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 10^th 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. 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.

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 10^th 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. This year the 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.

Penn High School’s Markus Burton carved his name into the Indiana Boys Basketball history books, as the 6-foot-1 point guard was named the 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball in a vote by the state’s coaches and media!

The honor was announced at the Indiana High School Sports Awards Show, presented by the Indiana Pacers, at Butler University’s Clowes Memorial Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Click here to see the photo gallery on Penn’s website from the Indiana High School Sports Awards Show taken by Indy Star (Wed., April, 19, 2023).

Burton, a Notre Dame signee, is the first Mr. Basketball from Penn High School. He is only the third Boys Basketball player from St. Joseph County to win the coveted Mr. Basketball Award! David Magley of South Bend LaSalle was named Mr. Basketball in 1978, and John Coalman of South Bend Central was named Mr. Basketball in 1957.

“I’m humbled to be the first Mr. Basketball from Penn High School, and only the third Mr. Basketball from St. Joseph County,” Burton said. “Winning Mr. Basketball means a lot to me, knowing it’s been a long time since someone from South Bend brought Mr. Basketball back home. It means a lot to me, and I hope it means a lot to the community.”

Click below to read and watch the media coverage.

• Indy Star, “Penn guard Markus Burton wins 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball in a runaway” April 19, 2023
• Indy Star, “Indiana High School Sports Awards honored state's best of the best. See who won” April 21, 2023
• South Bend Tribune, “Indiana Mr. Basketball goes to Penn High School standout and Notre Dame commit Markus Burton” April 19, 2023
• South Bend Tribune, “Mr. Basketball an honor for Penn's Markus Burton, a win for South Bend-Mishawaka area” April 20, 2023
• South Bend Tribune, Photos: 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball Markus Burton through the years at Penn High School
• ABC 57, “Penn student, Notre Dame commit named 2023 Mr. Basketball” April 20, 2023
• WNDU, “Penn’s Markus Burton named 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball” April 19, 2023
• WSBT, “Penn's Markus Burton wins 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball award” April 19, 2023

Penn posted a 28-2 record in 2022-2023. The Kingsmen reached the Final Four of the Class 4-A state tournament, claiming Regional and Sectional Championships along the way. Penn also won the Northern Indiana Conference Championship in the regular season.

Burton, who attended Meadow’s Edge Elementary and Grissom Middle School, expressed his gratitude to the many people he said have helped him on his basketball journey.

“I especially want to thank my Mom and Dad for all of their love and support,” Burton said. “Coach (Al) Rhodes for believing in me, even as a freshman. Thank you to the Penn Coaching Staff and all of my teammates. I also want to thank the Penn community for all of the love and support.”

Penn Boys Basketball Head Coach Al Rhodes, who announced his retirement earlier this week, said that Burton deserves the state’s top honor for a Boys Basketball player.

“Markus Burton is the best high school basketball player in Indiana!” Rhodes said. “It is so fitting that he has been chosen Mr. Basketball. No other player has put in the work that he has. Great things are ahead for Markus as he heads to Notre Dame.”

Rhodes owns the rare distinction of coaching three players who won the Mr. Basketball Award – Burton (2023), Kevin Ault of Warsaw (1996) and Jeff Grose of Warsaw (1985).

Burton owns the Penn career scoring record (2,273 points) and the single-season Penn record (909 points this season). He ranks No. 20 on the all-time Indiana high school boys basketball scoring list. Burton scored in double figures in 57 consecutive games in his career. He scored a career-high 47 points in an 85-51 victory against South Bend Washington on Feb. 10, 2023.

This season, Burton led the state with a scoring average of 30.3 points a game. The Kingsmen Senior ignited a high-flying attack as Penn led the state with an average of 77.9 points a game. Penn also led the state with a 30.0 point average margin of victory.

“I’m grateful to the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and the Indianapolis Star for this incredible honor,” Burton said. “I want to thank everyone who voted for me. Props to the other candidates – I’m honored to be in their company. I know they worked hard and sacrificed and pursued their dreams.”

Burton won the award over a star-studded list of finalists that included Xavier Booker of Indianapolis Cathedral (Michigan State recruit), Myles Colvin of Heritage Christian (Purdue recruit), Zane Doughty of Indianapolis Ben Davis (Ball State recruit), Joey Hart of Linton-Stockton (Central Florida recruit) and Mason Jones of Valparaiso (Ball State recruit).

Named the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Most Complete Player, Burton led Penn this season in scoring (30.3 points a game), rebounding (5.7 rebounds a game), assists (5.1 assists a game), and steals (3.6 steals a game).

Burton also earned an IHSAA Sportsmanship Award in the 2022-2023 season, and he is a two-time winner of the Northern Indiana Conference Most Valuable Player Award.

Former Purdue standout and Indiana All-Star Brandon McKnight, who played his high school basketball at South Bend LaSalle and has mentored Burton, said that Burton stood above the state’s greatest players this season.

“Markus deserves Mr. Basketball because he has been the most consistent player in the state of Indiana,” McKnight said. “There is not another player who can impact the game with offense, defense, passing like him.”

In an interview with Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star prior to the state finals, Head Coach John Peckinpaugh of state runner-up Kokomo said of Burton, “He’s the best guard I’ve seen in this state in a while. His ability to make tough shots is unreal and he does a great job of making teammates better.”

Burton, the first Penn Boys Basketball player named to the Indiana All-Star Team, will lead the 2023 Hoosier contingent in their two games against the Kentucky All-Stars. The Indiana All-Stars play Kentucky in Owensboro, Ky., on June 9. Indiana hosts the historic All-Star contest on June 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. Penn’s Kristi Ulrich is the head coach of the Indiana Girls All-Star Team.

