The P-H-M Education Foundation has wrapped up the grant announcements for the 2023-2024 school year; and it’s been a big year with tons of recipients. Walt Disney was the recipient of 12 grants for the combined total of $12,123.04!!!

English teacher Caelea Armstrong partnered with student Akash Singh to apply for $1,000 to purchase basic self-care and hygiene products for students. The money will be used to buy soap, hair products, deodorant, etc., as well as storage containers and distribution bags for students in need. Printed awareness materials, such as posters and other informational materials, will also be paid for out of the funds.

Robotics and Manufacturing teachers Kyle Marsh and Scott Shelhart applied for and received $3,000 for the “Kingsmen Karting through STEM project. Students collaborate with each other to design, manufacture, fabricate, test and evaluate two go-karts. The initiative encourages collaboration and further develop students’ understanding of physics, math and technology.

Penn Art Gallery Curator Jessica Marsh was awarded $1,000 to purchase the necessary materials to start a jewelry program at the high school. Students will be encouraged to submit to Scholastic Arts and Writing competitions while learning a real applicable life skill (related to/uses welding, manufacturing, robotics and other disciplines.)

Early College Biology teacher Toni Boger-May received $1,000 to use in her Integrated Chemistry and Physics classes. Students are required to design, build and refine a device that converts one form of energy into another form of energy. Students will construct a simple AC generator using Neodymium batteries and magnets as well as build dye-sensitized solar cells to harvest sunlight into electricity.

The National Honor Society teacher sponsors Karen Tagliaferri and Lana Ealdama worked with student David Son to write a grant for $610 to purchase five plastic recycling bins for classrooms. NHS plans to increase student awareness of recycling materials in the school. The Foundation is encouraging NHS to look into expanding it to a school-wide recycling program partnering with other clubs/local agencies as necessary.

John Gensic and Amanda Bates were awarded $2,770.70 to purchase MyGardyn 3.0 to cultivate edible plants within Penn to support students facing food insecurity. The funds will also be used to provide hands-on learning experiences for Agriculture Students, Plant Club, Key Club, Environmental Awareness Club and Biology students who will all participate in the growing and harvesting of plants. 

American Sign Language teacher Delicia Huckleberry was awarded $1,577 to buy a second projector for ASL room which will allow student presenters to reference the screen on the other side of the room when presenting. Unlike other presentations, students are not able to reference their presentation slides when doing ASL so the projector will support confidence In student presentations.

Penn also received five EZ Grants:

• $216.34 to purchase fishing equipment and supplies for Penn Fishing Club, “Luring Biodiversity”
• $200 to purchase mobile white boards for students in computer science classrooms
• $249 to purchase new music selections for use at Penn and in demonstrating to 4th and 5th grade students
• $250 to purchase t-shirts for Penn Counselors to wear at school and raise awareness about the Safe School Helpline and Suicide Prevention
• $250 to purchase small gifts, candy, and cards for Penn’s “Random Acts of Kindness Club.” The items will be distributed to students.

This cycle the Foundation Grants Committee awarded $42,819.63 in funding to 15 EZ grants and 20 traditional grants. Click here for the full list of funded grants.

PHMEF has moved to one grant cycle per school year, now moved to the Fall, to allow teachers and schools time to put their grant dollars to good use right away.

Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom traveled across the district to surprise various grant recipients with the good news of their funding amount. Grants awarded this year cover a wide array of innovative programs and activities from $10,000 to Grissom Middle School to purchase keyboards for the music room to milkweed plants for Madison Elementary so the school could attract monarch butterflies.

Click here to see the photo gallery on the District’s website of the check deliveries or click to follow PHMEF’s Facebook page.

Penn High School hosted its annual Showcase for prospective students.

A photo gallery is posted below.

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Today in Eric Bowers’ European History class, his students experienced a little bit of a time warp. Mr. Bowers had been going over the French Revolution, but then he did a quantum leap of 131 years to Le Francport near Compiègne, France.

That’s where the Germans signed the armistice with the Allies to end World War I. It was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month in1918. The day became known as Armistice Day, later as Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and eventually Veterans Day, a federal holiday in the United States.

Mr. Bowers then had students sign a Veterans Day card for fellow Penn teacher Matt Rollins, who teaches Government in the Early College Academy. 

Mr. Rollins was in the Army and served in the Iraq War. Students got a chance to ask Mr. Rollins questions about his service. One student asking him if he ever interacted with anyone famous while he was in the Army. Surprisingly Mr. Rollins answer was YES!

Mr. Rollins was actually assigned to then Vice President Joe Biden’s security detail, and he told the students if they “Googled” it, they’d find a picture of him in the background of a picture of now First Lady Jill Biden.

The students did in fact find this picture of Dr. Jill Biden taken July 4, 2010 when she was visiting Camp Victory, Iraq, and who was in the background? Mr. Matt Rollins!!!

