Wednesday, June 7 was the last day of school for Penn-Harris-Madison schools. We thought it would be fun to ask students about what their most favorite thing was from this school year.

Take a listen …

Wishing all our staff, students and families a happy & safe summer! See you back here Wed., Aug. 23, 2017 for the 1^st Day of School for the 2017-18 school year!

The Indiana Department of Education released the list of Four Star Schools and nine P-H-M schools have earned that distinction–the most the District has ever had! P-H-M has the third highest number of Four Star Schools in the state, out of approximately 300 public school districts.

P-H-M's Four Star Schools are Discovery Middle, Horizon Elementary, Madison Elementary, Mary Frank Elementary, Meadow's Edge Elementary, Northpoint Elementary, Penn High School, Prairie Vista Elementary and Schmucker Middle School. And a special congratulations to our colleagues at Meadow's Edge for making the list for the first time! Meadow’s Edge is one of  P-H-M’s five Title 1 schools.

The  IDOE announced the listing on Friday, May 26.  In order for a school to earn the Four Star School designation from the state, the school must have received an “A” rating from the IDOE for the 2015-16 school year, tested at least 95% of students on ISTEP English/Language Arts and Math, and be in the top 25th percentile on ISTEP and ECA participation and passing rates. This list is based on 2015-16 school data. Click here to see the full list of criteria.

After last week’s (Tuesday, May 23) announcement that Penn Principal Steve Hope is leaving to become Goshen Community School’s new Assistant Superintendent Penn-Harris-Madison’s Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced today the following administrative changes for the upcoming 2017-18 school year: 
 

• Schmucker Principal Sean Galiher will Penn’s new principal
• Meadow’s Edge Principal Jayson Snyder will become Schmucker’s new principal
• Schmucker Assistant Principal Kent Mikel will become Meadow’s Edge new principal

Sean Galiher will carry on Penn’s great academic and athletic tradition. Before being named principal at Schmucker in 2013, Mr. Galiher served as Associate Principal at Penn for three years. From 2006-2009, he was Dean of Students and before that taught Algebra at Penn for four years, while also serving as assistant varsity baseball coach. Under Mr. Galiher’s leadership,  Schmucker, along with Penn, was recently named a “Four Star School,” and has received an “A” rating four consecutive years. Schmucker students have won state and national competitions in performing arts, Academic Superbowls and TEAMS. He also implemented a successful community building and character development program that was incorporated into the start of the students’ day.  In 2015, Mr. Galiher was a member of the “Forty under 40” class.

As this year’s IASP District 2 Elementary Principal of the year, Jayson Snyder 

has a wealth of experience and will continue the great work Mr. Galiher has begun at Schmucker. Before becoming principal at Meadow’s Edge, Mr. Snyder was assistant principal at Schmucker from 2010-2012. Meadow’s Edge was just named a “Four Star School”–a first in the school’s history and a first for a P-H-M Title 1 school. During his five years at Meadow’s Edge, the school has also earned an "A" rating for five consecutive years, named one of the state's "Top 3" Title I schools for student achievement, identified as a "Reward School" by the Indiana Department of Education, and nominated for a National Title I Distinguished School Award. Mr. Snyder is a P-H-M student alum; he attended elementary Mary Frank and middle school at Schmucker, going on to play baseball at Penn for Coach Dikos, graduating in 1997.

Kent Mikel will make a great principal at Meadow’s Edge.  He served as interim principal of Northpoint in 2015 and has been assistant principal at Schmucker since 2012. Before that he was assistant to the principal at Schmucker and taught science at Discovery for 15 years. Mr. Mikel, like Mr. Snyder, is currently working on his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Purdue University. For six years, Mr. Mikel served as a co-facilitator of Notre Dame’s University Guided Inquiry Math and Science Program, with a focus on 4th grade elementary, middle and high school teacher professional development. This experience will serve him well in his new role at Meadow’s Edge.

“The P-H-M Board of School Trustees and I are confident that Sean, Jayson and Kent each will continue the great academic accomplishments started by their predecessors,” said Dr. Thacker.

The Administrative changes will take effect July 1, 2017.

Penn-Harris Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced this morning that after 22 years with the District, 11 as principal of Penn High School … Steve Hope will be taking over as Goshen Community School’s new Assistant Superintendent July 1, 2017.

