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!

Friday, January 20, 2023 will go down in “Penn History Books.” It was a sell-out crowd at the Palace, all there to for two reasons:

1. to see the Kingsmen (No. 2 in 4A) beat rival, No. 1 (Class 3-A) ranked Marian; and
2. to see senior point guard Markus Burton beat Penn’s All-time Scoring Record.

The atmosphere was electrifying! Watch the video below of the starting line up.

The anticipation had been building for a few weeks as Markus was hitting bucket after bucket, averaging  29.7 points a game (the State leader according to MaxPreps). And Markus and his fellow Kingsmen teammates lived up to the hype!

Going into the game, the Notre Dame commit needed just 11 points to tie (12 to break) Noah Applegate’s All-time Scoring Record of 1,709 points set in 2019 (the previous scoring record of 1,413 points set in 1964 by Keith Berkey). The packed student section, a couple hundred students deep, were on the their feet from before the beginning of the game anxiously counting down each shot Markus made until he broke the record. The students erupted in cheers as Markus came closer and closer to breaking the record with each shot. 
 

Finally the big moment happened in the second quarter. Markus stole the ball, drove the court and swooped in for a lay-up for the record-setting basket giving him points 11 and 12 pushing him into the Penn Athletic record books as Penn’s All-time Scoring Leader. Click the image below to watch the video of the record-breaking shot.

After that, the Palace (at least Penn fans) took a collective sigh of relief—for at least that milestone portion of the game. The stakes were still high. Coach Rhodes, the senior Kingsmen players, heck all the players, students, parents, and Penn fans wanted to beat Marian, who have beaten Penn the last eight times. All of Kingsmen Nation wanted the win, and the Kingsmen didn’t disappoint.

The Kingsmen took command early and kept up the attack. Markus proved once again why he’s a top candidate for Indy Star’s Mr. Basketball! Markus eventually racked up a total of 32 points, five assists and four steals, finishing the January 20^th game with a  total of 1,730 points.

Trey Miller scored 11 points for the Kingsmen against Marian.

Joe Smith scored eight points and had five assists.

Dominic Bonner scored six points, Joey Garwood scored five points.

Penn outrebounded Marian 32-13 and owned an 11-2 edge in second-chance points.

Penn pounced on Marian early, taking a 16-7 lead after the first quarter. Penn’s biggest lead was a 17-point margin, 53-36.

PENN 66: Joey Garwood 5, Markus Burton 32, Joe Smith 8, Josh Gatete 2, Dylan Derda 2, Trey Miller 11, Dominic Bonner 6, Ethan Good 0, Mookie Ward 0, Maverick Brown 0.

Marian 52: Deaglan Sullivan 15, Dareon Thornton 7, Paxan Sullivan 0, Zion Rhoades 0, William Oweens 10, Jackson Price 11, Jackson Horvath 0, Ben Warnell 2, Thomas Murphy 0, Jordan Maust 0, Grant Mishler 0, Elias Norgaard 7.

PENN             16        15        22        13 – 66

Marian            7          15        16        14 – 52

Three-pointers: PENN 7 (Markus Burton 3, Trey Miller 2, Joey Garwood 1, Joe Smith 1), Marian 4 (Price 3, Thornton 1).

Penn’s student section went wild, albeit somewhat constrained. The students held off storming the court until Penn Principal Sean Galiher gave the students the final OK. Once on the court, the students celebrated with the each other and the team, hoisting Markus onto their shoulders chanting MVP, MVP, MVP! Watch the videos below of the different perspectives of this memorable night.

Click the image below to watch the aerial view of the students storming the court.

So if you missed this monumental night, don’t despair you’ll probably get at least another chance, maybe a couple … Markus isn’t done yet! After Penn’s win over St. Joseph Tuesday, Jan. 24 (where he was recognized with his parent’s before the start of the game as Penn’s new All-time Leading Scorer), Markus now sits at 1,809 points!

Markus is on track now to become All-time Leading Scorer for St. Joseph County beating out his soon-to-be Notre Dame teammate, former St. Joseph player J.R. Konieczny. His record of 1,996 points was set between 2017-2021. Markus is 188 points away from breaking this record, and 191 points shy of the 2,000-mark, which has never been achieved by a St. Joseph County Boys Basketball Player—that includes athletes selected in last year's NBA Draft, Jaden Ivey (Pistons) and Blake Wesley (Spurs).

At his current pace and averaging 29.7 points a game, it's very possible Markus could set both records at Elkhart (Feb. 17), or at home against Mishawaka (Feb. 21). 

It could happen sooner, Markus scored 44 points on Jan. 24^th against St. Joe, Penn winning 86-69. That shooting record just projected Markus into first in the state in scoring.

Penn students and fans, you’ll want to make sure to catch as many games as you can if you want to continue to watch history! And hopefully, Markus Burton will become Penn’s first Mr. Basketball and the second in South Bend area’s history. Dave Magley, LaSalle High School, won in 1978, who went on to play for Kansas and was a 2^nd round draft pick in 1982 for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Save the date for the P-H-M’s Young Authors’ Conference:

Saturday, March 4

8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Schmucker Middle School

P-H-M Elementary students, grades K-5

FREE! 

Space is limited. Online Registration opens Monday, Jan. 30 & closes Friday, Feb. 17.

The Young Authors’ Conference is for P-H-M students in grades K-5. The event, sponsored by the P-H-M Education Foundation, provides an opportunity for students and their parents to meet and learn from a well-known children’s authors. Click here to view the photo gallery of the 2022 event.

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.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: Registration will open January 30, 2023. Click here to access the form.

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.

Monday, January 9, 2023 was the first Penn-Harris-Madison School Board of Trustees Meeting of the new year and following the November 2022 elections.

Former P-H-M Trustee, now Superior Court Judge Jamie Woods swore in new board members Matt Chaffee (Seat 1 – Penn Twp.) and Dana Sullivan (Seat 7 – At Large), along with existing and re-elected members Chris Riley (Seat 6 – Harris Twp.) and Larry Beehler (Seat 5 – Madison Twp.). To see the names of the full Board and their terms, please click here.

The new Trustees were then recognized with their families.

The election of new officers of the Board also took place. In a 5-1 vote, Chris Riley was re-elected President, Ryan McCullough was elected Vice President, and Clare Roach was elected Secretary. Board Member Jim Garrett was not present at the meeting.