The dates for senior pictures/ID pictures have been postponed to Oct. 27-30.

Dates for senior pictures:

• Tuesday, Oct. 27
• Wednesday, Oct. 28
• Thursday, Oct. 29
• Friday, Oct. 30 

Seniors will get their photos taken right along with the rest of the underclassmen only during the school day. The photographer will be located between the school cafe and the arena. Seniors will be called during study hall or, if they do not have study hall, seniors may come down at any point during the school day.

Remember that everyone will be photographed, one pose will be offered and there is no sitting fee.  So dress nice and don’t forget to smile!

The communication below was emailed to staff and parents today:

July 21, 2020

Good Afternoon.

At last evening’s Board of School Trustees meeting, we shared additional information on the district’s overview on safety, the learning environment, and procedures for our return to learn in the fall. 

Our focus is to provide you and your student(s) with an excellent education in a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment. In order to achieve at the highest levels, we must continue to work toward our goal, doing what is best for our students, staff, and families. Our Triangle of Success supports our vision of Excellence in Education, and you are an important part of our Triangle.

In today’s communication, I share with you several guiding documents:

• Return to Learn: Safety Protocols Presentation
• Updated Return to Learn: District Overview Document
• 7/20/20 Board Presentation (video)
• Individual School Return to Learn Plans

I hope that this information is helpful to you in making your decision on whether your student(s) will attend school in person or virtually. We are providing the link for the parent survey here and ask that you please complete it by July 27.

We will continue to collaborate with our parents, staff, and state and local health partners as we work to provide a safe and positive learning environment for our students. Thank you for your continued support.

Stay healthy and safe!

Dr. Jerry Thacker

Superintendent of Schools

UPDATE: Work permits will go back into effect September 8, 2020. For more information click here.

Effective March 16, 2020 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: In conjunction with Governor Holcomb's mandated school closing, the Indiana Department of Labor is suspending enforcement of the requirement for employers to have on-file work permits for minor employees.

To read more about work permits and other services we offer please click this link.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND GOV. HOLCOMB’S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT INDIANA WILL TEMPORARILY REMAIN ON PHASE 4.5 OF HIS BACK ON TRACK PLAN, PENN HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN FORCED TO CANCEL THE PLANNED IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JULY 25.

This letter from Penn Principal Sean Galiher was emailed to senior students and families on Monday, June 8. Hard copies of the letter will also be mailed to homes.

Dear Parents or Guardians:                                                                                                      

Congratulations for helping your senior graduate from Penn High School during these challenging times. We share your pride in your senior’s achievement.  While the end of this school year has been anything but traditional, we hope you have enjoyed the special activities we organized for seniors including the delivery of senior signs and our Virtual Commencement held on May 29^th (Click to watch it).  In addition, I am happy to announce we are planning an in-person ceremony for Saturday, July 25 outside at Penn High School on TCU Freed Field.

The purpose of this letter is two-fold: To provide you with information about our ceremony in July and to solicit your assistance in helping make the graduation activities reflect the dignity, solemnity and importance of your senior’s achievement.  This year’s graduation will definitely look different as we will need to insure a safe environment for those who choose to participate.  All candidates for graduation and guests will be required to follow state and local health protocols, including social distancing guidelines and safety and security measures.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and partnership with Penn High School.

COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION

Penn High School’s commencement will be held on Saturday, July 25 at 10:00 a.m.  Should rain or  inclement weather delay our plans, the ceremony will be moved to Sunday, July 26th at 10:00 a.m.  Monday, July 27th at 7:00 p.m. will be used as our third inclement weather option.

Seniors participating should arrive at Penn by 7:30 a.m. on July 25th.  Seniors arriving after 8:00 a.m. will not be in alphabetical order and may be required to be seated at the end of the line. Seniors are required to wear their caps and gowns and to have appropriate attire under their caps and gowns. Also, no decorations on the caps and gowns will be allowed. Seniors are also encouraged to eat a healthy breakfast before arriving at Penn. There is typically a rehearsal for Commencement, where graduates are instructed on how exactly everything will happen at the ceremony. There will be NO rehearsal this year; seniors will be expected to arrive early so they can be staged and prepped.  A video will be shared with graduates as we get closer to the event to provide additional direction.  We are also making plans to stream the ceremony live for those who cannot attend.  Additional details will be shared later this summer on how to access the live stream.  

