Renaissance High School & Adult Education -

RHS students with an interest in entrepreneurship recently had the opportunity to participate in a small business workshop led by a Renaissance graduate who runs a small business. Throughout the session, students explored topics such as target audiences, branding and marketing. The event concluded with the students using the knowledge they gained in a pitch competition. What an amazing way for these RHS students to gain valuable insights into the steps necessary to turn their business dreams into reality.

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.

🎄 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.

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!

Once a month RHS has a special LEAD Friday activity in which students are provided opportunities for leadership, enrichment or volunteering. September’s activity was Art Prize in Grand Rapids. Students enjoyed visiting many of the exhibits and talking to several of the artists. 

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.

Several seniors from Renaissance High School participated in an interactive experience at the Kalamazoo Tools and Trade Expo. This event provided students with the chance to explore a wide variety of trade career fields and gain insights directly from industry professionals.

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!

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.

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!

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

As we prepare for Back to School on Monday, August 25 (half day), we wanted to share some important reminders from our transportation team! Families - please check your email or visit plainwellschools.org/article/2371996 to view this information. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, August 25 (half day). GO TROJANS!

You are invited to join us for a Back-to-School Reset webinar with Clayful! This upcoming webinar is open to all PCS families! 📅 When: Friday, August 22, 2025 🕓 Time: 5:00–6:00 PM 💻 Where: Zoom (link sent after you register) This FREE family webinar will share simple strategies to help you: ⏰ Reset home routines for a smoother start to the school year 💙 Support your child in managing big feelings, whether that’s excitement, nerves, or anything in between When you register, you can share topics or questions you’d like covered. As a reminder, your information will stay completely confidential. Our Clayful experts will tailor simple strategies to help you and your child start the school year with confidence. To register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/article/2365682 Let’s set the stage for a confident, calm and connected start to the school year - together.