2023 Employee & Retiree Recognition Night

P-H-M’s Employee Recognition Program was held Wednesday, May 17. While not all were present, the Corporation as a whole did honor PHM’s Teachers of the Years, Employee of the Year, retirees, as well as employees who’ve been with PHM for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. Click the links to view the dinner program, photo gallery and videos of the TOYs and EOY.

During the program Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley honored this year’s retirees in attendance, as well as Robi Davidson, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Eric Bowers, Secondary Teacher of the Year; and Employee of the Year Julie Mead.  

Robi Davidson, 2023 PHM Elementary Teacher of the Year Eric Bowers, 2023 PHM Teacher of the Year Julie Mead, 2023 PHM Employee of the Year

Eric Bowers was a tad late, but arrived just in time to be recognized. Bowers who is also Penn’s Tennis Coach and the Kingsmen Girls were competing for their 16th consecutive Sectional crown, which they won! Bowers got retiring Penn Boys Basketball Coach Al Rhodes in on sharing the good news with the crowd by having him bring up the trophy during his comments.

Coach Eric Bowers Coach Al Rhodes

Board Members Jim Garrett, Clare Roach, and Dana Sullivan were also on hand to applaud and congratulate employees for their honors. The dinner was generously sponsored by Teachers Credit Union. Human Resources Director Dr. Lisa Soto-Kile served as Master of Ceremonies.

Mr. Davidson, Mr. Bowers and Mrs. Mead all spoke at last night’s dinner; they also received a commemorative plaque for their award. As part of the recognitions for Mr. Davidson and Mr. Bowers, P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom gave each teacher a $1,000 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classrooms. Mrs. Mead received a gift certificate from the District.

Click to watch the videos below to learn about Mr. Davidson, Mr. Bowers and Mrs. Mead.

View the photo gallery below of those who attended the May 17th dinner. Just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. 

2023 Employee Recognition Night

P-H-M’s Employee Recognition Program was held Wednesday, May 17. While not all were present, the Corporation as a whole did honor PHM’s Teachers of the Years, Employee of the Year, retirees, as well as employees who’ve been with PHM for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. Click the links to view the dinner program, photo gallery and videos of the TOYs and EOY.

During the program Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley honored this year’s retirees in attendance, as well as Robi Davidson, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Eric Bowers, Secondary Teacher of the Year; and Employee of the Year Julie Mead.  

Robi Davidson, 2023 PHM Elementary Teacher of the Year Eric Bowers, 2023 PHM Teacher of the Year Julie Mead, 2023 PHM Employee of the Year

Eric Bowers was a tad late, but arrived just in time to be recognized. Bowers who is also Penn’s Tennis Coach and the Kingsmen Girls were competing for their 16th consecutive Sectional crown, which they won! Bowers got retiring Penn Boys Basketball Coach Al Rhodes in on sharing the good news with the crowd by having him bring up the trophy during his comments.

Coach Eric Bowers Coach Al Rhodes

Board Members Jim Garrett, Clare Roach, and Dana Sullivan were also on hand to applaud and congratulate employees for their honors. The dinner was generously sponsored by Teachers Credit Union. Human Resources Director Dr. Lisa Soto-Kile served as Master of Ceremonies.

Mr. Davidson, Mr. Bowers and Mrs. Mead all spoke at last night’s dinner; they also received a commemorative plaque for their award. As part of the recognitions for Mr. Davidson and Mr. Bowers, P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom gave each teacher a $1,000 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classrooms. Mrs. Mead received a gift certificate from the District.

Click to watch the videos below to learn about Mr. Davidson, Mr. Bowers and Mrs. Mead.

View the photo gallery below of those who attended the May 17th dinner. Just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. 

 

Highlights from PHMEF 2023 Superintendent’s Breakfast

The P-H-M Education Foundation hosted Dr. Jerry Thacker’s Superintendent’s Breakfast today (Wednesday, May 10). More than 200 community leaders, business partners, P-H-M parents, and P-H-M staff attended the event held at St. Joe Farm to hear Dr. Thacker give his “State of the District” address. 

WSBT morning anchor and P-H-M parent Bob Montgomery emceed the Breakfast. Pastor Michael Cramer of New Life Church gave the invocation. Attendees included State Senator Linda Rogers (R-11), Ivy Tech Community College (South Bend-Elkhart) Chancellor Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper, P-H-M Board of School Trustees members President Chris Riley, Secretary Clare Roach, Matt Chaffee, Jim Garrett, Dana Sullivan, former P-H-M and Mishawaka Superintendent Dr. Dean Speicher, and representatives from Teachers Credit Union (TCU)—the event’s presenting sponsor. Click to see the full photo gallery below. 

