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.
 

The school incident report is to be completed within 30 minutes of any and all threats or code of conduct violations that involve any violations of the 5772 Weapons guidelines to include the possession of a firearm in or on school property, in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function, or on a school bus is a felony (I.C. 35-47-9-2) and is prohibited by Board policy. Possession includes storing the firearm in a personal vehicle while on school property. This prohibition applies to all students including those who have a personal protection permit to carry a handgun. The term “weapon” means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, tasers, handguns, stun guns, guns of any type, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, chemical weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and destructive devices (bomb, incendiary, grenade, Molotov cocktail, rocket, with a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, etc.). Any student who has reason to believe that a person has or will violate this guideline shall report to the school principal or the supervisor of the activity immediately. The report should include as much detail as possible concerning the person(s) involved, the weapon, the location of the person(s), and how this information was obtained. Details of the incident must be included in the incident report to be shared with the Director of Communications.

Fall

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 

Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program offers income-eligible Indiana students up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school. Students must be enrolled in the program by 8th  grade and the family must meet income eligibility guidelines. In middle and high school, 21st Century Scholars are connected to programs and resources to help them prepare for college. Once in college, Scholars receive support to complete their college degrees and connect to career opportunities.

Visit www.scholars.in.gov/parents/enroll for more details on the program and how to enroll. 

The Guidance Office can also answer more questions about the program and help students who meet the eligibility requirements with the enrollment process

Please Click the Date to view the PTO Meeting Minutes

Current Years Minutes

8-1-17

9-19-17

11-13-17

12-12-12

05/14/18

Minutes from 2016-2017

1-12-17

1-30-17

2-27-17

3-27-17

4-24-17