As a reminder, the last day of school for students is Thursday, June 5, 2025. This is one day earlier than previously scheduled. 

Due to the absence of local, state, or national elections on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, all P-H-M schools were in session and no longer had a Recess Day on this date. P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with the District Administration to make these calendar changes.

Indiana law requires schools to be in session for 180 days each year. If necessary, P-H-M can utilize up to three weather-related eLearning days, as permitted under Indiana law (HB-1093). If additional makeup days are needed, they will be added to the end of the school year, following the new last student day, Thursday, June 5, 2025. 

The updated 2024-2025 school year calendar is posted on the P-H-M website, click here to view the updated calendar.

Greg Dikos is retiring from Penn High School as a teacher after 45 years in education, but he will remain the head coach of the Kingsmen Baseball program. Dikos teaches Advanced Team Sports.

On Satuday, April 26, Penn’s home turf will be named Greg Dikos Field.

The ceremony to name field in honor of Coach Dikos will take place at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, in between games of a doubleheader between the Kingsmen and Lake Central. Former Kingsmen baseball players are invited to attend!

The field dedication is made possible by a $10,000 gift from retiring School Superintendent Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Thacker to the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights Campaign. This makes the fifth donation Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have made as part of the Naming Rights Campaign, recognizing the contributions P-H-M employees have made to the community. Click here for more details.

Going into the 2025 season, Dikos owned a record of 839-298 in 37 seasons.

Penn has won six State Championships during Dikos’ tenure as head coach – 1994, 1998, 2001, 2015, 2022. 2023.

Coach Dikos has also led Penn to seven Semi-State Championships, 13 Regional Champion-

ships, 21 Sectional Championships and 22 Northern Indiana Conference Championships.

A graduate of Swartz Creek High School (Mich.) and Ball State University, Coach Dikos was selected by the Atlanta Braves as a third baseman in the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft in the 31st round.

Coach Dikos was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Auditions for the 2025-2026 Penn High School Dance/Pom Team (open to current students in grades 7-through-11)

Dates:

• Monday, April 21: 6:30-8:30 pm – Main Arena at PHS
• Tuesday, April 22: 6:30-8:30 pm – Auxiliary Gym at PHS
• Wednesday, April 23: 6:30-8:30 pm – Main Arena at PHS (Competition Tryouts only)
• Thursday, April 24: 6:30-8:30 pm – Auxiliary at PHS (JV and Varsity Tryouts)

(Competition team results will be announced on Thursday morning via Instagram)

(JV and Varsity team results will be announced on Friday morning via Instagram)

We will be filling positions for the JV, Varsity and Competition teams.

We will be looking for the following qualities during tryouts: dance ability, showmanship, and technical skills (Turns/Pirouettes, Toe Touches, Leaps, Splits, as well as advanced skills for the competition team).

If you wish to try out for the Competition team, your technical skills will be an extremely important aspect of your tryout. You MUST have:

– Minimum: a triple and quad pirouette
– Toe touches/pop up toe touch
– Firebird
– Turning Disc
– Calypso
– Side leap
– Saut de chat
– Fouettes/ala Seconde Turns
– Kip ups
– Head springs
– Aerials (front and side)
– Switch to tilt jump; switch to arabesque; switch to second
– Preferred skills: front walkovers

Any questions, please contact:

Alison Minegar / aminegar@phm.k12.in.us

PARENT/STUDENT SIGNATURE PAGE (Audition for the 2025-2026 Penn High School Dance_Pom Team).

I, _____________________________________ have read all requirements and give my student,
_________________________________ permission to audition for the Penn High School Dance Team.

Parent Signature:

Dancer Signature:

Date: _______________________________________

** This form must be handed in on the first day of tryouts, or student will NOT be allowed to participate.

Any questions, please contact:

Alison Minegar / aminegar@phm.k12.in.us

David (DJ) Landoll has been named the Director of Bands for Penn High School. He follows Glenn Northern as the Director of Bands for Penn. Northern will retire at the end of the 2024-2025 school year after 24 years of service as an educator at Penn, 14 as the Director of Bands.

Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher announced the appointment of Landoll as the Director of Bands for Penn.

“This job is an opportunity to more meaningfully take care of the people in our band community, the way that Glenn Northern has done for 14 years,” Landoll said. “I would not be here without his guidance and the support of the many great people in and around P-H-M’s band programs.”

Landoll’s primary responsibilities will include leadership of the concert band curriculum and management of the larger band program, encompassing the booster organization, resources and budget, and staff coordination.

He will also supervise and instruct one of Indiana’s elite Marching Bands. The Marching Kingsmen have competed in the Indiana State Marching Band Finals 20 times in the largest school Open Class A Division. Penn’s Marching Band has performed in the historic Tournament of Roses Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Landoll has served as Assistant Band Director at Penn since 2017, with responsibility to the competitive marching band, each of the concert bands, the pep band, the Music Technology class, the Tri-M Music Honors Society, and the leadership development curriculum. He has held coordination/leadership roles in various aspects of the marching band program, as well as the recruitment and retention of students. 

