The Plymouth High School Jazz Ensemble recently competed in the ISSMA Jazz Contest at Portage High School, earning a Gold Award from all three judges and an overall Gold Award for their performance. Outstanding Soloist Awards were also presented to Thomas Sampson (trombone), Ben Beery (bass guitar), and Samuel Bradley (guitar) for their impressive solos. The Plymouth Jazz Ensemble has maintained this superior rating for over 25 consecutive years. Congratulations to these talented musicians on their outstanding achievement!
Webster Elementary School has been recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community at Work®!
One of About 600 Schools and Districts in the US and Canada to Receive This Honor
Webster Elementary was recently recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work® (PLC) process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. PLCs are schools and districts in which educators recognize that the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students.
The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:
Focus on learning.
Build a collaborative culture.
Create a results orientation.
Responding to news of the recognition, Principal Brooke Busse said, “Wow...I am beyond excited and so proud of our staff and students! It takes a village to ensure success for all students and I couldn't have imagined doing it alongside anyone else. We have an incredibly dedicated and hardworking staff. Our students feel loved and supported and at the same time understand we expect their best effort every day. Our school motto is 'Together we can do hard things!' which speaks perfectly to our belief in the PLC approach!”
Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.
According to the Champions of PLC at Work®, educators in the schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown “a sustained commitment to helping all of their students achieve at high levels. They have been willing to alter the structure and culture of the organization to reflect their commitment. We applaud them and congratulate them for achieving this very significant milestone on the never-ending PLC journey.”
Liz Miller, a dedicated educator at Webster Elementary, added, “Being recognized as a Model PLC School is an honor that highlights the dedication and collaboration of our teaching teams and the entire school community. We are committed to following the process and ensuring that our instruction prioritizes the essential knowledge and skills students need to succeed.”
Tana Houin, another incredible educator at Webster, also expressed her pride in the school’s achievement: “I am extremely honored and proud of our entire school in earning the Model PLC designation. This is a result of the hard work, dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of working through the PLC process to develop high-quality, effective instruction to reach the highest learning potential for our students. Webster has consistently created a warm, loving, and nurturing environment which allows all students to succeed.”
Recognized model PLC schools are listed on allthingsplc.info, where they share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with other educators interested in improving their schools. Tools for team collaboration, articles and research about PLCs, blog posts, and other related resources are also available on the site. The site was developed and is maintained by Solution Tree, a leading provider of educational strategies and tools that improve staff and student performance. For more than 25 years, Solution Tree resources have helped K–12 teachers and administrators create schools where all children succeed.
The Plymouth High School Speech team takes home the STATE CHAMPION title!🏆 Congratulations to our students and coaches!
The Plymouth Robotics Team 587W "Pinknado" from Lincoln Junior High School had an impressive showing at the Chesterton/Duneland Winter MS VEX V5 High Stakes Robotics Competition, earning two prestigious awards. The team received the V5RC Judges Award for their outstanding effort, perseverance, and creativity, as well as the Chesterton "Handshake Award" for demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and teamwork.
Additionally, team 587Z "Zingbots" reached the semifinals, and both teams 586X “Flying Purple Pigs” and 586Y “Yak” made it to the quarterfinals.
Congratulations to these awesome students!
Check out Youth Art Month at Heartland Art Center all month long! A reception will be held this Friday from 5-7pm. Here are just a few art pieces from our students!
Do you have an incoming Kindergartener?
Kindergarten Roundup is right around the corner!
🗓️ March 18, 2025
🕒 3pm-6pm
This is more than just signing up for kindergarten—it’s the start of a journey for the Plymouth High School Class of 2038, with countless memories, lessons, laughs, friends, adventures, growth, and change to come. Your kindergartener has many opportunities ahead of them. We are honored to be a part of their life, and cannot wait to welcome your little one into the Big Red P family. ❤️🤍
Click the link to sign up for Kindergarten Roundup, and we will contact you with a time and your assigned school! https://forms.gle/EY6aB4jGvsSwZA9x9
PCSC would like to welcome new North Central CTE Director, Aaron Esper!
The St. Joseph County Community Health Fair is March 18 from 3:30-6:30pm at the Century Center in the Discovery Ballroom at 120 S. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601. All services are free. Find the details here:
Join the Riverside Rockets for their production of Slumber Tales on March 14 at 6:30 PM at the Lincoln Education Center!
Admission is $2, and we’re also collecting canned goods to support the Bread of Life Food Pantry. Don’t miss this exciting performance—come out and support our talented students!
The Plymouth High School Speech Team won their 43rd straight sectional speech tournament on Saturday with 230 points over second place Penn with 185 points. The team also qualified 38 out of 40 entries for the ISSDA State Speech Tournament on Saturday, March 8 at Fishers High School. Plymouth won their first sectional tournament in 1982 and they have won every sectional since that time under the direction of just three head coaches: Dan Tyree, David McKenzie, and current head coach Eric Schaefer. Students qualifying for the state tournament are as follows:
Broadcasting: Alex Kizer
Declamation: Kylinn Kain (champion), Nathan King, Ray Ye, and Marcy Sickmiller.
