Gilkey Elementary -

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.

NATIONAL CUSTODIAN DAY: Thank you to all the amazing custodians at Plainwell Community Schools! We greatly appreciate your dedication to providing a clean & safe learning environment for our students and staff! As a thank you, throughout the district, students and staff made special cards, signs and decorations to celebrate and show their appreciation to their building's custodians - from all of us at PCS - THANK YOU!

🚧 Downtown Plainwell Construction Update 🚧 We just received an update regarding the ongoing construction in downtown Plainwell. The City of Plainwell has informed us that the work on Main Street will resume today and tomorrow. Beginning this morning, Main Street - between M-89 and Starr Road - will be closed. Cross streets will remain open, but please be advised that you may need to seek an alternative route during this continued construction and bus routes might be delayed. The PHS Homecoming Parade tomorrow (Friday, October 3) will continue as normally scheduled, beginning at 1:30 PM. Construction will be stopped during this time and will resume at the conclusion of the parade.

Mrs. Youngs and Mrs. Bunker’s Young 5 classes had an exciting adventure to Gull Meadow Farms. During their visit, students enjoyed a wagon ride to the apple orchard, where they picked apples and learned facts about them. They also had cider and doughnuts while enjoying fun activities around the farm. After returning from their outing, students came together to make applesauce. This trip provided a fun learning adventure for the Young 5 students from Gilkey and Starr! 🍎

YOU’RE INVITED! Plainwell’s First All-Sports/Club Tailgate Let’s kick off the season TOGETHER — Trojan style! 📅 Date: Friday, September 26th 🕔 Time: 5:00 pm until kickoff 📍 Location: Practice Football Field Join us at our home game vs. Paw Paw for a community-wide tailgate celebrating all Plainwell sports/clubs! This is a fun, family-friendly event open to all athletes, families and fans. Programs will have a tent with: 🎉 Games & Giveaways 🎯 Yard games for all ages 🍔 Food Trucks Come out, show your school spirit and connect with the amazing students and families that make Plainwell special. Wear your royal blue and get ready to cheer! GO TROJANS!

🚧 Downtown Plainwell Construction Update! 🚧 The City of Plainwell has just notified us that work on Main Street, between M-89 and Starr Road, will continue through today (Monday, September 22). From 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Main Street and all intersecting streets leading to it will be closed. Please be aware that you will need to find an alternative route until 8:00 PM today. Additionally, this closure may result in delays for afternoon bus transportation. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this construction project – GO TROJANS!

We are excited to share that registration is open 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 scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs

Trojan Community - please check out this important update from the PCS Food Service Team! ☑️ After careful review during the Board of Education (BOE) meeting last night (9/15), the BOE approved the continuation of free lunch for all students at PCS through October 31, 2025 ☑️ Beginning November 1, 2025 families need to have a completed Education and Nutrition Benefits application to qualify for free and reduced breakfast/lunch. To complete the application, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/food-program-details. For more information, families can check their email for a letter from Superintendent Montange.

🚧 Construction Update! 🚧 We want to update you on the ongoing construction in downtown Plainwell. The City of Plainwell has informed us that the work on Main Street will continue through next week. Starting this afternoon, Main Street - between M-89 and Starr Road - will be completely closed. Please be advised that you will need to continue to seek an alternative route through next week.

We are excited to share an exciting opportunity offered by the Plainwell High School Softball Program. Students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in **FREE Softball Clinics** on Monday evenings from September 15 to October 6. The clinics will take place at the Plainwell Softball Field from 5:45-7:15 PM. Each week, PHS players and coaches will focus on various positional skills, and participants can attend any or all four clinics.    🥎 9/15 Hitting (loading, footwork, making contact, baserunning) 🥎 9/22 Infield Drills (footwork, ground balls, throwing to bases, covering bases, cut-offs) 🥎 9/29 Outfield Drills (catching fly balls, fielding, footwork, throwing to bases, cut-offs) 🥎 10/06 Pitching (working on form) - please bring a parent to catch To register, please contact PHS Coach Don Seibert via text at 269-207-8833. GO TROJANS! 

We are excited to share that registration is open for our upcoming Spikers Volleyball program for 3rd-6th graders. The goal of Spikers is to experience the sport, understand the rules and have fun! The program will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from October 21-December 6. Practice times will be 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 8th).

Registration is open for the upcoming Rising Stars (formally Sharp Shooters) Basketball League. Join us for a competitive basketball program for 5th-8th grade girls. Basketball experience and advanced basketball skills are necessary, playing time will be based on skill level. 🗓️ Dates: Practices start the week of September 15. Games will be held on Saturdays from October-December with some travel required. Please note, team organization and practices (days of the week, location and times) will be announced after registration closes. 💲Cost: $125 (Covers gym rental, game certified MHSAA officials, jerseys). 🌐 Registration: To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs, registration deadline is September 13. ❓Questions: Please contact david.clark@plainwellschools.org for more information about the Rising Stars (Sharp Shooters) program.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is preventable, and it’s on all of us. School cultures that feel inclusive and cultivate belonging are protective. You make the difference! Call or text 988 for the Suicide Lifeline. Visit TRAILStoWellness.org for tips on starting the conversation about suicide.

We hope our students and families had a great first week back to school for the 2025/26 school year! As a reminder, there is no school on Friday, August 29 and Monday, September 1. We look forward to welcoming the PCS students back to school on Tuesday, September 2. Have a great weekend - GO TROJANS!

Attention PCS K-8th graders - registration is open for the 2025 Junior Cheer Night! Join us for this exciting opportunity to learn cheers, build spirit and perform under the Friday night lights! 📣 PRACTICE: Practice will be held on Wednesday, September 24 from 5:00-7:00 PM at the PHS High School Main Gym where athletes will learn cheers, chants and have fun with the PHS cheer team! 📣 GAME DAY: On Friday, September 26, beginning at 6:00 PM, participants will cheer with the team during the first quarter of the home football game. Cost is $50 per athlete (includes t-shirt). To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. GO TROJANS!

WELCOME BACK! It was a great day at PCS as we welcomed back our students for the 2025/26 school year! It was wonderful to see our classrooms, hallways and playgrounds filled with students who are eager and excited to learn. We are looking forward to a great year at PCS - GO TROJANS! SMILE...we would love to see your back to school pictures. Thank you to all that have already shared your back to school photos. If you are interested in sharing your first day photos, please email elizabeth.gallagher@plainwellschools.org by 8/27 - we may feature them on an upcoming social media post and/or in one of our upcoming district publications.

We are excited to welcome the PCS students back to school tomorrow (Monday, August 25) for a half day. We look forward to seeing the Trojans back in the buildings to begin a great year of learning! PCS Families - please check your email for additional back to school information and reminders. GO TROJANS!  Half Day Dismissal Times  📚 PHS - 10:45 AM ✏️ PMS - 10:45 AM 📖 RHS - 11:30 AM 🚌 Gilkey - 11:45 AM 📓 Cooper - 11:50 AM 📝 Starr - 11:55 AM