Grissom Middle School’s band program is poised for growth, thanks to a grant awarded by the PHM Education Foundation (PHMEF). Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of PHMEF, visited the school to present a check for $1,757.50 to music teacher Camille Roper for her “Embouchure Project.”

The grant will fund the purchase of embouchure and ear training skill-building tools designed to enhance students' progress in learning music. These tools will help students develop proper mouth shape, improve tone production, and strengthen audiation skills. By building these foundational skills, students will be better equipped to advance in their musical studies with greater confidence and accuracy.

This project reflects Grissom Middle School’s commitment to excellence in music education and providing students with the resources they need to succeed. Congratulations to Camille Roper and the Grissom Middle School band program, and thank you to PHMEF for supporting this impactful initiative!

Today, Grissom Middle School held a memorable Veterans Day ceremony honoring local veterans, with a special focus on those related to the school’s students. 

The ceremony featured speeches by several Grissom administrators and students, including a message from Principal Jennifer Sinclair. 

The Grissom band, orchestra, and choir performed patriotic songs, filling the room with music that inspired a sense of gratitude and pride.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was a keynote speech by Penn High School graduate Jodie Brink, a former United States Navy service member. Brink shared her personal journey in the military, reflecting on the values of courage, dedication, and perseverance. 

Before the ceremony, the school welcomed veterans to a light breakfast, complete with coffee served by members of “Grissom Grounds,” a student-run group that aims to gain real-life service experience. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, each veteran was presented with a single carnation as a token of appreciation from their student relatives. This heartfelt gesture served as a reminder of the special bond between family and service, and of the school’s commitment to honoring those who have served in the armed forces.

Grissom Middle School’s Veterans Day ceremony not only honored veterans but also provided eighth graders with a chance to learn, reflect, and express their respect for those who have served. The event left a lasting impression on students, staff, and community members, strengthening the school’s commitment to fostering a spirit of gratitude and respect.

Penn High School’s exceptional learning opportunities and programs will be on display for prospective and current students at the 2024 Penn High School Showcase, 6-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2nd (Snow Date Tuesday, Dec. 3rd).
 

Penn is a recipient of the Indiana Department of Education in College Readiness Award and is ranked No. 1 in Indiana for students earning College Credentials.

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. 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 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. If you have any questions about courses, scheduling, or graduation requirements, Penn counselors will also be on hand to meet with students/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.

This year's “Short Hair Because We Care” will hold a hair donation event for the Children With Hair Loss organization will be held Saturday, November 16 at Penn High School's Studio Theater.

Anyone in the community can donate their hair, but the minimum is 8 inches of hair. Hair that is colored and permed is accepted. Local professional hair stylists will be donating their time to cut volunteers hair for free. Because this is for hair donation, the service provided is just a simple cut, no style.

This event was started in 2019-2020 school year by a group of 7th grade Grissom Middle School students, one of which was Ella Smoker, Valedictorian Class of 2024.

“It started as something that students could give, that wouldn’t be money or something they wouldn’t have control over being young students, but everyone can donate their hair, so that’s why we started it: to give everyone an opportunity to serve even if they don’t have other resources,” said Smoker. Click to see the WNDU-TV's story.

Last year, 33 people donated a total of 334 inches (click to see photos)! Donate this year and help beat last year's totals!

If you're interested in donating, click here to sign up using the Google form.

Email shbwcphs@gmail.com with questions, and follow the group on Instagram at @shbwc_phs. 

If you can't make it to the event or don't have enough hair to donate, you can still help out by donating directly to Children With Hair Loss.

Children With Hair Loss is a nonprofit organization that provides hair replacements at no cost to children or young adults facing hair loss at no cost. Whatever the cause, hair loss can have effects that go deeper than cosmetics. Providing this hair is how this organization gives back to the community. You can help us give back to your community and the children facing hair loss by donating your hair or simply spreading the word about the event to everyone! 

Today the IDOE announced the recipients of the K-12 Robotics Competition Grants and 15 Penn-Harris-Madison robotics teams from eight P-H-M schools were awarded a total grant of $53,600! 

• Penn High School (2 existing teams) – $14,000
• Grissom Middle School (2 existing teams) – $5,000
• Bittersweet Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175
• Elm Road Elementary School (2 existing teams) – $6,137.50
• Horizon Elementary School (2 existing teams) -$6,137.50
• Meadows Edge Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175
• Northpoint Elementary School (4 new teams) – $12,800
• Walt Disney Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175

For all teams, existing and new teams, the grant pays for coaching stipends, team registration, competition registration, game specific materials, and supplies for building competition robots. Funds can also be used for transportation to events. 