Discussion: Eva Macey
Drama: Dariel Herrera (champion), Claire Lewandowski, Angel Oviedo, and Katelyn Golba.
Duo: Dariel Herrera/Claire Lewandowski (champions), Waylon Pitts/Rylan James, Olivia Burch/Dylan Buchanon, and Hayli Sullivan/Landon Cooper.
Humor: Brice Hoover, Brandon Woods, Olivia Burch and Madelyn Hutchings,
Impromptu: Tyler Travis (champion)
Informative: Alex Kizer, Katie Fritz, and Cora Hanes.
International Extemp: Maddie Harness and Marcy Sickmiller.
Original Oratory: Maddie Harness (champion)
Original Performance: Rylan James/Waylon Pitts (champions), and Joel Rodriguez/Audriana Flores.
Poetry: Estela Mendez (champion), Ray Ye, and Kylinn Kain.
Program Oral Interp: Madelyn Hutchings, Estela Mendez, and Lylianah Seidelmann.
Prose: Lylianah Seidelmann (champion), Angel Oviedo, Audriana Flores, and Lance Weldon.
US Extemp: Tyler Travis (champion)
The team finished 2nd in the state last year losing to Munster High School by 2 points. Their goal this year, as always, is to come home as state champions
This Friday, the PHS Theatre Department will be presenting the play Les Miserables. This historical adaptation, by Sarah Bernstein of Victor Hugos’s novel, is presented by arrangement with Playscripts Inc.
Performances are this Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1. Both performances are at 7:00 PM in the Plymouth High School Auditorium.
Guests are asked to use Door #5, the main doors in the large parking lot at the north end of Plymouth High School. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.
Tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets are $6.00 and this is a CASH ONLY sale.
Staying active can be fun in all seasons! Last week, a group of Plymouth High School students from Mr. Hovermale's PE class took a refreshing trip to the Susan Bardwell Aquatic Center, proving that swimming isn’t just for summer. What a great way to stay moving—even in the winter!
Last week, Lincoln Jr. High and Webster Elementary’s student councils came together to brighten the day for residents at Miller’s Merry Manor for Valentine's Day.
Through painting, conversation, and sweet treats, students and seniors connected across generations. For seniors, engaging with younger generations can reduce loneliness, improve cognitive function, and even lower the risk of depression.
Studies show that seniors who interact with children and teens experience increased levels of happiness and a greater sense of purpose. These connections can also stimulate memory recall and provide a renewed sense of vitality.
For students, spending time with older adults helps develop empathy, social skills, and a deeper appreciation for different life experiences.
Research suggests that intergenerational programs can lead to greater respect for the elderly and reduce age-related stereotypes. This also helps with communication skills and emotional intelligence in children. Pictured is our group of students and sponsors, and a photo by Pilot News Group of students painting with residents!
You can read more about this day in Pilot News Group.
Do you have an incoming Kindergartener?
Kindergarten Roundup is right around the corner!
🗓️ March 18, 2025
🕒 3pm-6pm
This is more than just signing up for kindergarten—it’s the start of a journey for the Plymouth High School Class of 2038, with countless memories, lessons, laughs, friends, adventures, growth, and change to come. Your kindergartener has many opportunities ahead of them. We are honored to be a part of their life, and cannot wait to welcome your little one into the Big Red P family. ❤️🤍
Click the link to sign up for Kindergarten Roundup, and we will contact you with a time and your assigned school! https://forms.gle/EY6aB4jGvsSwZA9x9
The cold weather bus for walkers will not run today due to driver illness.
The PHS Theatre Department will be presenting the play Les Miserables. This historical adaptation, by Sarah Bernstein of Victor Hugos’s novel, is presented by arrangement with Playscripts Inc.
Performances are Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1. Both performances are at 7:00 PM in the Plymouth High School Auditorium.
Guests are asked to use Door #5, the main doors in the large parking lot at the north end of Plymouth High School. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.
Tickets will be sold at the door. All tickets are $6.00 and this is a CASH ONLY sale.
Hello,
Phones are down corporation-wide this morning.
We have contacted the provider and are waiting for a resolution.
Thank you.
The cold weather bus for walkers will not run today due to driver illness.
All PCSC buildings are closed tomorrow, 2/17/25, in observance of Presidents' Day.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Today marks our last day of highlighting our amazing married employees.
Meet Meghan and David Pugh! Meghan is the Theater Teacher at Plymouth High School, and David is a Music Teacher at Menominee and Washington Discovery Academy. Married for 8 years and best friends for 11, they have two amazing kids: Lilly, who is 7, and Jacob, who is 2. When they’re not teaching, they love writing, singing, and performing Worship music together.
We’re so fortunate to have the Pughs as part of our PCSC family!
We hope you all enjoyed hearing the stories of the different couples this week!
