Looking Ahead to 2015-2016

 

As an “A”-rated school district, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation excels at providing an excellent education for our students! And the 2015-2016 School Year will be no different!

This year P-H-M has several new initiatives:

  • For the first time this year, 2,500 middle schoolers at Schmucker, Grissom and Discovery Middle Schools will receive Google Chrome Books! Last year, all 3,500 students at Penn High School received them. That makes 6,000 students in P-H-M with personal Chrome Books—more than half of our student population!
  • P-H-M’s Transportation Department is utilizing GPS tracking and the latest technology to help parents up-to-date with their child’s bus routing. Through the web-based  infoFinder i  and “Here Comes the Bus” website and smart phone app, P-H-M continues to provide great customer service to our families.
  • 130 Penn High School students are on track to be in the Graduation Cohort of  Spring 2018 of the Penn Academy of Early College. In this unique program, Penn High School has partnered with Ivy Tech Community College to offer a selection of courses, including dual credit courses, that can potentially earn a student college credits up to an Associate Degree by the time the student graduates. 
  • P-H-M continues to build community partnerships to help enhance the quality education, resources, along with extra and co-curricular activities we offer to our students. One such partnership is with Teacher’s Credit Union. On August 28, Penn High School’s football field, formerly known as Freed Field will be dedicated as TCU Freed Field. TCU will also work with P-H-M teachers and staff to provide financial education opportunities to our students and families.
  • In keeping with P-H-M’s Vision of Excellence, P-H-M established Exceptional Education, an in-house department whose goal is to provide special education services for students with identified needs. P-H-M’s goal is to provide an inclusive, cooperative, excellent education to ALL our students.
  • 100% of P-H-M teachers are rated “Effective” or “Highly Effective” by the state DOE standards and evaluations. This is because we invest in our teachers and educational staff by offering year round professional learning opportunities. This will continue to be an important initiative of P-H-M.

 

Highlights from 2014-2015:

Here’s a look back at the school district accomplishments achieved by our schools, students, teachers and staff from last school year:

  • P-H-M students perform in the top 5% of all Indiana districts on ISTEP+
  • P-H-M has seven Four Star schools, as named by the IDOE. They are: Horizon Elementary, Mary Frank Elementary, Prairie Vista Elementary, Northpoint Elementary, Discovery Middle, Grissom Middle, and Penn High School.
  • Prairie Vista Elementary School was named a finalist for the 2015 National Blue Ribbon School (announcement to come in the fall of 2015).
  • Northpoint Elementary School was ranked #27 in the nation among 70,000 schools by the organization TheBestSchools.org. Northpoint was cited for its academic performance, the strength and richness of its programs, and for earning National Blue Ribbon School status in 2010.
  • Discovery Middle School Science Teacher Shelia Toth was named P-H-M Teacher of the year and was nominated for 2015 Indiana Teacher of the Year (announcement to come in fall 2015).
  • Penn High School Principal Steve Hope was named Indiana District 2 High School Principal of the Year.
  • Penn High School ranks as the seventeenth best high school in the state by U.S. News and World Report, moving up from bronze to silver since the last U.S. News and World Report Ranking.
  • With a 97% graduation rate and a 90-25-90 rating by the IDOE, more than half of Penn High School’s graduating seniors receiving Academic Honors diplomas—a first for Penn High School—with a third earning High Honors, a distinction reserved for those with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Ninety-one graduates received Technical Honors diplomas, a tribute to the strength of the district’s STEM programs. Twelve seniors were named National Merit Finalists. There were 17 valedictorians and two salutatorians. Three seniors have earned coveted appointments to United States Military Academies. The combined value of their collegiate scholarships exceeds $8.5 million!
  • Over the Summer of 2015, Morgan Ludwig and Emma Moon, now rising seniors at Penn High, earned Congressional Award Gold Medals. Moon received her on honor on Capitol Hill from Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN, 2nd District). Ludwig received hers from Walorski at her Mishawaka District Office.  The United States Congress awards medals to ambitious young Americans who set and meet goals in four program areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
  • Winning works of art by 13 Gold Key Scholastic Art Award winners from Penn were included and judged in the Scholastic Art Awards’ national exhibit.
  • The Black Knights, Penn High’s advanced robotic team, received the prestigious Chairman’s Award at state competition hosted by Indiana FIRST Robotics, then went on to represent Indiana in international competition.
  • The Baker's Dozen, a FIRST Lego League Robotics team made up of Horizon Elementary and Discovery Middle School students, attended the Razorback International Invitational at the University of Arkansas, competing against 71 teams from 31 states and 12 countries. The Baker's Dozen captured 1st place for Robot Strategy and Innovation, and earned a 4th place trophy in the Robot Game competition.
  • Penn High School TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) did very well at national competition in June 2015: Penn’s 9/10 Team was named the Indiana State Champions; Penn’s 11/12 Team 1 brought home the 3rd place trophy in the Problem-Solving Competition; and Penn’s 11/12 Team 2, brought home the 2nd place trophy in the Written Competition. These students are coached by Mrs. Becky Tagliaferri.
  • Penn’s Spell Bowl Team won its 14th state championship with a perfect score of 90. The team is led by Mr. Pete DeKever and its success is based on the hard work of eighteen dedicated team members.
  • Schmucker Spell Bowl Team brought home the Spell Bowl State Championship for the third time in the school’s history. The team is led by Mrs. Sue Dale.
  • The Penn High School Symphonic Winds were awarded 1st place at ISSMA state finals, tying with Carmel. The Penn High Orchestra also did a tremendous job in the competition and judges awarded them a 6th place finish.
  • Penn Boys Baseball won the 4A State Championship and senior catcher Tim Lira was named the L.V. Phillips Attitute Award Winner.  This is the fourth state championship for head coach Greg Dikos, whose other big wins came in 1994, 1998 and 2001.
  • Penn Baseball coach Greg Dikos was named the Indiana Boys Coach of the Year by the South Bend Tribune.
  • Penn pitcher Skylar Szynski was chosen to represent the Chicago White Sox in the 2015 Area Code Baseball Games played in California in August 2015.
  • Penn Varsity Wrestling won the Team State Wrestling championship, after seven contenders advanced to state finals. The team championship is a celebrated first for Penn Wrestling.
  • Kobe Woods earned the Individual State Wrestling championship in his weight class. Penn last had an individual state champion wrestler in 1971.
  • Chase Osborn who earned the Individual State Wrestling Championship in his weight class, was the recipient of the Ward E. Brown Mental Attitude Award, issued by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, and also named MVP of NIC Wrestling.
  • Football coach Cory Yeoman was named Northern Indiana Conference Coach of the Year. He led the Kingsmen through a 12-1 season and on to the Class 6-A semi-state.
  • Penn Boys Rugby won the state championship, while Penn Girls Rugby took second place at the state tournament.  Penn Boys Rugby also competed and placed in the top ten at the national tournament.
  • Penn Softball coach Beth Zachary was named NIC Coach of the year.
  • Penn Girls Soccer coach Jeff Hart was named NIC Coach of the year and District I Coach of the Year by the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association.
  • Penn Girls Cross Country coach Josh Fletcher was named NIC Coach of the year.
  • Penn Boys Tennis coach Eric Bowers was named NIC Coach of the year.
  • Penn Boys Golf coach Tony Polizzzotto was named NIC Coach of the year.
  • Penn High School is the Northern Indiana Conference All-Sports Award winner for the 21st consecutive year.
  • Thirty-nine Penn student-athletes signed letters of intent to attend colleges and universities across the country; 12 of them with Division 1 Schools.
  • Glenn Northern, Penn band director and head of Penn’s Fine Arts Academy, was presented Phi Beta Mu’s Outstanding Bandmaster Award by the Indiana Chapter of the International Bandmaster’s Fraternity.
  • Superintendent Jerry Thacker was chosen by Indiana University South Bend to receive the 2015 IUSB Distinguished Alumni Award. He was recognized for his accomplishments at the May commencement ceremony.
  • Sean Galiher, principal of Schmucker Middle School, was named by the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce to the 2015 class of “Forty Under 40” as a young professional who’s making a difference.
  • Tom Hartman, Director of Facilities, was named the 2015 Indiana Support Professional of the Year by IASBO (Indiana Assn. of School Business Officials). 

