Back to School Information

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.

  • The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 21, 2024 for grades 1 – 12.
  • All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  
  • Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 22.

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2024-25 School Year! 

CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER

REGISTERING STUDENTS

  • Register a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open in August. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
  • Register a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.  

BACK TO SCHOOL FORMS

  • This year parent/guardians will sign these forms in ParentSquare:
    • Photo Consent
    • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
    • Handbook Certification   
  • These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
    • CHIRP Release
    • Chromebook packet
    • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

SCHOOL CALENDARS

  • Here is the SY 2024-25 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
  • All P-H-M families are mailed a District Activities Calendar early to mid August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to access a PDF copy.
  • Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
  • Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You can also the school’s Google calendar to your personal calendar to remember important dates.  

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

  • Our elementary schools are hosting many fun family events starting August 19. Check the District Activities Calendar or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
  • All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on August 15th. Check the District Activities Calendar or be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
  • Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
    • Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 17, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

  • Supply lists are not issued by our schools. Many of the supplies your child needs will be provided by the school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.  

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES

  • Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations. 
  • Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
  • Kindergarten parents, please click here to learn about important kindergarten health information and medical forms before your kindergartner’s first day of school. 
  • Click here for the forms administering medications at school
  • Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services 

TRANSPORTATION

  • School bus route times and locations will be shared with parents in a Transportation letter to be emailed before school starts
  • Parents can check EZRouting to see your child’s bus route information online
  • Here Comes the Bus provides real time GPS bus location info so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop
  • Have more questions about Transportation? Visit their webpage for contact information.

FOOD SERVICE

 

PHM's Triangle of SuccessPenn-Harris-Madison’s Triangle of Success is built on student achievement, with parent and teacher support. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!

PARENTS Click here for ways to stay informed, as well getting connected and volunteering. 

 

Student Handbooks

P-H-M Schools Handbooks:

Bullying: What to know & do

 

What is Bullying?

 

According to State Law and P-H-M Board Policy, bullying is overt, repeated acts or gestures, including verbal or written communications transmitted, physical acts committed, or any other behaviors committed by a student or a group of students against another student with intent to harass, ridicule, humiliate, intimidate, or harm the other student. 

 

This type of behavior is a form of harassment, although it need not be based on any legally protected characteristic such as sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, or disability.  It would include but not be limited to, such behaviors as stalking, intimidating, menacing, coercion, name calling, taunting, making threats and hazing.

 

If your child shares a bullying situation with you or you see a situation you believe is bullying:

  • Report the situation immediately to the principal, teacher or other staff member.
  • Model and provide appropriate ways to handle the situation or help your child find alternative ways to handle the situation.
  • Monitor your child’s social relationships.
  • Be observant and/or available at bus stops, at extracurricular activities, or at other places in your community where these situations might occur.
  • Monitor your child’s use of the telephone, cell phone, and the internet.
  • If bullying behavior continues, file a P-H-M harassment form.  
  • Click here to fill out a written form to report bullying. 
  • Click here to fill out a complaint via Safe School Helpline.

 

Resources for Parents and Others on Safety

Federal Emergency Management Agency

http://www.fema.gov/

 

American Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org/

 

Environmental Protection Agency

https://www.epa.gov/learn-issues/learn-about-health-and-safety

 

National Education Association

http://www.nea.org/home/37004.htm?q=bullying

 

SafeTeens

http://www.safeteens.com

 

Addiction Resources

https://addictionresource.com/parents-and-educators

 

Guide to the dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes

https://quitsmokingcommunity.org/dangers-of-e-cigs/ 

 

Wiredsafety

http://www.wiredsafety.org

 

Getnetwise

http://www.getnetwise.org

 

Child Safety Network

http://www.csn.org

 

Facebook Security Information

http://www.facebook.com/security#!/security?v=wall

 

Facebook Safety Information

http://www.facebook.com/help/?safety

 

Missing and Exploited Children Website

missingkids.com

 

Internet Safety for everyone

digizen.org

http://www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect

 

Forms for Parents

The forms provided on this page can be opened or saved, and then printed by parents. Once the information is completed, please submit to the proper office. Your school’s front office or guidance staff can help if you are unsure which form to use or who to give it to. 

