In the summer months, P-H-M is proud to offer a variety summer camps, both academic and athletic. This helps keep our students physically and mentally fit over summer break.

These are the camps and academies taking place during Week 5 (July 15-19) : Volleyball, Visual Arts Academy, Learn to Swim, Junior Academies (STEM) and Super Kids Camp.

Some pictures are featured below, however click the links below to visit our Facebook page to see the full photo gallery:

• Tuesday, July 16: Volleyball
• Tuesday, July 18: Super Kids Camp

In the summer months, P-H-M is proud to offer a variety summer camps, both academic and athletic. This helps keep our students physically and mentally fit over summer break.

These are the camps and academies taking place during Week 4 (July 8-12) : Football, Visual Arts Academy, Junior Academies (STEM), Junior Foreign Language Academy, and Learn a Foreign Language. 

Some pictures are featured below, however click the links below to visit our Facebook page to see the full photo gallery:

• Monday, July 8: Football​
• Tuesday, July 9: ​Junior Foreign Language Academy
• Wednesday, July 10: Learn a Foreign Language
• Wednesday, July 10: Junior Academy (STEM)
• Thursday, July 11: Visual Arts Academy

Saturday, July 20

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

P-H-M DVT & Planetarium (located inside Bittersweet Elementary School, 55860 Bittersweet Road Mishawaka)

FREE!!!

Bring your whole family and come join us at the P-H-M DVT & Planetarium to learn more about and celebrate this historic event in American and world history. 

The DVT will have the first showing of “Imagine the Moon!“  Through beautiful imagery and historical footage, “Imagine the Moon” explores our closest celestial neighbor. The DVT & Planetarium is also home to the P-H-M Air & Space Museum, which has artifacts on loan from NASA, Johnson Space Center, and the Smithsonian, including artifacts that have been on the Moon!

We will also have telescopes setup for viewing the Moon and Sun and various STEM activities that include the following:

• Robotics demonstrations
• Chemistry demonstrations
• Gravity well
• 3D printing
• Virtual Reality experiences
• Photo Booth
• Drone demonstrations

* Just a caution, the area has been experiencing high summer heat temperatures … A couple of our events will be outdoors, most will be indoors. The DVT is air conditioned for our four showings of “Imagine the Moon!“ However, Bittersweet is currently undergoing HVAC work, so part of the building is without air conditioning. We will have cold water available.

Watch the video below to get a sneak peak about everything that we’ll be offering on July 20^th …

In the summer months, P-H-M is proud to offer a variety summer camps, both academic and athletic. This helps keep our students physically and mentally fit over summer break.

These were the camps that took place during Week 3 (June 24-28) : Boys Basketball, Learn to Swim, Camp Invention, and Bakers Gonna Bake. We also saw the conclusion of summer school sessions at Walt Disney, Meadow’s Edge, Schmucker, and Penn.

Some pictures are featured below, however click the links below to visit our Facebook page to see the full photo gallery:

• Tuesday, June 25: Boys Basketball​
• Wednesday, June 26: Young Adult Life Skills​
• Wednesday, June 26: Meadow’s Edge Summer School
• Thursday, June 27: Camp Invention
• Thursday, June 27: Penn Summer School
• Friday, June 28: Walt Disney Summer School
• Friday, June 28: Schmucker Summer School

P-H-M’s annual Community Tailgate to kick off the start of the Penn Football Season will once again be held at the TCU Freed Field, South End Concession Stand Plaza.

The Tailgate is hosted by Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and the Penn Boosters Club for all P-H-M families and patrons to enjoy.

So come out early to the football game, grab a hot dog and catch up with old friends! Then stick around to cheer on the Kingsmen as they take on LaPorte in the season Home Opener!

Friday, August 30

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

TCU Freed Field, South End Concession Stand Plaza

Tickets $4.00 (payable at the event) includes:

• Bratwurst or hot dog

• Potato Chips

• Cookie

• Drink

With the passage of IC 20-35.5, et seq., as created by SEA 217 (2018) in April 2018, Indiana school corporations and charter school’s reading plans must now include screening for dyslexia risk factors and indicators. If a student is determined to be at-risk for dyslexia, the school will administer an additional dyslexia screener, which will identify whether or not the student needs to be referred for further testing. It also requires schools to use specific response to intervention processes if screeners indicate certain characteristics of dyslexia are present. Parents/Guardians click here to read the Notification Letter for Dyslexia Screenings.

