Fifth graders from across the district visited Penn High School this week for the annual Elementary Pops Concert, an energetic introduction to available instrument options ahead of Instrument Selection Night.

Members of the Penn Orchestra took the stage to perform well-known, crowd-pleasing songs. The performance was designed to spark excitement about music and give students a firsthand look at the kinds of ensembles they could join in middle school and beyond.

At one point, Penn musicians lined the front of the stage to demonstrate the various instruments available to beginning students in sixth grade, including strings, woodwinds, and brass. Students were able to see, hear, and compare each instrument as they consider both orchestra and band options in middle school.

The concert also featured two memorable special moments. Assistant Orchestra Director Ashlyn Graham surprised the audience by dressing as Mira from K-Pop Demon Hunter while the orchestra performed the fan-favorite song “Golden.”

Later, Director of Orchestras Zac Coudret conducted the How to Train Your Dragon theme while dressed as Toothless, delighting students with both the music and the dramatic flair.

The Elementary Pops Concert serves as an exciting kickoff to instrument selection season and helps students envision themselves as future Penn musicians—whether they choose band, orchestra, or both.

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This registration opportunity is for families who

1. Live within the P-H-M district AND
2. Have students who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2026.

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Click here for more registration forms and more details on P-H-M Kindergarten Registration.

Penn-Harris-Madison also operates two preschool programs: Early Learning Academy (ELA) and Penn PALS. 

ELA registration for the 2026-27 school year also opens Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Click here to learn more about ELA.

Penn PALS registration for the 2026-27 school year has not opened yet.

If you are a not a P-H-M resident and you are interested in enrolling your kindergartner, please click here for more information on our non-resident lottery.

On Wednesday, January 14, members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees, P-H-M and Penn High School administrators and coaches, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, community partners, student-athletes, guests and members of the media gathered to officially open the 80,000-square-foot multi-use student facility (click here to see a brochure with specs & details). It was also a time to honor retired, long-serving Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker. 

Click to see a full photo gallery of all the pictures from the event.

Built for P-H-M Students

The Fieldhouse will serve Penn High School students across athletic programs, academic, and extracurricular programs, including marching band, color guard, and robotics events (elementary, middle and high school). Academic use of the facility will include physical education classes and secure large-scale assessments, for example PSAT, SAT, and AP testing.

In addition, the Fieldhouse will support P-H-M middle school students through Future Kingsmen Athletics and Marching Band, helping students build both athletic and fine arts skills while safely preparing for the next level at Penn High School.

“The Fieldhouse is about investing in students and the experiences that help them grow,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “From academics to athletics and the arts, it will support learning and opportunity across our district for generations.”

The Fieldhouse will be open for student use beginning Tuesday, January 20th.

A Community Investment—Without Raising Tax Rate

The Fieldhouse project was identified as a priority in P-H-M’s 2022 District Master Facilities Plan and was completed without raising tax rates for residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. P-H-M continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County while delivering strong academic outcomes. The groundbreaking for the project was May 2024 (click here for those details). 

Click to watch the video below that includes time lapse video of the project–start to finish–and highlights from the ceremony.

The total project cost is $18 million, reflecting the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-range planning.

“This Fieldhouse is the result of years of thoughtful, long-range planning and sound fiscal stewardship by the Board,” said P-H-M Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley. “By following our District Master Facilities Plan, we were able to make a meaningful investment in students while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County and without increasing the tax burden on our community.”

Designed for Versatility and Excellence

Located just off McKinley Highway, the 80,000-square-foot Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse expands Penn’s campus and provides much-needed indoor space to support year-round student programming across academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

“The design of this Fieldhouse reflects thoughtful planning around flexibility, safety, and long-term use,” said P-H-M Chief Operating Officer Dr. Sean Galiher. “Every element, from academic and training spaces to event amenities, was intentionally designed to support students, staff, and large-scale programming.”

The multi-use facility includes indoor space for these athletic teams:

*Track and Field: six-lane, 200-meter indoor track, pole vault, long jump, high jump, and shot put areas

*Indoor Hitting: Drop-down batting nets for baseball and softball indoor hitting practices

*Wood courts: two multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball

“The Fieldhouse gives Penn student-athletes a first-class, year-round training environment,” said Jeff Hart, Penn Athletic Director. “From indoor track and field to court sports and speed and agility training, this facility allows our programs to practice, compete, and prepare regardless of weather—supporting performance, safety, and student development.”

Beyond athletics, the Fieldhouse will accommodate marching band rehearsals, smaller scale robotics events, school dances, and other large student gatherings, further expanding opportunities for student engagement and districtwide events.

