Kicking off 2017-18 School Year with #PHMExcellence

This morning Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker welcomed back nearly 1,500 teachers, administrators and classified support staff during the annual Kickoff Breakfast (click here to see the photo gallery below). As part of building excitement for the new school year, Dr. Thacker always takes time to praise staff and student achievements from the past year. Some of the many EXCELLENT accomplishments of P-H-M teachers, students and staff were highlighted in a video shown to staff. Dr. Thacker encouraged staff to share the great stories taking place across the District this coming year on social media using #PHMExcellence.

 

 

As part of the Kickoff Breakfast, a motivational speaker and leader in education is invited to come in and speak to P-H-M teachers. This year Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Fall Cree, Wisconsin spoke to P-H-M instructional staff about “Brining School stories to the World” and telling P-H-M’s story. Dr. Sanfelippo was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education and is the author of “Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways that Great Leaders Inspire Learning that Teachers, Students, and Parents Love.” Dr. Sanfelippo is innovative school administrator who has built strong relationships with his district’s students, families and employees through engaging social media stories. Today he also encouraged P-H-M teachers to do the same and be EXCELLENT storytellers and to share the EXCELLENT things taking place every day within P-H-M’s 15 schools, telling them “You are teachers! You move people!!!”

 

P-H-M is an “A” rated school district and in the state’s Top 3 of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools. Excellence happens here!  Our teachers and students do amazing things every day.  Throughout this year, the community and our families will start seeing more and more of these stories. Look for and use #PHMExcellence on social media and click here for #PHMExcellence feed to catch up and see what you might have missed. 

New Ticket Center at Penn’s TCU Freed Field to be named after Larry Beehler

In recognition of Larry Beehler’s 31 years of service on the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees, anonymous donors have established a naming rights partnership with the P-H-M Education Foundation to name the newly constructed ticket center at TCU Freed Field.

 

The ticket center is part of the facility updates that took place over the summer at Penn High School’s football field. P-H-M’s Board of School Trustees voted to approve  the naming at their meeting (Monday, August 14, 2017) to name it the Larry Beehler Ticket Center.

 

Mr. Beehler is a graduate and class valedictorian of then Madison Township High School (Wakarusa), which is now Madison Elementary School, one of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools. Larry and his wife of 55 years, Judy, are lifelong residents of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. In July of 1986, he was elected to the Board as the Madison Township representative and is currently serving his 31st year as a Board Member. During his time on the Board, Mr. Beehler served in leadership roles as Board Secretary for three years, Board Vice President for nine years, and Board President for six years. He has also served as P-H-M’s representative on several different Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) boards, including as Board Policy Liaison and Legislative Liaison. He is also an active member of the National Schools Boards Association (NSBA).

 

“Working with Larry Beehler is such a privilege,” said Board President Gary Fox. “He has profound knowledge not just of Indiana law, education policies and best practices, but also of the school district’s history. He tirelessly serves the children and families of P-H-M; and although there is no one more humble, there is also no one more deserving of this honor than Larry Beehler.”
 

During his time on the Board, Mr. Beehler’s roles have ranged from also serving on District Strategic Planning Committees to Smaller Learning Communities Achievement Design Committee for Penn High School. Mr. Beehler was nominated and received the Penn High School Distinguished Staff Award in 2010 sponsored by the Penn High School Alumni Association.

 

“Larry has dedicated thousands of hours of his personal time serving on several P-H-M school committees, always looking out for what’s best for the students of P-H-M,” said Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. “Our students have no greater champion than Larry Beehler! I’m thrilled that others in community also feel this way and we’ve found a way to honor Larry as the champion that he is!”

Aware of the P-H-M Education Foundation’s ongoing naming rights campaign, anonymous donors contacted the P-H-M Education Foundation wishing to contribute to the Foundation’s endowment. Wanting to also find a way to honor Mr. Beehler’s three decades of civil service and dedication to P-H-M, the naming rights partnership for the new ticket center was suggested. Per the agreement, the donors have donated $25,000 to the P-H-M Education Foundation endowment.

 

When a donor partners with PHMEF on the naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of the donation goes into the Foundation’s endowment. This in turn provides 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 educators is a major priority for P-H-M School District. The key to providing an excellent education is having excellent teachers. P-H-M teachers are excellent at what they do because of their passion, but also because of the ongoing professional development the District provides.

 

“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,” said PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise. “PHMEF enthusiastically does whatever we can to support education throughout the District through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.”

