School Matters
W I NTER 2015
ECAC
Early College / Allegan County
The Path is Yours! – See Page 2 –
In partnership with:
& KINDERGARTEN
ROUNDUP
TOWN HALL
MEETINGS
EARLY COLLEGE
Wednesday, April 15 1-7 p.m. Starr Elementary
Meet with the Superintendent See Page 2 for Dates & Times
10th Graders & Parents Wednesday, February 18 6 pm • HS Media Center
MEETING
SUPERINTENDENT’S VIEWPOINT by Susan Wakefield, Superintendent
New Possibilities
T
he recent evolutions in public educaTech Ed Center. The costs of tuition, fees, tion have produced some wonderful and books for the Associate’s degree would possibilities for students. I am very be paid for by the local district. This means pleased to inform you of a rethat those students in the procent outcome which resulted gram will earn a two year colin an exciting opportunity for lege degree without bearing The our students at Plainwell High the cost of college! School. Through the collabEarly College orative efforts of local districts, in the ECAC proAllegan County Students the AAESA, and Lake Michigram can still participate in program gan College, current sophotraditional high school experimores will have the opportuences – prom, athletics, graduallows nity to apply and enroll in the ation ceremonies, etc. During students Early College Allegan County the year following 12th grade, (ECAC) program. This would the students would not be able to graduate allow for students to graduate to participate in high school with their with their high school diploma activities but would have Lake high school and an Associate’s degree from Michigan College student acLake Michigan College. tivities available to them. diploma
and an
So how does this work? SophoA meeting for sophomores and Associate’s more students would apply to their parents has been schedbe accepted into the program. uled for February 18 at 6:00 degree. During their junior and sep.m. in the high school media nior year in high school, they center. Details of the ECAC would spend part of their day program, application process, at PHS and part of their day at and deadlines to apply will be the Technical and Educational shared at the meeting. Slots Center. Students would need to commit to will be limited. Please mark your calendars one additional year beyond 12th grade and to learn about this amazing opportunity! that year would be spent exclusively at the n
Town Hall Meetings Please Join Us! Cooper • April 13 • 6 p.m. Starr • April 14 • 6 p.m. RHS • April 16 • 1:30 p.m. PHS • April 21 • 6 p.m. PMS • April 22 • 6 p.m. Gilkey • April 23 • 6 p.m. 2
2014-15 CALENDAR February 20
1/2 Day - All Students
February 23 NO SCHOOL
March 11
1/2 Day - All Students End of 2nd Trimester
April 3
NO SCHOOL
April 6-10
SPRING BREAK
May 25
NO SCHOOL
June 5
1/2 Day - All Students LAST DAY OF SCHOOL End of 3rd Trimester REQUIRED MAKE-UP DAYS DUE TO SCHOOL CANCELLATION BEGIN ON JUNE 8.
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FOCUS ON CURRICULUM by Bob Van Dis, Director of Curriculum
Making Learning Stick: Study Strategies that Work, Part I
S
ome of the most common study strategies that students use – and that you and I probably used in school - are actually not very efficient, nor do they help with remembering things for a long period of time. We’ve all experienced learning something in class one day and then not remembering it on the final exam. Every secondary teacher who teaches more than one grade knows how frustrating it is when students learn a concept one year and then have forgotten it when you teach them next year. Students will even tell you that they were never taught the concept. I used to tell my students, “You did to learn it. I was RIGHT THERE!” Cognitive scientists tell us that the most common study strategies students use do a very poor job of fighting against forgetting. Replacing them or adjusting them with scientifically proven strategies that fight forgetting can help students remember important concepts for the long term. Let’s look at one of them this month. Recall versus Rereading Most students read over their notes or reread sections of their book to study for an exam. While you do get a short term benefit from doing this, what you do get is quickly forgotten. What cognitive scientists say is much better than rereading is to quiz yourself or try to recall the information you want to remember. The act of struggling and foraging through your brain and retrieving those facts and concepts gets your brain to strengthen and reconstitute the memory so that it is stronger and more easy to recall in the future. The effort of recall, versus the passivity of rereading, strengthens the connection to that learning just as the effort of physical exercise strengthens the muscles.
