Discovery Middle School Students Learn About U.S. Constitution from St. Joseph County Magistrate Judge

A classroom setting with students seated at desks and a teacher presenting at the front.Seventh grade students at Discovery Middle School celebrated Constitution Day with a special visit from St. Joseph County Superior Court Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Hardtke, bringing their lessons about the U.S. Constitution and judicial branch to life.

During the visit, Magistrate Judge Hardtke spoke with students about the U.S. Constitution, the judicial system and the role of local courts in the community. She also shared insight into her work as a magistrate judge and the responsibility of applying the law fairly, impartially and consistently.

Students learned how the Constitution guides the work of the courts and protects the rights of citizens. They also had the opportunity to ask Judge Hardtke questions and connect what they have been studying in their seventh grade history classes to the work happening every day in the St. Joseph County court system. A classroom scene with a young man in camouflage clothing waving from the front row, sitting at a desk with other students,

The Constitution Day visit is one example of how Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation teachers connect classroom instruction with real-world learning experiences and community resources.

P-H-M thanks Magistrate Judge Hardtke for sharing her time and experience with Discovery Middle School students! #PHMExcellence

P-H-M Students Learn, Reflect and Remember 25 Years After 9/11

Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, P-H-M students learned about the events of that day, honoring the lives lost and reflecting on the heroes who stepped forward to help.

Across the district, elementary, middle and high school teachers led age-appropriate lessons to help students understand the significance of 9/11 and why it remains important to remember.

At the elementary level, students are learning about September 11 through the stories of the heroes and helpers who emerged that day. One class used a student-friendly presentation to learn about the events before creating books highlighting several of the heroes of 9/11. Students discussed the people they helped and connected those stories to the heroes and helpers in their own lives.

P-H-M middle school students learned not only what happened on September 11, but also how the events continue to have an impact on our country and world 25 years later.

At Penn High School, students in an AP English and U.S. History Seminar course took a deeper look at the historical significance of the attacks. Lessons included watching historical video footage, hearing eye witness and first responders first hand accounts of that tragic day. Teachers shared their own memories of that day. Students had the opportunity to reflect and share their thoughts with the class. 

Penn students also had a role in helping our community commemorate the anniversary. Penn High School’s student media program, Penn News Network (PNN), produced a special livestream of St. Joseph County Police Department’s annual 9/11 Stair Climb at Everwise Freed Field to honor and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. 

Watch an archived video of the PNN livestream:
https://youtube.com/live/ek83TMa3ndA?feature=share

Through classroom lessons, conversations, reflection and remembrance, P-H-M educators and students helped ensure that the lessons and stories of September 11 are never forgotten.

P-H-M and Penn High School in the National Spotlight

Our first Kindergarten Kickoff, held on Friday, August 21, 2026, had a terrific turnout and tremendous community response.

The event was so touching it even garnered the attention of national network news!

A brief feature about our inaugural event was featured on NBC Nightly News on Saturday, September 5 at the end of the newscast as part of “There’s Good News Tonight” segment. Our portion was one of three stories highlighted as good news from across the country.

Click the link below watch our story …

 

P-H-M Homecoming 2026 Details

Attention P-H-M families and community members! Mark your calendars for the annual Homecoming Celebration on Friday, October 2, 2026. The Homecoming Dance for students only will be Saturday, October 3, 2026. More details on the dance, including ticket information is coming soon.

Friday, October 2, 2026

This event is ONLY possible through the generous support of the P-H-M Education Foundation, Presenting Sponsor “Drive and Shine” and our other incredible sponsors.

Family Fun Zone
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Stadium
• What: Bounce Houses, Gaga Ball, Obstacle Courses, 22 ft slide and more!
• The Family Fun Zone is Free thanks to Fun Zone Sponsors Gary and Tammy Fox
• Please note: The fun zone and food trucks get REALLY busy at the conclusion of the parade, if possible, we encourage our elementary families to arrive as close to to 4 p.m. as possible to have pre-parade fun.

Vendor Expo
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: First Base Side of the Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Stadium
• What: Tables with vendors sharing valuable information & Free “Go Penn” temporary tattoos for all Kingsmen and future Kingsmen!

