school matters bts 2015

School MattersBACK TO SCHOOL 2015

CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS of 2015!

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CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS of 2015!

DO YOU KNOW AN

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI?SEND IN YOUR

NOMINATION TODAY!See Page 4 for details.

MEET INTHE MIDDLE!6TH GRADE ORIENTATION

Wednesday, August 26

WELCOME BACK!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLTuesday, September 8

2 W W W. P L A I N W E L L S C H O O L S . O R G

S U P E R I N T E N D E N T ’ S V I E W P O I N T

by Susan Wakefield, Superintendent

Next to excellent health, an excellent education is what everyone wants for their child. And for those students at Plainwell Community Schools, they are in excellent hands.

Before the beginning of a new school year, I review the previous year and set the goal of mak-ing the new year just a bit better than the one before. We certainly have our work cut out for us! I knew lots of good things happened throughout last year but didn’t fully comprehend just what a fantastic year we had until I put it all on one page. It is impressive and I thought you would appreciate seeing the list.

Here’s what some other organizations are saying about Plainwell Community Schools…

2014 Daily Beast – Top High School in America, 2nd Year

2014 Washington Post – America’s Most Challenging High Schools

2015 U.S. News & World Report – Best High Schools, Silver Award

2015 Niche.com Award – Top 50 School Districts in Michigan (#43)

2015 Munetrix Recognition – Perfect Financial Rating, 1 of 30 public schools in Michigan

2015 Air Zoo Science Innovation Hall of Fame Award – Middle School STEM Academy

Michigan School Public Relations Association’s Communicator Awards: 4 Total Awards

Distinguished – Annual Report and AAESA’s Headlee Bond Campaign Commendable – Website, School Matters Newsletter

Ten separate awards! All from organizations that select their recipients from all across this state and the nation. Our community can take great pride in all of the accolades. Recognitions such as these are not happenstance. They are awarded to outstanding districts through a rigorous selection process. They are the results of a concerted effort, over multiple years, by everyone doing their best work toward a common vision.

Every employee here can cite many examples every day of the work he or she has done to improve the lives of our students; that work impacts lives now and for decades to come. I love to share those stories with anyone who will listen. The staff here at PCS does incredible work. The best evidence of that work lies in our students who year after year delight us with their efforts, ambitions, and successes. So while we need not look further than our own kids, it’s really nice to have others take notice and tout our accomplishments for us!

So what’s the goal for this year… just a bit better than the one before!

Looking forward to another fantastic year. n

Incredible Work

September 8FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

*October 221/2 Day - All Students

*October 23NO SCHOOL

*November 25NO SCHOOL

*November 26-27THANKSGIVING BREAK

*December 41/2 Day - All Students

End of 1st Trimester

December 21- January 1WINTER BREAK

April 4-8SPRING BREAK

*Tentative schedule subject to negotiations with the Plainwell Education Association.

Cooper ElementaryTuesday, Sept. 1

6-7:30 p.m.

Gilkey Kindergarten TailgateWednesday, September 2

5:30-7 p.m.

Gilkey ElementaryWednesday, Sept. 16

6-7:30 p.m.

Starr ElementaryTuesday, September 15

6-7:30 p.m.

Plainwell Middle School6th Gr. Meet in the Middle

Wednesday, August 263 - 7:00 p.m.

PMS Open HouseTuesday, September 15

6-7:30 p.m.

Plainwell High SchoolWednesday, September 16

6-7:30 p.m.New Parent Meeting

Performing Arts Center 6-6:30 p.m.

Renaissance High SchoolThursday, September 10

5-6:30 p.m.

OPEN HOUSES

W W W. P L A I N W E L L S C H O O L S . O R G 3

F O C U S O N C U R R I C U L U M

by Bob Van Dis, Director of Curriculum

Study Strategies That Work, Part 3

Recent advances and studies in cognitive science have shown that there are specific techniques we can use to keep from forgetting informa-tion we’ve just learned. Ironically, these techniques are often quite

different from the common study strategies and memory strategies that most of us tend to use. In my last two articles, I shared two ways to increase your learning and long term remembering of information. Let’s review those two and then introduce the third way to study that promotes long term memory.

Strategy 1: Recall and Retrieval The best way to fight against forgetting is to sit down and try to recall from memory all that you can about what you just learned. The act of retrieving details from your memory actually makes those details more embedded in your memory and easier to recall the next time. We were all taught to re-read our notes or reread part of our textbook before an exam. But cognitive science has shown that the better thing to do is to quiz yourself. Rereading gives you a false “illusion of familiarity” - you think you’ve “got it”, but you don’t. Teachers use memory retrieval to help their students learn when they start class with review questions; ask many questions during their lessons; end class with review questions; and give many short, low stakes quizzes.

Strategy 2: Distributed Practice The best way to keep something well learned is to do short, frequent practice sessions spaced out or distributed over time. You should spread out your learning and studying a little bit the next day, in two days, a week later, a month later, etc. Sadly, most of us learn something and never look at it again – and then wonder why we can’t remember it. Instead, study like an athlete. No athlete would “cram” his or her training into one long session and not come back to it again. Athletes know that doing short workouts spread over time is the key to long term fitness. Same with the brain. Teach-ers use distributed practice when their daily review questions, quizzes, and tests include things learned earlier in the year and even in prior years.

