The 2024 FIN Mishawaka FRC District Event will once again be held at Penn High School March 1st – 3rd (open to the public on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3). The event will be held in Penn’s Main Arena. See below for a daily schedule:

Saturday, March 2

• 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Opening Ceremonies
• 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Qualifying Matches (No matches during Lunch, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.)

Sunday, March 3

• 9:30 – 10:00 a.m., Opening Ceremonies
• 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Qualifying Matches
• 12:30 – 1:00 p.m., Alliance Selections
• 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Lunch
• 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., Playoff Matches & Awards Ceremony

For elementary aged children, there’s also the Next Gen event from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be upstairs–above Penn’s Main Arena–in the Fitness Center. This event is open to all children, not just P-H-M students. Children have the opportunity to do hands-on STEM activities, even operate a robot! Click here for pictures from last year’s event.

This year’s game is CRESCENDO^SM presented by Haas; click here to view a video about the game. FIRST^© Robotics Competition teams will use their STEM skills and creative power to turn up the volume as they design, build, and program their robots for action-packed game play. Watch the game animation to inspire ideas.

During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST^® IN SHOW^SM presented by Qualcomm, FIRST Robotics teams will celebrate the roles STEM skills play in the arts and design, and how these skills help build a world of endless possibilities for students. Click here to learn more about FIRST^® IN and the District event being held at Penn High School.

After 40 years with the Penn High School Football program, Hall of Famer Coach Cory Yeoman announced to Kingsmen student-athletes and assistant coaches this afternoon that he will be retiring as head coach and Penn teacher at the end of this school year.

In his address to the players and coaches, Coach Yeoman shared, “By far the best thing I have ever done as a coach or as a player is to surround myself with great people. You win with people! Thousands of people made this journey possible. Thank you to the Yeoman Family; for over 50 Years our Mom, wives and daughters have let us boys play and coach the game we love for the school we love.”

Coach Yeoman went on to say to his players, “I would like to thank the hundreds of tough Kingsmen players in the ‘long black line;’ I am so proud of you. I love you boys! It has been an honor being a member of ‘the long black line.’ It has been an honor to be one of ‘Gees’s boys.’ Go Penn Go!”

Click below to see a full photo gallery of Coach Yeoman.

Coach Yeoman spent his first 19 years as an Assistant Coach under Hall of Famer Coach Chris Geesman, and the past 21 years as Head Coach. Yeoman took over the Kingsmen program in 2003 and compiled a 208-56 record overall.

In his first season after replacing legendary Coach Geesman, Yeoman guided Penn to the 2003 State Championship Game. Yeoman also led Penn to Semi-state titles in 2017, 2015 and 2011. In addition to winning four Semi-state Championships, the Kingsmen have won nine regional crowns under Yeoman’s leadership, 13 sectional titles and 17 Northern Indiana Conference championships. 

“It’s hard to put into words what Coach Yeoman means to our school community. He’s been a staple of Penn High School for 40 years, as a student, a teacher, an assistant coach, and as our head football coach for 21 years,” said Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart.

“More importantly, his unmatched legacy as a positive leader, mentor, and relationship-builder will be sorely missed in our building and beyond,” Hart continued.  “I’ve been fortunate to work closely with him for the last several years and I’ve seen up close his unique ability to have great success coaching with a servant’s heart while building lifelong relationships with staff and students. I’m blessed to call him a friend.”

Coach Yeoman bleeds black and gold and has always been a Kingsmen. He played for Penn, earning all-state honors at defensive tackle. In 1979, Coach Yeoman led a Kingsmen defense that only allowed 33 yards rushing a game. That Kingsmen team finished 11-1, winning an NIC Championship before losing to Hobart in the second round of the playoffs. Yeoman graduated from Penn in 1980. 

Coach Yeoman is in the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, the first Penn player nominated for the Hall.

“Coach Yeoman is a Kingsmen legend. He learned from the best [Coach Chris Geesman] and became the best,” said Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “Coach is highly respected across Indiana; and while we’ll miss him coaching on the sidelines, we know that he won’t be very far from Everwise Freed Field on Friday nights. Once a Kingsmen, always a Kingsmen!”

After his playing career at Penn, coach Yeoman played for Miami (Ohio) University. He was a roommate and teammate of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl winning head coach, John Harbaugh. Yeoman joined the Kingsmen coaching staff after graduation from Miami, and has been on the Kingsmen sidelines for 40 seasons.

After Penn’s 28-7 victory against the Mishawaka Cavemen on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, Yeoman was named the Indianapolis Colts Indiana High School Coach of the Week. The victory against the archrival Cavemen also gave Yeoman his 200th career victory, making him only the second Kingsmen Football coach to reach that coveted plateau. 

