Penn Spell Bowl Team Wins State Runners-up
Young at Art: Elsie Rogers Students Explore Literacy and Art at Penn High School
Second-grade students from Title 1 schools had a creative and educational adventure as part of the Young at Art program this week. This program aims to blend literacy and artistic expression for Title 1 schools. Hosted at Penn High School, the event provided a unique opportunity for young learners to connect with older peers through a series of interactive and engaging activities.
The photos in this story are from Tuesday, November 19th when Elsie Rogers visited, but over the course of the week there were many classes from different schools who came to Penn.
The day kicked off with a painting session led by Penn High School art students, where the second graders created cloud-themed artworks. This creative exercise set the stage for the next part of their journey — a storytime session with Penn English classes. The high school students read an engaging story about clouds, sparking curiosity and imagination among the younger learners.
Building on their newfound knowledge, the Elsie Rogers students reflected on what they learned from the story by expressing their thoughts through writing. This meaningful combination of art and literacy helped reinforce their learning and encouraged self-expression.
Additional activities added further excitement and hands-on experience. Students designed shoe prints and explored cloud types by identifying them on a mural crafted by the high school art students. Each station offered a chance to learn, create, and collaborate in a welcoming and stimulating environment.
Young at Art continues to exemplify the power of creativity in education, fostering connections between younger students and their high school mentors while integrating literacy and artistic skills in a memorable way.
Penn High School #25, U.S. News 2025 “Best High Schools” ranking
U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state.
Out of Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools Penn was ranked #25!
They also ranked the best public elementary and middle schools. For Indiana, 1,000 elementary schools were ranked.
Several P-H-M’s elementary schools are at the top of the list:
- Northpoint #1 in Indiana
- Prairie Vista #2 in Indiana
- Horizon #19
- Mary Frank #32
- Bittersweet #56
- Moran #163
- Madison #200
- Elm Road #205
- Elsie Rogers #393
- Meadow’s Edge #239
P-H-M’s middle schools were also recognized:
- Discovery #3 in Indiana
- Schmucker #40
7th Annual Hair Donation Event to be held Nov. 16, 2024
This year’s “Short Hair Because We Care” will hold a hair donation event for the Children With Hair Loss organization will be held Saturday, November 16 at Penn High School’s Studio Theater.
Anyone in the community can donate their hair, but the minimum is 8 inches of hair. Hair that is colored and permed is accepted. Local professional hair stylists will be donating their time to cut volunteers hair for free. Because this is for hair donation, the service provided is just a simple cut, no style.
This event was started in 2019-2020 school year by a group of 7th grade Grissom Middle School students.
“It started as something that students could give, that wouldn’t be money or something they wouldn’t have control over being young students, but everyone can donate their hair, so that’s why we started it: to give everyone an opportunity to serve even if they don’t have other resources,” Ella Smoker Class of 2024. Click to see the WNDU-TV’s story.
Last year, 33 people donated a total of 334 inches (click to see photos)! Donate this year and help beat last year’s totals!
If you’re interested in donating, click here to sign up using the Google form.
Email shbwcphs@gmail.com with questions, and follow the group on Instagram at @shbwc_phs.
If you can’t make it to the event or don’t have enough hair to donate, you can still help out by donating directly to Children With Hair Loss.
Children With Hair Loss is a nonprofit organization that provides hair replacements at no cost to children or young adults facing hair loss at no cost. Whatever the cause, hair loss can have effects that go deeper than cosmetics. Providing this hair is how this organization gives back to the community. You can help us give back to your community and the children facing hair loss by donating your hair or simply spreading the word about the event to everyone!
2024 Penn Showcase set for Monday, Dec. 2
Penn High School’s exceptional learning opportunities and programs will be on display for prospective and current students at the 2024 Penn High School Showcase, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2nd (Snow Date Tuesday, Dec. 3rd).
Penn is a recipient of the Indiana Department of Education in College Readiness Award and is ranked No. 1 in Indiana for students earning College Credentials.
Incoming Freshman click here for additional details.
Sophomore Scheduling information click here.
The Showcase allows incoming Freshmen (current Eighth Graders) and prospective move-ins, along with their families, to have the opportunity to tour Penn, meet with staff and students, and hear about the all the college and career readiness opportunities Penn offers through its eight Academies.
All prospective Penn students and current Penn 9-11 graders and their families are welcome to join us to learn about classes and clubs they can look forward as Penn students.
Penn High School is filled with so many opportunities that the choices can be overwhelming. This is a great time to speak to teachers and current students about course options. Some classes will be available to see live in action!
Besides the Live Classrooms, students and parents are encouraged to visit the Academy booths, which will be set up around the building, to gain information into the Academy structure at Penn High School. Teachers representing both Academy and elective classes will be available to answer questions and provide information. We will have representatives of the Early College Academy, Exceptional Education and the Elkhart Area Career Center. We will also have tables with club representatives set up in the Sunshine Hallway. Stop by to see the many club and extracurricular activities available to Penn students.
If you have any questions about courses, scheduling, or graduation requirements, Penn counselors will also be on hand to meet with students/families.
Your involvement in your child’s education is vital to making their high school experience a positive one. We value your participation in decisions related to planning your child’s class schedule. A collaborative effort between parents, students, teachers and counselors is essential and represents P-H-M’s “Triangle of Success!”