One cognitive study took two groups of students. Each group read the same article and was asked to remember the key ideas. The next day, Group 1 was given 10 minutes to reread the article. Group 2 was asked to write down (recall) everything they could about the article from the day before. Both groups were then given a short test on the article. As you would expect, Group 1 – the group who got to reread the article - did better than the Group 2 on that immediate test. Of course; they had more time with the reading! But here’s the kicker. For the next experiment, the two groups were asked to read a new article. The next day, Group 1 was asked to reread the article and Group 2 was asked to recall (quiz themselves) on what they read yesterday. But this time the groups were tested one week later. This time, Group 2 (the recall/quiz group) remembered twice as much as Group 1 (the reread group)! Group 2’s act of effortful recall strengthened their learning and made it more resistant to forgetting. What happened to Group 1 shows why cramming for a test sometimes helps. But it also shows us that you quickly forget what you crammed for! Group 2’s effortful recall and self quizzing, shows us how to get something learned that isn’t quickly forgotten. Another fault with using just the rereading strategy for studying is that it gives you the illusion that you know the material better than you really do. You read your notes and think “Oh, yeah, I remember this”. But if you turn your notes over and try to recall what you learned or you quiz yourself with flashcards, you quickly see that you have forgotten a lot more than you think. Unlike a quick reread, with recall and quizzing you realize that you’ll have to dig in and relearn some concepts.
This experiment has been repeated in different ways, many times. Cognitive scientists call this the retrieval practice effect or the testing effect. In his book Making It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, cognitive scientist Henry Roediger says that if students study material by actively retrieving it and quizzing themselves on it, they will remember it much better over the long term than if they just passively reread the material. So when you study and want to remember something, don’t just reread the book or your notes. A much better strategy for long term retention is to quiz yourself, have another person quiz you, or try to recall or write down what you remember. The act of retrieving a concept from your memory will actively fight against forgetting and keep it remembered longer. I’ll close with two pieces of advice for students from Barbara Oakley, author of A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel in Math and Science. • Test yourself. On everything you need to remember. All the time. Flashcards are your friend. • Use recall. After you’ve read a page, look away and recall the main ideas. Highlight very little, and never highlight anything you haven’t put in your mind first by recalling. Try recalling main ideas when you are walking to class or in a different room from where you originally learned it. An ability to recall – to generate the ideas from inside yourself – is one of the key indicators of good learning. Next: Distributed practice versus massed practice. n
A Very Magical Reading Month featuring Magician Alan Kazam WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 | 6:30 P.M. | PLAINWELL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER You and your family are cordially invited to attend “A Very Magical Reading Month” program featuring the magician, Alan Kazam! Brought to you by the Starr Elementary Parents Association. W W W. P L A I N W E L L S C H O O L S . O R G
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DISTRICT NEWS
PCS Seeks Outstanding People for Education Nominees
D
ations N o min ue are d ! April 1
o you know someone who has made a positive impact upon education in Plainwell? A fine way to recognize this accomplishment is by placing his or her name in nomination for the Outstanding People for Education award. Up to three people from each local school district will be presented with the award by the Allegan County School Boards Association (ACSBA) at its annual banquet in June. The ACSBA began its Outstanding People award seven years ago and has honored over 150 recipients who are selected by local district committees. Examples of those who may be nominated are: teachers and classroom aides; secretaries, bus drivers, custodians and other school support staff; administrators and board of education members; social workers, therapists and consultants; volunteers; and community members who support education. The award criteria is wide and includes: providing support for a service or event that impacts education, developing a unique classroom program, demonstrating sensitivity to the needs of individual students, exhibiting an attitude that promotes a positive working and learning environment, or playing a leadership role in education. Students, parents, school employees and community members are invited to submit award nominations on forms which are available in the administration office, school offices and also on the website (www.plainwellschools.org). Nominations are due April 1 and should be returned to Bonnie Pfingst, Administration Office, 600 School Drive, Plainwell, MI 49080 or email to bpfingst@plainwellschools.org.