Additional amenities include four locker rooms, two classroom/conference spaces, a student commons area, a physical trainer and rehabilitation space, equipment storage, an observation hallway serving the second floor, a concession stand, security office, event parking, and future bleacher seating for more than 800 spectators.

“This Fieldhouse is truly a space for all Penn students, expanding opportunities for connection, creativity, and school pride,” commented Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry. 

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Giving

The Ribbon Cutting will commemorate that the Fieldhouse has been named in honor of retired P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker, recognizing their decades of leadership, service, and philanthropic support of Penn-Harris-Madison schools and the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF).

Dr. Thacker served as P-H-M’s Superintendent from 2006 to 2025. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M became one of Indiana’s top school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level (click here for more background information on Dr. Thacker’s tenure).

“This Fieldhouse is an investment in students today and in the future of our district,” said Jennifer Turnblom, PHMEF Executive Director. “The Naming Rights Campaign directly benefits the Foundation’s endowment which in turn provides classroom grants for P-H-M teachers benefiting generations of students for years to come.”

Under the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign structure, 80 percent of naming rights donations are placed into the Foundation’s endowment to support long-term student programs, while 20 percent directly funds professional development for P-H-M teachers.

Longtime PHMEF donors and supporters Gary and Tammy Fox donated $10,000 to the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign to have the fieldhouse honor Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker. Gary Fox served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees with Dr. Thacker as the Superintendent from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in November 2024. 

“Dr. Thacker’s leadership helped shape P-H-M into one of Indiana’s premier school districts,” said Gary Fox. “Naming the Fieldhouse in honor of Jerry and Donna Thacker recognizes a legacy rooted in student success, community partnership, and long-term vision.”

During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Thacker and his wife contributed $300,000 in lifetime donations to the Foundation.

“It has been our greatest joy to watch generations of P-H-M students learn, grow, and benefit from the opportunities a quality education provides,” said Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker. “We are deeply honored to have the Fieldhouse named in our honor, and we hope it becomes a place where students continue to discover their potential for generations to come.”

Project Partners

Construction of the Fieldhouse was completed by R. Yoder Construction Inc., with architectural design by Fanning Howey, a longtime P-H-M partner with more than 40 years of service to the district. Structural engineering was done by Magnus Engineering. Civil Engineering by Danch, Harner & Associates Inc.

The P-H-M Education Foundation and Everwise Credit Union have renewed their naming rights agreement for Everwise Freed Field at Penn High School, extending a partnership that has supported educational innovation and community engagement for more than a decade.

Approved at the January 12, 2026, Board of School Trustees meeting, the new 10-year agreement reflects a continued commitment to advancing educational excellence and community engagement across the district. Everwise Credit Union first partnered with PHMEF in 2015, when the naming rights for Penn’s iconic football stadium were first established.

“Community partnerships like this one are essential to our mission,” said Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director of the PHM Education Foundation. “Everwise Credit Union’s continued investment in Everwise Freed Field is about much more than a name. It represents a belief in our students, our schools, and the power of strong community relationships to support excellence in education across the P-H-M district.”

Everwise Freed Field continues to be a central gathering place for Penn students, families, and community members, hosting athletic events, celebrations, and school-wide traditions that bring people together. Through this renewed partnership, Everwise Credit Union helps ensure ongoing support for PHMEF programs, classroom grants, and district-wide initiatives that enhance learning opportunities for all students.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with the PHM Education Foundation and the P-H-M School Corporation,” said Randy Lemert, School and Business Relationship Representative for Everwise Credit Union. “This renewal reflects our belief in the importance of education and our commitment to investing in the communities we serve. Supporting Everwise Freed Field allows us to be part of experiences that matter to students and families, both on and off the field.”

Under the agreement, 80% of funds generated from naming rights go directly into the PHMEF Endowment, which funds classroom innovation, creative learning projects, and strategic partnerships districtwide. The remaining 20% supports professional development opportunities for P-H-M teachers, ensuring educators continue to grow and inspire excellence in their classrooms.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of investing in both students and educators,” said Dr. Heather Short, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. “Supporting the PHM Education Foundation’s Endowment while also funding teacher professional development strengthens learning today and builds a strong foundation for the future.”

Freed Field was constructed in 1958 and was named for former Penn Twp. Trustee Vernon Freed. Starting with the 2015 season, community partner Everwise obtained naming rights to Penn’s home football field. This naming rights renewal marks one of 36 active naming rights partnerships that PHMEF maintains with local businesses and organizations, each helping to advance the foundation’s mission of enriching educational opportunities for P-H-M students.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation (P-H-M) is proud to announce that Penn High School’s graduation rate once again exceeds the state average, reaffirming the school’s commitment to preparing students who are college, career and life ready.

