Plainwell Community Schools - Today's Learners Tomorrow's Leaders

COOPER POWER OUTAGE: There is currently a power outage at Cooper Elementary, but the rest of the district is up and running. Cooper Elementary will start with a two hour delay today (8/30) based on the restoration map. If power is not restored by 9:15 AM at Cooper, further communication will be sent to families regarding a building closure. In addition, there is no morning SAFE at Cooper Elementary. The rest of the district will start school with their normal schedule! Have a great day and Go Trojans!

PHS TENNIS: The PHS Tennis team is off to a great start this season! This weekend, the team traveled to Loy Norrix for a quad tournament where they had the following wins: The following players took home a win against Lakewood: - Number 1 Singles - Calvin Strader - Number 2 Singles - Anthony Kolhoff - Number 4 Singles - Austin Susens The following players took home a win against Loy Norrix: - Number 2 Doubles - Bradley Jeffreys and Andrew Hampton The following players took home wins against Brandywine, Loy Norrix, and Lakewood: - Number 1 Doubles - Seth VanOosterum and Steele Madison Way to go Trojan Tennis!

WELCOME BACK: It was a great day at PCS as we welcomed back our students! It was awesome to see our classrooms and hallways filled with laughter from students who were eager to learn. We are looking forward to a great year of learning, Trojans! We’d love to see your back to school pictures! Comment below or email your photos to Elizabeth. Gallagher@plainwellschools.org.

VARSITY SOCCER: The Varsity Soccer game that was scheduled for tonight (Monday, August 29) has been canceled.

Middle School Families - check out this fun video from Plainwell MS! https://youtu.be/NGV2xLkfJ0g The Middle School staff looks forward to a great year with our 6-8th grade students! Go Trojans!

PHS SOCCER UPDATE: The JV soccer game vs. Mattawan that was scheduled for today (8/29) has been canceled. At this time, we will still try to play Varsity at Plainwell, start time is 6:30 PM. Tickets will be refunded.

VARSITY TENNIS: The Varsity Tennis match that was scheduled for today (Monday, August 29) in Edwardsburg has been canceled.

GIRLS GOLF: The Girls Golf Jamboree in Edwardsburg that was scheduled for today (8/29) has been canceled due to weather.

PCS BACK TO SCHOOL: We are excited to welcome the PCS students back to school TOMORROW (Monday, August 29) for a half day! We look forward to seeing our students to begin a great year of learning! Go Trojans!

TAEKWONDO: Join us for our upcoming TaeKwonDo program to improve coordination, gain strength and increase your flexibility while learning self-defense techniques, taught by Master Huong Tran. This program is an excellent means of fitness for anyone, age 7 and up, and is appropriate for kids and adults of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. - Dates: September 12-November 14 - Times: Monday nights from 5:30-7 pm - Location: PMS cafeteria - Cost: $60/person or $85/family - Registration: Register at plainwell.revtrak.net/Community-Ed-Rec/ (registration deadline is September 30)

MIDDLE SCHOOL WELCOME: Middle School Families, please take a moment to view this special welcome from Plainwell Middle School by visiting https://youtu.be/UysH76Sxj_Y. We look forward to seeing our students on Monday, August 29!

JUNIOR SPIKERS (VOLLEYBALL): Join us for our upcoming Junior Spikers volleyball program for girls in grades 3rd-6th. The goal of Spikers is to experience the sport, understand the rules and have fun! The season ends with a Saturday tournament with Otsego. - Dates: October 20-December 3 - Times: 3rd & 4th Grade Practice from 6-7 PM and 5th & 6th Grade Practice from 6:30-7:30 PM - Cost: $57 - Registration: Register at plainwell.revtrak.net/Community-Ed-Rec/ (registration deadline is September 30)

BACK TO SCHOOL BUS REMINDERS: As we prepare for Back to School on Monday, we wanted to share the following reminders from our transportation department: 1. Bus riders should be out 10 minutes before their pick up time. 2. If you do not have a designated bus stop listed on the transportation route, your student can go to the nearest bus stop to be picked-up. 3. If you had a stop last year and you do not see it listed, please find where it would fall within the route schedule on the first day, bus route updates will be made as needed. 4. Please be aware that stops may be adjusted or updated based on overall ridership for each route. 5. Elementary families: Please note that during the first couple weeks of school as the bus routes get established, the buses usually leave the elementary buildings later than normal for the PM routes, causing students to arrive home later than normal. 6. Families can check their email for 2022/23 back to school transportation information We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, August 29 (half day). Go Trojans!

PCS APP: Have you downloaded the Plainwell Community Schools app? You can find the latest news, documents, events, staff directory, alerts and food service menus - all in an easy to use and convenient app. Visit your App Store and search Plainwell Community Schools to download it today - It’s everything Plainwell, in your pocket.

BACK TO SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION: PCS Families - Please check your email for the 2022/23 Transportation Information. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Monday, August 29 (half day). GO TROJANS!