PLAINWELL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS’
kindergarten round up for children who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2015
Wednesday, April 15
Plainwell Community Schools &
1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Starr Elementary 601 SCHOOL DRIVE • PLAINWELL
Open House Format • Drop-in Anytime! Kindergarten at Plainwell Community Schools is all-day, every-day. Children from any district are welcome to enroll. Can’t attend? Please call any one of the schools below for an enrollment packet. COOPER ELEMENTARY
GILKEY ELEMENTARY
STARR ELEMENTARY
7559 N. 14th Street Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (269) 349-2674
707 S. Woodhams Street Plainwell, MI 49080 (269) 685-2424
601 School Drive Plainwell, MI 49080 (269) 685-5835
F R I D AY, F E B R U A R Y 2 0 • 5 T O 9 P. M . Don’t miss out on this once-a-year opportunity to view art, and especially your students’ art, at exclusive venues located throughout Plainwell!
DESIGN STREET
RANSOM LIBRARY
If your student’s artwork is displayed at Design Street, you may visit Design Street during any regular class times (check www.designstreetplainwell.com for class times as they can change) as well as Mondays and Thursdays from 1:45 to 5 p.m. Design Street will host special hours on Friday, February 20 (Art Hop Night) from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday, March 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
If your student’s artwork is displayed at Ransom Library, you may visit the library anytime during regular hours as well as Friday, February 20 (Art Hop Night) from 5 to 9 p.m.
ART
HOP
Questions? Feel free to contact your child’s art teacher, Design Street at 615-0884 or Ransom Library at 685-8024.
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SCHOOL NEWS
RHS’ Random Acts of Kindness Starr Elementary’s 2015 Winter Carnival
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un, food, and friends were in abundance at this year’s Winter Carnival held at Starr Elementary on Saturday, January 31. Above (L to R), Kalvin Carter (Starr) is proud of his face painting; Michelle Yarzebinski, Rebecca Wagner and Natalie Elliott (Starr) show the true meaning of friendship; and Daniel Mansheim’s (Gilkey) excitement is contagious. The Patti Herm School of Dance was just one of the many entertainment options that families could enjoy. Just wait and see what next year holds!
O
n a chilly January morning, students from Renaissance High School descended on downtown Plainwell to spread some warmth and cheer throughout the community. They collected hats, scarves and mittens, made tags, and “decorated” Plainwell’s Archer sculpture with the winter accessories. Deb Scooneas of RHS states, “The project began when students wanted to provide scarves, hats and gloves for the needy and homeless compliments of Renaissance.” Each item’s tag read: I am not lost, I’m yours if you need me or pass me along. Renaissance High wants you to be warm.
The Annual Father/Daughter Dance
O
n Saturday, February 7 and for the 33rd year in a row, young girls and their fathers (or other special person) descended on Plainwell Middle School for the soiree of the year, the Father/Daughter Dance! The highlights of this special evening were the stuffed animal giveaways and the song “Happy.” Nearly 900 daughters and their escorts attended this year’s event which was organized by Plainwell Community Education.
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Students that participated in this project were Tom Payne, Zach Kiewiet, Gavin Hunter, Marcus Hofacker, Shelby Riley, Bryce Bishop, Macoy Mitchell, and Steven Harrington.
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SCHOOL NEWS
PMS STEM 6 Visits WMU
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n January 15, PMS STEM 6 students traveled to the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education (MGRRE) at Western Michigan University. Dr. Peter Voice and staff escorted the students through the 27,000 square foot facility which houses the most comprehensive archives of geological samples and data in Michigan, including approximately 500,000 linear feet of rock cores obtained from oil and gas wells, mineral wells, environmental research wells, cores of glacial sediments and samples from Lake Michigan bluff erosion studies and glacial research programs. Student hands-on activities included identifying fossil patterns, testing rock core porosity with bicycle pumps and identifying lots of different kinds of rocks! PMS students saw some unique samples including the soft, porous rock drilled during the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, and had plenty of great questions for Dr. Voice. n
PMS Geography Bee Winners
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lexandra Uridge, a PMS 7th grader, won the schoolwide competition of the National Geographic Bee on Thursday, January 22 and a chance at a $50,000 college scholarship! The school bee, at which students answer questions on geography, was the first round in the 27th Annual National Geographic Bee. Charley Truitt, a 6th grader was the 2nd place winner and Taylor Hughes, a 7th grader, was the 3rd place winner. Thousands of schools across the United States and in five territories are participating in the 2015 Geography Bee. School champions, including Alexandra, will take a written test. The top 100 scorers in each state will then be eligible to compete in their state bee on March 27, 2015. n
– PCS’ Student Artists of the Month –
CLAIRE AWE, 7TH GRADE Plainwell Middle School 6
ASHLYN THOM, TORCHES Cooper Elementary W W W. P L A I N W E L L S C H O O L S . O R G
TORI GRADWELL, 4TH GRADE Gilkey Elementary
M U S I C D E P T. N E W S
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 • 7 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 28 •7 p.m. SUNDAY, MARCH 29 • 2 p.m.
