Kingsmen Nation

The Penn PTO offers a heartfelt thanks to the parents/guardians and vendors for their contributions to Teacher Appreciation Week !!!!

The week of May 6 -10 was National Teacher Appreciation Week. We thank all of our teachers across the district for the academic excellence they provide every day to our students. During this week we announce our winners of Elementary Teacher of the Year, Secondary Teacher of the Year, and Classified Employee of the Year. It's hard to just choose one person in these categories. P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker enjoys surprising the winners and including the students in on the fun. This year our winners were:

• Nichol Mondy, 3rd grade teacher, Northpoint
• Jeremy Starkweather, English, Debate, & Communications teacher, Penn
• Brenda Speedy, E.A., Schmucker

Mrs. Mondy, Mr. Starkweather, and Mrs. Speedy are all tremendous examples of professionals that strive and deliver #PHMExcellence to their students. Click here to learn more about why these three were chosen as this year's honorees.

Here is important information for in-person 2024 Summer School:

Summer Semester 1 runs June 10 - June 28.

Summer Semester 2 runs July 8 - July 26

Times are 8:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.

SUMMER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION:

Rachel Fry, Summer School Principal

Shannan Lindzy, Online Curriculum & Summer School Coordinator

Fran Haughee, Summer School Secretary – fhaughee@phm.k12.in.us

SUMMER SCHOOL ROUTING INFORMATION

• On June 3rd and 4th each student’s primary contact in Skyward will receive summer school routing information via email. This information will also be located in the EZRouting Parent Portal. Please check the Parent Portal prior to the start of Session 1 and throughout the first week of Summer School. Potential routing adjustments may occur.
  
  

• If no routing information is received please email one of the following individuals. Include your student’s name, summer school building, and transportation address. When you receive an email with routing information your student can begin riding.

Terri Byers (Routing Specialist)

tbyers@phm.k12.in.us

Ann Ross (Routing Specialist)

aross1@phm.k12.in.us

Robin Tharp (Assistant Director)

rtharp@phm.k12.in.us

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

We are excited to see everyone at Prom for a fun, and safe evening. It is our goal to make this event special for everyone involved, and we would like to thank everyone who has pitched in to make the night a successful one.

• Please remember every student who enters must have some form of ID and their tickets with them.
• If you leave the prom you are not able to return so please plan accordingly.
• Although the prom is held off-campus, the Penn High School Code-of-Conduct will be in effect.

It's going to be a great evening filled with memories to last a lifetime. We will see you there!

TICKETS: A link was sent to all Juniors and Seniors on Friday, April 26, to purchase tickets for $35 each. Ticket sales will be available until 8 p.m., Saturday, May 11, or until all 1,450 tickets available are sold. There are a very limited amount still remaining.

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 High School Theatre presents their spring play, The Phantom Tollbooth, written by Susan Nanus and based on the novel by Norton Juster. The story tells of a young boy who is uninterested in anything in life and feeling incredibly bored who is suddenly transported to a magical world full of bizarre characters and puns galore! The show will be in the Studio Theater on Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m., Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 18 at 3 p.m. Tickets are only $5 for students (grades K-college) and $10 for adults. Tickets can be bought at the door, but those planning to attend are encouraged to purchase online to ensure a seat. The link is at the bottom of the page: https://phmschools.hometownticketing.com/embed/all

Parents/Guardians, please fill out the brief form below to help the Transportation Department with planning for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have more than one high school student at Penn, please fill the form out once for each of them. Thank you!

Click here to access the form.

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition for the 2024-2025 school year should look for an email around the week of May 13 with their summer reading assignment. They may also access it here or contact Mr. Coffee at mcoffee@phm.k12.in.us.

Parents/Guardians:

Congratulations on helping your senior graduate from Penn High School. We share your pride in your senior’s achievement.

The Penn High School Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, June 3.

