​This year Penn Harris Madison Schools is giving parents access to their student's online activities through Securly. 

Securly is a program parents can use to view student Chromebook use and to have control over what students have access to at home with their school issued Chromebook.  Soon parents will receive an email from Securly on how to get started with the program; then parents will start receiving a weekly email from Securly that will show parents a preview of your student’s online activity while using their P-H-M issued Chromebook. For more information please click the Securly Parent Portal. 

Click here for a full Parents’ Guide to  P-H-M Technology, from Skyward to Chromebook online safety measures.

The first day back for the school of the 2018-19 school year for Penn-Harris-Madison schools was Wednesday, August 22. Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and Penn Principal Sean Galiher were up early to do live interviews on local South Bend TV stations.

Dr. Thacker then began his annual 15 schools in 3 days tour. Longtime Board Member Larry Beehler accompanied Dr. Thacker on the first two days. Take a look at their visits …

Student athletes must have a profile created on Register My Athlete, be signed up for that sport, and have an approved physical in order to participate.

Attached you will find information that will be discussed at the two Canvas meetings at 6PM in the cafeteria prior to the open house.  The 6^th grade will have their open house on Monday, August 20^th and the 7/8^th grade students will have their open house on Wednesday, August 22^nd. We will have printed copies of this material at both meetings.  Feel free to look at it ahead of time. 

Please click HERE to download the documents. 

Today was New Teacher Orientation for Penn-Harris-Madison. 

Discovery is welcoming 5 new teachers that range in subject areas from Band to P.E./Wellness.

Click to get more details on P-H-M’s Penn's New Teacher Class of 2018.

The first Europe 2020 meeting will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 7:30 A.M.  This meeting will take place in the LGI at Discovery.  Please click HERE to register for this meeting. 

Math Placement Test/Tour: Tuesday, 8/14/18 at 9:00 AM-  This is only for new students who moved in over the summer.  

New Student Orientation: Friday, 8/17/18 from 1-2:15 PM- This is only for new 6^th, 7^th, and 8th grade students who moved in over the summer. 

6^th Grade Open House: Monday, 8/20/18 at 6:00 PM- For all 6^th grade students and parents.  

First Day of School: Wednesday, 8/22/18 from 8:50 AM- 4:00 PM- All students. 

7^th and 8^th Grade Open House: Wednesday, 8/22/18 at 6:00 PM- For all 7^th and 8^th grade students and parents. 

FLL Robotics: FIRST Lego League is no longer accepting applications.  The team is full.  

FLL Robotics: FIRST Lego League – Anyone can join, but this is not about playing with Legos. This is an academic competition, involving teamwork, research, creative problem-solving, and fun. You must fill out an application, and there is no guarantee to be on a team. See this website for more information on FLL. 

The application is due by August 31^st.  

Please click here to download the application.  

Discovery Middle School is a proud member of the BIG 11 CONFERENCE 

PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS

The following paperwork is required to participate in athletics at Discovery Middle School.  

*IHSAA Physical (completed on the IHSAA form) pages 3 (IHSAA Physical) and 5 (Consent Form) only

• Required annually and MUST be dated on or after April 1st, 2026. (required a new physical every year)
• All forms must be completely filled out.
• Uploaded onto Register My Athlete (IHSAA Physical and Consent forms MUST be filled out completely and uploaded.)

*Aktivate (Register My Athlete) at www.registermyathlete.com

• Opens up for the new school year on June 1st, 2026
• Parents must go online to register their child for each sport their child is interested in participating in.
• All sections must be completed. (Electronic signatures and upload IHSAA Physical and Consent form)
• Status of Not Complete:   Athletes can not participate in practices and events.  (Items need to be completed)
• Status of Ready for Tryouts:  Athletes can participate in practices and events, but still need to pay the transportation fee.
• Status of Complete: Athletes can participate in practices and events.

*Transportation Fee  ($10.00 Per Sport)

• Payment is required once you make the team and before the first contest. 
• Payment can be made online while registering or submitted to the Main Office. (Please mark the envelope with your child’s name, grade and team with checks payable to Discovery Middle School.) 

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to participate in the athletic programs at Discovery Middle School Students must be passing 5 out of 6 classes or 3 out of 3 if halftime.  Grades will be checked at Progress Reports and End of Grading Period.  If not met, students will sit out of competitions for 1 week, grades will be checked again.  This will be done twice after the original date, after which your child will be removed from the team.

Athletic Start Dates and Coaches Contact information for 2026-2027 Season

Athletic Director:  Scott Vandygriff

7th and 8th grade Fall cheer squad try-outs were in May of 2026 and that team’s roster is final.

Participation

Athletes must have 8 practices in before they are allowed to participate in an athletic event. Athletes must be at school ½ day to participate in practices and events. (3 of 6 Periods)

Ticket Information

Ticket for regular season events:

Adults $5, and Seniors & K-12 Students: $3
Tickets will be purchased at the event gate 
(cash only, no bills bigger than $20, and exact change preferred.)

Event Schedules

Click Here for Event Schedules (These are tentative and subject to change throughout the year.)

Discovery Athletic Entrances

ALL Indoor events will enter through Door E.  Doors will not open until 30 minutes before the event is scheduled to start. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to event start time. 
Buses may park by Door E and then move to bus parking areas. 
ALL football and track and field events:  spectators entrance is different from team entrance. Buses may drop off near the team entrance, then move to the bus parking area.
ALL cross country events:  spectators entrance is the walk way between the school and the football field. Buses may drop off near the walkway entrance, then move to the bus parking area.

*Remember we end school at 4PM and buses dismiss at 4:10 PM.  The parking lot near Horizon is used for car riders right after school.  Arriving before 4:15 PM could cause headaches for bus drivers.

♥️AEDs are located in the Concession Stand by the football field and outside the main gym, by the locker room hallway through door E.  

Kingsmen Futures (lifting program and speed training)

Registration Opens in September and closes quickly.  Limited spots available.

FOLLOW @PennStrength on X for Up to Date Information. 

Contact mcates@phm.k12.in.us with any questions

WHO:  Any Middle School Athlete, 6-8th grade enrolled at Schmucker, Grissom, or Discovery and registers in September.  Limited number of students
WHAT:  FUTURES Lifting Program  (FREE to Penn Student Athletes)
WHEN: Mondays and Wednesdays Starting TBD for 2026-2027 from 7:30am to 8:15am
WHERE:  Penn High School Weight Room. Enter Through Door G
WHO:  Any Middle School Athlete, 6-8th grade enrolled at Schmucker, Grissom, or Discovery 
WHAT:  FUTURES Speed Training  (FREE to Penn Student Athletes)
WHEN: Fridays Starting TBD for 2026-2027 from 7:30am to 8:15am
WHERE:  Penn High School Thacker Fieldhouse

Buses will transport students back to Discovery for the regular school day. 

One PENN, One TEAM, One GOAL 
Click Here for Kingsmen Athletics Summer Camps