PHS Music Ambassadors are Headed to Europe!
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even PHS band students have been selected to represent Plainwell, Michigan during a 14-day tour of Europe this summer as part of the Michigan Ambassadors of Music. These students will be performing in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein and Germany. This will be the third time PHS band director, Paul Mundo, has taken this trip with his students. He states, “It really is the trip of a lifetime with so very many memories.” PHS’ Music Ambassadors are (L to R): Alec Waples-Dexter, Heidi Johnson, Dana Plyley, Meredith Snyder, Kylie Gage, Samantha Witteveen, Tyler Walker and PHS Band Director, Paul Mundo.
“F
ootloose the Musical,” lyrics by Dean Pitchford and music by Tom Snow, will be presented by the Plainwell
High School Music Department on March 27, 28 and 29. Kevin Rice will star as Ren McCormack with Abby Ernst playing Ariel Moore, Luke Woltanski as Reverend Shaw Moore and Shelby Lentz as Vi Moore. Performances will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28 and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, at the Plainwell Performing Arts Center.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WWW.PHSFOOTLOOSE.BPT.ME
The First Ever PMS & PHS Combined
PHS Choir Students Named to All-State Choir
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ontinued congratulations are in order for PHS choir students Luke Woltanski (‘16) and Ricky LaDuke (‘15)! These young men began the school year by being selected for the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s (MSVMA) Regional Honors Choir. They performed at Western Michigan University on December 6, 2014 where they were both chosen to perform for MSVMA’s AllState Choir! Luke and Ricky will perform at the Michigan Youth Fine Arts Festival, Thursday, May 7 through Saturday, May 9 on WMU’s campus. The concert will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at Miller Auditorium.
Wednesday, February 25 6:00 p.m. • High School Parents & Families 7:30 p.m. • Middle School Parents & Families
Plainwell Performing Arts Center 6 8 4 S TA R R R O A D , P L A I N W E L L
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E A R LY C H I L D H O O D E D U C AT I O N
a Spring
Open House Wednesday, February 25 6 - 7 p.m.
Plainwell Corners Preschool & Daycare: Prepares your child for success!
A preschool offering a developmentally appropriate and fun curriculum (including Handwriting Without Tears) designed for toilet-trained children who are 3 or 4-years old. Open Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Early Childhood Education Center, 307 E. Plainwell Street (next to Hicks Gym) for a $135 weekly rate or $37 daily rate.
Summer Camp & Fall 2015 Registration Open Now! SAFE: Before & after school care for your child! A before and after school program providing a place to make friends and enjoy recreational activities, available for children from all three Plainwell elementary schools. Open weekdays from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Gilkey and Starr SAFE meet at their own schools in the morning and are combined at Starr in the afternoon. Cooper SAFE will be held at Cooper. Rates are posted online.
Home of the Mini-Trojans!
Check us out at www.plainwellschools.org > Services > Preschool & Daycare or call 269.685.3103 for more information. We qualify for childcare tax credits, accept DHS payments & are approved for Flex reimbursement.
Little Trojans Monthly Playgroups & Seasonal Workshops!
trojans Little
PLAINWELL
COMM. SCHOOLS
February 17 • 10-11:30am
Plainwell’s Great Parents, Great Start program offers FREE monthly playgroups and quarterly workshops for children ages birth to five years at Starr Elementary, classroom #105, from 10-11:30 a.m. Each playgroup and workshop consists of fun activities, which promote fine and gross motor skills, academic learning, and social skills. At each seasonal workshop, children receive a FREE book!
March 17 • 10-11:30am
April 21 • 10-11:30am
May 19 • 10-11:30am
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear...”
