ParentSquareSanta’s Elficers Help Bring Holiday Joy to P-H-M Children
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 36 has a long-running holiday program called Santa’s Elficers, made up of active and retired South Bend Police officers who are committed to helping children in need. Thanks to generous toy donations from individuals and local businesses across Saint Joseph County, the program has grown in a remarkable way. When it first began, the Elficers supported about 30 children. This year, they will help provide Christmas gifts for more than 600 kids.
To make sure the support goes where it is needed most, the Elficers enjoy partnering with local schools. Teachers and counselors play an important role, serving as the groups eyes and ears to help identify students and families who would benefit from the program.
The “Head Elficer”, Officer Morgan, is a P-H-M parent, and his entire family volunteers to make this project a success.
Recently, representatives from several P-H-M schools visited the Elficer warehouse located at “The North Pole” to do some holiday shopping for their students. Each team arrived with a list of names, ages and interests and selected toys they knew their students would love.
The warehouse was organized by age range, gender and category, with everything from dolls to books to cars to clothes, electronics, STEM kits and more.
Thanks to the dedication of Santa’s Elficers and the support of our community, hundreds of local children will experience a brighter holiday season.
If you or someone you know are interested in donating to the Santa Elficer program, you can donate via PayPal, visit them at their Facebook Page, or call the FOP Lodge 36 at 574-400-5818 for more ways to help.
More than $73,000 PHMEF Grants Awarded
The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation (PHMEF) continues its mission of supporting excellence in education by awarding $73,715.48 in classroom innovation grants for the 2025-2026 school year, marking one of the largest funding years in foundation history!
Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects to life, projects that go beyond traditional classroom resources. The grants are made possible through the generosity of community donors, local businesses, and district supporters.
During the first couple of weeks of December, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom surprised grant recipients. Click here to see the full photo gallery.
“On behalf of the entire PHM Education Foundation Board I want you to know how deeply we believe in our teachers and staff,” said PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom. “Your dedication, and passion for making a positive impact are what make our schools truly exceptional. We are committed to funding your innovative ideas because you are the heart of excellence in P-H-M, and we are proud to support the remarkable work you do every day.”
A Legacy of Growth and Giving
This year the Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary. For three decades, PHMEF has steadily expanded its reach and impact within P-H-M classrooms. See the timeline below for how the foundation has grown in the past decade.
- Early years: The foundation awarded an average of $8,000-$10,000 in grants annually.
- 2017: The annual grant budget grew to just over $30,000, and PHMEF introduced EZ Grants, mini-grants for projects under $250.
- 2022: The grant budget increased to $35,000, expanding teacher access to classroom innovation funding.
- 2023: PHMEF streamlined its process to a single annual grant cycle (instead of fall and spring) and raised the total budget to $50,000, transitioning EZ Grants to an online Google Form.
- 2024: The EZ Grant maximum increased from $250 to $750, and the total grant budget reached $60,000.
- 2025: The foundation reached a new milestone, $75,000 in total grant funding, and received a record number of teacher and staff applications.
2025–2026 Traditional Grant Recipients
This year’s PHMEF grant recipients represent the heart of innovation happening across Penn-Harris-Madison classrooms. From STEM-infused music labs and outdoor learning spaces to student-led media programs and manufacturing technology upgrades, each project showcases how creativity and collaboration enhance student learning.
In total, 16 Traditional Grants were awarded this year, totaling $48,369.23 in funding to support educators who are designing unique, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, strengthen skills, and connect classroom learning to the world beyond school walls.
