Plainfield Central High School

Plainfield High School - Central Campus, or PHS-CC, is a four-year public high school in Plainfield, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. It is part of Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, which also includes three other high schools: Plainfield South High School, Plainfield North High School and Plainfield East High School.

Plainfield High School - Central Campus
Address
Map
24120 West Fort Beggs Drive

,
60544

United States
Coordinates41°36′08″N 88°12′23″W / 41.6022524°N 88.2064535°W / 41.6022524; -88.2064535[1]
Information
School typePublic High School
Established1959
School districtPlainfield Community Consolidated School District 202
SuperintendentGlenn Wood[2]
PrincipalChris Chlebek [3]
Teaching staff118.20 (FTE)[4]
Grades912
GenderCoed
Enrollment2,070 (2018-19)[4]
Average class size23[5]
Student to teacher ratio17.51[4]
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)  Forest green
  White
[6]
Fight song"When the Cats Begin to Fight"
Athletics conferenceSouthwest Prairie Conference[6]
Team nameWildcats[6]
NewspaperThe Fielder
Websitepchs.psd202.org

Campus history edit

 
PHSCC Welcome Sign

The original building was destroyed by one of the worst tornadoes in Illinois history. The Plainfield Tornado, which was rated an F5, struck the town on August 28, 1990, one day before classes were scheduled to begin. Three faculty and staff members lost their lives during this storm.[7] Had school been in session, casualties could have been even more grave, as the tornado hit the school directly. In the middle of the 1992–1993 school year students moved into the new PHS building. At the time, it was one of the most technically advanced high schools in the state of Illinois, complete with its own observatory.

In 1998, the school added a "Freshman Center" with its own gymnasium and cafeteria. The new freshman center has three floors and is connected to the main building by an enclosed catwalk.

In 2005, the school constructed a new snack building and restrooms on the south end of the football–track stadium. In 2007, a new home grandstand was constructed, replacing the visitors' seating on the west side of the football field, and the former home grandstand was converted into visitor seating. The new home grandstand was built using only steel, contrasting with the former home seating which was constructed of brick and concrete. The grandstand opening had been planned for the pre-season 'Green and White Night' event, but construction set-backs led to its opening about one month late.

With the addition of a larger home grandstand, shot put and discus fields were relocated further west, behind the new grandstand.

Also in 2007, the faculty installed over 300 high-resolution wireless cameras to monitor the campus. New computer security measures were implemented which block some internet proxy servers, game-related sites, and other sites that the school district felt distracted their students from the educational process.

The school replaced all its computers and monitors with Dell computers with LCD screens. In the 2008-2009 school year, classroom projectors that could display what was on the current teacher's computer were installed.

On June 9, 2008, severe weather resulted in damage to the tennis court fences and school roof. Although this occurred during a prolonged tornado outbreak throughout the United States, there were no confirmed reports of a tornado.

Athletics & Activities edit

Athletics edit

Plainfield Central competes in the Southwest Prairie Conference and is a member of the Illinois High School Association. The school fields teams in the following sports during the following seasons.[8]

  • Fall: Boys & Girls Cross Country, Boys Football, Boys & Girls Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Swimming & Diving, Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball
  • Winter: Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys & Girls Bowling, Boys Swimming & Diving, Boys Wrestling, Competitive Cheerleading, Competitive Dance, Hockey
  • Spring: Boys Baseball, Boys Tennis, Boys Track & Field, Boys Volleyball, Girls Badminton, Girls Softball, Girls Soccer, Girls Track & Field, Boys and Girls Lacrosse

Despite being able to trace its existence back to 1891, Plainfield Central has never won a team state championship.[6]

Hall of Fame edit

In the spring of 1998, the high school established its athletic hall of fame to honor athletes, coaches, boosters, and fans who have made significant contributions to the athletic programs. The first class was inducted in 1999.

Year Inductee Contribution
1999 Tom Baker Coach
Kathy Kazmar Coach
Karen Roppa Coach
Clyde Avery Athlete
Scott Davis Athlete
John Ivlow Athlete
Mike Miller Athlete
Dave Needham Athlete
Carol Markwell Volunteer
James Ciarlette Athlete
1937 Football Team
2000 Kathy Cartwright Coach
Chuck Harris Administration
Ben Bates Athlete
Laurie Watters Athlete
2001 Chris Priest Athlete
Jenny (Larson) Smeets Athlete
2002 Carol Bragg Athlete
2003 Michael Zbacnik Coach
2004 Gene Fassiotto Fan/Booster
Don Martin Coach
Laura Nier Athlete
2005 1982 Girls Volleyball Team
2006 Nate Fox Athlete
Cody Salter Athlete
2007 Steve Riederer Coach
Dave Cassetto Athlete
Teresa Coccaro-Keniley Athlete
Chris Traversa Athlete
1953 Football Team
2008 1983 Softball Team
2009 Dave Stephens Coach
2010 2000 Football team

Activities edit

Plainfield Central competes in the following IHSA sponsored activities:[6]

  • Bass Fishing
  • Chess
  • Drama
  • Speech
  • Journalism
  • Marching Band
  • Vocal
  • Scholastic Bowl

Clubs and organizations edit

Plainfield Central has the following clubs and organizations:[9]

  • Armed Forces Club
  • Art Club
  • Bio Explorations
  • Chess Club
  • Fellowship of Christian Athletes
  • French Club
  • German Club
  • Green and White Review
  • GSA
  • History Through Film Club
  • Interact Club
  • Key Club
  • Lacrosse Club
  • Link Crew
  • Math Competition Club
  • Music Production Club
  • National Honor Society
  • Orchesis Dance Company
  • Promoting Equality and Acceptance at Central for Everyone (P.E.A.C.E)
  • Spanish Club
  • Student Council
  • Tech Crew
  • The Fielder - school newspaper
  • WALC
  • Yearbook
  • E Sports Club

References edit

  1. ^ "Plainfield High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. March 26, 1999. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  2. ^ "Superintendent's Page". Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  3. ^ "D. 202 Hires, Promotes Several Building, District Administrators". Plainfield Central High School. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Plainfield High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Illinois School Report Card". Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Plainfield (Central)". Illinois High School Association (IHSA). April 30, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  7. ^ "30 years later, the tornado still has Plainfield's name on it". The Herald-News. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  8. ^ "Plainfield Central HS". Retrieved May 28, 2016.
  9. ^ "Plainfield Central High School Clubs and Organizations". Retrieved May 28, 2016.

External links edit