Strategy 3: Mixed Practice Most of us learn and study things using blocked practice – which means studying problems of the same type. In blocked practice you learn to add fractions, and then you practice doing 20 to 30 fraction addition problems. Or in practicing tennis, you spend a half hour hitting nothing but backhand shots from the baseline. Most school books and many sports practices are set up like this. They use blocked practice because it promotes fast learning. The problem is, blocked practice doesn’t promote long term, permanent learning as well as mixed practice does. In contrast, mixed practice is when you mix up different types of problems in the same practice session. Imagine that you just had a lesson on finding the area of a rectangle. Typical textbooks use blocked practice, so you would then practice lots of problems finding the area of rectangles. All the story problems or word problems would be really easy. Just find the numbers and multiply them (length times width). You wouldn’t even have to read the word problem or do much thinking to get it right – they’re all basically the same. But with mixed practice, you would have problems requiring you to

find the area, perimeter, or circumference of rectangles, triangles, squares, or circles. That’s a lot harder. Unlike blocked practice, you can’t just find the numbers and “do the math”. You have to do THREE things: First, analyze the problem; second, decide what math operation to use to solve the prob-lem; and third, “do the math”. With mixed practice, it is the hard work of analyzing and deciding what to do that builds your brain power. And that helps you better remember how to do the problem in the future. Unlike blocked practice, mixed practice builds your ability to discern one type of problem from another. The lack of mixed practice explains a common teacher frustration: Why do the kids do so well during the lesson and then bomb this on the test? It’s because the test is a set of mixed problems. The real world is mixed, too! That’s one reason why we learn things one day and can’t apply that learning later in a real life situation. There is one caution with mixed practice. Mixed practice takes more ef-fort than blocked practice, so we think we are doing worse and learning less when we mix up problems. Blocked practice is easier so we think we are do-ing better and learning more. But the opposite is true! Multiple studies show that mixed practice leads to deeper learning and better long term learning than massed practice. One study took college baseball players and had them add an extra batting practice twice a week. They were divided into two equally skilled groups. Both groups were given 45 pitches in the extra practice sessions. The first group was given 3 sets of 15 pitches all of the same type: for example 15 fastballs, 15 curve balls, and 15 change ups. That’s blocked practice. The second group had a more difficult task. They got 45 pitches, but the three types of pitches were randomly thrown. For example, a fastball, a curve ball, another curve ball, a change up, etc. That’s mixed practice. They didn’t know until the pitcher threw what type of pitch was coming. Both groups of batters were asked how their practice was going. Not surprisingly, the blocked practice group felt like they were doing really well. But the mixed practice group didn’t think they were getting a whole lot better. The mixed practice was more difficult, so those batters felt as if they weren’t do-ing as well due to the effort of their practice. At the end of six weeks both groups of ball players had benefited from the practice. But the mixed practice group showed significantly more improve-ment than the blocked practice group. Even though their task was more dif-ficult and it felt to them as if they were struggling, they actually were making more significant gains in their batting skills. The baseball study shows what is true of mixed practice as well as distrib-uted practice and recall practice. These practice techniques take more effort and slow us down. They feel less productive, but in the end they lead to deeper learning that is stronger and longer lasting – more resistant to forget-ting. Our old tried and true techniques of rereading, cramming, or doing only blocked practice give us a feeling of success and an illusion of com-petence, but they don’t fight forgetting. If you want something to be well remembered for the long term, use these techniques instead: quiz yourself over what you just learned, spread out your practice over time, and alternate different types of problems when you practice. n


C O M M U N I T Y N E W S

2015 Plainwell Outstanding People

for Education

Three Plainwell Community Schools em-ployees have been honored by the Allegan

County School Boards Association as the 2015 Outstanding People for Education. They are Central Office Secretary, Marj Jackson; Plain-well High School Math Teacher, Samantha Newell; and Marketing Assistant, Bonnie Pf-ingst. Plainwell’s “Outstanding People” were presented with their awards at the ACSBA’s an-nual dinner held Wednesday, June 10, at Fen-nville High School. The Allegan County School Boards Associa-

tion award is in its seventh year. In the spring, nominations are accepted for “someone who has ‘made a difference’ to a student” in our district. This year a total of 39 nominations for 25 different “outstanding” people were submitted.

Plainwell Community Schools’ is searching for the best, brightest PCS graduates who have suc-cessful lives, career paths, and inspiring stories to tell. Success comes in many different forms.

We are not just looking for the rich and the famous, but for those quieter successes who make a difference in other’s lives. We would like to honor a graduate who has accomplished great things, overcome a hurdle, become a local hero, succeeded in business, mentored children, started their own company, saved a life, built a park, or cleaned up a river. PCS’ Outstanding Alumnus Award will be presented during the 2016 PHS Graduation Ceremony on May 26, 2016. Nominations are due by February 1, 2016 to be considered for this year. Nominees not selected this year will stay on file for future consideration. Nominees must be graduates of Plainwell Community Schools, prior to 2006. The individual selected as PCS’ Outstanding Alumnus will be featured in School Matters, our district’s newsletter, as well as on our website, social media, the district annual report and may appear in local media.

VISIT WWW.PLAINWELLSCHOOLS.ORG/OUR_ALUMNI FOR MORE INFO & TO DOWNLOAD A NOMINATION FORM

Do you know someone who attended Plainwell Schools and has an interesting and inspiring story to share?

Tell us who they are!

PLAINWELL COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Board President Earns Master Board Member

Level Award

PCS School Board President, Amy

Blades, has successful-ly achieved the Mas-ter Board Member award through the Michigan Associa-tion of School Boards

(MASB). The Master Board Member level re-quires that a board member complete all Level One, Two, and Three courses, a total of nine Advanced Level courses and a minimum of 368 education credits. Mrs. Blades was recognized at the Allegan County School Boards Association’s annual din-ner in June. n


F O O D S E R V I C E N E W S

Applications for Free & Reduced Priced Lunches can be found by visiting ourwebsite at www.plainwellschools.org > Departments > Food Service > Free & Reduced Meal Information

– Offering Breakfast Daily! –

Notice: the PCS Food Service Department has

shifted tier meal pricing to include additional

favorite entrees.

