Starr Elementary -

New bench = ✔️! Throughout the year, buildings in the district have partnered with NexTrex to recycle plastic. For each 1,000 lbs. that are collected, buildings earn a new NexTrex bench and we are excited to share that we have earned our second new bench, which will be delivered to Gilkey Elementary! THANK YOU to our community for your support in achieving this goal! Donations will still be accepted, in hopes that we can earn enough for one more bench this year! 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. Thank you Trojan Community for your ongoing support of this recycling challenge!

The Rock Starrs from Star Elementary had a very special group stop by to share their favorite books for reading month. PHS Varsity Football players took time out of their school day to read to the elementary students - Trojans leading Trojans! 📚💙🏈

Join us this summer for our Youthball program for PCS students, ages 5-8. With the focus of the program on recreation and to learn the fundamentals of the game, our Summer Youthball program is just the beginning for many of our Trojan baseball and softball players. THREE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE! - T-ball (5 & 6 year olds) - Girls Coach Pitch (7 & 8 year olds) - Boys Coach Pitch (7 & 8 year olds) Please note - coach pitch may be combined into a co-ed team if we don't have the numbers to support both a girls and boys teams. Practices begin the week of May 27, with games being held in Plainwell and Otsego from June 10-July 10. Specific dates and times TBD based on registrations and coaches availability. Cost is $55 per player. To register, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs (registration closes 5/12/25). We look forward to a great summer at PCS' Youthball program!

We apologize for the inconvenience, but the district’s phone lines are currently down. For assistance, please email your student’s building office or administrator and they will respond as soon as possible.

The Rock Starrs had some special visitors for reading month when NJHS students from the Middle School stopped by Starr Elementary and were guest readers - Trojans leading Trojans!

This past weekend two elementary school robotics teams competed in the 2025 VEX IQ Tournament of Champions in Grandville, Michigan. Highlights from the weekend include: Girls with Gears (Bridget, Lyla and Riley) from Starr Elementary won the Inspire Award. This award is giving to a team that exhibits passion and a positive attitude at the event. Koala Bots (Pearl, Grayson and Carter) from Cooper Elementary finished in 19th place after qualifying rounds and 12th place in skills overall. After some bad luck in the elimination rounds, they finished the day in 12th place. 👏🏼 Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding competition - PLAINWELL PRIDE! 👏🏼

We are excited to share Starr Elementary’s Rock Starrs of the Month! Students were selected for being kind and including others. Way to go, Rock Starrs! 👏🏼 In addition, Starr celebrated four outstanding staff members: Caitlin Bunker, Kelly Carrier, Ashlee Mielke and Gail Chappell. We are thankful for your dedication and support of PCS! ⭐️

This year, Starr Elementary has proudly become a Unified School! The Unified Schools program, part of the Special Olympics, aims to include students with special needs alongside their peers, allowing them to compete in sports together. Starr is among 600 schools in Michigan participating in this initiative. Since December, nine Rock Starr students have been collaborating with their Unified Champion peers to form a basketball team. The Athletes were paired with Partners nominated by their teachers, and they have been practicing together since December. Their dedication came together earlier this week when the students took part in a basketball tournament. It was an amazing experience, encouraging all involved to "choose to include."

ART HOP 2025 - A number of students showcased their artwork during the 2025 Art Hop. Ransom District Library displayed many impressive pieces created by students from K-12. The talent of our incredible Trojan artists shines through all these outstanding pieces of art. Their artwork will remain on display for the next two weeks.

The second grade students from Starr Elementary participated in a mini biography project. In their Rock Starr Group, students explored the lives of famous individuals and documented their findings. Afterward, they memorized the information and acted as wax museum figures to present what they had discovered. This was a truly enriching learning experience for the Rock Starrs!

Join us this summer at Camp Invention for PCS K-6th grade students (based on grade level for 2025/26 school year). “Give your young innovator an inspiring action-packed summer adventure! Exciting, hands-on challenges will spark curiosity and build their confidence as they jump into limitless STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fun with opportunities to imagine, experiment and create.” Camp will be held Monday-Friday from July 28-August 1 from 8:30 AM-3:00 PM at Gilkey Elementary. Cost is $275 per student (enter FUN25 for $25 off until March 20). Sibling Discount (up to $40 off per child) and payment plans available. For more information or to register, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. We look forward to a great summer at Camp Invention!

Recently students in Mrs. Amaezechi’s fourth grade class at Starr learned about sound vibrations and how they travel through the air. Can sound travel in space? Through this Mystery Science experiment, these Rock Starrs learned NO!! These types of experiments provide such a fun way for students to learn about the world around us!

Registration is now open for the 2025 Spring Elementary Tennis Camp for students in K-5 grade. All skill levels welcome! Join us to improve your game while learning from the Varsity High School Tennis Coaches and Players! Camp will be held at the PHS Tennis Courts from May 19-22 (rain date is May 27) from 4:00-5:00 PM. Cost is $50 per athlete. Register today by visiting plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. We look forward to welcoming your athlete to Trojan Tennis!

Attention Trojan Families! Have you heard about Michigan’s Summer EBT program: SUN Bucks? SUN Bucks is the new name for their Summer EBT grocery benefit. Eligible families will receive $120 per child to purchase groceries over the summer. Applications are due by April 15, 2025. To learn more, please visit plainwellschools.org/page/food-program-details.

Attention PCS Families! You are invited to join a webinar from the Parents Against Vaping (PAVe) organization. Scan the QR code to register today to learn the essentials to help kids avoid or quit vaping.

Students from Cooper, Starr and Gilkey upper elementary had the opportunity to see the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra this week at Miller Auditorium. It was a great performance and the elementary students showed amazing Plainwell Pride! 🎶

LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS! Reminder - tickets are on sale for the 2025 Mother and Son Hockey Night until March 10 at midnight! Once the ticket link closes on March 10 at 11:59 PM, group tickets will no longer be available for the event. Join us 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). PLEASE NOTE: Children's tickets ($14) 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 visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Tickets are assigned seats, so if you are going with friends or a group, please plan accordingly. We look forward to a wonderful evening at the 2025 Mother and Son Hockey Night!

Did you know that Plainwell Community Schools has an app? You can find the latest news, events, alerts, food service menus and more - 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.

🗓️ As a reminder we have two upcoming half days of school: Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7 (end of second trimester).

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO PURCHASE TICKETS! Reminder - tickets are on sale for the 2025 Mother and Son Hockey Night until March 10 at midnight! Once the ticket link closes on March 10 at 11:59 PM, group tickets will no longer be available for the event. Join us 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). PLEASE NOTE: Children's tickets ($14) 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 visit plainwellschools.org/page/youth-programs. Tickets are assigned seats, so if you are going with friends or a group, please plan accordingly. We look forward to a wonderful evening at the 2025 Mother and Son Hockey Night!