The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recently released statewide graduation data showing Indiana’s Class of 2025 achieved a record-high 91.83% graduation rate, the highest in state history and a 1.6-point increase from the previous year.

Penn High School far surpassed this record, achieving an impressive 97.3% graduation rate.

Penn’s Class of 2025 Shines

The Class of 2025 embodies Penn’s tradition of excellence and perseverance. Nearly half of Penn graduates earned Academic High Honors, while the class collectively earned more than $22 million in scholarships.

Other standout accomplishments include:

• 429 students earned an Academic Honors Diploma

• 261 students earned High Honors

• 87 students earned a Technical Honors Diploma

• 98 students graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Ivy Tech Community College

• 6 students were named National Merit Scholarship Finalists

Academic Achievement Across the Board

Penn students also continue to excel in advanced coursework. During the 2024-25 school year, 83% of Penn students scored a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams, demonstrating strong college readiness and academic rigor.

Indiana high school students are now required to take the SAT for graduation. According to IDOE’s latest data, Penn High School moved up 12 spots statewide in SAT pass percentage, rising from #27 to #15 among public high schools.

P-H-M also outperformed the state average by 20 percentage points on the Spring 2025 ILEARN assessment, placing the district in the top 4% of public school corporations across Indiana.

In 2024, Penn High School Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh and students came up with an idea on how to help students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Their idea was to use 3D printers to create and produce fidget tools for students. The key to making these tools more accessible and quickly available to the elementary students who needed them was to put a 3D printer at all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

Fortunately, P-H-M teachers and staff members can apply for classroom grants  through the P-H-M Education Foundation to pay for innovative ideas like this. Marsh was awarded a $5,000 grant to bring his idea to fruition. Penn High School students also benefit on this project because Marsh’s Robotics students not only install the 3D printers at the elementary schools, but they also help Marsh manage the project.

This inspiring story was recently featured on WSBT “Operation Education” highlighting the program in action at Elsie Rogers Elementary School where Marsh’s son Cooper attends third grade. Elsie Rogers was highlighted as of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools with the 3D printers. Click to watch the story below on WSBT’s YouTube channel.

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 36 has a long-running holiday program called Santa’s Elficers, made up of active and retired South Bend Police officers who are committed to helping children in need. Thanks to generous toy donations from individuals and local businesses across Saint Joseph County, the program has grown in a remarkable way. When it first began, the Elficers supported about 30 children. This year, they will help provide Christmas gifts for more than 600 kids.

To make sure the support goes where it is needed most, the Elficers enjoy partnering with local schools. Teachers and counselors play an important role, serving as the groups eyes and ears to help identify students and families who would benefit from the program.

The “Head Elficer”, Officer Morgan, is a P-H-M parent, and his entire family volunteers to make this project a success.

Recently, representatives from several P-H-M schools visited the Elficer warehouse located at “The North Pole” to do some holiday shopping for their students. Each team arrived with a list of names, ages and interests and selected toys they knew their students would love.

The warehouse was organized by age range, gender and category, with everything from dolls to books to cars to clothes, electronics, STEM kits and more.

Thanks to the dedication of Santa’s Elficers and the support of our community, hundreds of local children will experience a brighter holiday season.

If you or someone you know are interested in donating to the Santa Elficer program, you can donate via PayPal, visit them at their Facebook Page, or call the FOP Lodge 36 at 574-400-5818 for more ways to help.

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The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation (PHMEF) continues its mission of supporting excellence in education by awarding $73,715.48 in classroom innovation grants for the 2025-2026 school year, marking one of the largest funding years in foundation history!

Each year, PHMEF’s Annual Grant Cycle provides teachers across the district with opportunities to bring creative, hands-on learning projects to life, projects that go beyond traditional classroom resources. The grants are made possible through the generosity of community donors, local businesses, and district supporters.

During the first couple of weeks of December, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom surprised grant recipients. Click here to see the full photo gallery.

“On behalf of the entire PHM Education Foundation Board I want you to know how deeply we believe in our teachers and staff,” said PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom. “Your dedication, and passion for making a positive impact are what make our schools truly exceptional. We are committed to funding your innovative ideas because you are the heart of excellence in P-H-M, and we are proud to support the remarkable work you do every day.”

A Legacy of Growth and Giving

This year the Foundation is celebrating its 30th anniversary. For three decades, PHMEF has steadily expanded its reach and impact within P-H-M classrooms. See the timeline below for how the foundation has grown in the past decade.

• Early years: The foundation awarded an average of $8,000-$10,000 in grants annually.
  