Incoming Freshman click here for additional details.
Sophomore Scheduling information click here.
October Bus Driver of the Month Kathy Green
Penn-Harris-Madison is thrilled to announce that Kathy Green, a dedicated P-H-M bus driver for over 22 years, has been named the Culver’s Bus Driver of the Month for October 2024!
While today’s presentation was made at Elsie Rogers, Kathy drives a bus for Bittersweet, Elsie Rogers and Schmucker Middle School and is beloved at each school.
Kathy’s long-standing commitment to safety and her warm, friendly atmosphere on the bus have earned high praise from parents across the district.
We’re grateful to Culver’s and the P-H-M Education Foundation for supporting this monthly recognition, which celebrates the vital role our bus drivers play in the community. Thank you, Kathy, for exemplifying #PHMExcellence on the road every day!
You can nominate your favorite bus driver here, phmexcellence.com/PHMBusDriverNomination.
Graduation orders due Thursday, Oct. 31
The Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025 is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, June 9, at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.
Read the attached PDF for important information from Jostens: Penn Senior Parent Letter
Six Penn students named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher announced that six Penn students have achieved the prestigious status of being named a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.
Stanton Barnes, David Guarraci, Calum Jessop, Hannah Kang, Stanley Liew and Proshun Nishorgo are among 16,000 Semifinalists nationally in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring.
“We couldn’t be prouder of these students for being selected as National Merit Semifinalists,” Dr. Galiher said. “This prestigious achievement reflects their hard work and dedication, along with the support of the outstanding teachers they’ve had throughout their time at P-H-M schools.”
More than 1.3 million Juniors took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October of 2023, which is the initial screening of program entrants.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
Penn Robotics Teams awarded grants from Indiana Department of Education
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Robotics programs have been awarded a grant of $53,600 by the Indiana Department of Education. The grant is for 15 teams at eight different P-H-M schools.
The P-H-M proposal was selected from more than 145 grant proposals submitted for this competitive funding opportunity. The DOE stated that its review team was impressed by Penn’s plan to design, construct, program, and operate robots in competitions sponsored by non-profit organizations with the goal of increasing Indiana student interest in STEM.
Penn’s two Robotics Teams each received $14,000 from the grant.
Other P-H-M schools and the benefitting Robotics teams are:
- Grissom (2 existing teams, $5,000)
- Horizon (2 existing teams $6,137.50)
- Elm Road (2 existing teams, $6,137.50)
- Meadows Edge (1 new team, $3,175)
- Walt Disney (1 new team, $3,175)
- Northpoint (4 new teams, $12,800)
- Bittersweet (1 new team, $3,175)
Penn’s portion of the grant pays for team registration and supplies for building competition robots.
“We are incredibly honored and deeply grateful to announce that Penn High School’s two FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) teams have received a generous grant from the Indiana Department of Education to cover the registration costs for the 2024-2025 season,” Penn First Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh said. “This support is not only a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, mentors, and volunteers but also a recognition of the transformative power of STEM education.
“This grant ensures that our teams can continue to innovate, collaborate, and compete at the highest level, while nurturing the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders,” Marsh continued. “We are humbled by this opportunity and remain committed to representing our school, community, and sponsors with pride and excellence.
Thank you to all who made this possible. Your belief in our students is inspiring, and we look forward to making the most of this incredible opportunity.”
For the existing teams, the grant pays for coaching stipends, team registration, competition registration, game specific materials, and supplies for building competition robots.
Most of their supplies will be updating and replacing used parts, tools, storage, and new parts needed for the new game.
Funds will also be used for transportation to events.
The new teams will use the grant money to pay for coaching stipends, team registration, competition registration, game specific materials, and supplies for building competition robots.
Most of their supplies will be start-up kits, tools, storage, and game specific parts.
Funds will also be used for transportation to events.
“The grant allows existing P-H-M Robotics teams to continue excelling and meet the cost of participating, new robotics teams to meet the extra costs of starting up, and for P-H-M to pay coaches a stipend for all the work they put into robotics teams,” Penn High School Assistant Principal Josiah Parker said. “The grant is really removing barriers for schools to give students opportunities to excel in STEM. It also helps build a pipeline of students with experience and who are excited about Robotics to the high school and eventually into STEM-related fields in our community.”
Career Examples for Playschool 2 Preschool Students
It was a big day for preschool aged students in our Playschool 2 class this morning. In an effort to get the students to dream about their future, they had the opportunity to interact with professionals in two very different fields.
Two Penn School Resource Officers (SRO’s) brought their police vehicles to Playschool 2. The students had the opportunity to meet the officers and they also got to climb into the drivers seat! Some students honked the horn while others were able to talk on the radio.
Students Learn How to Roll and Cut Sugar Cookies
Next, Serena from Ciao’s Restaurant and Bakery stopped by to show the students how to make Sugar Cookies! Each child had the opportunity to roll out dough, use a cookie cutter, then decorate with sprinkles with colors of their choice.
We’d like to thank School Resource Officers Mr. Wilkey and Mrs. Gresso as well as Serena from Ciao’s Bakery for their time. Take a look at the photo gallery below for more pictures.