State Sen. Linda Rogers & Mrs. Donna Thacker Ivy Tech Chancellor Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper and Mrs. Donna Thacker The Speichers, the Blakes, and the Thackers Board Pres. Chris Riley with PHM principals Dr. Thacker & Board Member Matt Chaffee WSBT Anchor Bob Montgomery

Dr. Thacker, in his 17th year as superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison Schools, updated the community on the district’s past and recent points of excellence which included, some not all, of the accomplishments below: 

  • P-H-M is in the Top 3.67%, #11 out of Indiana’s public school districts (299) 
  • Ranking of Indiana public schools that passed both ELA and Math:
    • Northpoint Elementary School is #1
    • Prairie Vista Elementary School is #2
    • Discovery Middle School is #2
  • Penn High School graduation rate of 98%
  • Penn’s Early College Academy is #1 in Indiana for earning college credits
  • Penn’s Class of 2023, so far, has earned about $11 million in scholarships

Click to review Dr. Thacker’s entire presentation. 

All of this was accomplished with not only having the lowest school corporation tax rate in the area at $.09275, as well as having the lowest basic state tuition support in the area (P-H-M receives $6,524 per student). Click here to view these slides in Dr. Thacker’s presentation.

P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom also spoke highlighting how community donations and support has helped fund nearly $850,000 classroom grants in P-H-M’s 15 schools, impacting more than 10,000 students! Turnblom recognized some of the teacher grant recipients, along with P-H-M’s 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year Robi Davidson (Walt Disney Elementary School) and Secondary Teacher of the Year Eric Bowers (Penn High School). Click here to review PHMEF’s past grant recipients. The Foundation’s mission is to support excellence in education P-H-M schools. Since its inception in 1996, the non-profit organization has provided nearly $1.6 million in teacher classroom grants.

Other event highlights included, Penn’s Kingsmen Quartet performance and centerpieces handmade by Penn ceramics art students which were available for a donation.

A special thank you to P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, Event Planning Committee members, Amy Chrise (PHMEF Office Manager), and student intern Ella Smoker.

Breakfast sponsors included …

  • Presenting Sponsor: TCU
  • Contributing Sponsors:
    • Church, Church, Hittle & Atrim Attorneys at Law
    • ProShow
  • Patrons:
    • Cressy Commercial Real Estate
    • Holladay Properties
    • Schmidt and Associates
    • SmokerCraft

Running is Elementary School results

After the postponement 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. 

2023 Running is Elementary

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.

2023 Running is Elementary  2023 Running is Elementary

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

  1. 6:56, Bib #2, Bittersweet
  2. 6:57, Bib #513, Northpoint
  3. 7:04, Bib #213, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

  1. Northpoint
  2. Bittersweet
  3. Elm Road

5th Grade Boys Winners

  1. 6:01, Bib #510, Northpoint
  2. 6:25, Bib #536, Prairie Vista
  3. 6:26, Bib #541, Prairie Vista

School Team Rankings:

  1. Prairie Vista
  2. Horizon
  3. Northpoint

4th Grade Girls Winners

  1. 7:20, Bib #42, Bittersweet
  2. 7:31, Bib #381, Meadow’s Edge
  3. 7:46, Bib #569, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

  1. Prairie Vista
  2. Horizon
  3. Northpoint

4th Grade Boys Winners:

  1. 6:34, Bib #553, Prairie Vista
  2. 6:44, Bib #206, Horizon
  3. 6:51, Bib #196, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

  1. Horizon 
  2. Prairie Vista
  3. Northpoint

Here’s a breakdown of the schools’ shirt color:

2023 Running is Elementary

P-H-M Names Horizon Elementary Teacher’s Aide as Employee of the Year

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker wrapped up his busy week of surprises this afternoon at Horizon Elementary School by naming Teacher’s Aide Julie Mead as the Classified Employee of the Year. Dr. Thacker and Horizon Principal Amy Fadorsen popped into a kindergarten class where Mead was leading a Reading Learning Club session. Mead was so taken off guard she didn’t realize the award was actually for her until Dr. Thacker said her name. Click to watch the video below and view the photo gallery.

 

 

Mead first came to P-H-M as a parent. All of her three children have attended P-H-M schools and she says grateful for all the opportunities P-H-M has provided for her children and now herself, “Best decision we could have made, not only for our three kids, but for our family as a whole. Not only have they had wonderful educational experiences, but I’ve been able to find a job that is more like a family at Horizon.”

