Penn High School’s Biology teacher Mr. John Gensic teamed up with Horizon Elementary’s Mrs. Karin Logan to plan a fun-filled, hands-on, project-based learning, literal “field trip.”

Mr. Gensic brought nearly 100 students from his Early College Academy biology class to help Mrs. Logan’s 2^nd grade class plant dwarf fruit trees this morning (Thursday, May 12) in the field behind Horizon Elementary.

The “Giving Trees” project was Mr. Gensic’s idea, for which he applied for and received funding from the P-H-M Education Foundation grant. Gensic, who was recently named P-H-M’s 2016 Teacher of the Year, came up with the idea for students will participate in real world tasks from planting trees to harvesting fruit that will result in an improved local environment that provides educational and edible plants for our community. In Phase One of the project, which the PHMEF grant supports, 25-30 dwarf trees will be planted by elementary and Penn Early College biology students at Horizon Elementary. Initial trees will be planted Spring 2016, with the completion of the planting will be Spring 2017. Today’s activity was the first step in the project.

In Phases 2, 3 and four of the “Giving Trees” project, involve harvesting the fruits from the orchard to serve in P-H-M’s schools. It is also Mr. Gensic’s goal that his Penn students would fulfill orders from the community. The high school students will be putting into action the Indiana Biology Standards 3 (interdependence) and 4 (matter cycles and energy transfer). The elementary students will also be learning and putting into practice Indiana Science and Language Arts Standards.

It is Mr. Gensic’s hope is that this project will provide students, both high school and elementary, the opportunity to identify themselves as “world changers,” leading the charge to positively impact their communities’ health and environment.

Today’s activity also got the attention of the local South Bend media, with Mr. Gensic, Mrs. Logan as well as students.

Last night, P-H-M’s Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year were honored as part of the district’s 25^th Annual Employee Recognition Dinner. Service Awards were also given to those employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service to the district. Two who have marked 40 years of service are administrative assistant Donna Humes and middle school teacher David Misener. Also applauded at the May 11 event were a number of retirees, who received special recognition from Dr. Jerry Thacker and board member Randy Leliaert. 

John Gensic, Penn High School Biology Teacher, P-H-M Teacher of the Year

After accepting his Teacher of the Year award from Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker (pictured, left), and a $1,000 classroom grant from Executive Director of the P-H-M Education Foundation Mari Linn Wise (pictured, right), John Gensic gave an emotional speech thanking his first teachers … his parents! John also thanked his wife and in-laws for all their support and helping him be a better teacher to his students.

Project-based learning, growth mindset and student-centered instruction are at the center of John Gensic’s teaching philosophy. As a lifelong learner himself, John believes strongly that teachers lead by example, “In doing this, we help create experiences for students that they wouldn’t otherwise experience and give students the inner motivation to pursue tasks that will improve our humanity and earth.”

John has been teaching for 11 years, coming to Penn High School in 2013. He is a leader in his field presenting at the National Science Teachers Association on the topics of socio-scientific inquiry, biology modeling and free technology. He has also presented at TED, the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University as well as many other state and national conferences.

John spent summer of 2015 working with the Environmental Protection Agency on the “Lake Michigan Shipboard Science Workshop.” John was one of just 15 educators to work alongside the EPA scientists evaluating the presence of microplastics and assessing the impact of aquatic invasive species—particularly zebra and quagga mussels—on Lake Michigan’s ecosystem. The goal: To bring his experiences back to the classroom.

He’s taken students to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to experience multiple ecosystems while witnessing human environment interactions. “John’s passion for science in and out of the classroom has made him an exemplary teacher providing the best education possible to our students,” said Penn Principal Steve Hope. 

John applies for at least one grant each year to obtain materials to improve student achievement … “These grants allow a broader connection between our school and its stakeholders. Exemplifying 21st Century skills, I need to be a model of critical thinking.”

