IMC Resources and Databases

Chromebook, Password & Skyward Help

Technology Support Staff and Chromebook Repairs: 

Within the Media Center is the Tech Support Office. This is where most of your Chromebook problems can be solved. Student interns, under the direction of Mr. Sinish, are trained to diagnose and fix basic Chromebook issues. In the event that your Chromebook needs major repair, (beyond cracked screens or stuck keyboards), it will be sent to the manufacturer and you will be issued a loaner. It is recommended that students have Chromebook insurance to cover repairs. Chromebook insurance can be purchased at the beginning of the year in the Tech Support office.  Chromebook chargers can also be purchased in the Tech Support Office. Pricing depends on the type of Chromebook you have, but typically cost between $30-$40.

Password help: 

The IMC staff can help with password problems for wifi, SKYWARD, CANVAS and P-H-M gmail. Stop by the IMC for assistance and we can tell you what your password is or change it for you.

Penn High School students must change the password they use to access their folders on the server every 90 days for security reasons. When it is time for you to change your password, you’ll see a message on the screen about having a certain number of grace logins left.  When you see this message, you must change your password! Don’t wait until you think you’ll still have one grace login left, because when you run out of grace logins you will be locked out of your account. You won’t be able to login to do word processing or even get on the Internet.  That means you’ll have to make a trip to the IMC/ITC to get your password changed by one of the staff. It always seems like those last few grace logins disappear too quickly on you, so don’t postpone changing your password–do it as soon as you see the message that your password has expired.

SKYWARD Passwords:

Your parents will receive a letter in the mail that will have your new SKYWARD  password in it. Save that letter and write or photograph your password so that you will have it with you when you’re in school.  Many of your teachers will require you to look at your grades during the school day, so you need to have that password where you can access it quickly. It is your responsibility to keep track of that password.

IMC Services

Book Check Out:

Our collection is arranged by fiction (colored stickers by genre), nonfiction, and biographies. Books are organized by call number. There are two “look up” stations to help you find the titles you seek. Books may be checked out for FOUR weeks at a time, but can be renewed once if you need a book longer. There is a limit of FOUR items checked out at one time. You need your Penn High School ID card to check out items. If you are looking for a title that is not a part of our collection, see Ms. Armstrong or Ms. Berg, and we can get it through interlibrary loan or possibly order the title for the library.

Loaner Chromebooks: 

The IMC at Penn High School has a limited number of Chromebooks to loan for days when your personal Chromebook is in the Tech Department for repairs or if you should happen to forget yours. Check in at the front desk, and we will issue a loaner Chromebook to you. If yours is in repair, then you may keep it until your Chromebook is returned to you. If you are not in repair, then the loaner is due before you leave school for the day. You must have your Penn ID in order to check out a Chromebook.  

Printing and Photocopying:

Students may print documents from any of the 30 networked, Windows desktop computers in the Media Center to the printers “IMC1” or “IMC2.”  Please note that the IMC computers are only to be used for class-related research or word processing, and we ask that you only print what you need for school assignments. 

Photocopies are available at the front desk. Our student assistants will run copies for you, so please ask the assistant at the desk when you need copies.

Student I.D.s:

All students are issued a student ID at the beginning of the school year. If an ID is lost, damaged, or forgotten, students can obtain a replacement ID and  lanyard in the IMC. Replacement IDs cost $3, payable in the Bookstore.

Study Hall Passes: 

Students who want to work in the library during their study hall may get an orange  study hall pass from the front desk before school starts or during the previous day.  You must show your Penn I.D. in order to request a study hall pass, and you still need  to report to study hall for attendance purposes. Once attendance is taken, then you can sign out and report to the IMC. Upon entering the IMC, sign in at the laptop and  then find a quiet place to work.

The IMC is an academic space. It is neither a cafeteria nor a lounge. Please be  respectful of students studying and completing work for class. Food should be consumed in the cafeteria.

Due to classes that are taught in the IMC, there are a limited number of passes written  each day. These are first-come-first-served. Also due to classes taught in the IMC, there are no passes written during third block.

Tutoring:

The Kingsman Tutoring program staffs the IMC with student tutors during selected blocks. Check the bulletin board for availability and obtain a tutoring pass from your  Guidance Counselor. If you are interested in becoming a Kingsman Tutor, contact Denise White (dwhite@phm.k12.in.us) or Sandy Hunter (shunter@phm.k12.in.us). If you need a tutor, contact your Guidance counselor  at (574) 258-9502.

 

Important Information – Spring 2020

As the COVID situation evolves in St. Joseph County and students, parents, and teachers adapt start-of-school lessons to fit a virtual and eLearning format, I will provide resources to support teaching and learning. In the coming weeks, if you find that you need certain articles, books, databases, or audio, please contact Caelea Armstrong at carmstrong@phm.k12.in.us, and I will try to gather those resources and catalog them under the “Helpful Links” heading.  

First and foremost, links to the Mishawaka Penn Harris Public Library as well as the St. Joseph County Public Library will be on the “Helpful Links” page. This will give you the option to register for a library card so that you can check out additional resources and ebooks.  

If you find yourself in need of tech support during eLearning, please e-mail chromebooks@phm.k12.in.us .     

And finally, email is the best way to communicate with me. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help. 

Government websites

Click on the titles below for links to Government databases.

USA.gov

Indiana.gov

U.S. Army Center for Military History

Naval History and Heritage Command

Air Force Historical Research Agency

Marine Corps University

U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (Library) (CARL)

Defense Intelligence Agency

National Security Agency Reading Room

National Archives

If you are bored, click here.

