Kingsmen Nation

For the 11th year in a row, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2024’s Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. P-H-M is among only 17 Indiana school districts, out of about 300, that made the list. Now in its 25th year, the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized 583 school districts and 135 schools across the country for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children. Congratulations to all our music and choral educators at elementary and secondary levels. Click to learn more about how P-H-M earned this distinguished honor.

And speaking of educators being honored, we'd like to also recognize Penn Director of Choirs Andrew Nemeth and P-H-M Dyslexia Specialist Betsy Alwine for being named this week to the Class of 2024 "Forty under 40" by the South Bend Regional Chamber. This is the 12th time in 17 years that P-H-M teachers or staff members have made the list. Click here to learn more about Mr. Nemeth and Mrs. Alwine.

Need a prime Student parking spot at Penn for the 2024-25 school year or reserved seats for the 2024 graduation? The Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation has got them right here! Bid now and bid often! Your donation helps us continue our mission to support excellence in education at all P-H-M schools!

Bidding is open until 5 p.m., Friday, April 19, 2024.

Click here to bid on a prime Penn High School parking spot.

Students, please be aware that IMC Kingsmen Tutoring will not be available May 6-17 due to AP Testing.

Click here to access to the Penn Student Food Bank Form.

Penn Medical Club is visiting the Ivy Tech Medical Facilities to learn about programs Ivy Tech offers.

We encourage anyone to join us.

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 17, after school. We may have extra room on a bus to get there (first-come-first-served).

Signing up with Mrs. Austin is necessary to participate in this event. Please see Mrs. Austin in Room 200 for more details!

Seniors, we are holding auditions for anyone interested in performing the Senior Serenade at Prom on Saturday, May 11. If chosen, you will serenade the presentation of the Prom Court, including the Prom King and Queen.

If interested, email kweaver@phm.k12.in.us and atiebout@phm.k12.in.us to be added to the audition list.

Please come with a song prepared to audition after school on Thursday, April 25. Auditions will be in Mrs. Weaver's room (264) next to the Fitness Center upstairs.

The Penn Dance/Pom Teams auditions are scheduled for April 22-25.

Visit the URL for details: https://penn.phmschools.org/2024/04/09/dance-pom-team-auditions-set-for-april-22-25/

Penn High School now has a Boys Volleyball Club.

Anyone interested in increasing your volleyball skills while playing against other school teams is invited to see Coach Wisler in Room 119.

All DECA members should check their emails to RSPV for the DECA Banquet! This will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a free event with two guests, and a great way to continue participating in DECA after SCDC. Please RSVP as soon as possible! We would love for all members who can attend to do so!

The PHM DVT/Planetarium is presenting LASER TAYLOR SWIFT on Tuesday, April 16, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Seats can be reserved by visiting the DVT webpage on the PHM Schools website, or tickets can be purchased at the door with cash, check, or card 30 minutes before the show starts. The DVT is located inside Bittersweet Elementary.

This is a professional laser show featuring Taylor Swift songs. What's better than a Taylor Swift playlist? A Taylor Swift playlist set to laser lights! Enjoy unforgettable hits from all of her 10 distinct eras. Sing along to all your favorites and let the show transport you through different stories as only laser light can. Players gonna play, haters gonna hate, fakers gonna fake, so just shake it off!

LASER TAYLOR SWIFT - NEW SHOW! April 16 Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Our Song, You Belong With Me, Enchanted, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, Style, Wildest Dreams, Look What You Made Me Do, Cruel Summer, August, Willow, Anti-Hero, Shake It Off.

New Freshmen Mentors will be meeting during their study hall on April 15 or April 16 in the Commons by the Kingsmen. Check the Freshman Mentor Canvas page for more information and times.

Anyone interested in trying out for the Girls Golf team this fall, should please plan to attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in Room 168. Please enter through Door D.

Summer Maintenance/Grounds Support Staff:

Contact Joe Winters - jwinters@phm.k12.in.us - to apply.

1. Pay - $13 - $20 an hour (Pay will be based on experience)

2. Work Hour - 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) (8 hours/day - 40 hours/week)

3. Summary - provide needed assistance to the Maintenance & Grounds Team.

4. Essential duties & Responsibilities:

• Assist Trades & Master Trades as needed.
• Routinely help trades & Master Trades deliver maintenance services.
• Routinely help the grounds crew with the following:
• Lawn Maintenance
• Lawn Mowing
• Power-washing
• Provide general labor skills as needed.

5. Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be able to drive a corporation vehicle.
• Operate mowers & lawn equipment.
• Operate power-washer equipment.
• Must be 18 years of age.
• Excellent work habits, attendance record and successfully complete and pass all criminal history & child-abuse clearances.
• Shall remain free of any alcohol or nonprescribed controlled substance abuse in the workplace throughout his/her employment in the corporation.

6. Physical Ability - Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderate physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and or pulling of moderately heavy objects & materials. (20 - 80 pounds)

7. Environmental Factors - Tasks are regularly performed with potential exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as temperature, noise, and humidity.

Celebrate the success of your graduating Senior by purchasing a Yearbook ad.

Get the details on how to purchase a Yearbook ad to congratulate your graduating Senior here.

Click here to visit the Jostens customer store.

Granger Paths is holding its annual 5K run on April 27, 2024, at Northpoint Elementary School. Granger Paths plans to use the funds raised from this year’s run to work with P-H-M and build a path along Cherry Road to Northpoint Elementary school, because we currently have children walking next to the road on their way to school.

There are two ways to contribute to this effort. First, you can run in the event (5K run or the one mile family fun run). Secondly, you, your club or your business can sponsor the event. Sponsorship levels run from $150 to $1,500 levels.

Find contact information and details on running or sponsorship at https://www.grangerpaths.org/.