Penn is now the only high school in Indiana to have two coaches meet this milestone. The first was longtime Kingsmen coach Chris Geesman (309 wins), who Coach Yeoman played under and coached with at the beginning of his career at Penn.

Yeoman is beloved and admired by his players and assistant coaches. He serves as a mentor to Penn students not only as a coach, but also as a Physical Education and Sports Performance teacher. Yeoman was also an Industrial Arts Teacher. Coach loves the interactions with students. For years, he’s assisted with Penn’s Commencements, helping line students up and assisting families whose children are being honored posthumously. Yeoman once said to a colleague “My favorite time of year is graduation; this is what it’s all about!”

Coach Yeoman’s last day will come at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. Coach looks forward to spending time with his grandchild, wife and family, and of course cheering for the Kingsmen on Friday nights.

Penn-Harris-Madison will begin an immediate search for a new Kingsmen Head Football Coach; the announcement is to be determined at a later date.

Coaching Profile of Cory Yeoman:

40 Years Coaching at Penn High School, 425 – 79

• 504 Games Coached at Penn High School
• 1984 – 2023 Seasons 
• 1984 – 2002 Assistant Coach, 217 – 23
• 2003 – 2023 Head Coach, 208 – 56 

Championships

• 36 X Northern Indiana Conference
• 24 X Sectional
• 17 Regionals
• 11 Semi-State
• 7 State Runners-up
• 4 State Championships

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The 2023 Homecoming Weekend will be bigger and better than ever! 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

• Homecoming Parade
  • 5:00 p.m. Start
  • Final route details coming soon!

• Expo
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Meet area vendors that have a shared interest in supporting P-H-M School Corporation
  • Silent Auction, the proceeds benefit the PHM Education Foundation
• Fun Zone
  • 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Wrist bands cost $5. Free Admission to the football game with wrist band purchase!
  • Inflatables, dunk tanks and more
• Penn vs St. Joseph Football Game
  • 7:30 p.m. kickoff
• FIREWORKS AFTER THE GAME! 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

• Homecoming Dance (Sponsored by Ashley Rene’s Prom & Pageant)
  • 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
  • Location: Everwise Freed Field
  • Click here to purchase tickets, $25 a person
  • Dress-to-Impress semi-formal/festive attire. Have fun with your look.
  • No heels are permitted on the field, only the dance floor
  • Outdoor Fun, Games, and Dancing
  • Music Mix provided by DJ CPTN Jack & DJ EVN
  • A variety of food trucks (additional to ticket cost) will be on hand to sell food items
  • All students must show ID

Today Mrs. Jeanie Mitchell was notified by the Indiana Department of Education that she was now among the state’s TOP 10 FINALISTS for Teacher of the Year!

Mrs. Mitchell was named P-H-M’s Secondary Teacher of the Year back in April. Click here to read the story and see the video when she was named. 

Mrs. Mitchell is a French Teacher and the Academy Leader for Freshman Academy. She learned on August 5 that she had made the Top 30 lists of finalists, along with Mrs. Christine Austin (4^th grade teacher at Walt Disney Elementary School) who was named P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year also back in April. Austin and Mitchell were among 30 teachers chosen as the top finalists from a field of 61 applicants. P-H-M was only one of two school districts, and the only one in the Michiana area, that has two teachers who made the Top 30!

Mrs. Mitchell will now move on to the “Top 10 Interview Day” on September 12 in Indianapolis, with the announcement of the Indiana Teacher of the Year winner coming in late September, early October. A banquet to honor all candidates will be held November 15. 

Congratulations to “Madame Mitchell”!!!

P-H-M Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year learned today that they have been selected among the Indiana Department of Education’s Top 30 Finalists for the Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Jeanie Mitchell teaches French at Penn High School and is the Freshman Academy Leader. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker surprised Madame Mitchell with the good news that she had been named Secondary Teacher of the Year by popping in on her class back in April. Click to watch the video.

Christine Austin is a fourth grade teacher at Walt Disney Elementary School. Mrs. Austin also learned in a surprise announcement in the Spring that she had been chosen as P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Click here to see the video of the surprise announcement and to learn more about Mrs. Austin.

Austin and Mitchell were among 30 teachers chosen as the top finalists from a field of 61 applicants. P-H-M was only one of two school districts, and the only one in the Michiana area, that has two teachers who made the Top 30!

The IDOE TOY Selection Committee will determine the “Top 10” within the next few weeks, with those finalists being invited to the “Top 10 Interview Day” on September 12.

In a surprise announcement Tuesday (April 23) morning at Penn High School, Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker honored the District’s 2019 Secondary Teacher of the Year Penn’s Freshman Academy Leader & World Languages French Teacher Jeanie Mitchell (click here to view the entire photo gallery on the P-H-M District website).