DISTRICT/SCHOOL CALENDARS

ENROLLMENT / REGISTRATION

  • Student Enrollment – Required for all students enrolling at a P-H-M school. These initial registration forms remain in the permanent record and do not need to be completed in subsequent years unless a student withdraws and then returns.  To complete an online registration form, click here.  To print a copy of the registration packet to complete and return to us, click here.   Learn more at this web page. Non-residents shall not use these forms until they have been accepted through the non-resident student application process. 
  • Election to Attend School – Used when the parents/guardians have residency in more than one school district (e.g., mother lives within P-H-M boundaries and father elsewhere) to indicate which school district the student will attend. This form is to be submitted annually. 
  • Current Student Moving Out of District – Use this form if your student attends a P-H-M school and you are moving out-of-district and want the student(s) to remain enrolled at his/her current school.
  • Internal Transfer Form for the 2024 – 2025 school year  Use this form to apply to have your student attend a P-H-M school other than their home school that services your neighborhood.
  • Internal Transfer Form for the 2025 – 2026 school year (Opens January 21st, 2025) Use this form to apply to have your student attend a P-H-M school other than their home school that services your neighborhood.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS & CONSENT FORMS

This year parent/guardians will sign these forms in ParentSquare:

  • Photo Consent
  • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
  • Handbook Certification   

These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:

  • CHIRP Release
  • Chromebook packet
  • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

STUDENT HANDBOOKS

  • Student Handbooks – Please review the handbooks for elementary, middle, high school, along with for our Pre-K programs. You will sign the Handbook Certification form in ParentSquare.

RESIDENCY & GUARDIANSHIP DOCUMENTATION

Please contact your school for more information on these forms.

  • Affidavit of Residence –  If the student and parent live without “proof of address,” generally because someone else’s name is on the lease or utilities, the actual tenant or homeowner shall complete this form on the student’s behalf.  Proof of address is necessary for the school district to confirm residency. 
  • Third Party Custody Agreement (Form II) – This form is used to document when a student lives with someone other than his/her legal parent or guardian. It does not establish guardianship or custody, only “living arrangements.” 
  • Custodial Statement and Agreement (Form I) – Divorce, Separation, or Abandonment
  • Election to Attend School (Form III) – The Parents are Divorced or Separated 
  • McKinney-Vento Act Form – Information collected on this form is in accordance with the federal McKinney-Vento Act on homeless families/students, and helps school administrators determine the residency documents necessary for the continued enrollment of a student

TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

  • Request for Bus Stop Review
  • Add/change Address Form – This form can be used by students who are new to P-H-M or current students who are moving to a new address within the district. Submit the form to your school office and the school secretary will forward it to Transportation Services in order to start, stop or change busing.

KINDERGARTEN

  • Kindergarten Registration – Click to visit the Kindergarten Registration Information webpage
  • Kindergarten Early Entry Appeal Form –  If you wish to appeal the kindergarten admission guideline (age 5 on or before September 1), this form must be submitted on or before May 1st of the year admission is requested.

PRE-SCHOOL

Penn-Harris-Madison operates three preschool programs: 

FOOD SERVICE

HEALTH & MEDICAL & HOMEBOUND SERVICES

FEE INFORMATION

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
To try out and/or participate in any middle school athletic sports team, students must have a current athletic physical form on file through Acktivate, formerly Register My Athlete, before trying out!  Physical must be dated after April 1st for the following school year.

  • Aktivate (formerly Register My Athlete) – Acktivate is required for parents to use to register their students online for sports or activities by uploading the required IHSAA physical forms, review and acknowledge acceptance of the Athletics and Activities Code, as well as making the required payments online. Click the link for basic steps to follow when registering your athlete for the first time. 
  • IHSAA Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) Form –  The IHSAA Physician’s Certificate of physical fitness must be on file in the main office each school year. Click the link to download and print this form which must be completed each spring (no sooner than April 1) in order for any student, Grade 6 and higher, to participate in school-sponsored athletics the following school year. This must be on file through Aktivate before your child tries out for the sport.
  • Middle School Athletics and Activities Code  – Both the student and a parent must read and acknowledge that they’ve read the Code in order for the student to participate in any contest, competition, or activity during the school year. This form covers all athletic, academic competitions and extracurricular activities for the school year. Acknowledgement and acceptance of the Middle School Athletics & Activities Code is done online through Aktivate.
  • Middle School Accident Insurance – P-H-M requires for students wishing to participate in district sponsored athletic programs to have insurance, either family medical insurance or student accident insurance. K & K Insurance is one of many companies that offer K-12 school student accident insurance. Families are free to chose any accident medical insurance from any company they desire, but must provide proof of insurance. Click the link to download a pdf of the company flier or visit their website at www.studentinsurance-kk.com.

