Penn High School sophomore Kennedy Parker was part of Penn’s DECA contingent to the 2016 International DECA Conference in Nashville, Tenn. Here is her first-hand account, along with a photo gallery of the event:

On Friday, April 22, six Penn students and emerging leaders traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for DECA’s International Career Development Conference, or ICDC. While in Nashville, the students had the opportunity to compete against, and collaborate with, students from all 50 states, as well as the countries of Canada, China, Spain, Mexico, and Germany.

DECA is a club that allows students to compete in events based on various aspects of business. Events can range from a prepared year-long advertising campaign for a company, role-play marketing interviews, financial consulting, to sports and entertainment marketing.

Penn’s chapter advisor, Mrs. McElwrath, said, “19,000 students from around the world attended the Competition with up to 180 students competing in each event category. Student scores are based on a 100 question comprehensive test and a paper & presentation in each category. Students have been working on papers and presentations since October and studying hard for the comprehensive tests.”

Penn students were very successful in their events,  gaining new business experience and many memorable moments. Here’s a quick recap of each student’s trip from their perspective.

Cassidy Jurkaites – Financial Consulting

Top 10 Presentation Score

Top 20 Finalist Overall

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“My favorite DECA moment was sitting in the front row of the Grand Ole Opry and taking a selfie with Craig Morgan,” Jurkaites said. “People should join DECA for the skills that they can gain: professionalism, confidence, and the ability to speak with anyone you meet.”

Kyle Cather – Professional Selling

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

Social Media N@shville Live Correspondent

Read his published article about the Opening Ceremony here: http://www.decadirect.org/April-2016/The-Best-DECAICDC-Opening-Session-in-DECA-History/

Kacey Wood – Advertising Campaign

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“DECA has not only taught me how to dress and present myself professionally, but it has opened up lifelong friendships and experiences that I will cherish,” Wood said.

Danielle Kovach – Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“I love DECA,” Kovach shared. “ It has provided me with real life scenarios that have helped me get jobs, gain knowledge about the field of business and grow with my speaking abilities.”

Kendra Laidig – Elevate Academy

As the incoming Penn DECA President with aspirations to run for a State DECA Officer position, Kendra attended a 2-day leadership academy to prepare her for running our chapter in the 2016-2017 school year and for state elections in 2017.

“I was privileged to listen to past International Executive Presidents who gave their insight on how to lead a DECA chapter. I am so thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with over 300 chapter officers from all across the country to brainstorm new ways to recruit members, prepare for competition, and create a ‘culture of success’ in the DECA classroom.”

Kennedy Parker – Principles of Marketing

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“This was my first year in DECA, and even in just one year I’ve learned so much. DECA has taught me about professionalism, marketing, business, communication skills, and confidence.”

This past year, Jurkaites was the president of Penn’s DECA chapter, Cather served as Vice President of Communications, Kovach served as Vice President of Corporate Relations, and Laidig served as Vice President of Marketing.

Next year, Laidig will be Penn’s DECA president, Parker will become Vice President of Marketing, and Wood will be Vice President of Leadership. These officers-to-be agree that the skills and knowledge gained at this year’s ICDC will greatly benefit their leadership positions next year.

Aside from competitions and conferences, these students had the opportunity to participate in several team building/tourist activities while in Nashville, including zip-lining and attending a concert at the Grand Ole Opry! See photos from the trip below. 

Here are some photos of the Nashville experience for Penn’s students:

Registered voters from Precincts 15 and 17 should enter at Door M, located on the south side of the school, facing Jefferson Rd. 

The first row of parking between doors L and M in the small Jefferson Rd. parking lot just east of Bittersweet Rd. will be reserved for voters. Voters will be restricted to the area set aside for voting just inside the Door M entrance, and will not have access to the rest of the school building. 

Registered voters may only use the polling location that serves their precinct, based on their home address. Here is a link to the precincts maps and polling location information provided by St. Joseph County. 

The Gala took place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Palais Royale Ballroom and PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise reports, “It was a smashing success!”

Friends of the school district gathered to celebrate the P-H-M Education Foundation’s two decades of accomplishments—having a great time and raising even more funds while they were at it!

The evening’s Roaring 20’s theme came through with plenty of glitz and glam. There were “flappers” in headbands and feather boas, and “dappers” in hats and spats. Chairperson Christine Rutherford and her staff of volunteers saw to the many details that made the evening memorable, including black and gold art deco touches, vintage costumes, designer cupcakes, and jazz music provided by Penn High students. 

View the full photo gallery here.

The highlight of the evening was the on-stage entertainment provided by teams of principals and assistant principals. Wise says, “PHMEF asked our principals and assistant principals to step outside their comfort zone to raise funds for our students by performing. P-H-M is so fortunate to have such caring administrators who want to raise funds for our students. Our winning Team Five closed out the night with a standing-ovation performance. Congratulations to all of the teams!”

