Gilkey Elementary -

‼️ NEW PCS PARKING ENFORCEMENT GUIDELINES ‼️ To ensure the safety and accessibility for our students, staff and visitors, please make note of these NEW Parking Enforcement Guidelines from Plainwell Community Schools. When visiting any PCS property, all visitors must comply with these parking rules and guidelines, which will be effective immediately. To review the PCS Parking Enforcement Guidelines, please scan the QR code or visit https://5il.co/3syfn.

OH WHAT FUN! The students at Gilkey Elementary were thrilled to welcome a special guest: "Buddy the Elf." "Buddy" greeted everyone in the morning, spreading smiles, laughter and an abundance of joy. Throughout the day, students spotted him strolling through the halls and caught him in the lunchroom (probably looking for maple syrup). “Buddy” brought lots of smiles to the Geckos' faces before sending them off to their Winter Holiday Break!

🎄Winter Holiday Break has arrived!🎄As a friendly reminder, our break will run from December 19-January 2. We wish the Trojan community a wonderful holiday break and look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, January 5. From all of us at PCS, Happy Holidays!

🎄 Registration is still open, but limited - register today! 🎄 Are you looking for a great activity to kick-off the Winter Holiday Break? Register your student for a fun afternoon at the Field House pool on Friday, December 19 from 1:30-3:30 PM. Join the High School Swim Team's FUNdraiser to enjoy festive activities including: open swim, a Christmas movie on the big screen, a holiday craft, cornhole, spike ball, cookie decorating, snacks and games. This drop-off event is open to ages 8+. Cost is $25 per participant (if multiple members from the same family are attending, the price is reduced to $20 per person). Register today by scanning the QR code or by visiting https://plainwell.revtrak.net/high-school/hs-athletics/#/v/swim-mas-splash-bash.

🎄 Limited spots remaining! 🎄 Are you looking for a great activity to kick-off the Winter Holiday Break? Register your student today for a fun afternoon at the Field House pool on Friday, December 19 from 1:30-3:30 PM. Join the High School Swim Team's FUNdraiser to enjoy festive activities including: open swim, a Christmas movie on the big screen, a holiday craft, cornhole, spike ball, cookie decorating, snacks and games. This drop-off event is open to ages 8+. Cost is $25 per participant (if multiple members from the same family are attending, the price is reduced to $20 per person). Register today by scanning the QR code or by visiting https://plainwell.revtrak.net/high-school/hs-athletics/#/v/swim-mas-splash-bash. If you are unable to attend, but would like to support the Men's Swim & Dive team's fundraiser, please visit https://plainwell.revtrak.net/high-school/High-School-Donations/HS-Athletics-Donations/#/v/HS-Swim-and-Dive-Donation-10.

Until break, all PCS buildings are collecting shelf stable foods, hygiene items, and household supplies in support of the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project. Join us to support families in our community this holiday season by dropping off these items at any PCS building today.

Due to snow and ice continuing to create difficult travel conditions, all afternoon and evening activities are canceled today (Wednesday, December 10). This cancellation includes all events, games, concerts and practices district-wide, with the exception of optional varsity-level practices (coaches will communicate directly with varsity teams).

Due to snow and ice creating difficult travel conditions, Plainwell Community Schools will be closed today (Wednesday, December 10). An update regarding afternoon and evening activities will be communicated by noon today. We wish our students, staff and families a safe snow day! Have a great day and GO TROJANS!

Who doesn't love a great holiday tradition?! It was great fun at Gilkey, Cooper and Starr Elementary Schools as some of the Middle and High School choir members performed for the students at their annual holiday caroling tour throughout the district. This annual caroling event includes a number of holiday classic songs, as well as a few new favorites. It is always a favorite for all the students and staff involved, the smiles were priceless!

We are excited to share that registration for the 2026 Daughter Dance is now open! All PCS K-6th grade daughters are invited to join us on Saturday, February 14. The event will be held at Plainwell MIddle School from 4:00-6:00 PM (doors open at 3:30 PM for pictures only) and includes a formal digital photo, DJ, selfie station, refreshments, entry into a raffle and a flower. Bypass the registration line at the event and register today by scanning the QR code or by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (cash and check only accepted at the door).

As a reminder, there is no school from Monday, November 24-Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving Break. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, December 1. We wish our students, staff and families a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!

Our Holiday Concert season begins this week at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for these exciting performances featuring our talented student musicians: https://5il.co/3scqb.

Final reminder to register for the 2025 Hoopsters Basketball program, registration closes November 17. 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).

All Plainwell Young 5 classes took a field trip to Home Depot in Portage this week. They enjoyed a guided tour of the store, had the chance to meet the staff and learned how various equipment operates. Additionally, the students had the opportunity to create their very own wooden Home Depot bank. It was a fun learning experience for the youngest Trojans!

Enrollment for holiday assistance from Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project closes tomorrow (11/14). If you live in the PCS District and intend to apply, please do so soon! If you prefer, you can enroll online at https://forms.gle/UM2tMzd47VjfiNwGA.

🗓️ Calendar Reminder! 🗓️ As a reminder we have two upcoming half days of school: Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14 (end of first trimester). Half Day Dismissal Times: 📚 PHS - 10:45 AM ✏️ PMS - 10:45 AM 🚌 Gilkey - 11:45 AM 📓 Cooper - 11:50 AM 📝 Starr - 11:55 AM

Registration is open for our upcoming Winter Tae Kwon Do program. Join us to improve coordination, gain strength and increase your flexibility while learning self-defense techniques, taught by Mr. Mitch. Program is open to participants 7 and up and will run on Monday evenings from December 1-February 23 (excluding 12/22, 12/29 & 2/9) from 5:30-7:00 PM. Practices will be held at Plainwell Middle School. Cost is $60 per individual or $85 per family. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (registration closes 12/15 at midnight). GO TROJANS!

Join us for Otis Outdoors' 7th 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 7th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive by donating traditional Thanksgiving food items on Saturday, November 22 from 12:00-4:00 PM at Gun Plain Fire Department (381 8th Street, Plainwell).

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).