STEM Academy Leader Rachel Fry nominated John for P-H-M Teacher of the Year. She praises John for “going above and beyond to arrange authentic and eye-opening experiences for his students to interact with biology outside the school walls.” His latest project-based learning activity is called “Giving Trees.” Penn students will work with Horizon Elementary School students to plant 25-30 dwarf fruit trees in the elementary school’s garden. The project is being made possible by a P-H-M Education Foundation grant that John applied for during the Spring 2016 grant cycle. (Click here to read the article about how John received the surprise news that he was chosen as P-H-M Teacher of the Year.)

In early April, John was selected as an Indiana science teaching finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This is the nation’s highest honor for math, science and computer science teachers! Later this summer, John will find out if he has been chosen as the science teacher winner representing Indiana. Each awardee receives a certificate signed by the President of the United States and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.

As P-H-M’s District Teacher of the year, John will participate in the Indiana Teacher of the Year. That decision from the state DOE comes in fall of 2016.

Classified Employee of the Year, Patricia “Tricia” Heidkamp, Media Aide at Bittersweet Elementary School

Patricia “Tricia” Heidkamp was also moved by the support and admiration of her fellow colleagues at Bittersweet, proving once again that P-H-M is a family!

As the Media Aide at Bittersweet, Tricia Heidkamp has been instrumental in reinvigorating and implementing schoolwide reading programs, such as Accelerated Reader (grades 3-5) and RAZ (K-5). For both programs, Tricia has created a reward system tracking how many books and quizzes they complete. Students can use their reading reward points to make purchases in the “AR Store”—which Tricia stocks and runs herself.

Describing Tricia, one of her nominating peers said of her … “She is always interested in the students and comes up with different ways to get them engaged.”

After arriving at Bittersweet in 2013, Tricia focused on reorganizing the library according to Lexile band so that students can quickly find a book on their level. Her creation of the “Leap into Lexile” program rewards students who read at least one book in their Lexile band per grading period. Tricia applied for and was also awarded a P-H-M Education Foundation grant to purchase higher level Lexile books. As a result of all her efforts, Bittersweet was the only elementary school whose high ability students met their SRI growth for the 2014-2015 school year!

 “My favorite part of the day is helping students find just the right book,” says Tricia. “I have concentrated on filling the library with popular series and finding books at the low and high end of the Lexile range. It is fun to watch a student’s Lexile level grow and see how excited they get when they are able to check out books in a new color (books are color coded by Lexile).”

Tricia started her career with P-H-M in the fall of 2004 as a library volunteer at Madison Elementary. In 2006, she became a program assistant and teacher’s aide, becoming the media aide in 2007. Tricia made many contributions in her seven years at Madison. It was with a heavy heart that she moved to Bittersweet as their media aide in 2013.

Tricia goes above and beyond helping students any way she can by starting a lunch group tutoring struggling readers as they eat lunch together. She also tutors after school with her “Crunch Bunch.”

“I enjoy coming to work every day and am lucky to work with great students and the outstanding staff at Bittersweet Elementary,” says Tricia.
 

No better day than National Teacher Appreciation Day to recognize a great teacher like Kristi Kaniewski-Ulrich! When Ulrich was called to a Schmucker classroom on Tuesday, May 3, she was not aware that friends, family and colleagues were waiting there to surprise her. They knew that she was about to be named HERO OF THE MONTH by the Michiana chapter of the national organization, Homes for Heroes. 

Ulrich had been selected for the honor in recognition of her commitment to the community and her service as a teacher and coach.  The plaque presented to her reads: Hero of the Month 2016: To Kristi Kaniewski Ulrich, For your dedication and commitment to your students, players, and community. Your work has been noticed and is very much appreciated. Thank you for being a hero! 

Ulrich teaches health and physical education at Schmucker Middle School. She is also coach of the state championship girls varsity basketball team at Penn High School. Clearly she is a busy woman, but she does it all with great enthusiasm. 

“I just have a passion for it (teaching at middle school) and then being able to go over to the high school in the afternoon and being able to teach and coach basketball—which I love a tremendous amount as well,” says Ulrich. “This is where I definitely want to be, this is something that I love to do each and every single day.”

WNDU-TV was also on hand to record the presentation. Watch that video here. 

