Gilkey Elementary -

Gilkey Elementary continues to celebrate their Rock the Block fundraising efforts. This week, students had two special opportunities to celebrate: 🦎 Students who raised $400 in support of the Rock the Block fundraiser earned a unique reward - a ride with a local police officer to Sweetwater’s Donuts, where they enjoyed delicious donuts and conversation with local heroes. THANK YOU to Officer Farris and Plainwell Public Safety for providing transportation and making this a fun and memorable experience for the Geckos. 🦎 In celebration of the Geckos reaching their fundraising goal, they selected Mr. Gregory to take his principal duties outside, where he enjoyed working and having lunch on the roof of the building. These fun experiences are great ways for the Geckos to celebrate their fundraising efforts!

Registration is still open through November 17 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. The program will run from December 9-March 7. Practice will be held during the week, with games held on Saturdays in Plainwell, Allegan, Martin and Otsego (specific practice and game day schedules, times & locations TBD). Cost is $60 per athlete. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (registration closes at midnight on November 17).

Although Halloween has come and gone, we couldn't overlook this fun Gilkey tradition. The Gecko students and staff had a fantastic time at their annual Halloween Costume Parade on Friday. Thank you to everyone who joined us along the parade route to celebrate this Halloween tradition.

We are excited to share that registration is now open for the 2025/26 Plainwell Wrestling Club for K-8th grade students. For more information about the program, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. For questions regarding the wrestling program, please contact plainwellwc@gmail.com. GO TROJANS!

The Gilkey students and staff had so much fun at their annual Halloween Costume Parade on Friday. A special thank you to everyone who came out to support this fun Gilkey tradition.

October is National Principals Month, and we can't let this month pass without honoring our outstanding building administrators. At PCS, we feel incredibly fortunate to have eight remarkable principals who dedicate themselves daily to the success of their students and staff. As outstanding leaders, they uphold the highest standards of support and care, and we are immensely grateful for their commitment to our district! From all of us at PCS, we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our Principals: ✏️Nicole Keorkunian (Cooper Elementary Principal) ✏️ Cody Gregory (Gilkey Elementary Principal) ✏️ Kari Luckett (Starr Elementary Principal) ✏️ Ben Manting (Middle School Principal) ✏️ Jeff Hattendorf (Middle School Assistant Principal) ✏️ Heidi Huizenga (Renaissance Principal) ✏️ Marvin Taylor (High School Principal) ✏️ Brian Huberty (High School Assistant Principal) Please take a moment to share a 🩷, 👍 OR THANK YOU to these dedicated administrators!

Reminder- tickets are still available for our upcoming Family Hockey Night at Wings Event Center. Join us on Friday, November 14 at 7:00 PM as the Kalamazoo Wings take on the Fort Wayne Komets at their Lavender Ice Game. Families will enjoy the game, a $5 concession voucher, free knit hat and a voucher for a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center. Tickets are available for $20.68/adults, $16.16/kids (12 and under). PLEASE NOTE: Children's tickets will show up once you are on the screen to select your seat. 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 scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Tickets are assigned seats, so if you are going with friends or a group, please plan accordingly. Deadline to purchase tickets is November 10 at midnight.

The Kindergarten and Young 5 students from Cooper, Gilkey and Starr took a trip to Plainwell Public Safety. During their visit, students received a tour of a fire truck, sprayed a fire hose and met with firefighters to learn all about the importance of fire safety. A very special THANK YOU to Plainwell Public Safety for a great visit and an awesome learning experience at the fire station! 🚒

🎄 Trojan Families! 🎄 Are you interested in applying for holiday assistance through the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project? Please stop by your student’s building to pick-up an enrollment form before November 14.

📚 REMINDER 📚 There is a Battle of the Books (BOTB) Informational Meeting this Wednesday, October 22 from 6:30-7:30 PM. Join us in-person at Gilkey Elementary or virtually to learn more about the 2025/26 BOTB season. To RSVP or for a link to attend virtually, please visit plainwellschools.org/article/2494681.  We look forward to a wonderful BOTB season with the 🐨 Koalas, 🦎 Geckos, ⭐️ Rock Starrs and surrounding elementary schools!

