The musical talents of middle school and high school students were showcased at the Penn High School Kaleidoscope Concert on Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16.

The groups that performed were the combined P-H-M eighth-grade band, the Penn High School Symphonic Winds, the Penn Advanced Jazz Ensemble and a stand-still performance by the Penn Marching Kingsmen.

Please see a photo gallery below of the combined P-H-M eighth-grade band (comprised of students from Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker).

Penn High School, regarded as one of the top high schools in Indiana, will feature its educational opportunities for prospective and current students during the Penn Showcase, 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The Showcase event will start in the Center for the Performing Arts, and the Studio Theater. Events will then be held in the Cafeteria, Commons and classrooms across the building.

“The Showcase is designed to help incoming parents and students learn about all Penn has to offer, from Academies, to classes, and even extra-curricular activities,” Penn World Languages Academy Leader Kelley Watts said. “The Showcase also helps current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders and their parents make educated decisions about the pathways they should be following and the classes in which they should be enrolling.” 

Current eighth-grade students can explore possible pathways, electives, and clubs and activities.

Current ninth, 10th and 11th graders can explore elective courses and the achievement academies.

Named a Four-Star School by the state of Indiana, Penn High School is a heralded 90-25-90 school, surpassing the benchmarks of excellence by having a graduation rate of more than 90 percent, having more than 25 percent of students taking Advanced Placement classes, and having more than 90 percent of students passing ISTEP.

Current Penn-Harris-Madison students and families, along with those who live within P-H-M boundaries but maybe attending other schools, are invited to attend. The is an opportunity for community members, students and families to learn more about all the amazing programs Penn High School has to offer.

All visitors should enter Penn High School at Door C on Monday, Dec. 11, and Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Here is a schedule of the nights’ events:

• Welcome and orientation for current eighth-graders will be held in the Center for Performing Arts starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Welcome and diploma track overview for current students is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Studio Theater.
• Honors/ACP/AP/Dual Credit Class Presentations will be from 7:10 to 7:35 p.m. in LGI-A.

At the conclusion of the Welcome sessions, students may visit the cafeteria, where teachers representing the Academies and elective classes will be available to answer questions and provide information. Representatives of Penn Exceptional Education Academy will also be available to answer questions.

Elective areas to tour and meet teachers include:

• Visual Arts
• Business
• Family and Consumer Science
• World Language
• Performing Arts
• Health & Wellness
• Technology  

The Elkhart Area Career Center will also have staffers available to provide information in the Commons area.

Representatives of Penn’s Counseling Center will also be available to provide support in the course selection process.

Representatives of the clubs at Penn High School will be available to meet with students in the Commons area in front of the Instructional Materials Center (by the large Kingsman sculpture).

With a graduation rate of more than 97 percent, Penn High School offers exceptional opportunities for college and career readiness through its academies – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Health and Human Services, Management and Business, Fine Arts and Communications, Early College, and Freshman Academy.

Penn stresses the Penn-Harris-Madison Triangle of Success – rigor, relationships, and relevance – while also being dedicated to a technology-rich learning environment. Each Penn student is issued a personal Chromebook.

For more information about Penn High School, email Principal Sean Galiher at srgaliher@phm.k12.in.us.

Do you like to dance? Do you want to learn how to spin a flag? Do you like to perform?

All levels are welcome to come to the Penn Cadet Winter Guard Auditions at Walt Disney Elementary School (enter in back). There will be two audition dates of Monday, Nov.20 and Wednesday, November 22. Audition times for both dates are 6-8 p.m.

Girls and boys, grades 4-6, will be accepted. 

Rehearsals will be every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Competitions will begin Saturday, January 27.

Come be a part of this incredible performing arts group!

Click here to download and print the flyer.
 

Need help with your science or math homework?

“Ask Rose,” Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Homework Hotline is a free service with student-tutors available Sundays – Thursdays, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Tutors are Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students who major in math, science or engineering—which means they’re more than equipped to help with virtually any math or science homework problem (grades 6-12).

You can call a tutor at 877-Ask-Rose (877-275-7673) or chat with a tutor at AskRose.org/chat.

You can also email tutors by visiting Askrose.org/email at any time and they will respond during operating hours.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees approved the appointment of Jean Milfort as the new principal of Grissom Middle School at their Board meeting held Monday, August 14. Mr. Milfort was hired from Elkhart Central High School on June 26 to be one of the new assistant principals of Schmucker Middle School. However, Mr. Milfort will now serve as principal at Grissom replacing Nathan Boyd.

Mr. Milfort has 14 years of experience in various leadership roles with Elkhart Community Schools, most recently as the assistant principal at Elkhart Central High School. Before serving at Elkhart Central High, he was assistant principal at Hawthorne Elementary School and taught middle school for eight years. Mr. Milfort holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies/Elementary Education from Bethel College and a Masters Degree in Education and Principal Licensure Program from Indiana Wesleyan University. At Elkhart Schools, Mr. Milfort led teacher staff development programs. He also has done a lot of work in the area of student behavior modification, helping to develop a district wide bullying prevention program. Mr. Milfort also taught middle school for eight years. 

