Posted October 23, 2023
Plymouth School District Community Education and Recreation serves as a bridge between the schools and the community. As such, Community Ed & Rec strives to provide learning and wellness opportunities for people of all ages.
Below is a look at activities from one recent day, Wednesday Oct. 18. Not all of these activities happen every day, and there are many other activites that didn’t happen this day, but what follows is a representative sampling of the wide range of opportunities that fall under the umbrella of Community Ed & Rec.
This facility, which opened in 2019 as part of the Plymouth High School addition, features circuit training machines, cardio machines, and free weights. Community members may use the facility from 5 to 7 a.m. and from 3:30 to 7 p.m. District taxpayers receive discounted memberships, which begin at $25/month.
Learn more: Fitness Opportunities webpage
Extra Mile, for students in grades 1-4, is open at each elementary school from 6 a.m. until the start of school and after school until 6 p.m. Berry Branch, for potty trained children in 4K and 5K, also is open from 6 a.m. until the start of school and after school until 6 p.m., with care also available opposite the 4K day. Both programs provide enriching activities, such as visits from Nourish, as well as plenty of opportunities to play.
Learn more: Child Care webpage
Mulberry Bush, open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., provides care for preschool children as young as 6 weeks old at Horizon Elementary School.
Learn more: Child Care webpage
The office is located just inside Door 18 in the addition on the south end of Plymouth High School. This is where our four part-time employees coordinate class registrations, facility use outside the school day, communications, and administrative functions. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
Learn more: Meet our staff
This program for potty-trained 3-year-olds features a DPI-certified teacher, a phonemic curriculum that aligns with the district 4K curriculum, and age-appropriate social and emotional development. Children also get to enjoy the new tot-sized playground we added at Horizon.
Learn more: 3K information
As the school day begins for older students, we provide morning child care for those in afternoon 4K. Students enjoy a variety of fun and enriching activities, lunch, and a recess before heading to the 4K classroom. (Similar programming in the afternoons is available for those in morning 4K.)
Learn more: Child Care webpage
This fitness class, so popular that it usually fills the same day registration opens, offers progressive exercises that strengthen the core, and improve balance and flexibility. It is one of several fitness classes to meet in the PHS Studio, an awesome space that we envisioned when the addition was built and which now is used by several student groups as well.
Learn more: MyRec class description
The majority of our 50-some employees work in child care, a significant component of our programming. Child-care leaders from each site meet monthly with the Community Ed & Rec director to address staffing, training, and financial issues.
Students in grades 5 and 6 are encouraged to participate in this free program, which is directed by Riverview physical education teacher Gina Krueger but open to all area fifth- and sixth-graders, including those who are homeschooled or attending parochial schools. Intramurals offers a variety of physical activities to accommodate different levels of skill and interests. The goal of the program is to allow students to enjoy physical activities without the pressure to compete and win. (The next session begins Oct. 30; register via MyRec by Oct. 27.)
Learn more: Riverview Intramurals website
We operate the afterschool program at the Youth Center, which is owned by the City of Plymouth and located next to Riverview Middle School. All students in grades 5-8 living in the Plymouth School District, including students who attend parochial schools, can purchase memberships by the month, trimester, or year. The Youth Center is open until 5 p.m. with at least one adult present at all times. We provide enrichment programming for interested students (simple meals, recreation, team building, crafts, etc.) but these activities are optional, and the Youth Center also is a safe place to just hang out with friends or do homework.
Learn more: Youth Center webpage
Our adult Fitness Center staff oversees the very popular student hour from 3 to 4 p.m. (in addition to the community hours). Students in grades 5-12 living in the district or attending our schools can use the Fitness Center for free, though students must be registered for a free student membership via MyRec by a parent/guardian and must scan in each visit. Younger students need a parent/guardian with them, but older students can use the facility independently.
Learn more: Fitness Center webpage
Just as in the morning, community members may use the Fitness Center after school until 7 p.m. (as well as from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays).
Learn more: Fitness Opportunities webpage
After school lets out for the day, we provide child care at each school until 6 p.m. Students can eat snacks, enjoy time outside, do crafts, play with games and toys, and get help with homework.
Learn more: Child Care webpage
One of our longest-running fitness classes, Total Body Training allows participants to increase their heart rate with low- to medium- impact intervals using weights, bosu balls, resistance bands, and stability balls, while strengthening the muscles of the core.
Learn more: MyRec class registration
Les Mills BodyPump is another of our very popular group fitness classes! This science-backed, full-body barbell workout to great music sculpts and strengthens each muscle group. Participants achieve 1,000 repetitions or more each class. In addition to the Wednesday class, BodyPump also is offered 5:30-6:15 p.m. Mondays, 5:15-6:15 p.m. Tuesdays, and 8-9 a.m. Saturdays.
Learn more: MyRec class registration
One of our most popular recreational options, with 66 registered participants! We offer pickleball play from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays in the Parkview Gym and from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in the Fairview Gym. Both classes are full, but we do have wait lists available in case spots open. Interested in trying pickleball, but new to the sport? We usually offer a beginner class each session; sign up early because they fill quickly!
Learn more: MyRec class description
We offer a pair of classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings in the Plymouth High School pool. Deep Water is a motivational class using water resistance for a great workout; participants must be comfortable in deep water. Water Walking, held at the same time so help is nearby, allows people to walk at their own pace for a great self-directed workout.
Learn more: MyRec class registration
This opportunity is for those wishing to swim laps in the PHS pool. Lap swims are offered:
-6-7am Tuesdays & Fridays Oct. 3-Dec. 19
-7:30-8:30pm Mondays & Wednesdays
-7:30-8:30am Saturdays Sept. 30-Dec. 9
Learn more: MyRec registration
• Visit plymouthwi.myrec.com to view available opportunities and register online.
• View or download a copy of the complete Fall 2023 Course Guide.
• Contact the Community Ed & Rec office at commedrec@plymouth.k12.wi.us or 920-892-5068.
• Visit our office 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on the south end (Door 18) of Plymouth High School, 125 S. Highland Ave.
• Sign up for our e-newsletter to be among the first to know when new opportunities are available.
• Visit our Facebook page, where we share information regularly about our learning and wellness offerings for community members of all ages.
• Follow our Instagram feed to see some of the awesome things happening in Community Ed & Rec!
