When people think about holiday shopping they often think of long lines and stressful situations.

Well, there are some gifts that you won’t find in any Black Friday ads that will be treasured for years to come.

For the 14th consecutive year, P-H-M employees were able to get their holiday shopping done while supporting our fine Young Adult students.

The Young Adult program housed at Schmucker Middle School is part of P-H-M’s Exceptional Education Department and focuses on teaching students life and work skills to help them better interact with the community.

Young Adult Students work hard to create unique, holiday themed crafts that reinforce the value of hard work and creativity.

The students also practice real world skills by interacting with customers and operating the cash register. All the proceeds from the sale go back into the Young Adult Program to fund future craft building and outings.

To download high resolution jpg files from the photo gallery below, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. We are happy to provide this service to you free of charge. 

P-H-M’s standard of excellence didn’t happen overnight, it’s been many years in the making.

To acknowledge where we came from, each year Dr. Jerry Thacker hosts a “P-H-M Retiree Breakfast” to honor and thank the teachers and staff that laid the groundwork for everything that P-H-M has become.

Former P-H-M employees who have retired since Dr. Thacker has been the Superintendent of Schools were invited for food and fellowship. A wonderful time was had by all. 

To download high resolution jpg files from the photo gallery below, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function. We are happy to provide this service to you, free of charge!

The P-H-M Education Foundation announced its Fall Grant Cycle recipients. A total of $10,188.63 will be disbursed to P-H-M staff. See the complete list is below.

Since the Foundation’s inception in 1996, more than $1 million have been distributed in innovative teaching grants supporting P-H-M teachers, staff, and students. The Grants Committee is comprised of Foundation board members, community representatives, and a P-H-M administrator who evaluate each grant application. 

EZ Form grant winners of $250 or less:

1. Breakout EDU: Classroom Escape
   Horizon Elementary – Derrick Fairbotham​
   Grade 5; 160 students impacted
   Awarded: $160.50 – Multiple escape room activities challenging critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.

2. Building Number Fluency in 4th and 5th Grades
   Elsie Rogers Elementary  – Rachael Givens
   Grade 4-5; 200 students impacted
   Awarded: $218 – Tang math kits that will help with number bonds, counting, place value.

3. A Multisensory Approach
   Meadow’s Edge Elementary – Stacey Miller
   Grades 2; 24 students impacted
   Awarded: $277.56 – Materials that provide multisensory approach using doodle boards, playform shapes, and sandpaper letters.

4. Safety Poster
   All Elementary Schools – Mike Seger​
   Grades K-5; 4,936 students impacted
   Awarded: $250 – Poster contest to educate kids about strangers and how lockdowns relate to stranger danger.

5. Reading and Writing Hands-On Learning Games for Deeper Understanding
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Carlye Ponsler​
   Grade 4-5; 100 students impacted
   Awarded: $248.50 – Project benefit students will 44 various reading, vocabulary, and writing games.

6. Every Voice Matters
   Schmucker Middle – Maggie Hartford
   Grades 608; 150 students impacted
   Awarded: $191.50 – Qball will help students who are reluctant to speak up and out in a classroom setting.

7. Exercise Body and Mind
   Elm Road Elementary – Stephanie Newcomer
   Grades K-5; 500 students impacted
   Awarded: $84.95 – Pound sticks would be used for “brain breaks” and refocusing students’ minds.

8. Kindness Squad
   Elm Road Elementary – Christy Cook
   Grade K-5; 500 students impacted
   Awarded: $222.66 – Stickers, kindness squad belts, and letter packs to help promote kindness throughout the school.

9. Handwriting Interactive Teaching Tool
   Horizon, Northpoint, Prairie Vista, Mary Frank Elem– Tess Weaver
   Grades PreK-2; 40 students impacted
   Awarded $225 – Writing tool for students who receive occupational therapy.

10. Raspberry Pi Server and Cyber Security Labs
    Penn High – Steve Sinish
    Grades 10-12; 50 students impacted
    Awarded $200 – Servers support ongoing learning about servers for those in the computer tech support program.

11. Social Emotional Learning Center
    Penn High – Megan Bidigare
    Grades 9-12; 3,600 students impacted
    Awarded $250 – Funds to support a SEL safe space inside Penn High School for students who may have high emotions.

Full Funding/Traditional Form Grants approved for $250 or more:

1. They All Fall Down
   Horizon Elementary – Ann Lira
   Grades Pre-5th  —  680 students
   Requested $470 — Received $470​
   Domino workshop kit to instruct and reward classes for positive behavior. Students will design and build their domino creation and work closely in teams of two. The goal is for each individual creation to completely topple and transfer energy to the next group’s creation until all 15 creations completely topple.  

