On Thursday, October 12th, 2023, approximately 1,600 junior and seniors attended the annual College and Career Fair offering students invaluable insights into various post-graduation pathways. Organized by the P-H-M Education Foundation, the College and Career Fair was a resounding success for the second year in a row! 

With an aim to empower students with knowledge and guidance as they navigate their options after high school, the fair featured 60 tables with area post secondary options as well as informative breakout sessions. The breakout sessions were led by seven speakers who shared their expertise on distinct paths to success.

Throughout the Fair, students had the chance to interact with representatives from various colleges, universities, technical schools, and military branches. This hands-on experience allowed them to gather information, ask questions, and begin building connections that will be instrumental in their future endeavors.

The College and Career Fair was not just an event; it was a stepping stone towards a brighter future for Penn High School’s juniors and seniors. It instilled in them the confidence to explore their passions, dream big, and take the first steps towards achieving their goals.

With the support of the P-H-M Education Foundation and the guidance provided at the fair, the students of Penn High School are poised to embark on exciting journeys, knowing that their futures are full of promise and opportunity.

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This afternoon (Friday, Sept. 29) representatives from Riley Children’s Foundation visited Penn High School to thank members of Kingsmen Court, Penn students and staff for their generosity. 

Last year Kingsmen Court organized the “Turkey Legs” competition, during which teachers wear shorts and/or dress up in costumes in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Break, and collect money from students and staff with all proceeds going to Riley Children’s Hospital.

Last year’s “Turkey Legs” raised $7,436.25 teachers participated, and three raised over $1,000: Glenn Northern, Kyle Berres, and Jeremy Starkweather. Glenn Northern raised just over $1,600 in donations!

With this gift to Riley, the Foundation was able to sponsor an actual Red Wagon at the hospital–the patients’ main method of transportation in the facility–with a special license plate bearing Penn High School’s name to honor the Kingsmen’s generous philanthropic spirit.  

Today Susan Miles, the Riley’s Kids Caring & Sharing Officer came to Penn to honor Penn for achieving its Red Wagon Sponsor status presenting a duplicate license plate to Kingsmen Court representatives, teacher sponsors Sandy Hunter and Sarah Klein, as well as Principal Dr. Sean Galiher and P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker.

Penn High School has a history of raising thousands of dollars for Riley Children’s Foundation. In 2018 and 2019, Penn students held a Dance Marathon FTK (For The Kids) raising $25,090.16 and $36,929.21 respectively. And even during the 2020 pandemic shutdown without holding the Dance Marathon, Penn students were still able to raise $25,008.12 virtually!

In year’s past, Penn’s annual Dodgeball Tournament proceeds have also been donated to Riley. In 2019, the Tournament raised $4,154.25. Click to read more.

We are very proud of our students and staff for their commitment to community service.

Today (Friday, September 29, 2023) Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker awarded another P-H-M teacher with the Impact Award. Dr. Thacker visited Penn High School to surprise 9^th grade Early College Biology teacher Dr. Lee Morris. Click here to see photos on Facebook.

The P-H-M Impact Award is being presented to educators who have helped their students achieve individual academic growth on their formative assessments over time. All P-H-M teachers across the district are dedicated to helping their students achieve personal academic success. The P-H-M Impact Award is shining the spotlight on those teachers who are showing the most significant overall student growth during the 2022-2023 school year. They are prime examples of how our teachers and students achieve P-H-M Excellence!

Dr. Morris had the highest percentage of growth year over year with passing percentage growth; in 2022, it was 61%, and 83.4% in 2023. Her students’ growth was 28% higher than the overall Penn High School ILEARN Biology proficiency rate.

Dr. Thacker popped into Dr. Morris’ class and surprised her in the middle of reviewing an experiment with her students. In on the surprise was Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, Associate Principal Rachel Fry, Assistant Principal Josiah Parker, Early College Academy Leader Danielle Black, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, and Director of Professional Development Dr. Lavon Dean-Null.

P-H-M is grateful to the Education Foundation for covering the cost of these beautiful awards. 

There are more P-H-M teachers to recognize in the days, weeks and months ahead!

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

Friday, September 29 is Penn’s Homecoming Parade, Fun Zone, Food Trucks & the Penn football game versus St. Joe. The P-H-M Education Foundation is once again sponsoring all the fun and new this year–FIREWORKS after the football game!

The entire P-H-M community is invited to come out for this fun-filled family event. All the fun starts with the Homecoming Parade. Be sure to grab your spot on the route by 5:00 p.m. Parade starts at 5:30!

Here are some things that will be helpful for families as they head out for all the festivities.

Parking:

• Paid Parking ($3 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)

Fun Zone:

• 5-7:00 p.m.
• Penn Baseball Field
• Teacher Dunk Tanks, Jumpies for elementary students
  • FREE for EVERYONE!
• Food Trucks:
  • Ben’s Pretzels
  • Junbuggies
  • Keim’s Elephant Ears
  • Kona Ice
  • Prized Pig
  • REAL Grille
  • Rulli’s Pizza
• Fans will be allowed to take food purchased at the Food Trucks into the stadium. However, no other outside food will be allowed!

Gate & Ticket Info:

• Penn vs. St, Joe, Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
• P-H-M students K – 5th grade get in FREE with paying adult!
• Tickets are on sale now-Thurs., Sept. 28 online, ticket price is $6 (students & all other age groups same price)
  • Click here to buy your tickets online
• Tickets on Friday, Sept. 29 are $7 (online or at the gate) 
• 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!

