It’s pretty hard to keep secrets in a school, especially if you are planning a surprise for the school’s principal! But that’s exactly what Grissom Guardsmen administrators, teachers, staff and students were able to achieve on Thursday, Dec. 8 (2016).

It was all for the benefit of their beloved Principal Mr. Nathan Boyd, who won Indiana’s 2016 Middle School Principal of the Year the end of November. Ever since Mr. Boyd won the state’s top honor, Grissom Assistant Principal Seth Molnar has been busy planning a surprise schoolwide pep rally to celebrate.

A lot went into make the afternoon celebration special, not just for Mr. Boyd but for the students and staff as well. Everything from the giant Mr. Boyd face signs to balloons  to Grissom’s Drum Brigade ushering Mr. Boyd into the gym. Mr. Boyd’s family and friends near and far, were invited to attend or send a video message. Mr. Boyd’s childhood friend and his wife even drove in 9+ hours from Washington, DC. Local politicians or their representatives were on hand, along with P-H-M Administrators and Board Members. And local media, and Grissom student reporters, were there to catch it all on camera! (Click here to see a photo gallery from the Pep Rally)

How did Mr. Molnar pull all of this off without Mr. Boyd having a clue?!? Mr. Boyd was called to a “very important” meeting at the ESC, P-H-M’s Administrative Building, which got him out of Grissom for a few hours allowing time for everything to set up in the school gym. When Mr. Boyd returned to school, Mr. Molnar got Mr. Boyd down to the gym by telling him he needed his help catching a squirrel that had gotten into the boy’s locker room … yes, a squirrel!!! But when Mr. Boyd rounded the corner and saw (and heard) the Drum Brigade, all the cameras, and 600+ students, he knew he’d been had! Mr. Boyd was moved to tears by the sincere show of support and pride the entire school and P-H-M community had for Mr. Boyd’s honor. In typical humble and thoughtful Mr. Boyd  fashion, he thanked his students and teachers for helping him win the award telling them that they are his motivation and inspiration.

Congratulations to Mr. Nathan Boyd, Indiana’s 2016 Middle School Principal of the Year!!!

The 2016 P-H-M Education Foundation Fall Grant Awards were approved for funding at the Foundation’s November 30 Board Meeting.

Grant funds awarded — $16,283.95

Approximate number of students impacted — 2,878
 

The PHMEF 2016 Grants were funded to the following Traditional Grants:
 

1. Alternative and Flexible Seating for the Elementary Classroom 
   Bittersweet Elementary – Leslie Metcalf
   Grades 4 — 40 students
   This grant will allow the teacher to convert her traditional classroom seating into a flexible or alternative style. Providing new seating would help students to be mobile and active while completing tasks. Four Hokki stools, four ball chairs, and two sets of six floor cushions will be used in the classroom.
    
2. Move Your Body, Grow Your Brain: Active Seating in the Classroom 
   Moran Elementary – Stephanie Strasser
   Grade K — 20 students
   Research supports the benefits of “active” seating to enhance the learning environment. Active seating improves attention and concentration, posture, blood flow, flexibility, coordination and balance. Students will demonstrate the ability to stay focused and energized throughout the day with the use of 12 stability balls and 6 Hokki stools.
    

3. Choral Risers for Elm Road and Elsie Rogers 
   Elm Road and Elsie Rogers Elementary Schools – Emily Nakayama and Erin Elliott
   Grades K-5 — 850 students
   The elementary schools are in need of new risers for a variety of events at both schools. Currently, each elementary has a set of outdated and damaged risers. This grant will purchase a set of six new risers, which will be shared between Elm and Elsie Rogers Elementary Schools. The new risers will allow set up by any teachers, instead of utilizing custodial staff. Storage will also be more efficient because the design of the new risers.

4. iPads for Learning and Reporting 
   Elsie Rogers Elementary – Jessie Kinney and Dorene Pond
   Grades 3-5 — 150 students
   All Elsie Rogers staff use Classroom DoFo behavior management programs to promote positive behavior for learning. Students’ daily successes or areas needing improvement are reported directly to parents throughout the school day. A component of the DoJo program is a feature that allows students to showcase their work in a portfolio. With the use of six iPdas, students will capture impages of the work they created at schools.