 

Mead started working at P-H-M in January 2019 as a Universal Substitute at Horizon. A year later she transitioned to a Teacher's Aide position, staying at Horizon. This school year, Mead has also become an Early Learning Academy Teacher's Aide–the only ELA Teacher's Aide at Horizon! 

 

Mead loves that she’s able to interact with students and staff throughout the building, “The job of a TA is a unique one. You spend so much of your day in small time frames all over the building. I touch each grade level daily. I get to learn about each and every year these students spend in the building and I get to help them year after year grow in their learning.” Mead says she’s found her calling as a TA, “I count it a blessing to be able to help so many all over the building! … There is so much joy in my day to be able to see those little lightbulbs go off above the students' heads.”

 

Mead is appreciated not just for the assistance she provides in the classroom, but for what she does  outside the classroom as well. Her list of school activities include: leading staff after school workouts, helping coach Horizon’s “Running is Elementary” teams, taking care of Horizon’s outdoor learning space known as the environmental lab, serving as a school traffic guard through VSS, and organizing a school blood drive for staff and the community.

 

Horizon teacher Jeffrey Hardman, who nominated Mead, explains how important she is to the building community “Mrs. Mead social emotional personality to help and lift up those around her is above and beyond what is needed in our workplace. She brings a cheery and secure personality to work each day.” Hardman also states her “positive behaviors have left us all feeling better at the end of the day.”

 

There were two surprise announcements earlier this week for P-H-M Teachers of the Year. On Monday, April 24, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Thacker surprised Walt Disney Music Teacher Mr. Robi Davidson naming him P-H-M Elementary Teacher of the Year. The next day (Tuesday, April 25) he surprised Penn High School AP History Teacher and Tennis Coach Mr. Eric Bowers and named him Secondary Teacher of the Year. Julie Mead was named Classified Employee of the Year on Friday, April 28.

 

The Teachers of the Year and the Employee of the Year awardees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner which will take place Wednesday, May 17th.

P-H-M Names 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year, Mr. Eric Bowers

 

Ahead of National Teacher Appreciation Week is next week (May 1-5) Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker is announcing the winners of P-H-M’s Teacher of the Year. Today (Tuesday, April 25) with the help of his students, some Penn administrators, coaches, fellow teachers and staff, Dr. Thacker was able to surprise Penn High School AP History Teacher and Tennis Coach Eric Bowers with the news that he is P-H-M’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Click to view the photo gallery below.

 

Coach Bowers is in his 20th year of teaching and all of those years have been teaching social studies at Penn High School, including doing his student teaching with P-H-M. For this school year, Bowers is teaching AP U.S. History and AP European History to more than 230 students over eight sections. Even though today’s surprise announcement disrupted one of his AP History classes, much to the students dismay, it did not postpone their final!

 

 

It was clear with today’s show of support, that Bowers is a beloved teacher and coach. He has been the Penn Boys and Girls Tennis coach his entire 20 years at Penn. As Coach, he’s won 26 Sectional Championships, 10 Regional Championships, had four Semi-state appearances, and coached one individual State Champion, Alexandra Brinker, in 2013. Coach Bowers was named the 2018 Indiana Boys Tennis Coach of the Year by the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association.

 

There aren’t too many teachers who can claim the prestige of being named a Fulbright Scholar, but Bowers can! He was named a Fulbright Scholar in 2017 out of more than 3,000 applicants. Just a handful of teaching faculty are awarded this once in a lifetime opportunity to research, study and teach in a country of their choice. Bowers chose to study at Regensburg University in Germany in the summer of 2017. 

 

In March 2022, Bowers was selected to participate in the inaugural GenEd Teacher Fellowship Program sponsored by the Genocide Education Project (GenEd). Only 16 highly qualified secondary-level educators from 14 states were chosen for the program. In July 2022, the group participated in a 10 day intensive professional development program in Armenia. His work with the Genocide Project and sharing info about the Armenia Genocide with other history teachers at Penn and acros the country earned Bowers the opportunity to speak at the National Convention of Social Studies this year in Philadelphia. His work with the University of Pittsburgh enabled him to attend the European Union Conference held in Brussels, Belgium. Next summer, he will participate in the USS Midway Institute for Teachers in San Diego, which offers educational seminars specifically designed for history and social studies teachers so they can go more in depth about the Cold War, the wars in Korea and Vietnam, and World War II in the Pacific.