Food Trucks
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Varies
• Location: North End of Penn High School Parking Lots
• What: Get dinner or a snack from a variety of delicious local food trucks!
• Please note: Food truck food is not permitted inside the football stadium. We encourage everyone to arrive early before the lines get too long so you can enjoy your meal with plenty of time before heading to the game.

Homecoming Parade
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: **NEW THIS YEAR** The parade route will start at the Dr. Jerry & Donna Thacker Fieldhouse on McKinley Highway and turn right on Bittersweet Road and head south before turning in the last gate before Jefferson Boulevard toward Penn High School. The route will end near the Family Fun Zone (see map below).
• What: Each P-H-M Elementary and Middle school will be marching as well as floats created by a variety of Penn High School sports, clubs and students groups.  Don’t forget to vote for your favorite float at the Expo! Each vote is $5 with all proceeds going to the P-H-M Education Foundation.

**Note the roads impacted by the parade route will be closed starting at 5:20PM.  Eastbound traffic on McKinley will be instructed to turn around or go down Candace, right on Filmore, left of Pershing and then back east on Jefferson. Westbound traffic will be turned north on Bittersweet Road (see map below). The roads will reopen once the parade has concluded. Families are encouraged to arrive early to allow plenty of time to find parking and walk to the events.

Football Game
• What: Elkhart vs Penn
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $6 in advance when purchased at the Athletics Department office inside Penn High School or $7 at the gate when paying with cash. (We do have an online option for added convenience but please note, there is an online fee of $1 per ticket added by the online vendor.)
  Any elementary student or younger, who attends with a paying adult, is free! (Ex. 1 paying parent with 3 elementary children, all 3 children are free)  
• Location: Everwise Freed Field
•Click for facility Rules to Remember

Parking
• Cost: $3 to park in lots around Penn High School (MAP COMING SOON)
  All money raised through parking supports the Penn High School Band Boosters 
• Cost: Free to park in Schmucker, Pennway, Baseball and Softball lots (See Map). Please be respectful of our neighbors in the surrounding areas and do not park in yards or block driveways. Be mindful of neighborhood parking restrictions.
  Families are encouraged to arrive early to allow plenty of time to find parking and walk to the events.

Fireworks
• Cost: Free!
• Special thanks to the Fireworks Sponsor Laidig Systems, Inc.!

Click Map to Expand
(Note, McKinley Highway will close just before the parade and as soon as the last parade entry clears McKinley Hwy and enters Bittersweet Road, McKinley Highway will reopen to traffic)
Aerial view of a city street, showing a start/finish line, a road closed sign, and various businesses and landmarks.

SILENT AUCTION DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Silent Auction
• All proceeds benefit the P-H-M Education Foundation — MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

For sponsorship opportunities or other information, please reach out to Jen Turnblom jturnblom@phmef.org

Rules to Remember:

  • No reentry; once you leave, you are not allowed back in.
  • No outside food or beverages, no insulated cups
  • No backpacks
    • Diaper bags & large women’s purses are allowed
  • Penn does not have a clear bag policy
  • No electronic noise makers
  • No Footballs or Beach Balls
  • No weapons of any kind
  • No alcohol
  • No Smoking/Vaping products of any kind. All PHM school property is smoke free.
  • No open flames at private tailgating

Community Tailgate, Friday August 21, 2026

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be against Valparaiso. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza to buy your $6.00 Meal Ticket.

An advertisement for a tailgate event at a high school football game on Friday, August 21st from 6:00 to 9:30pm

Do you have an incoming kindergartner or a Penn senior? 

P-H-M Education Foundation is hosting a special “Kindergarten Kickoff” before this year’s football game!

The Class of 2027 will welcome the future Class of 2039 into the P-H-M family by meeting kindergartners on the 50-yard line of the Kingsmen football field and presenting them with black and gold pom-poms.

Click here for more details and to sign your student up to participate.

Boys Basketball Futures League for Grades 1-8

Penn High School Boys Basketball is offering Futures Leagues for Boys in Grades 1-through-8.

There are four leagues – Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8.

Times/complete information are in the PDFs below.

The Leagues are on Sundays from Sept. 20-Oct. 18.