• 2017: The annual grant budget grew to just over $30,000, and PHMEF introduced EZ Grants, mini-grants for projects under $250. 
• 2022: The grant budget increased to $35,000, expanding teacher access to classroom innovation funding. 
• 2023: PHMEF streamlined its process to a single annual grant cycle (instead of fall and spring) and raised the total budget to $50,000, transitioning EZ Grants to an online Google Form. 
• 2024: The EZ Grant maximum increased from $250 to $750, and the total grant budget reached $60,000. 
• 2025: The foundation reached a new milestone, $75,000 in total grant funding, and received a record number of teacher and staff applications.

2025–2026 Traditional Grant Recipients

This year’s PHMEF grant recipients represent the heart of innovation happening across Penn-Harris-Madison classrooms. From STEM-infused music labs and outdoor learning spaces to student-led media programs and manufacturing technology upgrades, each project showcases how creativity and collaboration enhance student learning.

In total, 16 Traditional Grants were awarded this year, totaling $48,369.23 in funding to support educators who are designing unique, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, strengthen skills, and connect classroom learning to the world beyond school walls.

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1. Tune Lab – Walt Disney Elementary
   Charlis Cunningham & Emily Cornett • $2,000
   STEM meets music as 5th graders design and build custom musical instruments, connecting engineering and mathematical concepts in a showcase of sound and creativity
2. Sprouting Success – Elsie Rogers Elementary
   Christy Campbell & Jodi Cramer-Berry • $1,765.85
   Students will cultivate vegetables, herbs, and flowers using a Garden Tower and LED Grow Lights, learning firsthand about plant life cycles, nutrition, and sustainability.
3. Tania Bangtsson CPA Haze Machine – Penn High School
   Braden McMillen • $1,449.98
   A professional-grade haze machine enhances production quality and provides hands-on experience with stage lighting for Penn’s performing arts and broadcasting students.
4. Kingsmen in Custom Shining Armor – Penn High School
   Stephen Vincent & John Gensic • $1,713.08
   Manufacturing and Robotics students will collaborate to design and produce custom Kingsmen Armor and outdoor chain nets, merging creativity, engineering, and school pride.
5. Story Champs AAC Expansion Pack – All P-H-M Schools
   Jenna Pacheco • $2,815.22
   This curriculum expansion supports K-12 students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication, developing language, comprehension, and storytelling skills.
6. Bittersweet Gathering Grove – Bittersweet Elementary
   Michelle Leniski & Niki Kornrumph • $6,500
   In partnership with Penn’s Building Trades and Architecture classes, students will construct a 24’ x 24’ pavilion at the Bittersweet Nature Center, creating an outdoor classroom space for hands-on learning.
7. Northpoint WSTAR Studio – Northpoint Elementary
   Nichol Mondy • $1,912.98
   Funds will modernize the school’s WSTAR broadcasting studio, expanding student access to live news production in collaboration with Penn High School’s Penn News Network.
8. Establishing a Perceptual Motor Lab – Walt Disney Elementary
   Stephen Govorko • $1,487.13
   This lab will develop perceptual motor skills through movement-based activities that support academic success for K-3 students.
9. Enhancing Elementary PE through Gymnastics – Horizon Elementary
   Dani Snoeyink • $3,171.99
   New gymnastics equipment will enrich physical education lessons, improving coordination, balance, teamwork, and lifelong fitness habits.
10. Seeing is Achieving – All P-H-M Schools
    Angela Allen • $1,148
    An iPad for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students will enhance visual learning and literacy development, providing equitable access to classroom content.
11. Becoming an Orff Classroom – Madison Elementary
    Katelyn Lockwood • $1,929
    Students will explore rhythm and melody with new Orff percussion instruments, encouraging creativity and collaboration in music instruction.
12. Graphing Finite Math for Infinite Human Flourishing – Penn High School
    Angela Yarrell & John Gensic • $2,560
    New graphing calculators will support lessons in financial literacy, helping students analyze real-world topics like compound interest and regional energy use.
13. Wisdom Across Generations – Penn High School
    John Gensic, Angela Yarrell, Corin Sailor, Sarah Dwigans, & Danielle Black • $1,175
    Students will explore leadership and life lessons through inspiring books like Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and That’s What She Said, promoting reflection beyond digital devices.
14. Shaping Future Minds – Penn High School
    Scott Shelhart & John Gensic • $2,599
    A new 3D printer with laser engraving technology will enhance the Manufacturing curriculum, offering hands-on experience in precision production and design.
15. Moran Musical Production and Projection System – Moran Elementary
    Laura Scott & Jessie Kinney • $6,142
    A new projection system will elevate Moran’s musical performances, giving students opportunities to shine on stage and behind the scenes as part of the “tech crew.”
16. Penn High School Digital & Legacy Recognition Wall – Penn High School
    Josiah Parker • $10,000
    Students will help design and maintain a new Digital Alumni Recognition Wall: an interactive display celebrating past and present Kingsmen achievements through photos, awards, and memorabilia.