Pictured at top (left to right): Kent Mikel, SMS Assistant Principal; Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent; Ulrich, holding her award; Sean Galiher, SMS Principal; Kevin McMillen, SMS Assistant Principal.

Homes for Heroes is a national organization that seeks to support public servants in the home buying and selling process, through professional support and discounted services. Locally, they strive to build connections and promote recognition in the community for public servants and military personnel. 

From the Homes for Heroes website: Our mission is to provide extraordinary savings to local heroes who provide extraordinary services to our community everyday. Heroes include military, police, fire, first responders, nurses, doctors, teachers and clergy.

Here are links to the Homes for Heroes Facebook page and website:

• https://www.facebook.com/MichianaHomesForHeroes/?fref=ts
• https://www.homesforheroes.com/

Running Is Elementary, now in its 8th year, took place Monday, May 2, 2016, on the 1 mile cross-country course located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The 700 student-athletes ran on wet ground under cloudy skies, but their spirits were warmed by the hundreds of spectators cheering them on. Enthusiasm for this event—including student participation and family support—grows every year!

This exciting program gets its momentum from the schools’ running clubs, formed early in the spring and led by staff who act as coaches for the fourth and fifth grade boys and girls who choose to participate. The clubs meet, run and train for several weeks ahead of the public RIE event in May. On that day the students, in their colorful team T-shirts, gather at the start line, eager to give the rugged course their best effort. Superintendent Jerry Thacker and TCU’s Chris Griggs-Huppert signaled the start of the first heat, with P-H-M Board members and patrons starting the other heats.

Every student, from the first to cross the finish line to the last, is cheered on. Some even have companions or support runners who help them keep the pace and finish the race.  

One goal for all involved is personal fitness—a healthy pursuit made all the more fun since RIE takes place as outdoor recreation among friends.  Some youngsters with a bent for running set speed goals as well. One fifth grader finished the mile with a remarkable time of 6:04! 

Running Is Elementary is sponsored by Corporations for Education, the corporate arm of the P-H-M Education Foundation.  Much credit also goes to Horizon Elementary P.E. teacher and RIE coordinator Cindy Batalis, who, along with her committee and many volunteers, works hard to make the event safe and successful.

Here is a photo gallery from this year’s event for you to enjoy! 

Since the Foundation’s inception in 1996, more than $520,000 has been distributed in innovative teaching grants supporting P-H-M teachers, staff and students.

The Foundation offers both a Fall and a Spring grant cycle each school year. P-H-M staff are encouraged to submit proposals for value add projects, classroom enhancements and items that expand the learning opportunities for our students. Grant proposals are then reviewed by the Grants Committee, comprised of Foundation board members, community representatives and a P-H-M administrator.

Grant funding is supported by fundraisers such as the Superintendent’s Luncheon, Annual Drive, AmazonSmile and the Silver Mile Run for Education & Health and Fitness Fair.  

The 2016 spring PHMEF Grants Committee reviewed 16 grant applications, voting to fully fund six and partially fund four other projects, committing $14,517 to excellence in education. It’s estimated that 1,590 students stand to benefit from the proposals that will now be put in place!  

To see just how innovative the spring grants are, read about them below. To see what proposals were approved in the Fall 2015 grant cycle, click here. 

STANDING ABOVE THE REST

• Horizon Elementary – Candace Cussen
• Grade 3  —  27 students
• Requested $1,040 — Fully funded at $1,040

AlphaBetter Stand-Up Desks will be introduced to the classroom setting to decrease distraction, sedentary positions, undesirable behaviors, and increase student attention. These desks will be used on a rotating basis for students who need to stand in order to focus and decrease fidgeting. Research supports standing up can increase a student’s attention span. This grant will allow for four desks to be ordered.

OUR SCHOOL RULES WITH HOKKI STOOLS

• Horizon Elementary – Candace Cussen
• Grades 3  —  27 students
• Requested $963 — Fully funded at $963

Hokki Stools is an active seating alternative for students who need to move. The stools allow students the opportunity to move, as well as aiding in their concentration. These stools are lightweight, allowing for portability and for students to work on core strength, which is central to all movement. This grant will allow for nine seats to be purchased.