“The Foot Book”
“Five Little Speckled Frogs”
“Two-Bite Club”
Children will count and graph different colored M&Ms, learn the names and sounds of various animals, practice tracing letters, and play “monkey” bean bag toss.
Children will learn about rhyming, opposites, and different kinds of animal footprints. They will practice lacing, and hopping and jumping on our giant dinosaur footprint ruler.
Children will sing, count, and hop on our paper pond. They will play musical instruments, splash in a water table, and make a frog craft to take home along with their FREE book!
Children will taste-test various fruits and veggies and learn about healthy eating habits. Each child will receive a seedling to plant at home and a coloring workbook about nutrition.
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Allegan County Free Preschool
Head Start & Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP)
Allegan County offers Head Start and GSRP preschool for income eligible families with children turning 3 or 4 years of age by September 1, 2015. Children of all abilities are encouraged to apply. Transportation may be available. Enrollment begins March 2015. For more information, call 1-888-824-0032 or visit www.alleganaesa.org/earlyed
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AT H L E T I C N E W S
You are cordially invited to
Plainwell
Education Foundation’s
Congratulations to the 2014-15 PHS Competitive Cheer Team
– 4th Annual –
Wolverine Conference - East Division Champions
BLUE & WHITE
NIGHT
Saturday, March 7 6:00 p.m. @ the OLD MILL Tickets are $100 and include: dinner for two, drink tickets, and a ticket into the reverse raffle. Reverse raffle cash prizes: top prize of $1,000, 2 - $500 prizes and 2 - $250 prizes. To purchase your tickets for the evening. Please send payment to the Plainwell Education Foundation, PO Box 463, Plainwell, Michigan, 49080.
Congratulations to our MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists – Jacob Almeda and Trent Monroe – These young men were chosen as the best of the best (out of 120 applicants statewide!) by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) as finalists for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award for 2014-15. These student-athletes’ submissions contain essays in sportsmanship, leadership skills and extra-curricular activities and achievements, as well as letters of recommendation. If selected, they will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
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The mission of the Plainwell Education Foundation (PEF) is to enhance excellence in education in Plainwell Community Schools. The Foundation is intended to provide financial assistance to projects or investment in students or teachers that are characterized as motivational, character-building, improving skills or in general terms tending to enhance the Plainwell Community Schools and without which assistance the activity would not occur. 9
C O M M U N I T Y E D U C AT I O N & R E C R E AT I O N
PCS POOL SCHEDULE SPRING ‘15 Swim Lessons Session I –Monday & Wednesday Evenings Dates: March 16, 18, 23, 25 and April 13, 15, 20, 22 5:30-6:05 p.m. Session II –Monday & Wednesday Evenings Dates: April 27, 29 and May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 5:30-6:05 p.m. Cost: $50 Register the first day of class. Registration forms can be found online at www.plainwellschools.org _____________________
Pool Passes
for Lap/Open Swim Only
Pool passes are available for purchase at the pool.
40 Visits • $60 20 Visits • $32 10 Visits • $18 _____________________
Open Swim
Open swim is for all ages. New time begins March 6!
Friday and Saturday Nights • 7-8:30 p.m. $3 per person, $5 per family _____________________
Lap Swim
High school students & adults only.
$3 per person or pass
Morning Lap Monday, Wednesday, Friday • 6-7:00 a.m.
A Note from the Recreation Director
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or most of us, February 2, 2014 was probably a routine Sunday morning. Maybe you slept in a little late or attended a church service; probably nothing too different than the ordinary Sunday morning. But, for a group of Sunday morning basketball players at Hicks Gym, it is a day that they will remember the rest of their lives. A year ago, on Feb. 2, 2014, “The Loftus Boys Sunday Morning Guys,” a group of gentlemen from Plainwell (many of them Plainwell graduates) and the surrounding area entered Hicks Gym as they have been for many years. As they anxiously awaited their time for exercise and friendly competition on the basketball court, the guys laced up their shoes and got down to business. What happened next, while it is still vivid in the minds of the guys, is one of those days they would prefer to forget. One of the group went down on the court with obvious heart symptoms. Through the quick actions of those present and our local emergency services, their teammate and friend is again playing along side them today.
