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. 

The last day of school for the 2024-2025 school year is Thursday, June 5, 2025. But your child’s education does not have to end, and should not. Research shows students may lose two or more months’ worth of reading achievement, a month or more of spelling learning skills and about 2 months’ worth of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during their summer break.

That’s why P-H-M offers a wide variety of activities over the summer from District enrichment camps to Penn athletic camps, as well as opportunities for students to improve their academic skills in Summer School. The enrichment academies are offered through P-H-M’s Learning Division and are FREE! We believe that children’s summer break can be fun while also giving students the academic boost they need.

Listed below are some of the activities available to P-H-M students and children in the greater community this summer. Parents are responsible for transportation unless otherwise noted. Not all camps are open to students who do not attend P-H-M schools, so please read the qualifications for each camp carefully. Click here for a listing of non-PHM community organizations that also offer summer camps activities.

Please Note: Camp Availability Subject to Change

Enrichment Academies

• Visual Arts Academy (July 14 – 18, July 21 – 25, or July 28 – Aug 1, 2025) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  In this award-winning one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th grade students learn art history, art production and writing through a unique integration program. The program is based at Schmucker Middle School and in collaboration with the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Families may select the week that is most convenient for all of their children to attend, regardless of their grade. The program is FREE of charge.  
   
• Junior STEM Academy Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  In this one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th graders will discover how math and science are applied in the real world. Each week is reserved for specific grades and will be held at Schmucker Middle School. The program is FREE of charge.
  •  Kindergarten and 1st grade attend the week of July 28 – Aug 1 
  • 2nd and 3rd grade attend the week of July 21 – 25 
  • 4th and 5th grade attend the week of July 14 – 18 
     
• Junior Foreign Language Academy (July 14 – 18) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  This academy integrates the Spanish language, social studies, culture, visual arts and music into an intensive and enriching learning experience.  The one-week camp is held at Schmucker Middle School and is open to current P-H-M 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students. The program is FREE of charge. 
   
• Learn a Foreign Language Academy (June 16 – 27) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  This two-week academy is open to current P-H-M 6th and 7th graders.  The course will be taught by Penn High School Language teachers who will teach the students how to read, write, and speak in German. The program is FREE of charge. 

Penn Summer Camps 

• Kingsmen Athletic Camps: Penn coaches and members of the P-H-M faculty offer a wide variety of sports camps from cheerleading to wrestling. The camps are open to current students in grades K-8 (most are open to all children in the community). There is a cost for these camps. Click here to see the full listing on Penn’s website. 
    
• Penn Robotics Summer Camp: June 10-13, 2025 & June 16-20: Cost varies per session
  There are two sessions. The Sessions and times are broken down by grade levels. Depending on their age and experience level. Students will get to work with Legos, 3D modeling, coding, along with getting hands-on experience with fabrication, prototyping and building an actual robot with VEX IQ! All camps are facilitated by Penn Robotics instructors and Penn’s Robotics Teams 135 & 328. There is a cost for these camps. (Camp is full, Registration is closed)
   
• PNN Media Summer Camp (June 16 – 19) $50 per camper, cost includes T-Shirt and Reporters Notebook:
  Campers will learn how to gather news and create a live broadcast. A focus will be given on learning how to write, shoot, edit and produce news stories. We will focus on learning how to tell impactful stories.
  • Click here to register.
    
  • Click here for complete camp information
     
• Penn Speech & Debate Camp (June 23 – 28) $50 per camper, cost includes T-Shirt
  For students who are in current grades 5-8. Students will learn public speaking etiquette, how to define key terms in the resolution, basic format for debate, effective strategies for creating an argument and pointing out flawed logic. Debaters argue either for or against the resolution and must be prepared to speak on both sides. Students will learn strategies for effective cross-examination and questioning. The camp concludes on June 28th with Tournament Day! 
  • Click here to register.
  • Click here for complete camp information
    

Opportunities through P-H-M Community Education – Click for Full Brochure

Community Education classes are open to any student in the community; the child does not need to be a P-H-M student or live within the District to be eligible.