Information on the following topics is included in this post that contains important graduation details:

• Caps and Gowns
• Elkhart Area Career Center final day
• Senior Commencement meetings
• Senior Recognition program
• Senior Final Exams
• Graduation Rehearsal
• Post-Commencement Ceremony Diploma distribution
• Commencement Ceremony information/guidelines
• Photos
• LiveStream
• Senior Parade and Breakfast
• Senior Sunrise Breakfast

Attention Seniors,

Would you like to walk the halls of your former elementary school before graduating? How about seeing old teachers from back in the day? Do you want to feel like a celebrity walking the red carpet?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, sign up for the senior parades for the last two days of school where you can walk around your former elementary schools to see former teachers and see how much has changed since you have been there. Even if you didn't go to a P-H-M Elementary school, you can still choose to visit one of our 11 elementary schools with your friends. Due to parking restrictions, students will not be allowed to drive to the elementary schools. We will all board buses from Penn to travel to the elementary schools.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/LmBSbrpVfSXV6fMK7

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.

The PHM DVT/Planetarium will be closed for the summer but will resume public shows in September 2024! Please check back with us in late August/early September for our 2024-2025 public show programs! Tickets are usually $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens, and 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.

On May 14th at 1 pm we will be unveiling the new signage for the Arthur M Klinger Planetarium, the planetarium will be open following the unveiling for a celebration of the event and to honor Mr. Klinger’s legacy. Dr. and Mrs. Thacker generously donated $10,000 to the P-H-M Education Foundation's Naming Rights Campaign to rename the PHM DVT/Planetium the "Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium."

At any point throughout the day, a student can get a full USDA meal from the vending machines located near Door D or in the cafeteria.

Before 10 a.m., students can purchase a breakfast meal and after 10 a.m., students can purchase a lunch meal.

These meals are charged directly to your food account. The student will follow the prompts on the screen, entering their student ID first, then their birthday (as a 2 digit xx-xx-xx) as their pin. Any student can purchase a meal regardless of status (free, reduced, full price) as long as they have money in their account and have not already purchased food for the day.

1. All AP exams are taking place at Penn High School

CLICK HERE FOR THE AP TESTING SCHEDULE (2-page PDF)

2. Weeks 1 & 2 are the primary test dates and all students are expected to test on these dates

3. Students who miss an exam must contact Mr. Hall via email if they would like to make-up their exam

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the IMC, Spectrum is bringing back Reality Cafe.

Reality Cafe is an open mic, poetry slam event, so if you have any writing, art, poetry, or songs that you might want to try out, this is your chance! See Miss Armstrong in the IMC if you have any questions.

The Spring edition of Spectrum Magazine is in the Bookstore, featuring student writing and art.

Limited copies are available for $15.

Check out the talent of your peers.

As we near the end of the year, we host many wonderful events during the school day that are open to families. Be sure to review the full description of safety requirements for attending various types of school activities (click here).

We appreciate your partnership in supporting our school!

We have had a lot of requests for Penn Gear for specific team gear that you are not finding in the Penn Bookstore. Well ... there's good news. Penn Boosters will be launching a new ON-LINE store where you can find Penn gear year round for your student, while supporting the PENN BOOSTERS at the same time. Win-Win ... Right?

Here's how it works...

PENN HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE-SHOPPING

Don’t see what you want at the Penn Bookstore? Then go visit our YEAR ROUND on-line store at: https://www.gottogettees.com/

Go to the GENERAL STORE section and Click on the PENN BOOKSTORE icon…and find the category you would like! Still don’t see what you need? Please feel free to contact: Marci Messer (Penn Boosters) at messer@timefortees.com to let us know what you need.

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.

Dear Parents of Junior Students,

For senior year 2024-2025 your student will be required to have:

• A booster of the meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)

This is a requirement by the Indiana State Department of Health for your student to remain in

school!

It is also recommended that your student have the Meningococcal B vaccines and the HPV

vaccines, but those are not required for school.

Please talk to your health care provider to schedule an appointment NOW in order to not

interrupt the start of your student's senior year, we are encouraging you to get this taken care of

as soon as possible. If your child has already received their vaccines, please send in

documentation to the school health office. You can email or send a picture of the

immunization record to sdikos@phm.k12.in.us or fax #254-2875.

If you have questions or need a current copy of your student's immunization record, please call

the Penn High School Health Office at 574-254-2834. We are happy to help you expedite this process!

*Please note that if this isn't taken care of by the first day of school. you will receive a letter notifying you of the possibility of exclusion from school.

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 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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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