Because the events of that day are so embedded in the hearts and lives of those present in the gym that day, the group wanted to be sure, if anyone in the future were to go through this or any other traumatic experience, that the necessary medical equipment would be available for them. This mens group and the Wes Leonard Foundation combined efforts, time and resources, and we are pleased to report that Hicks Gym has been equipped with an AED (automated external defibrillator) and a wall mounted first aid kit. In closing, next time you enter Hicks Gym, please notice the AED and medical kit that has been installed, and remember, it was placed there by a group of Sunday morning basketball players known as “The Loftus Boys Sunday Morning Guys” who wanted to be sure each of you are prepared in the event of an emergency. Plainwell Community Schools and the Plainwell Recreation Department greatly appreciate the efforts of these gentlemen. I hope you are enjoying our winter season! – Bob Farris Recreation Director
Noon Lap Monday-Friday • 12 -1:00 p.m.
Evening Lap Tuesday & Wednesday • 6-7:00 p.m. _____________________
Book a Pool Party
For any group or organization
1-30 people • $40/hour 31-50 people • $50/hour Lobby • $25/hour (Tables/chairs included) Call 685-2425 to reserve. Contact Andrea Murphy at 685-2425 or amurphy@plainwellschools.org for more information.
ion & Recreation
munity Educat
Plainwell Com
Plainwell Community Education & Recreation
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE NOW!
A Gift for Program From Date E • PLAINW N STREET 422 ACOR
IGA LL, MICH
531 N • 685-9
Call the Community Ed. Office at 685-9531
ion & Recreation
munity Educat
Plainwell Com
A Gift for Program From Date E • PLAINW N STREET 422 ACOR
IGA LL, MICH
531 N • 685-9
ion & Recreation
REGISTER ONLINE @PLAINWELLSCHOOLS.ORG munity Educat
Plainwell Com
A Gift for
Visit www.plainwellschools.org. Scroll to the bottom of the Home Page and click on the blue & green RevTrak box. Click on the Community Ed & Recreation box. Click on desired activity. If you are unable to register online, call (269) 685-9531 or stop by our office at 422 Acorn Street (in the Industrial Park) for assistance. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Program From Date
E • PLAINW N STREET 422 ACOR
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IGA LL, MICH
531 N • 685-9
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C O M M U N I T Y E D U C AT I O N & R E C R E AT I O N
spring youth recreation
spring adult recreation
BASKETBALL SKILLS CAMP Grades K - 6
This program is open to student K-6th grade. Each Saturday, the same pool of players will be divided up differently. Phone call reminders will not be made. Please attend the practice on March 7 at the assigned time for your grade level. Date: Saturdays • March 7 - 28, 2015 Time: 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. - K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. - 5th & 6th Location: Starr Elementary Gym Cost: $42 Instructors: Coaches Klein, Rieman & staff You must pre-register. No sign ups at camp. Registration deadline is Monday, February 23.
TAE KWON DO Ages 7 to 107
Tae Kwon Do is a 200 year old martial art and it is the national sport of Korea. It is a dynamic form of self-defense and an excellent means of physical fitness for men, women and children of all ages. This form of martial art includes physical techniques, mental discipline and a deep philosophy. Improve coordination, gain strength, and increase your flexibility while learning self-defense techniques from an ancient Korean martial art form. Tae Kwon Do is appropriate for kids and adults of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. Come by yourself, with a friend, or bring the whole family for fun and fitness. Class is open to all, age 7 and older. Dates: Mondays • March 23 - June 1, 2015 No Class April 6 & May 25 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Plainwell Middle School Cafeteria Cost: $42 individual, $67 family Instructors: Huong Tran All registrations are done online or you can stop by your school or Community Ed office. No sign-ups at the gym. Registration deadline is Monday, March 16.
ZUMBA®
Ladies Only Amy Baker is authorized to teach all of the following Zumba courses: Basic Zumba, Zumba Toning, Zumbatomic for Kids, Zumba Gold and Aqua Zumba. She has an amazing personal testimony of weight loss and life change. Now she makes it her mission to help others get in shape and lose weight. Zumba fitness classes are for ages 13 and older. Amy would like to remind participants that your hour of Zumba is an hour for you. No childcare is provided, therefore young children should not attend. For more information, email acc4love@aol.com, visit facebook.com/ zumbawithamybaker or call (269) 271-5045. Dates: Mondays • April 13 - June 1, 2015 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. No Class May 25th - Memorial Day Dates: Sundays • April 12 - June 7, 2015 Time: 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. No Class April 5th - Easter Location: Hicks Gym, 311 E. Plainwell St. Cost: Any 10 classes for $50, Any 20 classes for $80 Walk-in participation available anytime - $5. Please come early to your first class to register.
