After the postponent of the original race date on Monday, May 1 due to rain, students were able to show their stuff on Wednesday, May 3.
The one mile run, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. Post race snack donations were donated by Costco.
This annual event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race. Approximately 640 students participated this year! The students are cheered on by their fellow students, their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. Visit P-H-M’s Facebook page to see a full photo gallery.
Cindy Batalis (P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! It is a tremendous accomplishment to complete a one-mile cross country course race. Below are the race results show 1st, 2nd, and third place winners.
Race Results:
5th Grade Girls Winners
6:56, Bib #2, Bittersweet
6:57,Bib #513, Northpoint
7:04, Bib #213, Horizon
School Team Rankings:
Northpoint
Bittersweet
Elm Road
5th Grade Boys Winners
6:01, Bib #510, Northpoint
6:25, Bib #536, Prairie Vista
6:26, Bib #541, Prairie Vista
School Team Rankings:
Prairie Vista
Horizon
Northpoint
4th Grade Girls Winners
7:20, Bib #42, Bittersweet
7:31, Bib #381, Meadow’s Edge
7:46, Bib #569, Horizon
School Team Rankings:
Prairie Vista
Horizon
Northpoint
4th Grade Boys Winners:
6:34, Bib #553, Prairie Vista
6:44, Bib #206, Horizon
6:51, Bib #196, Horizon
School Team Rankings:
Horizon
Prairie Vista
Northpoint
Here’s a breakdown of the schools’ shirt color:
P-H-M Named 2023 Best Community for Music Education
Now in its 24th year, the 2023 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized 830 school districts and 78 schools across the country for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children. This NAMM Foundation celebrated and recognized K-12 music teachers in school districts who found creative ways for the “show to carry on” despite schools moving online or to in-person settings where masks were required not only for student musicians and instruments.
In our elementary schools, music class is part of the regular curriculum following state standards. Students are instructed in both vocal and instrument classes. Beginning in 6th grade, P-H-M students at our three middle schools (Discovery, Schmucker and Grissom) have the opportunity to choose choir, orchestra or band as their music elective. Students at Discovery also have the option of choosing Piano Lab. Schools from elementary all the way up to Penn High School also perform musicals.
Penn High School offers the Fine Arts & Communication Academy as part of its unique academy structure. The seven academy design provides Penn students with relevant and meaningful coursework taught in smaller, supportive environments where each student is known well by his teacher and peers. Nearly a third of Penn’s total 3,500 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, P-H-M answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.
Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.
Support Staff Job Fair, Feb. 15, 2023
Looking for a job with flexibility around your student’s school schedule? Do you know of a friend or family member looking for a great place to work?
This year students and their parents will meet and work with former Notre Dame Leprechaun mascot turned children’s author Mike Brown. Brown’s first book Little Netta’s Gift is the touching story of a “Little Netta’s” compassion to share the gifts of Christmas with other children. Brown is the founder and CEO of SOULSTIR, a social enterprise with a mission of enriching lives by creating “soul-stirring experiences that inspire empowerment and action.” Under SOULSTIR Books, the publishing division of the company, Brown co-authored his second book with Cara Krenn The Leprechaun’s Game Day at Notre Dame. The delightful story describes the family, fun-filled experiences of a Notre Dame home football game told through the eyes of Notre Dame’s first Black student to play the mascot, Brown himself.
Participants and parents will also enjoy an interactive experience with local illustrator Corey Mann. As part of the morning activities, students will share their own writing piece in small group sessions with students from other P-H-M elementary schools. (Note: Students should bring a piece of their writing with them that morning.) While students are meeting with their peers, parents will join Dr. Michelle Fish, as she explores promoting writing through children’s literature.
This year, thanks to P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and other generous #GivingTuesday donors this year’s Young Authors’ Conference is FREE OF CHARGE to all attendees!
Please note, one parent only must accompany the student attendees. However, keep in mind that students and parents will separate for a portion of the day. This experience is for your young author and parent. However, we’ve found the attendance of younger siblings is not encouraged.
CONFIRMATION: Participating students will receive additional information prior to the conference through their home school at the beginning of March.
QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Candace Cussen at ccussen@phm.k12.in.us.
Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed Dashboard (GPS) Launches
Penn-Harris-Madison schools are focused on continuous academic improvement that results in academic success for all students.
Standardized testing, or summative assessment, is one measure of academic success, but it is not the only measure.
In pursuit of providing more comprehensive analysis and to expand upon the data provided by state standardized tests, the Indiana Department of Education publicly launched this week (Tuesday, December 13, 2022)the first iteration of the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, or Indiana GPS (click here to view the State Indiana profile).