 

Amy Tiebout, Penn science teacher, nominated Bowers for Secondary Teacher of the Year commented on the value these rich historical and academic experiences brings to his students, “Eric's travels around the world strengthens his ability to connect students to the content, as he has real-life experiences to add to the areas he teaches. He connects to such a wide range of students at Penn, including athletes, high ability academics, and everyone in between.”

 

Bowers has served as a teacher sponsor of a number of cocuricular activities and student clubs, including Model UN and Social Studies Academic Super Bowl both of which he’s coached since 2018. This school year he’s the teacher sponsor of the Muslim Student Association and the newly formed 180 Days Culture Club. The 180 days Culture Club features a monthly speaker, usually a student, who explains their family or native country culture to their classmates. Recently, a student with family in Ukraine impacted by the war presented to a packed room of fellow students.

 

But probably one of Bowers most favorite student history activity is “Pennstock,” which centers around American History of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Students can chose to perform onstage either in a musical performance or by writing and/or giving a speech. Past topics include “Support our Troops,” anti-Vietnam war, and Women’s Rights. Students who do not want to be onstage can instead set up a booth on such topics as the Space Race, American Indian Movement, or the Cold War. When the weather is nice, it’s held outside and is quite the scene as nearly the entire junior class, a quarter of the student population, is dressed in tie dye and other 60/70s attire.

 

Talking with Coach Bowers for five minutes it’s clear that he LOVES teaching, “Do what you can to not only promote your classroom but your school as well. I would encourage every teacher to find time to help with at least one club, group, sport, music, theater, or activity to better identify with their students,” says Bowers. “Teachers play a big role with [Penn High School] students from 8:25 – 3:17. The excitement of a student when a teacher helps out, volunteers, or even attends an event is priceless. If a teacher can’t be the head of the program, simply attending and congratulating student achievements works wonders in the lives of our students.” 

 

It’s hard to believe that Bowers has any free time, but in his spare time he also serves as Penn’s  Intramural Basketball Coordinator. An activity that he also enjoys thoroughly!

 

Mr. Robi Davidson, music teacher at Walt Disney Elementary School, was announced as P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year on Monday, April 24. P-H-M Employee of the Year will be announced in the coming days, also as a surprise. All TOY and EOY winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 17th. The two Teachers of the Year will receive a grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classroom. Both will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2024 by the IDOE. Click here for more information.

 

P-H-M Names 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year, Mr. Robi Davidson

 

Walt Disney Elementary School Music Teacher Robi Davidson got a surprise visit from Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker Monday morning (April 24, 2023). Dr. Thacker, with the help of Walt Disney Principal Ryan Towner, a handful of P-H-M district administrators, and news crews, surprised Davidson letting him know that he was P-H-M’s 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year! Click to see the photo gallery below.

 

 

Davidson has worked for P-H-M for 11 years, but has been at P-H-M nearly all of his life! Davidson attended P-H-M’s Madison Elementary School, Grissom Middle School and graduated from Penn High School in 2007. He has taught music at Walt Disney Elementary for 11 of his 12 years of teaching. This is not the first time Davidson has been surprised with an award; in 2019, the P-H-M Education Foundation popped into one of his classes to present him with a $2,000 grant check for winning the “Jeneane Arter Teaching in Excellence Award." 

 

“Every year when I tour all P-H-M schools the first few days of school,” said Dr. Thacker, “I try to make sure to go into Robi’s classroom when visiting Walt Disney. Robi is P-H-M Excellence in action! It is remarkable watching the creative and energetic ways he engages his students. Robi Davidson is a perfect example of the many passionate and dedicated teachers P-H-M is blessed to have.”

 

If Davison is not leading students in the school Ukulele group, running a Walt Disney News Network broadcast, or DJing a school dance or school wide assembly, he is chairing Walt Disney’s signature event. Davidson became the head organizer of “Culture Night” in 2014 and works with the PTO and other Disney staff to pull off this incredible evening. Culture Night is more than an event, it is a celebration! Davidson describes it as the “true heartbeat” of Walt Disney!

 

“There is no one more than Robi Davidson who embraces Walt Disney’s diversity and vitality,” said Walt Disney Principal Ryan Towner. “Our Culture Night has grown and expanded under Robi’s guidance offering new experiences to our students and families helping draw together as one community.”