EZ Grant Recipients ($750 or Less)

PHMEF’s EZ Grants support smaller-scale classroom projects that have a big impact on student engagement and learning. These smaller-scale grants often provide the tools, materials, and technology that immediately enhance student engagement and learning.

For the 2025-2026 school year, 49 EZ Grants were approved, totaling $25,364.25 in funding.  Highlights from this year’s winners include innovative STEM tools, classroom resources, wellness initiatives, and creative enrichment activities.

Click here to see all EZ form grants and the full 2025-2026 PHMEF Grant Report.

2025-2026 Grant Summary

• Total 2025-2026 Grant Budget: $75,000
  
• Total EZ Grants Requested: $31,331.10
  
• Total EZ Grants Approved: $25,364.25
  
• Total Traditional Grants Requested: $54,389.23
  
• Total Traditional Grants Approved: $48,369.23
• Total Grants Awarded: $73,715.48

Investing in #PHMExcellence

From preschool learners growing gardens to high schoolers engineering recognition walls, each PHMEF grant represents a creative idea turned into opportunity.

Through donor support and district collaboration, the foundation continues to expand its impact, ensuring that innovation, inspiration, and excellence thrive in every P-H-M classroom.

To learn more about the foundation’s impact or to support future grants, visit PHMEF.org.

30 Years of Impact 

Join PHMEF in celebrating the past 30 years of impact and look to continue momentum in supporting excellence in education at the 30th anniversary gala.  Sponsorships and tickets to this extraordinary event are on sale now at PHMEF.org/gala.

It was a night of celebrations at the December 8th Board of School Trustees meeting …

Lindsay Helman-Cass, former P-H-M teacher, was welcomed back to P-H-M as Principal of Meadow’s Edge Elementary. Mrs. Helman-Cass has been serving as Asst. Principal of Lincoln Elementary within South Bend Community Schools.

Penn High School’s Girls Flag Football State Champion student-athletes are continuing to break records. As Indiana’s, and the Kingsmen’s, first State Champions the team is full of talent. Representatives from the Indianapolis Colts, as the NFL team sponsor, came to Penn today to recognize and surprise one of the team’s standout players, junior quarterback Quinn Driscoll naming her Indiana’s winner of Maxwell Football Club’s (MFC) Girls Flag Football Player of the Year award. Quinn will now be considered for the National Girls Flag Football Player of the Year.

The award considered players based on on-field performance, academic achievement and community service. The award will be presented on Mar. 13 at the 89th Maxwell Awards in Atlanta. The Maxwell Football Club, based in Philadelphia, recognizes excellence in football at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and is home to several of football’s most prestigious awards including the Maxwell, Chuck Bednarik and Bert Bell awards.

The club created the Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year, now in its second year, to recognize the top high school student-athletes in the fast-growing sport.

Quinn’s family was also on hand for the surprise today. Click here for a full photo gallery.

A three-sport athlete, Quinn was a standout quarterback during Penn’s first-ever girls flag season in 2025. She led her team to an undefeated season and Indiana’s first ever girls flag state championship, completing 160-of-214 passes for a total of 2,010 yards, 41 touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. She also tallied 72 rushing attempts for 576 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Quinn is a phenomenal person who is a true leader on and off the field,” said Penn head coach Jeremiah Maggart. Her stats this season are truly remarkable but the impact and leadership she had on our state championship team are what sets her apart. She never missed practice or any opportunity to help herself and her team improve, while still finding time to volunteer to help others.” 

Off the field, Quinn is a school leader and active community volunteer. As a member of the Penn Key Club, she participates in many projects in the school and greater community. She also is a member of Healthy Hands Healthy Hearts, a volunteering club that makes cards to go to local homeless shelters, community centers and organizations for people going through tough times.  

Quinn also serves on the Student Athletic Leadership Committee; a position that she was chosen for by her coaches. She is active in the Penn student council and the school’s “Wellness Wave,” a club that raises awareness about mental health and shares coping skills with students.

Quinn along with two other teammates were named to Indiana Preps Underclassmen All-State Top 22 Team, a collection of emerging standouts who showed poise, explosiveness, and playmaking ability well beyond their years, Macy Little and Alivia Dawson. Macy was named Senior Defensive player of the year for Indiana by Indiana Preps.