Cooper Elementary -

Due to ongoing winter weather, extremely cold temperatures and difficult travel conditions, Plainwell Community Schools is closed tomorrow (Wednesday, January 22). This closure includes the SAFE and ECEC programs. We wish our students, staff and families a safe snow day!

The Plainwell Robotics Club held its 2nd Annual VEX IQ Tournament last weekend. Nineteen elementary school teams from across Michigan participated. Highlights from PCS students include: - Team Gear Slayerz, from Cooper Elementary (pictured), placed 5th after the qualifying rounds and earned the Teamwork 2nd Place Award in the finals. They also were presented with the Innovate Award, which recognizes an effective and well documented design process for a novel aspect of the team’s robot design or gameplay strategy. The team members are Alex, Carter, Noah and Aiden. The team is coached by Bryan Gruizenga and Justin Palme. - Cooper team The Gooder Gadgets, Harper, Zander and Kinzlee (pictured), placed 11th after the qualifying matches and finished in a six-way tie for 3rd place in the finals. The team was presented with the Create Award, which recognizes a creative engineering design solution to one or more of the challenges of the competition. They are coached by Kate Bates and Matt Bates. - Team Girls With Gears, from Starr Elementary, placed 12th after the qualifying matches and were included in the six-way tie for 3rd place in the finals. They were presented with the Energy Award, which recognizes outstanding enthusiasm and excitement at the event. The team members are Bridgett, Riley, Lula and Eleanor. They are coached by Sarah Orr and Nicole Moore. - The Hollow Knights, from Gilkey Elementary, placed 14th after the qualifying round. Team members are Ezekiel, Penelope, Madilyn and Charles. The team is coached by Angalena Carruthers-Makarewich and Jamie Raulston. - The Banana Penguins, from Starr Elementary, placed 15th after the qualifying matches and were also involved in the 3rd place tie. Team members are Bradley, Emmett and Brock. They are coached by Jeff Cabello and Christie Hansen. - Team Koala Bots, from Cooper Elementary, placed 18th after the qualifying round and shared the third place finish. Team members are Adelyn, Aiden, Grayson and Pearl. The team is coached by John Morse, Craig Davies and Adam Cornelius. - Meanwhile, two PRC high school teams were competing at a 32-team event in Hudsonville. Team Ring Kong (Lucas, Blaine, Luca and Parker) placed 26th after the qualifiers, were invited to join the 13th place alliance, and lost in the round of 16. The team was present with the Amaze Award, which recognizes a consistently high-performing and competitive robot. They are coached by Sarah Orr and Curtis Orr. - Team Brotherhood of Steel (Hunter and Kevin) finished the qualifying rounds in 16th place. They were invited to join the 9th place alliance, and lost in the round of 16. The team is coached by Charles Crouch.

As we continue to monitor the weather and travel conditions, we wanted to provide an update on PCS afternoon/evening activities for today (Tuesday, January 21). All practices and activities are canceled for today. In addition, the Field House and Pool are closed.

Due to winter weather and freezing temperatures, Plainwell Community Schools is closed tomorrow (Tuesday, January 21). This closure includes the SAFE and ECEC programs. We wish our students, staff and families a safe snow day!

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, January 20. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on Tuesday, January 21. Have a great weekend - GO TROJANS!

Registration is still open for the 2025 Daughter Dance! Join us on Saturday, February 8 for an evening of fun for PCS K-6th grade daughters. Event will be held at Plainwell MIddle School from 6:00-8:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM for pictures only) and includes a formal digital photo, DJ, selfie station, refreshments, raffle and a flower. Cost is $30 per couple ($10 each additional daughter). Bypass the registration line at the event and register today by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (cash and check only accepted at the door).

Due to snow and winter weather, our secondary (Middle and High School) students will be dismissed at 1:30 PM today (Tuesday, January 14). This will allow our bus routes to have additional time to complete the secondary route before picking up elementary students. For students that have parent pick-up, the building will remain open until students are picked-up. Please note, the PHS PM Tech Center students will not report this afternoon. In addition, all evening activities scheduled for today will be canceled.

Registration is still open for our upcoming Love and Logic Parenting Class! The class is available to any PCS family (present or future) on Saturday, February 15 from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center. Cost is $10 (per workbook). Registration closes on January 31, register today by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Please note that childcare is not provided during the event.