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
To try out and/or participate in any Penn High School athletic sports team, students must have a current athletic physical form on file through “Register My Athlete” before trying out!  Physical must be dated after April 1st for the following school year.

  • Aktivate (formerly Register My Athlete) – Acktivate is required for parents to use to register their students online for sports or activities by uploading the required IHSAA physical forms, review and acknowledge acceptance of the Athletics and Activities Code, as well as making the required payments online. Click the link for basic steps to follow when registering your athlete for the first time.
  • IHSAA Pre-participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) Form – The IHSAA Physician’s Certificate of physical fitness must be on file in the main office each school year. Click the link to download and print this form which must be completed each spring (no sooner than April 1) in order for any student, Grade 8 and higher, to participate in school-sponsored athletics the following school year. This must be on file through Aktivate before your child tries out for the sport.
  • Penn High School Athletics & Activities Code
    Penn High School is able to offer its students a multitude of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, many of which are widely recognized throughout the community, state, and even the nation. Because the influence of students participating in these activities extends beyond the Penn High School campus, these students are required to uphold high academic and behavioral standards. Every Penn student has the opportunity to participate in these programs, and it is our wish that every student will do so. It must be understood, however, that participation in these programs is a privilege, not a guaranteed right. All students participating in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities must follow the standards set forth in this guide, not only during the school day, but at all times, including non-school hours and vacations (including the summer months). Both the student and a parent must read and acknowledge they’ve read the Code in order for the student to participate in any contest, competition, or activity during the school year. This form covers all athletic, academic competitions and extracurricular activities for the school year. Acknowledgment and acceptance of the Middle School Athletics & Activities Code is done online through Aktivate.

Parent Volunteer Form

  • Parent Volunteer Background Check – Volunteering is a valuable component to your involvement in your child’s education and key to P-H-M’s “Triangle of Success.” We greatly appreciate our parent volunteers. School Safety is a Priority! In order to be considered as an approved volunteer, you  are provided two options to complete a limited background check, which includes state/local criminal history records and national sex offender registry. There is both an online application process and a paper copy application. Click here for more information on how to complete the required Volunteer Background Check.

Kids Club, Before and After School Child Care

  • Kids Club – Penn-Harris-Madison is pleased to offer a before and after school child care program that provides working parents the peace of mind that their children will be cared for in a safe, fun and school-based environment. Kids Club is offered at  The program is available for elementary students in grades K-5 and is available for all 11 of our elementary schools. Kids Club operates before school from 6:30 a.m. until the start of classes, and again after school, operating from the time of school dismissal until 6:00 p.m. There are fees based on how many days a week the student attends. Click here for all Kids Club details and registration/enrollment information.

P-H-M Forum

        

 Find us on Facebook   

 

Families are part of the P-H-M Triangle of Success!

P-H-M Forum is a volunteer-based parent group which meets monthly with District Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and various administrators to learn more about district initiatives. Click here to read Forum Bylaws.  Click here to learn more how you can join Forum.

Each month a new topic is discussed. We hold meetings over the lunch hour to allow for both working and non-working Forum members to attend. The topics are voted on by Forum members the year prior. School and District Administrators most familiar are invited as Guest Speakers to present information on the chosen topics. Past sessions have included The Healthy Foods Initiative, student assessment, gifted and talented programs, P-H-M summer programs, and Penn High School Academies. Click here to see the meeting dates and topics for this school year.

Qualification of Forum Members:

  • Forum members must have a student enrolled in P-H-M.
  • Representatives from each school are designated by their PTOs.
  • 2 per elementary school
  • 3 per intermediate school
  • 4 representing Penn High School
  • Plus 3-4 board members

Click here for a listing of this year’s Forum Officers.

To become a Forum member:

  • Please begin with your PTO. Each PTO should have at least one Forum representative.
  • If you are unable to reach your PTO, feel free to contact us directly at PHMForum@gmail.com.

