Meet Meghan Hamlin, 2nd grade teacher at Brentwood Elementary School. Meghan is one of many PHS graduates who teach in Plainfield, now beginning her 13th year at Brentwood. Her first six years were spent teaching 1st grade, and she’s been with 2nd grade students ever since. She also helps with the Art and Robotics after-school clubs.
When asked about the best part of...
PCMS 8th grade students wore pink for their football game last night, and in turn, raised $247.92 for tomorrow's Making Strides against Breast Cancer walk in Avon. The Plainfield opponent, Clark Pleasant, joined in with their support, and many fans did as well.Jenny Nelson, a 1999 Plainfield graduate, shared her story of battling breast cancer at the age of 27. Many of...
First grade students from Brentwood and Clarks Creek enjoyed some outdoor time this morning for the annual Transportation Day. With trucks and cars of all varieties, the students were able to explore the many types of wheels, including a "Spin the Wheel" game from the Indiana Pacers!Some of the participants included local and state police, including a S.W.A.T. armored ...
October 3, 2018
We are thrilled to share the news that the Plainfield Community School Corporation ranked among Indiana’s best school districts on last spring’s ISTEP+ assessment.
Based on scores from students in grades 3-8 who passed both math and language arts, Plainfield ranked fourth statewide. This represents the highest state ranking Plainfield has earned, and...
Plainfield Schools’ officials are aware of the arrest of a Plainfield High School student last month.High school administrators cooperated fully with law enforcement authorities throughout their investigation.It is our obligation and responsibility to protect the privacy of students, and we do not anticipate making further comment on this matter. Any questions should b...
Tomorrow is October 1st, which marks the beginning of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Tomorrow is also known as #BlueUp Day, when communities everywhere don the blue to show the world that we support an end to bullying.Many schools are participating in World Day of Bullying Prevention, but even if your school doesn't have an official effort, let's all fin...
Wrapping up a spirit-filled week, Friday night's Homecoming festivities played out to a packed crowd of Quaker fans Friday night.With themed dress-up days all week, even the youngest Quakers had fun getting into the spirit of things. From tie-dye to Hawaiian and even a favorite TV or book character day, students and staff clearly embraced the fun. On Friday, while it w...
Meet Kara Silver, the media specialist at Clarks Creek Elementary who has worked her entire career, including her student teaching, in Plainfield.
While Kara keeps very busy encouraging all of Clarks Creek’s students to discover a love for reading, she also coordinates the annual Battle of the Books program, sponsors the Broadcast Club, and chairs the One School, One ...
Pictured above, left to right: PHS Principal, Mel Siefert; 2019 National Merit Scholarship Competition Semifinalist Victoria Kinnaman; PHS Guidance Counselor, Jaleen Royer; PHS Director of Guidance, Dave Owens
Introducing Victoria Kinnaman, PHS Senior and a 2019 Semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Victoria is one of 16,000 students nationwide w...
Seventeen years after 9/11, most students have no real memory of the events that unfolded as our world changed. But thanks to the efforts of our elementary teachers and principals, they are having conversations that include the history and compassion that grew out of that day. On Tuesday, students at Brentwood, Central and Van Buren elementary schools welcomed first re...
Meet Courtney Carmichael, a PHS grad who has taught 2nd grade at Central Elementary for eight years. In addition to her daily teaching responsibilities, Courtney serves as a sponsor for the K-Kids and Running Clubs, plus the staff Sunshine Committee. Courtney reports that her favorite part of being a teacher is building relationships with her students and their familie...
Nearly six weeks into the school year, students and construction workers continue to do their work, with little overlap or disruption. The 4th grade classes recently moved back into their newly-updated rooms, while 3rd grade classes are in their temporary space for about two weeks. But except for some bare bulletin boards in the transitional classrooms, it appears that...
It's hard to catch every LQA class in their classrooms at the same time, between recess, bathroom breaks, hallway activities and lunch. But yesterday, there was plenty of cuteness to generate a new post!In one room, students were practicing how to quickly get into line while holding their bubbles before a bathroom break and lunch. They take their bubbles very seriously...
Meet Rachel Freeman, who teaches Algebra and Geometry at Plainfield High School. With 13 years experience, Rachel is beginning her 11th year at PHS after two years in Mooresville. Rachel is also co-sponsor for Student Government.When asked about her favorite role at Plainfield, Rachel shared that her involvement in student government provides the opportunity to work w...
Vision, strategic plans, annual goals - such business-y terms. In Plainfield, we like to imagine. And a couple of years ago, a little bit of imagining began a journey that led to yesterday's Community Launch of The Imagination Lab.Many people already know that The Imagination Lab is located in the space once occupied by a swimming pool and locker rooms. It's hard to im...
Reading is the basis of so many things that we do, and helping children learn to love, and yes, find the JOY in reading can set them on a path to lifelong success, and adventures. Clarks Creek 2nd grade teachers get creative with the combination of joy and reading, when they host an annual campout (for a few hours, during the school day!) on the school's soccer field. ...
It was an afternoon of endless weather changes: rain, sun, muggy and hot, breezy and cool, clear and cloudy skies. But the PCMS and Greenwood girls golfers made the best of it in their first match of the season, held at Deer Creek Golf Course. #QuakerFaces...
Meet Tanya Cox, who teaches Kindergarten at Van Buren Elementary. She is beginning her 15th year with our youngest students, having started back in the days of half-day Kindergarten at The Kindergarten Center. In fact, Tanya helped pilot our full-day program, and never looked back.Her favorite part of her role is working with families to help start their child’s educat...
Not only did the Duke Energy Foundation make a grant of $25,000 to The Imagination Lab last fall, but last Friday they brought the organization's executive leadership team to see the fruits (literally) of their donation, and to spend some time as Lead Learners.With their financial donation, Duke made possible the Learning Garden, an outdoor classroom with raised beds, ...
It's just a typical Friday at PCMS, where 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are wrapping up their third week of the new school year. Navigating the building? Second nature. Getting into lockers? Easy as pie. Working on projects? Absolutely!Sixth grade math students left their classrooms for the wide open space of The Commons (formerly the swimming pool, for those who gra...
The volleyball season got underway this evening when the Quakers swept Pike in three sets. ...
Meet Ana Romo, Instructional Aide for English Language Learners at Clarks Creek Elementary School. After holding a similar position at Brentwood for two years, Ana is beginning her second year at Clarks Creek. She is also the school’s Spanish translator.When Ana lived in Mexico, she taught in a private elementary and middle school for 12 years.Ana said that she loves ...
When 1975 PHS graduate Dennis Gibbs thought about his passion for cycling and the role it plays in his grandchildren's lives, he decided to do something to help share that passion with more children.
This summer, Gibbs donated 20 children's bicycles and helmets to Central Elementary. The Central PTO donated "trainers," which turn the bikes into stationary cycles, t...
Meet Brian Planker, 8th grade English and Language Arts teacher at Plainfield Community Middle School. Brian has spent 28 years in the classroom, all of them at Plainfield! Brian is a visible part of the PCMS team, spending time as the FCA sponsor and coach of both the boys’ and girls‘ tennis teams.When asked about the best part of his daily work, he enthusiastically s...
Even a rainy day couldn't dampen the spirits of children and teachers today, as nearly 5800 students filled the halls of Plainfield schools for the first day of the 2018-2019 academic year.For Kindergarten students, having their first recess indoors wasn't quite as exciting as the allure of playground equipment and wide open spaces, but with plenty to explore in their ...
As teachers settle into their classrooms and finish all of the hours of required pre-FDOS (First Day of School) training, I wanted to share a few photos from this morning's welcome breakfast.Many districts have fancy, fun and much longer welcome-back events, but our focus is on breakfast, highlighting some outstanding moments from the previous year and touching on a fe...
Meet Lexi Hollingsworth, a PHS graduate who has taught first grade at Central for four years.In addition to teaching, Lexi serves on the Science and Accelerated Reading committees.When asked to describe her favorite part of the day, she couldn’t limit it to just one. In her words, “Working with little minds, having a great team to help support and guide me, making lear...
Today we wrap up our weekly summer updates, as students return to our halls and classrooms on Tuesday - and we are ready! But one last time, let's recap what's been happening this week throughout the schools.Early in the week we had several training sessions here at the Admin Building. You might be surprised to see how many employees work in our Food Services area! The...
Meet Matt Craig, who teaches Chemistry at Plainfield High School. Matt has spent 20 years in the classroom, with three years in Plainfield and 17 years at Avon High School. Matt also coaches high school cross country and track.When asked about his favorite role at Plainfield, Matt replied, “teaching AP Chemistry, and coaching my son, Sam, in Track.” Stripes would seem ...