Learn to Swim Classes: (Penn High School, Session I: June 16-27, 2025; Session II: July 7-18, 2025; Session III: July 21-August 1, 2025)
All three sessions are 10 classes at the Penn High School pool.  Classes are 30 minutes each and take place both in the morning and afternoon with 8 different class times to pick from. Children must be at least 4-years-old and potty trained. The cost is $50 per child, per two-week session. Click for more details.

Camp Invention (Northpoint Elementary School – June 23-27, 2025)
A one-week  STEM enrichment program for students entering Grades K – 6 who want to put their hands and minds to building solutions. Camp will be held Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. It will be based at Northpoint Elementary School. The cost is about $280 depending on when you register. Click here to register and pay online through the Camp Invention website.

Super Kids Camp (June 23-27, 2025: Horizon; July 14-18, 2025: Northpoint; July 21-25, 2025 Bittersweet)
Students entering Grades 1- 6 will experience an engaging rotation of science, music, art and fitness activities in this half-day camp. Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at three locations. The cost is $50 per child per camp. Click for more details.

Youth Theater Camp at Elsie Rogers Elementary(Session I: June 16-20, 2025; Session II: July 21-25, 2025)
A one-week creative and expressive experience for students entering Grades 5 – 8. Pick one of these weeks for your child to attend. The half-day camp is offered 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The cost is $90 and includes a t-shirt. Click for more details.

Summer Kids Club (June 9th – August 15th)

Full-day childcare will be offered for  current P-H-M students in grades K-5. Children will enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities, crafts and field trips. Click for more details and online registration.

Summer School Information 

P-H-M will conduct two Summer School sessions prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Current P-H-M students who need the academic boost from summer instruction will receive invitations to attend. Penn High School students are able to take high school classes for credit in either summer session. Some students will work online to complete coursework and make up credits.

For elementary, middle and high school students, Summer School will be offered. Times vary depending on the program, please refer to the programs below.  

ELEMENTARY Summer School (Grades K-4, June 12 – July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Meadow’s Edge and Moran Elementary School, breakfast & lunch provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL (Grades 5 – 7, June 12– July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, snack provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

YOUNG ADULT & LIFE SKILLS (Grades 6 – 12, June 12– July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, snack provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

PENN HIGH SUMMER SCHOOL, Session 1 (June 12 – July 2)
PENN HIGH SUMMER SCHOOL, Session 2 (July 14 – August 1)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

P-H-M students entering grades 9-12 must register with their school counselor to take high school summer school classes. Click here for more information on Penn’s website. 

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.

The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 for grades 1 – 12.

• All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  
• Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 21st.

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. MARK CALENDAR & ATTEND! 

• Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 11. Check your school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. 
• All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 14^th. Check the school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
• Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
  • Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2025-26 School Year! 

CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER

• Elementary and Middle School Front Offices open Monday, August 4th.
• Penn is open every week day over the summer.
• All schools are open Monday – Friday during business hours. Those hours vary by school.
• Click here for the School Directory of all 15 schools

REGISTERING STUDENTS

• Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 4, 2025. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
• Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.  

BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS

• Back to School packet & information sheets
• Parent/guardians will sign these three forms in ParentSquare:
  • Photo Consent
  • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
  • Handbook Certification   
• These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
  • CHIRP Release
  • Chromebook packet
  • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school
• Back to School Info Sheets

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

SCHOOL CALENDARS

• Here is the SY 2025-26 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
• All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to view a PDF version.
• Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
• Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.  

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES

• Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations. 
• Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
• Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school. 
• Click here for the forms administering medications at school
• Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services 

TRANSPORTATION

• School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
• Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
• Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
• Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.

FOOD SERVICE

• Visit our Food & Nutrition page  to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
• See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch and Textbook Assistance. Click here to apply online.
• Online payment for child’s meals
• Other Payment options

Penn-Harris-Madison’s Triangle of Success is built on student achievement, with parent and teacher support. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!

PARENTS Click here for ways to stay informed, as well getting connected and volunteering.