Dyslexia as defined by IC 20-18-2-3.5 is a specific learning disability that:

(1) is neurological in origin and characterized by:

(A) difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition; and

(B) poor spelling and decoding abilities;

(2) typically results from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction;

(3) may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge; and

(4) may require the provision of special education services after an eligibility determination is made in accordance with 511 IAC 7-40.

In accordance with IC-20-35.5-6-2, Penn-Harris-Madison now has an authorized reading specialist trained in dyslexia. Betsy Alwine is P-H-M’s Dyslexia Specialist.

In accordance with the law, each school corporation and charter school shall report on the school corporation or charter school’s website the following information:

What intervention programs are used to assist students with characteristics of dyslexia?
Dyslexia intervention programs must have explicit direction and instruction that is systematic, sequential, and cumulative. Instruction that follows a logical plan of presenting the alphabetic principle that targets the specific needs of the student without presuming prior skills or knowledge of the student. It must use meaning based instruction that is directed at purposeful reading and writing. Instruction that incorporates the simultaneous use of two (2) or more sensory pathways during the presentation of instruction and student practice. It is also important to keep in mind that the dyslexia program should be research based and be offered in a setting that also teaches the five (5) components of literacy.

The Wilson Fundations program is P-H-M’s mandatory phonics and spelling curriculum in grades K-2 that meets these requirements. Every K-2 classroom does 30 minutes of Fundations daily. 

In the 2022-2023 school year, all 2,456 kindergarten through second grade P-H-M students receive this Tier 1 instruction in their classrooms daily. This systematic, sequential, and cumulative instruction is also used in small group intervention in tier 2 and tier 3 small groups as needed, along with Heggerty Phonemic Awareness curriculum and the HearBuilder and MVRC (Mindplay Virtual Reading Coach) computer based interventions.

How many students received dyslexia interventions during the 2022-2023 school year?

In the 2022-2023 school year, P-H-M had 486 students working in small groups with Reading Specialists, interventionist or a certified teacher, for an intense focus on phonological awareness and phonics through the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness and Fundations curriculum.  

How many students were identified with dyslexia during the 2022-2023 school year?

During the 2023-2023 school year 2,4661 students across K-12th grade were administered the Universal Screener (DIBELS 8th) screener, and 22 students were administered the Level 1 diagnostic screener (Mindplay Screener for Kindergarten and NWEA Skills Checklist for 1st-12th). 0 Students were identified with dyslexia during the 22-23 school year.  

Please contact Betsy Alwine at balwine@phm.k12.in.us with any questions you may have.

Click here to visit the ​IDOE website for more information on the Indiana dyslexia law.

It has been another amazing year at the P-H-M Education Foundation. At the Monday, June 17 P-H-M Board of School Trustees Meeting, PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise gave the Board an update on the Foundation’s activities this past school year.

In April, the Foundation Board approved $18,510 in classroom grants. A total of 27 grants were funded ranging from workplace experience to a $5,000 grant supporting VEX at the high school. Click here for more information on the grants awarded during the Spring 2019 grant cycle.

The Foundation also continued to provide funding for classroom books such as “Non-fiction Flashlight Friday,” student leadership camp for athletes, and concert lighting at Grissom Middle School.

During the Fall 2018 grant cycle, a total of $36,252 in grants had been awarded. Click here for more information on the grants awarded during the Fall 2018 grant cycle.

Corporations for Education funding of programs totaled $53,058; programs included Running is Elementary, Penn Art Gallery, the Laidig commitment to four schools, and Gibson Title I after-school program.

Through scholarships, innovative classroom grants, Corporations for Education, Silver Mile grants, the 2018-19 grant total was $116,237!

The following administrative appointments were approved by the P-H-M Board of School Trustees on Monday, June 17:

New Principal of Discovery Middle School: 

Replacing retiring Principal Sheryll Harper is Mrs. Elizabeth Willkom-Cunha, who has served as principal of the Nuner Fine Arts Academy in South Bend since July 2016.
 

Elizabeth's educational career began in Miami-Dade Public Schools. She served as an Assistant Principal at Fulford Elementary School in North Miami Beach, Florida, 2015 to 2016. Before becoming Assistant Principal, she was an Instructional Teacher (4th Grade General Ed/SPED Inclusion) 2010 to 2012.
 

From 2012-2015, Elizabeth served as an Exceptional Student Education/Special Education (ESC/SPED) Chairperson. She also served as the International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Coordinator/Instructional Coach for two years, 2013 to 2015.
 

Elizabeth began her career as an Instructional Teacher (SPED Inclusion and Self-Contained) at Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center in Miami Beach, Florida from 2005 to 2010.
 