Another week closer to the big day: July 31! Imagine the North Pole a week before Christmas with all the elves scurrying around. That's strikingly similar to the Administration Building and each of our schools!Last Friday we shared our Back-to-School Guide, with information about many of the things parents are wondering about as we count down to the #FirstDayofSchool (...
Meet Amanda Johnson, 4th grade teacher at Van Buren Elementary. Amanda just completed her first year in Plainfield after teaching for ten years at Mill Creek East Elementary. When asked about her favorite aspect of joining the Plainfield Schools’ family, she replied, “I love being part of a school where being kind is the focus.” She went on to say, “our staff is very c...
This week the focus was on preparing materials for back-to-school, and based on the questions we've heard from parents, we know many of you are thinking about the same things!We may not have covered every topic, but we think you'll find several answers in our Back-to-School Guide. You'll find it here: http://www.plainfield.k12.in.u...And of course, for those things we ...
Meet Rachel Pace, who has worked at Little Quakers Academy (LQA) the last two years as an instructional assistant. Her role will find her working with students on classroom activities, and assisting the teacher in whatever way she can. Prior to her days of wearing an employee badge, Rachel was still a familiar face at Clarks Creek where she was very active as a volunte...
Things have slowed down considerably in the PCSC-world, as many administrators grab a few days of vacation before moving into full-blown back-to-school prep on July 9th. But there are still great things to report!
The demolition work at Van Buren is transitioning to renovation work, which is always a good sign. The most noticeable work is in the front of the building,...
Meet Rachel Landis, 5th grade teacher at Brentwood Elementary School. Rachel, a PHS graduate, has taught in Plainfield for six years. In addition to her 5th grade class, she serves as the English Language Learner (ELL) coordinator for Brentwood, which means she supports the educational needs of students who do not speak English. Rachel also runs the school’s robotics p...
Somehow we have now completed FOUR weeks of summer vacation! And like the others, this one has been quite busy for #QuakerFaces.
Last week, several Plainfield staff and family members participated in the Purple Stride PanCan 5k, the walk to raise awareness and research funds for pancreatic cancer. The event is near to our hearts, and we are so proud of the colleagues ...
Meet Julie Bradshaw, Health & Physical Education teacher and department chair for Plainfield High School. Julie is one of several long-time teachers who came to Plainfield as a young college graduate. 38 years later, we are fortunate that she continues to share her love for students with our community. For 26 years, Julie coached the Varsity Girls’ swimming program.Whi...
It's been another great (and busy) week, but we sure miss our students!Construction continues at Van Buren; we'll try to get some updated photos for next week!The PHS Red Pride Booster Club met this week and presented scholarships to four outstanding student-athletes; we are so grateful for the faithful fans and loyal fundraisers who are a part of our Booster Club!Last...
While it's only Thursday, it's been a VERY busy week! So busy, in fact, that we're bringing you the weekly recap a day early!Mr. Tobey, Ms. McLaughlin and Mr. Edwards have been having a great time with the 4-Star Camp taking place at Central this week and next. When I stopped in, students were learning about the importance of accepting others, and were creating skits t...
Meet Justin Tobey, the School psychologist for Van Buren, Plainfield Community Middle School, and Plainfield High School students. In addition to his responsibilities during the school year, Justin runs a two-week summer camp for Plainfield students called “4 Star Summer Camp.” Justin came to Plainfield ten years ago, just after completing graduate school. During that ...
Dear PCSC Families,
About a year ago, the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why” garnered much attention around the world and specifically with young people, resulting in many discussions about suicide prevention, mental health, bullying and other difficult topics. Based on the popularity of the first season, Netflix launched Season Two last week, and it’s rumored to introdu...
Everyone wonders what administrators and central office personnel could possible do during the summer to stay busy. So we'll take a little photo journey in the coming weeks, beginning with today's recap of Week One.For starters, our board and meeting rooms were packed all week as elementary teachers met their peers from other buildings to work on curriculum maps for n...
On Saturday, friends and family came together to celebrate the Commencement of the Class of 2018. With inspirational words of challenge and encouragement from the speakers, to the sea of red caps and gowns, to the confetti toss at the end of the ceremony, it was a great occasion. We wish all of our newest alumni the best as they move on to new chapters! This infographi...
On behalf of the Plainfield Community School Corporation and the Plainfield Police Department, in addition to all Town of Plainfield employees, we extend our heartfelt thoughts to our friends in Noblesville and Hamilton County.
The PHS Class of 2018 just completed their rehearsal for tomorrow’s Commencement. While we had several police officers on hand, it was a grea...
While the educators from the Newport Aquarium's "Shark Cart" program clearly know a lot about sharks, it turns out several Brentwood students know quite a bit, too!During today's convocation, students learned about ocean life and the role sharks play in that environment (be sure to ask your child about some of the interesting facts they learned, or shared, today). And ...
A new outdoor learning space. The last week of the school year. Warm weather. Second grade students. A STEM project. Making bubbles has come a long way since many of us were children, but today, students at Central Elementary used a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills to create their own bubble-making kits. And while blowing bubbles at th...
Meet Lisa Chandler, who teaches Science and Social Studies to 6th grade students at Plainfield Community Middle School (PCMS). Lisa has been a fixture In Plainfield as a PCMS teacher for 20 years, plus time at Plainfield Christian Church’s preschool and Saint Susanna prior to that. In addition to her classroom duties, Lisa can be found with the Fellowship of Christian...
Your Plainfield Teacher of the Year for 2019 is ... Clarks Creek 2nd grade teacher Ann Mennonno! A committee of teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders met last evening to interview the final three candidates: Mennonno (who was selected to represent the four elementary schools), Shauna McLaughlin from PCMS and Rachel Freeman from PHS.Pictured above: Ann...
Over one hundred PHS students spent an extended class period yesterday in a darkened auditorium, but it's a pretty sure thing that no one dozed off. Pictured above, the Nurse Practitioner began harvesting a vein from the patient's leg before the surgeon made his first incision. She also discussed her path to obtaining her Nurse Practitioner's license.Biomedical Studies...
When the details of The Imagination Lab began to be finalized, many of this year's 5th grade students (and their parents) feared they would miss out on the chance to experience, first-hand, the excitement of the new program and space that they'd heard so much about.With that in mind, plus a few other motives, Dr. Mary Giesting (who will leave her post as Assistant Supe...
Parents, do you find yourself wondering at times about your child's behavior, curious as to whether it's "normal teenage mood swings" or something more serious? Here is a simple graphic that might be helpful....
At its May meeting, the School Board approved the hiring of Lorraine Bonney as a second Home School Advisor for Clarks Creek Elementary.
Given its large and growing student population, Clarks Creek students will benefit from this new position, and especially, the expertise that Mrs. Bonney brings to Plainfield.
With a degree in Psychology, Bonney most recently worked...
Today, we turn to the Mental Health Association's website (http://www.mentalhealthamerica...) where they recently posted an article featuring 31 tips to boost your mental health. The activities tend to be simple, low-cost or free, and can take just a few minutes or all day. Check them out!http://tiny.cc/zornty...
As we continue our focus on "May is Mental Health Month", and #Fitness4Mind4Body, we are reminded that mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally –it’s important to pay attention to both physical and mental health, which can help us achieve overall ...
Did you know? In some cases, emotional distress leads youth to contemplate suicide or engage in suicidal behavior. Approximately 90% of those who die by suicide have a diagnosable mental illness. One in five Indiana high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.Indiana ranks 3rd out of 36 states in the percentage of high school students ...
Meet Jacki Rogers, assistant principal for Central and Van Buren elementary schools. While this position was just established in January, Jacki is a familiar face to many PCSC families, having taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades at Brentwood for 17 years.Jacki is an enthusiastic cheerleader for students, and has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know their families thr...
Pictured above, left to right: PHS Business teacher and DECA sponsor, Megan Craft; PHS seniors Cole Thompson, Paul Planker and Maggie Hine.
When more than 10,000 teens descended on Atlanta earlier this month, Maggie Hine, Paul Planker and Cole Thompson were representing Plainfield High School’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) program. And just a few day...
Meet Danielle Shepherd, Autism Resource Special Education Teacher at Brentwood Elementary. During the seven years she’s taught at Brentwood, Danielle has planned Autism Awareness Nights in the community and at family events like Pacers and Indians games.Danielle enjoys sharing her knowledge of autism with staff, students and parents as she helps students learn to be s...