“As a superintendent, I’ve admired Steve and enjoyed watching him develop into one of the finest principals and administrators I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Dr. Thacker in an email to staff.

Hope started at Penn in 1995 as an art teacher and within three years was named Dean of Students. He went on to serve in a number of leadership positions at Penn before becoming Principal: Director of Counseling, Assistant Principal and Associate Principal. During his tenure as Principal, he established Penn's academy structure through a Smaller Learning Community grant, which could arguably be one of the most prevailing reasons why Penn has emerged as one of the country’s most premier high schools. Penn now has a remarkable 97% graduation rate–the highest in the state among high schools with more than 500 students. In 2008, it was just 79%. These are just some of the reasons why Steve was named 2015-16 Indiana High School Principal of the Year. 

The list of championship titles and awards of both Penn students and staff is endless! Penn students outperform their peers on a regional, state, national and world level from STEM to fine arts, to academics to athletics on a regular basis!

“We all know what a fantastic leader Steve is,” Dr. Thacker went on to say. “He is a part of the P-H-M family and always will be. We take joy when one of our own succeeds. Please join me in congratulating him on a job well done, and thanking him for all he’s done to make Penn and our school district better. He’ll always be a Kingsman!”

P-H-M’s 26th Annual Employee Recognition Dinner was held on Wednesday, May 17 honoring the District’s Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year, and retirees. Service Awards were also given to employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 40 and 45 years of service to Penn-Harris-Madison (Click here for a full list of this year’s Service Award employees). The dinner was generously sponsored by Teachers Credit Union. Click here to view the photo gallery below for pictures from this year’s memorable evening.

As part of Teacher of the Year Penn Orchestra Director Anne Tschetter’s recognition, she received a $1,000 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in her classroom. In her first year at Penn as Orchestra Director, Mrs. Tschetter served in that role at Discovery Middle School for 20 years prior to moving to the high school. Mrs. Tschetter, a practicing violinist and violist herself, often plays alongside her students, demonstrating and modeling the techniques she’s teaching her students. These are just one of the many reasons why she’s her colleagues and students say she’s such a great teacher. Click to watch the video below to hear more reasons why …

Meadow’s Edge Teacher’s Aide Classified Employee of the Year Shari Cerney has worked for P-H-M for 21 years, starting as an instructional aide at Elm Road after being recruited by her daughter’s teacher. Teachers and other building co-workers say Mrs. Cerney has a positive work ethic that’s contagious and her love for education permeates everything she does. Click to watch the video below to hear more reasons why she was chosen as Classified Employee of the Year …

This year 26 longtime employees retired from P-H-M:

• Diane Baker, Bus Operator                      
• Ronda Baldwin, Teacher                                                               
• Linda Beck-Jellum, ESP      
• Patti Blume, Bus Operator                    
• Merilee Britt, Teacher                               
• Sue Campbell, ESP (click to read reflection)                                          
• Steve Ciszczon, Teacher (click to read reflection)                                         
• Dale Clark, Bus Operator                    
• Karen Czarkowski, ESP (click to read reflection)                                    
• David Dutton, Teacher (click to read reflection)                               
• Cindy Glon, ESP                                        
• Mary Lou Harmon, Speech Pathologist (click to read reflection)
• Robert Heeter, Bus Operator                    
• Karenmarie Krouse, Bus Operator
• Tamara Lewis, Teacher (click to read reflection)
• Rebecca Lutkus, Teacher
• John Miller, Custodian
• Joyce Miller, ESP (click to read reflection)
• Dave Misener, Teacher (click to read reflection)
• Lou Ann Moore, Custodian
• Sue Nye, ESP (click to read reflection)
• Nancy Overman, Teacher (click to read reflection)
• Jill Spencer, Administrator (click to read reflection)
• Patti Stanz, ESP
• Donald Toler, Custodian
• David Wallace, Educational Assistant (click to read reflection)

Retirement Reflections

• What is your favorite memory or what did you like most about working at P-H-M?
• What words of advice would you give to your fellow colleagues?
• What new adventure awaits for you in retirement?