Elizabeth received a B.A. Arts and Letters in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 2002, received a M.S. in Education – Integrating Technology in the Classroom from Walden University (Minneapolis) in 2007. In 2012, Elizabeth earned her Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University (Davie, Florida). Elizabeth brings with her a wealth of expertise in a variety of educational best practices and methodologies including special education, English as a Second Language, and behavior interventions. She is also fluent in Spanish.  

Elizabeth will start July 1 with P-H-M.

New Principal of Northpoint Elementary School: 

Replacing retiring Principal Diane Wirth is Mrs. Lorraine White. Lorraine has served as Assistant to the Principal at Bittersweet Elementary School for the 2018-2019 school year. Prior to her assignment at Bittersweet, Lorraine was an elementary teacher at Northpoint Elementary School since the school opened in 1998, where she taught grades one through three. Lorraine’s first teaching position was at Walt Disney where she served as a Title I teacher from January-May of 1998.

Lorraine received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Ball State University in 1997, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University South Bend in 2003 and she recently completed the Principal Licensure Program from Indiana Wesleyan University.
 

Lorraine’s experience and knowledge of the Northpoint community will serve her well as she continues to develop connections and relationships with Northpoint students, staff, and parents. 

Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker also recommended that one additional Assistant Principal be added at both Grissom and Discovery Middle Schools, effective with the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. This will bring all three of P-H-M’s middle schools in line with each other and each school’s administrative team will consist of a Principal and two Assistant Principals.
 

Lorraine will start July 1 in her new role.

Assistant Principal of Discovery Middle School: 

Joining the Discovery administrative team of new principal Mrs. Elizabeth Willkom-Cunha and Troy Kauffman will be Mrs. Shonda Masterson. Shonda has been a 6th grade science teacher at Discovery Middle School since 2014. She began her teaching career at Penn-Harris-Madison as a 4th grade teacher at Elm Road Elementary School. She also taught at Moran before moving to Discovery.

Shonda received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Indiana University South Bend in 1995, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University South Bend in 2006, and in 2018, she finished her MBA in Educational Leadership from Indiana University Bloomington.

Shonda's experience working with diverse groups of people, her effective leadership skills, family involvement, and the already strong relationships she has with the Discovery Middle School parent community and staff, will be strong assets for her in this new leadership role. Shonda will also provide additional support in the area of student discipline.

Shonda will start July 29 in her new role.

Assistant Principal of Grissom Middle School: 

Joining the Grissom administrative team of Jean Milfort and Jen Sinclair will be Mr. Michael Babcock. Mike has served as Principal of LaSalle Elementary School (grades K-6) in Mishawaka since 2016. Prior to LaSalle, Mike served as an Assistant Principal at John Young Middle School (grades 7-8) from 2014-2016, where his main focus was on discipline for 7th and 8th grade students. Mike also served as an Assistant Principal at Mishawaka High School for one year (2013-2014), where he also handled discipline for 10th and 11th grade students. Mike began his career in public education as an Alternative Education, Government and World History teacher at New Prairie High School in 2000. While at New Prairie Mike also coached the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity boys’ basketball teams over his 13 year career.
 

Mike received a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies from Wabash College in 2000, a master’s degree in Education from Indiana University South Bend in 2009, and he completed his Licensure in Educational Leadership from Indiana University South Bend in 2012.
 

Mike brings with him an expertise in dealing with student discipline at all grade levels – high school, middle school, and elementary school. He is a certified school safety specialist and, he is both trained in and a trainer in CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute).  

Mike will start July 29.

In the summer months, P-H-M is proud to offer a variety summer camps, both academic and athletic. This helps keep our students physically and mentally fit over summer break.

These were the camps that took place during Week 2 (June 17-21) : Dance & Flag, Boys & Girls Track, Girls Basketball, Camp Invention, Penn Robotics, Youth Theater, and Super Kids Camp.

Some pictures are featured below, however click the links below to visit our Facebook page to see the full photo gallery:

• Monday, June 17: Dance & Flag
• Monday, June 17: Boys & Girls Track
• Tuesday, June 18: Girls Basketball
• Friday, June 21: Super Kids
• Friday, June 21: Youth Theater

Your child’s education and sport opportunities do not have to end, and should not, when school lets out for the summer. Research shows students may lose two or more months’ worth of reading achievement, a month or more of spelling and learning skills and about 2.6 months’ worth of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during their summer break.

That’s why P-H-M offers summer enrichment learning opportunities and sports camps. Click here to see our full list of Summer 2019 camps and activities that are still available. We believe that summer break can be fun while also giving students the academic boost they need as well as exercise and skill development.

Check out the photos from our first week (June 10-14) of academies and camps! 

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.