 

With more than 30 different languages spoken in the homes of Disney families, the school started “Culture Night” in 1999 so that families of all backgrounds could share their cultures with the entire school community. The month-long celebration is now incorporated into all aspects of the school day including global lunch menu options and gym and music units that explore various music and games played by children around the world. Davidson, a former Kingsmen Marching Band member, has also gotten Penn’s Fine Arts Academy students involved with band, choir, orchestra, and dance performances. Various community groups also come in and participate. This year’s event will be held Thursday, May 18.

 

Davidson doesn’t lend his musical teaching talents to just his Disney students, he also coaches the tuba section for Penn’s award-winning Marching Band and also works on the sound design team with the front ensemble. Davidson teaches private tuba lessons to middle and high school students. 

 

He loves helping fifth graders transition to their middle school experience by working on the “Instrument Selection Nights,” where students get to try out and choose an instrument to pursue in middle school music class.

 

“It is always a treat to see my elementary students and their families,” said Davidson “and it is always very special when I get to re-meet many of my elementary students again as high schoolers when they begin their marching band careers. Seeing their growth and the new versions of individuals they become, and to be able to be a part of their educational process during both those points in their lives is really special.”

 

During the week of April 24, Dr. Thacker will also surprise the winners of the Secondary Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year. All winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 17th. Along with a plaque, the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classroom. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2024 by the IDOE. Click here for more information.

 

Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Donates $50,000 to P-H-M Education Foundation

 

At Monday’s Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees meeting, the Trustees approved a $50,000 (payable over five years) donation by Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel as part of the P-H-M Education Foundation naming rights campaign. As part of the contribution, the Lionshead logo will be installed in the turf in July 2023. The logo will remain for the life of the field or 12 years whichever is first.

 

Lionshead has a longstanding community partnership with P-H-M and the Education Foundation. Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel named the Penn High School Soccer Field in 2014 with a $25,000 contribution; the contract will be up for renewal in 2026.

 

All five children of owners Gary and Mary Graham have attended P-H-M schools and graduated from Penn High School, two of which played soccer. Daughter Maggie was on the 2016 and 2017 Girls Soccer Teams. Both teams were State Champions and were ranked #2 and #1 in the nation respectfully.

 

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

 

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of donations go into the Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

 

“The P-H-M Education Foundation is thankful for supporters like the Graham Family who care deeply about their community, supporting our mission through their generosity,” said Jennifer Turnblom, executive director of PHMEF. “Their donation builds our endowment to help support grants and programs in all 15 PHM schools for years to come. A strong partnership between PHMEF and community businesses like Lionshead is vital to our ability to support excellence in education.”

 

See the list below for a timeline of P-H-M Education Foundation’s other naming rights partners:

  • August 2014, P-H-M Education Foundation recognized two local families for their longtime support, in-kind donations and financial contributions to P-H-M educational programs:
    • The music rooms at all P-H-M's elementary schools were named after Jim and Julie Schwartz (representing $50,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
    • The Band Room at Penn High School was named after the Doshi family (representing $15,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
  • September 2014, Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel donated $25,000 to name the “Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Penn High School Soccer Field”
  • September 2014, Dar and Dot Wiekamp donated $25,000 to name the tennis courts at Penn High School the “Dar and Dot Wiekamp Penn High School Tennis Courts”
  • October 2014, May Oberfell Lorber donated $25,000 to name the softball field at Penn High School the “May Oberfell Lorber Penn High School Softball Field”
  • June 2015, Teachers Credit Union (TCU) donated $400,000 to name Penn High School’s Freed Field “TCU Freed Field”
  • January 2016, Zolman's Tire & Auto Care donated $25,000 to name the north concession stand at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field the “The Zolman Tire Concession Stand”
  • January 2016, Jordan Automotive Group donated $25,000 to name the Penn High School baseball field “Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Field at Penn High School”
  • March 2016, Trades Restaurant donated $25,000 to name the 2nd floor concession stand adjacent to Penn High School’s Main Arena the “Tradewinds Restaurant Concession Stand”
  • July 2016, Saint Joseph Health System donated $10,000 to name the tennis courts at Prairie Vista Elementary School the “Saint Joseph Health System Tennis Courts at Prairie Vista”
  • August 2017, an anonymous donors donated $25,000 to name the newly constructed ticket center at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field named the “Larry Beehler Ticket Center”
  • October 2018, Zolman's Tire & Auto Care donated $25,000 to name the north concession stand at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field “Zolman’s Tire Concessions”
  • October 2019, the Hildebrandt Family (family of Penn alumnae and Olympic Bronze Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt) donated $15,000 to name the wrestling room at Penn “The Hildebrandt Family Wrestling Room”
  • December 2021, Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Thacker donated $25,000 to name the newly constructed Kingsmen Athletic Center at TCU Freed Field after Penn’s legendary championship football coach, Chris Geesman, renaming the facility the “Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center”
  • April 2023, Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel donated $25,000 to install the Lionshead logo in the turf of “Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Penn High School Soccer Field”

Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Donates $50,000 to P-H-M Education Foundation

*Update*

In August, 2023, brand new field turf was installed with the Lionshead Logo, take a look!