2.  Careers and Work Experience Project
   Penn High – Kristal Wheeler
   Grades 9-12 — 3,000 students
   Requested $1,000 — Received $1,000
   Program centers around Penn High School students with disabilities that will be given the opportunity to form a business. The program will center around two main experiences: a pet treat production and sale and a coffee cart. Both experiences will allow students to understand production, pricing, and sales. 

3. WGMS Media Class Equipment
   Grissom Middle – Kristian Verash​
   Grades 6-8 — 700 students
   Requested $918.12 — Received $918.12
   Equipment will improve the video and audio technology through WGMS and YouTube Grissom Middle School. Students can utilize their phones to video school activities for better communication. 

4. High Quality Evidence for Like Long Critical Thinking
   Penn High  – Jeremy Starkweather, Kaitlin Dickmen, Kayla Pfernere​
   Grades 9-12 — 100 students
   Requested $978.84 — Received $978.84
   Literature for debate topics that are current, peer reviewed, and written by experts in the field to be used by high school’s debate class and team. 

5. Visualizing the Dream for Lifelong Learners
   Penn High – John Gensic and Angela Yarrell​
   Grades 9-12 — 200 students
   Requested $775 — Received $775
   Funds will help offset costs for students who will be visiting, touring, and learning about historically black colleges and universities. 

6. Phones, SEL, and Biological Impact at the Brain
   Penn High – John Gensic, Jeanie Mitchell, Danielle Black
   Grades 12 — 5,013 students
   Requested $911 — Received $911
   The science of addiction, from opioids to cell phones is rooted in the biology of the brain. This grant would allow Early College seniors to delve more deeply into understanding the root cause of addiction and take meaningful action. Funds will be used to purchase the book The Deepest Well, which covers the biological impacts of toxic stress. The book will be paired with lessons on how technology has been designed to be addictive (such as apps on a phone).

7. Choosing Joy – Schoolwide Positive Messaging
   Discovery Middle – Aubrey Rollins
   Grades 6-8 — 900 students
   Requested $1,000 — Received $1,000
   Student groups will volunteer to help beautify public spaces throughout Discovery, including hallways and restrooms, that will have positive messages to inspire students to have a positive attitude and motivate them to do their best every day. ​

8. Ecology: Ecosystem (three classrooms/three different grants)
   Discovery Middle — Jackie Dan, Mikaylah Ganza, Gabriella Kintner
   Grades 6 – 280 students
   Requested $840 – Received $840
   Potawatomi Zoo representative will come to the school and discuss different topics related to ecology. The goal would be to use the presentation at the end of the unit as an application and analysis of the content the students’ have learned.

Partial Funding

1. SEL Classroom Environment
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Krystle Mauro
   Grade 3 —  50 students
   Requested $489.84 — Received $117
   Emotional prompt cards and materials that will be used in the social emotional learning classroom environment. 

2. Personal and Academic Student Development Through Reading
   Grissom Middle – Joshua Kelver​
   Grades K-5  —  25 students
   Requested $999.10 — Received $900
   Classroom library that will incorporate inclusive topics such as disabilities and LGBTQ+. In addition, library will include books written by minorities and topics that cover minority experiences in America.

Penn-Harris-Madison is at the forefront of integrating technology into the classroom. We’re a 1:1 Technology district with every student in the district—grades pre-K through 12—having a tablet, iPad or Chromebook. Middle and High School students have a personal Chromebook that they take home.

Not only do we have a team of IT Technicians that support the schools and administrative offices, but we also have a dedicated staff member who supports the successful integration of instructional technology in all P-H-M elementary schools with a focus on our five Title I schools. Jessie Kinney works to improve the utilization of technology that will increase both student learning and engagement. 

P-H-M is now venturing into the world of virtual reality to enhance student learning and expand students’ learning environments. The district is piloting the use of Google Daydream virtual reality headsets in four of our schools: Bittersweet, Elm Road and Moran Elementary Schools, along with Grissom Middle School. Teachers can utilize the VR headsets and Google’s Expeditions app to take students on virtual field trips or have them do 3D examinations of the heart or lungs.​

Recently a Moran 5^th grade class got to go the Jamestown, Virginia colony without leaving their classroom. Take a look for yourself …

The message below was sent to all P-H-M parents from the Superintendent's Office the morning of Friday, Nov. 15, 2019:

Penn-Harris-Madison’s outstanding teachers are a critical component to P-H-M’s Triangle of Success providing excellent instruction to our students. In support of teachers and fair funding for public education, P-H-M has strong track record of working with State Legislators.

As momentum has grown for the “Red for Ed” action day at the State Legislature next Tuesday, Nov. 19, more Penn-Harris-Madison teachers have expressed interest to travel to Indianapolis to participate. 

