Elementary Students Experience Musical Magic with Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra
Fourth and fifth-grade students from Bittersweet, Elm Road, Mary Frank, Meadow’s Edge, and Northpoint elementary schools recently enjoyed a musical demonstration by the Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra. This event offered the elementary students an exciting glimpse into what musical instruments may be in their future.
The demonstration began with a slow, moving piece before transitioning into a showcase of individual instruments. Penn orchestra members lined up at the front of the stage to perform brief solos. Each instrument’s unique sound and appearance were highlighted, sparking curiosity and excitement among the elementary students.
The event reached its peak when two Penn teachers brought a thrilling touch of cinematic drama to the stage. Dressed as Princess Leia and Darth Vader from Star Wars, the duo engaged in a light saber battle to the delight of the audience. In a dramatic twist, Darth Vader emerged victorious and led the orchestra in a powerful rendition of the iconic “Imperial March.” Adding to the spectacle, the string players adorned their bows with LED lights, transforming them into glowing light sabers as they performed the final number.
The demonstration not only entertained but also served as an introduction to the world of orchestral music, inspiring many young students to consider learning an instrument in the future. The Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra’s performance was a perfect blend of education and entertainment, leaving a lasting impression on its young audience.
Change to 2024-25 School Year Calendar
Due to the absence of local, state, or national elections on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, all P-H-M schools will be in session on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. P-H-M will no longer have a Recess Day on this date.
As a result, the last day of school for students will now be Thursday, June 5, 2025. This is one day earlier than previously scheduled. P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with the District Administration to make these calendar changes.
Indiana law requires schools to be in session for 180 days each year. If necessary, P-H-M can utilize up to three weather-related eLearning days, as permitted under Indiana law (HB-1093). If additional makeup days are needed, they will be added to the end of the school year, following the new last student day, Thursday, June 5, 2025. Currently, no eLearning days have been called.
Rhapsody Spreads Holiday Cheer at University Park Mall
Today, the voices of Penn High School’s Rhapsody Choir brought the holiday spirit to the University Park Mall. Performing near Barnes & Noble, the talented singers and dancers spread festive joy for all to hear.
Visitors paused their shopping to enjoy the live music, with many expressing gratitude for the uplifting performance.
Rhapsody is part of Penn’s choir and takes their performances into the community several times per year. It’s an excellent way to improve their performance skills while making the day a little brighter for everyone in attendance.
Thank you to the Rhapsody Choir for sharing the gift of music and making the holiday season special for our community!
PHM Education Foundation Awards Multiple Grants to Penn High School
Penn High School is celebrating the support of the PHM Education Foundation (PHMEF), which awarded several grants to enhance learning opportunities across various subjects. Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of PHMEF, visited Penn to present the grants, benefiting students, teachers, and programs across the school.
To see all the grants given, click here.
Microscope for All Learners
- Recipient: Zachery Lopez
- Award: $479.00
- This grant will fund a microscope to enhance hands-on learning for students, ensuring all learners have access to advanced tools for scientific exploration.
Refurbished Preschool Play Area
- Recipient: Kaylee Wetzel
- Award: $419.38
- Funds will be used to refurbish and install new play equipment, including a sandbox, outside of Door K for the Penn Preschool. The project is in partnership with Penn Construction, creating a safe and engaging outdoor environment for young learners.
You Can’t Swipe This Screen – Screen Printing Basics
- Recipient: Alex Dunfee
- Award: $3,373.58
- Digital Design students in grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to learn the screen-printing process, one of the most common methods for printing on fabric. Students will design and produce their own screen-printed shirts and collaborate with other student organizations to create custom products.
Tinker and Thrive – 3D Printing for Focused Students
- Recipient: Kyle Marsh
- Award: $4,936.56
- This grant will fund the purchase and installation of 3D printers in all 11 elementary schools with teacher leaders, while also involving Penn students in grades 9-12. Students who use fidget toys for focus and classroom accommodations will have the opportunity to design and create personalized tools using 3D printing technology.
Learning by Induction
- Recipients: John Gensic, John Fitch, Rachael Meyers, Brian May, Steven Sanders
- Award: $1,347.74
- This grant enables a collaboration between Penn’s STEM and Culinary Arts (FACs) programs. With modern, energy-efficient induction cooking equipment, culinary students will explore practical cooking applications while science students use thermal cameras to study the technology’s real-world impact in the kitchen.
You Can’t Swipe This Screen – Screen Printing Basics
- Recipients: Alex Dunfee
- Award: $3,373.58
- Provides students the opportunity to learn the screen printing process in class (one of the most
common ways to print on fabric.) Students will design and make their own ink-based screen
printed shirts and have the opportunity to collaborate and produce products with other student
organizations within Penn High School.
These grants demonstrate Penn High School’s commitment to innovative, hands-on learning experiences that integrate technology, creativity, and collaboration across disciplines. Congratulations to all the grant recipients, and thank you to PHMEF for making these opportunities possible!
Bittersweet 2nd Graders and Penn High School Students Team Up for Gingerbread Fun
This week, second-grade students from Bittersweet Elementary School joined forces with Penn High School students to kick off the holiday season with delightful gingerbread-themed activities.