In just its fifth year, the Plainfield Elementary Schools' Walkathon earned more than $83,000 to fund field trips, convocations and school-wide programs for the 2018-2019 academic year. Wow!
For teachers, the walkathon is a fun break for some outdoor fun as the end of the school year draws near. For students, it's a time to be with friends, burn some energy and fe...
Meet Julie Buckner, who has spent the last four-and-a-half years managing everything involved with feeding more than 900 students and 50 adults on a daily basis. While having a background in nutrition and food service is important, Julie says her favorite part of the job is the chance to interact with the students and staff. Julie’s hobbies include photography, scrapbo...
Meet Amy Western, who you may know as the highly efficient person who keeps things running at Central Elementary . She wears many hats, but the most important job may be as the liaison between parents, teachers and staff.
Prior to coming to Central just over a year ago, Amy worked at Thompson Family Eyecare and owned a dance studio.
Her favorite part of working at Ce...
It might be a pretty simple two-hour drive to Dayton, Ohio, but that doesn't mean the students, coaches, and parents/volunteers of the PHS Winter Percussion ensembles got to sleep in this morning. The convoy pulled out of the high school parking lot at 5:30 for a full two days of rehearsals, competitions and performances as part of the WGI (Winter Guard International) ...
Meet Tracy Ballinger, who many will remember from her years teaching Physics at Plainfield High School. Since July, she’s been spending her time working closely with Mary Giesting as they prepare for the August opening of The Imagination Lab. In addition, Tracy works closely with The Quaker Imagineers, a group you’ll learn more about soon! After 13 years in the classr...
Mrs. Rogers' 6th grade Pre-Algebra classes have been studying probability, and capped off their work by creating a Probability Fair, which they then opened to several 7th grade classes. From bean bag toss, to card games, to putting to board games, the students found several creative ways to illustrate what they've learned about probability. And it was clear that their ...
On Thursday evening, 5th grade students from Brentwood, Central, Clarks Creek and Van Buren elementary schools will compete as part of the inaugural 5th Grade Track Meet, being held in conjunction with the Plainfield Schools' annual wellness fair.
The track meet will take place on the track/football field at Plainfield High School, while the Wellness Fair will be hel...
While students are enjoying a sunny, warmer day at home, PCSC teachers are in class. And elementary teachers are spending half their day at The Imagination Lab, where, for most of them, it's their first visit. But they aren't just taking a tour, they are discovering the many ways learning will take place, including completing many of the experiences students will go th...
It's safe to say that most adults have heard a horror story or two about kids and online safety. Whether it's talking to strangers in chat rooms, or posting photos that now, or years from now, they will regret sharing, being safe and smart online is something we're all learning to navigate. For young people, it can be especially challenging.We discovered a blog last we...
This year's senior Engineering Design and Development students have earned the bragging rights to the fastest, most efficient races yet when it comes to the annual Cardboard Regatta. Students work in teams to design their boat, using primarily cardboard and duct tape. Boats must support three students who then paddle across the pool and back (preferably, without sinkin...
In case you've missed the announcements, today is #LotsOfSocks Day, in conjunction with #WDSD18 - which translates to World Down Syndrome Day. In an effort to increase awareness and understanding of Down syndrome, the United Nations declared March 21st as World Down Syndrome Day in 2012, and for every year thereafter.The #LotsOfSocks effort is intended to get people as...
Cover photo (above): Duke Energy volunteers posed with students from Mrs. Porro's Kindergarten class.Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, students from all four of Plainfield’s elementary schools will benefit from an outdoor classroom known as the Learning Garden.
The Learning Garden features modular, raised beds that include seating and shad...
Did you know? Some of the common medical conditions contributing to disabilities in children include:...
DID YOU KNOW?
Since 2000, when many of the Class of 2018 were born, 227 children have died from school-related violence. Their deaths can be linked to guns, knives, bullying – all forms of violence that no child should have to face.
To honor those children, students at Plainfield High School will have the opportunity to voluntarily participate...
In AJ McAdams’ Medical Interventions class, students (most of whom are seniors) have been following the plight of a fictional family, studying the medical issues that one family might face in the course of a year. When the fictional teenage son developed osteosarcoma in his upper arm, students began researching treatment options.
After researching the possibilities,...
The morning couldn't have been more beautiful, with a bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine. According to @SeanWTHR it was 45 degrees when Team #QuakersPlunge raced into Eagle Creek in support of Special Olympics Indiana. This marked the 50th year for the #IndyPlunge, where Freezin' for a Reason is the name of the game. Hundreds of people from throughout Central India...
Last night marked the 22nd Annual Indiana Academic M.A.T.H. Bowl, sponsored by Purdue University and the Indiana Association of School Principals. The local competition was hosted by Tri West High School, and all four of Plainfield's elementary schools participated, along with public and private schools from throughout the area. While the snacks and commercials are not...
The Plainfield High School media center recently acquired new tools that will allow students to see through a whole new light. Known as virtual reality goggles, students can now experience new places and cultures through the power of technology.
The goggles are made of a lightweight cardboard, and once the software is downloaded, the students can put them on and...
Hosting a show choir invitational is not for the feint of heart, but the PHS show choir staff and families make it look easy. And with the inaugural Plainfield High School Quaker Classic Invitational in the books, a big thank you is due to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success.Nineteen choirs from all corners of the state arrived early in the morning, and f...
Clarks Creek Elementary (@ccquakers) played host to yesterday's VEX IQ PCSC Competition for elementary robotics teams, which included a team from each of Plainfield's four elementary schools and a total of 42 teams from around Central Indiana.
Most competitions don't include an element of collaboration, but the robotics world is the exception. Teams are known to len...
The show choir competition season is underway, and it's looking to be a great year for the Plainfield High School show choirs! The two original groups, Belles et Beaux and Femmes Fatales, have moved up to Class A to compete with some of the best schools in the state. Both groups are enjoying a strong start to their season, with the girls group (Femmes Fatales) taking h...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Plainfield, IN
February 8, 2018
At its meeting this evening, the Board of School Trustees approved the hiring of Brooke Walden to join Plainfield Community Middle School next year as an assistant principal.
Walden is currently the English Department Chair at Western Boone Junior-Senior High School in Thorntown, wh...
300 fourth and fifth grade students. 76 teams. The Final Four teams. 18 books. Several video cameras. One Facebook Live Video. Dozens of adoring parents and grandparents.
What does this describe? The 2018 Battle of the Books! Today's final round featured the top team from Brentwood, Central, Clarks Creek and Van Buren, each vying for the coveted boxing gloves...
It was a great night for Plainfield basketball, with five games on tap, and Senior Night for the girls' varsity team. The Decatur Central Hawks were visiting and the gym was packed with fans. Here are a few photos from the varsity games....
Megan Brouillard, a 3rd grade teacher at Van Buren Elementary, was recently honored by the Hendricks County ICON as their Teacher of the Month. One of her students, Bailey Errett, wrote a letter specifically about Mrs. Brouillard stating why she deserved the honor.
As part of the honor, the ICON brings Chik-Fil-A chicken and ice cream for the celebration, and the...
Pictured above, left to right: Cheyenne Mason, Silver Key; Delaney Fields, Honorable Mention; Emily Wood, Honorable Mention; PHS Visual Arts Teacher, Mrs. Armstrong; Emma Cooper, two Honorable Mentions; Grace Miller, Gold Key and Honorable Mention; Nevaeh Parks, Honorable Mention.PHS senior Grace Miller earned the Gold Key award recently from the Scholastic Art & Writi...
The buildup to this weekend's anticipated winter weather event seems to be falling apart, but we wanted to remind school families of our make-up day process just in case we awaken tomorrow to inches upon inches of ice or snow.
This Monday, January 15, is a school holiday, but is also the first weather make-up day. If, by chance (and we do not expect it to occur), scho...
Plainfield school families haven't had to wonder about two-hour delays this week, since Christmas Break started, and ended, later than some of our neighboring school districts. But the forecast for Sunday evening, at least this far in advance, contains those dreaded words, "wintry mix." If you have any questions about our process for determining when to cancel school o...
During the month of December, Plainfield residents and businesses recognize Kindness as our Community Value. While December often brings about feelings of impatience, disappointment, exhaustion and frustration, it also brings out some of the best examples of kindness. Those examples have been rampant this month in each of our schools.
At Little Quakers Academy, s...
Earlier this semester, we partnered with the Central Indiana Educational Services Center to create a new video about Plainfield Schools. While we could have created a feature-length film, I'm told most people aren't likely to spend 90 minutes watching a video about a school system. Hopefully, coming in less than four minutes is ideal!We are incredibly proud of our staf...
