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.

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. 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. Elsie Rogers Elementary School's performance of Seussical the Musical

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. Penn Kaleidoscope concert 

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.

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. 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.

Elsie Rogers Elementary School's performance of Seussical the Musical

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.

Penn Kaleidoscope concert

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’s Markus Burton Named 2023 Indiana Mr. Basketball

 

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.

 

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.

 

Markus Burton celebrating
Markus celebrating after breaking Penn’s all-time scoring record on Jan. 20, 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 teacher named Indiana’s middle school teacher for the “National History Day” Teacher of the Year

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!

New Administrative Appointments

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 Math Teacher named Indiana Finalist for Presidential Excellence Award

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.

 

Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher with Dr. Richard Robinson
Penn Principal Dr. Sean Galiher and Dr. Richard Robinson

Afternoon and Evening Activities 3.3.23

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

ESS Hiring Events March 21, 22 & 24

 

 

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.