A Great Start to a New School Year!

Alarm clocks were set early. The weather cooperated beautifully. Children got themselves ready for school while parents snapped photos. Then the yellow buses started to roll and School Year 2015-2016 was underway!

Today was the first day of school for grades 1-12 at Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. We welcomed back more than 10,600 students to our 15 schools. About 700 kindergartners, members of the future Class of 2028, attended orientation sessions with their parents and families getting prepared for their first day tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 20. And close to 800 seniors, making up the Class of 2016, followed a Gold Day schedule at Penn High School.

We want to see all your “1st Day of School” photos. We asked parents, families and high school students to snap, tag ‪and share their pictures on Facebook and Twitter using #‎PHMBACK2SCHOOL. Go to our channels or check out our picture gallery on the home page to get a glimpse.

The start of school also means new faces at the front of the classroom as well! Last week, we also welcomed more than 50 new teachers to P-H-M. Click here to see their friendly faces.

Thank you to ALL our students, parents, teachers and staff for all the great pictures. Here’s to a great year!

Powder Puff Football 2015

There will be an informational meeting for Powder Puff Football on Monday, August 24th.  The meeting will take place in the PHS Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.  For more information click on the following linkhttp://tiny.cc/PPFinfo

Biology teacher works with EPA on Lake Michigan summer research program

Penn biology teacher John Gensic, was one of 15 educators chosen from more than 60 applicants, to work alongside scientists from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this summer on a research project on Lake Michigan. As part of the Lake Michigan Shipboard Science Workshop, Gensic and the scientists worked on onboard the research vessel Lake Guardian from July 12-18.

“This was a once in a lifetime experience,” Gensic recounted. “Since I was a kid, there have been many things I’ve always wondered about Lake Michigan. This trip addressed some of these questions from how the bottom of Lake Michigan looks and functions, to how scientists gather information regarding the Great Lakes. Yet, there is still so much we don’t know.”

Gensic and the other teachers evaluated the presence of microplastics and assessed the impact of aquatic invasive species—particularly zebra and quagga mussels—on Lake Michigan’s ecosystem. Samples were analyzed onboard the research vessel’s laboratories.

With the goal in mind for the participating teachers to take their experiences back to the classroom, the research projects focused on food-web dynamics, endangered and invasive species, climate change, plastics pollution and water contaminants. By encouraging Lake Michigan stewardship opportunities for and to the students, perhaps some children would even be encouraged to do study scientific exploration and conservation of the Great Lakes.

“Every trip I take to the beach will be forever changed. I experienced firsthand many concepts about scientific research and Lake Michigan that I will take directly back to my students and fellow educators,”  Gensic said. “I think I share a passion for Lake Michigan with many of its regular visitors from our area. This experience has broadened my understanding of how the lake and our region works.”

Facilitators from the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant (IISG) helped structure the educational aspects. The goal is for teachers to take their experiences back to the classroom and inspire their own students to want to do scientific exploration of the Great Lakes.

“Educators were immersed in authentic, place-based learning, working side by side with scientists to address current environmental issues. Using innovative sampling and monitoring equipment, teachers were provided with once-in-a-lifetime professional development experience to explore science up-close and personal,” said Terri Hallesy, IISG education coordinator. IISG is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a nationwide network of 33 science-based outreach and education programs.

The workshop was supported by the EPA and received funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL). CGLL fosters informed and responsible decision-making that advances basin-wide stewardship by providing hands-on experiences, educational resources and networking opportunities.

Penn High biology students will directly benefit from Gensic’s summer learning experience and scientific findings in the coming months. To read about Gensic and all the teachers’ experiences during the project, read the Center for Great Lakes Literacy daily blog of their activities.

 

Michael Clements named Girls Cross Country Coach

Penn-Harris-Madison School Board approved the hiring of Michael Clements as Penn High School’s new Girls Cross Country Coach at the Monday, July 20th Board meeting.