Register for Grades 1-2 League

Register for Grades 3-4 League

Register for Grades 5-6 League

Register for Grades 7-8 League

Boys Basketball 2026 Fall 1st-4th Basketball League

Boys Basketball 2026 5th-8th Fall League Info

 

 

Penn Girls Basketball Youth Leagues sign up set for Sunday, Aug. 23

The start of school is right around the corner and Penn Girls Basketball is ready to get back into the gym with two Youth Leagues.
 
The Future Is Now!
 
This fall Penn Girls Basketball is offering two leagues — one for players in Grades 1-2 (Girls ONLY) and our traditional league for players in Grades 3-8. 
 
Penn Youth Girls Basketball League and our Little Dribblers League Sign-ups are Sunday, Aug. 23, from 12-2 p.m. at Penn High School in the main Arena. Enter at Door D. 
 
Penn Girls Youth League registration flyer for Sunday, November 2nd at 2 pm in a gymnasium.
 
We are looking forward to seeing you there and continuing to grow the game for our Future Lady Kingsmen!!  Be a part of a winning tradition!
 
  • Bring your registration form and payment (forms attached below)
  • We will have a gear sizing station (everyone needs a Penn jersey)
  • Parents/Guardians can sign up to help coach
  • Meet the Girls Basketball High School Coaching Staff
 
️Penn Youth Girls Basketball
️️League Sign-ups
️
  • Sunday, August 23
  • 12-2 p.m.
  • Penn High School — Main Arena
  • Enter Door D

Penn Girls Basketball Little Dribblers League 2026 FORM

Penn Youth Girls Basketball League 2026 FORM Grades 3-8

Discovery Students Top Finishers in MathCON

Congratulations to all Discovery Middle School MathCON finalists!

On May 23rd, 10 Discovery students traveled to Chicago to compete in the MathCON Nationals. Roger Zhou was named the National Champion for all 6th graders! Ayaansh Yadav and Ted Wang both earned Honorable Mention.

All together, Discovery placed 2nd overall nationally in the 6th grade division!

Two people standing on stage at an event. A man in a suit holding a plaque and a boy in a white shirt wearing a medal around

Congratulations to all of these students and to their teachers:

  • Leo Guo (6th)
  • Tanqi Li (6th)
  • Liam McNulty (8th)
  • Vishank Ramidid (6th)
  • Ted Wang (6th)
  • Daniel Wei (6th)
  • Ayaansh Yadav (6th)
  • Alan Zhang (6th)
  • Jeffery Zhang (8th)
  • Roger Zhou (6th)

Other P-H-M students from Northpoint Elementary School and Penn High School also performed very well. Two Northpoint students earned the highest scores in the state for 4th and 5th grades and also placed at the National Competition and received Honorable Mentions; and two Penn students earned the top scores in 9th and 10th grades.

Erin Randolph Wins Spring 2026 Impact Award

A group of people posing together in a classroom setting, likely educators or staff members, standing in front of a bulletinPenn-Harris-Madison Schools is proud to recognize outstanding educators whose instruction leads to meaningful academic growth for students.

This semester, Discovery Middle School 7th Grade Language Arts teacher Erin Randolph was surprised with a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award after her students achieved the highest overall growth in the district for Grade 7 ELA from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 3. Her students demonstrated an impressive growth of 84 points, outperforming all other Grade 7 ELA classes district-wide.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Discovery Middle School Principal Elizabeth Cunha surprised Erin and her students with the recognition, celebrating the connection between high-quality instruction and student achievement. The P-H-M Teacher Impact Award is presented each semester to teachers whose students show the greatest academic growth, highlighting excellence in teaching and learning across the district. Group of students posing together in a school building.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for providing the beautiful engraved awards that the teachers keep in their classrooms as a reminder of what they and their students accomplished.

Click to see the full photo gallery in Canto.

Discovery Middle School Bands Receives ISSMA All-Music Award

The Discovery Middle School Band is a recipient of the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) All-Music Award for the 2025-2026 school year.

The All-Music Award is awarded each year to schools that have demonstrated excellence across the entire spectrum of the events offered by ISSMA.

Congratulations to the talented young musicians and music staff for their outstanding musical accomplishments this year!

ISSMA will be presenting the Discovery Band with a special banner to display in recognition of these achievements.