Seniors are asked to refrain from bringing valuables to commencement.  Please bring only those necessary items that you will need at graduation. Cell phones, gifts, hangers, food or drinks will not be allowed.  Sunglasses are allowed and each graduate will be provided with a bottle of water by their chair. Girls may bring a small handbag/purse. 

Parents and guests are to enter through the Larry Beehler ticket entrance on the north end of the stadium.  Doors open at 9:00 a.m.  The facility is handicap accessible.  Attendance will be limited to two (2) family members per graduate.  The names of each family member must be included on the sign up form which is included later in this communication.

PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT

Please remember that graduation participation is a privilege, not a required activity.  New this year, students must complete a Google form and indicate if the graduate will be participating on July 25th.  We will only be reserving a chair for every student who completes the form indicating they will be attending the event.  Please access the following link https://bit.ly/3cDimQy or scan the QR code to access the form. 

Students must use their @phm email account to access the form. This form must be completed by June 20th.

TICKETS

Admission to graduation is free-of-charge, but not open to the public. Seniors will be allowed to have two (2) guests in attendance.  These guests must be on the list from the Google Form completed by each family. This is a non-negotiable number, due to the maximum occupancy in the stadium. We understand this is not an ideal situation, but we need to do our best to follow health safety guidelines. Every person who attends as a guest counts, including babies and children. We prefer young children are not part of your group of guests, but also understand there are sometimes circumstances beyond your control. Please remember, every single person counts. We will not be using paper tickets. Every graduate must use the online form to enter the names of his/her two (2) guests; and students must use their student @phm email account to access the form. Students will be able to enter/alter the names of their guests up until July 23rd. We will also have staff available at the door to enter names for people who do not have internet access prior to that time.

2020 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Parents should make prior arrangements as to where to meet their senior after the graduation ceremonies have ended. Please do not interrupt the procession as the graduates exit the stadium.  The graduates will be released to meet with family and friends after re-entering the school.  We ask all spectators to honor the accomplishments of all of our seniors by refraining from any behavior that is a distraction from the ceremony. If an audience member’s behavior detracts from the formal environment that has been established, he/she may be asked by security to leave the ceremony.

CAPS AND GOWNS

If you ordered and have not picked up your cap and gown, please come to Door A to pick your items up between 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m, Monday – Friday.  

DIPLOMAS

Students will be able to pick up their diplomas beginning Monday, June 15, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Pick up will be outside by Door A.  

PHOTOS

HR Imaging Partners will be positioned to take individual pictures of seniors with their diplomas.  Every student will be photographed and all photographs will be available for purchase on a protected website.  The website is  http://shop.hrimaging.com; select the orange tab, which is “Order prints from special events.”  No one except school personnel will be allowed on the field to take pictures. We know you want to take photos of your graduate. With social distancing guidelines in effect, there is no way we can allow guests to move around during the ceremony to take photos. Guests will not be allowed to move around from their seats. Any pictures taken will need to be taken from your seats. After the ceremony, please relocate off campus to take photos.

PARKING

Graduating seniors should be dropped off at Penn at the arrival time.  Parents and guests should park in the student lots on the north side of the high school.  

SEATING

Seating is first come, first served.  Parents will be designated a location on the home or visitor side of the stadium.  If you have questions, staff will be available to help you determine which side you need to go for seating.  Seat clusters of two (2) will be labeled throughout the bleachers with each cluster being six feet apart and clearly marked.  All ticket holders for each graduate must sit together and cannot spread out to more than one marked cluster of two seats.  Social distancing will be enforced.  Please refrain from visiting with other families in the bleachers.  Handicap seating will be available during the ceremony.  At this time, we also ask that family members wear a mask to and from your seats.  Parents and patrons do not need to wear a mask once seated.  We will update this guidance as we get closer to July 25th to determine if changes need to be made based on current CDC and St. Joseph Health Department guidelines. 

BOTTLED WATER

Concessions with bottle water will be available and operated by the PHS Booster Club.

ENTERING AND LEAVING STADIUM

All attendees must use social distancing when arriving and leaving the stadium.  Families are expected not to congregate outside or inside the stadium at any given time.  Hand sanitizer stations will be available at all entrances and along the bottom of the stands on both sides of the stadium. 

Participating students and family members are encouraged to monitor their health and should not attend if they have any symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Your assistance and cooperation in conforming to the instructions outlined in this letter are needed and appreciated. If you should have any questions about any of the activities outlined above, please do not hesitate to call. 