Clements replaces Josh Fletcher who will remain on staff as the Girls Track Coach. Clements has been involved with the Penn Cross Country and Track programs since 2006 when he started as an Assistant Coach. The Kingsmen were Northern Indiana Conference Champions in 2014. In addition, they earned IHSAA Sectional, Regional and Semi-State Championships on the way to finishing 4th place in the state meet. 

Clements is a graduate of Marian High School where he excelled as a high school runner.  He received a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and was a walk-on for the Cross Country team. Clements works at AM General LLC as a Manager for Cash and Accounts Receivable; he will not be on the teaching staff at Penn High School. Personally, Clements competes in road races ranging from 5k to 50-mile ultra-marathons and has previously qualified for the Boston Marathon. 

Penn Athletic Director Aaron Leniski shared “We are thrilled to have Michael Clements lead our program. For the past nine years, Mr. Clements has displayed great commitment to helping Penn student athletes realize their potential both in sport and in the classroom. He is inherently positive, has great energy and is passionate about being a Kingsmen.”

2016 Seniors – It’s time to have your yearbook picture taken!

Calling all seniors!  Yearbook photos are happening now. Schedule your appointment ASAP at ROOTseniors.com. Photos will be taken at Penn High School starting July 20th.

Two Congressional Award winners from Penn High School

Two Penn High School rising seniors, Morgan Ludwig and Emma Moon, have earned Congressional Award Gold Medals. Morgan and Emma were the only students from Indiana’s 2nd District to win the awards, and two of six Gold Medalists for the entire state.

The United States Congress established the Congressional Awards program to recognize young men and women who set and meet ambitious goals in four program areas: Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration. As registered participants, Morgan and Emma had to challenge themselves to complete their projects within a given time frame and meet other program requirements.

To meet the public service goal, Morgan started a club at Penn called “Handwritten Hearts.” Students volunteered each month to write handwritten ‘get well’ cards and hand deliver them at local hospitals. Through “Handwritten Hearts,” more than 100 uplifting cards were delivered to hospital patients.

Morgan is a member of the tennis team and Penn’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy. To meet her program goals, Morgan mastered and performed Beethoven’s Sonatina in F Major (Anh. 5, No. 2) and Mozart’s Sonata K545 in C Major, as well as planned a historical trip to Boston and a wilderness exploration trip along the rugged coast of Maine.

Morgan accepted her award in the Mishawaka office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN, 2nd District) on Thursday, July 2. She was accompanied by her parents, Jennifer and David and her two younger sisters and brother (also P-H-M students). Superintendent Jerry Thacker was also on hand for the presentation. All are pictured above.

Penn’s other Congressional award winner, Emma Moon, received her Gold Medal at the national awards ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on June 17. She was later congratulated by Rep. Walorski at her Congressional office.

Emma Moon with Rep. Jackie Walorski at her D.C. office.

Emma, a member of the Penn’s varsity tennis team, earned her Gold Medal by completing more than 400 hours of volunteer service participating in “Handwritten Hearts.” She not only helped write and deliver cards to area hospital patients, she also visited with patients. Emma taught herself to play the guitar and ukulele. For her expedition goal, she planned an adventure excursion to Huntsville, Alabama, where she did outdoor activities such as cliff jumping, rock climbing, boating and bat cave tours.

Posted July 2, 2015 12:15 p.m.

June 22 celebration to honor Penn’s state championship baseball team

The Penn Baseball team capped a terrific season with a 3-2 win over Terre Haute North in the 4A State Championship game on Saturday, June 20. The win was celebrated by a jubilant team and hundreds of fans at Victory Field in Indianapolis under the lights. While not a nail-biter, the match-up was not a walk in the ball park either. Penn took and held an early lead but Terre Haute fought back, bringing it within one run in the fifth inning. Penn pitcher Skylar Szynski brought renewed focus to his game and he and the Kingsmen settled it in six innings.