- Tune Lab – Walt Disney Elementary
Charlis Cunningham & Emily Cornett • $2,000
STEM meets music as 5th graders design and build custom musical instruments, connecting engineering and mathematical concepts in a showcase of sound and creativity - Sprouting Success – Elsie Rogers Elementary
Christy Campbell & Jodi Cramer-Berry • $1,765.85
Students will cultivate vegetables, herbs, and flowers using a Garden Tower and LED Grow Lights, learning firsthand about plant life cycles, nutrition, and sustainability. - Tania Bangtsson CPA Haze Machine – Penn High School
Braden McMillen • $1,449.98
A professional-grade haze machine enhances production quality and provides hands-on experience with stage lighting for Penn’s performing arts and broadcasting students. - Kingsmen in Custom Shining Armor – Penn High School
Stephen Vincent & John Gensic • $1,713.08
Manufacturing and Robotics students will collaborate to design and produce custom Kingsmen Armor and outdoor chain nets, merging creativity, engineering, and school pride. - Story Champs AAC Expansion Pack – All P-H-M Schools
Jenna Pacheco • $2,815.22
This curriculum expansion supports K-12 students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, developing language, comprehension, and storytelling skills. - Bittersweet Gathering Grove – Bittersweet Elementary
Michelle Leniski & Niki Kornrumph • $6,500
In partnership with Penn’s Building Trades and Architecture classes, students will construct a 24’ x 24’ pavilion at the Bittersweet Nature Center, creating an outdoor classroom space for hands-on learning. - Northpoint WSTAR Studio – Northpoint Elementary
Nichol Mondy • $1,912.98
Funds will modernize the school’s WSTAR broadcasting studio, expanding student access to live news production in collaboration with Penn High School’s Penn News Network. - Establishing a Perceptual Motor Lab – Walt Disney Elementary
Stephen Govorko • $1,487.13
This lab will develop perceptual motor skills through movement-based activities that support academic success for K-3 students. - Enhancing Elementary PE through Gymnastics – Horizon Elementary
Dani Snoeyink • $3,171.99
New gymnastics equipment will enrich physical education lessons, improving coordination, balance, teamwork, and lifelong fitness habits. - Seeing is Achieving – All P-H-M Schools
Angela Allen • $1,148
An iPad for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students will enhance visual learning and literacy development, providing equitable access to classroom content. - Becoming an Orff Classroom – Madison Elementary
Katelyn Lockwood • $1,929
Students will explore rhythm and melody with new Orff percussion instruments, encouraging creativity and collaboration in music instruction. - Graphing Finite Math for Infinite Human Flourishing – Penn High School
Angela Yarrell & John Gensic • $2,560
New graphing calculators will support lessons in financial literacy, helping students analyze real-world topics like compound interest and regional energy use. - Wisdom Across Generations – Penn High School
John Gensic, Angela Yarrell, Corin Sailor, Sarah Dwigans, & Danielle Black • $1,175
Students will explore leadership and life lessons through inspiring books like Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and That’s What She Said, promoting reflection beyond digital devices. - Shaping Future Minds – Penn High School
Scott Shelhart & John Gensic • $2,599
A new 3D printer with laser engraving technology will enhance the Manufacturing curriculum, offering hands-on experience in precision production and design. - Moran Musical Production and Projection System – Moran Elementary
Laura Scott & Jessie Kinney • $6,142
A new projection system will elevate Moran’s musical performances, giving students opportunities to shine on stage and behind the scenes as part of the “tech crew.” - Penn High School Digital & Legacy Recognition Wall – Penn High School
Josiah Parker • $10,000
Students will help design and maintain a new Digital Alumni Recognition Wall: an interactive display celebrating past and present Kingsmen achievements through photos, awards, and memorabilia.
EZ Grant Recipients ($750 or Less)
PHMEF’s EZ Grants support smaller-scale classroom projects that have a big impact on student engagement and learning. These smaller-scale grants often provide the tools, materials, and technology that immediately enhance student engagement and learning.
For the 2025-2026 school year, 49 EZ Grants were approved, totaling $25,364.25 in funding. Highlights from this year’s winners include innovative STEM tools, classroom resources, wellness initiatives, and creative enrichment activities.
Click here to see all EZ form grants and the full 2025-2026 PHMEF Grant Report.
