The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s ENL Services’ is sponsoring the District’s FREE Community Connections Fair!

Come check out what the Mishawaka, South Bend, and Elkhart communities have to offer to your families!

P-H-M is inviting area businesses who want to participate in the Community Connections Fair to sign up. Click here to request a table at the event. 

The Fair will also include cultural performances from P-H-M students and families. Families wishing to sign up to perform, click here.

Bilingual interpreters will be on hand at the event to assist those families who need it.

Come out and enjoy the many cultural performances and student work that will be on display representing countries from all over the world! 

Please join us! Click here to download and share the flyer.

For more information, please contact:
Rylee Jacobson
P-H-M Elementary ENL Coordinator
(574) 271-8598, Ext. 50913
rjacobson@phm.k12.in.us

On Friday, August 25th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry between Mishawaka and Penn High School was renewed at Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School. The last time the two teams met up was Oct. 18, 2019.

The rematch lived up to all the pre-game anticipation and excitement, and ended with a Kingsmen victory of 28-7 over the Cavemen. The magic of “Friday Night Lights” & the “Return of the Backyard Brawl” was captured in this video. Take a look … 

Pictures from the Community Tailgate can be found in this Facebook album, click here.

Friday Night, August 25, 2023 marks the return of the storied rivalry between the Mishawaka Cavemen and Penn High School. The “Backyard Brawl” was last played at Mishawaka on Oct. 18, 2019. This time around Penn is hosting. We’re expecting a large crowd for this big game, which is also Penn’s home opener, and we want everyone to have a good time.

Here are some things that will be helpful for all fans as they head to Everwise Freed Field.

Parking:

• Paid Parking ($2 cash) at these lots:
  • Penn High School (Front Lot & Jefferson Rd. Lot)
  • Softball/Tennis Lot
  • Bittersweet School Lot
• Free Parking at these lots:
  • Soccer Lot (Bank Lot)
  • Pennway Lot
  • Schmucker Lot (front, Sides & in Back of School)

Gate & Ticket Info:

• Gates open at 5:00 p.m. (Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m.)
• Tickets are available online for presale for $6 (PreK & younger are FREE; students & all other age groups same price)
  • Click here to buy your tickets online
• Tickets on August 25 (at the gate or online) are $7
• PHM Employees plus one guest get in FREE, but you must have ID badge & the guest must be with the employee
• Please remember middle schoolers cannot be dropped off unsupervised. Once in the game, the students are free to walk around. At least one responsible adult must be onsite.
• Tickets are sold at the North & South gates only!
• Penn All Sports Passes and tickets (hard & online) are accepted at all gates
• The Center Gate is reserved for Penn All Sports Passes and online ticket holders only
• No Reentry!

Community Tailgate

• All fans are welcome; it is a Community Tailgate!
• You must purchase a football ticket to attend the Community Tailgate. You will not be able to enter the stadium at 5:00 unless you have a ticket to the game!
• Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the South End Zone, near the Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care South Concession Stand.

Fan Safety:

• Extra police officers will be on hand for traffic direction & crowd control
• There will be an extra outdoor concession stand just selling drinks and water
  • STAY HYDRATED! It will be a hot day/early evening.
• Fire & EMS will be on site
  • Contact a medic if you or anyone near you is experiencing a heat related illness
• Please utilize crosswalks when crossing Bittersweet Road

Rules to Remember:

• No Reentry
• No outside food or beverages, no insulated cups
• No backpacks
  • Diaper bags & large women’s purses are allowed
• Penn does not have a clear bag policy
• No electronic noise makers
• No Footballs or Beach Balls
• No weapons of any kind
• No alcohol
• No Smoking/Vaping products of any kind. All PHM school property is smoke free.
• No open flames at private tailgating

On Friday, August 25th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., the “Backyard Brawl” rivalry between Mishawaka and Penn High School will be renewed at Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School.

Click here for everything you need to know before heading to the big game!

2023 Community Tailgate:

• Before the game starts, everyone is invited to the Community Tailgate!
• Time: 5-6:30 p.m.
• Cost $6
  • Includes Hot Dog, Brat or Burger, Chips, Cookie & Drink

Ticket Information:

• Presale tickets are $6
  • Presale tickets can be purchased online here
• Tickets at the gate are $7
• Tickets may be purchased in the Athletic Office until noon on Friday, August 25th
• Pre K and younger are FREE
• Children in grades 8 and younger MUST be accompanied by an adult
• No Reentry!

Show your support by purchasing a limited edition shirt for the game.  Orders can be placed at: gottogettees@gmail.com for $15 each (and picked up at Penn the next day) or shirts can be purchased at the Penn Bookstore.

This is the first meeting since 2019, watch the video below to see some photos from 2017, 2018 and 2019!

Penn Early College Academy Leader Danielle Black and English Teacher Sarah Dwigans were recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educators of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). Black and Dwigans were nominated by Early College junior Dhruvi Patel, also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

Black teaches Speech in Early College Academy. Patel nominated Black for her support of students and commitment to academic excellence.

