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Mustang Messenger

September 2023

MustangMessengerSeptember 2023
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From the Principal's Desk

Greetings Mustang Families!


I hope the start of the school year has felt as successful to you as it has to us!


Just a reminder that in Skyward, there is information needed regarding medication, immunizations, etc. Scan the QR code below or go to this link: SKYWARD. On the PHM website, there are additional forms for photo consent, handbook certification, etc. The link for that is here: PHM Consent Forms. You can also scan the QR code below for that as well.


Once that is completed please complete this GOOGLE FORM.


We've had a few calls regarding visitation at lunch. Yes, we do allow you to visit your child during their lunch, but you must call to "RSVP." We have limited space so this ensures there is room for you on that day. Visits can begin after Labor Day. We strongly encourage you to either bring the same lunch your child has, or to purchase lunch from the cafeteria. Our guidelines do not allow any outside food or drink such as McDonald's or Starbucks. We also ask that you make this a special occasion and not with regularity. Lunch is a time for socialization with peers, and we also thrive on routine and established expectations to make the day run smoothly.


I'd also like to remind you that you can now put absences in Skyward directly and do not have to call. You may also continue to use the email: maryfrankattendance@phm.k12.in.us. When emailing or sending in notes to school, please include your child's first and last name.


Finally, the PHM Learning Division would like 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. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child's classroom teacher or me.


Our goal is to support teachers as we move toward classroom libraries being cataloged. We believe classroom libraries are within the scope of recent legislation, and that providing parents with a list of classroom library books provides an opportunity for greater transparency and partnership and is a proactive measure. Teachers do not need to have a completed inventory by the start of school. We ask that they be completed prior to Winter Break.


Have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend!


~Mrs. Heerschop

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Skyward

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PHM Website

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Traffic Jam!

ATTENTION PARENTS OF CAR RIDERS::


PLEASE do NOT pull out in front of other cars lined up along the sidewalk when dropping off/picking up your child. This is a safety concern when we have so many students outside exiting or entering vehicles. Please be rest assured that any parents needing extra time are being diverted to the middle area of our parking lot to prevent a traffic jam from occurring.


Our school resource officers will be watching for this in the coming days. If you are observed continuing this unsafe practice, your child will be moved to the office and you'll be asked to park in front and then come in to pick them up.


Your assistance to keep our students safe is GREATLY appreciated.

PHM Safety & Security Update

We are happy to share with you the addition of safety and security personnel for the 2023-24 school year. The safety and security of our schools are a priority as we foster optimal learning environments and aim to prepare your child(ren) for college and career readiness. Three (3) certified School Resource Officers (SROs), recently retired from local police departments, have/will join us as P-H-M Safety Agents in our schools. These officers will be housed in each of our middle schools and also serve feeder elementary buildings. The new P-H-M Safety Agents collaborate with our Principals, St. Joseph County School Resource Officers, and other off-duty police officials to further enhance schools as safe learning environments, prepare for emergencies, and ensure that all schools comply with safe school plans and practices as required by law.


New Safety Agents:

Retired St. Joseph County Police - Officer Kent Wickham

Retired South Bend Police - Officer Britton Pratt

Officer TBD (will announce later this fall)


Current Safety and Security Staff:

P-H-M Director of Safety and Security - Officer Tommy Teeter (tteeter@phm.k12.in.us)

P-H-M Lead Safety Agent - Officer Antwon Jones (located at Penn HS)

St. Joseph County School Resource Officer - Officer Mike Reppert

St. Joseph County School Resource Officer - Officer Ben Wilkey

Off-Duty Police Officials: Officer Greg Howard - South Bend Police

Officer Avery Minor - Roseland Chief of Police

Officer Scott Moniz - Osceola Police

Officer Corey Calvert - South Bend Police

VSS Security (contracted service) for Hallway Monitors at Secondary Schools.


Safe School Helpline

If you see something, hear something, say something! The Safe School Helpline is a convenient, confidential way for anyone to report information about situations that might affect safety at any P-H-M school or building. You can call the number any time of the day or night to report concerns about unsafe or potentially disruptive activities or situations including drug or alcohol abuse, weapons, harassment, bullying or threats.


All calls are completely confidential.

Important Dates

PHM District Calendar for 2023-24

1-page PDF of 2023-24 School Calendar


September 4

Labor Day - No School


September 12

RtI Meetings Begin - If your child is being brought to our RtI team, their teacher will reach out to you prior to the meeting to let you know, and after the meeting to give you information on our next steps for your child's interventions. For more information on our RtI process, see below.


September 13

Immunizations Due Date


September 14

Mary Frank PTO General Meeting - 6-7pm


September 20

Beef O'Brady's PTO Give Back Night


September 29

Popcorn Friday! (PTO Fundraiser)

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What is RTI?