NEW LUNCH PRICES for 2015-16

Breakfast $1.50

Elementary Lunch $2.35

Secondary Basic Lunch $2.55

Secondary Tier 2 Lunch $2.90

Secondary Tier 3 Lunch $3.10

Milk 50¢

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION…

HIGH SCHOOL ...................685-9554Jeremy Wright, PrincipalDebra Burley, Assistant Principal

MIDDLE SCHOOL ...............685-5813Tasia Stamos, PrincipalBob Farris, Assistant Principal

COOPER ELEMENTARY ......349-2674Jeff McNutt, Principal

GILKEY ELEMENTARY ........685-2424Melissa Preston, Principal

STARR ELEMENTARY .........685-5835Laurie Lanphear, Principal

COMMUNITY EDUCATION &RENAISSANCE HIGH ..........685-1573Tammy Glupker, Director

SAFE CHILD CARE .............685-3103Jane Perry, Coordinator

FOOD SERVICE ..................685-2097Brad Davis, Director

TRANSPORTATION .............685-8080Greg Smith, Director

ATHLETICS ........................685-2096Dave Price, Director

PHS Music Ambassadors in Europe!

Seven PHS band students were selected to represent Plainwell, Michigan during a 14-day tour of Europe this summer as part of the Michigan Ambassadors of Music.

These students performed in London, Paris, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein and Germany. Pictured in front of the Matterhorn in Zermaat, Switzerland are front row (left to right): Kylie Gage, Sammi Witeveen, Meredith Snyder, Heidi Johnson, Todd Kowalski, Linda Kowalski. Back row: Kim Waples, Sean Waples-Dexter, Alec Waples, Ellie Kowalski, Paul Mundo, Kathleen Mundo, Dana Plyley, Don Snyder, Nancy Snyder, Tyler Walker.


B A C K -T O - S C H O O L N E W S

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSCooper • Gilkey • Starr

MIDDLE SCHOOLGrades 6, 7 & 8

First Day of School is...

Tuesday, September 8 The first day of school is a FULL DAY for grades 1-12.

All schools will be open for information beginning Monday, August 24.

6th GRADE ACADEMY/ORIENTATION/MEET IN THE MIDDLEMeet in the Middle will be held Wednesday, August 26 from 3 to 7:00 p.m. Incoming 6th graders will have the opportunity to get their sched-ules, locker assignments, take school pictures, fill out important forms, and meet with representatives from food service and transportation. They will also be able to sample and purchase Goodie Factory popcorn, which will be our October fundraiser. See you there!

WELCOME NEW STAFF MEMBERSPlainwell Middle School is excited to welcome our new staff members! Bob Farris is going to be our new assistant principal. He has been a science teacher at the middle school for many years and was the Dean of Students for the last half of the 2014-15 school year. Mr. Farris is a master in building student relationships; he will continue as our Middle School Athletic Director. Andrew Augustin is joining our ELA team and will be teaching 6th and 7th grade ELA. Kim Deal is joining our special education team; she was previously at Gilkey Elementary. She will be assisting our 8th grade students and providing them with academic support. Caleb Fisher is joining our science team and will be teaching 6th and 7th grade science and Teen Leadership this school year. Ben-jamin Manting is joining our social studies team and will be teaching 6th and 8th grade social studies. Rachel Modderman will be joining our special education team and will be supporting students in 7th grade and teaching READ 180.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMSWe are continuing the implementation of our 6th Grade Academy, STEM Academy, Teen Leadership, Capturing Kids’ Hearts, and Quan-tum Learning. Once again our Exploration and Support Center (ESC) will be open to students before school and during student lunch hours.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLTuesday, September 8th will be a full day of school. The regular school day is from 7:45 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. Middle School students in atten-dance in Plainwell Schools last year do not need to register early. First hour assignments will be posted at the front entrance of the school at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31st. Students will report to first hour at 7:45 a.m. on the first day of school to receive their class schedules and locker assignments. Students new to the district in grades 6, 7, or 8 should report to the Middle School for registration beginning Monday, August 17th.

KINDERGARTENPlainwell kindergarten students will attend school according to schedules mailed home to parents by building principals. Parents who have not been notified by mail of their student’s kindergarten schedule should call their elementary school beginning Monday, August 24.Kindergarten students who have not already registered should do so beginning August 17 at any Plainwell elementary school. To enter kindergarten, a student must be five years old on or before September 1, 2015 and should have a legal birth certificate, com-pleted immunization form, proof of residency and vision test at the time of registration. Parents will be notified by the schools of their child’s kindergarten assignment.

GRADES 1-5Tuesday, September 8 will be a full day of school for grades 1-5. Elementary starting and dismissal times are:

Due to adult supervision schedules, elementary parents are cau-tioned that students at Gilkey and Cooper should not arrive at school more than five minutes before the first bell, and Starr students no more than 15 minutes before the first bell (except that students who receive breakfast at school should arrive 20 minutes before the bell). Students previously enrolled need not contact their schools before opening day.

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PARENT GROUP MEETINGS Your attendance is welcome!

Cooper Elementary 3rd Thursday 6:30 p.m. Cooper Library

Gilkey Elementary 2nd Thursday 6:30 p.m. Gilkey Library

Starr Elementary 3rd Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Starr Media Center

First Bell Dismissal 1/2 Day

Cooper 8:20 a.m. 3:25 p.m. 11:40 a.m.

Gilkey 8:20 a.m. 3:25 p.m. 11:40 a.m.

Starr 8:30 a.m. 3:35 p.m. 11:50 a.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT GROUP MEETING Your attendance is welcome!

Plainwell Middle School ESC (old library) 2nd Tuesday 6:30 p.m.


