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 7-February 20 Practice will be held during the week, with games held on Saturdays in Plainwell, Allegan, 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 20).
Join us for Starr Elementary’s Fall Fest on Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and enjoy a fun day filled with fall festivities. Highlights of the event include:
🍁 Delicious food options
🍁 Fun games and prizes
🍁 A petting zoo
🍁 A silent auction
🍁 Raffles
🍁 And so much more!
Everyone is welcome! Tickets are available for just $0.50 each. Please remember that all parking will be located at the back by the Bus Loop. We can't wait to see you at Starr on Saturday for a day of family fun!
As the November 3, 2026 election approaches, we invite you to meet and learn about the Board of Education candidates to prepare for voting. The PCS Board of Education has four openings and five candidates that will be on the November 3 ballot, each opening is for a four (4) year term. Please feel free to reach out to the candidates to learn more, contact information can be found at plainwellschools.org/article/3199575.
☑️ Andrea Barrows (Incumbent)
☑️ Julli Bennett (Incumbent)
☑️ William A. Geresy
☑️ Rex Hall Jr. (Incumbent)
☑️ Kyle Lyke
We look forward to seeing you at the polls on November 3, 2026. Thank you for your support of Plainwell Community Schools and the PCS Board of Education.
The second-grade students from Starr Elementary recently went on a field trip to Charlton Park, where they had the opportunity to experience life as children did in the late 1800s. They explored a one-room schoolhouse, prepared and cooked soup, churned butter, made candles, and discovered the town! It was an incredible learning adventure for our Rock Starr students!
Registration has been extended until midnight on October 22 for the ⚽️ 2026 Kickers Soccer Program ⚽️ for K-5th graders. The goal of the Kickers program is to experience the sport, understand the rules, and have fun! The program runs from October 31-December 19. Cost is $60 per athlete. For more information, first day practice schedules, or to register, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
We are excited to announce that tickets are now available for our upcoming Family Hockey Night at Wings Event Center (3600 Vanrick Drive, Kalamazoo). Join us as the Kalamazoo Wings face off against the Wheeling Nailers at their Lavender Ice Game.
🗓️ Saturday, November 28
🕖 7:00 PM
ℹ️ Families can look forward to enjoying the game, a $5 concession voucher, a complimentary knit hat, and a voucher for a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center
🎟️ Ticket Information: Adults $17 and children $13, plus FEVO fees
🚘 Transportation is not available and parking is $10 per car at the event (cash only) or $8 in advance online
🏒 For additional information or to purchase tickets, please scan the QR code or visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Please note, the deadline to purchase tickets is November 26 at midnight.
Dinner tonight = ☑️! Join us from 5:00-8:00 PM this evening (10/12) for a Dine to Donate fundraiser at Culver’s to support the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project.
As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 12. We look forward to welcoming the PCS students back to school on Tuesday, October 13. Have a great weekend - GO TROJANS!
📣 Homecoming Parade! 📣 Join us today (10/9) to support PHS and cheer on the Trojans at their 2026 Homecoming Parade. Parade leaves PHS at 1:20 PM - students, staff, PCS families, and the community are welcome to join us along the parade route to celebrate Homecoming Spirit Week and to cheer on the Trojans prior to their football game against Stugis at 7 PM. 💙💙 GO TROJANS! 💙💙
Students in Cole's 4th Grade Crew have just completed their third writing piece of the year. To celebrate this accomplishment, they enthusiastically shared their hard work from the Mystery Writing narrative unit with their classmates! In this project, students created their own thrilling theme park adventures, bringing their stories to life through details, engaging dialogue, and creative twists. We truly 💙 witnessing the remarkable success the Trojans are achieving in the classroom and are incredibly proud of the progress these young authors are making! We can’t wait to see the exciting adventure their writing journeys will take them next!
Students in Ms. Haines' class at Starr Elementary were thrilled to welcome some special guests from the Kalamazoo College soccer team. The players engaged with the students by reading stories, collaborating on art projects, and spending time together. What an incredible experience for these Rock Starr students!
We are excited to share information on the 2026/27 Battle of the Books Program! 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 materials and then compete in a quiz bowl-style event on February 27, 2027. 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 2026/27 BOTB Informational Meeting.
🗓️ Tuesday, October 27
🕡 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!
🎄 Trojan Families! 🎄 Are you interested in applying for holiday assistance through the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project? Online enrollment is open now through November 13.
Interested in supporting the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project? Mark your calendar for these upcoming important dates:
🗓️ October 12: Culvers Dine to Donate from 5:00-8:00 PM
🗓️ December 1-17: School Food Drives (more information will be shared through building communications)
You can also learn more about this incredible program that supports Plainwell families by visiting:
https://www.plainwellchristmas.org/get-involved.
Plainwell Community Schools is committed to creating a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff. As part of this dedication, we are thrilled to welcome a new member to our safety team: Nick Kaechele. In his role, he will join Bob Farris and Jean Freeman (Ginny) in enhancing safety and security throughout our school community.
You might have spotted Mr. Kaechele throughout the district this school year alongside Mr. Farris and Ms. Freeman (Ginny), the next time you do, please take a moment to extend a warm “Welcome to Plainwell”. 💙
As a reminder, registration for our NEW 5th-8th grade girls competitive basketball league at the Courthouse closes tomorrow (10/1). Checkout this information from Plainwell Community Education for program details: https://aptg.co/l0NhTS. To begin the registration process, please visit https://www.plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
🏐 Spikers Volleyball Registration Reminder 🏐 Registration is open until October 1 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 20-December 3. For more information or to begin the registration process, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (registration closes 10/1).
🍎 Apple orchard adventures 🍏 This week, Mrs. Youngs and Mrs. Bunker's Young 5 classes took an exciting field trip to Gull Meadow Farms. During their visit, the students took a wagon ride to the apple orchard where they picked apples while learning fascinating facts about them. As a group, they also enjoyed cider and doughnuts together and finished the day by participating in various fun activities around the farm. Upon returning from their outing, the students worked together in their classrooms to make homemade applesauce with the fresh apples they picked from the farm. What wonderful learning adventures for the Young 5 students from Gilkey and Starr!
Registration is open now through October 15 for the 2026 Kickers Soccer program for K-5th graders. The goal of the Kickers program is to experience the sport, understand the rules, and have fun! The program runs from October 31-December 19. Cost is $60 per athlete. For more information, first day practice schedules, or to register, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
💙 COMMUNITY TAILGATE TONIGHT 💙 We can’t wait to see you at the Plainwell Community Tailgate tonight (9/18) from 5:00-7:00 PM! Join us for an evening of community connection featuring food trucks, activities, games, and family fun for all ages! This is a free event to enter. We look forward to bringing our community together and showing our PLAINWELL PRIDE!
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 20-December 3. For more information or to begin the registration process, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.
