Caregivers of dependents with special needs are invited to attend a special workshop, sponsored by Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, on how to make your child’s future more secure.

See the information in the flier posted below …

If you will be an incoming freshman student-athlete next year, Penn High School and St. Joseph Health Systems is offering 2018-19 Athletic Physicals on Tuesday, May 22, from 3:17-5 p.m. in Penn’s Arena Gym. The cost is $25. Checks must be made payable to Penn High School. Penn will also accept cash and credit card payment at the door. Credit card payment is subject to a $1 processing fee. This is open to all Penn High School students and incoming freshmen.

You can opt to have your physical done by your personal physician at their office. However,

please remember that the IHSAA requires physicals be completed AFTER April 1, 2018, in order to be valid for the 2018-19 school year. Click here to download a copy of the IHSAA Pre-Participation Physical Form to have your doctor complete. 

Student-athletes attending the Penn/St. Joseph Health Systems Physicals should have their physical forms COMPLETELY FILLED OUT, INCLUDING PARENT SIGNATURE, before the physical is completed.

We also ask all parents of Penn student-athletes to register their athlete using the “Register My Athlete” website. Click here for instructions.

Article written by Melinda O’Malley, Director of P-H-M DVT & Planetarium

On the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, Michiana and all of North America will see its first Super Blue Blood Moon in more than 150 years!

P-H-M families will want to rise early and try to find a nice open viewing area to see as much of  this beautiful “lunar trifecta” as possible. On the morning of Jan. 31^st, the moon will be low on the western horizon–opposite the rising sun when the eclipse begins. Around 5:51 a.m., the left side of the moon will begin to take on a slightly pink color as it moves into the outer edge, the penumbra, of the Earth’s shadow. The moon will continue to move deeper into the Earth’s shadow as it slowly sets.  By 6:48 a.m., viewers in our area will begin to see the Moon’s color changing to a deep red as the Moon moves into the center, the umbra, of the Earth’s shadow. 

Now here’s an explanation of the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse is why it is so special …

A supermoon is when a full moon occurs during perigee, its closest distance to Earth within its orbit. This makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than normal.

A “blue” moon, despite the name, actually has nothing to do with the color. Instead, it signifies the second full moon within a single calendar month. The expression “once in a Blue Moon” implies something rare. Blue Moons typically happen every two to three years, but double Blue Moons only happen three to five times per century and 2018 we will experience double Blue Moons in January and March! 

Finally, a Blood Moon is often the name given to a total lunar eclipse because the moon appears a reddish color when it enters the Earth’s shadow. The red coloration is caused by sunlight that is refracted, or bent, as it passes through the earth’s atmosphere.

Just as the entire lunar surface is bathed in a “blood red” tint totality begins and the Moon will start to disappear below the horizon. So, make sure to wake up early to beat the rising sun and witness a once in a lifetime “lunar trifecta!”

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was recognized last night (Thursday, Nov. 30) as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) 2017 Outstanding Educator of the Year!

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.

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 

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