Sue Campbell

Receptionist

15 Years of Service

The things I liked best about my job were interacting with all our Penn High School students and working side by side with my student assistants and interns. I still hear from many former students and it’s fun to follow their lives and see how they have succeeded! I have so many fond memories of Guidance that it’s hard to pick just one, but one that really sticks out is the year our Halloween theme was “The Pirates of Guidance” and Mr. Hope (the head of Guidance at the time) made and wore the most awesome pirate costume ever, which included a stuffed parrot attached to his shoulder.

To my colleagues, especially the younger ones, I would like to say that working with teenagers either keeps you young or makes you feel really old. Which one happens to you totally depends on your attitude. My advice is choose to stay young, it’s a lot more fun! My next adventure in life will include lots of traveling with my husband and friends, spending lots more time with my children and grandchildren, and generally enjoying life! Thanks to all who shared my 15 ½ year journey working at Penn and the previous 17 years I spent volunteering there. Go Penn!  

Steve Ciszczon
Teacher
23 Years of Service

One of my fondest memories is when I was the athletic trainer at Penn. After a home game on a crisp autumn evening, when all the post- game work was done, I greatly enjoyed sitting in the office of the athletic training room with my feet propped up on the desk, watching television and getting the latest scores and highlights from the other games in the area … a great way to unwind and relax! 

The fall games, with the full moon and crisp weather were great memories, especially when the Kingsmen won!

In reflection, we are so driven by the curriculum and content that I think we forget about life. Ask yourself if the kids learned the material, or did they just study for the assessment? Will they remember and apply everything or anything, later in life? We need to incorporate more life skills and life lessons into our classes.  I think in most classes this can be integrated into the curriculum. 

Words of advice I would give to my fellow colleagues … Treat all students with respect, but be the adult in the room. Be their teacher, not their pal.

Karen Czarkowski

Attendance Aide

20.5 Years of Service

As I retire from a work family that for 21 years has served as a unique home of daily encouragement, humor and camaraderie, I look forward to leisurely awakening to snowy, cold winter days instead of getting up at 5:00 a.m.; spending more time with my husband at home; enjoying my mother and grandkids; and planning trips to places I have wanted to see.

The encouragement at Penn has amazed me. During my first month working, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and with the care and support of my colleagues, not only did I survive the struggle and chemotherapy, but I also never missed a day of work. Clearly this achievement is one of my proudest moments.

Beyond health concerns, my experiences with my bosses will remain fond memories. I found my first bosses, assistant principals Rhonda Jackson and Christine Banaszak, two of the nicest women for whom I would work rather than the iron-fisted women I anticipated.  Later on my funniest boss, Mrs. Schalliol, would add humor to my workday, turning some very frustrating situations into rays of sunshine by doing or saying something hilarious.

Special comrades are my lunch bunch, who would identify and stop outrageous conversations by saying the word bananas. That word alone had the power to make us change the subject. I will miss my lunch mates and our close workday friendships.

Those around me may miss my chocolate, three different kinds in three different jars on my desk to save the day for any at their wits’ end. Chocolate remains my go-to recommendation though I think I’ll need it less as I transition to a life of doing what I want when I choose.  While working here has been an amazing experience, more amazement is to come.

David Dutton

Teacher

20 Years of Service

My favorite memories would be working with Keith Rudolph and Brent Holaway to build and sustain the Penn Musical Theater Program. Additionally, working with Dawn Troyer to build and sustain the Penn Debate Program.

Traveling and spending time with my children and grandchildren will occupy my time in retirement.

Mary Lou Harmon

Speech Pathologist

15 Years of Service

My favorite memory of working at P-H-M is watching a student, with a communication disorder, finally recognize and produce correct sounds after repetitive practice and effort, and then hearing from his classroom teacher that he is transitioning the sound into his reading skills, then receiving a note from the parents that he was able to be understood at home and read a birthday card to his grandmother at her party. That’s what makes my day!

My words of advice to colleagues are to always explore new strategies and consultation from others when you have reached a point of uncertainty on how to proceed.

My “new adventures” in retirement will be beginning another chapter, including travel within the USA and abroad as well as trying out a few more cruises, maybe even to Alaska. I especially want to spend time with my husband and family, visit friends and perhaps continue to provide some teaching or clinical supervision in speech language pathology to college students. I know I will volunteer in the community for agencies serving children or the elderly. I want to have some fun, maybe learn something new and perhaps move to a warmer climate. 