Fan Safety:

• Click to download and red the Lost Child Policy
• Please utilize crosswalks when crossing Bittersweet Road after the parade

Rules to Remember:

• No reentry to Everwise Field; once you leave, you are not allowed back in.
• 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

Info on the Penn Student Homecoming Dance on Saturday, September 30 can found on PHMEF’s website. CLICK HERE. 

Cheerleading tryouts for the 2023-2024 basketball season will be October 24 and 25 at Penn High School from 3:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.

Please email Coach Szweda for more details at: rszweda@phm.k12.in.us. 

Penn High School’s Carnival of Bands will feature 15 of the top marching bands in northern Indiana on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Everwise Freed Field.

The showcase event will start at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday with the national anthem.

Band performances start at 4 p.m.

Admission is $7. Children age three-and-younger are free. All sales will be made at the gate, either cash or card.

Penn Carnival of Bands Performance Schedule 2023.

Carnival of Bands Vendor List

Penn High School’s Marching Kingsmen conclude the event with an exhibition performance at 9 p.m.

The awards ceremony for the competition is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

The Marching Kingsmen will be performing “Pandora’s Box: Hope Lies Within.”

Musical Selections include:

• “Caves” by Cody Fry
• “Main Theme” from the “Imitation Game” by Alexandre Desplat
• “The Farm” and “Rock Island, 1931” from “Road to Perdition” by Thomas Newman

Drum Majors for the Marching Kingsmen are Anna Murphy, Addison Clark, Elyse Royer and Ellie Satre.

Glenn Northern serves as the Band Director, with D.J. Landoll and Aaron Griesser the assistant directors.

Following the Carnival of Bands, the Marching Kingsmen will complete at the ISSMA Regional at Lafayette on Saturday, Oct. 7.

The ISSMA Semi-State is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, at Indianapolis Ben Davis, and the ISSMA State Finals are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28, in Indianapolis.

The Penn Marching Kingsmen have placed in the Indiana State Finals Contest 20 times and have been a Bands of America Regional Finalist four times.  The band has also performed in the Orange Bowl Parade, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Penn High School was named a 2023 Cognia^® School of Distinction for excellence in education on Thursday, September 15. Penn achieved this accreditation based on its 2022–23 Accreditation Cognia review. The Schools of Distinction program recognizes schools and systems that truly stand out in their service to learners, as demonstrated in meeting the Cognia Performance Standards. Cognia is a global nonprofit school improvement organization grounded in research-based performance standards. 

Penn High School first earned Cognia Accreditation in 2008 and reaccreditation in 2013, 2018 and 2023. During the 2022-2023 school year, Penn participated in Cognia’s rigorous Accreditation Engagement Review process, which is grounded in research-based performance standards. The process includes a third-party review of evidence by education experts, interviews, and classroom observations. The review evaluates institutions and seeks evidence of growth in learning, a healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning—all characteristics Cognia expects to see in quality schools that also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. 

Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher presented Penn’s Cognia results as part of his 2022-2023 End of School Year Report at the June 26 Board of School Trustees Meeting.

Penn High School is among 33 schools and school systems in the United States and in four other countries across the globe named as 2023 Cognia Schools or Systems of Distinction.

The full list of 2023 Schools and Systems of Distinction and the Cognia news release are listed on the Cognia website. Cognia^® is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and other education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in more than 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning. 

Tonight (Friday, September 8, 2023) in Indianapolis at the Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) second annual Educational Excellence Awards Gala, Penn High School received the Excellence in College Readiness Award along with a $250,000 grant!

The Excellence in College Readiness Award as described by the IDOE is as follows:
This award recognizes an individual school that has demonstrated a commitment to helping students earn a credential of value before graduating high school. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: completion of high-value postsecondary credentials for graduating seniors, implementation of strategies that support students reaching their highest potential on ACT and SAT examinations, and expansion of scholarship opportunities for students entering into a higher education institution upon graduating.

For back-to-back school years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, Penn High School has been the top Indiana high school with the highest number of students earning ICC (Indiana College Core) or AGS (Associate of General Studies) certificates earned! Click to read more of Penn High School’s state and national recognition.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and Penn administrators Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, Associate Principal Rachel Fry, Assistant Principals Josiah Parker and Jeanie Mitchell were on hand to receive the award. Other P-H-M honorees recognized at this evening’s Gala included:

• Penn AP History Teacher Eric Bowers, Indiana History Teacher of the Year
• Amanda Fox, 2022 Top 10 Finalist for Indiana Teacher of the Year
• Ryan Towner, 2022 Milken Educator 

This is the second year in a row P-H-M has been honored at the IDOE Educational Excellence Awards Gala. At the inaugural event September 2022, Towner and Fox were honored. Fox for being Indiana’s Finalist for Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Towner for being last year’s Milken Educator.

At this year’s Educational Excellence Awards Gala, the IDOE awarded nearly $5 million to schools and educators across the state! The black-tie event focused on celebrating and elevating the work of Indiana’s educators as they support student learning.

“The heart of the Educational Excellence Awards Gala is focused on the impact of our educators and schools. We know that we have continuous improvements to make for our students…and we also know that we have shining examples of success existing across our state,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education.

“Our goal was to host a red carpet event to celebrate our very best educators, on a level similar to how we celebrate movie stars and professional athletes, because their incredible impact deserves to be celebrated at the grandest level we can,” Dr. Jenner continued her praise of Indiana’s teachers. “Many of the educators tonight have positively impacted hundreds of students over the years and are leaders in their local communities. So, bringing them together for an awards night to roll out the red carpet and provide surprise monetary awards is one small way we can spotlight the massive impact they continue to make on our state.”

Click to read the IDOE’s full news release on the 2023 Educational Excellence Awards Gala.