Registration deadline extended for two Summer P-H-M Enrichment CampsArchived
The registration deadline for Visual Arts Academy (grades K-5) and Learn a Foreign Language (grades 6 & 7) has been extended through Friday, April 20.
Both of these P-H-M sponsored camps offered through the Learning Division are FREE! The Visual Arts Academy is offered during these weeks:
- July 9 – 13, 2018
- July 16 – 20, 2018
- July 23 – 27, 2018
Learn a Foreign Language is three week course offered July 9 – 27, 2018.
Please click the links above for camp details and to complete your child’s online camp registration today!
Kids Club 2018 Summer Registration Now OpenArchived
Kids Club 2018 Summer Program registration is now open!! Click here for more information and registration.
Full-day childcare is offered at two locations (Walt Disney and Northpoint Elementary schools) for current P-H-M students in grades K-5. Children will enjoy a variety of educational and recreational activities, crafts and field trips.
Cost is $125 a week, for 5 days a week. All children not currently enrolled in Kids Club are required to pay the $25 registration fee in addition to all other program-related costs. In addition, a deposit of the $100 non-refundable activity fee is required to hold a place for your child.
Sign up now!!
Locations: Northpoint Elementary School
Walt Disney Elementary School
Dates: June 6 through August 21, 2018
(closed July 4)
Times: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Questions: If you have questions about Kids Club Summer Session,
please call Kailey Campanero at (574) 258 – 9514 or
Ashley Stoffl at (574) 258 – 9587
Workshop for parents of students with special needsArchived
Caregivers of dependents with special needs are invited to attend a special workshop, sponsored by Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company, on how to make your child’s future more secure.
See the information in the flier posted below …

Penn Offering Basketball Skills & DrillsArchived
Mark your calendars now!
Register Now for the 2018 P-H-M Silver Mile Bubble Bash on May 5!Archived
Saturday, May 5
8:30 a.m. – Noon
Penn High School
Register online today!
Do you like bubbles? Well, if you do, you’ll enjoy this fun change coming to the Silver Mile this year. The Silver Mile 5K Run/Walk will now be a Bubble Bash!
What is a Bubble Bash, you ask? Watch the video below from P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and then click here to register your family today!
The non-timed 5K Run/Walk will incorporate bubble stations along the route for participants to travel through during the event. The Fun Walk will now be incorporated into this event, and there will be an option to take a shorter loop for those not wanting to run/walk the 5K. This event will start at 9:00 a.m. on the TCU Freed Field Track.
After the Bubble Bash, runners and families are invited inside Penn High School’s cafeteria for the Education & Health and Fitness Fair complete with free health screenings provided by the St. Joseph Medical Center. The popular Silent Auction offers a chance to bid on prime Penn student parking spaces and new this year … Penn Commencement front row seat!!! Student works of art and other items from community businesses are also offered. And the Talent Showcase has been expanded to an hour this year.
All proceeds benefit the P-H-M Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support excellence in education in all 15 P-H-M schools by awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.
Click here for early bird registration and for more information on the Bubble Bash.
Running Is Elementary 2018Archived
Monday, April 30 (Rain Date Wed., May 2)
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
behind Elm Road Elementary School
59400 Elm Road, Mishawaka
“Running is Elementary” is gearing up for another great year! This is the 10th year for the one mile, non-competitive run which will feature the participation of almost 700 fourth and fifth grade students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools. This event is free to students and takes place on the Penn cross-country course located behind Elm Road Elementary School.
Horizon physical education teacher and P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year Cindy Batalis began this event in 2008. Running has always been a true passion for Batalis and she shares that passion with students by organizing this yearly event.
Each school year fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to join the running club at each of P-H-M’s elementary schools. The kids go through this six-week club trained by designated coaches at each school. The end of the six weeks is then celebrated by participating in the Running is Elementary run.
The event is hosted by the P-H-M Education Foundation and Corporations for Education.
Penn presents “Shrek the Musical” March 2-3-4Archived
The Penn Fine Arts and Communications Academy is presenting, “Shrek, the Musical”, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4.
The showings will be held within the Center for Performing Arts (enter through Door C).