2025-2026 Grant Summary
- Total 2025-2026 Grant Budget: $75,000
- Total EZ Grants Requested: $31,331.10
- Total EZ Grants Approved: $25,364.25
- Total Traditional Grants Requested: $54,389.23
- Total Traditional Grants Approved: $48,369.23
- Total Grants Awarded: $73,715.48
Investing in #PHMExcellence
From preschool learners growing gardens to high schoolers engineering recognition walls, each PHMEF grant represents a creative idea turned into opportunity.
Through donor support and district collaboration, the foundation continues to expand its impact, ensuring that innovation, inspiration, and excellence thrive in every P-H-M classroom.
To learn more about the foundation’s impact or to support future grants, visit PHMEF.org.
30 Years of Impact
Join PHMEF in celebrating the past 30 years of impact and look to continue momentum in supporting excellence in education at the 30th anniversary gala. Sponsorships and tickets to this extraordinary event are on sale now at PHMEF.org/gala.
School Board Approves New Administrators
It was a night of celebrations at the December 8th Board of School Trustees meeting …
Lindsay Helman-Cass, former P-H-M teacher, was welcomed back to P-H-M as Principal of Meadow’s Edge Elementary. Mrs. Helman-Cass has been serving as Asst. Principal of Lincoln Elementary within South Bend Community Schools.
Penn’s Quinn Driscoll named Indiana’s Girls Flag Football Player of the Year
Penn High School’s Girls Flag Football State Champion student-athletes are continuing to break records. As Indiana’s, and the Kingsmen’s, first State Champions the team is full of talent. Representatives from the Indianapolis Colts, as the NFL team sponsor, came to Penn today to recognize and surprise one of the team’s standout players, junior quarterback Quinn Driscoll naming her Indiana’s winner of Maxwell Football Club’s (MFC) Girls Flag Football Player of the Year award. Quinn will now be considered for the National Girls Flag Football Player of the Year.
The award considered players based on on-field performance, academic achievement and community service. The award will be presented on Mar. 13 at the 89th Maxwell Awards in Atlanta. The Maxwell Football Club, based in Philadelphia, recognizes excellence in football at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and is home to several of football’s most prestigious awards including the Maxwell, Chuck Bednarik and Bert Bell awards.
The club created the Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year, now in its second year, to recognize the top high school student-athletes in the fast-growing sport.
Quinn’s family was also on hand for the surprise today. Click here for a full photo gallery.
A three-sport athlete, Quinn was a standout quarterback during Penn’s first-ever girls flag season in 2025. She led her team to an undefeated season and Indiana’s first ever girls flag state championship, completing 160-of-214 passes for a total of 2,010 yards, 41 touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. She also tallied 72 rushing attempts for 576 yards and eight touchdowns.
“Quinn is a phenomenal person who is a true leader on and off the field,” said Penn head coach Jeremiah Maggart. Her stats this season are truly remarkable but the impact and leadership she had on our state championship team are what sets her apart. She never missed practice or any opportunity to help herself and her team improve, while still finding time to volunteer to help others.”
Off the field, Quinn is a school leader and active community volunteer. As a member of the Penn Key Club, she participates in many projects in the school and greater community. She also is a member of Healthy Hands Healthy Hearts, a volunteering club that makes cards to go to local homeless shelters, community centers and organizations for people going through tough times.
Quinn also serves on the Student Athletic Leadership Committee; a position that she was chosen for by her coaches. She is active in the Penn student council and the school’s “Wellness Wave,” a club that raises awareness about mental health and shares coping skills with students.
Quinn along with two other teammates were named to Indiana Preps Underclassmen All-State Top 22 Team, a collection of emerging standouts who showed poise, explosiveness, and playmaking ability well beyond their years, Macy Little and Alivia Dawson. Macy was named Senior Defensive player of the year for Indiana by Indiana Preps.
