Kids Club 2019 Summer Program registration opens soon! Click here for more information and registration.

Full-day childcare is offered at two locations (Prairie Vista and Walt Disney Elementary schools) for current P-H-M students in grades K-5. Children will enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities, crafts and field trips.

Cost is $125 a week, for five days a week. All children not currently enrolled in Kids Club are required to pay a $25 registration fee along with a non-refundable $100 activity fee deposit.

Click to download a copy of the registration form.

Locations:    Prairie Vista Elementary School

                       Walt Disney Elementary School

Dates:          June 6 – August 20, 2019

                       (closed July 4)

Times:          6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Questions: If you have questions about Kids Club Summer Session,

                       please call Binti Shah at (574) 258 – 9514 or

                       Ashley Stoffl at (574) 258 – 9587

The Indiana Department of Education released the list of Four Star Schools and five Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation schools have earned that distinction! P-H-M is in the Top 5 of Four Star Schools in the state, out of approximately 300 public school districts.

P-H-M's Four Star Schools for the 2017-18 school year are:

1. Discovery Middle School
2. Horizon Elementary School
3. Northpoint Elementary School
4. Prairie Vista Elementary School
5. Penn High School 

To receive Four Star designation, a school must receive an “A” on the state’s A-F accountability system and have excellent ISTEP pass rates. A total of 234 schools received the award. Click to visit the IDOE website and see the full list of Indiana school districts with Four Star Schools.

• A school must have received an “A” on the state’s A-F Accountability system for the 2017-2018 school year.
• A school must have tested at least 95% of students on ISTEP English/Language Arts and Math.
• Combined ISTEP Pass Percentage (Pass Percentage of English/Language Arts ISTEP + Pass Percentage of Math ISTEP) must be in Top 25th Percentile for each grade tested (minimum of 10 students).
• Percent Passing Both ISTEP (Percent of students who passed both the English/Language Arts ISTEP + Math ISTEP) must be in the Top 25th Percentile for each grade tested (minimum of 10 students). 

As a school district, P-H-M is an “A” rated school district. We have received an “A” rating every year since 2011—making this the seventh consecutive year! Click for more details. 

Results for the Spring 2018 ISTEP standardized testing P-H-M ranks in the Top 5% (for grade 10, out of 291 Indiana public school corporations that have a high school). 

In grades 3-8, P-H-M is in the Top 6% of public school districts (out of 294 Indiana public school corporations that have grades 3-8). Click for more details. 

Kids Club 2019 Spring Break registration is now open! Click here to download, complete & print the registration form.

Full-day childcare will be offered at Mary Frank Elementary School for Monday, April 1 – Friday, April 5, 2019, from 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. This service is a available for students in all P-H-M schools, families do not have to be currently enrolled in Kids Club to take advantage of this service. The cost is $25 per child per day or $100 per child if attending all 5 days. 

Children will enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities, as well as crafts for this week.

Registration form and payment are due together no later than Tuesday, March 26.

Children need to bring their own lunch and drink (no pop please).  Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided.

Please click to download, complete and print the registration form. Please return the form send it along with your payment to your child’s school.

If you have questions, please contact Kids Club at (574) 258-9514 or at 258-9587.

The last day of school for the 2024-2025 school year is Thursday, June 5, 2025. But your child’s education does not have to end, and should not. Research shows students may lose two or more months’ worth of reading achievement, a month or more of spelling learning skills and about 2 months’ worth of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during their summer break.

That’s why P-H-M offers a wide variety of activities over the summer from District enrichment camps to Penn athletic camps, as well as opportunities for students to improve their academic skills in Summer School. The enrichment academies are offered through P-H-M’s Learning Division and are FREE! We believe that children’s summer break can be fun while also giving students the academic boost they need.

Listed below are some of the activities available to P-H-M students and children in the greater community this summer. Parents are responsible for transportation unless otherwise noted. Not all camps are open to students who do not attend P-H-M schools, so please read the qualifications for each camp carefully. Click here for a listing of non-PHM community organizations that also offer summer camps activities.