On Monday and Wednesday, Bittersweet’s 2nd graders took a field trip to Penn High School, where they collaborated with Penn students in creating gingerbread houses and engaging in fun gingerbread-inspired crafts. The high school students guided their younger counterparts through rolling and cutting the dough. They also read gingerbread stories and did multiple arts and crafts with the Bittersweet students.
The multi-day celebration culminated today, Friday, November 22nd, as the baked ginger bread was brought back to Bittersweet to be assembled into houses and decorated. Families joined the fun, adding colorful candies, frosting, and festive designs to the creations.
Second grade students decorating gingerbread houses has been a tradition for approximately 30 years, this is the first time that Bittersweet collaborated with Penn High School. It provided students with a creative outlet, a chance to learn new skills, and an opportunity to bond across grade levels during the holiday season.
The smiles and joy shared throughout the week are a testament to the power of collaboration and the holiday spirit!
Young at Art: Elsie Rogers Students Explore Literacy and Art at Penn High School
Second-grade students from Title 1 schools had a creative and educational adventure as part of the Young at Art program this week. This program aims to blend literacy and artistic expression for Title 1 schools. Hosted at Penn High School, the event provided a unique opportunity for young learners to connect with older peers through a series of interactive and engaging activities.
The photos in this story are from Tuesday, November 19th when Elsie Rogers visited, but over the course of the week there were many classes from different schools who came to Penn.
The day kicked off with a painting session led by Penn High School art students, where the second graders created cloud-themed artworks. This creative exercise set the stage for the next part of their journey — a storytime session with Penn English classes. The high school students read an engaging story about clouds, sparking curiosity and imagination among the younger learners.
Building on their newfound knowledge, the Elsie Rogers students reflected on what they learned from the story by expressing their thoughts through writing. This meaningful combination of art and literacy helped reinforce their learning and encouraged self-expression.
Additional activities added further excitement and hands-on experience. Students designed shoe prints and explored cloud types by identifying them on a mural crafted by the high school art students. Each station offered a chance to learn, create, and collaborate in a welcoming and stimulating environment.
Young at Art continues to exemplify the power of creativity in education, fostering connections between younger students and their high school mentors while integrating literacy and artistic skills in a memorable way.
October Bus Driver of the Month Kathy Green
Penn-Harris-Madison is thrilled to announce that Kathy Green, a dedicated P-H-M bus driver for over 22 years, has been named the Culver’s Bus Driver of the Month for October 2024!
While today’s presentation was made at Elsie Rogers, Kathy drives a bus for Bittersweet, Elsie Rogers and Schmucker Middle School and is beloved at each school.
Kathy’s long-standing commitment to safety and her warm, friendly atmosphere on the bus have earned high praise from parents across the district.
We’re grateful to Culver’s and the P-H-M Education Foundation for supporting this monthly recognition, which celebrates the vital role our bus drivers play in the community. Thank you, Kathy, for exemplifying #PHMExcellence on the road every day!
You can nominate your favorite bus driver here, phmexcellence.com/PHMBusDriverNomination.
Penn Earns “Red Wagon Status” In Support of Riley Children’s Foundation
This morning (Wednesday, Oct. 23) representatives from Riley Children’s Foundation visited Penn High School to thank members of Kingsmen Court, Penn students and staff for their generosity.
If a school raises $5,000 or more they earn “Red Wagon Status”, which allows the school to design a license plate that will go on a red wagon at Riley Hospital for Children. Families who visit Riley for care are able to use the complimentary red wagons to transport their children and belingings to doctor visits.
Last year Kingsmen Court organized the “Turkey Legs” competition, during which teachers wear shorts and/or dress up in costumes in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Break, and collect money from students and staff with all proceeds going to Riley Children’s Hospital.
2024 Homecoming Recap
Thank you to EVERYONE who came to the 2024 Homecoming Parade and Football game. It was a terrific time not only for the Penn students, but also for the entire community.
The Parade, Expo, Fun Zone, Food Trucks and Fireworks were all bigger and better than ever.
After the game was over, the fans in attendance were treated to a fireworks show set to music!
There are three photo galleries below, one of the parade floats and participants, one of the parade spectators and one of the fun zone and expo. Take a look and we’ll see you in 2025!
Parade Floats
Parade Spectators
Fun Zone & Expo
Career Examples for Playschool 2 Preschool Students
It was a big day for preschool aged students in our Playschool 2 class this morning. In an effort to get the students to dream about their future, they had the opportunity to interact with professionals in two very different fields.
Two Penn School Resource Officers (SRO’s) brought their police vehicles to Playschool 2. The students had the opportunity to meet the officers and they also got to climb into the drivers seat! Some students honked the horn while others were able to talk on the radio.
Students Learn How to Roll and Cut Sugar Cookies
Next, Serena from Ciao’s Restaurant and Bakery stopped by to show the students how to make Sugar Cookies! Each child had the opportunity to roll out dough, use a cookie cutter, then decorate with sprinkles with colors of their choice.
We’d like to thank School Resource Officers Mr. Wilkey and Mrs. Gresso as well as Serena from Ciao’s Bakery for their time. Take a look at the photo gallery below for more pictures.
