Back-to-School Information

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our students and have another great year of #PHMExcellence!

The first day of school at Penn High School (grades 9-12) will be Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.

All students  will report to Penn that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help Penn parents/guardians and students get ready for the 2023-24 School Year! 

The beginning of the 2023-24 school year is fast approaching!  We are mailing student schedules and other pertinent back-to-school information.  Please make sure to check entrance A, B, C, or D on the first day of school, Wednesday, Aug. 16, where we will have all students listed with their Gold 1 classes.  Duplicate schedules will be handed out during the first block on August 16.  Remember all information is available on the Penn website and the website is updated daily throughout the year.  Please carefully read through all of this information for the beginning of school.

We look forward to partnering with you on this journey and are confident that we will provide an excellent education while safeguarding each member of our school community. 

FOR ALL STUDENTS:

• Wednesday, Aug. 16 – First Day of School:  Students will meet with their G1 class beginning at 8:25 a.m.
• Important Documents and Forms:  Included in the back-to-school packets will be directions on how to access multiple documents and forms that have been placed in Skyward Family Access.   Please be sure to click on each tile and update accordingly.  Look for this packet to come home on the first day of school. For directions on how to access the forms on Skyward, click here.
• Emergency Contact Information:  Parents are encouraged to update and complete all emergency contact information including phone numbers and email addresses in Skyward.  Providing accurate information is critical for Penn staff to communicate effectively during emergency situations. For directions on how to access the forms on Skyward, click here.
• Photo Consent Form:   All students are to have a completed form on file each school year. Click here to fill it out. If you have multiple children at Penn or other P-H-M schools, be sure to to complete one Google form for EACH student. Click here for other school forms.
• Immunization Requirements:  Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.  This form along with the non-prescription medication form is on Skyward. For directions on how to access the forms on Skyward, click here.
• School Schedule: Students will attend four (4) classes each day according to their Gold/Black schedule of classes beginning at 8:25 everyday.  Click here for the daily blocks/lunch schedule. 
• Penn Walk-Around:  We will be hosting a Walk-Around on Saturday, August 12,  from 9 a.m. –  12 p.m.  Students will have the opportunity to walk around the building and find their classrooms. Students/parents/guardians can enter at Doors A, B, C, D, E, L & M. In addition, various clubs and activities will be present to share information about how to get involved. The Penn Booster Club will be selling spirit wear and PE clothing in the bookstore during the Saturday, Aug. 12, Walk-Around.
• Athletics First-Week Schedule: Click here for the first week of practices schedule including times/dates/locations for Penn Athletics Fall Sports. The Girls Golf Team practice starts on Friday, July 28. Practices for Boys Cross Country, GIrls Cross Country, Football (Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen), Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis and Volleyball (Varsity, Junior Varsity and Freshmen) start on Monday, July 31.
• All-Sports Passes: Season passes for All Kingsmen regular-season home sports events are on sale now. Click here for details.
• Parking Passes:  Student Parking passes will be available for eligible Juniors and Seniors from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. on Monday-through-Friday, starting on Monday, Aug. 7. When in-person school is in session, parking passes are sold before school from 7:30-8:15 a.m. and after school from 3:17-3:30 p.m.The cost for “general” and “reserved” passes is $40 ($20 for a pass purchased in the 2nd semester).  There is the option for a limited number of “free” parking passes for students who are willing to park in the bank and/or softball parking lots only.  Students will find instructions on how to register, parking guidelines, and the Acknowledgment and Drug Consent forms online at  https://penn.phmschools.org/students-and-parents/transportation/student-parking.  You may call Mrs. Haughee with questions about student parking at 574-258-9524.
• School Calendars: Click here for a PDF of the Gold/Black 2023-2024 one-page calendar that also includes scheduled recess and vacation dates.All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early to late July – early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year.  Click to view the PDF.Our online (Google) calendars (Gold/Black School Year, Athletics and Fine Arts) are the most up-to-date.  It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal Google calendar.
• Attendance: Click here for Attendance procedures/policies.
• Stay informed: Click here for the ways to stay informed about news and events at Penn through social media or email. Special information items and the student newsletter, #KingsmenNation, is emailed on a weekly basis to students and parents who have registered their email in Skyward.
• Get involved: Click here for just a few of the opportunities for students and parents/guardians to get involved.
• Penn Open House:  Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 23, for Penn’s Open House from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Additional information will be shared closer to the event. 
• Textbooks:  Students will be brought down by their classes to the bookstore to pick up their textbooks. If you have any textbooks still checked out, please return them to PHS as soon as possible.  Bookstore hours are 7:30 a.m – 3 p.m. There is also a drop box for books at Door A.  Textbooks are to be returned to the bookstore at the end of each school year. Failure to return textbooks will result in additional charges.
• Chromebooks:  All freshmen and students new to Penn will receive a new Chromebook. For information on purchasing Chromebook information (deadline Sept. 15),  click here. The Chromebook Acknowledgment Form must be signed by parents in Skyward Family Acces.  For directions on how to access the forms on Skyward, click here.  Freshmen will receive their new Chromebook during their Freshman Connections class on the first two days of school.  They must have with them their old Chromebook, charger, and signed Acknowledgment Form.  Students new to Penn will receive their Chromebook the first week of school during their study hall. 
• Email Login Information: 

