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!
Our elementary classes had so much fun celebrating Halloween today! Students enjoyed lots of fun, laughs, special activities and treats! We hope our students, staff and families have a safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃🎃🎃
The teachers at Starr Elementary were in for a fun surprise when they took their second-grade students to the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre to watch “Frozen Jr.” They soon discovered that the character “Kristoff” was portrayed by a former Starr student, Blake. While in elementary school at Starr, Blake was in Mrs. Miller’s second-grade class, as well as Mr. Brodie’s for gym and Mrs. Hoekstra’s for music. This unexpected discovery made the performance even more meaningful for these educators, filling them with immense joy as they witnessed Blake’s talent shine on stage!
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! 🚒
Last week, the 4th grade students from Starr Elementary enjoyed an exciting field trip to Swisslane Farms. During their visit, they took a wagon ride that allowed them to explore the entire farm and learn about cows. One of the highlights was the opportunity to meet the calves, which quickly became a class favorite! The students gained insights into dairy farms and their significant contributions to Michigan’s agriculture and our health. It was a fun learning experience for the Rock Starrs!
In honor of Fire Safety Awareness Month, Mrs. Gonyeau's first-grade class at Starr Elementary learned all about fire safety. Mr. Jeffrey Cabello visited to emphasize the significance of creating a family plan in case of a fire emergency. The students also learned about calling 911 and identifying ways to prevent potential fires in their homes.
Additionally, they had the exciting chance to try on a real fire safety helmet and each received a fun fire hat to take home! It was a wonderful day filled with learning for the Rock Starrs! 🚒
🎄 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!
Recently, students from Mr. DeWolfes’ and Ms. Harper’s classes at Starr Elementary participated in their own taco Tuesday. They had the opportunity to make their own tacos or, if they weren’t interested, they could read about them. This was a great way to encourage students to try new foods.
📣 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).
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.
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.
