Kingsmen Nation

It's that time of year to spread some holiday cheer, thank your students' favorite school staff member and/or teacher, and contribute to the P-H-M Education Foundation. Friday, Dec. 8 is the last day you can give to the "Thank-a-Teacher" initiative and have your special gift delivered to your favorite P-H-M staff member or teacher. Click to make your donation right now!

Indiana law requires that all schools provide age appropriate and research based instruction on child abuse and child sexual abuse to students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. Penn-Harris-Madison has partnered with the Family Justice Center, Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County, and the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit to provide this instruction for our students. On Wednesday, Dec. 13, staff from the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit will present the materials to our students via video. The student list for these presentations is based on parent consent through the online forms in Skyward. Students will be called out from class depending on grade and last name to view the video and it will be moderated by administrators, counselors, and deans. Once finished, students will be sent back to class. Presentations will occur in the CPA and be split by grade and alpha groups. It is estimated that total time will not surpass 30 minutes.

It is that time of year again when you wake up and it is dark and then an hour after you get home it is dark again!

Here are some tips that can help you get through this winter season from Mrs. Tiller, the wellness counselor.

1. When you get home go outside and take a walk, go for a run, or just move your body the way you love to.

2. Eat foods that are going to give you energy.

3. Drink water. These dry months can really get you dehydrated fast.

4. Maintain your routine.

5. Do things that bring you joy.

6. Lift weights. Weight lifting is a great stress reliever!

7. Get together with family or friends and go sledding, ice skating, or to a movie.

8. Watch comedy shows or movies.

9. Listen to upbeat music.

10. Go to bed and get up at the same time at least on school days!

First Semester Final exams start on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Some classes will have finals after Winter Break, starting on Monday, Jan. 8. Teachers will announce their finals schedules to students. The last day of the First Semester is Thursday, Jan. 11.

Second Semester Finals start on Thursday, May 20.

Penn students who will miss Elkhart Area Career Center (EACC) instruction on a particular day, due to taking a final exam at Penn, are obligated to have a parent or guardian call the EACC to excuse their student on the day of testing. The EACC phone number is 574-262-5650.

Monday, Dec. 11, 2023 - Naviance Lesson

In this activity, students in grades 9-11 will spend time adding and/or finalizing course requests in Skyward.

Students in Grade 12 will be working to create their FSA ID in order to have the account creation process completed in anticipation of the December FAFSA release. Students will also also have the option to complete this process at home should they not have access to their social security number and/or feel comfortable accessing it at school. The FSA ID account creation process is not lengthy, and the step-by-step instructions should make for a smooth process.

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023 - Attendance Check

Monday, Dec. 18, 2023 - Attendance Check

December 19, 2023 - Virtual Class Meeting

Help Penn PTO Continue Funding Grants, Special Events & Appreciation Activities through a PTO Fundraiser in partnership with Barnaby's Pizza!

• Vouchers $12 each - 3 Ways to Purchase

*Good for A Large 3 Topping Pizza & Bonus coupons also on the voucher. No expiration!

1. Complete the Google Form and pay by Venmo @pennhspto - Google form link:

https://forms.gle/X2NpnGJgRCa7dhBy6

2. Email Pennhspto@gmail.com with # of vouchers & a mailing address, then Venmo @pennhspto or pay by check payable to Penn PTO & drop off at the Main Office by 2/1/24.

Note: For both options 1 and 2 vouchers will be mailed to your address.

3. Watch for Opportunities to Support Us at Upcoming Sporting Events | Dates TBD.

*Can use at Granger, Grape Road + Twin Branch/Lincolnway Location *

*MAKE GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS, GAME DAY BITE or an EASY MEAL NIGHT**

For

PENN BLANKETS will be for sale on Thursday, Dec. 14, inside Door D from 5-8 p.m.

The Penn Band Boosters sells these blankets every other year and this is the fifth blanket design. The logo is printed on a soft “fur” side, and the reverse side is white sherpa - two blankets in one! They are BIG: 80 inches x 60 inches. Due to their high quality and large size, they have become a sought-after commodity in the P-H-M community. Not only will these blankets keep you warm at outdoor events, they make great gifts for any Penn student or fan!

The cost is $50 for cash/check (made out to Penn Band Boosters) or $51.50 for credit/Venmo/PayPal. Stop by the table inside Door D to see a sample on display and take one home on Dec. 13! Once sold out, they won’t be available again for two years!

Questions regarding the blankets can be sent to Dana Sullivan at danasullivan4@me.com

The Fall Spectrum Magazine is here. Check out the dystopian art and writing by your peers. A limited number of copies are on sale in the Bookstore for $7.

Congratulations to the following students who won awards in the Spectrum's annual Dried Ink Contest. The contest accepts entries in Poetry, Prose, Humor, Art, and Musical Composition.