STAND UP FOR KIDS

• Horizon Elementary – Ann Lira
• Grades 4  —  30 students
• Fully funded at $1087.76

Stand-up desks will allow the teacher to transform the classroom into an active learning environment by providing students with adjustable desks that offer students an alternative to traditional seating. This grant would allow for three desks and three stools to be purchased.

MOVEMENT IS LEARNING

• Walt Disney Elementary – Stephen Gouorko
• Grades K-5 — 500 students
• Fully funded at $1,079.72

This grant will allow for the enhancement of a current performance center/room at the school. The performance center is used to help students who may need additional help with fine motor skills, and the added equipment will expand on the teacher’s current work. Students are screened and individual needs are assessed in the areas of balance and locomotor skills; hand-eye coordination; body and space awareness; and tracking and manipulative skills.

ELEVATING THE STUDIO EXPERIENCE

• Madison Elementary – Erin Hozey
• Grades 4-5 — 45 students
• Fully funded at $734

This grant will enable Madison students to expand their current studio recording equipment, allowing them to create a fully HD compatible newscast. Morning announcements can be saved digitally and will be posted to a secure location on YouTube. Students will learn how to edit through digital recording and editing software with the VidiU device.

STEPPING UP: SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN THEIR TRANSITION TO GRISSOM

• Grissom Middle – Mary Reynolds and Sheri Miller
• Grade 6 —  210 students
• Fully funded at $1,250

The Stepping Up program will help elementary students transition into middle school at Grissom. This program include a booklet that offers a developmentally appropriate information that describe why and how to contact counselors for help; how to manage stress; and address common peer-to-peer situations.  In addition, the program will educate students on how to track class assignments, help improve organizational skills, and demonstrate the benefits of extra-curricular activities.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Schmucker Middle – Matt Reininga
• Grades 7-8  —  100 students
• Partially funded at $2,864

Samsung Galaxy tablets will allow students to create moible apps. The 16 tablets will enable the school to offer a course in computer science through the existing Project Lead the Way program. The class will be available to 7^th and 8^th grade students as part of the explorations rotation of classes. The tablets also will be available for use by students in Schmucker’s Technology Club.

GAIAM KIDS BALANCE BALL CHAIR – WIGGLE ROOM

• Northpoint Elementary – Jodi  Montel-McGann
• Grades 1  —  100 students
• Partially funded at $1,749.50

Balance ball chairs allow children to be active while at their desks. Children can be more active on balance ball chairs than in regular chairs and thus able to self-regulate personal needs to move. These chairs have backs to provide support, and the balls sit in a base that offers stability. This grant provides for 25 balance ball chairs.

PRAIRIE VISTA TENNIS COURTS RESURFACING

• Prairie Vista – Keely Twibell
• Grades K-5  —  500 students
• Partially funded at $3,000

Prairie Vista Elementary has four prominently situated and easily accessible tennis courts in need of resurfacing and repair. Repairing and protecting these tennis courts is an affordable way to continue to introduce young students to the sport of tennis and cultivate a lifelong interest in physical fitness and activity.

THE GIVING TREES

• Penn High and Horizon Elementary – John Gensic (P-H-M’s  2016 Teacher of the Year)
• Grades K-5 and 9-12  —  944 students
• Partially funded at $750

Students will participate in real world tasks from planting trees to harvesting fruit that will result in an improved local environment that provides educational and edible plants for our community. In Phase One of the project, which this grant supports, 25-30 dwarf trees will be planted by elementary and Penn Early College biology students at Horizon Elementary. Initial trees will be planted May 2016, with the completion of the planting will be Spring 2017. The Penn students will also gain experience in creating a meaningful website to communicate the ongoing results of this project, click here to see the website.

Penn High School’s Full Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds each earned Gold Ratings with Distinction in the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) Qualifier event on April 29-30.

The Penn Orchestra and Symphonic Winds qualified for the State Finals. Eight Orchestras and 16 bands from around the state qualify for this event annually. The Orchestra performs at Pike High School in Indianapolis at 12:25 p.m. in State Finals competition on Saturday, May 7. The band performs at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis at 6:10 p.m. on May 7.