Presiding over a period of growth and development in the pep band, Landoll’s concert bands have consistently earned top marks at adjudications, including, most often, the “gold with distinction” honors achieved by only about 15 percent of statewide high school entries. He assisted Glenn Northern in last year’s State Runner-Up Concert Band.  In 2024, he was named one of “Michiana’s Outstanding Music Educators” by the Quinlan and Fabish Music Company.

Landoll earned a Master of Music in Conducting from James Madison University, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Duquesne University. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Landoll attended St. Ignatius High School, where he was active in the band program, a National Merit scholar, and an Eagle Scout. He is an avid fan and advocate of the marching arts, and has a combined 12 seasons of marching and teaching experience in DCI’s World Class.

Penn High School Robotics Team 135 earned the Impact Award in recent competition at Lafayette, Ind.

The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Impact Award is the most prestigious award in FRC, recognizing a team that best embodies the mission of FIRST by inspiring others through their community outreach, STEM advocacy, and sustained impact. It honors programs that go beyond building robots to create a lasting legacy.

“Winning the Impact Award is a testament to the dedication and passion of our students, mentors, and community,” Penn Robotics Instructor Kyle Marsh said. “Through our outreach efforts—whether it’s mentoring teams, running camps and workshops, expanding assistive technology, or launching new initiatives like our 3-D printing program—we strive to make STEM accessible to all.

“With over 1,000 volunteer hours each year, our students are committed to something bigger than themselves, using robotics as a platform to inspire and empower others,” Marsh said. “Being recognized for this work is an incredible honor and a humbling reminder of the difference we can make beyond the competition field.”

In addition, Penn High School student Grant Spadafore was named an Indiana Dean’s List Finalist.

Penn Robotics will compete in the Robotics State Finals at Greenwood on April 3-4.

Freshman AP History teacher William “Cub” Irons got quite the April Fool’s surprise this morning, except it was no joke!

With the help of Penn High School’s Administrative Team, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker dropped by Mr. Irons’ class to let him know that his class had the highest AP History passing percentage at Penn, scoring a 3 or higher on AP History of the World exam.

In classrooms across the district, our experienced teachers are working hard to help their students learn, retain and grow their knowledge base.

The Spring 2025 P-H-M Teacher Impact Awards are given to educators who had the most significant individual student growth with DIBELS, IREAD, ILEARN, and AP testing. Dr. Thacker awarded four other teachers with Impact Awards on April 1st. Click here more details.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for covering the cost for the beautiful crystal awards which teachers can proudly display in their classrooms.

Glenn Northern, who has guided Penn bands to a nationally regarded status, will hand over the conductor’s baton at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Northern’s retirement was announced by Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher.

Northern has carved out a remarkable legacy in his 36-year journey as an educator.

Serving the Penn-Harris-Madison community for 24 years, Northern has been the Director of Bands and Fine Arts Academy Leader for the past 14 years. Prior to that, he was the assistant band director at Penn for 10 years.

“My twenty-four years at Penn have been the highlight of my teaching career,” Northern said. “The students, colleagues and parents have been a joy to work with. I will miss everyone very much. I am so proud to have been a part of life at Penn High School for all of these years.”

Penn bands students have consistently earned Gold Ratings at ISSMA contests under Northern’s direction.

The Marching Kingsmen have an elite status among high school marching bands, competing in the Indiana State Marching Band Finals 20 times in the largest school Open Class A division. Penn’s Marching Band has performed in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Orange Bowl Parade, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Northern graduated from Ashtabula (Ohio) High School and the University of Evansville. He was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Bandmaster in 2015 and Northern was named the Indiana Music Educators Association “High School Music Educator of the Year” in 2018.

The Penn High School Symphonic Winds, directed by Northern, were the 2015 Indiana State Champion Concert Band and the 2024 Indiana State Concert Band Champion Runner-Up.

A new chapter in Penn High School’s rich sports history will begin in the Fall of 2025, as the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted to approve the formation of a Girls Flag Football Program. 

The P-H-M School Board vote on Monday, March 24, gives a green light to join the Girls Flag Football initiative in Indiana. The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced on Monday that 55 schools have committed to Girls Flag Football Teams for the 2025 season, an increase from 27 teams in 2024.

“We are thrilled to add girls flag football as a fall sport at Penn,” Athletic Director Jeff Hart said. “With the strong support of the IHSAA and the Indianapolis Colts, the interest around the state has been strong and we look forward to building a program that competes at a high level.  We will begin the process soon of hiring a head coach and meeting with interested students. We can’t wait to get started!”

The IHSAA is one of 19 state associations currently piloting the Girls Flag Football in conjunction with the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts. The NFL and the Colts are providing grants to Penn High School totaling $6,500 to support the 2025 and 2026 seasons. In addition, they will provide 25 black jerseys with “Vegas gold” lettering.

Plans are for Penn to play a seven-game regular-season schedule followed by the state tournament. The Northern Indiana Conference is projecting six teams for the 2025 season – Penn, Elkhart, South Bend Adams, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph and South Bend Washington.

Girls Flag Football will be played in a 7-vs.-7 format, with games lasting 60 minutes.