Tamara Lewis

ENL Teacher

28 Years of Service

I have so many memories connected with P-H-M that it is hard to say which one is my favorite. Do I draw from my time as a student at Elsie, Kennedy, Schmucker and Penn? Do I focus on my years teaching computer applications, science or ENL? I have a total of 40 years invested in P-H-M between being a student and being a teacher! The memory I choose to carry with me is the memory of the support and commitment of the teachers and administration at Schmucker and Discovery. I will miss my second family!

My parents each gave me advice growing up.  My mother often told me not to let the books get in the way of my education. My father told me that a teacher's summer was the time to practice for retirement if one can. To those still teaching, I pass along their wisdom! Remember that education is more than just the standards and the curriculum. Try to get some joy and excitement in there between the never-ending tests! And when summer comes, if at all possible, sit and listen to the birds, watch the clouds, or enjoy doing nothing (and resting afterward!)

As I leave, it will be the first time in Schmucker's existence that a member of my family is not teaching within its walls. My father, Byron Boyer, helped open the building. His last year at Schmucker was my first. I hope the building remains standing, and our contributions continue to have a positive effect on students for another 40+ years!

Joyce Miller
ESP
23 Years of Service

I was employed by P-H-M for 23 years at Mary Frank. It was a great opportunity for me to work and meet a lot of great people there. I enjoyed my job there because I loved helping parents with their questions that they might have about their children.

I would like to say if you are working in a school corporation of any kind, you need to stay positive for all of the children, because we are there to help the children in any way that we can.
 

After retirement I hope to do some traveling in the winter months and spend more time with my grandchildren.

Dave Misener

Teacher

41 Years of Service

My favorite memory is having my sixth grade teacher as the School Board President.
 

All teachers need to be politically active on a state level. Teachers need to educate legislators about how the school corporation and kids are and will be affected by what they do.

Retirement brings a lot of new opportunities and I hope to explore them all. 

Click to read about when Dave was recognized by the P-H-M Board of School Trustees.

Sue Nye

Office Aide

26 Years of Service

I have enjoyed my 26 years working for P-H-M Schools. My first six years were at Prairie Vista as a Teacher Aide. For the last 20 years, I’ve worked at Discovery Middle School in the Main Office. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the many parents and students that came into the office as I was usually the first face they would see. I got to know some parents well enough that when they phoned their first name was all I needed to know who was calling. I also checked in students arriving late or leaving early and was always interested in hearing about their day or weekend.
 

My advice to make the most of each work day would be to start the day with a positive attitude. Sometimes it’s hard when there is so much negativity around you, but sometimes when you are positive that can change other people’s disposition. It’s amazing how quickly the years will fly by when you enjoy your job and have a positive attitude.
 

I am looking forward to spending more time with family. I hope to see my grandkids more and attend some of their school activities. I also will spend more time at our cottage and travel at any time of the year instead of just school recess days.

Nancy Overman
Exceptional Education
22 Years of Service

During the winter of 1995, a special education teacher at SMS was in an accident. I was assigned here and never left. Mr. Borland hired me permanently in the fall of 1995. I love being part of Schmucker, except for all the IEP paperwork! Having left bookkeeping because of paperwork, the joke was on me. The teams of people I've worked with made it worthwhile. The loss of teaming was tragic, but the relationships made the difference for me and the students on my caseload. They have been wonderful to work with. I'll miss my fellow teachers the most, especially those that I've spent classroom time with and my special education cohorts. My advice, go to lunch with your peers and visit before and after school. Keep communicating and enjoying their company.

Upon retirement, I'll keep antiquing. Now, I plan to sell more and buy less (we'll see how that works out). I'll have fun with my family, especially my three wonderful granddaughters. My husband, Ken, and I will spend more time treasure hunting and floating down the Saint Joe River. I'll wave up at SMS, as I float on by.

Jill Spencer
Administrator
18 Years of Service

I especially enjoyed the challenges and rewards of working in a variety of settings in the course of my P-H-M career (a year at Penn High, a year at Meadow's Edge Elementary, and almost 18 years at the ESC, along with hundreds of building visits). It was always my pleasure to look out from the ESC windows and see students going in and out of the neighboring schools, student-athletes on practice and playing fields in all directions, and marching band members drilling and drumming in the parking lots. From my vantage point, I came to admire principals as perhaps the most dedicated and hardest working group of professionals in the district. It was a privilege to work with the principals, and I enjoyed getting to know many of them over the years.