Dinner on Tuesday and Wednesday = ✔️ - join us for two upcoming Dine to Donate fundraisers: - Tuesday, January 14 at Jersey Giant from 4:00-8:00 PM to support the Class of 2025 Grad Bash (please mention Grad Bash when you order) - Wednesday, January 15 at BC Pizza from 5:00-8:00 PM to support the Cooper Elementary Parent Club (please mention Cooper Elementary Parent Club when you order)

We are excited to share that the Field House Walking Track will be available beginning Monday, January 13! The Community will have access to the track from 6:30-8:30 AM and 12:30-2:00 PM. When entering the FIeld House, please use the sign-in sheet before entering the track. Please note that these times are subject to change. GO TROJANS!

Pool schedule changes! Please note the following pool programs are canceled for today and tomorrow: - Friday, January 10: No Open Swim and No TAC Practice - Saturday, January 11: No Aqua Aerobics

Only 329 lbs. away from our first new bench! Buildings throughout the district have partnered with NexTrex to recycle 1,000 lbs of plastic. Please bring plastic grocery bags that are clean, dry and free of food residue to bins at the front vestibule of the High School, Middle School, Plainwell Corners, PCS Administration Building, Renaissance High School, Cooper, Gilkey & Starr to help support the recycling challenge. For each 1,000 lbs. that are collected, buildings will earn a new NexTrex bench! GO TROJANS!

As we begin to utilize the new Field House for practices and competitions, please review these important parking and drop-off/pick-up procedures. Your cooperation in following these guidelines is greatly appreciated, ensuring that everyone can arrive at events safely and receive the necessary assistance. - The small front parking lot is designated for handicapped parking only! Please keep this area available for those who require it. - Athletes MUST use the student parking lot (senior lot) located in front of the High School during and after the school day. Parking between Starr Elementary and the High School is not permitted, as this area experiences heavy bus traffic during school hours. After school, this lot becomes crowded with spectators for Middle School athletic events. PLEASE park in the front student parking lot! - Parents/Guardians may drop off athletes in the front or along the north side of the building. Parents/Guardians, PLEASE DO NOT park in the front parking lot while waiting for your athlete. If you need to wait, please use the lot between the cafeteria and Starr Elementary (old pool parking lot) or the student parking lot across from the Field House. - During games, you may drop off any spectators needing assistance in the small front parking lot, but then please park in the front student parking lot. We're excited to be in the Plainwell Field House and are incredibly grateful to our community for your support to build such a remarkable facility - PLAINWELL PRIDE!

First swim class of 2025 AND in the NEW POOL! Today marked an exciting milestone as Mrs. Adam's third-grade class from Cooper Elementary had the honor of being the first students to take a swim class in the new Field House pool. Our younger Trojans had a fantastic experience, while learning pool safety in the new facility.

We are excited to welcome back the Mother and Son Hockey Night as the Kalamazoo Wings take on the Toledo Walleye in the Annual Green Ice Game on Saturday, March 15 at 7:00 PM. Mothers and sons will enjoy the game, a $5 concession voucher, a free knit hat, a green foam LED stick and a voucher for a free game of bowling at Airway Fun Center! Tickets are available for $17/adults, $14/kids (12 and under). For additional information or to purchase tickets, please scan the QR code or visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs.

Attention Trojan Fans! Mark your calendars for Friday, January 10, as we proudly host the inaugural competition in the NEW Field House! Join us as our Basketball teams face off against the Otsego Bulldogs starting at 4:15 PM. - Freshman Girls: 4:15 PM - Varsity Girls: 6:00 PM - Varsity Boys: 7:15 PM As a THANK YOU to our amazing community, tickets are FREE FOR ALL SPECTATORS at this inaugural competition (1/10)! Let's fill the stands with Plainwell Pride for this historic event at PCS - GO TROJANS!

Pool schedule changes! We are excited to relocate to our new pool facility and eagerly anticipate everyone experiencing the new Field House soon. During our transition to the new pool, the facility will be closed on the following dates to ensure our staff receives proper training: - Friday, January 3: No Open Swim and No TAC practice - Saturday, January 4: No Aqua Aerobics - Monday, January 6-Friday, January 10: No Noon Lap Swim Please stay tuned, grand opening details will be shared soon!

There was so much holiday fun throughout the district last week. From special dress up days, to celebrations, to lots of fun and games, our students were excited to show their holiday spirit before Winter Holiday Break. We ❤️ all the joy and smiles that the holiday season brings to our students!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Wishing the PCS staff, students, families and Trojan community a joyful holiday season filled with fun and happy memories!

💙📣 Cheer Fest 2024 📣💙 PCS Cheer had strong performances from all their teams at the Cheer Fest this past weekend. The Plainwell Fourth and Fifth grade Exhibition team, as well as the Middle School teams had strong performances during the competition. The Plainwell JV and Varsity teams both took first place! Fantastic job Trojan Cheer!