B A C K -T O - S C H O O L N E W S

HIGH SCHOOL PARENT GROUP MEETING Your attendance is welcome!

1st Wednesday (except June, April & September) 7:45 a.m. High School Conference Room

Bus Schedule Available...

Monday, August 24 Due to some adjustments in pick up and drop off times, Plainwell’s school bus schedule will be available beginning August 24 at www.plainwellschools.org. It will also be available at the Administration Office. After August 24, questions should be directed to the Bus Garage office at 685-8080.

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PARENT iPAD AWARENESS NIGHTTuesday, August 25 from 6-7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

FRESHMEN BOOTCAMP & iPAD ROLLOUTAll freshmen need to report to the Performing Arts Center on Thursday, August 27 at 9 a.m. for “Trojan Pride” Bootcamp lasting until 1 p.m. Included will be schedule pickup, lunch, extra curricular activity information and grade expectations. Student photos will also be taken. Students should bring their completed picture packs with the necessary payment. An iPad information packet was sent home to parents regarding the distribution of iPads and the necessary paperwork. Each student will be expected to pay a deposit upon initial distribution of the iPads or provide proof of insurance per the guidelines provided in the let-ter sent home. The deposit is refundable upon return, either by graduating or by leaving the district. The deposit is $50 ($35/reduced lunch recipient, $20/free lunch recipient). This orientation is a student activity and parents do not need to attend.

SOPHOMORE SCHEDULE/iPAD PICKUP & PHOTOSStudents report Thursday, August 27 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

JUNIOR SCHEDULE/iPAD PICKUP & PHOTOSStudents report Friday, August 28 between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

SENIOR SCHEDULE PICKUP & PHOTOSStudents report Friday, August 28 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE CHANGESDrop & Add Dates: August 26-28. Schedule changes will not be permitted after August 28, unless a graduation requirement needs to be fulfilled.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLStudents report to the gymnasium at 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8 for an assembly. Students will then attend a full day of school with classes concluding at 2:25 p.m.

NEW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSThe guidance office will be open beginning Monday, August 24 from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. for enrollment of new students. New students and their parents should study the course description booklet, and then fill out the enrollment and class selection form. These materials, along with last year’s report cards or grade tran-script, birth certificate and immunization verification, should be brought to the enrollment appointment. For enrollment information

on any of these programs, contactthe Community Education officeat (269) 685-9531 or stop by the office beginning August 17.

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONClasses begin Tuesday, September 8.

7:15 a.m. • Building Opens7:30-9:00 a.m. • Open Office Hours

9:00 a.m. •Morning Meeting11-11:30 a.m. • Lunch

1:20 p.m. • Fitness2:25 p.m. • Dismissal/Closing Meeting2:25-4:15 p.m. •Open Office Hours

ADULT EDUCATION & GED PREPARATION

Classes begin Tuesday, September 8.Classes will be held from11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Monday through Thursday.

*See Adult Education class schedule for specifics.

RENAISSANCE OPEN HOUSERHS will hold an Open House on

Wednesday, September 10from 5-6:30 p.m. Please join us!

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCESParent/Teacher Conferences

will be held Thursday, October 22 from 4-8 p.m.

PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOLGrades 9-12

RENAISSANCEHIGH SCHOOL

422 N. Acorn Street685-9531


S A F E & P L A I N W E L L C O R N E R S P R E S C H O O L

Welcome to a new school year!

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 minimum of three full days a week at $111 or the full weekly rate at $135.

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.

Check us out on the Plainwell Schools Website > Services > Preschool & Daycare www.plainwellschools.org or call 269.685.3103 for more information.

We qualify for childcare tax credits, accept DHS payments and we are approved for Flex reimbursement.

NOTE: Plainwell Corners and SAFE has a new billing system! All children must be registered at least two days before beginning preschool or SAFE in order to be entered into the system.

We are excited and looking forward to a great school year!

We need you.

Substitutes Wanted!

Plainwell Community Schools is seeking qualified individuals to fill various substitute positions including

teachers, aides, bus drivers and food service. To qualify as a substitute teacher, you must have transcripts

indicating completion of 90 credit hours from a four year college or university with a minimum 2.0 GPA or hold a valid or expired Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Apply at www.edustaff.org/post

We need you.

Substitutes Wanted!

Plainwell Community Schools is seeking qualified individuals to fill various substitute positions including

teachers, aides, bus drivers and food service. To qualify as a substitute teacher, you must have transcripts

indicating completion of 90 credit hours from a four year college or university with a minimum 2.0 GPA or hold a valid or expired Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Apply at www.edustaff.org/post

As a part of the Plainwell Summer SAFE’s mission to spread kindness, the students col-lected donations this summer to send care packages to U.S. soldiers. They had a huge

response from families and collected over 400 items!

Summer SAFE’s Operation Home Front


L E G A L N O T I C E S f o r P l a i n w e l l C o m m u n i t y S c h o o l s

ASBESTOS HAZARD EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTThis notice is to inform the public about Plainwell Community School’s Asbestos Management Plan.1. The Asbestos Management Plan contains informa-

tion regarding the locations of asbestos-contain-ing materials (ACM) in all school buildings, the condition of the ACM and a plan for dealing with the ACM. This plan is on file at the Administration Office and in all the school buildings.

2. Reinspection: A reinspection of all district buildings is required by law every three years after imple-mentation of the Management Plan.

3. Periodic Surveillance: Once every six months, ACM must be visually inspected for changes in condi-tion. This inspection is performed by trained and certified school personnel.

ACM will be repaired if damaged and maintained by the District’s Operation and Maintenance Program (OEM). Those with further questions of concerns may contact the District’s designated AHERA person, Greg Smith, Director of Operations and Facilities at 269-685-6338.