Watch the video below to see her reaction when she walks into the room to find Dr. Thacker and the cameras waiting …

Madame Jeanie Mitchell came to P-H-M and to Penn High School to teach French in the World Languages Academy in 2008. Last September, she also became Freshman Academy Leader.

Through her French classes Mme. Mitchell brings the world to her students providing classroom project based learning projects, as well as field trips to the French Market in Chicago and even to France! Mme. Mitchell sees her role as a French teacher is to “encourage students to gain a better understanding of themselves and their own world by studying and relating to the practices and beliefs of others.”

As the Freshman Academy Leader, Jeanie helps make the transition from middle school to high school manageable and less daunting for incoming freshmen. She worked with other Academy teachers to begin recognizing two freshman “Students of the Month” (two from each of the four freshman houses); so far more than 60 students have been highlighted this year.

Jeanie has also worked on a Tier 3 RtI program to identify Penn’s most at-risk freshmen students pairing them up with an administrator, counselor or dean. These students not only get the wraparound support they need, but more importantly they also come to realize that they have trusted adults who care about them and who they can go to for help. Speaking of help … Jeanie is also involved in Penn’s Natural Helper’s program, which helps students to not only care for themselves, but to also show compassion and reach out and help others.

Jeanie is a leader among her peers at Penn, frequently leading staff professional development on a variety of topics such as technology, literacy strategies, effective parent communication, and how to use social media to develop teachers’ personal learning networks.

Jeanie and her husband have two children who attend Horizon Elementary School.

Click here to view the entire photo gallery on the P-H-M District website.

As Paris’ most popular tourist stop, ahead of even the Eiffel Tower, people around the world have a connection Notre Dame Cathedral, including some here at Penn High School.

The fire that ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Monday, April 15 stopped people in their tracts, stunned as they watched this major French, and world, historical and cultural landmark go up in flames.

Penn High School French teacher Jeanie Mitchell has visited the Notre-Dame de Paris five times over the course of her numerous trips to France.

Senior Hailie Kulikowski was just in Paris two weeks ago over Spring Break, the week of April 1st. She talks about how fortunate she considers herself to be among some of the last tourists to see  Notre-Dame de Paris before it went up in flames. Click the video below to hear their reaction …

P-H-M middle schools students take a trip every other summer to Europe, giving students the opportunity to go more in depth in the social students/history curriculum.

This was photo was taken in front of the Cathedral on a P-H-M middle school trip to Paris in 2012.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation will host Technovation 2016, a digital learning initiative for educators across the Midwest, at Penn High School on Wednesday, July 20, and Thursday, July 21.

Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz will provide a welcome address to participants on Wednesday, and George Couros, author and leading educator in the field of innovative leadership, teaching and learning, will give the keynote address on Thursday morning.

At last year’s inaugural conference, more than 300 Indiana educators participated in the event, which offers a wide spectrum of innovative techniques to blend technology with teaching in order to increase student engagement and student achievement.

“In this digital environment, our students move from mere consumers of education to actual participants and producers of educational content,” Penn High School Principal Steve Hope said regarding the purpose of Technovation 2016. “The use of technology is simply another tool – a very powerful tool – to continue the work of inquiry, problem-solving, and critical thinking.”  

Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker noted P-H-M’s commitment to 1:1 student-to-technological device ratio at Penn High School and its three middle schools has played a key role in teaching and learning engagement in and outside the classroom.

“With a Chromebook at their side, our teachers and students will have the world at their fingertips,” Thacker said.

P-H-M teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels, along with P-H-M administrators and staff, will deliver the presentations. Penn students will be on-hand to showcase and answer questions on the Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science Lab tools used at the high school: augmented reality sandbox, UAV science drones, tornado generator and an earthquake machine (click here to see a “road map” of the Technovation classes).

Attendees will also see vendor demonstrations, such as zSpace, a 3D virtual learning tool. zSpace is an interactive hardware and software platform that brings resources to life through 3D technology helping students visualize and create.

“We see this as an opportunity for showcasing the talented teachers and students of the district as well as a launchpad of lifelong learning for the school year at Penn-Harris-Madison,” Technovation 2016 coordinator Duke Lines said.

Featured speakers at Technovation 2016 include Lisa Duerkson, Jeanie Mitchell, Rachel Fry, Amy Heavin, Terri Whitehead, Kelly Clifford, Sheila Toth, Beth Raker, Jarred Corwin, and Jill Kaufman.

More than 60 sessions will be offered in administration, technology personnel and teacher tracks.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with a wide-range of vendors including, but not limited to: Luma Audio & Visual, Automated Data Systems, Ruckus Wireless, Audio Enhancement, Brocade, CIBER Inc., Edmentum, Educational Furniture, Fortinet, Hewlett Packard, Indiana Connected Educators, Instructure and St. Joe Valley Metronet.