The description of the Indiana GPS dashboard on the IDOE websitestates “Together, our mission is to empower Indiana’s educators, families, communities, and employers with a learner-centered, future-focused dashboard that displays how our students are building the necessary knowledge and skills—in all grades and in all schools— through the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, or Indiana GPS.”
The IDOE’s goal is to support Indiana’s goal to educate and graduate Hoosier students who can compete in the global economy. P-H-M supports this goal. Students whether they are going on into higher education, directly into the workforce or enlisting in our nation’s military must be preparedto be successful in life beyond high school. Strong and valuable education of today’s youth results in a knowledgeable and skilled adult Indiana workforce for tomorrow.
A student’s access to early education is an essential first step in their academic and overall development. Measuring kindergarten readiness, as well as a student’s PreK-2 literacy progress can provide key indicators of future success across the K-12 continuum.
We know that effective literacy skills play a vital role in helping students gain a deeper understanding of the world, explore topics in-depth, and seek credible information. At Penn-Harris-Madison, we have a well-articulated approach to teaching literacy based on the five critical pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
All of these components woven together help create a skilled reader. Our daily literacy block incorporates whole-group instruction, small-group (leveled) instruction, explicit phonics instruction, and vocabulary building.
Our teachers have been trained in order to deliver high-quality instruction that is supported through curriculum resources to meet the needs of all learners. Teachers are in regular contact with parents regarding their student’s progress and instructional goals.
At the elementary level, a couple of the indicators the GPS dashboard measures are early literacy and math growth. See some of P-H-M’s highlights are below; click here to view the full P-H-M GPS profile.
Percentage of PHM 3rd graders showing proficiency on IREAD-3: 88.3%
State Goal: 95% by 2027
Current State Status: 81.6%, 1 out of every 5 third graders in Indiana is not proficient in key literacy skills
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Students who pass the IREAD-3 assessment by grade three are roughly 35% more likely to graduate high school (as referenced on the GPS information webpage).
Percentage of PHM 6th graders meeting their individual growth targets on the math ILEARN: 41.9%
State Goal: 45.8% by 2030
Current State Status: 34.1% of Indiana sixth gradersare meeting their math growth goals
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Early mathematics instruction focuses on concrete concepts before transitioning to more complex ideas after grade six. Students who are meeting growth goals at this critical juncture have a leg up on future math and science learning.
While still in its first iteration, the goal of the GPS is to examine Indiana high school’s graduation and post-graduation data with the goal to ultimately measure long-term success of each Hoosier.
Percentage of Penn Students who complete graduation requirements: 97.3%
State Goal: 95% by 2030
Current State Status: 86.4% of Indiana students complete their graduation requirements
Percentage of Penn Seniors who completed advanced coursework (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual Credit) during high school: 75.4%
Current State Status: 59.5% of Indiana students complete advanced coursework
Percentage of Penn Seniors earning Indiana Diplomas above a General designation (Core 40 or higher): 98.3%
Current State Status: 90.1% of Indiana students earn Core 40 diplomas or higher
Percentage of Penn Seniors earning high quality college and career credentials: 11.3%. Members of the Class of 2021 who earned either an Indiana College Core (ICC) or an Associates Degree was 11.3%–the graduates who completed one or two years of college were members of Penn’s Early College Academy. In 2021, Penn High School ranked FIRST in the state with the highest number of students earning the Indiana College Core (ICC)! Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, non-Early College students will also be able to pursue an ICC Certificate.
State Goal: 60% by 2030
Current State Status: 5% of Indiana studentsearn a college or career credential before graduation, opening doors of future opportunity
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Increased education levels are positively correlated to labor participation, wages, and overall net worth.
COMING SOON:
The second iteration of the Indiana GPS dashboard – which will display all local data, including longitudinal and disaggregated data – is coming soon. Later in 2023, schools will be able to use the dashboard to view authenticated student-level data (not available to the public).
PreK-Grade 2 Literacy – Percentage of PreK-Grade 2 students demonstrating progress in essential early reading skills from one year to the next.
Kindergarten Readiness – Percentage of students demonstrating the skills necessary to be considered ready to start kindergarten.
Employment & Enrollment – Percentage of high school graduates employed or enrolled 1 year after their expected graduation year. Goal TBD.
Click here to view the full P-H-M GPS profile(scroll to the bottom of the webpage to find links to all 15 P-H-M schools–11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and Penn High Schoo
2022 One-day Penn Winter Dance/Poms Camp
Students in grades PreK – 8th can take advantage of a one-day Penn Dance Clinic.
DATE: Saturday, December 3, 2022
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(Pre-K and K 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
LOCATION: Penn High School Fitness Center (Enter through Door D)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY! Please register by Friday, November 25, 2022 so t-shirts can be ordered. Late registration could result in no t-shirt.