PHS GIRLS CC: Congratulations to the Plainwell Girls Cross Country team on their first place finish in today’s Kent City Early Eagle Invite. The team defeated last year’s division 3 state runner-ups (Kent City) en route to their second straight victory to start the season. Special congratulations go out to Josie Longcore, Grace Pettit, Emma Taggett, Hannah Erlandson, Raya Mergen-Henry, Claire Vos and Gwen Todd for winning medals today. Go Trojans!

TROJAN FOOTBALL: Plainwell High School Varsity Football kicks-off their season against Otsego HS this week on Thursday, August 25 at 7 PM (gates open at 6 PM) at Bulldog Stadium. Join us to cheer on the Trojans in their season opening game. Please make note of the following information for game day: - There is currently construction at Otsego by their high school and stadium. Please review the helpful guide (included in the post) of where to go throughout the contest. - Tickets must be purchased digitally, no cash sales. Please visit https://www.otsegops.org/athletics/tickets to purchase your tickets today! - Spectators will enter through the main stadium entrance and will have to go down the east ramp to the track and walk up to the visitor bleachers. GO TROJANS!

2022/23 ATHLETIC TICKET OPTIONS: We are happy to share the 2022/23 PCS Athletic Ticket Options with you. There are several ticket options available to join us at an upcoming Trojan athletic event. We look forward to a great fall sports season, GO TROJANS! 1. Student Pass - $23 + one time finance fee - 6th-12th grade PCS Students - Use all year for both middle and high school sports 2. Individual All Sports Pass - $93 - Available for high school and middle school games, with the exception of league and MHSAA Tournaments - One person per pass 3. Family Pass - $163 - Available for high school and middle school games, with the exception of league and MHSAA Tournaments - Family pass for those living at home, preschool to high school students 4. 10 digital swipe pass - $38 + one time finance fee - Available for high school and middle school games, with the exception of league and MHSAA Tournaments - Able to use all year long 5. Elementary Student Swipe Pass - $33 (K-5th grade) - Must be accompanied by an adult - Able to use all year long at high school and middle school events, with the exception of league and MHSAA Tournaments 6. Individual Event Tickets - $5 for adults and $3 for K-12 students 7. Grandparents or Gold Card Accepted 8. Conference Passes (Coaches, Admin and BOE) 9. POS (Point of Sale) system is available at gates to swipe debit and credit cards. Visa gift cards are not accepted at Point of Sale systems. NO CASH. If you don’t have a credit card, you can purchase a visa gift card at most stores and then buy an online ticket through PHStrojans.com.

Happy Kidneyversary to Julie Jackson and Sandy Blake! Not all heroes wear capes, and this statement couldn’t be any truer for two of our very own Trojans, as on August 19, 2021, one heroically helped another by donating her kidney. When Mrs. Julie Jackson, an aide at Starr Elementary, heard that her former neighbor and retired PCS teacher was in search of a kidney donation, she instantly knew she needed to help! Although Mrs. Jackson wasn’t a suitable match through the National Kidney Registry, she continued the pursuit to offer her kidney to Sandy Blake, a former Science teacher at Plainwell Middle School, through a Kidney Paired Donation (KPD) - “In KPD, a donor will donate their kidney to another recipient in exchange for a compatible kidney for their friend or family member”. The journey started when they agreed to the KPD process and testing began…but for Julie, the kidney donation process began decades ago, when her father received a kidney transplant when she was in high school. This transplant was a gift to her father and their family, which extended his life over 31 years and put a stamp on Julie’s heart to give back. With her family’s transplant history and her good health, Julie knew she had to take the opportunity to help a fellow Trojan! After agreeing to the process, the Kidney Paired Donation journey took over two years and included testing and other preparations for the KPD. Upon receiving the call, on August 19, 2021, the paired donation process was underway, which required donations from Grand Rapids (Julie), to New Jersey, to Washington DC and back to Grand Rapids where Sandy received her donated kidney. The process all took place in one day and within those 24 hours, the process was complete, two lives were changed and healing began. As if the Trojan spirit didn’t shine enough, the story continues as Julie is now helping other approved donation candidates and through this mentorship she was randomly paired with Jennifer (Stoepker) Jura. Jennifer is a Plainwell Community Schools graduate who was fortunate to have Sandy Blake as a teacher and has now become a science teacher - just like Mrs. Blake! If ever there is a doubt of how strong the PCS community is, Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Blake and Mrs. Jura are proof that once you have the strength of a Trojan, you will always carry it with you! Trojan Pride! If you would like more information on Kidney Paired Donation, please visit kidneyregistry.org.

TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: We are excited to begin the 2022/23 school year on Monday, August 29. Please take a moment to review these updates from our Transportation Department: 1. Bus route information will be shared on Friday, August 26. 2. If you had a bus stop last year and do not have a designated stop listed on the 2022/23 transportation route list, your student can use their same bus stop from last year to be picked-up and dropped off. 3. If you did not have a stop last year, you can still ride the bus. You will need to find a stop closest to you on the first day of school and then we will work on adding your stop to the bus route. We look forward to another great year at PCS, Go Trojans!