Governor Holcomb and other state leaders hosted students from all around the state today for #StatehoodDay2017, as we celebrate Indiana's 201st birthday. And what better tribute than for our own Belles et Beaux to perform the beloved "Back Home Again in Indiana." Thanks to modern technology, here is a video clip of their performance.
BB singing at the Statehouse for I...
We are pleased to introduce the Class of 2019 Rising Stars, as recognized by the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP). Pictured here are (left to right) juniors Romael Khan, Collin Elston, Victoria Kinnamon and Brigham Anderson.
The Rising Stars program celebrates what the students have already achieved, as well as offering support and encouragement as they...
The Trike-a-Thon returns to the PHS Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon, and this year, will feature visits with Sensory Santa! Not only is this a fun event, it's an important fundraiser for the PHS Life Skills program, raising monies to fund field trips and outings for students.
We hope you'll consider bringing your family for an afternoon break of fun, while supporti...
PCMS 6th grade teacher Mrs. Chandler started her week with an early holiday gift: a $500 grant from the McDonald’s MAC (Make Activities Count) Grants program.
Mrs. Chandler, who teaches Science and Social Studies, will spend her grant to purchase atlases for students’ use when they apply the concept of the popular TV show, “The Amazing Race,” to learn map skills.
...
Wow. What a journey of gratitude, and of thinking carefully about the many things we often take for granted in our daily lives.
On this, Day 30, I'm grateful for the power of social media, and all of the good that can come from this forum. Of course, it can be used in negative ways, and we've experienced some of that. But overwhelmingly, good things happen, good st...
What is an often-overlooked, but incredibly important, part of keeping any school running? The maintenance and custodial staff. And in a community like Plainfield, with a history of caring for buildings so they last a long time (remember, Central Elementary first housed students in 1888!) their knowledge and work ethic is vital.
Sure, custodians do some of the same...
On #GivingTuesday, the tradition has become one of supporting your favorite cause or charity after a weekend where many people complete their holiday shopping. This #GivingTuesday seems an ideal time to show our appreciation to the Plainfield Community Schools Legacy Foundation.
Education foundations have become important partners with schools, raising funds for scho...
Happy CyberMonday! It seemed like the most appropriate day to give thanks to the PCSC Technology team. They represent another of the behind-the-scenes groups, without whom we would all be lost.Physical servers, virtual servers, ports, fiber, bandwidth, security cameras, phone systems, firewalls, computers, software, smart boards - these are some, but not all, of the "t...
What a beautiful weekend it's been, with another clear and gorgeous day today! Whether you're relaxing at the end of the holiday, traveling home from a weekend with family, tailgating before today's Colts' game, or sending a college student back to campus, it's a beautiful late-November day. And we all know how important it is to cherish these days! I hope you take a m...
We are incredibly fortunate to have so many parent support groups involved in all aspects of Plainfield schools. From the PTOs, to Booster Clubs, Robotics and just about everything in between, PCSC parents go to great lengths to ensure that Plainfield students have robust opportunities and experiences as part of their academic journey. They raise money (a lot of money!...
The Plainfield Police Department (PPD) is an important partner with Plainfield schools. Their presence helps provide security, but their service goes far deeper than that.Officers get to know the students, and depending on the day and the activities, they might read a book to a classroom at one of the grade schools. They help direct traffic and ensure safety at drop-of...
On this Thanksgiving, we are celebrating the community of Plainfield, where time and time again, people come together to support one another, to pitch in where help is needed, and to "Just Be Kind."From neighbors to strangers, old-timers to newcomers, young to not-so-young, thank you for everything you do to make this such a wonderful, caring community. Happy Thanksgiv...
On a day when many kitchens will be bustling with preparations for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast, it seems to be an appropriate time to honor and say "thank you" to the PCSC Food Services team.
These men and women take incredible pride in their work, while making the breakfast and lunch experience a fun time for students. And behind the scenes, they ensure that no ...
Cover photo: Emma Cooper's pencil drawing, "Eyebrow Cat," represents nearly a semester's worth of work.Three PHS students were honored earlier this month at the opening gala of “Make An Impression,” a high school art show being hosted throughout November by the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library.
With students from eight public and private Hendricks County hi...
There are a few words in the English language that instill strong emotional responses when we hear them, and bully/bullying/bullied are some of them. Whether it happens to children or adults, being bullied can have lasting effects. And while educators everywhere have a responsibility for protecting students, it’s actually the law for anyone who works in public schools....
School Board meetings take place monthly throughout the year, but members of the school board are attending to school business throughout the month. Whether attending conferences, reading volumes of information from our schools, visiting classrooms and attending school activities, the five individuals who serve as our school trustees dedicate hours upon hours to the l...
Schools are made up of students of all abilities, along with teachers and staff who are uniquely prepared to meet them wherever they might be on their journey. Our schools are known throughout Indiana as having some of the best programs and opportunities for students with special needs. Of course, the best programs would fall flat without talented, passionate people to...
Everyone knows that school is no longer "just" a seven hour day. There are so many opportunities for students to be involved and engaged in programs before- and after-school and on weekends. Athletics, of course, is usually one of the first to come to mind. But there are academic teams, service groups, and the arts.And this weekend, the Fine Arts Department is thrilled...
Imagine students having their own garden to tend, where they learn about the science of planting, botany, weather and seasons. And when they harvest their prized fruits and vegetables, they learn about nutrition and how to care for, and prepare the food.
Thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation, The Imagination Lab will include specially designed raised bed gardens for an...
Let's give thanks for modern Science Fairs. The Clarks Creek Science Fair took place yesterday, and featured some very creative, well-researched projects by 4th grade students. While some of us may not have loved their own Science Fair experiences, this example truly seemed to feature students who are more invested in their projects, with more enthusiasm. And let's rem...
Did you know? Many of us grew up seeing the dentist and optometrist on a regular basis. But not everyone can afford that, and thankfully, we have programs that help fill in some of those gaps. Pictured here, the Mobile Dentist spent some time at Brentwood this week, providing basic services to some of our students. Thank you to these wonderful partners for providing su...
Sometimes we have to take a moment to be grateful for the beauty that surrounds us, and this morning is one of those times. Just look at this sunrise, taken from the front door of @phsquakers. Let's also remember the human beauty around us - the kindnesses, the smiles, the pay-it-forwards, the people who hold a door or say hello. We live in a community of beauty, insid...
We continue to celebrate the PHS Red Pride Marching Band's state championship, but today we do so through the lens of our Town Council and officials. At last evening's Town Council meeting, the band's director, Mr. Carpenter, and three drum majors were presented a proclamation by President Mr. Brandgard, honoring their accomplishments this year. We live in a community ...
Living in "A Community of Values" doesn't promise perfection, but does serve as a gentle reminder of the characteristics determined to be most important by Plainfield residents. We're grateful for this program for what it represents, and for the opportunity it provides each of us to model and teach our students.Pictured below are the students who were honored last week...
Partnerships are a recurring theme when it comes to gratitude, because in Plainfield, we have so many dedicated partners. Today, the spotlight is going to shine on the Plainfield Fire Territory. They host countless field trips, they bring their trucks for "Touch a Truck Day," and they spend hours in our elementary schools during Fire Safety Week. They are funny, and se...
Today we share our gratitude to all who are serving, have enlisted, and have served in days gone by. And to show how students expressed that gratitude, we hope you'll check out our blog post from yesterdays many tributes throughout all Plainfield schools. Thank you, Veterans! http://www.plainfield.k12.in.u...
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Throughout schools across the country yesterday, students paid tribute to the veterans who have served to protect our freedoms. And in Plainfield, those tributes took on many different, yet equally powerful, forms. At PHS, the Belles et Beaux competition show choir performed our National Anthem over the school-wide PA system. We've provided the link to the video (poste...
Success in any business depends on teamwork, cooperation, and support for one another. Thankfully, that spirit is alive and well in our schools. Whether celebrating significant accomplishments or standing by one another during life's challenges, our students benefit from a staff that truly cares about one another. ...
Huge thanks today to the students and staff at PHS for collecting 105 units of blood at last week's Blood Drive! We're grateful for the example these young people are setting: help others, pay it forward....
This isn't at all what I'd planned for today's gratitude message, but I can't resist. Teachers and principals attend a lot of training/professional development, and often, it takes place before (for elementary) or after (for middle and high school) the school day. Today we have 30 elementary teachers and principals here for a webinar. And this is the scene outside the ...