5. Front Row Education Math – Inquiry Based Learning 
   Meadow’s Edge Elementary – Madelyn Albright
   Grades 3-4 — 140 students
   The Front Row Education Math Project is designed to engage students in Inquiry Based Learning activities. It is an online program designed to provide math concepts at differentiated learning levels to help meet the different learning needs and styles of each students. The school is currently using the free version that has limited access to programs. A paid version will allow access to 23 Inquiry Based Learning lessons for 3rd grade and 26 Inquiry Based Learning for 4th grade.

6. Sustaining and Growing the Grissom Drum Brigade
   Grissom Middle School – Adam Emeigh
   Grade 6-8 — 20 students
   The Grissom Drum Brigade program has been a successful part of the middle school. The group has performed at not only school events but also at events within the local community. This grant will support equipment needed to prolong the use of current instruments, such as stands, bass drum rim shooter, and tenor and snare sticks.

7. Buddy Bench 
   Bittersweet Elementary – Karen Powers and Michele Leniski
   Grades K-5 — 452 students
   The Buddy Bench is intended to directly help children with the struggles of feeling lonely or isolated during recess. Students who are feeling alienated from others will often isolate themselves. Students will know that sitting on the bench is a safe place where other classmates can come and ask if they want to play or just sit and talk.

The PHMEF 2016 Grants were funded to the following EZ Form grant requests for $250 or less:

1. Earth Science – Rocks and Minerals Prairie Vista Elementary – Roger Hansel, Grade 4; 78 students impacted
   Rocks and minerals samples to be used in classroom

2. Bluetooth Music Room for a Blue Ribbon School Prairie Vista Elementary – Amy Gallo, Grade 1-5; 413 students impacted
   Bluetooth device will allow students take ownership of running music remotely from their seats.

3. Biology Teacher’s Real DNA Comparison Penn High School; Freshman and Early College Biology – Robert Berkheiser & John Gensic, Grades 9-10; 320 students impacted
   Teachers to test own DNA with kits for students to compare data

4. Penn Physics Research Lab Penn High School – Jonathan Lockwood, Grades 11-12; 150 students impacted
   Building a Tesla coil for research for wireless transmission of sound.

5. Cost Effective Alternative Seating for Preschoolers Penn PALS Preschool at Bittersweet – Sara Barhydt, Grade Pre-K; 40 students impacted
   Soft seating cushions for circle time to encourage better posture, strengthen core and encourage them to stay in their own space.

6. Integrating the Visual Arts, Music and Sports Discovery Middle School – Anne Napoli, Grades 6-8; 800 students impacted
   Supplies to create mural that will demonstrate connections between visual arts, music, and sports.

7. Anthem Club Penn High School – Lavon Oke, Grades 9-12
   Sheet music for club to perform national anthem around P-H-M sporting events.

8. Phone Mats Mary Frank Elementary – Anna King, Grade Kindergarten; 60 students impacted
   The mats resemble a phone face, which will be used for learning numbers, letters, colors and engaging students in learning through demonstrations.
    
9. Upgrade Tap Set  Penn High School – Les Crooks, Grades 9-12; 250 students impacted
   Portable power tool combination drill bit/tap assortment for portable power tools.

10. Improving Manufacturing Safety Penn High School – Les Crooks, Grades 9-12; 250 students impacted
    New set of deburring tools to remove unwanted/leftover materials that can cause harm to students.

11. Documenting POE, IED, and Aerospace Engineering Penn High School – Jim Langfeldt, Grades 9-12; 220 students impacted
    Camcorder for documenting and record work and projects such as Hand of Grace.

12. Newton’s 2nd Law Experience Penn High School – Bruce Bergeron, Grades 11-12; 50 students impacted
    Students will devise rules that describe how mass and net force affects the acceleration of a cart. Purchase of cart and spring scale.