Please Note: Camp Availability Subject to Change

Enrichment Academies

• Visual Arts Academy (July 14 – 18, July 21 – 25, or July 28 – Aug 1, 2025) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  In this award-winning one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th grade students learn art history, art production and writing through a unique integration program. The program is based at Schmucker Middle School and in collaboration with the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Families may select the week that is most convenient for all of their children to attend, regardless of their grade. The program is FREE of charge.  
   
• Junior STEM Academy Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  In this one-week academy, current P-H-M Kindergarten – 5th graders will discover how math and science are applied in the real world. Each week is reserved for specific grades and will be held at Schmucker Middle School. The program is FREE of charge.
  •  Kindergarten and 1st grade attend the week of July 28 – Aug 1 
  • 2nd and 3rd grade attend the week of July 21 – 25 
  • 4th and 5th grade attend the week of July 14 – 18 
     
• Junior Foreign Language Academy (July 14 – 18) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  This academy integrates the Spanish language, social studies, culture, visual arts and music into an intensive and enriching learning experience.  The one-week camp is held at Schmucker Middle School and is open to current P-H-M 3rd, 4th or 5th grade students. The program is FREE of charge. 
   
• Learn a Foreign Language Academy (June 16 – 27) Camp is full, Registration is closed – Thank you for registering!
  This two-week academy is open to current P-H-M 6th and 7th graders.  The course will be taught by Penn High School Language teachers who will teach the students how to read, write, and speak in German. The program is FREE of charge. 

Penn Summer Camps 

• Kingsmen Athletic Camps: Penn coaches and members of the P-H-M faculty offer a wide variety of sports camps from cheerleading to wrestling. The camps are open to current students in grades K-8 (most are open to all children in the community). There is a cost for these camps. Click here to see the full listing on Penn’s website. 
    
• Penn Robotics Summer Camp: June 10-13, 2025 & June 16-20: Cost varies per session
  There are two sessions. The Sessions and times are broken down by grade levels. Depending on their age and experience level. Students will get to work with Legos, 3D modeling, coding, along with getting hands-on experience with fabrication, prototyping and building an actual robot with VEX IQ! All camps are facilitated by Penn Robotics instructors and Penn’s Robotics Teams 135 & 328. There is a cost for these camps. (Camp is full, Registration is closed)
   
• PNN Media Summer Camp (June 16 – 19) $50 per camper, cost includes T-Shirt and Reporters Notebook:
  Campers will learn how to gather news and create a live broadcast. A focus will be given on learning how to write, shoot, edit and produce news stories. We will focus on learning how to tell impactful stories.
  • Click here to register.
    
  • Click here for complete camp information
     
• Penn Speech & Debate Camp (June 23 – 28) $50 per camper, cost includes T-Shirt
  For students who are in current grades 5-8. Students will learn public speaking etiquette, how to define key terms in the resolution, basic format for debate, effective strategies for creating an argument and pointing out flawed logic. Debaters argue either for or against the resolution and must be prepared to speak on both sides. Students will learn strategies for effective cross-examination and questioning. The camp concludes on June 28th with Tournament Day! 
  • Click here to register.
  • Click here for complete camp information
    

Opportunities through P-H-M Community Education – Click for Full Brochure

Community Education classes are open to any student in the community; the child does not need to be a P-H-M student or live within the District to be eligible.

Learn to Swim Classes: (Penn High School, Session I: June 16-27, 2025; Session II: July 7-18, 2025; Session III: July 21-August 1, 2025)
All three sessions are 10 classes at the Penn High School pool.  Classes are 30 minutes each and take place both in the morning and afternoon with 8 different class times to pick from. Children must be at least 4-years-old and potty trained. The cost is $50 per child, per two-week session. Click for more details.

Camp Invention (Northpoint Elementary School – June 23-27, 2025)
A one-week  STEM enrichment program for students entering Grades K – 6 who want to put their hands and minds to building solutions. Camp will be held Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. It will be based at Northpoint Elementary School. The cost is about $280 depending on when you register. Click here to register and pay online through the Camp Invention website.

Super Kids Camp (June 23-27, 2025: Horizon; July 14-18, 2025: Northpoint; July 21-25, 2025 Bittersweet)
Students entering Grades 1- 6 will experience an engaging rotation of science, music, art and fitness activities in this half-day camp. Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at three locations. The cost is $50 per child per camp. Click for more details.