INDOOR WALKING
If the Plainwell Community Schools are closed for any reason, Indoor Walking will be cancelled that day. Class will be on time if the school system has a delay. This program runs through May 31. Dates: Adults Only • Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Dates: Families • Tuesdays & Thursdays Time: 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Location: Hicks Gym, 311 E. Plainwell St. Cost: FREE
ENHANCED FITNESS CLASS Classes are offered through Borgess-Pipp Hospital and will be offered three mornings a week. To register or for more information, please contact Sarah Callen at 269903-9434. $30 for 6 weeks. Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Location: Hicks Gym, 311 E. Plainwell St. Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 11:00 a.m. to Noon Location: Plainwell Community Center, 798 Bridge St.
EUCHRE - Singles or Doubles
Dates: Tuesdays Time: 6:45 p.m. Location: Plainwell Community Center, 798 Bridge St. Cost: Donations appreciated.
ANNUAL SPRING FLING
Join us for our Annual Hawaiian-themed Spring Fling! This FREE event is one you won’t want to miss with a delicious breakfast provided by Plainwell Community Schools. Join us in welcoming back the snowbirds! Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: Starr Elementary, 601 School Drive Please RSVP to Diane at 685-9531 or email dslater@plainwellschools.org by April 15, 2015.
SENIORS DINING WITH SENIORS
Seniors in Action and the Renaissance High School Class of 2015 celebrate the end of the school year and this year’s graduating class! Spaghetti, Bread, drink and table service provided. Please bring a dish to share. Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Renaissance High School, 422 Acorn Street Please RSVP to Diane at 685-9531 or email dslater@plainwellschools.org by Monday, May 4, 2015.
GOLDEN AGE PASS
PLAINWELL
Now that it’s warming up outside, grab your boots, your child or grandchild and hit the nature trails at Gilkey Elementary! Make a game out of how many different signs of spring you notice. If it’s a really nice day, pack a snack and eat it by the river.
CONTACTS:
LIVE WELL
If you are 62 years of age or older, you are eligible for a Golden Age Pass. This pass entitles you to FREE admission to any home Wolverine Conference athletic event or lap swimming at the PCS pool, located at the middle school. To obtain your card, please stop by the Community Ed office at 422 Acorn St. between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday or the Athletic Office in the high school. Take advantage of this opportunity and support our athletes!
Diane Slater, Community Ed & Rec., Seniors in Action Coordinator...................... 685-9531 Bob Farris, Recreation Director........................................................................... 685-9531 Andrea Murphy, Pool Director.............................................................................. 685-2425 Tammy Glupker, Director..................................................................................... 685-1573
W W W. P L A I N W E L L S C H O O L S . O R G
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Board of Education
Amy Blades.......................................................................... President Kim Shafer.................................................................... Vice President Christine VanDenBerg.......................................................... Treasurer Julli Bennett.......................................................................... Secretary John Artz..................................................................................Trustee Thomas Berlin..........................................................................Trustee Shannon Zabaldo.....................................................................Trustee
THE PLAINWELL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Non-Profit Org. US Postage