WEAPONS EXPULSION POLICYThe Board of Education will not tolerate the posses-sion of weapons by anyone while on school property or at a District-related event. In implementing this policy, Plainwell Community Schools will comply with Public Act 211 which prohibits students from possessing a firearm, dagger, dirk, stiletto, knife, mechanical device, iron bar, brass knuckles or other devices designed to inflict bodily harm while in at-tendance at school or a school activity or en route to or from school on a school bus. This policy shall also encompass look-alike items, false fire alarms, bomb threats, and intentional calls to falsely report a dangerous condition. The Superintendent shall pre-pare procedures to ensure immediate reporting to the parent and the local law enforcement agency after discovery of the weapon or the false report; and take proper disciplinary action with the student as pro-vided in the Code of Conduct and AG5610. The Gun Expulsion Law, Senate Bill number 966, calls for per-manent expulsion of students who are caught with a weapon of any type on school property. Expelled students are able to petition to return to school. Fifth graders and younger may be reinstated in 90 days, students in sixth grade and above have to wait 180 days before being reinstated. Local procedures shall also include immediate reporting to the appropriate law enforcement agency if a dangerous weapon is found or is suspected to be in the possession of a District employee or visitor.

STUDENT MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION POLICYPlainwell Community Schools shall not be responsi-ble for the diagnosis and treatment of student illness. The administration of prescribed medication to a stu-dent during school hours will be permitted only when failure to take such medication would jeopardize the health of the student or the student would not be able to attend school if the medicine were not made available during school hours. Medication should be administered in the home, if at all possible. For the purpose of this policy, “medication” shall include all medicine prescribed by a physician and/or any pat-ented drug. The total responsibility of dispensing or administering any non-prescribed (over-the-counter) drugs, preparations and/or remedies shall rest solely with the parent or legal guardian and that student. Before any medication may be administered to any student during school hours, the Board shall require the written request of the parent/guardian or the completion of a medical release for high school. This documentation shall include: written orders from a physician detailing the name of the drug, dosage, and time interval the medication is to be taken along with written permission from the parent/guardian of the pupil requesting that the school district comply with the physician’s order. Only medication in its original prescription bottle, labeled with the date of the prescription, student’s name and exact dosage will be administered. Asthmatic students may pos-sess and use a metered-dose inhaler or other inhaler

provided the student has written approval from the parent or legal guardian and health care provider and that written approval is provided to the principal or superintendent. If you have further questions, please contact your school’s main office (or the high school athletic office).

TITLE 1 PARENTS RIGHT TO KNOWIn accordance with the requirements of the federal Title 1 law, parents of students in any school receiv-ing Title 1 funds may request, and the District will provide, the following information regarding their child’s teacher: A) state qualifications, certification, and licensing criteria; B) whether the teacher is teaching under any emergency or provisional status; C) the undergraduate major of the teacher and the area of study and any certificates for any graduate degrees earned. In addition, parents may request the qualifications of any paraprofessional providing services to their child. Starr Elementary is the only district school receiving Title 1 funds. Request for teacher or paraprofessional qualifications should be made in writing to the Starr Elementary principal. In addition, parents shall be notified of the level of achievement of their child on required state aca-demic assessments and be given timely notice if their child is assigned to a teacher who has not achieved NCLB highly qualified status or if the child is taught for more than four weeks by a teacher who has not achieved highly qualified status.

ADVISORY TO ALL PARENTSPlainwell Community Schools has adopted an Inte-grated Pest Management program. Inherent with this are the District’s efforts to reduce pesticide use as much as possible. While it may occasionally be necessary to apply a pesticide, these will only be used as a last resort. This program does not rely on routine pesticide applications to resolve problems. We use various techniques such as habitat altera-tion, sanitation, mechanical means, exclusion, etc. to prevent pests from becoming a problem. You will receive advanced notice of the application of a pesticide, other than bait or gel formulations at your child’s school. This advance notice of the application will be given 48 hours before the application. The law requires us to do this notification by using two meth-ods. The first method required by law is the posting at the primary entrances to your child’s school. The entrances that will be posted are those entrances that have a sidewalk that leads directly to a parking lot. The second method we are going to use is the post-ing in a common area located by the main office of the school. Parents are also entitled to receive this notice by first-class United States mail postmarked at least 3 days before the application. If you would like to be notified by mail please contact the Opera-tions Department at 269-685-6338. Please give the Operations secretary your name, mailing address and what school your child attends. In an emergency (for example, bees nest), pesticides may be applied without prior notice, but you will be provided notice following any such application. You may review our IPM program or pesticide application records for your child’s school by calling 269-685-6338 or emailing Greg Smith, at [email protected]. This number or email may also be used when school is not in regular session.

SAFE & DRUG FREE SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIESPlainwell Community Schools recognizes and abides by the standards of the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act. These standards prohibit the unlawful manufac-ture, possession, use, sale, distribution, or conceal-ment of illegal drugs and alcohol in school programs, school vehicles, school premises, and at school sponsored activities on and off school property. Drugs include all controlled substances as defined by law, as well as “look-alike” drugs, steroids, and alcohol. These standards apply to all Plainwell Com-munity Schools’ students and staff. The use/abuse of drugs and alcohol poses serious health and safety risks to Plainwell Community Schools’ students. We

urge students, parents, guardians, and care providers to work hand-in-hand with our district to ensure that these important standards are upheld.

STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAWThe Plainwell Community School district complies with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Reha-bilitation Act of 1973. It is the policy of the school district that no person on the basis of race, color, reli-gion, gender, national origin, disability status, genetic information & testing, Family & Medical Leave, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, or vet-eran status shall be discriminated against in employ-ment or educational programs and activities. In order to coordinate compliance activities and investigate complaints charging discrimination, the school dis-trict has appointed Superintendent Susan Wakefield as Civil Rights Coordinator. Inquiries, complaints, or grievances should be addressed to the Civil Rights Coordinator, 600 School Drive, Plainwell, Michigan, 49080-1595, phone (269) 685-5823.

FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACTEach year the Plainwell Community Schools is re-quired to notify parents or students of rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA affords parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. These rights are: Right to Inspect: The right to inspect and review sub-stantially all of the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the school principal (or appropriate school official) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrange-ments for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. This right extends to parents under 18 years of age and to any dependent student age 18 or older. Right to Request Amendment: The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible stu-dents may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal (or appropriate official), clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the school will no-tify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information re-garding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. Right to Prevent Disclosures: The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifi-able information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the school as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the school has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); to a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance com-mittee, or assisting another school official in perform-ing his/her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her profes-sional responsibility. [NOTE: FERPA requires a school district to make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent of eligible student of the records request un-less it states in its annual notification that it intends to forward records on request.] Right to Complain: The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of

Education concerning alleged failures by the school to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington DC 20202-4605. Right to Obtain Policy: Parents have the right to obtain a copy of the policy adopted by the Board of Education in compliance with FERPA. A copy may be obtained in person or by mail from: Susan Wakefield, Superintendent, Plainwell Commu-nity Schools. Right to Object to Release of Directory Information: Generally, school officials must have written permission from the parent of a student or an eligible student before releasing any information from a student’s record. However, FERPA allows school districts to disclose, without consent, “direc-tory” type information. The Board of Education of the Plainwell Community Schools has designated the fol-lowing personally identifiable information contained in a student’s education record as “directory infor-mation;” student’s name, participation in officially recognized activities and sports; height and weight if a member of an athletic team; dates of attendance; awards received; honor rolls and scholarships. The district will make such “directory” type information available upon a legitimate request, unless a par-ent, guardian, or adult student notifies the district in writing within 10 days of receipt of this notice. The written objection should list all types of information about the student to be excluded from directory in-formation. The same notification requirement applies to high school students who do not want directory information released to military recruiters. Upon such written objection, this information will not be released without the prior consent of the parent or eligible stu-dent. If no objection to disclosure is made, student names, photographs and directory information may also be posted on the school district’s website. Your objections should be addressed to: Susan Wake-field, Superintendent of Schools, Plainwell Commu-nity Schools, 600 School Drive, Plainwell, Michigan 49080

ANNUAL NOTICE OF THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A PERSONAL CURRICULUM (PC) MODIFYING

MICHIGAN MERIT CURRICULUM (MMC)REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION WITH

A REGULAR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAThe Personal Curriculum is a process to modify spe-cific graduation credit requirements and/or content expectations based on the individual learning needs of a student. It is designed to serve students who want to accelerate or go beyond the MMC require-ments and students who need to individualize learn-ing requirements to meet the MMC requirements for high school graduation. The parent or guardian of a student for whom a personal curriculum is sought, or the student (if age of majority) or an emancipated minor may request a personal curriculum. Other po-tential requesters include a current teacher of the student who has expertise in the proposed area to be modified by the PC, or who is determined by the principal to have qualifications otherwise relevant to developing a PC, or a school counselor. According to Section 380.1278b amended of the Revised School Code regarding the Michigan Merit Curriculum and personal curriculum, If the request for a personal curriculum is made by the pupil’s parent or legal guardian or, if the pupil is at least age 18 or is an emancipated minor, by the pupil, the school district or public school academy shall develop a personal curriculum for the pupil. A personal curriculum may be requested prior to 9th grade for a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), with the earliest implementation at the start of 9th grade. For students without an IEP, a request for a PC is allow-able after the student has completed 9th grade. To request a Personal Curriculum, please contact your local high school. A full list of MMC graduation re-quirements and the Personal Curriculum options al-lowed by law are available by calling, e-mailing, or visiting the high school guidance office.

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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

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.

REGISTER ONLINE @PLAINWELLSCHOOLS.ORG

Greetings from the Recreation Department! I hope you have enjoyed your summer and found time to get away and relax. For many of our families,

summer meant time spent at the ballpark. We had a great Youth Ball and T-Ball season and I would like to thank our many volunteers. YOU ARE APPRECIATED! I would also like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring our Summer Youth Ball and T-Ball Teams: ADD Vantage Self Storage, Hart’s Jewelry, House Calls Repair and Remodeling, Meert Farms, Meert/Gauthier

Concrete, Plainwell Ice Cream, Reardon Automotive, Steve Henderson & Son Construction, and TMD Machining. The players and coaches did a wonderful job representing your business and wore their shirts with pride!

One of the highlights of our summer programs was to see a great turnout for Lake Doster Golf Lessons. We had over 40 participants in this program. Beginning golfers or even those with experi-ence enjoyed the lessons. Thanks to Lake Doster Golf Course for offering this program again this summer. In closing, I would encourage you to check this issue of School Matters for our upcoming fall programs. You can also visit our Plainwell Community Schools Recreation Department website for more information. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

– Bob Farris

A Note from the Recreation Director

Open SwimFriday and Saturday Nights • 7-8:30 p.m.

until November$3 per person, $5 per family

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Lap Swim$3 per person or pass

Morning LapMonday, Wednesday, Friday • 6-7:00 a.m.

Noon LapMonday-Friday • 12 -1:00 p.m.

Evening LapTuesday & Wednesday • 7-8:00 p.m.Evening lap swim is sometimes cancelled

due to our home swim meet schedule.Please check the online calendar for changes.

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Pool Passes for Lap/Open Swim OnlyPool passes are available for purchase at the pool.

40 Visits • $6020 Visits • $3210 Visits • $18

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Book a Pool Party!For any group or organization.