“We are very pleased to have the Symphonic Band, Full Orchestra and Symphonic Winds each earn a Gold Rating with Distinction at the ISSMA Qualifying event last weekend,” Penn Fine Arts Academy leader Glenn Northern said. “The Orchestra, under the direction of Lavon Oke and Liz Cravens, had a wonderful performance, and earned its highest scores ever at this event.”

Penn’s Symphonic Band, under the direction of Northern and Chris Paulson, gave an outstanding performance of some very difficult band literature, according to Northern. The Symphonic Winds, also under the direction of Northern and Paulson, likewise turned in a memorable performance.

“All of our students and staff should be very proud of their hard work and their achievement,” Northern said of the Gold Ratings with Distinction performances.

The Indiana primary election takes place Tuesday, May 3, and that means the road to the White House is coming through the Michiana area!

A group of passionate Penn journalism students are on the Campaign Trail providing coverage on Penn News Network (PNN) to the rest of the P-H-M community. Since last Tuesday, April 26, three of the five Presidential Candidates have been made stops in our area, with Ted Cruz coming twice.

The students first covered Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton’s visit to Mishawaka’s AM General Plant on April 26 (click here to see the Clinton coverage). Republican hopeful Ted Cruz held a rally the following Thursday, April 28, at the Century Center in downtown South Bend (click here to see the Cruz coverage). Democrat Bernie Sanders also held a rally at the Century Center on Sunday, May 1 … and the students were there covering it with the rest of the local media (click here to see the Sanders coverage).

This morning (Monday, May 2) Cruz came back to Michiana visiting Bravo Cave in Osceola, not far from Penn; however, with this event being during the school day, the students did not cover this event. But they will be back downtown this evening (Monday, May 2) when Republican Donald Trump rolls into town for his rally at the Century Center (click here to see the Trump coverage).

The Penn student reporters have even made the mainstream news themselves being profiled by WSBT-TV and ABC 57.

PNN has a daily report that is broadcast to Penn’s student body covering a variety of topics from school news to results of athletic games to weather to local and national issues. These reports along with feature stories are available on PNN’s website.

Penn High School sophomore Kennedy Parker was part of Penn’s DECA contingent to the 2016 International DECA Conference in Nashville, Tenn. Kennedy is pictured above, at left, along with Penn students Kyle Cather, Kacey Wood, Cassidy Jurkaites, Kendra Laidig, and Danielle Kovach at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Here is Kennedy’s first-hand account, along with a photo gallery of the event.

On Friday, April 22, six Penn students and emerging leaders traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for DECA’s International Career Development Conference, or ICDC. While in Nashville, the students had the opportunity to compete against, and collaborate with, students from all 50 states, as well as the countries of Canada, China, Spain, Mexico, and Germany. 

DECA is a club that allows students to compete in events based on various aspects of business. Events can range from a prepared year-long advertising campaign for a company, role-play marketing interviews, financial consulting, to sports and entertainment marketing.

Penn’s chapter advisor, Mrs. McElwrath, said, “19,000 students from around the world attended the Competition with up to 180 students competing in each event category. Student scores are based on a 100 question comprehensive test and a paper & presentation in each category. Students have been working on papers and presentations since October and studying hard for the comprehensive tests.”

Penn students were very successful in their events,  gaining new business experience and many memorable moments. Here’s a quick recap of each student’s trip from their perspective.

Cassidy Jurkaites – Financial Consulting

Top 10 Presentation Score

Top 20 Finalist Overall

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“My favorite DECA moment was sitting in the front row of the Grand Ole Opry and taking a selfie with Craig Morgan,” Jurkaites said. “People should join DECA for the skills that they can gain: professionalism, confidence, and the ability to speak with anyone you meet.”

Kyle Cather – Professional Selling

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

Social Media N@shville Live Correspondent

Read his published article about the Opening Ceremony here: http://www.decadirect.org/April-2016/The-Best-DECAICDC-Opening-Session-in-DECA-History/

Kacey Wood – Advertising Campaign

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“DECA has not only taught me how to dress and present myself professionally, but it has opened up lifelong friendships and experiences that I will cherish,” Wood said.