Discovery History teacher Mr. James Howard was nominated as Indiana's middle school teacher representative for the "National History Day" Teacher of the Year.

Each National History Day affiliate may nominate one high school and one middle school teacher for this award. Every nominee for the $10,000 award is a teacher who demonstrates a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.

The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians, and announced on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the National History Day National Contest Awards Ceremony in College Park, Maryland. Nominees’ work must clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that engage students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past.

*Photo credit to the Discovery Photography Club students who took these great pictures of Mr. Howard!

At the Monday, March 27, Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees meeting, the Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and P-H-M Administration submitted several administration staffing changes for Board approval.

Dr. Thomas Keeley is the new Executive Business Manager replacing Jerry Hawkins who will be retiring effective June 30. Jerry joined P-H-M in 2017 from Goshen Community Schools. Jerry has been an asset to the district and his extensive experience spanning 33 years in education and finance will be missed. We wish Jerry the best in his upcoming retirement. Dr. Keeley has a total of 29 years of experience in public education. Dr. Keeley is currently serving as Director of Operations for Rush County Schools, before that he served 14 years as Assistant Superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools. Since 2011 he’s served as an Indiana State University Adjunct Professor/Lecturer on School Business Finance, School Facilities Planning, and the Politics and Role of the Public Superintendent. He is a member of IASBO and previously served as Chairman of INASPA. Dr. Keeley has a Doctorate of Philosophy Education Leadership and his Superintendent Licensure from Indiana State University. Dr. Keeley will begin working with Jerry to ensure a smooth transition. 

Walt Disney Principal Ryan Towner will transition into a new role in the district as the New Literacy Director on July 1. Ryan joined P-H-M as a fifth grade elementary teacher at Prairie Vista in Fall 2011. In his 12 years with the district, he’s also served as Assistant to the Principal at Walt Disney and Principal of Madison Elementary. He’s served as Walt Disney Principal since 2017. Ryan was named a Milken Award winner in 2021. He also presented on P-H-M’s Tiered Literacy practices at IASP and recently Indiana State Literacy Association virtual workshop series. He received both his undergraduate and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from IUSB.

Replacing Ryan as Walt Disney principal is Dr. Melinda Higginson joining us from Elkhart Community Schools where she currently serves as Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. In this role, Dr. Higginson has supervised the leadership and daily operations of 13 elementary schools. She has also served as Principal of Eastwood Elementary (Elkhart Community Schools), LaSalle Intermediate Academy and Tarkington Traditional School (South Bend Community School Corporation). Prior to going into administration, Dr. Higginson was a teacher for 13 years. She has also served as adjunct professor at IUSB and Andrews University. Dr. Higginson received her B.S. from DePaul University (Chicago), Master’s from IUSB, and Doctorate from Purdue University. 

Judith Dahlstrom has announced her retirement effective June 30th. Judith has worked as the Director of Transportation for P-H-M for nine years, but has a total of 54 years total experience in public school transportation. Judith has been recognized and has participated at the state and national levels as a leader in school transportation. She has mentored and developed our bus operators, office staff, mechanics, and assistant directors. Most importantly, she has positively impacted the lives of thousands of P-H-M students and families providing safe transportation to and from school.

Dr. Thacker and the Board of School Trustees welcome our newest members of the P-H-M family; we congratulate our current members on their new roles, and we thank our dedicated colleagues for their many years of service.

Penn-Harris-Madison's commitment to providing academic excellence is being recognized on the state and national level again. Penn Math teacher Dr. Richard Robinson was recently selected as an Indiana Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Dr. Robinson is one of three Indiana secondary mathematics teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

State Finalists represent the most outstanding teachers Indiana has to offer and serve as both a model and an inspiration to students and fellow teachers. This is the third time P-H-M has had teachers recognized as a PAEMST award winner. Elsie Rogers teacher Amanda Fox won in 2022 last year for Math; and Penn Biology Teacher John Gensic was recognized in 2019 for Science.

Due to inclement weather all activities for Friday 3/3/23 have been cancelled.

ESS hires substitute teachers and aides, along with Exceptional Education Assistant positions.

Can’t make it to one of the Hiring Events listed above. Click here to apply today. Be sure to enter Penn-Harris-Madison in the search box.

Discovery 
Monday, Feb. 27 and Tuesday, Feb. 28
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Schmucker 
Monday, March 6 and Tuesday, March 7
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Grissom 
Monday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 14
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra at Schmucker, Discovery and Grissom Middle Schools.

Every P-H-M 5th grader who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6th grader in the Fall 2023 has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra. “Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!

In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn throughout their time in their chosen class. Our Instrument Selection Nights are designed with the intention of helping your child make this decision.

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional will be available to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups. Click here to visit the expansive website with more details on on Instrument Selection Night.

You will sign up for an appointment at one of our Instrument Selection Nights. Try to sign up at the middle school where your child will attend. If those dates do not work, you may sign up for one of the other nights. Click here to sign up.

 
 Click here to download a PDF that provides more information on PHM Band and Orchestra.

We’re Hiring:

• Educational Assistants, starting at $16.42 

• Teacher Aides, starting at $15.35 per hour 

• School Bus Drivers, up to $25.00

• Food Service, $15.03 – $25.40

• Custodians,  $17.74 – $23.96

• Kids Club Childcare Assistants, starting at $13.38
  *click here for more info on hourly wages for these positions

Come out to our Job Fair for on the spot interviews!

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

 

2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Schmucker Middle School (Door B)

56045 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka

Click here to see the open positions that are accepting applications. If you can’t make it to the job fair, fill out an application online today!