Many parents, friends, staff members and community members who did not attend the Gala still supported it by casting $10 votes for their favorite teams of principals and assistant principals. On top of that giving, came a vote matching offer from Gary Fox for Crowe Horwath. He pledged to match each $10 vote, up to 100 votes for each team!

Here’s the final tally, including Mr. Fox’s generous support:

• Team 1 – 122 votes (Penn High)
• Team 2 – 217 votes (Horizon, P Vista, Northpoint)
• Team 3 – 437 votes (Elsie, W Disney, Bittersweet, Madison, Meadow’s)
• Team 4 – 223 votes (DMS, GMS, SMS)
• Team 5 – 451 votes (Mary Frank, Moran, Elm Road)
• Team 6 – 198 votes (Wildcard: Mr. Kauffman!)
• Total votes – 1,648

$16,480 was raised for P-H-M students and programs through votes alone!

Thousands of dollars in additional funds were raised through a silent auction conducted through online bidding, as well as live bidding to support the Summer Visual Arts Academy, and live bidding to underwrite PHMEF direct classroom grants. 

"I am overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the P-H-M community,” Wise states. “Our 20th Anniversary Gala was the first sit-down dinner in the Foundation’s history and it proved to be such a success. It was a night of fun and entertainment while raising much needed funds for our students.”

She continues, “Many thanks to the gala chair, Christine Rutherford, to the principals and assistant principals who showcased their talents, and to our families for their continued support.” 

The Foundation Board expresses special thanks to these five underwriters:  Gurley Leep Subaru, University of Notre Dame, Crowe Horwath, Jim and Julie Schwartz, and Gates Automotive Group.

Click here to view the Foundation’s timeline, charting 20 amazing years of contributions and growth. 

As soon as Penn High School broadcast instructor Kevin McNulty heard that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was going to make a campaign appearance at the AM General Commercial Assembly plant in Mishawaka on Tuesday, April 26, he quickly turned it into a learning experience for three Penn High School students.

McNulty was able to send a crew of Penn News Network students to AM General to cover Clinton’s appearance there. Click here to see the students coverage on PNN.

The students were also profiled by WSBT-TV and ABC 57:

“The minute I heard the news report, I started emailing and calling,” McNulty said of trying to arrange Clinton campaign appearance credentials for student reporters Emily Vetne, Cameron Carpenter, and Tyler Clifton of Penn Network News.

“In hearing my students talk to local media about the experience today (CBS, ABC, NBC affiliates), I know that they got a real-world, hands-on experience,” McNulty said. “They worked side-by-side in the press corps with professionals who do this for a living. Prior to that, the students only knew what we do by doing it in school, more of an assignment than a job.

“Now that they have seen the pros do it (repeatedly), they get it,” McNulty continued. “It's the First Amendment freedom, freedom of the press, and engaging in it is good work. I certainly selected the right kids too; they absorbed it all like sponges!”

Penn’s student reporters met Clinton, and also did interviews with Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly, and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Pictured above is PNN student reporter Emily Vetne interviewing Donnelly.

McNulty said that the learning moment made a significant impact on his students.

“Though they enjoyed all of it (including the secret service sweep, the conversations with local reporters, the introductions to state senators and state governors), I think those tete-a-tetes on camera proved to be the richest experiences,” McNulty said.

On Thursday, April 28, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz will hold a rally at the Century Center in downtown South Bend. The PNN students plan on covering that event as well.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced that Penn Biology teacher John Gensic has won P-H-M Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Gensic learned of the honor in a surprise announcement Tuesday (April 26, 2016) when he was called to a “meeting” in Principal Steve Hope’s office. Instead, Mr. Gensic found a group of fellow Penn teachers, Penn-Harris-Madison District Administration and Penn staff waiting for him. Dr. Thacker broke the news telling Mr. Gensic, “What you don’t know and everyone else here does … is that you are P-H-M’s Teacher of the Year!” Click here to see the video of the surprise announcement.

Also on hand for the surprise announcement was the person who nominated him for the District honor, STEM Academy Leader Ms. Rachel Fry … “Mr. Gensic goes above and beyond to arrange authentic and eye-opening experiences for his students to interact with Biology outside the school walls.” One example of how Mr. Gensic utilizes project-based learning is his latest program, “Giving Trees.” Penn students will work with Horizon Elementary School students to plant 25-30 dwarf fruit trees in the elementary school’s garden. “Giving Trees” just received a P-H-M Education Foundation Grant during the Spring 2016 grant cycle, which will help fund Phase I of the project.

In early April, John was selected as a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), the nation's highest honor math, science and computer science teachers!  Later this summer, he will find out if he has been chosen as the science teacher winner representing Indiana. Each awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from NSF.