Advice? Never overlook or devalue your contributions to the success of this district. The good work of "the many" dutifully delivered every day is the "magic sauce!”

I have enjoyed four months of unfettered time since my January retirement. I travel to Cincinnati at least once a month to play with my grandson, and my husband J.R. and I usually set out on a Midwest foray to an historical site or special restaurant each week as well. We are finding that there is much to see and do within four hours of home!  

David Wallace
Educational Assistant
4 Years of Service

When I got recognition for being a Vietnam Veteran at Bittersweet Elementary, also on my birthday on May 10th.

Spend more time with my grandbabies (all five of ours is seven at this time, as of May 17th).

Also by May 17th, I will have had back surgery to restore my walking ability and help make me physically strong enough so I can enjoy a mini vacation with my wife and grandbabies. I’m looking forward to working with kids in a future venue, one-on-one and developing a “trust” with kids so that any questions they may ask, even if I don’t know the answer that day, I will research and find the answer and have it for them the next day. I want them to know they CAN count on me, they are important and they matter.

Construction updates for TCU Freed Field began in May and will continue through August. Starting Thursday, June 8 (right after the last day of school for students):

• the north drive access to Freed Field Stadium will be blocked for construction purposes. All access to the back (East) of Penn High School should be directed to Jefferson Road entrance.  
• the Fitness Center entrance will move to Door H and will be programmed the same as Door G.
• Fitness Center parking will be available along the east drive, south of Door H, after 3 p.m.
• the curved drive north of the field will be blocked for construction; the sidewalk will be available along this drive only. All traffic into the arena lot will be designated for construction, delivery and emergency traffic only during this 4-6 week period.
• all food service, custodians and fitness center employees should park south east of the delivery dock area.
• only delivery traffic and construction vehicles will be permitted in the Arena Lot during construction for safety of all and traffic logistics.
• for parents dropping off and picking up from Penn summer camps, they will need to use the east lot.

Open Swim patrons, effective now – July 19, will need to enter Penn through the front at Door D. You will be able to use the Penn’s front parking lot. You will NOT have access to the back parking lot or Door E.

Parents dropping off or picking up students from Kingsmen Athletic Summer Camps taking place at Freed Field or any other camps at Penn will need to use the Jefferson Road (East Side) or Front entrances.

Due to the construction, the Fitness Center entrance will move to Door H starting on June 8.  

Only delivery traffic and construction vehicles will be permitted in the Arena Lot during construction for safety of all and traffic logistics.

The Fitness Center entrance at Door H will be programmed the same as door G. Patrons visiting the Fitness Center should park in the lots south of the dock area only. Fitness Center parking will be permitted south of Door H after 3 p.m.

In April, P-H-M Exceptional Education Program Supervisor Dr. Jenny Sears was named a member of the 2017 Michiana "Forty under 40" class. 

Sears is a psychologist who supervises special education programming for all 15 P-H-M schools, along with staff speech and language pathologists, speech and language assistants, psychologists, occupational therapists, and the young adult program.

Today (Tuesday, May 16, 2017), Sears along with the other 39 awardees of this year’s class were honored at the Recognition Luncheon. The annual event is hosted by the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

The Michiana Forty under 40 program shines the spotlight on 40 of the area's most talented and dedicated young executives, professionals and leaders who demonstrate career success and community engagement, before the age of 40. This year’s class represented a cross section of industries from education to health care to small business entrepreneurs to finance.

This is not the first time a P-H-M teacher or administrator has been named a member of the “Forty under 40” class. Grissom Middle School Principal Nathan Boyd was recognized last year; Schmucker Principal Sean Galiher was a member of the 2015 class ; Meadow’s Edge Principal Jayson Snyder ​was honored in 2014 , as was Walt Disney Principal Lavon Dean Null in 2013. 

Prior to that P-H-M’s Director of Professional Development Heather Short was a member of the 2008 class and Penn teacher and Spell Bowl coach Pete DeKever was named to the 2007 class. 

Click here to read more about Dr. Sears expertise and background. 

The weather couldn’t have been better on Wednesday morning (May 10) for Penn Biology teacher John Gensic (2016 Teacher of the Year) and his nearly 100 Early College Biology students.