Plans are for Penn to field a Varsity team in 2025, with a Junior Varsity team to be added later. Tryouts/practice for the Penn Flag Football Team are scheduled to start on Monday, August 4.

Previously, Penn offered a Girls Flag Football tournament once a year around Homecoming, called “Powder Puff.” Four teams, made up of student-athletes from each class year, playing each other. The annual tournament has been very popular, and will remain part of Penn’s Homecoming week traditions.

Girls Flag Football at Penn will provide a new competitive outlet that fosters teamwork, leadership, and increased participation in education-based athletics. As the sport gains traction nationwide, this program will offer female students access to emerging scholarship opportunities and potential career pathways in sports. Additionally, it will strengthen the Penn Athletic community, build school spirit, and further enhance Penn’s reputation as a leader in Indiana high school sports.

After nearly two decades leading the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker has announced his retirement, effective in July 2025. In a heartfelt letter sent this morning to P-H-M teachers, staff, students, and families  Dr. Thacker shared his decision to step down after a remarkable 53-year career in education (click here to read the letter).

“Dr. Thacker’s vision of excellence helped shape P-H-M into one of the top-performing school districts in Indiana,” commented Chris Riley, President of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees. “We are grateful not only for his years of leadership, but for his tireless commitment and dedication to our entire community. There is no greater supporter of Penn-Harris-Madison than Dr. Jerry Thacker!”

Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M has achieved extraordinary milestones, including raising the graduation rate from 79% to 98%, ranking in the top 4% of the state academically, and helping students earn more than $200 million in scholarships. He also prioritized school safety, leading P-H-M to be ranked sixth in the nation for school safety initiatives.

In concert with the Board of School Trustees, P-H-M has a stellar record of financial stewardship. P-H-M overcame a $3 million deficit, built a strong and sustainable financial model, and maintained one of the lowest tax rates in the region—all while ensuring our students and staff had the resources they needed to thrive.

Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Thacker shared “As superintendent, one of the greatest joys of my career has been attending school events and witnessing our students shine—whether excelling in academics, performing in fine arts, or competing in athletics. Our students’ talent and dedication are extraordinary.”

Dr. Thacker’s educational career began in the classroom as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School, where he taught for five-and-a-half years, before moving to Mary Frank Elementary to teach 5th and 6th grades for eight years, where he also became a Team Leader. He even did his student teaching at P-H-M, at Moran Elementary. His passion for learning and leadership soon led him to administrative roles across Indiana and beyond.

Dr. Thacker’s extensive career in educational leadership includes:

• Eastlawn Elementary School, Twin Lakes School Corporation (Monticello, IN)
  • Principal (1985-1987)
• Woodlawn Elementary School, Twin Lakes School Corporation (Monticello, IN)
  • Principal and Director of Curriculum (1987-1989)
• Saginaw Intermediate School District (Saginaw, Michigan) 
  • Director of Curriculum, Professional Development, and School Improvement (1989-1990)
• Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Director of Elementary Education (1990-1996) – Led significant academic improvements, increasing the district’s 4-Star Schools from one to eight within five years
  • Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources (1996-1998)
• Logansport Community School Corporation (Logansport, IN) 
  • Superintendent (1998-2006)
• Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation 
  • Superintendent (2006-2025)

He earned his Elementary Education degree from Bethel College, his Master’s from Indiana University South Bend, and his Ed.D. in Educational Administration, Counseling, and Psychology from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan).

Dr. Thacker’s commitment to education has been driven by a lifelong dedication to student success. The Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) named him Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2013 and again in 2017. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Donna and Jerry Thacker will spend the winter months in Florida. Dr. Thacker plans on remaining active in the field of education working as a consultant. He and Mrs. Thacker have been longtime contributors to and supporters of the P-H-M Education Foundation.  During his tenure, the Thackers have donated $232,500, including contributions to PHMEF’s Naming Rights Campaign:

• Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center (formerly the Kingsmen Athletic Center), $25,000 
• Al Rhodes Kingsmen Court, $10,000 donated in October 2023 
• Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium (formerly the  P-H-M DVT & Planetarium), $10,000 donated in January 2024
• Yeoman Family Plaza, $10,000 donated in March 2024 
• Greg Dikos Field, $10,000 donated in August 2024 

It was announced in January that Penn High School’s new fieldhouse will be named the Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse. Click here for more information.

Reflecting on his time at P-H-M, Dr. Thacker expressed deep gratitude for the support of teachers, staff, students, parents, and the broader P-H-M community. His leadership has left an enduring impact on the district, and his legacy will continue through the students, educators, and families he has influenced.

“I will carry with me the countless memories of our shared successes and the friendships that have made this journey so meaningful,” Dr. Thacker said. “The future of P-H-M is bright because of each of you, and I have no doubt that our teachers, staff, and administrators will continue to inspire, empower, and lead with excellence. Our families will continue to raise amazing children. And our students are aptly prepared to make a difference in this world at every level.”

Details about P-H-M’s Board of School Trustees’ search for the district’s next superintendent will be announced in the coming weeks.