Call 685-2425 to reserve.1-30 people • $40/hour31-50 people • $50/hour

Lobby • $25/hour(Tables/chairs included)

Call (269) 685-2425 for reservationsor email [email protected]

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Trojan Aquatic Club returns in October!

POOL SCHEDULE FALL ‘15

Plainwell CommunityEducation & Recreation

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE NOW!

Call the Community Ed. Office at 685-9531

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Plainwell Community Education & Recreation

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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

fall youth recreation fall adult & family recreation

fall seniors in action

INDOOR SOCCER K-5th GradeThis program is open to K-5 students. Players will be placed in a group based on grade (i.e. 1st & 2nd graders). Each Saturday, the same pool of players will be divided up

differently each week. Phone call reminders will not be made. Please attend the practice on October 24 at the assigned time for your grade level.Date: Saturdays • October 24-December 12Time: 9 a.m. - Kindergarten 10 a.m. - 1st Grade 11 a.m. - 2nd Grade 12 p.m. - 3rd Grade 1 p.m. - 4th & 5th GradeThe following schedule is only for Saturday, October 24. Depending on the number of players that register, regular schedule will range from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Location: Hicks Street GymCost: $57Instructors: Doug Beauregard & Brett PaigeDeadline to register is Monday, October 12.

JR. HOOPSTERS BASKETBALL3rd-6th Grade Girls & Boys

Date: Dec. 5* - March 5 Practices during the week, games on Saturdays

Cost: $57Deadline to register is Monday, November 9.We will NOT be accepting any late regis-trations, so please register early. *Tenta-

tive start date. Specific dates and times will be determined and passed on to you by your child’s coach.

RISING STARS BASKETBALL5th-8th Grade GirlsDate: October* - December Practices start the week of 9/14. Games on Saturdays, some travel required.

Cost: $100Deadline to register is Friday, September 11.*Tentative start date. Specific dates and times will be deter-mined and passed on to you by your child’s coach.

JR. SPIKERS VOLLEYBALL3rd-6th Grade GirlsThe goal of Spikers is to experience the sport, understand the rules & have fun! We end the season with a Saturday tournament with Otsego. Date: Mon. & Wed. • Oct. 12 - Dec. 9

Time: 3rd & 4th Grade Prac-tice, 7-8 p.m. 5th & 6th Grade Practice, 8-9 p.m.Location: Plainwell Middle School GymCost: $57

Deadline to register is Monday, September 28.

TAE KWON DO - Ages 7 to 107 for Beginners & Advanced StudentsTae 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 • September 28 - November 30Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Cost: $42 individual, $67 familyRegistration deadline is Monday, September 21. NO signups at the gym.

ZUMBA® - Ladies OnlyAmy 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 amaz-ing personal testimony of weight loss and life change. Now she makes it her mission to help others get in shape and lose weight. This is a year round class with no registration

required and walk-ins are welcome. Zumba fitness classes are for ages 13 and older. Amy would like to remind partici-pants that your hour of Zumba is an hour for you. No childcare is provided, therefore young children should not attend. For more information, email [email protected], visit facebook.com/zumbawithamybaker or www.amybakerszucrew, or call (269) 271-5045. No prior registration required.

ZUMBA CORE & GLUTESDates: Mondays • Starting September 14 Time: 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.

INDOOR WALKINGIf the Plainwell Community Schools are closed for any reason, this program will be cancelled that day. Class will be run-ning on time if the school system has a fog delay. Starting Monday, October 6, 2014 and running through Friday, May 29, 2015. Location: Hicks Gym, 311 E. Plainwell St. Cost: FREE

ADULTS ONLYDates: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Time: 10 to 10:45 a.m.

CO

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Kathy Elliott, Community Ed & Rec. Secretary ....................................................685-9531Bob Farris, Recreation Director ..........................................................................685-9531Andrea Murphy, Pool Director .............................................................................685-2425Tammy Glupker, Director ....................................................................................685-1573

FAMILY TIMEDates: Tuesdays & ThursdaysTime: 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Location: Plainwell Middle School CafeteriaInstructor: Huong Tran

THANKSGIVING with STUDENTSDate & Time: Tuesday, November 24 at 11:00 a.m.Location: Renaissance High School, 422 Acorn St.Join the students at Renaissance High School for a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner! Bring a dish to pass. Turkey, potatoes, gravy, table service will be provided. Must register by Nov. 17 to attend, call 685-9531.

CHRISTMAS BRUNCHDate & Time: Thursday, December 3 from 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.Location: Plainwell Performing Arts Center, 684 Starr Rd.This FREE event is one you won’t want to miss with a delicious breakfast provided by Plainwell Community Schools. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project. Must register by Nov. 24 to attend, call 685-9531.

GOLDEN AGE PASSESIf 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!

Location: Hicks Gym, 311 E. Plainwell St.Cost: $5 walk-ins, 10 classes for $50, Any 20 classes for $80

PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOL 2015-16 FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

THE PLAINWELL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTIS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

** ECRWSS **Postal Customer

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

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OFFICES • 685-5823

Susan Wakefield .....................................................SuperintendentBob Van Dis ............................Director of Curriculum & InstructionMelissa Gelbaugh .............................................Director of Finance Jeff McNutt ................................................. Director of Technology Greg Smith ...................... Director of Operations & TransportationDave Price .......................................................Director of AthleticsRon Ward .........................................Director of Human Resources

Board of EducationAmy Blades ......................................................................... PresidentKim Shafer ................................................................... Vice PresidentChristine VanDenBerg ......................................................... Treasurer Julli Bennett .........................................................................SecretaryJohn Artz .................................................................................Trustee Thomas Berlin .........................................................................TrusteeShannon Zabaldo ....................................................................Trustee

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDPlainwell, Michigan

Permit No. 37Plainwell Community Schools600 School DrivePlainwell, MI 49080-1595

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE ATHLETIC OFFICE AT 269.685.2096

VARSITY FOOTBALLAUG. 20 Scrimmages 6 p.m. H 27 Three Rivers ASEPT. 3 Paw Paw H 11 South Haven H 18 Vicksburg A 25 Allegan HOCT. 2 Dowagiac H 9 Edwardsburg A 16 Sturgis A 23 Otsego H

Varsity games start at 7 p.m.