Response to Intervention (RtI) is a system/framework by which schools provide early, systematic academic and behavioral assistance to students who are at risk for or already performing under grade level.


The process of RtI varies across districts, but the ultimate goal is to improve students' success.


This is a great link to more information on RTI: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/response-intervention-rti-primer-parents

C.L.A.S.S. at Mary Frank

The C.L.A.S.S. framework includes two life goals: Do the Right Thing and Treat People Right. These two life goals make up the lens through which we view everything in our school setting. Our "Life Goals Pledge" is listed above.


There are also monthly lifelines (character traits) that promote the idea of a common

vocabulary and a frame of reference for behavior and how we work together in the entire school community. Staff and students are constantly teaching and modeling the lifelines and encouraging the use of the lifelines beyond the school setting.


This month's lifeline is AWARENESS. The definition we use for awareness is "We can be aware of how our actions and interactions impact things and others around us." One way we can assist students to be "aware" is through the use of "Zones of Regulation." Zones of Regulation is a framework and curriculum that develops awareness of feelings, energy, and alertness levels while exploring a variety of tools and strategies for regulation, prosocial skills, self-care, and overall wellness. Below is a visual of the Zones of Regulation.

Helpful Links

Forms for Parents
The PHM website has almost all forms (some online) and information you may need throughout the school year. Instead of hunting down paperwork, always check here first.
Community Events & Activities
Clicking on the button above will provide you a listing of non-school activities and events made available to P-H-M students and families by area organizations.

All Kingsmen, future Kingsmen, families, and community members will have a chance to show their Penn Pride with three t-shirts options:


Homecoming Spirit Wear

1.) Penn High School Students & Staff - $12.00 Each

*This shirt was designed by one of our Penn High School students.

2.) Kingsmen Families & Community Members - $10.00 Each

3.) Future Kingsmen - $10.00 Each


Orders must be placed online by Friday, September 15th. All orders will be delivered to your student’s school. Please select the school from the dropdown menu and fill in your student’s name (along with grade, teacher/homeroom teacher) information that would be helpful to the middle and elementary schools’ office staff for delivery. Penn High School students can pick their orders up in the bookstore.

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A Note from PTO

Spirit Wear is Here!

The 2023-2024 Spirit Wear online store will begin on September 21st and close on October 1st. A flier with this year's designs and ordering information will be sent home with your student. A link to the online store will be shared on the Mary Frank PTO page. When ordering please be sure to include your student's name, grade, and teacher when ordering in the comment section.


Open Meeting

Join us on Thursday, September 14th at 6 PM for an Open PTO Meeting in the library! We are looking forward to meeting new faces and sharing information for the upcoming months at our school.


Upcoming Fundraisers!

September 20th Beef O' Brady's is partnering with us for a “give back night”. Order anytime on September 20th and 20% of what is spent will go to Mary Frank! A voucher will be posted on social media and sent home with students for dine-in or carry-out.


September’s “Smile & Share”

We know our Mustangs are busy with Fall extracurricular activities so it’s time to “Smile & Share”! These pictures can include anything from sports to just hanging out with multiple Mustangs. If you play on a team with other Mary Frank students or hang out with Mary Frank friends, snap a group pic together!


✓ Looking Ahead: October’s “Smile & Share” will involve Mustang Spirit Wear. Don’t miss September’s Spirit Wear order for your chance to show your Mustang Pride.

✓ Email: Pictures should be sent to maryfrankyearbook@gmail.com, and include student name(s) and grade(s).

✓ Reminder: Pictures can only include current Mary Frank students.

✓ Photo Tip: Clear, close-up, bright photos will give us the best yearbook!


Spirit Week for Penn Homecoming

September 25th - September 29th will be our spirit week! Students are asked to bring in a $1 donation each day they participate and the P-H-M Education Foundation will return 25% of the profits back to Mary Frank.


Monday - Mismatched Day

Tuesday - Color Wars (Pre-K - Yellow, Kindergarten - Green, 1st - Black, 2nd - Blue, 3rd - Red, 4th - Orange, 5th - Purple)

Wednesday - Tye Dye Day

Thursday - Favorite Sports Team

Friday - Black and Gold Day


Library Help

Mrs. Heckaman is looking for volunteers to shelf books! Both AM and PM, Monday - Friday opportunities available! If you have a couple of hours a week and are interested, please email the PTO at MFMustangsPTO@gmail.com for the volunteer form.


Paige Donati & Lyn Yoder, Co-Presidents

Samantha Camarillo, Secretary

OPEN - Treasurer

Melisssa Campbell, Art Smart

Jess De Fauw, Spirit Wear