Youth Theater Camp at Elsie Rogers Elementary(Session I: June 16-20, 2025; Session II: July 21-25, 2025)
A one-week creative and expressive experience for students entering Grades 5 – 8. Pick one of these weeks for your child to attend. The half-day camp is offered 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The cost is $90 and includes a t-shirt. Click for more details.

Summer Kids Club (June 9th – August 15th)

Full-day childcare will be offered for  current P-H-M students in grades K-5. Children will enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities, crafts and field trips. Click for more details and online registration.

Summer School Information 

P-H-M will conduct two Summer School sessions prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Current P-H-M students who need the academic boost from summer instruction will receive invitations to attend. Penn High School students are able to take high school classes for credit in either summer session. Some students will work online to complete coursework and make up credits.

For elementary, middle and high school students, Summer School will be offered. Times vary depending on the program, please refer to the programs below.  

ELEMENTARY Summer School (Grades K-4, June 12 – July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Meadow’s Edge and Moran Elementary School, breakfast & lunch provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL (Grades 5 – 7, June 12– July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, snack provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

YOUNG ADULT & LIFE SKILLS (Grades 6 – 12, June 12– July 2)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, snack provided, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

PENN HIGH SUMMER SCHOOL, Session 1 (June 12 – July 2)
PENN HIGH SUMMER SCHOOL, Session 2 (July 14 – August 1)

• Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Schmucker Middle School, P-H-M Transportation available to students that live within PHM boundaries

P-H-M students entering grades 9-12 must register with their school counselor to take high school summer school classes. Click here for more information on Penn’s website. 

Community Connections Fair

Saturday, March 23, 2019

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Schmucker Middle School

56405 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka

In an effort to expand outreach to the families of all of our ENL students (grades K-12), P-H-M’s ENL Services is hosting a FREE community resource fair to make families aware of the services not only available within the district, but also in the Mishawaka and South Bend areas. Bilingual interpreters will be on hand at the event to assist those families who need it.

P-H-M is inviting area businesses who want to participate in the Community Connections Fair to sign up. Click here to request a table at the event. 

The Fair will also include cultural performances from P-H-M students and families. Families wishing to sign up to perform, click here.

Flyers about the event are available in the following languages, please click to download and print:

• English
• Arabic
• Chinese
• Hindi
• Korean
• Spanish
• Telugu

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Parker

P-H-M Elementary ENL Coordinator

(574) 259-2486, Ext. 53261

nparker@phm.k12.in.us

Registration for kindergarten students for the 2019-2020 school year opened on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

This registration opportunity is for youngsters who live within the P-H-M district and who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2019. 

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Click here for more registration forms and more details on P-H-M Kindergarten Registration.

Penn-Harris-Madison also operates two preschool programs: Early Learning Academy (ELA) and Penn PALS. 

Click here to learn more about ELA and to download a registration form. Registration for the 2019-20 school year opened Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019.

Click here to learn more about Penn PALS and download a registration form. Registration for the 2019-20 school year opens on Monday, March 11, 2019.

Penn High School will once again host the FIRST Robotics St. Joseph District Event on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10. And for the younger  robotics fans, Penn Robotics Team 135 is once again holding its Next Gen Day on March 9.

Plan on coming out and enjoying the excitement of more than 40 high school FRC robotics teams from Indiana and Michigan battling it out on a basketball court-sized field with four-foot tall, 120-pound robots! Join more than 5,000 students, coaches, mentors, parents and fans during this one-of-a-kind two-day event! WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW to get a taste of all the excitement!

Cheer on Penn’s Team 135 and make sure to bring your Robotics fans to enjoy Next Gen, an area for students ages K-8, who can get hands-on engaging fun with some of Team 135’s other robots. Next Gen will be open Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The entire event is FREE ADMISSION!

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra at our three middle schools: Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker Middle Schools.

Every P-H-M 5th grader who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6th grader in the Fall 2020 has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra. “Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!

In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn, practice and perform for the school year.  Click this link to sign-up for your appointment at your designated school and date. *If you have not received a letter with details about this process, please contact Glenn Northern at gnorthern@phm.k12.in.us.

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional will be available to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups.

