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.

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

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. 

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.

Last Friday (August 25, 2023) night’s big 28-7 Kingsmen win over the Mishawaka Cavemen also gave Penn Football Coach Cory Yeoman his 200th career win (click to watch a video that captures the magic of that night)–making him Penn High School’s second football coach to receive 200 wins. Penn is now the ONLY high school in Indiana to have two coaches meet this milestone. The first was longtime legendary Kingsmen Coach Chris Geesman, who Coach Yeoman played under and coached with at the beginning of his career at Penn.

So it was only fitting that Hall of Famer Coach Geesman be on hand this morning (Wednesday, August 30) when the Indianapolis Colts presented Coach Yeoman with the award for Colts/NFL Coach of the Week for Week 2, presented by Corteva Agriscience, headquartered in Indianapolis. Click here to read the Indianapolis Colts news release. Former NFL player and current Youth Football Commissioner for the Colts, Mike Prior, presented Coach Yeoman with the award and a $2,000 check that will go to Penn Athletic Department. Prior gave Coach Yeoman his award and check in Penn High School’s Strength & Conditioning Weight Room with Penn’s senior football players applauding him.

The student-athletes got a chance to hear from Prior who talked about his commitment and dedication through challenges in high school and college football, his choice to play pro football over baseball, and how it eventually paid off. Prior played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Colts and the Green Bay Packers. For the Packers, he was a punt returner and a defensive back. He played in Super Bowl XXXI and XXXII. Prior showed the players one of his Super Bowl Championship rings and they had a chance to ask him questions.

On an interesting note, Prior is an assistant football coach at Cathedral High School, who Penn plays this Friday, Sept. 1, in Indianapolis. Coach Yeoman joked and asked Prior if he “wishes every team good luck this week?” Prior said that “Yes, he does!” 

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. *We will allow some older 3-year-olds to join Option 1: Wach’s group, if potty-trained. 

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 & PLAYSCHOOL 2 give Early Childhood Education students at the high school an opportunity to plan and implement intellectual, social, and physical development-based lessons, and observe the behaviors of young children.  

All programs are part of Penn High School’s Health and Human Services Academy and are under the direction of certified teachers Kylee Wetzel & Becky Wachs.  Mrs. Wetzel can be reached at (574) 259-7961, extension 20132, Mrs. Wachs can be reached at extension 20132. Or click here to email Kylee Wetzel or Click here to email Bechy Wachs. 

Follow Toddler Time and Playschool on Facebook at @Kylee Wetzel and Instagram at @mrs.wetzel.phs. Becky Wachs is also on Instagram @mrs.wfacs.