Gensic and his students departed on buses headed for Horizon, Elsie Rogers and Mary Frank Schools to plant dwarf fruit trees with the help of an estimated 324 elementary students. Today was the final step of the Phase 1 planting phase which began in the spring of 2016 at Horizon Elementary.

The “Giving Trees” project was the brainchild of Gensic, P-H-M’s 2016 Teacher of the Year and top 10 finalist for Indiana TOY. The project was made possible by a 2016 grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation . Funding this year was a combination of grant money, Gensic’s P-H-M TOY grant money from the Education Foundation, and a donation made by Springhope Farm.

The idea behind the project is for students to participate in a real world event that not only focuses on improving the local environment, but also provides food for the Penn-Harris-Madison school community. It is Gensic’s hope that all the students involved in the project, elementary and high school, will be inspired to become agents of change leading the charge for a healthy environment and community.

The “Giving Trees” project is a four-phase plan with Phase 1 completed on the final planting day on May 15 at Elm Road Elementary. Phases 2, 3 and 4 will be the harvesting of the fruit for use in P-H-M’s schools; and if all goes well, Gensic also hopes to provide fruit for the local community.

When all the planting is done, there will be a total of 64 fruit trees planted between Horizon, Mary Frank, Elsie Rogers and Elm Road. Out of the 64 trees, 40 are apple and 24 are pear trees.

Academically, this project will have the high school students focusing on Indiana Biology Standards 2 (matter cycles and energy transfer) and Biology Standard 3 (interdependence). The elementary students will also focus on Indiana Science and Language Arts Standards as a way to reinforce this great experience.

Please check out the pictures below taken at Elsie Rogers Elementary.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation recently announced the recipients of the Spring 2017 grants—with grants totaling $16,640!

Traditional Grant Recipients

Kelso’s Kit: Tools for Kids – Horizon Elementary – Joann Hartline’ Grade K-5  —  300 students; Awarded: $636.73
Kelso’s Kit includes 23 comprehensive lessons that help children make good choices and solve conflicts on their own. The kit will give classroom teachers and/or college practicum students additional tools needed to help students with their everyday life difficulties.

iPod Touches for Walt Disney’s A/V Team

iPod Touches for Walt Disney’s A/V Team – Walt Disney Elementary – Robi Davidson, Emily Beeden; Grades K-4  —  510 students
Awarded: $597
The purchase of the iPods (3) will allow the AV team to record live broadcasts and to connect to other forms of media. In addition, the iPods will allow the team to explore new technologies such as music recording, computer coding, app review, and more extensive photo and video editing.

Wiggling Our Way to Success – Mary Frank Elementary – Lindsay Helman; Grades 3  —  40 students; Awarded: $1,432.34
Alternative seating at Mary Frank will support students who have difficulty focusing. In addition, these seats provide health benefits that include increased metabolism, motivation and engagement, creating better oxygen flow to the brain, and improve core strength.

Strumming Our Way To Musical Success – Horizon Elementary – Jon West and Jeannie Chettleburgh; Grades K-5 — 650 students
Awarded: $1,170
Recently, due to the increase use by pop performers, the Ukulele has quickly risen in popularity. The creates a phenomenon whereby students are expressing a desire to learn to play chords and sing with the Ukulele. The teachers intend to use this natural interest to continue to each the Indiana Music Standards using Ukuleles.

The Walking Classroom – Moran Elementary – Louise Black; Grades 5 — 80-90 students
Awarded: $3,950
Student learning is not limited to sitting in the classroom. This program would allow for a class to walk around/throughout the hallways while listening to pod-casts lessons. Each student audio device is preloaded with 111 pod-casts that are aligned with the 5th grade Common Core curriculum covering language arts, social studies, and health topics.

Documenting Bat Activity in an Urban Habitat – Elm Road School – Jackie Anderson; Grade K-5 —  520 students
Awarded: $323.61
From a school’s FIRST Lego League team, this bat house is located on the edges of the school ground. A remote camera, with infrared lighting, will allow students to observe the natural patterns of bats.