Tickets are $10 pre-sale by clicking here to access Penn Theater’s TicketTracker.com online ticket store, or $12 at the door.
Penn student C. Monte Teeple, starring as Lord Farquaad, said that the musical as a contemporary appeal.
“Unlike a lot of musicals that you would find locally, Shrek is a much more modern show,” Teeple said. “This not only means that many jokes and much of the humor will be understood by students, but also that the actual songs and music are far more modern as well.”
The plot of “Shrek the Musical” revolves around a hated Ogre (Shrek) and a talking donkey who go on a quest to save Princess Fiona in order to reclaim Shrek’s swamp.
Lord Farquaad claimed the swamp and has housed all magical creatures there.
From a deeper point of view, the story is about the misfits and those who don’t fit in, and finding your place in the world.
Young Authors’ Conference, Saturday, March 10Archived
Saturday, March 10, 2018
8:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Schmucker Middle School
Sponsored by Corporations for Education, a division of the P-H-M Education Foundation, the annual Young Authors’ Conference is an opportunity for Penn-Harris-Madison students, in grades K-5, and their parents to meet and hear from Ruth McNally Barshaw, well-known children’s author and illustrator of Ellie McDoodle Diaries and picture books like Leopold the Lion. Click for more details and examples of Mrs. Barshaw’s work.
Mrs. Barshaw will share her experiences as a writer and illustrator. Students will sketch along with her, learning tips for improving creativity, drawing, and storytelling techniques.
As part of the morning activities, students will also share their own writing piece in small, adult-led group sessions with students from other P-H-M elementary schools. While students are meeting with their peers, parents will attend a special presentation by P-H-M teacher and writing expert Carrie Mumaw, who will share fun and inspiring ideas for creative writing. Together, students and parents will also enjoy a presentation of “Stuart Little” by Bethel College Genesians.
*One parent must accompany students! However, keep in mind that students and parents will separate for a portion of the day.
COST: The registration fee of $5.00 per child is used for conference expenses.
REGISTRATION: Online registration is now available! Please visit phm.revtrak.net and click the right arrow on the homepage to find the “2018 P-H-M Young Authors’ Conference” button. Create an account, then make your payment. There is a fee for using this service. You can also click here to be directly to the online registration/payment page.
If you prefer to register via paper, please fill out the front of the blue envelope that was attached to the hard copy of the flyer that came home with your student. Fill out the blue envelope completely, insert your payment, and return it to your child’s school. Checks should be made payable to: Young Authors’ Conference. Cash is also accepted. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, February 28, 2018!
CONFIRMATION: Participating students will receive additional information prior to the conference through their home school at the beginning of March.
QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Duerksen at lduerksen@phm.k12.in.us.
Forum Meeting on Internet Safety Rescheduled for March 8Archived
On Thursday, March 8, P-H-M’s Forum is sponsoring a districtwide parent meeting on Internet Safety.
According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of teens use their cell phone for their online activity and 71% use more than one social media site.
What do you need to know as parents and guardians to keep them safe online when they’re at home?
Hear from cybercrime and internet safety expert St. Joseph County Police Department’s Officer Eric Tamashasky on Thursday, March 8, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Schmucker Middle School (56045 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka).
This is a districtwide event sponsored by the P-H-M Forum parent group and is open to all P-H-M parents. Because of the nature of Offc. Tamashasky’s presentation concerning the online dangers parents need to be aware of, this event is not suitable for students below 9th grade. Spread the word to other P-H-M parents about this informational opportunity.
2018 Middle School Instrument Selection NightArchived
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra at our three middle schools.
Every P-H-M student who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6th grader in the Fall has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra.
In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn, practice and perform for the school year. Students/parents must click to use this link to sign-up for your appointment at your designated school and date.
“Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!
At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional musician will be available to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups.
Please see the dates and times below for your students’ soon-to-be middle school …
Discovery Middle School
Monday, Feb. 26, 2018
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018
4:30-8:00 p.m.
Grissom Middle School
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
4:30-8:00 p.m.
Schmucker Middle School
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018
4:30-8:00 p.m.