Mr. Gensic has been teaching for 11 years, coming to Penn High School in 2013. Mr. Gensic is a leader in his field presenting at the National Science Teachers Association on the topics of socio-scientific inquiry, biology modeling and free technology. He has also presented at TED, the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University as well as many other state and national conferences.

Last summer (2015), Mr. Gensic worked alongside EPA scientists on the "Lake Michigan Shipboard Science Workshop." John and other scientists evaluated the presence of microplastics and assessed the impact of aquatic invasive species—particularly zebra and quagga mussels—on Lake Michigan’s ecosystem.

“John's passion for science in and out of the classroom has made him an exemplary teacher providing the best education possible to our students,” said Penn Principal Steve Hope.

As P-H-M’s District Teacher of the year, Mr. Gensic will participate in the Indiana Teacher of the Year. That decision from the state DOE comes in fall of 2016. “I know John will be Indiana's next Teacher of the Year come this fall,” Dr. Thacker said confidently!

Mr. Gensic will receive his official award at the Penn-Harris-Madison Employee Recognition Dinner on May 11, along with P-H-M’s Classified Employee of the Year, 2016 retirees, and the 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40-year service award winners. 

Penn High School students must pick up new ID’s on Monday, April 25, and Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

Students can pick up their ID’s at the North End of the Cafeteria during their study hall or lunch.

Penn High School students Isaac Loutzenhizer, Kyle Burke, Elena Effertz, Alex Moore and Jason Jaworski qualified for the state championships of the Indiana Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program.

Loutzenhizer led Penn’s effort at the regional, scoring second highest out of 72 students.

The state championship will be at Purdue University's Wright Center, which is located in the Martell Forest.

Penn High School Agriculture instructor Mel Lenig said that this season’s Penn team is the first from the school to qualify for the state finals in five years.

“This year we turned some heads!” Lenig said.

At the state championships, Penn’s students have to master how to identify 54 species of Indiana mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

“In addition to being able to identify them by picture, skeleton, pelage, and scat, the team must be able to match them to their foods and habitat needs,” Lenig explained about the competition. “These are animals that are commonly encountered in the Eastern Deciduous Forests, Wetlands, and Urban habitats of the United States east of the Mississippi River.”

According to Lenig, state qualifiers will face the challenge of walking the assigned forest area and assessing its characteristics. Then, the teams will have to select the best wildlife management practices to use to improve the site for the target animal species. The team will have to develop a two-page management plan for eight species of wildlife on a 150-acre tract of land.

Lenig’s Penn team won the state championship 10 years ago.

In two recent rankings released Spring 2016—the Washington Post’s “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” and U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools”—Penn High School ranks high for college and career readiness.

In Washington Post’s “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” ranking, Penn came in 16^th for the state of Indiana and in the top 9% for the nation . The Washington Post ranking is determined by taking the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Cambridge tests given at a school each year and divide by the number of seniors who graduated in May or June. They call the formula the “Challenge Index.” Public schools that achieved a ratio of at least 1.00, meaning they had as many tests in 2015 as they had graduates, were put on the national list. On the 2016 list, just more than 10% of the approximately 22,000 U.S. public high schools managed to reach that standard and earn placement on the Washington Post ranking. Penn High School earned a 1.937 “Challenge Index.” Penn’s offering of 21 Advanced Placement classes and 97% graduation rate are just some of the reasons for Penn’s ranking.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Penn 21^st in the state for college and career readiness. With a 46% student participation rate in Advanced Placement classes contributed to giving Penn a 33.2 College Readiness Index. Penn’s 22-1 student, teacher ratio along with the school’s high graduation rate earned Penn a “Silver” award on U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 national ranking.

In order to serve the Penn High School community better, an update to our automated phone system was installed in April 2016.

Parents or guardians of a Penn student should call this new number: 574-258-9501.

When calling, please provide the student's full name (spell the last name), the student's ID number, the reason for absence or dismissal and, in case of the need to call back, a phone number.

Please listen carefully to the three different Attendance prompts. They are as follow:

• To report an early dismissal for TODAY, press 1. This would include, for example, an appointment, family emergency, etc., that will take place during the current school day. Include a time for the early dismissal, and the reason.
• To report a dismissal/absence for a future date, press 2. This would include an appointment, college visit, family event, etc., that would be taking place on a future school day. Please include a date, time and reason for the absence/early dismissal.
• To report an illness OR a late arrival, press 3. Please provide a short comment regarding the illness, i.e. the flu, cold, etc. In the case of a long-term illness, please provide details that may be forwarded to a counselor and/or nurse. For students arriving late, please provide a reason and approximate time of arrival if available.

Please contact the Attendance secretary, Karen Rallo at krallo.phm.k12.in.us with any concerns about the reporting attendance.

We thank you for your patience as we continue to strive towards a more efficient Attendance Office!