Poetry:

1st place - Kenny Steve

2nd place- Ada Bidler

3rd place- Nevaeh Derkis

Prose:

Over all winner- Maya Gelesko

Musical composition

Over all winner- Mahima Vinay

Art:

1st place as well as Official Fall magazine cover designer- Ruby Lehtomaki

2nd place- Destiny Malone

3rd place- Naomi Morales

Elm Road Elementary School is looking for Penn High School students to volunteer on a one-time or semi-regular basis. Please fill out this google form to sign up.

Are you interested in building warm and caring friendships? Are you interested in teaching? Do you need to increase your experiences for college or the workforce?

Try Peer Leadership for an elective next year. This course is designed to give high school students the opportunity to interact with and learn about people with disabilities. Students will participate in 5 blocks over two weeks of in-class and/or community based instruction with students with moderate and severe disabilities under the personal supervision and direction of the course instructor or classroom teaching staff.

Are you already a peer leader and want to try a different atmosphere? Peer Leaders may work with students at the Young Adult Program located at Schmucker Middle School.

Applications are online and you can fill it out here:

PL Application 2023

When you schedule classes with your counselor, be sure they add Peer Leader to your schedule (1603) or if you are interested in the Young Adult Program Peer Leadership (1611).

If you have any questions, please direct them to Mrs. Shafer, the Academy Leader for Exceptional Education at vshafer@phm.k12.in.us.

Independent Study Students! Celebrate this holiday season-when you earn a credit in the month of December, receive a special surprise from the Elves of Independent Study! (while supplies last)

Prom Committee: Juniors only.

If you would like to be considered for one of 10 spots for the prom committee, please fill out this form before Dec. 18. Prom committee members will help plan, send invitations and promote prom, decorate and clean up on the day of prom.

Prom is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The PHM DVT/Planetarium will be decked out as a Winter Wonderland during the entire month of December, so come enjoy the beautiful Winter Wonderland along with every holiday show! 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. Ordering online allows you to reserve specific seats! The DVT is located inside Bittersweet Elementary.

LASER HOLIDAYS 1,

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m.!

This is a professional laser light show, containing 12 holiday songs, including Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Silent Night, Frosty The Snowman, and accompanying laser animations.

SEASON OF LIGHT, Thursday, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m.!

This show traces the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, and how they involve lighting up the winter season--from the burning of the Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Menorah and luminarias. In addition, we will be detectives trying to solve the mystery of the Star Over Bethlehem.

LASER HOLIDAYS 2,

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m.

Our final holiday show is on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m.!

This is another professional laser light show, containing 12 holiday songs, including Up on the Housetop, Feliz Navidad, The Chipmunk Song, and All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, and accompanying laser animations.

Would you like to start earning credits toward your college degree and have Penn High School cover the tuition? The Penn High School College-Based Dual Credit (CBDC) Program is a way for high school students to begin college coursework and/or prepare for a career.

Students take classes at area colleges and online and will receive a college transcript from their respective college. These are actual college classes, taught by college professors. Penn is able to pay for CTE (career and technical classes) in the areas of business, architecture, communication, public health and more. Colleges establish the course offering and days/time the classes are in session. Students may choose an area that matches their intended college major, their career plan or personal interest area. This is also a great opportunity for parents/guardians and students to save on college tuition expenses. In fact, through new Indiana legislation, even materials such as textbooks and required lab equipment can be reimbursed by Penn. For a list of some of the options available, please look here.

We offer a Pharmacy Technician Certification program through Indiana University at South Bend for SENIORS only. This class is offered February 5 through April 18 at IUSB on Mondays and Thursdays. While it doesn’t receive college credit, you do receive high school credit. Also, when students complete the program they receive a certificate of completion which students can use to apply for their State license through the Indiana Pharmacy Licensing agency.

Courses in the CBDC program will meet one of the requirements for the Academic and Technical Honor Diplomas.

If you are interested in learning more or in taking a class next year, make sure counselors add College Based Dual Credit to your schedule for the Spring and you will also need to sign up for the college class(es) of your choice. To know how to do this, please see Mrs. Black in the IMC during G3 or G4, or email her at dblack@phm.k12.in.us.

Workouts for student-athletes interested in participating in Penn Boys Rugby are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. at Moran Elementary School every Wednesday starting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, until winter break.

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.

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.

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

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.

CLICK HERE for the latest news on Penn's DECA Club.

The Writers’ Guild is a group of students who love creative writing in all of its forms-short stories, flash fiction, poems, fanfiction. We meet in order to foster creativity and share our work with each other. We trade ideas, techniques, and offer feedback in a supportive environment. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, Dec. 20, after school in Room 239 until 4:15. Our activity for this meeting will be a Snowball Fight!

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

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!

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

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.

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