📣 FIRST PLACE! 📣 Last weekend both of the PCS Youth Competitive Cheer teams, 3rd/4th grade Trojans Spirit and 4th/5th grade Rising Royals, took FIRST PLACE at their competition at Gull Lake. Way to go Trojan Cheer - PLAINWELL PRIDE!

We are excited to share that registration is open 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. The program will run from December 9-March 7. Practice will be held during the week, with games held on Saturdays in Plainwell, Allegan, Martin and Otsego (specific practice and game day schedules, times & locations TBD). Cost is $60 per athlete. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (registration closes at midnight on November 10).

The Gilkey Geckos welcomed some special guests when the Alligator Sanctuary came for a visit. During this engaging experience, students encountered a variety of reptiles and learned about their journeys to the sanctuary. To wrap up the visit, students had the opportunity to observe these creatures up close. It was truly a memorable experience for everyone involved. 🦎

Congratulations to our Rocket Football teams for their remarkable performances throughout this season! Each of the four teams has emerged strong, displaying unwavering heart and showcasing exceptional teamwork, skill, and determination. As they prepare to face Hopkins this weekend, they are determined to maintain this drive and momentum. Let’s go, Trojans! 💙🏈 📣 Special shout out to our cheerleaders for showcasing amazing PLAINWELL PRIDE during the games!

We are excited to share that tickets are now on sale for our upcoming Family Hockey Night at Wings Event Center. Join us on Friday, November 14 at 7:00 PM as the Kalamazoo Wings take on the Fort Wayne Komets at their Lavender Ice Game. Families will enjoy the game, a $5 concession voucher, free knit hat and a voucher for a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center. Tickets are available for $20.68/adults, $16.16/kids (12 and under). PLEASE NOTE: Children's tickets will show up once you are on the screen to select your seat. 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 scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Tickets are assigned seats, so if you are going with friends or a group, please plan accordingly. Deadline to purchase tickets is November 10 at midnight.

🗓️ CALENDAR REMINDER 🗓️ Just a friendly reminder about the school schedule this week: Thursday, October 9 is a full day of school and Friday, October 10 is a no school day. Have a great day - GO TROJANS!

Registration is still open through October 15 for our upcoming Youth Kickers Soccer program for K-5th graders. The goal of the Kickers program is to experience the sport, understand the rules and have fun! 📅 Program runs from October 25-December 13 💲 Cost is $60 per athlete ❓For more information, first week practice times or to register, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.

Gilkey Elementary held their September Student and Staff of the Month ceremony. Each month, Gilkey teachers select one student and a staff member who they felt did an outstanding job throughout the month and the recipients are celebrated at a special award ceremony with their families. In September, those who were selected did an awesome job Listening Carefully. Way to go, Geckos! 🦎

Have you heard about Battle of the Books? This exciting quiz competition is designed for 3rd-5th grade students at Plainwell and nearby elementary schools. Participants will read six amazing books together, meet as a team from November-February to review and study the material and then compete in a quiz bowl-style event in late February 2026.The goal of BOTB is to encourage reading, grow student's teamwork skills and HAVE FUN! More information and sign-up details will be shared through building communications soon. In the meantime, if your student is interested in participating or you are interested in becoming a coach, we invite you to attend the 2025/26 BOTB Informational Meeting.  📅 Wednesday, October 22 🕡 6:30-7:30 PM 📍Gilkey Elementary’s Media Center. We look forward to a wonderful BOTB season with the 🐨 Koalas, 🦎 Geckos, ⭐️ Rock Starrs and surrounding elementary schools! 

Registration is still open through October 8 for the Spikers Volleyball program! The program is open to 3rd-6th graders, with the goal of experiencing the sport, understanding the rules and having fun! Spikers will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from October 21-December 6, practice times are as follows: 🏐 3rd & 4th Grade Practice: 6:00-7:00 PM at Starr 🏐 5th & 6th Grade Practice: 7:00-8:00 PM at Plainwell Middle School Cost is $60 per athlete. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs - registration closes October 8.