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.

Accessing Learn 360

• Login to the PHM district website
  • www.phmschools.org/user

• Using the main menu navigate to:
  • Staff Links → Classroom Apps → Learn360

The Board of School Trustees and the Penn-Harris-Madison administration take bullying seriously.

The school district has put in place the tools, training and guidelines to help staff recognize and respond to bullying when it occurs. Staff members are required to report all instances of suspected bullying. We also engage our students in the discussion. We want them to fully understand why bullying is a problem—and that we expect them to be part of the solution. Well-informed parents can also be part of the solution. The resources below will help.

• Indiana statutes on bullying – A number of laws are in effect to protect Hoosier children
• P-H-M Board Policy 5517.01 – Our local policy is aligned with the state statutes
• Student Code of Conduct – These standards of student behavior are an expectation for every P-H-M student. See pages 3 & 4. 
• Bullying: What to know & do – This parent resource webpage helps define What is bullying?

Student Council is a fun place where the students can come together, grow as leaders, and plan for Grissom’s spirit days and socials. The students are able to plan what they want and they know what other students would want to do.
   

Student Council is a way to build leaders and respect authorities. These students will then be able to set an example to those in their classes. Student Council also teaches students how to communicate with others. In the meetings, kids express their ideas through talking to others and our staff advisor, Mr. Gingrich. In order for the classes to know when school events are (and why they are happening), the representatives and the alternates tell their first hour class what is coming up and how to do the events.

Upcoming events:

                    Socials
Sep. 20th -6th grade ONLY Social  4-5:30               
Dec. 6th – All School Social 4-5:30  
Feb. 7th – 7th grade ONLY Social  4-5:30  
March 21 All School Social 4-5:30
May. 16 – (8th Grade Dance) 4-6:00

Welcome!

Help your PTO support the students of Grissom Middle School!

The Parent Teacher Organization at Grissom Middle School plays a vital role in supplementing the educational experiences of our children. The funds raised by the PTO allow our students to have opportunities not funded by the school budget.  Come join us in supporting our staff and students and making our school a better place!

PTO Board:

• President: Ashley Kaffenberger
  Vice President: VACANT
  Treasurer: Heather Hough
  Secretary: Heather Reed

Committees & Coordinators:

• Scholarship Committee: Jenn Smoker
  Social Committee: Tina Tropp
  8th Grade Committee: Elin Fair
  Spirit Wear: Stephanie Hochstetler
  Concession Stand Coordinator: Elin Fair
  Coffee House Coordinator: Leah Runyon

Please follow our Facebook page or contact us at grissompto@gmail.com

Writing Research Reports can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, you can create an excellent product. 

Plagiarism is one important thing that you need to avoid. For help on how to Avoid Plagiarism, click here. 

While you are sifting through the multiple volumes of print material and Internet Material as well, you need to make sure that the sources you are using are reliable. 

Click here for help in Evaluating Sources in Print. 

Click here for help in Evaluating Sources Online. 

There is also Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) that gives a wealth of information about research report writing,  proper formatting and citing sources correctly. 

INSPIRE is another great resource to use as well. 

Having these tools at your disposal will help you craft a masterpiece. 

Please click here to take the PTO Survey. 

Band: Cami Roper

Orchestra: Vickie Marshall

Choir: Maeve Kearney

Art:  Elizabeth Marshall