PERFORMANCE: Students will perform that evening at a Penn Boys Basketball Game TBD.
JV Game: PreK – 2nd Grade
Varsity Game: Grades 3rd – 8th
New Short Circuits Sphero program partners 3rd graders & Penn Robotics students
What would make more than 200 elementary students and dozens of Penn High School students show up at school on a Saturday? It would have to be something pretty cool, and there’s no doubt that P-H-M’s new “Short Circuits” Sphero is cool! Click here to see the full photo gallery on the P-H-M District website.
Teams of third graders from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools and their Penn Robotics Team 135 coaches/mentors were excited to show off what they had learned about coding, programming, and robotics to their parents, grandparents and family members.
The idea for Short Circuits came about from a discussion between longtime, now retired, Penn Robotics Team 135 Coach Jim Langfeldt and P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom.
Jim Langfeldt at Penn Robotics Camp, June 2022
Current Team 135 Teacher Coach Kyle Marsh worked with Michael Niemier — a Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at Notre Dame — under the umbrella of his National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) grant, which funded Mr. Marsh’s summer work to write the Short Circuits coding program. Co-developer and former P-H-M teacher Jim Langfeldt has also participated in Niemier’s RET program.
During the 4-week after school practices, the Penn students have coached and mentored 3rd grade teams at all 11 elementary schools; one or two teachers at each elementary school are also involved helping to oversee the students.
During Saturday’s celebration, the 3rd grade students will demonstrate for their parents and family members what they’ve learned, including programming the Sphero robots to maneuver through the Penn Robotics student built obstacle course.
Short Circuits is sponsored by P-H-M Education Foundation. Former longtime PHM Board Member Gary Fox, and his wife Tamera, generously committed to a $20,000 donation over four years to sponsor the program. $30,000 was raised at the PHMEF 25th Anniversary Gala to pay for Sphero kits for all the elementary schools.
Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker, PHM School Board Pres. Chris Riley, PHMEF Exec. Dir. Jennifer Turnblom, Fmr. School Board Pres. Gary Fox, & his wife Tamera Fox
Homecoming Weekend Set for September 23rd & 24th
There is going to be a little something for everybody happening at Penn High School on September 23rd and 24th, so mark your calendars and be sure to bring the whole family!
Friday, September 23rd, 2022
P-H-M Education Foundation Family Fun Zone
Time 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Location: Behind Penn High School in the Door E Parking Lot / West of TCU Freed Field
*All monies raised by the P-H-M Education Foundation goes into funding innovative school and teacher grants which in turn provide #PHMExcellence in all 15 P-H-M schools!
Saint Joseph Health System Health Fair
Time 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Free Health Screenings PLUS interactive booths for children
Homecoming Parade
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Behind Schmucker Middle School > Bittersweet > Ends at the P-H-M ESC
**SEE THE MAP BELOW**
Parade Grand Marshal P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, 2022 Penn Homecoming Court, Kingsmen Marching Band, Penn Cheerleaders, Penn student groups and clubs, local Fire trucks & Police cars
Penn Homecoming game, Kingsmen vs. Marian Knights
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Homecoming Court Presentation at halftime
Cost: $6
Children in grades K-5 get in FREE with a paying adult
Cost: $10 Per Person (4 & under free!) | T-Shirt $10
Price for Preregistration by September 22nd, 2022
Friday & Saturday (Day of) Registration: Cost $15
Location: TCU Freed Field Track
Water and light post race snacks will be available to participants
One Book, One School
Looking for something new to do at home? Frustrated because there is nothinggood on TV? Great news!! It’s One Book, One School time!
Starting March 1 – 31st, we will go on adventures with Twig, a charmingchipmunk, who’s trying to figure out his future in Hill society, staying true tohimself he makes new friends along the way. Every family and staff member willbe receiving a copy of this year’s book, Brambleheart, A Story About FindingTreasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship by Henry Cole.
This will be another fun adventure in reading! There will be a book reveal event,scheduled readings, optional at home projects, discussions, prizes, and more!
“One Book, One School” is an initiative that strives to bring together schools andfamilies through the joy of reading. We want to provide an environment whereour imaginations are set free through literature. By choosing one book that spansvarious reading levels, both students and staff will come together and sharethoughts, ideas, and a passion for reading.
While projects and reading will be done at home, there will also be reading anddiscussions taking place in the classrooms. We encourage all families to use thisopportunity to come together to read and carry on discussions about the story.You can even work together on some of our projects. While the at homeactivities are voluntary, they offer a way for students to incorporate theircreativity into the story.
“Sometimes the things we want and the things we love get tangled up in ourhearts like bramble when we try to do what’s right” It is our hope that thismagical adventure will inspire individuality, teamwork, forgiveness and friendship.So, Mary Frank, ready, set, read!