This is a great opportunity to spotlight some of the wonderful partnerships that benefit students in Plainfield schools. One such partner is the Plainfield Guilford Township Public Library (@PGTPLOnline ). They host field trips, they visit schools and support individual programs and projects in the schools, they offer a wide variety of after-school programs, they parti...
Picking up on some comments from over the weekend, today we honor our Transportation team. The PCSC bus drivers, mechanics and office team are incredibly devoted to safety and our students. And they are so genuinely excited when our kids do well ~ like winning a #statechampionship!...
Today we are celebrating a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP! And we are grateful for the hard work, fun, sacrifices, talents, determination, teamwork, leadership and volunteers that go into creating the Indiana State School Music Association's Class B 2017 Champions - your @PlainfieldBand! #QuakerFaces...
As the @PlainfieldBand competes for a state championship today, we are thankful for the dedication of the band parents, who volunteer countless hours on behalf of their children. #ItTakesAVillage ...
PHS fourth-year Spanish students spent the morning sharing their knowledge with elementary students at all four grade schools. From colors to numbers, bingo to "I Spy," the lessons were fun and engaging for everyone involved. Here are just a few photos from Brentwood Elementary. @phsquakers @bwquakers
@phsquakers @bwquakers...
PHS fourth-year Spanish students spent the morning sharing their knowledge with elementary students at all four grade schools. From colors to numbers, bingo to "I Spy," the lessons were fun and engaging for everyone involved. Here are just a few photos from Brentwood Elementary. @phsquakers @bwquakers...
Today we're grateful for amazing students. Pictured here, members of the National Junior Honor Society at PCMS present Kitchen Manager Jessica Allen with a check for $1,089.98, the results of their fundraising efforts. The money will fund the school's Hungry Jane lunch fund for students in need. #QuakerFaces...
Did you know? Your PHS Red Pride Marching Band will perform on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium as they compete for a state championship! As a member of Class B, PHS is one of ten bands to earn a spot at this level, representing 56 Indiana bands who began this quest in their category.
This year’s band includes 151 performing members plus 22 students who assist with props...
Thank you to a generous community, responding to @PHSQuakers baseball, softball #FightAgainstHunger on Halloween!
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Each day in November, we're going to share our version of a gratitude journal. We hope you'll follow along, and if something touches your heart, we'd love for you to share your own thoughts!So for Day 1, we are grateful for Plainfield Schools retirees who come out of retirement to help us when there's a need. Sometimes they come back as substitute teachers, principals,...
Last week, the publications class of Plainfield High School distributed their first newsmagazine of the school year, featuring a new topic-driven format and a new name, the “Shakedown.” The topic, “A Teen Dating Survival Guide,” has generated strong opinions from those opposed to the content, as well as strong supporters of both the content and the First Amendment.
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Thanks to the @PlainfieldFireTerritory for spending time this week with elementary students in Plainfield, as a part of their fire safety program.At Brentwood yesterday, they met with Kindergarten students. While there were a lot of giggles while they explored the massive (on a kindergarten student's scale!) fire truck, the topics were slightly more serious in the clas...
At last evening's meeting, the Board of School Trustees approved Superintendent Olinger's recommendation to approve the 2018-2019 Transfer Student Policy. Some important things to note:
This policy refers to new transfer students.New transfer students entering Kindergarten, Grade 6 and Grade 9 will be accepted.The application window will be March 1 - May 1, and detail...
On Saturday, the PHS Girls Soccer team will travel to Zionsville to play in their first regional match. And that match was made possible by the team’s first sectional championship, which came this past Saturday.
Second-year coach and PHS teacher, A.J. McAdams, describes a group that is young and fearless. This year’s varsity team features nine freshmen and five seni...
It's a gray and rainy Tuesday. Hoosiers have read about, donated to and even traveled to help the recovery of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. We worry about the forest fires that rage out of control in the western U.S. We are still shaken from the tragedy in Las Vegas, and the continued challenges here in our own communities - addictions, poverty, hate and di...
The Indiana Department of Education released the 2016-2017 School Accountability Grades yesterday, and Plainfield schools were once again honored for the high standards and expectations that are part of our culture.
Plainfield High School, which earned a “B” last year, improved to an “A” this year. Central, Clarks Creek and Van Buren elementaries, along with PCM...
Plainfield Schools Superintendent Scott Olinger announced today that Jacki Rogers, kindergarten teacher at Brentwood Elementary, has been named assistant principal for Central and Van Buren elementary schools. The new role takes effect with the beginning of the second semester, in January 2018.
According to Olinger, “This is a much-needed position, especially a...
Thanks to the continued support of Hendricks Regional Health (@HendricksHealth ), the @nine13sports van is back to get #kidsridingbikes this year! This week the program is visiting Central Elementary (@cnquakers) and later this semester, they will visit Clarks Creek Elementary (@ccquakers). Mrs. Thacker even hopped on a bike and took on one of the more challenging cour...
If you happen to be at PCMS today, you might wonder why so many teachers are wearing t-shirts with a giraffe on them! It's an important lesson, especially on a day when many of us awakened to horrific news of another mass shooting.
A giraffe’s spots are much like human fingerprints. No two individual giraffes have exactly the same pattern. Because of their unusual sha...
Earlier this evening, members of Plainfield @Rotary, representatives from the @TownOfPlainfield, and @PCSCQuakers, gathered at Friendship Gardens to honor Plainfield's 2018 Teacher of the Year Brad DeHoff.While DeHoff learned of his honor in the spring, the tree ceremony always takes place in the fall. If you walk through Friendship Gardens, you may notice over 20 year...
The YMCA Camp in St. Paul, Indiana, better known as Flat Rock, recently hosted 90 Van Buren fifth graders, along with their teachers and chaperones. This overnight trip, similar for fifth grade students at all Plainfield elementary schools, included fun, team-building, independence, science and history, crafts, fresh air and plenty of exercise.One station taught studen...
Pictured in photo above, left to right: Dylan Miller, Maxwell Tetrick, Sidrah Badar, Daniel Zoss, Benjamin Crum
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced the Commended Students for this year, five of whom are students at Plainfield High School. They are
Sidrah Badar, who plans to study biology or chemistry,Benjamin Crum, who is looking at some Ea...
After a 23-year span that saw numerous changes in education and board governance, School Board member Mark Todisco will lend his talents to another cause. Todisco was named Wednesday evening to complete the Plainfield Clerk-Treasurer term vacated by Wes Bennett, who was recently named Commissioner of the Department of Local Government Finance for the State of Indiana.
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As we transition to the season of pumpkin spice everything, the transition of the space on the southeast corner of Clarks Creek Elementary is no less exciting. No more chlorine smell. No more locker rooms. And no more swimming pool, record boards and bleachers. Instead, steel and drywall, new bathrooms, massive new windows and an entirely new configuration. The Imagina...
Two Plainfield High School students were honored today with the news that they’ve been recognized as semifinalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), and will continue the competition that results in approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships, estimated to total more than $32 million.
Mary Czyzewski and Daniel Steely, PHS seniors, learned t...
A few years ago, Clarks Creek Elementary introduced a new Patriot Day tradition: Silent Dismissal. In an elementary school with more than 900 children, silence at any time is unusual, but even more so at dismissal. This year's program began with all students presenting handmade cards, letters and high fives to members of the military and first responders. Then, just mo...
Three of Plainfield's four elementary schools began the day with school-wide parades of local heroes: veterans and active duty service-people, and first responders. And the fourth will hold their ceremony at the end of the day (look for that post later this evening).Patriot Day 2017 marks sixteen years since the world, as today's adults knew it, changed forever. But fo...
The saying, “it takes a village to raise a child,” has been used in many scenarios, and we often use it in public education, as well. Teachers are on the front line with our students, but there are many other, very important players, on the team.
And so it is that we are incredibly proud to share the news that the Guidance Department at Plainfield Community Middl...
Today is the day!
Every PCSC student and staff member will receive a #QuakerFace to bring home with them today. On the back, you’ll find some simple instructions and an explanation, but basically, think of this as the Plainfield version of Flat Stanley.
Take your #QuakerFace with you over the next few weeks and snap a selfie to share on social media (you’l...
Making gas. A tornado in a box. Using a compass to complete a scavenger hunt. A lesson in nutrition that included creating a dolphin (out of a banana). Coding. Learning about droplets of water and molecules.These are just a few of the examples of how Central Elementary students (K-5) spent their day. Thanks to parents, volunteers and a grant from the Duke Energy Founda...