Username: first initial + last name + last 2 or 3 digits of ID number @phm.k12.in.us 

(example: jdoe56@phm.k12.in.us or jdoe456@phm.k12.in.us)

Password: Passwords: ID number + phm (example: 123456phm)

Canvas/Skyward Login Information:

Username: first initial + last name + last 2 or 3 digits of ID number (example: jdoe56 or jdoe456)

Password: ID number + phm (example: 123456phm)

Chromebook Repairs and Technical Assistance: If your student is in need of assistance with logging in to their Chromebook, requires a repair, or needs general Chromebook assistance, they can come to the high school between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Alternatively, they (or you) can email chromebooks@phm.k12.in.us with any questions they have regarding Chromebooks, and someone can assist them. 

• School Pictures and IDs:  All school and ID pictures will be taken while students are in study halls and lunch periods the first few days of school. Senior Pictures will also be taken during this time period at school.  There is no change of clothing allowed.  Please note the same photo used for the ID is the same photo for the picture packet and yearbook. An information sheet will be mailed separately from InterState Studios concerning the prices of picture packages. All students will receive an ID.  Replacement IDs are $3. Click here for details.
• Spirit Wear and PE Clothing:  The Penn Booster Club will be selling spirit wear and PE clothing in the bookstore during the Saturday, Aug. 12, Walk-Around and throughout the school year. Spirit Wear is available at the Gear Shack during home football games and in the bookstore. 
• Student Schedules: Starting Tuesday, Aug. 1, students will be able to see their schedules electronically by accessing Skyward through their Student Access accounts.  Click here to access Skyward, or on a desktop computer or other device, click on the Skyward button linked in the upper right hand corner of the Penn High School website (penn.phmschools.org) or simply type the Skyward access url into your browser (skyward.phmschools.org) and login using the required credentials.  To access the mobile app, students will need to download the free Skyward app to their mobile device and login using the same login credentials.  Once logged in, schedules can be accessed by clicking on the “Schedule” tile. 
• Schedule Changes: Appointments with counselors may be made to address scheduling errors/omissions and level changes ONLY. Requests for different teachers will not be granted. Appointments will not be made to make changes to electives during the summer. To make an appointment, please contact Wendy Hayes at whayes@phm.k12.in.us or call (574) 254-2851, or (574) 258-9502. 

Counselors are available for appointments between 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. starting Monday, July 31 – Friday, Aug 11. For simple schedule errors that can be addressed without a meeting, please email your alphabetically assigned counselor (listed below) to work toward a solution.

 

John Westra – Director of Counseling

Grade 13/Alt. Ed

Jen Tiller

Wellness Counselor

 

EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY

Stacy Eck (Grades 10-12)

Deanna Ward (Grade 9)

 

GRADE 9

Nancy Block        A – Huston

Deanna Ward      Ingle – Montgomery + ECA (9)

Marni Cronk        Moon – Z     

 

GRADE 10

L. Stratford             A – Catapano

S. Hunter                Caudillo – Galiher

S. Varga                   Gardner – Kuzmic

A. Bates                   Kvietkus – Paiano

J. Fell                       Pal – Slavinskas

J. Fitzgerald            Smiley – Z

 

GRADE 11                                                                   

L. Stratford              A – Cox

S. Hunter                 Csakany – Hernandez

S. Varga                    Herron – Ledoux 

A. Bates                     Lee – Owens

J. Fell                         Paez Coy – Siddique

J. Fitzgerald             Siet – Z

 