We fully support their efforts. Therefore, all 15 P-H-M schools will be closed next Tuesday, Nov. 19. Administrative offices will remain open. Principals will adjust extracurricular activities as needed and will communicate any changes to their building parents and staff.

We will make up the day at the end of the school year. This will make the last day of school for P-H-M students Thursday, June 4.

Thank you for all you do as families to support our teachers.

At the Board Meeting held Monday, November 11, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees approved the agreement between the P-H-M Teachers Association and the School Corporation increasing the minimum base starting salary for current P-H-M teachers and new hires for the 2019-2020 school year to $41,000, which P-H-M believes to be the highest in our area!

The new salary range for P-H-M teachers will be $41,000 to $70,148 marking the first time that the top of our salary range exceeds $70,000.

“We are grateful to the Governor and the Indiana Legislature for the one-time funding increase to the Teacher Retirement Fund (TRF); this freed up extra money for school districts to pass along to teachers,” said P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “Coupled with P-H-M’s conservative budgeting, we are proud to be in the position to compensate our teachers at a competitive rate.”

“At P-H-M, we are committed to attracting, retaining and rewarding highly qualified teachers,” Dr. Thacker went on to state. “They are a crucial component to our Triangle of Success by which our students benefit. We are proud to offer academic excellence at all levels, for all students. We recognize and value our teachers’ contributions to that excellence.”

The PHMTA membership overwhelmingly ratified the agreement on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The collaboration between P-H-M administration and the Teachers’ Association shows the value and vision that both sides share in attracting and retaining the area’s most highly qualified teachers.

P-H-M’s teacher agreement covers a one-year time period from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.  All teachers who have one or more years of experience will receive varying combinations of base salary increase and a one-time stipend as shown in chart below:

Teachers with more than one year of experience will receive salary increases ranging from $900 to $2,200, with an average salary increase of $1,646, or 3.38%. Additionally, teachers with one or more years of experience will receive a one-time stipend ranging from $500 to $1,580. Teachers with three or more years of experience, who comprise approximately 85% of P-H-M’s teaching staff, will receive a total of $2,700 between an increase in salary and the one-time stipend.

This agreement also enhances compensation received by P-H-M teachers when they:

• Sub for other teachers,
• Teach Dual Credit/Advanced Credit Placement courses incentivizing them to obtain a master’s degree in their content area or reward them for obtaining their master’s to comply with the Higher Learning Commission’s 2022 requirements, or
• Who agree to sell back certain unused sick days to reward long service employees with a commendable attendance record.

Adding to these favorable pay enhancements for teachers, there will be no plan changes to either of Penn-Harris-Madison’s insurance plans. Employee contributions will increase by a modest 4% starting January 1, 2020.

For weeks, we’ve been documenting the joint student project to build a larger than life Hulk Halloween wheelchair costume for 4-year-old Zephan Cantu from Elkhart.

The local news coverage of the story got the attention of CBS Evening News producers and CBS National Correspondent Don Dahler.

They visited Penn High School to interview students and teachers on Oct. 17 and also attended the reveal for Zephan’s costume on Oct. 19. The story aired on national network news on Monday, Oct. 21. Take a look …

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE NOW SOLD OUT!

Breakfast with Santa is an annual beloved family event sponsored by P-H-M’s Community Education Department held at Bittersweet Elementary. The program is only for children in grades kindergarten through 3^rd grade and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets must be purchased for each person attending.

Breakfast with Santa event

Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019

8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., & 11 a.m.

Bittersweet Elementary School

$7 for all tickets

Online ticket sales were on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. through phm.revtrak.net. 

Tickets will be mailed to you prior to the event on Dec. 7. 

There will be no refunds and tickets will not be available at the door.

Penn Biology Teacher and STEM Academy Leader John Gensic is being recognized in Washington, DC this week for being a 2017 national award recipient for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). John was named an Indiana Finalist for the Science Award in October 2017. John is one of just four teacher finalists (two for Math and Two for Science) in Indiana to be recognized and receive this prestigious national award. The announcement was made on Tuesday, Oct. 15 by the White House.

Today (Friday, Oct. 18), John is visiting the White House, take a tour, and attend a VIP lunch for PAEMST alumni.

Last night (Thursday, Oct. 17) was the awards ceremony for the country’s PAEMST award winners.  Awardees from 2017 and 2018 were recognized last night and received their awards. Penn Principal Sean Galiher traveled to DC this week with John to also attend recognition events and professional development opportunities. Principal Galiher captured this video and these pictures …

John was among 215 teachers from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, and schools in the United States territories of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. 

Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States; the trip to DC; and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

Established in 1983, PAEMST is the highest award given by the U.S. Government to kindergarten through 12th grade teachers of mathematics and science, including computer science.