 

See the list below for a timeline of P-H-M Education Foundation’s other naming rights partners:

 

  • In 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 (represents $50,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
    • The Band Room at Penn High School was named after the Doshi family (represents $15,000 worth of donations over 10 years)
       
  • Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel Penn High School Soccer Field
    Board approved September 2014
    $25,000 payable over 5 years
     
  • Dar and Dot Wiekamp Penn High School Tennis Courts
    Board approved September 2014
    $25,000 payable over 5 years
     
  • May Oberfell Lorber Penn High School Softball Field
    Board approved October 2014
    $25,000 payable over 5 years
     
  • TCU Freed Field (Penn High School’s football stadium)
    Board approved June 22, 2015
    $400,000 payable over 12 years
    *This agreement was a continuation of a long standing partnership. TCU’s commitment represents more than the renaming of the high school football field. TCU is collaborating with P-H-M educators to develop financial literacy programs, scholarships, functions and activities.
     
  • The Zolman Tire Concession Stand (north Concession stand at TCU Freed Field)
    Board approved January 11, 2016
    $25,000 payable over 5 years with 12-year naming rights
     
  • Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Field at Penn High School
    Board approved January 25, 2016
    $25,000 payable over 5 years with 12-year naming rights
     
  • Tradewinds Restaurant Concession Stand (second floor concession stand, near the entrance to the pool and across the main gymnasium at Penn High School)
    Board approved March 28, 2016
    $25,000 payable over 5 years with 12-year naming rights
     
  • Saint Joseph Health System Tennis Courts at Prairie Vista (the tennis courts at Prairie Vista Elementary School)
    Board approved Monday, July 25, 2016
    $10,000 payable within 30 days with 12-year naming rights
     
  • Larry Beehler Ticket Center (at Penn High School’s TCU Freed Field)
    Board approved August 14, 2017
    $25,000 paid in full with 12-year naming rights

Watch the Solar Eclipse safely

One of the most exciting celestial events is coming up the afternoon of Monday, August 21 and

P-H-M wants our students to be prepared and experience the Great American Solar Eclipse. 

 

What makes the Great American Solar Eclipse so great? This is the first major total solar ceclipse across the continental U.S., West to East Coast, since June 8, 1918!

 

The northern Indiana area is not in the total eclipse pattern. However, starting at 1:00 p.m., moving east, we’ll be able to see maximum coverage (about 88%) at around 2:22 p.m. with the eclipse concluding about 3:46 p.m. Still something extraordinary for our students and families to witness!

 

Because the first day of the 2017-18 school year is not until Wednesday, August 23, PTOs from all our 15 schools partnered with the P-H-M DVT and Planetarium to send home free “eclipse shades” with all of  our 10,700 students the last week of school back in June. DVT Director Melinda O'Malley also prepared this P-H-Mstudent/parent fact sheet and guide for watching the eclipse safely.

 

We encourage our students and families to experience this wonderful event, but to do  so safely! If your child has misplaced their “eclipse shades,” here are some resources to find/purchase new ones (some of these resources, but not all, are providing solar watching glasses for free; some payment and pre-orders may be required):

P-H-M DVT/Planetarium Director Mindy O'Malley will be in Carbondale, IL on August 21 for the GreatAmericanEclipse. She'll be posting pictures and video that you won't want to miss! Be sure to click here to like and follow PHM DVT & Planetarium Facebook page and then logon on August 21 to experience the eclipse with Mrs. O’Malley.

 

Be safe and enjoy the viewing, the next total solar eclipse viewable in North America is not until April 2024!

Grissom Principal Named to Director Position at SBCS

Grissom Principal Nathan Boyd was named the Director of African-American Student Services position at South Bend Community Schools on Monday, August 7.

 

Mr. Boyd came to P-H-M in 2013 from LaSalle Academy where he was principal and had helped the school become a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.

 

“We were very fortunate to have such a talented leader join the P-H-M family. His work ethic and level of dedication to his students and staff was beyond measure. It was so rewarding to then have his commitment honored by IASP by naming him Indiana’s Principal of the Year,” said P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker.

 

The superintendent has not yet named a new principal for Grissom, but will name a successor very soon and will communicate to Grissom staff and families.

 

Dr. Thacker also commented that Mr. Boyd is a great leader and wished him well in his new opportunity to help all children across the South Bend school district.