13. Smartphone Mounts for High School Journalists Penn High School – Kevin McNulty, Grades 9-12; 50 students impacted
    Mounts will give students freedom and flexibility to tell school news story with their own smartphones to record interviews and stand-up reports.

14. Driver’s Station Laptop for Penn Robotics Penn High School – Jim Langfeldt, Grades 11-12; 38 students impacted
    New laptop will last several years for competition use.

15. Expanding Manufacturing End Mill Set Penn High School – Jim Langfeldt, Grades 9-12; 250 students impacted
    Wider variety of end mills will allow students to undertake more projects.

16. The Wonder of You Horizon Elementary School – Ann Lira, Grades 4; 112 students impacted
    Book will be used in a grade level antibullying workshop that encourages compassion, acceptance, and empathy.

17. Drum and Bugle Corps Video Discovery Middle School – Murray Weaver, Grades 6-8; 250 students impacted.
    Series of marching band presentations. Updates current videos from 2009.

18. Put the Pedal to the Metal Elm Road Elementary – Christy Cook, Grade 4; 97 students impacted
    Under desk bike pedals will be used for students who get restless and struggle to focus.

Schmucker Middle School students and programs were the stars of the show at Monday night’s Board meeting (Nov. 28, 2016). 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.

Schmucker Principal Sean Galiher used the opportunity to demonstrate the school’s motto of setting the bar for students by Building Community, Empowering Learners and Inspiring Creativity. All of the programs highlighted, student displays and performances last night were examples of Schmucker’s motto put into action.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Principal Galiher introduced a video that explained the school’s Advisory program.

The initiative was started three years ago to help build a sense of community in the school by teaching the students the value and importance of showing respect for others.  Advisory is a 30 minute period at the start of every day for all middle schoolers at Schmucker.  The emphasis of the three-year program is on community building and character development. As Principal Galiher noted, “Academic success begins with our commitment to build positive relationships with every student in our building and our teachers are committed to this goal.”

EMPOWERING LEARNERS

When the bar is set high for students, they become empowered learners who keep striving for success. Schmucker’s STEM initiatives and Project Lead the Way have opened up a lot of learning opportunities for students. PLTW teacher Matt Reininga discussed the PLTW class rotation that all sixth grade students take. Seventh and eighth graders have can chose the class as an elective rotation–with seventh graders focusing on 3D design /printing and eighth graders narrowing in on computer science problem solving skills designing apps. Mr. Reininga also told the Board about the middle school’s Vex Robotics Competition Team successes. In year two of the program, Schmucker now has three teams. At the end of Mr. Reininga’s presentation, he and Principal Galiher presented the Board with P-H-M ‘Triangle of Success’ magnets that the students designed and printed out on the school’s 3D printers.

Jennifer Husband, eighth grade science teacher, also got the chance to explain her STEM co-curricular STEM initiatives. Last year Ms. Husband started a TEAMS group. TEAMS stands for … Testing Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science. As Ms. Husband described for the Board, TEAMS allows students to increase their knowledge about what engineers do and how they can help make a difference in the world. Last year’s Schmucker TEAMS’ students placed 2^nd in the Nation by researching and writing a paper on the application of Synthetic Neurobiology … a topic they knew nothing about.  For the build challenge, without prior knowledge or prep time, they had to build a device that would reflect as much light as possible into the iPhone directly below the light source. Again these Schmucker STEM Spartan stars placed second overall in the country … achievements that earned them a round of applause from the Board and audience.

INSPIRING CREATIVITY

There’s no doubt that Schmucker inspires creativity in students and teachers. The Board was treated to performances by the string quartet led by Mrs. Dorothy Carnall, the eighth grade band led by Mr. Jeff Carnall and the Circle the State choir led by Mrs. Donna Hipsher and Allison Secur.

Art displays and other work done by the students of Art Teacher Mrs. Tomi Perkins and Language Arts Teachers Ms. Kristina Turpin and Mrs. Renee Johanson.

Interested in joining one of Indiana’s best school districts?
 

P-H-M Administrators want to meet you!

Every applicant in attendance will have the opportunity to interview with school or District leadership!