Penn Orchestra – Barrage 8 –  Penn High – Ann Tschetter (P-H-M’s 2017 Teacher of the Year); Grades 9-12 —  20 students
Awarded: $450
Earlier in the year, Penn High School hosted an international string group – Barrage 8 – whose focus is to introduce student to the new eclectic and contemporary side of being a string performer. Furthermore, Penn currently houses contemporary music performing groups in band and choir, but not orchestra. This inspired the teacher to create a before or after-school group where students would take their classical training to a “show” format. Students will learn a wide variety of popular, ethnic jazz, and show tunes. The grant will support purchasing 5 musical instruments for students to perform.

Cafetorium Acoustic Development – Grissom Middle – Heather Baker; Grades 6-8 —  600 students
Awarded: $5,181.39
The school’s cafetorium is used for numerous events throughout the school year, including meetings and conferences. The current sound situation involves outdated technology and bare walls to enable a massive amount of reverb and echo. A new system would increase the quality for musical performances, student news programs, athletic events, and student body assemblies.

Serving Students with Calming Sensory Tools – Elm Road – Audrey Kim; Grades K-5 —  520 students
Awarded: $800
As an educational assistant, the teacher has helped students with anger and behavior issues using sensory tools. Students have enjoyed using manipulative tools to help them calm down. Creating boxes that are readily available for students to help channel their frustrations in appropriate ways.

EZ grant recipients ($250 or less)
 

• Occupational Therapy Materials: Mary Frank Elementary – Tess Weaver; Grade PreK-8; Awarded: $246.67
• Book Clubs in the Classroom – Not Just for Adults; Prairie Vista Elementary – Karen Hlade; Grade 5; Awarded: $244.43
• Electronics Components for Updated Physics Curriculum; Penn High School; Jonathan Lockwood; Grades 11-12; Awarded: $225
• Aquaponics Experiments to Promote a Sustainable Food Future; Penn High School – John Gensic; Grades 9-12; Awarded: $247.99
• It’s All About the Bass Bow; Discovery/P-H-M Middle School Orchestras – April Oppenheim; Grade 6-8; Awarded: $234
• Bike to Build Muscles! Walt Disney Elementary – Kathy Greve; Grades K; Awarded: $250
• Take a Stand; Discovery Middle – Murray Weaver; Grades 6-8; Awarded: $250
• Pay Attention! Elsie Rogers Elementary – Stefanie Hanks; Grade K-5; Awarded: $245
• Table Top Easels; Penn PALS/Elsie Rogers Preschool – Alison Minegar; Grades Preschool; Awarded $250

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1996, the PHMEF develops alternative sources of income to support learning while strengthening the partnership between schools and community.

Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $520,000 have been distributed in innovative teaching grants supporting P-H-M teachers, staff, and students. Click here to see the grants awarded Fall 2016. The Grants Committee is comprised of Foundation board members, community representatives, and a P-H-M administrator who evaluate each grant application.

Dedicated business leaders, administrators, and community volunteers, representing a cross-section of the school community, serve as the board of directors. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

PHMEF’s funding comes from special events such as its premier Silver Mile Health & Fitness Fair, Donna & Dr. Jerry Thacker 5K Run/Walk for Education, the State of Indiana from the purchase of Read On Education License plates, Corporations for Education, Thank a Teacher, Entrance to Excellence bricks, and individual donations.

The regularly scheduled meeting for the Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees was held Monday, May 8 at Bittersweet Elementary School.

Every year, the Board chooses three to four schools to hold their Board meetings. The school meeting sites are a way for Board members to not only visit the schools, but to give the schools a chance to highlight their successes. Bittersweet Principal Bob Thompson used the opportunity to do a “show and tell” with the help of DVT Director Mindy O’Malley. They showed the Board the latest capabilities of the P-H-M Digital Video Theater and Planetarium. See the photo gallery below. 

P-H-M’s newly named 2017 Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year were  recognized and honored. Both Penn Orchestra Director Anne Tschetter and  Meadow’s Edge Teacher’s Aide Shari Cerney received standing ovations as they stepped forward to address the Board.

Also recognized on his retirement as the coach of Penn High School's Academic Super Bowl – Social Studies team was Pete DeKever. He remains the Spell Bowl coach. DeKever coached the Social Studies team for 25 years until his retirement this past July 1, 2016. Under his leadership, the team won   12 state titles and was state runner-up four times. They won regional championships 22 times, also qualifying them for the state finals 22 times.