GRADE 12

L. Stratford              A – Contreras

S. Hunter                  Coomes – Hacket 

S. Varga                    Hadzimesic – LeDonne       

A. Bates                     Lee – O’Connor

J. Fell                        Oh – Singh

 J. Fitzgerald             Sirovica– Z

 

• Counseling Alerts:  The Counseling Center will use the email addresses in our system to alert parents to upcoming events and deadlines.  Emails will be grade specific and full of information for parents and students to stay on top of the scheduling process, college applications, scholarships and much more.   Check out the Counseling Center pages on the PHS website and the Counseling Center Canvas Course for news, events and anything else you might need related to the Penn Counseling Center.  ​
• Address Changes: For all address changes, two proofs of residency are required, those would be: a copy of a mortgage or lease agreement and a current utility bill.  Please email those to whayes@phm.k12.in.us or you can drop those off to Wendy Hayes in the Counseling Center before 3 p.m.
• Transportation: The P-H-M Transportation Dept. will be using the  transportation routing platform, EZRouting, for the 2023-24 school year. This will allow for streamlined communication that enables you to view bus information and receive regular correspondence directly from the Transportation Department. It will be populated beginning August 8. Click here to view the parent letter that was sent late July explaining the timeline.
• Code of Conduct:  The Penn High School Code of Conduct is a set of expectations, and/or rules that the PHM school board has adopted to help create a safe and structured learning environment. At Penn High School, we work hard to teach and model our Take 3 expectations: Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Each Other; and Take Care of This Place.  Please remember that the school’s rules apply going to and from school, at school, on school property, at school-sponsored events, and on school transportation.  It is important that students and families are familiar with these expectations and consequences for violations.
• Dress Code:  The dress code is intended to encourage students to “dress for success” and come to school properly prepared to participate in the education process. Any type of dress or personal grooming that disrupts the educational environment, is destructive to school property, and/or is a threat to safety or health is prohibited. Student dress should reflect respect and pride in each individual student and the school community. No dress code can itemize every item of dress that is unacceptable for school; however, there are certain guidelines for good decision-making about daily apparel.  
•  

IMPORTANT DRESS CODE ITEMS

• Any fashion (dress, accessory, or hairstyle) that advertises or promotes drugs, alcohol, or tobacco; clothing or jewelry that contains vulgar, suggestive, or profane language; or clothing or jewelry that promotes gang, cult, illegal, violent or racist activity is prohibited and considered disruptive. This is not an exhaustive list of the type of apparel or accessories that may be considered disruptive.  
• At no time should any undergarments be visible.  
• Any article of clothing that causes excessive wear to the school building, furniture, or equipment is prohibited.  
• Any fashion (dress, accessory, or hairstyle) that would create an unsafe situation in any class is prohibited. All footwear must be secured to the foot.  
• Clothing and excessive jewelry that could cause a health hazard is prohibited.  
• Blankets are prohibited.  
• Please see the full Dress Code available through the PHM website in the Student Handbook.

 

SENIORS:

Graduation Information:  2023-2024 commencement will be held at the University of Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion.  Please refer to the Penn High School website and Kingsmen Nation for up-to-date information on the date for graduation and all senior-related content.  An announcement from Jostens will be sent out to all seniors later this fall to order caps & gowns, senior announcements and fill out the senior info card, or you can go to www.jostens.com for further ordering information.  

 

NEW STUDENTS:

Please do not hesitate to call Principal Sean Galiher’s administrative assistant, Brenda Chaffee, at 574-258-9503, with questions.

Please complete the emergency contact information online (Skyward Family Access) as soon as possible. (This is imperative for the school nurse.) 

Our Main Office is open from 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. every day during the summer.  We look forward to welcoming your students to Penn High School for another great year! 

 

SCHOOL FEES AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• Starting the 2023-2024 SY, P-H-M will not be charging school fees for curricular material. Per newly enacted HEA 1001-2023, P-H-M will have certain charges for non-curricular and optional activities. Indiana statute does permit school corporations to assess and collect a reasonable fee for lost or significantly damaged curricular materials. For more information on what parents will and not be charged for per HEA 1001-2023, click here.
• Supply lists are not issued by our schools. Many of the supplies your child needs will be provided by the school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, the teacher will provide the information after school starts. 
   

FOOD SERVICE

• Visit our Food & Nutrition page  to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
• See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch . 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.