“Mrs. Black deserves this award because she made me feel more comfortable with public speaking. I was once so shy and had so much anxiety when I had to talk in front of large groups. Mrs.Black taught me many skills that brought my confidence up as a speaker. She made sure I felt prepared before any big speech and made sure to have a warm smile on her face when I looked at her for reassurance. She also answered my many questions without frustration and always was so helpful. Her class helped me achieve skills in public speaking and made me not so nervous anymore about talking in front of others.”

Dwigans is also a Penn assistant softball coach. Dwigans is Patel’s English teacher who has shown care and compassion, while also being an excellent teacher.

“Mrs. Dwigans deserves this nomination because she is an incredible teacher and role model who has had an immense impact on the lives of many students. She is patient and aware that every student has unique skills and weaknesses. While Mrs. Dwigans encourages students to give everything their best, she also allows her students to work at their own pace. Mrs. Dwigans is also a great listener. When she notices a student acting upset or anxious, she softly asks what’s wrong and pays attention to their concerns. She taught me and many other students that we should not change for anyone and that watering down our personalities should not happen; instead, we should grow our characters. Mrs. Dwigans has influenced many students’ lives by demonstrating to us that it’s acceptable not to be perfect and that perfection is not what we were created for since we were meant to make mistakes and stand out. More than simply a teacher, Mrs. Dwigans is a tremendous role model for many people, including myself.”

As Educators of Distinction, Black and Dwigans will be able to access special grant opportunities and attend professional conferences, pursue advanced degrees and compete for NSHSS Educator of the Year, which comes with a $5,000 cash award.

The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award is named after Claes Nobel, a member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes.  Mr. Nobel strongly believed that educators play a pivotal—and under-acknowledged—role in preparing students for success in school and in life. In that spirit, the Educator of Distinction program was created to honor and reward exemplary teachers, counselors and administrators.

The National Society of High School Scholars seeks to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving students through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks. From attending the annual Nobel Week festivities in Stockhohn, to internships with major corporations and government agencies, pre-college summer study programs, and more than $2,000,000 in exclusive scholarships awarded annually, NSHSS is continually seeking new ways to provide lifetime learning and growth opportunities for academically talented and accomplished student leaders, and the educators who support them.

Our educators will go to new heights to show students the unlimited possibilities and limitless opportunities available to them!

The U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team invited Assistant Principal Mr. Josiah Parker to go skydiving with them. The goal of the program was to highlight and show all the different types of jobs available in the Army. Mr. Parker was among 30 educators and community representatives selected to participate. 

Take a look at the video of the jump and the photo gallery below

Last spring, Mr. Parker also visited Fort Sam Huston to learn more about medical related jobs/training available in the Army to come back and share with students.

This year’s annual Community Tailgate will be a great way to kick off the return of the Backyard Brawl between the Kingsmen and the Mishawaka Cavemen. 

All fans are welcome, Cavemen and Kingsmen! There’s plenty of food for fans on both sides.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the South End Zone, near the Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care South Concession Stand.

For $6 you get your choice of hot dog, hamburger or brat served with a bag of chips, choice of drink, and a cookie. Food tickets for the Tailgate are purchased at the Tailgate.

Penn High School AP History teacher Mr. Eric Bowers was recently named Indiana History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute. The announcement came August 1. Bowers will be among those recognized at the second annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala coming up in September. The Gala is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Education.

Bowers was named P-H-M’s 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year in the spring and is up for Indiana state Teacher of the Year. 

The History Teacher of the Year award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K–12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools, and U.S. Territories. The award is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium, each History Teacher of the Year receives a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials, and becomes one of 53 finalists for the National History Teacher of the Year award.

The winner of this year’s National History Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in fall 2023 and celebrated at a ceremony in New York City. This year’s ceremony will feature Peabody and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Senior National Affairs Correspondent Deborah Roberts as its presenter. Roberts, a contributing anchor for 20/20, was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in May. She is also the author of the New York Times recent bestselling book, Lessons Learned and Cherished: The Teacher Who Changed My Life.

Past presenters of the award include the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, First Lady Laura Bush, former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Now is the time to pre-order your Penn High School Yearbook for the 2023-2024 School Year and save $10 by ordering early.

Orders must be received by Sept. 8, 2023, to receive the special discounted price and icon offer.

Click here for the 2024 Penn High School Early Yearbook Sale Order Form!

All orders must be placed directly through Jostens go to JostensYearbooks.com.

Students will have the opportunity to walk around the building and find their classrooms at the Penn High School Walk-Around, scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon, on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023.

In addition, various clubs and activities will be present to share information about how to get involved. The Penn Booster Club will be selling spirit wear and PE clothing in the bookstore during the Saturday, Aug. 12, Walk-Around.