Teachers are selected based on their distinction in the classroom and dedication to improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.

John Gensic was also P-H-M's 2016 Teacher of the Year and a Top 10 Finalist for Indiana Teacher of the year. He has been very creative in bringing STEM learning activities to life, not just for his Penn Early College Academy students, but also elementary students. In 2016, John used the funding he received from a P-H-M Education Foundation grant to plant fruit orchards first at Horizon Elementary, and then a year later at Elsie Rogers and Mary Frank. This September John literally saw the fruits of his labor bear fruit! The apple and pear trees at Horizon’s orchard were ripe for picking. Current Horizon 3rd graders and the elementary students who originally planted the trees (now in 6th grade at neighboring Discovery Middle School) got to pick the fruit. Click here for the full story, video and pictures.

The P-H-M Education Foundation hosted Dr. Jerry Thacker’s annual Superintendent’s Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 15. More than 300 community leaders, business partners, P-H-M parents, and P-H-M staff attended (Click to see the full photo gallery below). Dr. Thacker is in his 14th year as superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison. 

The highlight of the Luncheon was feature speaker 2011 Penn High School Alumna and World Championship Female Wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt. Sarah’s lists of accomplishments are long since leaving Penn as Indiana’s first female wrestler to qualify for IHSAA Wrestling Semi-state her junior year under Penn Wrestling Coach Brad Harper. She won her 4th gold medal at the Pan American Games this summer. 

Sarah got a very enthusiastic “Welcome Home” from the Luncheon crowd, thanks to Coach Harper who was thrilled to introduce her to the crowd. And Sarah did not disappoint with her heartfelt “Thank You” to all her teachers and coaches throughout her years as a P-H-M student. Sarah’s Discovery Middle School teachers and coaches were also present.

The audience included current members of Penn’s Female Wrestling Team as Sarah and Coach Harper’s special guests. The students had a chance to practice with her on Monday evening. And after the Luncheon, they got to enjoy some “one-on-one” time with Sarah where she answered their questions about juggling wrestling, academics in high school and college, as well as how hard it is to compete in a male dominated sport. Sarah did a great job of not only giving great advice, but inspiring the next generation of female wrestlers!

Take a look at the video below highlighting Sarah as a Kingsmen Making a Difference in the World …

Sarah was joined at the luncheon by her family Mom and Dad Chris and Nancy Hildebrandt, brothers Drew and Cory, sister Amy, and her grandmother. Their attendance made it very special for Sarah when PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise made the surprise announcement that Sarah’s parents, Chris and Nancy Hildebrandt, had donated $15,000 to name the wrestling room at Penn High School “The Hildebrandt Family Wrestling Room!” (Click to see the full photo gallery below).

Other highlights of the Luncheon included Dr. Thacker’s State of the District Address as Superintendent. Dr. Thacker highlighted some of the school corporation’s most recent points of excellence which included, some not all, of the accomplishments below: 

• Out of Indiana public school corporations (292 school districts), P-H-M ranks 12th in the state for combined ELA & Math scores in grades 3-8.
• P-H-M has four elementary schools that rank among the state’s Top 15 schools in combined ELA & Math Proficiency: #1 Northpoint,  #4 Prairie Vista, #8 Mary Frank, and #11 Horizon
• Mary Frank’s 3rd grade English/Language Arts ILEARN scores are also the highest in the entire state!
• Among the state’s public middle schools grades 6-8 (219 schools), Discovery Middle School is ranked #5 in Indiana.
• Penn High School is 12th among public schools for combined ELA & Math scores in grade 10.

All of this was accomplished with having the lowest state tuition reimbursement in the area (P-H-M receives $5,804.21 per student vs. South Bend Community Schools which receives the most at $6,866.10). P-H-M also has the lowest tax rate in the area at $.091 compared to Concord, which has the highest tax rate at $1.78.

Some of Dr. Thacker’s special guests included Mishawaka Mayor David Wood and State Senator Ryan Mishler.

Also as part of the Luncheon, PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise recognized 2019 P-H-M Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year Christine Austin and Jeannie Mitchell. Both received a commemorative brick in their name that is a part of the walkway outside of Penn High School.

The past school year’s grant recipients were also featured as part of the event to highlight the Education Foundation’s mission to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in P-H-M 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.

WSBT news anchor Bob Montgomery emceed the event (Bob is married to 1st grade Prairie Vista teacher, Rose Montgomery, and is also a P-H-M parent).

A special thank you to all of the Luncheon and table sponsors, especially …

• Presenting Sponsor TCU
• Contributing Sponsor Gibson Insurance
• Supporting Sponsors Low Associates

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