Let’s face it – most of us have great respect for teachers, and we know they are really, really smart. Sometimes we know how smart they are by the strange words and phrases they use. Right?
Well, they ARE smart. No argument there. But it shouldn’t be because they use words and phrases that most of us don’t know. And yet the world of education certainly has its ow...
The weather and eclipse path may not have combined for a perfect solar eclipse experience in Plainfield this week, but the lessons learned are likely to remain with students, especially since we only have to wait seven years for the next eclipse!PCMS students spent some time on the football field, with plenty of supervision and the appropriate and approved protective g...
On Monday, August 21 Indiana residents will be able to witness the rare occurrence of a Total Eclipse, where the moon will completely cover the sun. This will be the first Total Eclipse seen by the United States in 38 years. It will take place between 1:30-3:30 p.m., with the total eclipse occurring around 2:24 p.m.
Elementary students will witness the phenomenon of...
While gathering photos for an upcoming Kindergarten & New Parent Forum (August 17, 6 pm at the PHS Auditorium), I spent some time at Brentwood yesterday afternoon. It would be hard to guess it was just Day 6 of the school year based on the routines, the smiles, the work and activities!
In Mrs. Kennedy's room, students were working on assembling a project with colors...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 7, 2007. PLAINFIELD, IN
We have been notified by the U.S. Department of Justice that an arrest has been made in the cyberterrorism case known locally as #BrianKil. News of the arrest brings tremendous relief to families not just here in Plainfield, but nationwide.
While we know very little about the case or the arrest, we do ...
If you are having trouble logging into the Here Comes the Bus mobile app, we seem to have figured out a work-around.Go to their website (https://herecomesthebus.com/) and log in there. Once you've successfully logged in to the browser, when you go back to your mobile device to log in, it should work. If you're still having trouble with the app, please call or leave a ...
Pictured in photo above, L-R: Mr. Reber, Ms. Delks, Ms. Williams, Ms. Spindler, Mr. Moore (Assistant Principal), Mrs. Hummel, Mr. Sheppard
Ms. Delks, Speech – Language Pathology (Speech Therapy) for PCMS & PHS; not pictured here
Grew up in Elkhart; lived in Indiana her whole lifeAttended Indiana University, Saint Mary’s CollegeFavorite hobbies, pastimes: “I love fash...
While it's true that the First Day of School (#FDOS) isn't until tomorrow, TODAY was the first day back, officially, for teachers and many of our support staff. And per tradition, we gathered first for breakfast, announcements, awards and recognition.
This marks my third back-to-school season as a part of the PCSC team, and I have learned so many things during th...
Pictured above, L-R: Ms. Porcelli, Ms. Meyers, Mrs. Salesman, Ms. Giesting, Ms. Delks, Ms. SeifertMs. Delks, Speech – Language Pathology (Speech Therapy) for PCMS & PHS
Grew up in Elkhart; lived in Indiana her whole lifeAttended Indiana University, Saint Mary’s CollegeFavorite hobbies, pastimes: “I love fashion, home decorating, spending time outdoors and being with ...
New teachers this year at Van Buren, L-R: Mrs. White, Mrs. Zmijewski, Mrs. Johnson, Ms. Siepman
Mrs. White, Physical Education; 4th Grade Math
Grew up in Plainfield; lived in Indiana her whole lifeAttended Butler UniversityFavorite hobbies, pastimes: cooking, traveling, watching her kids play sportsFavorite memory as a young student: "When Mr. Nelson let me give a ...
From left to right, Ms. Holstad, Mr. Lease, Ms. Livingston, Mr. Letman, Mrs. Imburgia, Mrs. Fast
Mr. Letman: Clarks Creek, 5th Grade
Grew up in Spencer (IN); lived in Indiana and UtahColleges attended: Indiana UniversityFavorite hobbies, pastimes: photography, travel, running/hikingFavorite memories of school: "I loved writing and art class!!"
Mrs. Imburgia: Clarks ...
From left to right, Ms. Holstad, Mr. Lease, Ms. Livingston, Mr. Letman, Mrs. Imburgia, Mrs. FastMr. Letman: Clarks Creek, 5th GradeGrew up in Spencer (IN); lived in Indiana and UtahColleges attended: Indiana UniversityFavorite hobbies, pastimes: photography, travel, running/hikingFavorite memories of school: "I loved writing and art class!!"Mrs. Imburgia: Clarks Creek,...
What an amazing day of backpack distribution! We began with 800 stuffed backpacks and at 6 pm, there were only 50 left. If you couldn't make it yesterday, there will be some available at the Public Library on Monday. Then on Tuesday evening, we'll be receiving our allotment from the United Way's Backpack Attack, and those will be given to the Home School Advisers or Co...
We thought it might be fun to ask our new teachers to respond to some questions that might reveal not only their experience and expertise, but also something fun about them. Here's what we learned!Mr. Bagg, (pictured above) Brentwood Elementary, Music and 5th Grade MathGrew up in New York; lived in California, Oregon, New York, Florida and now Indiana!College degrees: ...
It's been a day filled with new acquaintances and rekindling friendships. With expectations and challenges, and hopes and dreams. With software and books, and payroll and benefits. And in the end, 26 teachers new to Plainfield have gone through the first of several orientation sessions that will span the entire school year. The 'welcome to Plainfield' doesn't happen in...
VAN BUREN
Teacher assignments will be finalized and teacher letters will be sent out via e-mail on July 25th. The one exception will be 5th grade; their letters will be sent by regular US mail arriving no later than July 25th.
Dates and times for grade level Back to School meetings are listed below:
Kindergarten: Saturday, July 29th, 1:00 pm - Drop Of...
CLARKS CREEK
July 31
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kindergarten “Meet the Teacher” and supply drop off4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Grades 1-5 Supply Drop Off
Aug. 3
K Parent Orientation 6:00 – 7:001st Grade Parent Orientation 7:00 – 8:00
August 7
2nd Grade Parent Orientation 6:00 – 7:003rd Grade Parent Orientation 7:00 – 8:00
August 14
4th Grade Parent Orientation 6:00 –...
CENTRAL
Sunday, July 30 from 3:00 - 3:45
New Student tours
Sunday, July 30
Supply Night Drop Off
Kindergarten -2nd Grade 4:00-5:00
3rd – 5th Grade 5:00-6:00
Since teachers will still be preparing for your arrival, classrooms will not be open. This is just a time to drop off supplies and to enjoy Frigid Frog, who will be in our parking lot with Snow ...
BRENTWOOD
Saturday, July 29th from 1-3 p.m.
Kindergarten Supply Drop Off
Monday, July 31st from 4-6 p.m.
1st Grade Supply Drop Off
Wednesday, August 2nd
1st Grade Back to School 5:30 – 6
2nd Grade Back to School 6 – 6:30
Thursday, August 3rd
3rd Grade Back to School 5 – 5:30
4th Grade Back to School 5:30 – 6
5th Grade Back to ...
Some of you have commented to the effect of 'what happened to the lazy, hazy days of summer?' With the required number of school days and teacher Professional Development days, and vacations and holidays, the summer has become shorter than it was when I was a child. And for teachers and administrators, there aren't many days without meetings, projects, assignments and...
Building updates and construction projects are moving at an impressive pace. The final plays of spring sports are winding down. And school camps and practices are slowing down a tiny bit as we approach the Moratorium Week of July 3 - 7.
Here are a few glimpses of some of this week's activities. Note that PHS student athletes had a big week, with Ashton Slone ...
Nearly 70 teachers, administrators and board members are attending a two-day retreat this week, and while there has been ample laughter so far, the learning surpasses the fun. Or in most cases, learning and fun are happening simultaneously!PCSC employs roughly 600 employees who span six schools, a pre-school and administration building, so it should come as no surprise...
Summer Vacation, Week Two: more professional development for teachers (LOTS more); a joint day of learning about eLearning tools and strategies, held at PHS, with Avon and the Indiana DOE; boys basketball camps; school board meeting; PHS hosted the Indiana All-Star Junior-Senior game and the IHSAA baseball semi-final (and maybe a dance recital?); and today is the PHS A...
PHS Athletic Director Torrey Rodkey has announced the hiring of Shane Abrell as the coach of the school's varsity baseball team. Abrell is a 1998 graduate of Terre Haute South High School, where he was a three-sport athlete before moving on to play baseball at Indiana State University. In his time at Indiana State University he received a B.S. degree in Management Info...
For yet another year, Plainfield Schools fared well in the annual Indiana Department of Education rankings. We are pleased to announce that Brentwood, Central, Clarks Creek and Van Buren elementaries, along with Plainfield Community Middle School, have been recognized as Four Star Schools.