WHEN:  
Friday, Feb. 3, 2017
2:00 – 6:00 p.m. (EST)

WHERE:  
Schmucker Middle School (come to Door B)
56045 Bittersweet Rd.
Mishawaka, IN  46545

Can’t attend? Click here to apply online via Applitrack.

For questions, please contact PHMhumanresourcesinfo@phm.k12.in.us.

Click here to watch a video of why you should become a P-H-M teacher.

The announcement came as a surprise at the Nov. 20 awards banquet as part of IASP’s (Indiana Association of School Principals) annual conference, but the selection of Nathan Boyd as Indiana’s Middle School Principal of the Year comes as no surprise to those who work with him daily at Grissom Middle School.  Principals from across the state nominated Mr. Boyd for the top honor, praising him for his leadership skills.

“When you think of an outstanding and creative leader, you think of Nathan Boyd,” says Dr. Jerry Thacker, P-H-M superintendent. “Nathan truly is an exemplary principal, going above and beyond every day to model for his students Grissom’s motto: Good, Better, Best!”

Seth Molnar, Grissom’s Assistant Principal, added, “I’m luckier than one person should be to work with such a phenomenal leader!”

Mr. Boyd has this to say about his role: “I credit my years of playing sports with helping me realize that I cannot, nor anyone else, ever be more important than all the members of my team/staff.  I truly believe that each member is vitally important to creating a whole, with shared purpose, vision and combined effort.”

Mr. Boyd has created that sense of shared purpose at Grissom since becoming principal there in 2013. He encourages his team to be student-centered in every way, creating a positive culture that is rich with opportunities, outreach that results in strong relationships with students, and instructional approaches that lead to increased academic achievement.

Mr. Boyd has worked tirelessly to not only make Grissom an "A-rated" school, but a school with co- and extra-curricular offerings that allow students to develop talents and experience success. Two examples of this are the first ever "Grissom Drum Brigade" and the popular "Club Honors."

Nathan Boyd’s recognition as Indiana Middle School Principal of the year is the second time that a PHM principal has been named as one of the state’s top principals. Last year, Steve Hope, principal of Penn High School, was named Indiana High School Principal of the Year.

Mr. Boyd was chosen as District 2 Middle School Principal of the Year back in the spring. All district winners were recognized at the award dinner held at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. The IASP dinner serves as the kickoff for the organization’s annual fall conference so many of P-H-M’s other principals and assistant principals were on hand, along with P-H-M District administrators. Mr. Boyd’s mother, Renette Boyd of Evansville, and his sister, Lindsey Vertner of Bloomington were also invited to attend for Nathan’s recognition as a District 2 winner.  Everyone was thrilled to be on hand when Mr. Boyd was named of 2016 State Middle School Principal of the Year! He was chosen from a field of 12 other district middle school principals, each representing one of Indiana’s districts.  Mr. Boyd will now represent Indiana at the National Association of Secondary School Principals Recognition Program in the Fall of 2017.

Renowned filmmaker Warren Miller’s latest, “Here, There, and Everywhere,” will be shown at Elkhart’s historic Lerner Theater on Friday, December 2.  

The Schmucker Middle School Ski Club is once again helping to host the film’s local premiere to kick off the winter sports season in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. 

Warren Miller’s production company has released a new high adventure film each year for over 60 years! His films highlight the best talent and the most exotic locations for skiing and other action sports in the world. 

Through the years, hardcore skiers and snowboarders have made it a tradition to see the new Warren Miller movie as the official start of the ski season … it’s been said “It’s not Winter until Warren Miller comes to town!”  

All P-H-M families and members of the community are invited to participate in this annual event, which also helps raise money for Schmucker Middle School’s Ski Club.

Doors open at 6:30; the show starts at 7:30. Tickets are available in advance ($12) and at the door ($15).  Click here to see and download a PDF with all the details.*

Ticket price also includes FREE and discounted lift tickets, a subscription to Skiing magazine, and MORE for EVERY ATTENDEE!  There will also be drawings and giveaways throughout the evening. 