Mr. Bowers’ G1 European History class got a very well rounded Veterans Day history lesson!

Penn Theatre is excited to present Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow”, Thursday-Friday-Saturday, Nov. 9-11, in the Studio Theater.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Thursday and Friday shows begin at 7 p.m., and Saturday’s show is at 3 p.m.. Tickets to the murder mystery play are only $5 for any students Grade 12-and-under (including from other schools) and adults are just $10. Tickets can be bought at the door or online at https://phmschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/all Please note that this production involves pre-recorded shot sound effects.

Cast includes: Adriana Aquila, Mina Blalack, Maggie Cohorst, Andrew Dell, Miles Kraus, Five Love, Ben McPherson, Nico Reyes, Mars Slavinskas, Kingston Smithson, Lauren Turnquist, Eva Wells

Student-Director: Evelyn Shrout

Lights: Drew Lynn

Sound: Mikey Hogg

Costumers: Toby Prince, Elizabeth Sweet

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The Showcase will be held from 6–8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 (“Snow Day” will be Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6–8 p.m.)

This year the IDOE honored Penn High with the Excellence in College Readiness Award for being #1 in the state with the most students earning ICC (Indiana College Core) or AGS (Associate of General Studies) certificates earned! Click here to read more about Penn’s Points of Excellence.

Penn High School’s exceptional learning opportunities and programs will be on display for prospective and current students at the 2023 Penn High School Showcase.

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.

Student Last Names A-L (it is suggested you enter through Doors B, C, or D)

• Begin in the CPA at 6 p.m. to hear a presentation from administrators and counselors.
• After the presentation, families can tour the building, visit open classrooms, talk to staff & students.

Student Last Names M-Z (it is suggested you enter through Doors A, M, or L)

• Begin by touring the building, visiting open classrooms, talking to staff & students.
• Report to the CPA at 7 p.m. to hear a presentation from administrators and counselors.

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 also 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.

Penn Administrators and Freshmen Counselors will give presentations about Penn, both what to expect, support structures, and information about four-year planning. Last names A-L will attend the presentation at 6 p.m., while last names M-Z will have this opportunity at 7 p.m. Counselors will also be on hand to answer questions and meet with students and 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.

Penn High School Short Hair Because We Care Club held its sixth annual hair donation event on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

A Photo Gallery is posted below.

Penn-Harris-Madison students and community members donated hair that was cut by professional hair stylists. The hair is sent to Children With Hair Loss, a non-profit organization that makes free wigs for children who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons.

This year’s event surpassed last year’s in the amount of inches of donated hair. This year 33 people donated a total of 334 inches! Last year 35 participated and donated 200 inches.

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Penn-Harris-Madison schools celebrated the musical talents of its students with the Kaleidoscope I Concert on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Penn High School Main Arena.

Students representing the eighth-grade bands from Discovery Middle School, Grissom Middle School and Discovery Middle School were featured, along with Penn’s Symphonic Winds, Advanced Jazz Ensemble and the Marching Kingsmen.

The Kaleidoscope II Concert is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Center for Performing Arts.

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The Short Hair Because We Care Club is hosting a Hair Donation event on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

**8 inches minimum, hair can be colored, bleached, or dyed

Who: Short Hair Because Care Club @ Penn High School, Instagram account @shbwc_phs

What: This year we are excited to announce the 6th annual Short Hair Because We Care hair donation event will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Penn High School from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Anyone in the community can come and donate their hair for FREE! Donators should enter Penn through Door F. 

Hair can be dyed and color-treated, as long as there is 8 inches to donate. All hair will be cut by professionals and sent by the club to Children With Hair Loss, a non-profit organization that makes free wigs for children who are experiencing hair loss. Again, anyone in the community can donate, so invite your friends and family!

Children With Hair Loss: Children With Hair Loss, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization established over 20 years ago, is a charity that provides human hair replacements at no cost to children and young adults facing medically-related hair loss. When a child’s hair is lost due to Cancer treatments, Alopecia, Trichotillomania, Burns, etc., the painful effects are far deeper than just cosmetic. Each year, the number of children requesting our hair replacements increases and with your support, we can continue to increase the number of children we are able to help in the future!

When: Saturday, November 4, 2023 @ 11:30a -2:30p

Where: North end of the cafeteria (enter through door F)

Hygiene Drive: On top of that, we are hosting a hygiene drive in the week leading up to and during the event to give community members another opportunity to donate to those in need. Hygenic items, including deodorant, razors, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and hand warmers, can be brought to the hair donation event to be donated as well! Or donated in the bin located outside of Mr. Berres’ room.

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Sponsor: Carolyn McGuire

The purpose of the Red Cross Club is to offer students a chance to explore the field of emergencies and expose them to the procedures and steps taken to keep the community around them safe in case of medical emergencies in their area.

The club will offer opportunities to participate in activities and volunteering opportunities in which they can work together to create a community of safety and security. 

Club dues are $15 a year.