 

 

Original Story:

At Monday’s Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees meeting, the Trustees approved a $50,000 (payable over five years) donation by Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel as part of the P-H-M Education Foundation naming rights campaign. As part of the contribution, the Lionshead logo will be installed in the turf in July 2023. The logo will remain for the life of the field or 12 years whichever is first.

Lionshead has a longstanding community partnership with P-H-M and the Education Foundation. Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel named the Penn High School Soccer Field in 2014 with a $25,000 contribution; the contract will be up for renewal in 2026.

All five children of owners Gary and Mary Graham have attended P-H-M schools and graduated from Penn High School, two of which played soccer. Daughter Maggie was on the 2016 and 2017 Girls Soccer Teams. Both teams were State Champions and were ranked #2 and #1 in the nation respectfully.

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of donations go into the Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

“The P-H-M Education Foundation is thankful for supporters like the Graham Family who care deeply about their community, supporting our mission through their generosity,” said Jennifer Turnblom, executive director of PHMEF. “Their donation builds our endowment to help support grants and programs in all 15 PHM schools for years to come. A strong partnership between PHMEF and community businesses like Lionshead is vital to our ability to support excellence in education.”

See the list below for a timeline of P-H-M Education Foundation’s other naming rights partners:

  • August 2014, P-H-M Education Foundation recognized two local families for their longtime support, in-kind donations and financial contributions to P-H-M educational programs:
    • The music rooms at all P-H-M’s elementary schools were named after Jim and Julie Schwartz (representing $50,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
    • The Band Room at Penn High School was named after the Doshi family (representing $15,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
  • September 2014, Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel donated $25,000 to name the “Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Penn High School Soccer Field”
  • September 2014, Dar and Dot Wiekamp donated $25,000 to name the tennis courts at Penn High School the “Dar and Dot Wiekamp Penn High School Tennis Courts”
  • October 2014, May Oberfell Lorber donated $25,000 to name the softball field at Penn High School the “May Oberfell Lorber Penn High School Softball Field”
  • June 2015, Teachers Credit Union (TCU) donated $400,000 to name Penn High School’s Freed Field “TCU Freed Field”
  • January 2016, Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care donated $25,000 to name the north end zone concession stand at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field the “The Zolman Tire Concession Stand”
  • January 2016, Jordan Automotive Group donated $25,000 to name the Penn High School baseball field “Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Field at Penn High School”
  • March 2016, Trades Restaurant donated $25,000 to name the 2nd floor concession stand adjacent to Penn High School’s Main Arena the “Tradewinds Restaurant Concession Stand”
  • July 2016, Saint Joseph Health System donated $10,000 to name the tennis courts at Prairie Vista Elementary School the “Saint Joseph Health System Tennis Courts at Prairie Vista”
  • August 2017, an anonymous donors donated $25,000 to name the newly constructed ticket center at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field named the “Larry Beehler Ticket Center”
  • October 2018, Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care donated $25,000 to name the south end zone concession stand at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field “Zolman’s Tire Concessions”
  • October 2019, the Hildebrandt Family (family of Penn alumnae and Olympic Bronze Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt) donated $15,000 to name the wrestling room at Penn “The Hildebrandt Family Wrestling Room”
  • December 2021, Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Thacker donated $25,000 to name the newly constructed Kingsmen Athletic Center at TCU Freed Field after Penn’s legendary championship football coach, Chris Geesman, renaming the facility the “Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center”
  • April 2023, Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel donated $50,000 to install the Lionshead logo in the turf of “Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Penn High School Soccer Field”

P-H-M Named 2023 Best Community for Music Education

 

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for the 10th year in a row!

 

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. 

 

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 approximately 3,800 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program. Every year the Penn Fine Arts Academy enlists choir, band and music students to do a tour of P-H-M elementary schools to get students more interested in music.

 

Penn Music students visit elementary schools
Penn choir and music students tour of P-H-M elementary schools (November 2022)

 

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.

 

Grissom students Discovery students performing Moana Musical Schmucker student performing at Veterans Day 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.