Danielle Kovach – Hospitality & Tourism Professional Selling

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“I love DECA,” Kovach shared. “ It has provided me with real life scenarios that have helped me get jobs, gain knowledge about the field of business and grow with my speaking abilities.”

Kendra Laidig – Elevate Academy

As the incoming Penn DECA President with aspirations to run for a State DECA Officer position, Kendra attended a 2-day leadership academy to prepare her for running our chapter in the 2016-2017 school year and for state elections in 2017.

“I was privileged to listen to past International Executive Presidents who gave their insight on how to lead a DECA chapter. I am so thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with over 300 chapter officers from all across the country to brainstorm new ways to recruit members, prepare for competition, and create a ‘culture of success’ in the DECA classroom.”

Kennedy Parker – Principles of Marketing

Competency Award (Top 15% in overall combined score for event category)

“This was my first year in DECA, and even in just one year I’ve learned so much. DECA has taught me about professionalism, marketing, business, communication skills, and confidence.”

This past year, Jurkaites was the president of Penn’s DECA chapter, Cather served as Vice President of Communications, Kovach served as Vice President of Corporate Relations, and Laidig served as Vice President of Marketing.

Next year, Laidig will be Penn’s DECA president, Parker will become Vice President of Marketing, and Wood will be Vice President of Leadership. These officers-to-be agree that the skills and knowledge gained at this year’s ICDC will greatly benefit their leadership positions next year.

Aside from competitions and conferences, these students had the opportunity to participate in several team building/tourist activities while in Nashville, including zip-lining and attending a concert at the Grand Ole Opry! See photos from the trip below. 

Here are some photos of the Nashville experience for Penn’s students:

When Indiana’s presidential primary election takes place Tuesday, May 3, 2016, six P-H-M schools will house a polling center, 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. 

Media Aide Patricia “Tricia” Heidkamp didn’t have a clue that she was the reason behind today’s (Thursday, April 28, 2016) school assembly. Bittersweet Principal Mr. Bob Thompson kicked off the assembly and then handed it off to Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker. Tricia was completely surprised when Dr. Thacker announced she had been named P-H-M 2016 Classified Employee of the Year! Click here to watch a video of the surprise announcement.

“It was evident from the numerous nominations we received that Ms. Heidkamp is very well loved and admired by students, teachers and Bittersweet staff,” said Dr. Thacker. “Her passion to go above and beyond to help students exemplifies the P-H-M spirit.”

Tricia was nominated for the honor by several of her peers praising her instrumental role in implementing schoolwide reading programs, such as Accelerated Reader and RAZ. Tricia has created a reward system to give the students the extra encouragement and incentives they need to be successful. She set up a “Rewards Store” where students can use their Reading Rewards Points to make purchases.

Teachers commend Tricia for her focused reorganization of Bittersweet’s library. To make the I-M-C more user friendly for students, Tricia organized books according to Lexile band so that students could quickly find a book on their level.  Her creation of the “Leap into Lexile” program rewards students who read at least one book in their Lexile band per grading period. Tricia was also awarded a P-H-M Education Foundation grant to purchase higher level Lexile books for the library.

Principal Thompson credits Tricia’s contributions as a major reason why Bittersweet was the only elementary school whose high ability students met their SRI growth for the 2014-2015 school year! Tricia goes above and beyond helping students any way she can. She even started a lunch reading group, tutoring students as they eat lunch together.

Tricia is not just known at Bittersweet; she’s also a dedicated Penn Band Booster serving as “Head Uniform Mom” for Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands for the last three years. And if that’s not enough … Tricia also volunteers many hours with the Madison Township 4-H!

Tricia will be recognized, as will Penn Biology teacher John Gensic who was named P-H-M Teacher of the Year on Tuesday, April 26, at the Employee Recognition Dinner taking place Wednesday, May 11, along with P-H-M’s 2016 retirees and all the District’s service award winners (10-40 years).