Each year the Penn High School students enrolled in Childhood Development classes offer the two unique programs described below for preschoolers in our community.  

We encourage you to take advantage of PLAYSCHOOL and TODDLER TIME if you have young children in your household, and to tell your friends as well!

Toddler Time

Click here for the Toddler Time enrollment form.

For children ages 1 – 3 and a parent or caregiver. It is led by the students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education classes and is designed to help them learn about the toddlers through direct interaction and observations.  It is FREE for the toddler and caregiver!

Dates and times: 

If you sign up for a group, we plan on you attending each day listed at that time. You are welcome to sign up for more than one! For Example: if you would like to go everyday, you can sign up for both the G3 Orange group & B3 Blue Group, or G4 Yellow Group & B4 Blue Group. Parents can sign up for more than one group.

Gold Dates:  Dec. 5, Dec. 7, Dec. 11, Dec. 13
 Black Dates: Dec. 6, Dec. 8, Dec. 12, Dec. 14

G2 RED GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.
G3 ORANGE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
G4 YELLOW GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.
B2 GREEN GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.
B3 BLUE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
B4 PURPLE GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

Playschool

Click here for the Playschool Enrollment form.

Child Development students are in charge of creating intellectual, social, emotional, and physical lesson plans and games to engage 3 – 4-year-old children.  It is a wonderful, hands-on experience for these eager students to incorporate all that we have discussed throughout the school year. In addition, it is a great opportunity for young children to have interaction with fellow peers.  

Enrollment is for  toddlers from ages 3-4, and they must be potty-trained. There is a one-time enrollment fee of $10 per child as we do provide snacks/supplies.

If you sign up for a group, we plan on you attending each day listed at that time. You are welcome to sign up for more than one! For Example: if you would like to go everyday, you can sign up for both the G3 Orange group & B3 Blue Group, or G4 Yellow Group & B4 Blue Group. Parents can sign up for more than one group.

Gold Dates:  April 10, April 12, April 16, April 18, April 22, April 24, April 26, April 30, May 2, May 6, May 8, May 10

Black Dates: April 11, April 15, April 17, April 19, April 23, April 25, April 29, May 1, May 3, May 7, May 9, May 13

G2 RED GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m.

G3 ORANGE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

G4 YELLOW GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

B2 GREEN GROUP TIMES: 10:10-11:10 a.m. 

B3 BLUE GROUP TIMES: 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

B4 PURPLE GROUP TIMES: 2-3 p.m.

Additional notes:

It is very important that children be dropped off on time for PLAYSCHOOL and picked up on time afterwards! 

A small circle drive at the southeast corner of the high school (enter off Jefferson Road) provides PLAYSCHOOL parents convenient access to the PLAYSCHOOL entrance at Door K, where high school students are stationed to assist parents. This map will help you find your way.

If you do not want your child’s picture taken and possibly posted on social media for observation and education purposes (children’s names are never listed), please note that on the enrollment form. We will make sure your privacy is respected. 

Playschool 2

Click here for the Playschool enrollment form.

For potty-trained children, ages 4-5, gearing towards kindergarten. Student-led lesson plans with stations and routines. 

Dates: First Semester September 19- December 21. Second Semester January 23- May 9. 

Times: 

Option #1 Wach’s Group: 8:30-9:45 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. $50 Per Semester

Option #2 Wetzel’s Group: 8:30-11:15 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday. $100 Per Semester

Additional notes:

• It is very important that children be dropped off on time for PLAYSCHOOL and picked up on time afterwards! 
• A small circle drive at the southeast corner of the high school (enter off Jefferson Road) provides PLAYSCHOOL parents convenient access to the PLAYSCHOOL entrance at Door K, where high school students are stationed to assist parents. This map will help you find your way.
• If you do not want your child’s picture taken and possibly posted on social media for observation and education purposes (children’s names are never listed), please note that on the enrollment form. We will make sure your privacy is respected. 

Both TODDLER TIME and PLAYSCHOOL give the Child Development students at the high school an opportunity to plan intellectual, social, and physical development-based lessons, teach these lessons, and observe behaviors of young children.  

Both programs are part of Penn High School’s Health and Human Services Academy and are under the direction of certified teacher Kylee Wetzel.  Mrs. Wetzel can be reached at (574) 259-7961, extension 20788 or click here to email Kylee Wetzel.

Becky Wachs also teaches Toddler Time and Playschools. Click here to email Bechy Wachs. 

Follow Toddler Time and Playschool on Twitter @PennFACS , Facebook at @Kylee Wetzel and Instagram at @mrswetzel.phm.

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