Tickets are available at Schmucker Middle School, Outpost Sports (click here for locations), The Lerner Theatre box office or purchase from the Lerner online. A portion of ticket sales will go to support the Schmucker Ski Club. Questions about the Schmucker Ski Club may be directed to club sponsor Mr. David Sears. 

Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m.  the P-H-M DVT will show “D-DAY: NORMANDY 1944,” narrated by Tom Brokaw.  

Tickets for Veterans are FREE! Adults $4, Senior Citizens $3, Students/children $2

P-H-M’s DVT& Planetarium is located within Bittersweet Elementary (55860 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545). Click here for a full list of weekly shows.
 

The documentary “D-DAY: NORMANDY 1944” is about the largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Yet, few people know in detail exactly why and how (from the end of 1943 through August 1944) this region became the most important location in the world. Blending multiple cinematographic techniques, including animation, CGI and stunning live-action images, "D-Day" brings this monumental event to large screen of P-H-M’s DVT. Audiences of all ages, will discover from a new perspective how this landing changed the world. Exploring history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, the film will educate and appeal to all.

The significance of Veteran’s Day will be a focus in all of P-H-M’s 15 schools on this Friday, Nov. 11.  Two of P-H-M’s middle schools, Schmucker and Grissom, will hold their annual student’s Veteran’s Day programs.

Grissom students invited Former Governor of Indiana and Purple Heart Awardee Joe Kernan to speak at their annual Veteran’s Day program. Kernan joined the United States Navy in 1969 and served as a Naval Flight Officer aboard the carrier USS Kitty Hawk.  In February 1972, he was shot down by enemy forces while on a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on May 7, 1972. He was held as a prisoner of war for 11 months. Kernan was repatriated in 1973 and continued on active duty with the Navy until December 1974. Kernan received the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Purple Hearts and the Navy Commendation Medal. A University of Notre Dame alum, Kernan was elected as Mayor of South Bend in 1987, 1991, and 1995. In 1996, Kernan was elected as Indiana's Lieutenant Governor, and then re-elected in 2000 with Frank O'Bannon as Governor. Kernan became Governor in 2003 after O'Bannon died in office. He finished out the remainder of the term through 2005.

At Schmucker, members of the eighth grade class plan the program for the rest of their class. Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Richard Cardossa will speak to the students. Cardosa served in the Infantry (Brigade and Parachute), Special Forces, Aviation Brigade and the Airborne Division in various locations including Panama and Fort Hood, Texas. The decorated veteran has won numerous medals and commendations, including the National Defense Medal and Army Commendation Medal (twice).

Before Friday night's (Oct. 29, 2016) Penn football game, two P-H-M heroes were recognized.

School Resource Officer Mike Reppert and VSS Security Supervisor Rockie Dodds were presented with a special award provided by the Indiana State Suicide Prevention Advisory Council as a result of their efforts in Suicide Prevention in our school community. 

This award is only one of three awards provided by the Indiana State Suicide Prevention Council in 2016.  Because of their actions, they made a difference in a student’s life.  

If you know of someone who needs help, please visit the Lifelines section of our website, at www.phmschools.org/lifelines, for resources. 

We’re curious, do you like to visit museums?

Do you like to take your children to museums?

What could our local museums do to help “curate” your family’s interest into taking advantage of the educational resources available and visit our local museums more often?

Please take this brief survey and tell us what you think. The survey is conducted by an independent firm trying to help our local museums.

Each completed survey has a chance to win a prize valued at $125!!!

Here’s the link to the survey: https://venn.li/lPRNg2ZBV5

When the general election takes place Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, six P-H-M schools will house polling centers, as they have in the past. 

Voters using these locations may find it helpful to know where to park and which doors to enter. Please click the links below to get details for each site …

 

• Mary Frank Elementary School
• Meadow’s Edge Elementary School
• Prairie Vista Elementary School
• Penn High School
• Schmucker Middle School
• Walt Disney Elementary School

Registered voters may only use the polling location that serves their precinct, based on their home address. Here is a link to the precincts maps and polling location information provided by St. Joseph County.