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.

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.

The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 for grades 1 – 12.

• All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  
• Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 21st.

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS. MARK CALENDAR & ATTEND! 

• Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 11. Check your school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. 
• All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 14^th. Check the school’s Google calendar on its website or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
• Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
  • Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2025-26 School Year! 

CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER

• Elementary and Middle School Front Offices open Monday, August 4th.
• Penn is open every week day over the summer.
• All schools are open Monday – Friday during business hours. Those hours vary by school.
• Click here for the School Directory of all 15 schools

REGISTERING STUDENTS

• Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 4, 2025. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
• Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.  

BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS

• Back to School packet & information sheets
• Parent/guardians will sign these three forms in ParentSquare:
  • Photo Consent
  • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
  • Handbook Certification   
• These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
  • CHIRP Release
  • Chromebook packet
  • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school
• Back to School Info Sheets

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

SCHOOL CALENDARS

• Here is the SY 2025-26 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
• All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to view a PDF version.
• Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
• Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.  

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES

• Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations. 
• Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
• Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school. 
• Click here for the forms administering medications at school
• Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services 

TRANSPORTATION

• School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
• Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
• Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
• Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.

FOOD SERVICE

• Visit our Food & Nutrition page  to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
• See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch and Textbook Assistance. Click here to apply online.
• Online payment for child’s meals
• Other Payment options

PARENTSQUARE

• Penn-Harris-Madison uses ParentSquare to send urgent alerts, such as school closings and delays.
• Principals and teachers also use it for noncurricular school and classroom communications.
  • Penn High School coaches and teachers who sponsor clubs, academic teams or extracurricular activities use StudentSquare to safely communicate with students, without exchanging cell phone numbers. Click here for details on how students can sign up for StudentSquare.
• Click here for instructions on setting up your account.
• Once your account is set up, families can chose their preferred mode of communication for non-urgent notifications–app, text, email, phone. You can also chose to have all communications automatically translated to your preferred first language. Click here for details on how to personalize your account and check your notification settings.

CLOSINGS/DELAYS PROCEDURES

• Make sure you sign up for ParentSquare to receive school closings/delays urgent alerts.
• Click to see how, when and what factors into P-H-M’s decision makings for 2-hour delays and closings. 

Penn-Harris-Madison’s culture of excellence, what we call #PHMExcellence, is built upon the “Triangle of Success”– linking students, teachers, and parents for the the best outcome for students. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!

PARENTS Click here for ways to stay informed, as well getting connected and volunteering.