Again, congratulations to you and your senior!  We wish the newest members of the Penn High School Alumni the very best!  They have, indeed, been very special!

Sincerely,

Sean Galiher, Principal of Penn High School

The communication below was emailed to staff and parents today:

Friday, July 17, 2020

Dear P-H-M Families,

As we continue to develop our school specific plans, we would like to share an update with you. We continue to receive great questions and feedback from our families that have assisted us in developing a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The FAQ has been posted to our Return to Learn page. 

Answers to the two most frequently asked questions:

• Per the St. Joseph County Health Department Public Health Order, staff and students are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth and social distancing will be maintained when possible.
• Students and staff who test positive will quarantine for at least 10 days from the date symptoms began AND remain fever-free for 72 hours (without use of fever reducing medication) before returning to school. Click here for the Indiana State Department of Health guide for parents related to student screening and quarantine/isolation guidelines. 

Penn High School Information

Previously, I shared with you about the two different options that parents can choose to have their students educated this fall.  However, based on stakeholder feedback, students at Penn High School specifically will have additional virtual options to choose from.  Principal Sean Galiher will share a separate survey with Penn High School families today and we ask that families complete that survey by July 24th.  

Next week, we will also share each school's specific Return to Learn plan. This communication will outline school specific details including arrival procedures, the learning environment, lunch, school dismissal, as well as other important information.

PHM will ensure the guiding focus remains on the health and education of our community and we will continue to follow state and local guidance as we evaluate COVID-19 and our return to learning. 

Stay healthy and well,

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

The communication below was emailed to staff and parents today:

Thursday, July 10, 2020

Dear P-H-M Families,

I recently sent you information on our plan to Return to School and a survey regarding choices between Face-to-Face Learning and Virtual Learning. Thank you for your valuable feedback. Based on the responses that you provided, we are making positive changes to some of our Education Options, primarily Virtual Learning at the secondary level. Since we want to share those modifications late next week, we are extending the timeline to complete the survey to July 27.

Before you receive more comprehensive information, here is a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions.

• Per the St. Joseph County Health Department Public Health Order, staff and students are required to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth whenever social distancing cannot be maintained. Click here for the Indiana Department of Education Back to School Face Covering Guidance for Families.
• Students and staff who test positive will quarantine for at least 10 days from the date symptoms began AND remain fever-free for 72 hours (without use of fever reducing medication) before returning to school. Click here for the Indiana State Department of Health guide for parents related to student screening and quarantine/isolation guidelines.
• Virtual students may participate in available Honors, Dual Credit and AP classes. Additional information will be shared next week.
• Virtual students may participate in extracurricular activities.
• Virtual teachers will differentiate for high ability students.
• Virtual students may participate in available electives.
• Students may continue to bring lunch with them to school.
• We are asking parents to make a semester commitment when choosing face to face or virtual instruction.

We will also share more comprehensive information on school safety protocols, individual school plans, and an FAQ document to keep you updated.

• Indiana State Department of Health FAQ
• Indiana Department of Education FAQ
• Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation FAQ – coming soon!

We will continue to follow state and local guidance and if the number of cases of COVID-19 reaches a level where local and state officials determine that school cannot meet in person, eLearning would resume. This would be similar to last spring with some improvements based on the parent feedback we received. We tested some new educational models during online summer school and feel confident that if we have to return to eLearning, we can continue to provide a quality education while also offering social emotional support.

Stay healthy and well,

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

The communication below was emailed to staff and parents today:

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Dear P-H-M Families,

I know that you have been anxiously waiting for the details on our plan to return to school on Wednesday, August 19 (for grades 1-12) and August 20 (kindergarten).

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. There have been many changes in our daily lives making things our new normal, at least for a while. This also means that the procedures in our school buildings must also change to ensure the highest health and safety guidelines. Working in concert with the St. Joseph County Health Department and following the guidance and recommendations by the CDC, Indiana State Department of Health, Governor’s Office, and the IDOE we have developed a re-entry plan for Penn-Harris-Madison Schools.

EDUCATION OPTIONS

While we believe that the most effective instruction for your child happens in a classroom Face to Face with our highly qualified teachers, there will be an online Virtual option available for those who elect not to attend in-person.