Juniors and Seniors: The Penn High School 2024 Prom will be held Saturday, May 11, at the Century Center from 8-11 p.m.

A link will be sent to all Juniors and Seniors on Friday, April 26, to purchase tickets for $35 each. Ticket sales will be available until Saturday, May 11, or until all 1,450 tickets available are sold.

Juniors and Seniors are allowed to bring one guest to this event. Guests can be from any grade at Penn (9-12), or under the age of 21 and present a valid ID.

Questions? Please contact prom co-sponsors Amy Tiebout and Kelsey Weaver (atiebout@phm.k12.in.us or kweaver@phm.k12.in.us).

Penn PTO and Barnaby’s are teaming up for #KingsmenNation !!!!

Click here for the order form.

Use Google form above to purchase + pay via Venmo

Due to High Demand | Request We’ve Extended the Sale Thru 5/8/24.

Help Penn PTO Fund Grants, Special Events, and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Monthly Activities!

• Vouchers $12 each
• *Good for A Large 3 Topping Pizza PLUS Bonus coupon also on the voucher.
• We accept cash, check payable to Penn PTO or Venmo @pennhspto
• *NO Expiration. Valid at Granger, Grape Road Twin Branch Lincolnway Location.
• GREAT FOR EASY MEAL NIGHTS WITH FAMILY OR HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS.

Current 10th & 11th graders interested in Cosmetology…

Are you interested in a career as a cosmetologist? Did you know there’s something you can be doing now?

Vogue Beauty College is looking for students to join their program on either their Elkhart or Mishawaka Campuses. The program is a two year commitment, but you can do either one or two years while you’re still in high school … and Penn will pay for it while you’re a student here! This is a half day program on Vogue’s campus that also earns you high school credits. Also, when students complete the program they can become a licensed professional in the industry!

If you are interested in learning about this program, go to www.vogueschoolofbeauty.com. Next, schedule a tour/meeting with you and a parent/guardian at Vogue, and finally let your Penn counselor know you’re making the commitment! If you have additional Penn questions about the program, please contact the coordinator, Mrs. Black @ dblack@phm.k12.in.us.

Registration for Playschool at Penn High School is now open.

Playschool is for potty-trained children, ages 3-4 to prepare them for preschool and future kindergarten, $10 enrollment fee for snacks and supplies. Sign up for as many options as you like.

Click here for the Playschool dates/times.

Click here for the Playschool Enrollment form.

You will be eligible to vote in the May 7th primary election as long as you're 18 on or by November 5th (the date of the general election). Registration is just one requirement to vote in Indiana. Voter registration in Indiana will be open until April 8th.

Voter Registration

What you need to register:

1. Have a valid Indiana Driver's License or Indiana State Identification Card.

2. Be a citizen of the United States.

3. Be at least 18 years old on or before the next general, municipal or special election. (A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary election if the voter turns 18 on or before the next general or municipal election.)

4. Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 DAYS before the next general, municipal, or special election.

5. Not currently imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.

Once registered, you can see who will be on your ballot in May from this website: https://indianavoters.in.gov/

Students,

Would you like to help a student better understand a class or subject material? If yes, then here is a great opportunity to help others! Current Sophomores and Juniors can apply to be a Kingsmen Tutor Intern for next school year. Kingsmen Tutor Interns (KTI) become an integral part of the class by assisting students and working with the teacher.

The deadline to apply is April 15.

KTI's will earn a grade and credit per semester by completing approximately 5 assignments per semester. Also, KTI's will have monthly tutor training meetings with a KTI Leader. The internship is considered volunteer experience (great for resumes, college applications, and scholarship opportunities). Please note, you can take this internship as an elective or in place of your study hall.

We also have Kingsmen tutors located each block in the IMC to help students in a variety of subject areas. On the application, you can indicate a preference of placement with a teacher, subject area or in the IMC.

Here is the link for the application:

Kingsmen Tutor Application 24 25

(If indicating placement with a specific teacher, be sure to check with that teacher first.)

Attention Penn High School Parents and Students:

Graduation is fast approaching and we want to ensure that you have everything you need for this special day. Caps and Gowns will be passed out during Rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday, April 24, and Thursday, April 25. If you have not placed your order, please order no later than Friday, March 1, 2024, to pick up at the scheduled delivery event on April 24 and April 25.

The Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, June 3, 2024, at the University of Notre Dame.

The following link will take you to your school's landing page for all your graduation needs. This link includes all the packages and ala carte items for announcements, apparel and your cap and gown unit.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/catalogBrowse/1072642/PENN-HIGH-SCHOOL/Graduation/2260685888/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/

If you only need a cap and gown (includes tassel) here is the direct link.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1072642/PENN-HIGH-SCHOOL/Cap-and-Gown/2260685888/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/Cap-Gown-Tassel-Unit/2260685910

Congratulations on this milestone achievement. If you have questions, please contact the Jostens office at 574.216.6336.

A variety of Kingsmen Spirit Gear is on sale now in the Penn High School Bookstore.

We are looking for parent volunteers to join a concession subcommittee and assist Linda Schrader. These individuals would be asked to help supervise our concession stands by working with students to open and close the stands during the Fall, Winter, & Spring seasons. We need volunteers who would be able to help at a couple events every month.

If you are interested in helping, please email pennboosters@gmail.com or contact Michael Lacognato – Penn Booster President via text or phone at 574-286-1945.

Second Semester Finals start on Thursday, May 23.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

PLANT Club meets on Thursdays after school in the greenhouse. Please join us - no experience needed!

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.

All-Sports passes for the Spring are now on sale; adult All-Sports passes are $40 and student All-Sports passes are $20. Please use the link below to purchase. Contact Heather Nania - hnania@phm.k12.in.us - for information.

https://phmschools.hometownticketing.com

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