Please see the dates and times below for your students’ soon-to-be middle school …

Discovery Middle School

Monday, Feb. 25, 2019

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Schmucker Middle School

Monday, March 4, 2019

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Grissom Middle School

Thursday, March 7, 2019

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Click here to learn more about Instrument Night and to make your appointment for designated school and date. 

Parents, your child’s teacher is using either Google Classroom or Canvas for their curriculum assignments. (If you are unsure, please contact your child’s teacher via email ASAP). Classroom teachers are reviewing with students the process today in case they have any questions.

In either situation, you will begin by going to the primary launchpad (primary.phmschools.org) and selecting either Canvas or Google (then Google Classroom). From there, you will sign in by entering your child’s username and password. Your child should be familiar with this username/password from regular use, but if you are unsure, please contact your child’s teacher.

After logging in, you should see a class from your child’s teacher. Click to proceed and follow the prompts.

As general reminders, you are not required to print any of the assignments, but you may do so if you choose. Students will have 5 days to submit the assignments after the missed school day. Keep in mind that the computer lab will be opened, when school is back in session, as an option before or after school for students as needed. Please contact your teacher for specifics if necessary.

Also remember that your primary contact on eLearning days is your child’s teacher. They will be accessible by email and will help to answer any questions you may have.

Our students’ safety is our number one priority. During the winter months, cold temperatures, along with snow and icy road conditions, become deciding factors.

The Superintendent makes the decision to close school by 5:30 a.m. based on the best information available. The Superintendent considers early morning temperatures, the day’s forecasted temperatures, wind chill and other factors.

Penn-Harris-Madison subscribes to AccuWeather as well as monitoring National Weather Service alerts.

The National Weather Service’s three stages of alerts are listed below in hierarchical order:

1. Level 1 – Advisory: Be Aware: NWS issues a wind chill advisory when seasonably cold wind chill values but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
2. Level 2 – Watch: Be Prepared: NWS issues a wind chill watch when dangerously cold wind chill values are possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day.
3. Level 3 – Warning: Take Action! NWS issues a wind chill warning when dangerously cold wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with a wind chill warning, avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you do go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.

Items that the school district takes into account when making a decision about school delays or cancellations:

• Health & Safety of Students
• Road conditions
• Bus Operations
• School building temperatures
• School sidewalks​
• Accuweather forecast
• Department of Homeland Security – Indiana (travel conditions)
• Local school districts and governmental entities

While monitoring local current and projected morning temperatures, P-H-M Administration uses the safety levels outlined in the NOAA Wind Chill Chart below in its decision making.

Parents should also monitor the weather and proactively plan following these steps:

• Dress your child(ren) in appropriate winter clothing:
  • Dress in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Trapped air between the layers will insulate you. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellent and hooded.
  • Wear a hat! Forty percent of body heat can be lost from the head.
  • Wear mittens. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves to keep your hands warm.
  • Take extra precautions if your child has a respiratory condition such as asthma, covering their mouth with a scarf to help guard from extreme cold.
• Know your child(ren)’s bus pickup and drop-off times:
  • Bus routing information is shared with parents at the start of the school year. You can check it by checking the infoFinderi website or contacting P-H-M Transportation at (574) 258-9565.
  • Download and use the “Here Comes the Bus” app to monitor your child’s bus on your cell phone or computer in real time through GPS tracking. Click here for details on how to download and use the app.

To ensure that our students are kept warm, P-H-M also follows these steps:

• School Buses are started early and warmed for students prior to the routes beginning.
• School bus drivers allow extra time for students to make it to and from bus stops on inclement weather days.
• School Buildings are brought up to temperature hours prior to the arrival of students to ensure equipment is working properly and the buildings are warm when students arrive for the instructional day.

Parents who choose to send their child(ren) to school have the option of driving to the bus stop and keeping the child(ren) in the car out of the elements until the bus arrives at the bus stop. Parents can also choose to transport their child(ren) to school utilizing the school’s designated parent drop-off lanes and procedures.

Ultimately the responsibility of deciding whether to send their student(s) to school or keep them home rests with parents. If parents feel conditions are not safe for their child(ren) and choose to keep them at home, they should contact the school attendance line; it will be counted as an excused absence only if the school is contacted that day.