Following the game, senior catcher Tim Lira was named the L.V. Phillips Attitude Award winner. The award recognizes not only Lira’s athleticism, but his leadership among his teammates and his contributions to the community.

The recipient of IHSAA’s L.V. Phillips Attitude Award is a senior nominated by his principal and coach and must excel in mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability. The award is named in honor of the late L.V. Phillips, who served as the second commissioner of the IHSAA from 1945-1962.

This is the fourth state championship for head coach Greg Dikos, whose other big wins came in 1994,1998 and 2001. This is the last state championship for Penn’s retiring athletic director Ben Karasiak, who was clearly thrilled to be on the field as the honors took place.

A public celebration will take place Monday, June 22, at 6:00 p.m. in Penn’s Main Arena. Students and community members are invited to be on hand to cheer the team bringing home the trophy!   

 

Published June 22, 2015 / 9:20 a.m. EDT

 

Visitation Held for Savage Brothers

On Thursday, June 18, Penn High School hosted a public visitation on behalf of the family of Nick and Jack Savage to accommodate the large outpouring from the community. The brothers died tragically overnight on Sunday, June 14 after attending graduation parties of what St. Joseph County and South Bend Police departments suspect were accidental overdoses caused by the lethal combination of prescription drugs and alcohol. Both were Penn alumni; Nick (19) was a member of the Class of 2014 and Jack (18) just graduated in May 2015. They are survived by their parents and two younger brothers.

As expected, the turnout of community members who came to pay their respects was very large. One estimate put it at 1,300. Many people from the P-H-M family were present including current and former Penn students, faculty and staff from all the P-H-M schools the boys had attended. A large number of hockey players, parents and coaches from Penn High School's championship club hockey team and other community teams came to comfort the Savage family. Time on the ice had been a big part of the boys’ lives. Nick was a member of the 2011 state championship team and Jack the 2015 championship team. Both state title banners hung on other side of the caskets. The family provided lots of photos and other memorabilia from the boys' young hockey careers along with other family photos to share with the community. Mourners were invited to bring their own pictures and make scrapbook pages with memorial messages that the Savage family would reflect on later.

At the close of the public visitation, a large group of Penn students gathered outside the school for a candlelight vigil. Students comforted one another both in moments of silence and by sharing their memories of Jack and Nick and their thoughts about the loss. Penn counselors have been actively involved helping students cope with the events of the last week, and will continue to provide support.  

Visitation Arrangements for Nick and Jack Savage

Visitation for Nick and Jack Savage will take place at Penn High School, Thursday, June 18, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. (EDT).
 
Many within the P-H-M family and the community wish to show their support for the Savage family after the recent losses of their sons, Nick (19) and Jack (18). At the family’s request, their viewings will be held together at Penn High School, in the Main Arena, to accommodate the expected outpouring of community support. Both Nick and Jack were Penn alumni.
 
Those planning to attend the viewings are advised to enter at the traffic signal in front of Penn High School (off of Bittersweet Rd.) and park in the front main lot. All guests should enter through Door D, which is located on the northwest corner of the building. Door B will be used as the exit.
 
Upon entrance through Door D, guests will be directed through the corridor and into the Main Arena. There they will have the opportunity to express their condolences to the family, pay their respects and view memorials. Guests will then be invited to proceed to the Cafeteria for an opportunity to share memories with each other and contribute to a memory scrapbook for the family. The Savage family is asking friends to bring in printed photos that they may have of Nick and Jack. Guests are invited to add the pictures to the scrapbooks and write messages and memories of Nick and Jack.
 
The funerals are planned for Friday, June 19, at Sunnyside Presbyterian Church at 115 S. Frances Street in South Bend.
 
Deliveries of flowers and all inquiries related to the funeral arrangements should be directed to McGann Hay Funerals, (574) 232-1411. 
 
The Nick and Jack Savage Memorial Fund has been established at Teachers Credit Union. Donations may be made at any branch office.
 
Note that some summer programs that take place at Penn High School are being rescheduled or relocated to accomodate the public visitation.  Click here for details on which programs are affected.  We appreciate our patrons’ understanding during this difficult time.