Reading Schedule
March 1 – 4
Tuesday Kick-off/book
Wednesday pp. 1 – 20
Thursday pp. 21 – 32
Friday pp. 33 – 46
March 7 – 11
Monday pp. 47 – 56
Tuesday pp. 57 – 66
Wednesday pp. 67 – 78
Thursday pp. 79 – 88
Friday pp. 89 – 98
March 14 – 18
Monday pp. 99 – 108
Tuesday pp. 109 – 118
Wednesday pp. 119 – 130
Thursday pp. 131 – 142
Friday pp. 143 – 152
March 21- 25
Monday pp.153 – 162
Tuesday pp. 163 – 170
Wednesday pp. 171 – 182
Thursday pp. 183 – 196
Friday pp. 197 – 206
March 28 – 31
Monday pp. 207 – 214
Tuesday pp. 215 – 236
Wednesday pp. 237 – 256
Thursday Final Celebration!
At Home Activities
The activities listed below are the at home activities that follow along with ourbook. These activities are completely voluntary, but should your child completeand return them by Tuesday each week, their name will be entered into adrawing for a prize! If your child completes all four of the activities, they will beentered into a special drawing at the end! All projects are due to the classroom teacher.
March 5-6
Dragon eyes coloring pages: Click here for the template to use.
March 12-13
Writing activity: If you found an egg that hatched a baby dragon, how would you care for it? Illustrate a picture of your dragon and its home as well. Click herefor the writing prompt.
PreK & K: Draw a picture of you and your baby dragon. Don’t forget lots of background details so we know where it lives!
March 19-20
Build a sundial: Using recyclable materials found around at home construct a sundial of your own design that tells the time of day. One that Twig would be proud to turn into Professor Burdock!
March 26-27
Dress the chipmunk for a job: Click here for the template to use.
In addition, we will also be having spirit days.
March 3 – Dr. Seuss Day, dress as a favorite Seuss character or in Seuss attire Mar 10 – Dress like a Teacher Day
March 17 – Dress like your favorite book character in the book
Mar 24 – Career day, dress for your dream job
Mustangs Give Back Activities
During the One Book, One School event, our students and staff have established an amazing tradition of giving back to our community. In this year’s book, we meet Twig, a chipmunk, and his friend Lily, a rabbit, who live in the forest. In our community we have beautiful natural areas where many forest animals live. We are happy to partner with the St. Joseph County Parks. This department includes four parks: St. Patrick’s County Park, Bendix Woods County Park, Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park and Spicer Lake Nature Preserve. Feel free to click here to check out their website for information. These parks are beautiful natural areas to enjoy and they also provide nature programs and outdoor activities. We will be collecting items all month for the St. Joseph County Parks. Please, feel free to send items in with students. The following is a small list of ideas of what the parks need for activities and programs:
8-ounce non-Styrofoam hot cups
Band-Aids
Black oil sunflower birdseed
Bottled water
Chenille craft sticks (pipe cleaners)
Child-size yarn winter gloves
Dish soap
Gardening/work gloves
Glue Sticks
Insect repellent
Tins of coffee and hot chocolate
Sharpie markers (all colors)
Washable markers
Wire mesh pasta strainers (for pond scooping)
Community Connections Fair set for Saturday, March 26
Picture above taken at the 2018 Community Connections Fair
Community Connections Fair
Saturday, March 26, 2022
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Schmucker Middle School
56405 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka
The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s ENL Services’ is sponsoring the District’s FREE Community Connections Fair!
Come check out what the Mishawaka, South Bend, and Elkhart communities have to offer to your families!
English
Afrikaans
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Basque
Belarusian
Bengali
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Catalan
Cebuano
Chichewa
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Corsican
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dutch
English
Esperanto
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
French
Frisian
Galician
Georgian
German
Greek
Gujarati
Haitian Creole
Hausa
Hawaiian
Hebrew
Hindi
Hmong
Hungarian
Icelandic
Igbo
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Javanese
Kannada
Kazakh
Khmer
Korean
Kurdish (Kurmanji)
Kyrgyz
Lao
Latin
Latvian
Lithuanian
Luxembourgish
Macedonian
Malagasy
Malay
Malayalam
Maltese
Maori
Marathi
Mongolian
Myanmar (Burmese)
Nepali
Norwegian
Pashto
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Punjabi
Romanian
Russian
Samoan
Scottish Gaelic
Serbian
Sesotho
Shona
Sindhi
Sinhala
Slovak
Slovenian
Somali
Spanish
Sudanese
Swahili
Swedish
Tajik
Tamil
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Welsh
Xhosa
Yiddish
Yoruba
Zulu
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