We asked our teachers & staff “What did you learn how to use, or do, during virtual learning?” and got some GREAT responses! See the answers below!

Monday, August 31 the P-H-M Board of School Trustees unanimously approved a “Return to Learn” plan to bring students back to the classroom in phases, for those families who want to return to in-person learning, starting in two weeks:

• Mon., Sept. 14, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades, PreK – grade 3
• Mon., Sept. 21, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades 4 & 5 
• Mon., Sept. 21, Hybrid model, a blend of In-Person and Virtual, for Middle and High School students (grades 6-12) 
• Parents at all grade levels will still have the choice to keep their students 100% Virtual if they so choose.

Parents are asked to complete the “Intent to Return Questionnaire” by this Friday, September 11. If you have students at other P-H-M schools, please complete a form for each student at each school. Please reference the emails from those principals shared Wed., Sept. 9 or the school’s website. If you have any questions, please call the school.

Click here to read the Principal’s newsletter that contains the following information:

• Detailed description of the 100% Virtual plan
• “Intent to Return Questionnaire” due Friday, September 11
• Transportation needs & a link to infoFinder to look up your child’s bus stop information if they will be riding the bus
• Before/after school childcare – Kids Club Registration
• “Return to Learn” District Overview for Parents
• Videos highlighting P-H-M’s COVID safety procedures and protocols:
  • • Transportation cleaning & safety protocols
    • Cafeteria COVID safety precautions
    • Custodial COVID cleaning protocols 

Last night (Monday, August 31) the P-H-M Board of School Trustees unanimously approved a “Return to Learn” plan to bring students back to the classroom in phases, for those families who want to return to in-person learning, starting in two weeks:

• Sept. 14, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades, PreK – grade 3
• Sept. 21, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades 4 & 5 
• Sept. 21, Hybrid model, a blend of In-Person and Virtual, for Middle and High School students (grades 6-12) 
• Parents at all grade levels will still have the choice to keep their students 100% Virtual if they so choose.

Elm Road parents are asked to complete the Elm Road “Intent to Return Questionnaire by Friday, September 4.

Click here to complete and submit the form.

Please only use the Elm Road form for your Elm Road student. You will need to complete a form for each student you have at Elm Road Elementary. If you have students at other P-H-M schools, please reference the emails from those principals shared Tuesday, Sept. 1 or visit the school’s website.

If you have any questions, please call the school.

Last night (Monday, August 31) the P-H-M Board of School Trustees unanimously approved a “Return to Learn” plan to bring students back to the classroom in phases, for those families who want to return to in-person learning, starting in two weeks: 

• Sept. 14, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades, PreK – grade 3
• Sept. 21, In-Person Learning for Elementary grades 4 & 5 
• Sept. 21, Hybrid model, a blend of In-Person and Virtual, for Middle and High School students (grades 6-12) 
• Parents at all grade levels will still have the choice to keep their students 100% Virtual if they so choose.

All students and staff will be required to wear a mask while at school.

Click to read P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker’s full letter to parents that was emailed Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Below is a graphic of the detailed schedule with school day start and end times. You can click the image below to print it off.

We asked our teachers to share their favorite moments from the first week of virtual learning, here is what they said!

Please use the links below for important information regarding the 2020 School Year.

Information for ALL students:

• Virtual Learning, Pick Up Dates, Meals and More
• Welcome Back

The communication below was emailed to staff and parents today:

Thursday, July 2, 2020

Dear P-H-M Families,

I know that you have been anxiously waiting for the details on our plan to return to school on Wednesday, August 19 (for grades 1-12) and August 20 (kindergarten).

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. There have been many changes in our daily lives making things our new normal, at least for a while. This also means that the procedures in our school buildings must also change to ensure the highest health and safety guidelines. Working in concert with the St. Joseph County Health Department and following the guidance and recommendations by the CDC, Indiana State Department of Health, Governor’s Office, and the IDOE we have developed a re-entry plan for Penn-Harris-Madison Schools.

EDUCATION OPTIONS

While we believe that the most effective instruction for your child happens in a classroom Face to Face with our highly qualified teachers, there will be an online Virtual option available for those who elect not to attend in-person.

Click the two links below to read more about the two different options that parents can choose between to have their students educated this fall:

1. Face to Face Learning: This plan also details how Transportation, Food Service, Recess, Cleaning, Extracurricular Activities will be handled in our facilities.
2. Virtual: This plan breaks down how online learning will take place at the three grade levels (elementary, middle and high school).
3. WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE? To help us plan for the Fall, we are asking parents to complete a survey with their choice for instruction for the upcoming school year.​ Please complete this survey by Monday, July 13.

As we communicated Tuesday of this week, we will follow our 2020-2021 school year calendar and these health and safety guidelines:

• Per the St. Joseph County Health Department Public Health Order, staff and students are required to have a mask (face covering) with them at all times. There will be times indoors or in enclosed spaces that 6 feet of physical distance cannot be maintained.
• Students and staff will be required to be fever free for 72 hours without use of fever reducing medication before returning to school.
• To maintain safe social distancing, lunch times will be staggered and available open space will be maximized.
• Restrict visitors and guests in our school buildings.
• Maximize instructional space and scheduling flexibility.
• Employee enhanced cleaning procedures with additional hand sanitizer stations.
• Identify and separate space in school clinics to treat symptomatic students.
• Discontinuation of perfect attendance incentives for the 2020-21 school year.

For more detailed information on the procedures for masks, social, distancing, cleaning, etc. on P-H-M buses and within our schools, please click here to review the Face to Face Return to Learn model.

We understand that these documents can’t answer every question about re-opening, however, we hope it gives you the framework necessary to make the best decision for your family, whether that’s  returning to school, or online learning. Individualized school plans are being created and will be communicated to families and posted on school websites on August 1st. If you have additional questions in the meantime, please email returntolearn@phm.k12.in.us.

If the number of cases of COVID-19 reaches a level where local and state officials determine that school cannot meet in person, eLearning will resume and would be similar to what it was last spring with some improvements based on the parental feedback we received. We tested some new education models over the summer with online summer school and feel confident that if we have to return to eLearning that we can continue to provide a quality education while also offering social emotional supports.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation