUNG 5 ACADEMIC SCREENING:
- June 11 and 12 (at all three elementary buildings)

We are just two weeks away from the 2024 musical: Mean Girls! There are three showtimes available at the Performing Arts Center:
- Friday, March 22 at 7 PM
- Saturday, March 23 at 7 PM
- Sunday, March 24 at 2 PM
Online tickets are available by scanning the QR code or by visiting plainwellschools.ludus.com. Get your tickets today for this amazing show!


We are excited to share the 2024/25 School Year Calendar Highlights with you! Please visit https://5il.co/2g9rq to view the calendar. The full school year printable calendar will be shared with families soon. Have a great weekend and GO TROJANS!

Boys grades 1-6th grade are invited to join us for the 2024 Boys Basketball Fundamentals Kids Camp. The camp, which is hosted by the High School Basketball Coaches, will be held on Saturday mornings in the High School Gym as follows:
TIMES:
- 1st and 2nd grade - 9:00-10:30 AM
- 3rd and 4th grade - 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
- 5th and 6th grade - 12:30-2:30 PM
DATES:
- April 13, 2024
- April 20, 2024
- April 27, 2024
- May 4, 2024
The cost is $25 per athlete. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.


Hats off to reading month! Students in Ms. Mudget’s Young 5 class at Cooper Elementary are having lots of fun during reading month. 📚



The Mother/Son Hockey Night is quickly approaching...did you purchase tickets? Deadline to purchase tickets is Monday, March 11 and only 77 tickets remain!
We are excited to welcome back the Mother/Son Hockey Night as the Kalamazoo Wings take on the Allen Americans in the 40th Annual Green Ice Game on Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 PM. Mothers and sons will enjoy the game, a $5 concession voucher, a FREE knit hat and a voucher for a FREE game of bowling at Airway Fun Center! Tickets are available for $17/adults, $14/kids (12 and under). Transportation is not available and parking is $5 per car at the event.
Interested in tickets? Tickets are purchased through K-Wings and will be picked-up at Wings Event Center. To purchase tickets, please visit https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Plainwellschools. PLEASE NOTE: Tickets are assigned seats, so if you are going with friends or a group, please plan accordingly. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 11, so please purchase your tickets today!


On May 7, 2024, PCS will be pursuing a bond proposal to continue to improve our facilities and prioritize the educational experiences of our students, families and staff. Do you have questions about the bond? For example:
Q. What is a bond proposal and how can we use bond funds?
A. A bond proposal is how a public school district asks its community for authorization to borrow money to pay for capital expenditures like new construction, additions, remodeling, site improvements, athletic facilities, playgrounds, buses, furnishings, equipment, and other capital needs.
We have additional bond information, as well as a list of answers to 30+ Frequently Asked Questions at www.plainwellschools.org/page/2024-bond.


The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders from Cooper Elementary had a great trip to the Miller Auditorium where they saw the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra perform this morning. What a wonderful experience for the Koalas. 🎵🐨


The 5th graders in Ms. Wright’s class at Cooper Elementary have been working on a secret project for reading month!They interviewed teachers & staff at Cooper and made them personalized bookmarks. Yesterday, they delivered their special creations. What a fun and thoughtful project.
