Kingsmen Nation

Within just one month of the start of the school year, Penn High School has received its third straight recognition for providing academic excellence. On Thursday, Sept. 15, Penn was named a 2023 Cognia® School of Distinction for excellence in education based on its 2022–23 Accreditation Cognia review. Penn has participated in Cognia’s rigorous, research-based Accreditation Engagement Review. Penn High School is among 33 schools and school systems in the United States and in four other countries across the globe named as 2023 Cognia Schools or Systems of Distinction.

The process involves a third-party review of evidence by education experts, interviews, and classroom observations. The review evaluates institutions and seeks evidence of growth in learning, a healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning. Click here to learn more about Penn's latest distinguished recognition.

The countdown is on for the upcoming fun-filled Homecoming weekend: parade, teacher dunk tanks in the Fun Zone, Food Trucks, Football Game, Fireworks, and Saturday's Student Homecoming Dance!!! Click here to get the low down on all the things you need to know.

• Monday, Sept. 25 - Beach Day
• Tuesday, Sept. 26 - Wear a Band or Concert t-shirt
• Wednesday, Sept. 27 - Jersey Day
• Thursday, Sept. 28 - Decades Day

Seniors: Togas; Juniors: 2000s; Sophomores: 90s; Freshmen: 80s; Staff: 70s

• Friday, Sept. 29 - Neon Day

Join us on from 7:30-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, for our Sunset Dreams themed Homecoming Dance ever!

Click here to purchase Tickets ( $25 per ticket).

The dance will be at Everwise Freed Field, and there will be yard games and food trucks. (The food trucks are not paid for by your ticket).

This dance is semi-formal. Dress to impress!

We hope to see you there!

Parent/Guardian Volunteers are needed at the Homecoming Dance (7:30-11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30) at Everwise Freed Field.

Click here to sign-up.

Click the link below if Parents/Guardians are interested in volunteering for the Penn Fall Staff Appreciation events or to donate candy. The candy donations are due to Sept. 29.

2023 Fall Staff Appreciation: Staff Appreciation October 2023 (signupgenius.com)

The annual Powder Puff Football Game is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Everwise Freed Field.

Come out and support your class.

$5 admission.

Concession stands will be open.

Spectrum is hosting the Dried Ink Contest from Monday, Sept. 25, to Friday, October 20. Penn students may submit any Poetry, Prose, Humor, Musical composition, or original Art piece for consideration. Winners will be announced in each category and receive fabulous prizes.

All submissions should be sent electronically to Spectrum@phm.k12.in.us.

Our magazine theme for this year is Dystopia-Utopia, but this theme does NOT need to be incorporated into contest pieces.

There will be a Boys Rugby Fundraiser on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.

Show the image above at the Hacienca 100 Center only and the team gets 20 percent of the purchase.

The PSAT/NMSQT will take place on Wednesday October 11, 2023.

• Who: All students in Grades 10-11
• When: 8:25 a.m.
• More information to come

Penn High School will host the Carnival of Bands on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Click here for the schedule and other information about the event.

The Penn High School Art Gallery features the work of former Penn High School student Sam Horvath.

The show is scheduled from Friday, Sept. 15, until Friday, Oct. 20.

Bethel University’s literary magazine, The Crossings, is excited to announce its Annual High School Writing Contest!

The contest invites high-school juniors and seniors to write and submit original, unpublished work for a chance to win one of two scholarships to Bethel University. The publication accepts short fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry.

The submission deadline is December 1, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Crossings Online Publication

Home | The Crossings (crossingsjournal.org)

High School Writing Contest Page

Submit | The Crossings (crossingsjournal.org)

Bethel University Website

https://www.betheluniversity.edu

Penn High School's Snowball Dance, sponsored by the PTO, will be held from 7:30-11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, in the Main Arena.

Details on theme, tickets sales and other specifics will be shared at a later date.

Free and Reduced Meal Applications must be filled out each year.

Free and Reduced Meal benefits from last year expire at the end of September.

To access the application form for the 2023-2024 school year, go to SchoolCafe.com

You can also find our menu and nutritional information there.

Penn students have the opportunity to participate in a Body Worlds RX field-trip opportunity to the Peoria (Ill.) Riverfront Museum and Caterpillar Visitors Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27 (Black Day).

Click here for details.

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s ENL Services’ is sponsoring the District’s FREE Community Connections Fair! Come check out what the Mishawaka, South Bend, and Elkhart communities have to offer to your families! Click here for more information and to sign-up for a table if you are a business or a family that wants to participate and share your culture in a performance.

Our partners at Michiana Homes for Heroes sponsors Penn High School's Teacher of the Month program, and has been honoring teachers for a number of years,. They believe in highlighting those who are making a positive impact in the local community. Please take a moment to nominate a teacher who demonstrates excellence in the classroom, motivation, leadership, community service, creativity, dedication, and professionalism.

Representatives from McKinnies Realty Homes for Heroes will award the Teacher of the Month with an engraved trophy, public recognition in front of peers & students, and a gift. Nominate a teacher for Teacher of the Month here. Thank you for taking the time to nominate a teacher deserving of this special recognition!

We are hoping you have heard, but we have great news to share regarding student book fees! The Indiana General Assembly passed a bill (HEA 1001-2023) that eliminated textbook and curriculum costs at public schools, which includes school supplies like pencils, paper, and notebooks. Parents will no longer be asked to pay school fees for curricular materials. For more information on the specific details, click here.

We wanted to share that legislation was passed (HB 1447, effective January 1, 2024)

that all schools prepare a catalog of materials found in the school library Alexandria and a response and appeal procedure for materials parents find questionable.

We have that process in place already and it is posted on all school websites Instructional Material Feedback. In addition, secondary teachers will provide their syllabus to you with listed materials and classroom teachers have been asked to create a master list of titles in their classroom libraries. More information will be provided by your teacher in classroom newsletters. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your classroom teacher or myself.

Penn: https://penn.phmschools.org/alexandria/

Seniors: Get your Meningococcal Vaccinations ASAP and turn in your shot records to the Health Office.

All Students: Please have your parents sign the non-prescription med form in Skyward in order to take Tylenol, Tums or Ibuprofen in the health office. Parents must sign a new form EVERY school year in Skyward.

Passes are REQUIRED from your teacher before you come to the Health Office.

Attendance is located at Door C.

• Students who get an early dismissal will now be checking out and leaving through Door C.

• Parents who plan to pick up their students early can do so at Door C until 2:40 p.m.

Parents/Guardians now have the ability to submit attendance reasons - for full-day absences, early dismissals or late arrivals - for approval by the school - through Skyward/Family Access, instead of calling Penn High School.

Click here for more information on Attendance procedures.

Requests can be entered on the day of the absence (i.e. a student is ill) or scheduled in advance (i.e. - a student has a doctor appointment).

Click here for instructions on how to submit attendance reasons through Skyward/Family Access.

In addition, guardians of Penn students who attend the Elkhart Area Career Center are responsible to report their student’s attendance issues.

Contact Trisha Malone, attendance secretary, 574-262-5650 or tmalone@elkhart.k12.in.us.

In addition, EACC offers a new email address: Email: Attendance@elkhart.k12.in.us

The Penn Bookstore has Kingsmen Spirit apparel on sale now.

• Polo shirts - $15
• Gym shorts - size large - $5
  
• Yellow 2022-23 t-shirts - $5
  

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is committed to creating a healthy and safe environment for our learning community.

Click here for the P-H-M Health and Safety Overview.

If you wish to purchase Chromebook insurance, please make a $25 payment at the Penn High School bookstore or online at phm.revtrak.net (click “Chromebooks” then “Penn High School” ). Online payments are only accepted until 9/15/23. If you purchase insurance after 9/15/23, your Chromebook must pass an inspection by the Technology Department and the fee can be paid in the bookstore.

Click here for additional information on Chromebook insurance.

Please click below for Transportation information

Enrollment is open for Playschool (potty-trained children ages 3-4), Playschool 2 (potty-trained children ages 4-5), and Toddler Time (children ages 1-3 and a parent/caregiver).

Each year the Penn High School students enrolled in Childhood Development classes offer the two unique programs described below for preschoolers in our community.

We encourage you to take advantage of PLAYSCHOOL and TODDLER TIME if you have young children in your household, and to tell your friends as well!

Parents can sign their children up for more than one group. For example, if they would like to come every day, they could sign up for the G3 Orange group & B3 Blue Group, or G4 Yellow Group & B4 Blue Group. G2 Red group is filling up fast for Toddler Time.

Click the links below to register:

Playschool 2

Playschool

Toddler Time

Click here for a list of non-school activities and events made available to P-H-M students and families by area organizations.

Click here for information about jobs available for Penn students.

Join an institution committed to excellence. P-H-M is looking for prospective employees in a number of areas.

Click here for the jobs board.

The P-H-M Education Foundation has many new upcoming events. Please visit www.phmef.org for event information, to signup for our quarterly news letter or to find out how PHMEF supports excellence in education in the P-H-M school district.

Click here for the Penn News Network (PNN) YouTube Channel. Subscribe to the PNN YouTube Channel to stay up-to-date on Penn news.

Penn-Harris-Madison is happy to pilot free fitness opportunities for the P-H-M community.

Who is eligible to participate: The P-H-M Adult Community and Staff (no students). This includes residents of the school district and non-resident parents/guardians of attending students.

What: Access to walking/jogging tracks, open gym/basketball courts, and weight room

When: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the sites listed below. Note: The Fitness Centers will be closed during designated school recess dates.

Schedule:

• Penn: Weekly on Saturdays and Sundays from 7-9 p.m.
• Discovery: Weekly on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m.
• Grissom: Weekly on Fridays from 7-9 p.m.

The Safe School Helpline® is a confidential way to report student concerns about threats, suicide, drugs, bullying or anything that threatens the safety of our schools. It's Available 24/7. Click to watch a video on how to get in touch with Administration anonymously 24/7/365.

Four Ways to Report to the Safe School Helpline®

Call: 1-800-418-6423 ext 359

Text: TIPS to 66746

Online: SafeSchoolHelpline.com

Mobile App: Download the FREE app from the GOOGLE PLAY STORE and the APPLE APP STORE

• The app makes it easy to anonymously report a safety or mental health concern using your mobile device to text, call, or submit an online form.

Click here for a listing of non-school community resources available to Penn students and families by businesses area organizations.

Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view the pdfs on this page. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe’s website, at this link http://www.get.adobe.com/reader/www.get.adobe.com/reader/, to download your free version. Or you can stop by the Educational Services Center at 55900 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka to pick up a copy.

DECA is having an ALL-MEMBER meeting at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, in LGI-B. We hope to see all of our members there!”

The Penn Pals Club will be meeting at 7:45 a.m.

On Gold Tuesdays, we'll meet in Room 163, and on Black Tuesdays, we'll meet in Room 257.

Science National Honor Society's first meeting was on Sept. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Mrs. Tiebout's room, Room 266.

Future meetings will be the first Monday of the month, with volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Anyone enrolled in Honors or AP Science with a 3.5 in Science and an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater is welcome to join! Dues are $5, due in the bookstore before Monday, Oct. 2. Please bring your receipt to our next meeting on Monday, Oct. 2.

Interested in helping children with cancer?

Join Kingsmen Against Cancer to help make baskets, cards, blankets and more!

Email kwatts@phm.k12.in.us for more information. Help make an impact in children’s lives one smile at a time!

All students interested in joining the Speech and Debate team should stop by Coach Starkweather's Room 192 for information.

Follow Kingsmen Court !!!

Instagram: @pennkingsmencourt

Twitter: @courtkingsmen

E-mail us with any questions @penn-kingsmen-court-grp@phm.k12.in.us

Freshmen Mentoring is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Sept. 29.

If students want to meet with a Kingsmen Tutor for academic assistance, they need to see their counselor for a pass.

Click here for the Counseling Center Staff Directory and contact information.

Click here for the current scholarship list.

Speed training for all athletes is every Thursday from 7:30-8:05 a.m. Enter through Door G.

Be ready to compete!

Student-Athletes who are getting picked up at the main Penn High School building must be picked up at Door D after practices.

Parents/Guardians are asked not to pick up student-athletes at Door E due to safety concerns.

Anyone interested in participating in athletics or a club must complete the online registration at https://www.registermyathlete.com/. Click here for the Code of Conduct.

All-Sports Passes are now available for purchase. Please click the link below to purchase passes as well as tickets for upcoming home sporting events.

Any issues please contact Heather Nania at hnania@phm.k12.in.us.

https://phmschools.hometownticketing.com

Penn Varsity Football

We are introducing a new pricing structure this school year for purchasing of individual tickets. All individual tickets purchased before Game Day will be $6. Tickets sold Day of Game will be $7.

• Penn High School Students - No bags are allowed into the football stadium. Student ID’s will also need to be presented at the gate.

• P-H-M Students K-8 (New Policy this season) - ALL P-H-M Students Kindergarten-8th grade must be accompanied by an adult when they enter the facility, otherwise they will not be admitted into the game.

Penn PTO is a group of devoted parents and volunteers who work hand-in-hand with administration to support our students, staff and teachers through events that bring together community and show appreciation.

Click here for information.

The PTO provides grants to our teachers, clubs and student groups.

We also coordinate Snowball (an event your student will not want to miss), teacher appreciation week and monthly appreciation events for teachers and staff, as well as organizing and funding special events.

We have meetings once a month and would love for you to join us and learn more. Please email pennhspto@gmail.com to be added to our meeting invite list for a virtual meeting option or check the calendar and join us in person.

• PTO Officers + Chairs

• President – Jessica Saros
• Vice President – Julia Johnson

• Co-Vice President – Shadia Perkins

• Treasurer – Kelley Wassner
• Secretary – Aubrey Saros
• Volunteer Coordinator – Barb Zuidema
• Teacher Appreciation (Monthly Chairperson) – Nabeela Gill *Officers will assist on these events, as needed, and will be responsible for the May, weeklong teacher appreciation festivities
• Snowball Chairs – Shawn + Jessica Saros
• Social Media Chair – Zaina Arain

The designated student morning drop-off at Penn High School is in the Jefferson Rd. Student Parking Lot (south of the football practice field). All entrances will open for students at 8:05 unless there is a previously scheduled appointment. Students must then report to door A.

The designated after-school student pick-up areas include the Jefferson Rd. Staff Parking Lot and the Jefferson Rd. Student Parking lot. Left turns are not allowed into the Jefferson Rd. Staff Parking Lot.

Click on the following links for IMPORTANT SCHOOL INFORMATION:

School Messenger, the alert notification service: https://www.phmschools.org/parents/schoolmessenger

Parent FAQ on Emergency Preparedness:

https://www.phmschools.org/school-emergency-frequently-asked-questions

12th-grade Immunization Requirements:

https://www.phmschools.org/parents/12th-grade-immunization-requirements

All parents and guardians are encouraged to review Skyward information for your student. General directions are listed below to access Skyward. Please take some time to review student progress and encourage your student to develop a plan for any missing work as we get ready to start the school year.

Email: srgaliher@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://penn.phmschools.org/
Phone: 574-258-9503
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennHighSchool/
Twitter: @SeanGaliher