In order to be considered, a school must have received an “A” for the 2015...
Like many schools in Plainfield and throughout Central Indiana, Kindergarten students at Central have trained and designed and fine-tuned their aerodynamics in preparation for today's Kindy 500. While you may not have heard the sounds of revving engines, you could easily have heard the cheers and applause from adoring parents and extended family, or the chants from cla...
Phone and internet service are out at Plainfield High School and the PCSC Transportation Center due to a fiber cut. We are working on temporary solutions and hope to have at least partial phone service restored shortly.
For immediate needs, you can call the Administration Office at 317-839-2578. We anticipate having the main PHS phone line, as well as the PHS Att...
With 14 7th and 8th grade students, PCMS science teacher Brad DeHoff earned the school's 20th state title, and its third consecutive Science Academic Super Bowl state championship last weekend.
Competing on Saturday against 243 teams at regional locations around the state, the PCMS team answered questions on this year's theme, "The French Revolution." They studied Fre...
Blake Shea and Andrew Zoss, seniors at PHS, finished in the Top 20 at last week's International DECA Competition. The duo competed in the Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making event. Competing against nearly 20,000 students makes this accomplishment even more impressive!
One of the largest events in the competition each year is the Retail Merchandising Series, ...
The rain held off. Mostly. The temps were mild. Or chilly. The energy was contagious. Honestly. The 2017 PCSC Elementary Walkathon is in the books, and thanks to support from parents, volunteers, local businesses, and enthusiastic students, the 2018-2019 academic year will once again include field trips, convocations and programs for all elementary students. At no cost...
Pictured L-R above: Emma Shoultz, Natalie Gulley, Elizabeth Bowman, Navdeep Lidher, Miss Craft (teacher and sponsor), Blake Shea, Paul Planker and Andrew Zoss. Photo taken shortly before they departed on their 4 a.m. flight Tuesday morning.
Our sideline cheering and support this week is focused on the PHS students competing in the 2017 DECA International Competition,...
The committees have met and the finalists for Plainfield's Teacher of the Year (2018) have been selected; earlier today, they were notified by Superintendent Scott Olinger and their building principal. Together, these three teachers have spent 65 years in the classroom!
After the nominations are received, each school selects their Teacher of the Year. Because we have ...
On a perfect spring evening, the PCMS 8th grade baseball players took a few minutes to say a special thank you. With the encouragement of Coach Nathan Ellis (a PHS grad himself), the players wrote a note to a middle school teacher who had made a significant impact on their life. Just prior to the game, the players and their honored teacher were introduced, and each stu...
Clarks Creek second graders just wrapped up a project involving the childhood book series, "The Magic Tree House."
Each student selected one of the books in the series to read. As part of the project, they identified seven words they were not familiar with but that appeared in the book. They completed a series of typical questions about their reading.
What wasn'...
Growth mindset is a current buzz phrase in education circles, but don't let that sour you on its meaning. While measuring what students know via tests remains important, it's also important to measure, and honor, how far they've come in a year (or any time frame) - thus, growth mindset. In essence, how much progress are students making in what they are learning?So the ...
It's known as Senior Hot Dog Day. And yes, there's a Junior, Sophomore and Freshman Hot Dog Day.
Principal Mr. Siefert, Assistant Principals Mr. Schwanekamp and Mr. Menser, and Athletic Director Mr. Rodkey secretly love these days. They get to spend a couple hours outside, working the grill, playing some tunes, and serving their students.
The light-hearted atm...
At their annual Partners in Education dinner last night, the Plainfield Optimist Club recognized teachers and support staff from Saint Susanna and all six PCSC schools. In addition to the adult honors, students were recognized and provided the evening's entertainment. PHS students Adam Vincent, Anna Ardelean and Jacob Brejcha received awards for their success in the Op...
Plainfield High School learned this week that seven members of its junior class have earned the distinction of being included in the National Merit Scholar Corporation’s list of Top 50,000 students taking this year’s exam.
While this is a preliminary announcement, students will learn in the fall if they’ve advanced to the Semifinalist stage.
Th...
At its meeting this evening, the Board of School Trustees approved the hiring of Ben Moore to join Plainfield High School next year as an assistant principal.
Moore has been the Northridge Middle School (Crawfordsville) Principal since 2014, and was the assistant principal there for two years prior.
The Hanover and Butler graduate will move into the role curr...
Plainfield has a rich history of outstanding fine and performing arts programs, and judging by the data, this year is no different.
At Plainfield Community Middle School, the Advanced Fine Arts (AFA) class presented "The Sound of Music" last month to not one, not two, but three sold-out crowds. These 7th and 8th grade students have worked since January to bring t...
Clarks Creek is in the midst of this year’s One School, One Book (OSOB) project. This project, in its second year at CC, involves every FAMILY receiving a copy of a given book (thank you PTO!). Our hope is that each family will spend time together reading one chapter per night. This not only boosts reading at home, but also gives us some common ground to talk to stud...
The Life Skills Class at PHS is about to wrap up a spirit week that has been both fun and educational. To recognize National Disability Awareness Month, the class and its teachers organized a spirit week, where students and teachers dress in a certain way each day. In this case, the days were designated by disabilities, with each represented by its color. Monday was b...
Congratulations to PHS senior, Sidra Ahmad, who was just named a 2017 Indiana Academic All-Star. The future medical school student is finalizing her college plans, but an Indiana university is on the short list. At PHS, Sidra is incredibly well-rounded, while maintaining a 4.8 GPA. She serves as Vice President of National Honor Society, is Secretary of the Student Gove...
Adults, kids and families across the country are converging upon a new group activity, where they must work together to solve a series of riddles and problems to decipher clues that, eventually, help them escape a room. Teamwork, creative thinking and risk taking are just a few of the skills needed, and in the end, most report that the experience is great fun. So now, ...
Gone are the days of school concerts dragging on for hours if you include the early arrival to secure a good seat, the seemingly endless array of songs and the traffic jam upon departure. Today's concerts are extremely well attended, yet efficient. They feature solos and speaking parts and harmony and challenging scores. And they are quick. Efficiency is the name of th...
If you're soon to be a first-time Kindergarten parent, you may be thinking "WAIT, slow down time!" But believe it or not, it's time for Kindergarten Registration! Plainfield has just implemented an online registration system (found here) that allows parents to complete all the forms via computer. But there are still some items that must be turned in to the schools, in...
Many times, a change in coaching will be followed by a transition that requires the team to adapt. And sometimes, that means the wins don’t happen right away. But for the PHS Swimming/Diving team (the same coaches oversee the boys’ and girls’ programs), the transition was, dare we say, waveless? After 26 years as the head swimming and diving coach, Chris Cavanaugh set ...
It's not everyday, or every year in this case, that student athletes make it to the state stage for their sport. Win or lose, the experience is one to be cherished and honored. They may not be returning to class on Monday with medals around their necks, but this group of PHS students has made their name in the pools, and in the halls and classrooms, and we all can take...
Plainfield 4th and 5th grade students are competing for the first time this year, and we wish them well as they head to the Tri West area (North Salem Elementary) for their competition later today. We are so proud of these students, even before the event begins!FEBRUARY 23, 2017NEWS RELEASE – Indiana Academic M.A.T.H. Bowl(Math Academic Teams for Hoosiers)Over 8,600 s...
At this evening's school board meeting, several staffing changes were approved, and we wanted to share the news with our school families at the same time we're sharing it online. These are exciting and positive changes for our district and we hope you'll join us in congratulating everyone involved in these long-term, strategic moves. What follows is the official announ...
MS The future of Plainfield swimming appears to be bright, as last night's first PCMS meet of the year resulted in not one, not two, but three broken records. In the 200 Girls Medley Relay, 7th graders Meg Parker and Grace Brackney teamed with 8th graders Julia Muskat and Sam Meier to finish in 2:02.8, beating the 1995 record established by Lindsey Coyle, Jesse Helgaso...
The Indiana Department of Education has released school accountability grades for 2016, by school district, and once again, Plainfield Community School Corporation earned an "A" rating. While many districts throughout the state saw their ratings drop from 2015, Plainfield repeated its "A" status and for 2016, falls in the top 8% of all Indiana school districts. "We sha...
As we wrap up the last hours in the school corporation's pre-Christmas fervor, it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the many successes of the first semester. Elementary students flocked to join new after-school activities, and they will have even more opportunities when the Math Bowl process begins next semester. Our Robotics programs are providing wonderful...