Shield of Faith Club

Sponsor: Mr. DeKever.

Room: 194

Shield of Faith is a Catholic-centered club, welcoming all. Our base is to share the love of Christ within our school. We promote building friendships through Christ and growing deeper in our faith. Our average meeting consists of prayer, discussion and talks, along with donuts and beverages.

Some outside of school activities will be planned. There are no fees for this club. We post the meeting dates on our Instagram and other needed information.

@ shield_of_faithpenn

Penn Democratic Club

Sponsor: Michael Coffee.

One purpose of the Penn Democratic Club is to educate Young Democrats on what’s going on in politics and what it means for our community. While learning about what’s going on, we will also get involved in our community and world through activism. Group discussion will be a big part of our club in order to become more educated through the sharing of opinions and perspectives in order to further social and political awareness. We’re the future, and now more than ever we need to stay informed and get involved.

Email pennhsdemocraticclub@gmail.com for information, or follow

Instagram: @penndemocraticclub

Twitter: @PennHSDemocrats

on social media.

Around the World in 180 Days Club

Sponsor: Eric Bowers.

Click here for Club information and meeting dates.

Students will explore different countries and cultures around the world and share their own. This club is for students, whether they are foreign exchange students, born in a foreign country, or just well traveled, who want to share information about a different country. 

The club aspires to celebrate cultural diversity and recognize cultural differences, as well as promote awareness and appreciation of a specific culture, and to help people connect with others from different backgrounds.

The club will meet every other week with a new presenter each meeting.

Around the World in 180 Days Club meets on Fridays in Room 179.

Photography/Video guidelines

PENN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS

Photographers from accredited media and Penn team-approved photographers must sign-in at the ticket gate and have media credentials to present upon request, or have previously arranged for photo credentials from the Penn High School Athletic Department. Each Penn High School Athletic Team may have one team photographer designated by each head coach, with the understanding that the photographs will be available for free to Penn student-athletes and their families.

All IHSAA regulations regarding media coverage, photo/video guidelines and live broadcasting (including on social media) are in effect: https://ihsaa.org/Media/Media-Rules-Regulations

Photographers are not allowed in the line of play, and may not be in the way of officials, coaches or student-athletes.

The use of flash photography is not allowed.

Drones are not allowed anywhere on the Penn High School campus.

For the safety of the media and the student-athletes, media need to be able to react quickly if the game of play comes in their direction. For that reason, each photographer will be permitted to use one monopod and videographers need to shoot handheld. No tripods. No seats other than “lawn-type” photographer seats will be permitted.

Stand-alone remote units will not be permitted at any time on or around the goal posts, baskets, net stanchions, dive platforms, or other equipment essential to any sport. Units mounted outside of the field of play will be permitted at the discretion of the site administrator, provided the equipment does not interfere with the clear display of scoreboards, affect fan viewing, and does not impede the operation of broadcast equipment.

VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE POLICIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS/VIDEOGRAPHERS AT PENN HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS IS GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM THE FIELD AND/OR THE PENN HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS, AND/OR FUTURE ATHLETICS EVENTS.

SPORT-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

CROSS COUNTRY: Photographers may not be in the way of timing equipment, officials, coaches or student-athletes.

BASEBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the field of play, and must be on the outside of the fence.

BASKETBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the court (including the painted baseline area) and are not allowed to shoot in front of or behind team benches, the scorer’s table or press row. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

FOOTBALL: Photographers are not permitted inside the 25-yard lines on each side (those are the team areas) and must remain outside the restraining lines surrounding the field.

GOLF: Photographers are not allowed in any areas in which they are in the line of play, or would interfere with officials, coaches or student-athletes.

LACROSSE: Photographers are not permitted in the team bench areas and must remain outside the restraining lines surrounding the field.

SOCCER: Photographers are permitted in the area on the West sideline, but not in front of the bleachers. Photographers on the West side must be outside the fence and are not allowed to obstruct the view of fans. Photographers are not allowed in the endline areas.

SOFTBALL: Per IHSAA rules, photographers are not allowed on the field. Photographers outside of the fenced area should not obstruct the view of fans.

SWIMMING: Photographers are allowed on the pool deck, but may not be in the way of the timing equipment, officials, coaches, or student-athletes.

TENNIS: Photographers must be outside of the fence and may not be in the way of coaches. Photographers should not obstruct the view of fans.

TRACK: Photographers are not allowed in any areas in which they would interfere with the running of an event, and must be out of the way of timing equipment, officials, coaches and student-athletes.

VOLLEYBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the court (including the painted baseline area) and are not allowed to shoot in front of or behind team benches, the scorer’s table or press row. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

WRESTLING: Photographers are not allowed on the mat and are not allowed to be in the way of officials, coaches or student-athletes. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

Preparing for NCAA eligibility

Penn High School student-athletes who are interested in playing NCAA sports must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse and meet eligibility standards.

Below are NCAA eligibility resources for Penn High School student-athletes: 

  • Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
  • Resources for initial NCAA eligibility exploration. 
  • NCAA information guide that details academic requirements for high school students (including GPA and required high school classes), ACT/SAT sliding scale for scores, reporting test scores and other important information regarding NCAA eligibility.
  • Penn High School list of NCAA-approved courses. The Penn High School code to access the list is 152347. Note: Penn High School online courses have not been approved, yet.
  • Additional NCAA eligibility information for high school students and Frequently Asked Questions.
  • The Common App, which most colleges use for their application process.
  • Create a Parchment account to receive Penn High School transcripts.