For existing teams, most of their supplies will be updating and replacing used parts, tools, storage, and new parts needed for the new game. New teams’ supplies will be start-up kits, tools, storage, and game specific parts. 

The P-H-M proposal was selected from more than 145 grant proposals submitted for this funding opportunity, 137 school corporations and non-profit groups were ultimately chosen. The IDOE review team was impressed with P-H-M’s plan to design, construct, program, and participate in competitions with the goal of increasing Indiana student interest in STEM.

This grant removes barriers for schools and gives students opportunities to excel. It also creates a P-H-M pipeline of future Kingsmen robotics students with experience and excitement about robotics. Ultimately this opportunity gives students more STEM co-curricular experiences and broadens their horizons for future careers.

It’s “College Go Week” across Indiana this week and here at Grissom, we have found plenty of unique ways to prepare our students for future success. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

An important life skill for boys and girls to know is how to tie a necktie. This will help students “dress for success” in all sorts of formal functions.

“College GO!” is dedicated to helping Hoosier students find the right college to fit their personalities and interests and is part of Learn More Indiana.

We’d like to thank the respected members of the community for stopping by to help our Guardsmen tie a tie. View photos from this morning in the gallery below!

On Sunday, September 8, the Michiana community joined Penn and P-H-M in giving Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt a Heroine’s Welcome!

Before Sarah’s “Welcome Home” kicked off, the local media got some one-on-one time with Sarah, her parents, and Penn Head Wrestling Coach Brad Harper during a news conference. Coach Harper was Sarah’s wrestling coach when she was at Penn; he became her personal coach and coached her at the Tokyo Olympics wear she won Bronze. Coach Harper planned this special homecoming for Sarah. 

After the parade was over, hundreds gathered at Urban Swirl in Granger for an Olympic Celebration emceed by Mark McGill. A representative from Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood’s office read a proclamation declaring September 8th as Sarah Hildebrandt Day! U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym read the historical entry on Sarah’s Olympic achievement that he will be submitting to the official U.S. Congressional Record.

Grateful for all the love and support that her hometown gave her, Sarah graciously took hundreds of pictures with all of her adoring fans. She also signed hundreds of autographs on posters, shirts, singlets, wrestling shoes and even foreheads! 

Click to see the full photo gallery on P-H-M’s website.

Grissom Middle School was recognized at the third annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala held in Indianapolis on Friday, September 6. Grissom won the Excellence in Academic Gains Award.

This prestigious award comes with a grant of $177,000! Schools must use the grant funds as indicated by the IDOE to continue the amazing work that the school was doing to earn the recognition; or choose to spend the money on projects related to any of the Educational Excellence Awards categories.

The Excellence in Academic Gains Award recognizes an individual school that has made the most progress in improving achievement for all students. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient:

• increased academic achievement for students as indicated by ILEARN English/language arts/Mathematics assessment results
• prioritization of initiatives focused on accelerating learning
• implementation of progress monitoring and evidenced-based practices for students in need of extra support

On hand for Grissom’s award recognition at the Gala were P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, Principal Jenn Sinclair, Assistant Principals Eric Spatt and Greg Stover, Director of Student Services Dr. Jenny Sears, and 8th grade ELA teacher Josh Kelver.

The IDOE Excellence Gala also shown the spotlight on the finalists for the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Indiana’s 2023 Milken Educator Award recipients, and other dedicated educators from across the state.

Walt Disney Music teacher Robi Davidson was among the Top 10 Finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year.

A Penn-Harris-Madison school has either won or been recognized at the Indiana Department of Education an Educational Excellence Award since it’s inception in 2022:

• Fall 2023, Penn High School was recognized with the Excellence in College Readiness Award and received a $250,000 grant from the IDOE! 
• In 2022, then Walt Disney Principal Ryan Towner was recognized as Indiana’s 2021-2022 Milken Award winner. Principal Towner was also recognized at the 2023 event as the Milken Award winner.
• Also in 2022, teacher Amanda Fox was recognized as Indiana's finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Mrs. Fox was also recognized at the 2023 Gala for being a Top 10 Finalist for Teacher of the Year.

We are so excited to have everyone back at school, please view the photo gallery below to see some "First Day of School Smiles!"