Forum Meetings:

Who:

  • Forum Representatives (At least one per school)
  • Parent/guardian guests (Anyone with a student enrolled in P-H-M can also attend the presentation portion of the meetings as a guest)
  • The P-H-M Superintendent and various P-H-M administrators, teachers or staff members invited to present as Guest Speakers

When:

  • During the school year
  • Starting at 12:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted

Where:

  • The Educational Services Center boardroom at 55900 Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, next to Penn High School
  • We also typically take one field trip per school year

What:

  • Superintendent’s Update
    • Dr. Thacker is a guest at most meetings and shares current happenings in the district. Subjects include budgets, political impact on education, security issues, sports and academic team updates, district accolades, and more.
  • Presentation
    • District administrators, teachers or staff members serve as Guest Speakers and make approximately a 30-minute presentation to Forum members
    • Presentation topics are determined by Forum vote prior to the start of the school year. In the past, Forum has explored issues such as The Healthy Foods Initiative, student assessment and Common Core, Gifted and Talented Programs, P-H-M summer programs, College Prep & Career Readiness, Safety, New Technologies, and Penn High School Academies.
    • Typically there is time for question and answer by Forum members–usually about 10-15 minutes; but the total time of the meeting, including the business portion, should be wrapped up by 1:15.
  • Forum Business Meeting
    • After the presentation, Forum members hold a brief business meeting.
    • This meeting is for Forum representatives only, and guests are asked to leave.
    • During this portion, we will share and discuss Forum-related and district-wide needs as they arise, consider approval of minutes and other actions. This is also an opportunity to connect with others to form committees as the needs arise.

Forum Member Responsibilities and Time Commitment

  • You can expect to commit approximately 25-30 minutes per month, outside of the 45/50 minute Forum meeting, followed by a 15-30 minute business meeting.
  • Prior to the meeting, you will receive a consent agenda which shares presentation information and any necessary communication from the executive board. 
  • At least one Forum representative per school is asked to attend the monthly meetings.
  • Within a week of the meeting, meeting minutes will be emailed to members. You’re asked to review them so that any necessary corrections can be noted before their adoption during the next general meeting. 
  • From those, as well as your meeting notes, you’ll build a report to share with your PTO. Each PTO incorporates the Forum report differently: You may be asked to share at the PTO meeting, provide the report for a newsletter, or post on your PTOs social media. Please click here for a guide to follow.
    *Since there are 2-4 representatives per school, and only 1 report is needed, you can coordinate between your school reps who will report each month, thus lowering your overall time commitment.
  • Near the end of each school year, Forum representatives suggest potential presentation topics for the following year. The topics are then voted on and the president works with district administration to create a feasible presentation schedule.
  • Additionally, it’s a nice service to your school/PTO to stay abreast of the P-H-M district calendar & P-H-M Facebook feed so that you can occasionally share posts updating school families of upcoming special events, district fundraisers, and special learning opportunities. 

Please Note:

Forum representatives serve as school ambassadors, but for the sake of privacy are not empowered to advocate for individual students. If you or another parent/guardian has an issue which requires attention, please set a private appointment with the student’s teacher, principal, and/or the appropriate district administrator (please click here for a list of District Administrators and their areas).

Forum meetings are focused on a broad-scale, and individual cases cannot be discussed. That said, if there is a broad issue which affects students across several schools and warrants both focus and inquiry, please discuss with a Forum board member the possibility of addressing it at a meeting or joining a Forum subcommittee geared toward exploring the issue.

Click here to read Forum Bylaws.

FORUM OFFICERS SERVING IN 2024-2025

2024-2025 PHM Forum Officers with Dr. Thacker

Left to right: Allison Laidig, Dr. Thacker, Angela Burtsfield, and Raenelle Hamilton
  • President: Angela Burtsfield, Mary Frank Elementary 
  • Vice President: Allison Laidig, Grissom Middle School & Penn High School
  • Secretary: Raenelle Hamilton, Discovery Middle School
 

2024-2025 Meetings and Scheduled Topics

Forum meetings take place from 12:00 to approximately 1:00 p.m. (a brief Business portion follows) on the first Wednesday of the month (except when that falls on a time when P-H-M is on a break). Unless noted, meetings are hosted at the Educational Services Center (55900 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545). 

Title I

Title I – What is it?

  • Title I is a federal program, dating back to 1965 and President Johnson’s “War on Poverty” that provides financial assistance to school districts and schools with high percentages of low-income families. The goal is to help ensure that all children meet the challenging academic standards. The federal application form for free and reduced lunch and book fees (F/R) is used to determine each school’s count. The federal government passes Indiana’s monetary allotment to our Indiana Department of Education (DOE) to manage. The state government passes on the funds to individual school corporations using a F/R formula based on census figures and F/R information. This will be the first year using the 2010 census results. Once the school corporation receives the yearly allotment, the corporation may determine the most needy schools and allocate the funds to several or fewer schools by the rank order of their F/R status. No schools with a percentage less than the corporation average may be given a Title I status, however, schools with a F/R percentage 15% or higher qualify for the F/R breakfast program. 

Parents

 

 

Volunteer

Background Checks for School Volunteers & Parents/Guardians

Safeguarding the well-being of our community remains paramount at P-H-M. In alignment with our commitment to safety, all visitors and volunteers are kindly requested to undergo a routine limited criminal background check before engaging in any events or volunteer activities within the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. This process is conducted annually to ensure continuous adherence to safety protocols. To facilitate clarity regarding the necessity of a background check, we’ve outlined examples ranging from the least to the most restrictive scenarios: 

After school or Weekend Events: Attending a large-scale event such as a school performance, PTO-sponsored activity, or community events that will be open to all parents, guardians, and the public outside of the school day will not require a background check. School visitors follow a different procedure before gaining permission to enter the school. Please click here for more information.

School Day Events: Attending an event during the school day such as a performance, recognition, or academic presentation may require background checks for visitors. The school principal will make this decision based on the size and location of these events. 

Volunteering and/or Visitor: Assisting in the school, working directly with students at any time, eating lunch with your child, or chaperoning a field trip will require a background check. In addition, all volunteers will be required to complete bullying and harassment training before visiting. The links for each school’s training are listed below.

Two options are available to complete a background check: 

  1. The quickest and most convenient way to have your background check completed is to click here and register online with Safe Visitor Solutions. This online service costs $12.95 per person and is good for three (3) school years. Please allow for up to two (2) weeks for processing and status determination. Any volunteer who will be working unsupervised with students, including volunteer coaches, is required to have an expanded background check completed with Safe Hiring Solutions. 
  2. As another option, you can click here for a limited criminal background check. This is to be completed and returned to the school’s office staff to use the State of Indiana Police Criminal Records and the Sex Offender Database. In addition, the Indiana State Police may require fingerprinting at the cost of $22.95. If selecting this option, please allow up to six (6) weeks for processing and status determination.

After the completion of background checks, the results will undergo a thorough review by our office staff, principal, and safety team. In the event of any flagged incidents, a comprehensive assessment will be conducted to ascertain whether a parent/guardian will be granted authorization to volunteer or visit the school for activities not accessible to the general public. Volunteers and visitors are held to similar standards as employee candidates.

A list of major offenses that immediately disqualify a candidate can be found in Indiana Code 20-26-5-11.2 (click to view).

As a general rule, the following conviction or pending offenses appearing on a background check will likely disqualify a volunteer candidate:

  • Felony
  • Misdemeanor within the last 5 years
  • Multiple misdemeanors during the last 10 years (even if 5 years have elapsed since the most recent)
  • Battery
  • Sexual Offense
  • Child abuse or neglect
  • Any charge or conviction not mentioned above, but determined to be a risk to the students
  • Any open warrants or arrests with pending adjudication

 

Participatory Status:

  • Full Participatory Status: This level indicates that no restrictions or precautions need to be in place for the volunteer.
  • Denied Participatory Status: Criminal or misdemeanor convictions are present on the legal report, and they are deemed serious or recent enough that it is necessary to restrict the applicant from assisting the school with any student activities.

Volunteer limited criminal background checks are evaluated and will be valid for the current school year. At the start of any given school year, volunteers will need to complete or repeat the limited background check process (if not using the online Safe Visitor Solution).

If a volunteer is initially denied the opportunity to volunteer in our schools due to pending criminal charges, they may request a re-evaluation of their volunteer status once those charges are resolved. Denied candidates have the option to file a written appeal with the P-H-M Safety and Security Department. The appeals committee will thoroughly review the appeal, the candidate’s criminal history report, and the initial determination to reach a final recommendation regarding the candidate’s volunteer status. Following the review process, appeal candidates will be notified of the decision via both mail and email. It’s important to note that the appeals decision is considered final.

School visitors follow a different procedure before gaining permission to enter the school. Please click here for more information.

Required Volunteer Training

Our schools value, appreciate and welcome volunteers. Donating a few precious hours of your time can make all the difference.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering in our schools. Along with the background checks, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation also requires all volunteers to watch an 8-minute video on anti-bullying before working with students and then fill out the form below for their child’s school. The link to the anti-bullying video is embedded with the form for each school listed below. Click and fill out a form for each school you will be volunteering in.