FRESHMEN/JV FOOTBALLAUG. 21 Scrimmages 2 & 4 p.m. H 26 Three Rivers HSEPT. 2 Paw Paw A 10 South Haven JV A 17 Vicksburg H 24 Allegan AOCT. 1 Dowagiac A 8 Edwardsburg H 15 Sturgis H 22 Otsego A

Freshmen games start at 4:30 p.m.JV games start at 6:15 p.m.

GIRLS GOLFAUG. 19 Gull Lake Invite A 20 Greater Kalamazoo A 24 South Haven Jamboree A 24 Allegan Jamboree A 26 Otsego Jamboree A 26 Plainwell Jamboree HSEPT. 1 Sturgis Invite A 3 Three Rivers Jamboree A 9 Dowagiac Jamboree A 16 Sturgis Jamboree A 23 Vicksburg Jamboree A 24 Comstock Tournament AOCT. 1 Wolv. Conference Finals A 7 MHSAA Regionals A 16 MHSAA State Finals A

Most varsity events start at 4:00JV conference match sites depend on team

size and availability. JV non-conference matches will be opposite sites.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALLAUG. 22 Port. Central Trn V A 22 Middleville Trn JV A 22 Port. Central Trn 9 A 27 East Kentwood Inv V A 27 Gull Lake Mini Trn JV A 29 Portage Northern Inv JV A 29 Portage Northern Inv 9 ASEPT. 1 Gull Lake Mini Trn 9 A 2 Paw Paw H 8 Port. Central Mini Trn V A 10 South Haven H 12 BC Lakeview V A 12 Harper Creek Inv JV A 17 Vicksburg A 19 Portage Central Trn V A 21 BC Lakeview Quad JV A 21 Plainwell Quad 9 H 24 Allegan H 26 Gull Lake Inv 9 AOCT. 1 Dowagiac H 8 Edwardsburg A 10 E. Kentwood Trn V A 10 WC @ Vicksburg JV A 10 WC @ Paw Paw 9 A 12 Plainwell Quad 9 H 15 Sturgis A 17 Wayland Inv V A 17 Hopkins Inv JV A 19 Plainwell Quad JV H 19 Gull Lake Quad 9 A 22 Otsego H 26 Gull Lake Quad JV A 27 Three Rivers A 31 WC @ Sturgis V A

9th Gr. & JV games start at 5 p.m.Varsity games start at 6 p.m.

BOYS SOCCERAUG. 22 Portage Central Inv V A 24 BC Lakeview H 29 Eaton Rapids Inv V A 31 Portage Central HSEPT. 2 Harper Creek A 9 Three Rivers A 10 Hackett H 14 W. Mi. Christian H 16 Paw Paw H 23 South Haven H 26 Mattawan A 28 Vicksburg A

OCT. 1 Allegan H 5 Dowagiac H 7 Edwardsburg A 12 Sturgis A 14 Otsego H 20 MHSAA Districts V A

JV games start at 5 p.m.Varsity games start at 6:45 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRYAUG. 21 Niles Invite A 29 Muskegon Invite ASEPT. 8 Edwardsburg, Lawton H 15 Allegan A 18 MSU Invite A 22 Sturgis A 26 Bangor Inv A 29 South Haven AOCT. 3 Otsego Inv A 6 Otsego H 10 Allegan Inv A 13 Dowagiac Jamboree A 20 Otsego Jamboree A 23 All County Meet A 31 MHSAA Regionals ANOV. 7 MHSAA State Finals A

GIRLS SWIMMINGAUG. 26 Harper Creek Relays ASEPT. 3 K Central Scrimmage A 10 Mattawan @ WMU A 15 Harper Creek A 19 DeWitt Inv A 22 Sturgis HOCT. 3 Allegan Quad A 6 Marshall A 8 BC Lakeview H 13 Allegan H 15 St. Joseph A 20 South Haven A 27 Otsego HNOV. 6,7 Conf. @ Allegan A 17 Diving Rgnls A 20, 21 MHSAA State Finals A

BOYS TENNISAUG. 26 Dowagiac ASEPT. 2 Thornapple Kellogg H 9 South Haven H 10 Hastings H 14 Open - Rain Date H 16 Paw Paw H 17 Wayland H 19 GK Trn @ Mattawan A 21 Allegan A 23 Otsego A 28 Galesburg AOCT. 3 WC @ Otsego A 8, 9 MHSAA Regionals A 16, 17 MHSAA State Finals A

HOMECOMING& HALL OF FAME NIGHTOctober 2 • 7 p.m.vs. Dowagiac

Mark Your Calendars!Notice: REDUCED PARTICIPATION FEESAt the August 3rd meeting, the Plainwell Community Schools’ Board of Education voted to reduce the athletic participation fees. New rates are:

PLAINWELL HIGH SCHOOL $40/first sport $30/second & third sport (down from $60 per sport)Family maximum of $250/yr. If a student is registered with Chartwells as receiving free/reduced lunch, the fee is waived.If you have already paid the $60/sport fee through Revtrak you will receive a refund or be issued a credit toward next winter/spring sport.

PLAINWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL $30/first sport $20/second & third sport

school matters bts 2015

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