Click the two links below to read more about the two different options that parents can choose between to have their students educated this fall:

1. Face to Face Learning: This plan also details how Transportation, Food Service, Recess, Cleaning, Extracurricular Activities will be handled in our facilities.
2. Virtual: This plan breaks down how online learning will take place at the three grade levels (elementary, middle and high school).
3. WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE? To help us plan for the Fall, we are asking parents to complete a survey with their choice for instruction for the upcoming school year.​ Please complete this survey by Monday, July 13.

As we communicated Tuesday of this week, we will follow our 2020-2021 school year calendar and these health and safety guidelines:

• Per the St. Joseph County Health Department Public Health Order, staff and students are required to have a mask (face covering) with them at all times. There will be times indoors or in enclosed spaces that 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
• Students and staff will be required to be fever free for 72 hours without use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
• To maintain safe social distancing, lunch times will be staggered and available open space will be maximized.
• Restrict visitors and guests in our school buildings.
• Maximize instructional space and scheduling flexibility.
• Employee enhanced cleaning procedures with additional hand sanitizer stations.
• Identify and separate space in school clinics to treat symptomatic students.
• Discontinuation of perfect attendance incentives for the 2020-21 school year.

For more detailed information on the procedures for masks, social, distancing, cleaning, etc. on P-H-M buses and within our schools, please click here to review the Face to Face Return to Learn model.

We understand that these documents can’t answer every question about re-opening, however, we hope it gives you the framework necessary to make the best decision for your family, whether that’s  returning to school, or online learning. Individualized school plans are being created and will be communicated to families and posted on school websites on August 1st. If you have additional questions in the meantime, please email returntolearn@phm.k12.in.us.

If the number of cases of COVID-19 reaches a level where local and state officials determine that school cannot meet in person, eLearning will resume and would be similar to what it was last spring with some improvements based on the parental feedback we received. We tested some new education models over the summer with online summer school and feel confident that if we have to return to eLearning that we can continue to provide a quality education while also offering social emotional supports.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

The Penn High School Boosters annual golf outing is scheduled for an 8 a.m. shotgun start on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Juday Creek Golf Course (14770 Lindy Dr., Granger, Ind.).

The cost is $100 a player. The event features food, prizes, a shirt and fun.

Hole Sponsorship is also available.

Click here for pricing and details.

Due to construction on the Penn High School campus this summer, no parking  or drop-off/pick-up is available on the east side of the building, near TCU/Freed Field.

The Penn High School campus opens for limited athletics practices on Monday, July 6.

Parking,  as well as drop-off and pick-up will be in the front of the school near Door D and Door C. There will be parking and student drop-off/pick up south of the high school and practice football field, off of Jefferson Rd.

The main student parking lot, along Bittersweet Rd., is reserved for Kingsmen Marching Band practice.

This letter was sent to P-H-M staff and parents:

Thursday, June 25, 2020

This morning members of Penn-Harris-Madison and Penn High School administration met with current Penn students and alumni about the state of race relations not only at Penn, but throughout P-H-M. Last Tuesday, June 16, Penn alumni and current students started a petition and shared an open letter to bring to our attention the hurtful incidents of racism that have occurred to students during their time with us. The group brought forward a list of action items and a timeline that they’d like for the School Corporation to follow in order to bring about change. We will be meeting in July to collaborate with current students and alumni to begin implementation of some of the action items. 

Today, we listened and we apologized to the group. I am taking the time now to also apologize to our greater P-H-M community and to say we must and will do better. 

As I stated in my letter to P-H-M parents last Friday, June 19, “The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees, District Administration, teachers and staff are proud to be educators. It is a call to service, and we don’t take our role of helping to form future citizens of our community, country, and the world lightly.” 

After listening to the students today, we know that our role as educators is more than to just teach basic academics. We must also teach and model for our students what it means to treat others as we would want to be treated. This means we cannot only not tolerate acts of bigotry and complicity, but we must be actively anti-racist. We must always be cognizant, aware and ever vigilant. This must not only be an expectation for ourselves, but also for all of our students.

Today was just the first step in a self-examination and reflection of ourselves as a school corporation, both in what we’ve done and failed to do. We pride ourselves in providing excellence in education, but excellence does not happen here if even one of our students feels pain and indignity. This conversation and journey to change the culture in our schools is just the beginning. Valuing and celebrating diversity is a tenet of P-H-M’s “Vision of Excellence” I’ve spoken of many times. We are committed to implementing reforms necessary to end racism and racial discrimination to create a positive, healthy learning environment for all students. We look forward to working with all of you!

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation