Kingsmen Nation

For the past several weeks, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Thacker has been surprising teachers with the most significant overall student growth during the 2022-2023 school year and awarding them with P-H-M's Impact Award. On Thursday, October 1st, Penn's Mr. Brian Griman, who teaches College Algebra, Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry, and Calculus courses, was honored. Mr. Griman had the largest increase of student growth in passing, from PSAT to SAT. The growth in the number of students proficient from PSAT to SAT was 11%. Click to read more.

This year's P-H-M Education Foundation College and Career Fair once again armed our juniors and seniors with knowledge and options helping them to navigate life after high school. Students had 60 tables they could visit and receive information on everything from colleges/universities to trade apprenticeships to pursuing a career in architecture. Click here to learn more about the Fair and see the photo gallery.

At the October 9th P-H-M Board of School Trustees' meeting, the Board approved a donation by Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Thacker to the P-H-M Education Foundation naming rights campaign. Dr. Thacker and his wife have generously donated $10,000 to have the basketball court in Penn High School’s Main Arena named after Hall of Fame and Penn’s legendary coach, Al Rhodes, renaming the court “Al Rhodes Kingsmen Court” who retired at the end of last school year. Over the course of 17 years, Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have donated $202,500 to the Education Foundation! This is the second time the Thacker's have given to the naming rights campaign. In 2021, they donated $25,000 to have the Kingsmen Athletic Center renamed the Chris Geesman Kingsmen Athletic Center after Penn’s legendary football championship coach. The unveiling of the new court signage is scheduled to take place at the Penn-Clay game on December 1, 2023. The new court name will be displayed above the scoreboard.

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent goes into the Foundation’s endowment, which is used to fund teacher and classroom grants. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development for P-H-M teachers.

There will be no school on Friday, Oct. 20, or Monday, Oct. 23, due to Fall Break.

Senior packets are available in the high school’s main office. The packet contains a catalog and ring sizer. You will receive a sample of your graduation announcement in the mail. The announcement is an important part of the graduation order to send to family and friends regarding your commencement details. Jostens will be sending additional information during the campaign week to assist you with your ordering process.

IMPORTANT – Campaign week starts Friday October 13th and ordering is open ONLINE by scanning the QR code at the bottom of this flyer and by PHONE at 574.216.6336. The group order DEADLINE is FRIDAY, OCT. 27. Any student who orders the below items by the group order deadline will receive those items during SENIOR CELEBRATION on WEDNESDAY, NOV. 1

.

These items are: Pullover Fleece Hoodie, Class of 2024 T Shirts 2 pack, Stretch Jogger, Black Sweatpants, Gray Sweatpants, 2024 Beanie, 2024 Trucker Hat, 2024 Key Ring, Water Bottle, Swag Bag and/or Souvenir Tassel.

Click here for details.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/catalogBrowse/1072642/PENN-HIGH-SCHOOL/Graduation/2086444544/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/

If you are interested in Penn High School's blood drive, the sign-up information is located in the library (above the lost and found counter)! This will occur on Monday, Oct. 30 (Gold Day), and Tuesday, Oct. 31 (Black Day), from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Donors will receive their choice of a specifically embroidered pink or black beanie in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Volunteers must be 16 (with parental consent) or 17+.

If you want a way to show your Halloween spirit by doing something good, this is a perfect opportunity! Feel free to reach out to pennnhs@gmail.com with any questions.

National Honor Society applications are due 8 a.m. on Oct. 24.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Students should check their emails for an invitation.

Retake Picture Day is Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. If you're satisfied with your child's picture, no further action is required.

If you purchased and were unhappy with your Picture Package, please send your Picture Package to school with your student on Retake Day. Your Retake Picture Package will be produced and shipped to the school four weeks after Retake Day. Please note, if your child is photographed on the original and Retake Picture Days, the Retake picture will replace the original picture in certain products, like the yearbook.

Students who were absent for Picture Day should come to school prepared to have their picture taken. If you have not preordered, please use the Retake Order Code 79280SF to place your order at https://inter-state.com/Order. To see your Order History, check your Inter-State Account.

Find answers to Retake Day questions here.

What? Field Trip to Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and West Beach Trail, along with a stop at the Honeysuckle Solar Farm.

Why? Enjoy Indiana’s only National Park (Visitor’s center and hike at West Beach)

When? Leaving 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 and returning at 3 p.m. on the same day (First 80 students who bring $5 to the Penn bookstore to cover transportation and park admission cost). It’s a Recess Day (Fall Break).

How? Permission slips from the Math/Science Office or your science teacher. 2 yellow buses from Door C at 9 a.m. sharp! Return slips by Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Who? Interested Penn Students in grades 9-12, first 80 students with $5 to bookstore + permission slip returned.

**Bonus stop on this trip**

Quick stop to see construction at Honeysuckle Solar Field

Project Honeysuckle video: https://www.wndu.com/2023/06/16/project-honeysuckle-solar-farm-under-development/

In celebration of International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, the P-H-M DVT/Planetarium will be showing IMAGINE THE MOON on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens and can be pre-ordered by visiting the DVT webpage on the PHM Schools website, or they can be purchased at the door with cash, check, or card 30 minutes before the show starts. The DVT is located inside Bittersweet Elementary.

Imagine the Moon explores how the Moon has inspired human creativity, learning, and exploration ever since we have looked to the sky. Through beautiful imagery and historical footage, we explore our closest celestial neighbor! Each discovery has brought new opportunities to contemplate and imagine, until, driven by dreams, we left Earth and went there in the amazing journeys that culminated in astronauts walking on the Moon. People have imagined the Moon as a glowing disk in the sky, a destination in space, and a world that shares its origin with the Earth. The power of human imagination continues to inspire our relationship with the Moon as our partner in space and companion in our sky.

Attention Swimmers and Divers:

Anyone interested in trying out for the Penn High School Swimming and Diving team should attend a meeting after school on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 3:30-3:45 p.m. The meeting will take place on the pool deck.

Attention Freshman and Sophomores Students"

Wrestling Managers are needed.

There will be a Wrestling Manager Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Room 128.

Email Mrs. Eutsey if there is a conflict with this date. aeutsey@phm.k12.in.us

Any students interested in being a manager for the Boys Basketball Team should contact Coach Coolman - bcoolman@phm.k12.in.us

Girls Basketball Tryouts are Monday, Oct. 16, from 3:45-6 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 3:45-6:45 p.m. All potential players must have a Register My Athlete account and an IHSAA physical on file in order to tryout. If you have any questions, please contact Head Coach, Kristi Ulrich, kulrich@phm.k12.in.us

The following Clubs and Field trip fees are due in the bookstore. See attached image below.

The Bookstore only takes cash and checks (not credit cards) for club dues, field trips, bookstore supplies, yearbooks and Chromebook insurance/repairs.

Yearbooks - there are a limited number of yearbooks for sale in the bookstore from 2022-23. Price is $95.

Booster items are t-shirts, hoodies, polos, hats, etc. Boosters take cash, checks and credit cards.

Starting Monday, Oct. 9, students who continuously do not have their school ID's will be charged a $3 fee to get a replacement ID.

Safety and Security is a top priority at Penn High School and having a student ID is a vital part of this process.

Students are required to have a Student ID to get into the building in the morning. All students were issued a free Student ID at the beginning of the school year. Students who don't have their ID in the morning will report to Door A to check in. Those names will be given to the Bookstore to issue a new ID and the $3 fee will be implemented.

Thank you for your help in continuing to keep Penn a safe place for all students.

Check the image below for the Advisory schedule.

Spectrum is hosting the Dried Ink Contest until 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.

You can submit up to 5 photos at a time for consideration to be used the '23-'24 Penn yearbook. Make sure the photos you submit are the original photo; NO SCREENSHOTS as they aren't good quality for printing.

These can be pictures of a club you are involved in, photos with friends from school at different events in or out of school, etc. Anything school-appropriate that relates to Penn students is fair game! Email pennyearbook@phm.k12.in.us with any questions.

Click here for the form to submit photos.

Co-ed volleyball intramurals are starting soon in October. Call/Text your classmates and get a team ready for competition.

To sign-up: Get a TEAM (Penn High School Students 9-12 ONLY), pick a captain, have the captain come to PE Office to see Mrs. Pawlik / Mrs. Sautter to pick up the registration packet, and return the packet by Tuesday, Oct. 17, to Mrs. Pawlik so your team can start playing.

DEADLINE: Tuesday, Oct. 17

START DATE: Tuesday, Oct. 24

Dates: Games will be on Tuesdays - Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5

TIME: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

PLACE: Life Fitness Center - South 2 courts

REGISTER NOW! Join the FUN!

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

The show is scheduled 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.

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-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.

The next DECA meeting will be next Thursday, Oct. 26! It will be a role-play meeting! We hope to see everyone who is thinking about doing a role-play there!

Penn High School has a book club. The "First Tuesday's Book Club" next meeting will be held in the IMC at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Bring a favorite title to talk about.

Meetings for the rest of the year will be Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, March 5, April 9, May 14.

Science Academic Super Bowl meets every Wednesday (starting Wednesday, Oct. 18) from 3:30-4 p.m. in Room 266 (enter through the Fitness Center) in Mrs Tiebout’s Room.

There will not be a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, due to the PSAT.

Come learn science trivia from the 80’s and 90’s and compete against other schools in the spring. Everyone is welcome!

Science National Honor Society's will meet on the first Monday of the month, at 3:30 p.m. in Mrs. Tiebout's room, Room 266.

There will be 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!

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.

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.

Check the website for information: https://www.pennspeechanddebate.com/

Follow Kingsmen Court !!!

Instagram: @pennkingsmencourt

Twitter: @courtkingsmen

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

There will be no Freshmen mentoring the week of Oct. 16-21.

Happy Fall Break !!!

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.

Tickets for IHSAA Varsity Football Sectional vs. Elkhart on Friday, Oct. 27, are now on sale for $7; they can be purchased online or in the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased in the Athletic Office 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please note, ALL-SPORT PASSES will not be accepted at this event. Any questions or concerns, please contact Heather Nania at hnania@phm.k12.in.us.

Penn Varsity Football

• 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