The week of December 5th was designated National Computer Science Week and Plainfield schools participated in the "Hour of Code" challenge.From elementary through high school, students participated in projects created by and found on the Code.org website. In Shane Abrell's PHS Computer Science course, students re-created the now-vintage computer game, Pong, and held a ...
The tradition of Elf Day, on that final day of the year, was one that Mr. Underwood was always fond of. His spirit, his love for our children, and his personality really sparkled on this very fun day.Funeral arrangements have been made and his obituary is as follows. We continue to hold his family, his many friends, and the thousands of colleagues and students in our h...
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mr. Mike Underwood. Mike has been a teacher and principal in Plainfield for 40 years, and has had a profound influence on his students, teachers and colleagues. As recently as last month, he was spending his post-retirement days as a security assistant at Central and Van Buren.The Plainfield school com...
In this time of 24/7 news, it might be wise to pause and consider the impact this week’s election could have on our children. There was some chatter about young children saying very hurtful things to their classmates yesterday. Some of that did happen; some of it did not. But our teachers and principals are aware of what is taking place, and they are dealing with it. P...
Imagine the anticipation, the excitement and maybe even the butterflies as a first grade student prepares to visit the principal's office for the sole purpose of reading her a book! I had the good fortune of being at Central this morning when that happened, and with his mother's permission, I get to share a few of the photos. Ethan was eagerly waiting for Mrs. Thacker ...
Nearly 70 fourth year Spanish students left PHS this morning for a rather unusual field trip. Instead of soaking up information and experiences at a museum or state park, they spent their day in the classroom, teaching young students in all four Plainfield grade schools some basic Spanish. PHS Spanish teacher, Jamie Nichols explained that this is the third year for the...
All too often we read about the laziness, the lethargy, the lack of motivation among young people. While those of us with the good fortune of working for PCSC see a very different scenario, it's my good fortune to share the stories with you.On Saturday, long before many teens (and let's be honest - their parents!) were up and about, members of the PHS Octagon Club (ass...
Plainfield High School is pleased to announce that Sidra Ahmad and Bree Hall have been named Commended Students by the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Sidra and Bree are being recognized for exceptional academic promise and outstanding performance on the qualifying exam. More than 1.6 million students nationwide took the 2015 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Sc...
It would be hard to top the beauty of this late October afternoon, especially if you're having a tree-planting ceremony! The Plainfield Rotary Club is a tremendous supporter of our schools, students and teachers, and as part of the Teacher of the Year program, they honor each year's honoree with a tree and plaque at Friendship Gardens.This afternoon, at their invitatio...
Sadly, many people don't realize that we still teach Art, Music and P.E. in Plainfield schools. At Brentwood, this project was created in August and represented work of all students, K-5, in the school. What a beautiful way to illustrate their "Brentwood Family Tree," and an important reminder that art is important to all of us. ...
In the span of most teachers’ careers, they rarely get the chance to appear on national television. But for one Plainfield High School teacher, the call came not once, but twice. Chris Cavanaugh is well known at PHS for many things – he coached swimming and diving for 26 years, for instance. But perhaps most of all, he co-teaches CHAP (Cultural History of the American ...
Students in Megan Johnson's 3rd grade class at Central Elementary enjoyed a VERY special lunch today! One of their classmates wrote an essay about how special their teacher is, and the Hendricks County ICON awarded the student AND Mrs. Johnson with a lunch catered by Chick-fil-A Plainfield. Thank you to the Icon and Chick-fil-A for honoring one of our teachers in this ...
It would be difficult to be unaware of the presidential election that takes place next month. It might be difficult to miss the fact that we'll be electing a new Governor, and state and federal legislators, too. But many people might not be aware that our November elections now include the selection of local school board candidates.In Plainfield, our Board of School Tr...
Friday night. PHS vs. Decatur Central.Two ranked 5A teams.Two undefeated Mid-State Conference teams. Lucas Oil Stadium. 6 pm.Youth Football Players on the field during pre-game. Belles et Beaux perform National Anthem. Red Pride Marching Band perform at halftime. Red Pride Nation - will you be there? ...
In appreciation of the ongoing support and partnership we enjoy with the Plainfield Police Department, the Board of School Trustees last week approved a donation to cover the cost of a new K-9 officer. Citing a long-standing cooperative relationship between the school corporation and the police department, as well as the constantly evolving nature of school security, t...
Friday, September 9th was an incredibly busy day in the Plainfield schools. Not to say that EVERY day isn't busy, but Friday went well beyond the normal.At Central and Clarks Creek elementaries, students invited first responders and veterans to attend a special program in honor of Patriot Day. Given that these students weren't born when 9/11 happened, the programs offe...
To commemorate Patriot Day, Central students and staff invited local first responders and all veteran relatives of the students to take part in a parade through the school this morning. Classes prepared for the event by discussing the events (in age-appropriate ways) of 9/11, making paper flags, ribbons and signs, and many students dressed in red, white and blue for th...
We are thrilled to share the news that PHS English and Publications teacher, Michelle Burress, has been selected as a finalist for the Indiana Department of Education’s 2017 Teacher of the Year award. Mrs. Burress was selected 2017 Plainfield Teacher of the Year by a committee of peers and parents from more than 100 nominations last winter. She then developed an in-dep...
On this Friday morning at Van Buren Elementary, fun was happening in all corners of the school. From classrooms where students chose their own work station and projects, to silly class pictures, to reading buddies, to a music convocation by local band, The Crawdaddies, there was a lot of positive energy.Students in grades K-2 enjoyed a special music convocation by The ...
In an age where so much is written about absentee dads, it was a vision of pride, joy and contentment at Brentwood this morning, when more than 300 students and dads of all forms came to school early for Donuts with Dads.
Overheard:
* Show me where you sit for lunch* Is this the door you come in from the bus in the morning?* Introduce me to your friends* There's ...
We've said it many times - we are in the business of educating children, but keeping them safe is our top priority. So with that in mind, let's think about the math, and the challenges, of safely getting students out of their classrooms and on their way home at the end of each school day.For those who ride buses, the process is orderly and well-practiced. For the walke...
As First Days go, yesterday was pretty terrific. New school hours, new traffic patterns, new bus routes, new students - with all the "firsts" and "news" that come with a FDOS, the ear-to-ear smiles on the faces of students, parents and teachers tell the story. At PHS, students received new 1:1 devices. At Central, students walked into renovated classrooms and bathrooms...
While our neighbor children are sleeping in for the last couple of days before the routine kicks back into high gear, and while parents are wondering where the summer went, new educators spent today getting oriented to Plainfield's schools. We are welcoming 25 new faces to the #RedPride family, and each of those teachers and administrators will work as a cohort, throug...
As the summer weeks lead to the first day of school (Tuesday, August 2nd), the work continues in the Central Elementary renovation and the Administration Building addition. Here are just a few photos to help tell the story. #RedPride #AllAboutTheKids...
It's a rather quiet Friday in the Admin Building, but we are getting LOADS of work done. We're often asked if we get the summer off like students and teachers. Now that I've been in this position a little over a year, I have a whole new perspective on "summer!"First of all, our teachers don't really "get the summer off." They have work days, voluntary work days, confer...
As we enjoy the last day of this three-day weekend, and as our newest graduates continue to celebrate and be celebrated, and as a rookie basks in the glory of winning the 100th running of the Indy 500 ... may we all pause to remember, and give thanks to, those who have served to protect our freedoms. And let's not forget the newest PHS grads who have already committed ...
Facebook is being flooded today, as moms and dads compare their children’s photos from last summer’s First Day of School to today’s Last Day of School. Teachers are sharing photos of their classes enjoying Last Day of School celebrations, many of them outdoors on this gorgeous spring day.It has been a wonderfully successful year for Plainfield’s students and teachers. ...
The Indiana Department of Education today released the Four Star School report for the 2014-2015 year, and for the fourth time, every Plainfield school achieved Four Star status. While more than 280 public and private schools were name Four Star schools, only six districts (also known as school corporations) have the distinction of every school in the district meetin...
PCMS students and coaches are wrapping up another outstanding year of Academic Super Bowl competition, and this year, all five teams brought home medals! Two teams, Science and Interdisciplinary, are your State Champions, while the Social Studies, English and Math teams finished in second place statewide. The theme for this year's competition was "Indiana's Bicentennia...
Or they think they are. Or they really are smarter than we are, about some things. Like social media apps, and texting lingo that makes no sense to most adults.How do we keep children safe in an era of instant sharing, when detailed information is just a few clicks away, and when we have access practically at every moment of every day? As a parent, diligence is key.And...