PAID
Plainwell, Michigan Permit No. 37
Plainwell Community Schools 600 School Drive Plainwell, MI 49080-1595
The public is invited to attend all Board of Education meetings. Business meetings are held the third Monday of each month and workshop meetings are held on the first Monday, both beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, which is located off Gladys St. between Starr Elementary and Plainwell Middle School. Published by the Plainwell Board of Education, Plainwell, Michigan 49080
** ECRWSS **
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OFFICES • 685-5823
Postal Customer
Susan Wakefield......................................................Superintendent Bob Van Dis.............................Director of Curriculum & Instruction Melissa Gelbaugh............Director of Finance & Human Resources Jeff McNutt.................................................. Director of Technology Greg Smith....................... Director of Operations & Transportation Dave Price........................................................Director of Athletics
PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOL 2014-15 SPRING SPORTS SCHEDULE VARSITY SOFTBALL MAR 31 Portage Northern APR 14 Dowagiac 16 Schoolcraft 17 Vicksburg 18 Marshall Tourn. 21 South Haven 22 Gull Lake 24 Allegan 28 Three Rivers MAY 1 Otsego 2 Otsego Tourn. 5 Sturgis 8 League Rain Date 12 Godwin Heights 14 Middleville 16 WC @ Otsego 18 Parchment 20 K Central 26 Pre-Districts 30 Districts
GIRLS VARSITY SOCCER A H A A A A H H H A A A TBA H H A A H TBA TBA
JV SOFTBALL MAR 31 Portage Northern APR 14 Dowagiac 16 Schoolcraft 17 Vicksburg 20 Bloomingdale 21 South Haven 22 Gull Lake 24 Allegan 25 Otsego Tourn. 28 Three Rivers MAY 1 Otsego 5 Sturgis 14 Middleville 18 Parchment 20 K Central
H A H H H H A A A A H H A H A
MAR 26 Caledonia 28 Plainwell Invite 30 Spring Lake APR 1 Battle Creek Lakeview 15 Dowagiac 17 GR Christian 22 Vicksburg 25 Williamston Tourn 27 Allegan 29 Three Rivers MAY 1 Mattawan 4 Otsego 6 Sturgis 8 Portage Northern 13 Conf Tournament 15 Portage Central 18 Conf Tournament 20 Conf Tournament 26 Districts
VARSITY BASEBALL H H H H H A A A H H A A A H TBA H TBA TBA TBA
GIRLS JV SOCCER MAR 26 Caledonia 30 Spring Lake APR 1 Battle Creek Lakeview 15 Sturgis 17 GR Christian 22 Vicksburg 27 Allegan 29 Three Rivers MAY 1 Mattawan 4 Otsego 6 Sturgis 8 Portage Northern 13 Conf Tournament 15 Portage Central 18 Conf Tournament 20 Conf Tournament
MAR 31 Portage Northern APR 14 Dowagiac 16 Schoolcraft 17 Vicksburg 21 South Haven 22 Gull Lake 24 Allegan 28 Three Rivers 30 Hopkins MAY 1 Otsego 5 Sturgis 8 League Rain Date 12 Conf Tourn Rnd 1 15 Conf Tourn Rnd 2 16 Conf Tourn Champion 18 Parchment 20 Delton 26 Pre-Districts 30 Districts
GIRLS TENNIS A H A A A H H H A A A TBA TBA TBA TBA A H TBA TBA
JV BASEBALL H H H H A A H H A A A H TBA H TBA TBA
MAR 31 Portage Northern APR 14 Dowagiac 16 Schoolcraft 17 Vicksburg 21 South Haven 24 Allegan 28 Three Rivers 30 Hopkins MAY 1 Otsego 5 Sturgis 18 Parchment 20 Delton
H A H H H A A H H H H A
APR 14 Dowagiac 16 Vicksburg 18 Greater Kzoo Inv 20 Greater Kzoo Inv 21 Allegan 22 Three Rivers 27 Otsego 29 Sturgis MAY 4 League Crossover 6 Comstock 8 Wolverine Conf 9 Wolverine Conf
H A A A H H A A TBA H TBA TBA
TRACK & FIELD MAR 31 Vicksburg APR 7 Open Rain Makeup 14 Allegan 17 Otsego Relays 21 Three Rivers 28 Otsego MAY 1 Allegan Invite 5 Sturgis 8 Conf Finals @ Sturgis 16 Regionals
H TBA A A A H A H A TBA
BOYS GOLF MAR 23 APR 1 13 20 22 24 27 30 MAY 2 6 7 11 14
Otsego Jamboree Vicksburg Jamboree Three Rivers Jamboree Gull Lake Plainwell Jamboree Comstock Invite Allegan Jamboree Gull Lake Invite Gull Lake JV Invite Sturgis Jamboree K Christian Conf Tourn Rnd 1 Conf Tourn Rnd 2
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE ATHLETIC OFFICE AT 269.685.2096
A A A H H A A A A A H A A