Sign-up announced for Penn Girls Basketball League

All female P-H-M students grades 3-8 are invited to participate in a community-sponsored girls basketball league. The league begins on Sunday, September 10 and sign-ups are Sunday, August 27 in the Penn High School Arena from Noon – 2 p.m. The “Junior League” is for grades 3-6 and the “Senior League” is for 7th and 8th graders.

 

  • Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) informational letter
  • Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) registration form
  • Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) informational letter
  • Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) registration form

 

 

 

P-H-M Youth Theater Camp Photo Gallery (July 28, 2017)

 

Lights, camera, action! Students in grades 5-8 had a chance to experience Broadway this week by taking part in the P-H-M’s Youth Theater Camp. The students worked hard all week and performed for their families at the Penn Little Theater on the last day of camp.

 

Check out the camp photos below from July 28.  To download and print a 5×7 high resolution picture, simply click on the download button on each image.

Technovation 2017 Wraps Up

As part of the Indiana Department of Education’s 2017 Summer of eLearning series across the state P-H-M again hosted  TECHNOVATION 2017 at Penn High School.

 

The IDOE’s series was held over the span of 21 days in June and July at 22 host locations, and supported by the work of 51 school districts with the purpose of exposing Indiana’s teachers to the latest advancement and tools in education technology.

 

Hundreds of educators from 12 different school corporations essentially went came together on July 26 & 27 to take part in a choice of more than 70 different workshops! These workshops focused on the important role the latest technology programs, concepts and equipment can play in enhancing the classroom learning environment. Attendees were able to not only learn new information from the presenters, but also collaborate  with their colleagues discussing how schools can incorporate these tools into their curricula.

 

There were many fascinating concepts available to see and experience such as 3-D printing, interactive virtual reality, escape rooms and much more!

 

The two-day event was highlighted with two keynote speakers featuring P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker on Day 1 and Brian Mull on Day 2. And if  teachers didn’t have a fun enough time learning and playing with all the cool toys, they also had a chance to win door prizes at the end of the mini conference

 

Please check out the photo gallery below to see the captured moments of TECHNOVATION 2017!

 

 

Start of School Year Important Dates

The First Day of School for P-H-M Schools (grades 1-12) is Wednesday, August 23, 2017! The first day for kindergarten is Thursday, August 24!

 

From Back to School Nights to  Picture Days, looking for a quick glance of all the important dates to get your student’s school year started off right?

 

We’ve compiled a list of all the most important school dates in August and September on each of the websites of all 14 schools. Click your child’s school from the list below to see the beginning of year information at a glance:

 

 

cover of 2017-18 P-H-M calendar

 

All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early-mid August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to download a pdf copy.

 

 

P-H-M Summer Camp Photo Gallery (July 17 & 20, 2017)

 

The summer heat didn’t stop the fun at the P-H-M Summer Camps! There was plenty of action going on this week with Super Kids Camp, wrestling and volleyball!

 

Check out our latest camp photos (July 17 & 20)! To download and print a 5×7 high resolution picture, simply click on the download button on each image

TECHNOVATION 2017, P-H-M to host educators’ conference July 26 & 27

Register today for TECHNOVATION 2017  This is a great learning opportunity open to ALL TEACHERS in the state, and not just P-H-M teachers.  As part of the  Indiana DOE Summer of eLearning Program, P-H-M is one of 51 school districts all across our state  offering  high quality professional development mini conferences. This is the third year that P-H-M has hosted TECHNOVATION at Penn High School.

 

​What to Expect…

As part of the Summer of eLearning, educators are encouraged to go back to the classrooms to learn the latest technology tools, and then take them back to their classrooms in the fall and implement them effectively.  This is the second year Penn-Harris-Madison has offered Technovation. P-H-M’s  two-day conference will be held at Penn High school and will be centered around intentional placement and innovative practices.

 

Topics covered, everything from virtual reality to interactive formative assessment tools. Click here to scroll through the list of sessions offered.

 

Day One: July 26, Workshop Day

Day One will feature half day workshops centered around use of technology in instruction. 

 

Day Two: July 27, Concurrent Sessions

Day Two will feature keynote leading educator and Google certified trainer Brian Mull, as well as concurrent sessions and a chance to see what is new in technology from our valued partners.

 

*Lunch will be provided both days, and there are opportunities to win door prizes!

 

►Find out more at the Technovation 2017 eLearning conference website

 

►Click here for Online Registration