“I believe middle school is a pivotal point in the lives of students,” said Mr. Milfort in an email to Grissom parents sent Tuesday morning. “It is the age in which they begin determining the course they will and want to take in life. This is why it is critical for them to have a strong educational and social foundation before taking their next step to high school.”

Mr. Milfort went on to say, “In my short time being at PHM and seeing the things you have created and accomplished over the years the message is clear, ‘students are the priority!’ I look forward to bringing my experiences to the Grissom family in order to help continue taking our next steps together in helping students and staff make their good better, and their better it’s best!”

Mr. Milfort started his new position on Tuesday, August 15. 2017 

Bob Yenna, a retired Grissom Middle School teacher, got quite a surprise when he visited his old school this morning, Tuesday, May 31. The former 7th and 8th grade Language Arts teacher was greeted by nearly 600 students, Grissom Principal Nathan Boyd, Penn-Harris-Madison School Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, and representatives from Riley Hospital for Children, as well as his own children and grandchildren.  The group was assembled in the gymnasium to witness a special event and a great honor: bestowing Indiana’s Sagamore of the Wabash award on the unsuspecting Yenna. 

Dr. Thacker—himself a 2014 Sagamore of the Wabash recipient—and Susan Miles from Riley Children’s Foundation presented Yenna with the state’s most prestigious award at the morning ceremony. Governor Mike Pence chose Bob Yenna as one of this year’s Hoosiers to receive the award in recognition of his very personal commitment to help raise more than $220,000 for Riley Hospital for Children.

Why? In 1978, Yenna’s 4-year-old daughter Heather was stricken with a rare form of cancer. Rhabdomyosarcoma attacked her muscles, tendons, cartilage and bone. She was at Riley for 6 months, and her life was saved. Feeling helpless to fight the diseases that ravaged their young children’s bodies, Yenna and the father of a child in the hospital room next to his daughter’s wanted to raise money for research. So the two determined fathers came up with the idea for the “Ride for Riley.”

The two rode a tandem bicycle 150 miles from Mishawaka/South Bend to Indianapolis. Their unique idea raised $9,000! They did the ride for about five years and then stopped for a few years. But Yenna’s fellow Grissom teachers talked him into starting the ride again. During the school year, Yenna even got the students involved, hosting activities through which the students could also raise money. Then, at the end of the year, Yenna and members of the Grissom staff would “Ride to Riley” to present the check of Grissom’s year of fundraising efforts.

Yenna retired in June 2012 with 33 years of service to P-H-M, all of them at Grissom, but he continued the annual ride with his Grissom family. As of last November, Yenna had made the ride 15 times! He was recognized for his devotion with the 2015 Dr. Morris Green Champion for Children Award from Riley Hospital. 

Click here to watch a video about Yenna’s passion to help give back to Riley Hospital for saving his daughter’s life. Fittingly, Heather was on hand for her father’s award presentation, joined by her proud brothers, Hollis and Heath.  

Stepping to the microphone to accept the award and express his gratitude, Bob Yenna addressed the middle school students in front of him. He emphasized how much truth is in the adage, “It’s better to give, than to receive,” and he encouraged them to become conscious givers so they could know the rewards and the richness of that experience, as he has. 

The Sagamore of the Wabash Award was created by the state of Indiana during Governor Ralph F. Gates' term of office from 1945 to 1949. “Sagamore” was the term used by tribal chiefs of Native American tribes to signify outstanding leadership. The Wabash is the "State River" of Indiana. Each governor since Gates has chosen to recognize notable recipients for their efforts to our state of Indiana. 

A team of Grissom employees is about to Ride to Riley again!

They depart June 2 and are collecting donations now.  To support the 2016 Ride to Riley, please click here now.

CANVAS is an online communication platform that connects students, parents and teachers. CANVAS has boosted the success of P-H-M’s Chromebook program in middle and high school, and most of our users have given it a “thumbs up” this year.

Starting June 6, 2016, P-H-M’s CANVAS users will see a new and improved “dashboard” when they log on. In addition to the new look, the user will have new options for organizing and viewing CANVAS content. We think the changes being made to the user interface will merit two thumbs up!  

Parents and students, watch the video below for an overview of the changes. 

The URL (web address ) to CANVAS is not changing. You will find it at the same location, or by using the same link or shortcut, as you have used in the past. 

• Click here to go to the CANVAS login page now, or copy/paste this address into your browser bar: https://phm.instructure.com/ to go there. 

Your login information will not change. Your CANVAS login is achaten-suisse.com the same as your HAC (Home Access Center) login.

• Contact the school office or email the HAC helpdesk HAC@phm.k12.in.us if you need help setting up your account. 

Visit the Canvas Help Page for additional resources and information.