Penn-Harris-Madison Schools is proud to recognize outstanding educators whose instruction leads to meaningful academic growth for students.

This semester, Discovery Middle School 8th grade ELA teacher Patrick O’Malley was surprised with a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award after his students achieved the highest overall growth of all 8th grade ELA classes in the district. His two classes demonstrated remarkable improvement from ILEARN Checkpoint 1 to ELA Checkpoint 2, outperforming all other 8th grade ELA sections district-wide!

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Discovery Principal Elizabeth Cunha surprised Mr. O’Malley and his 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.

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.

📍 Penn High School | 🗓 March 7–8, 2026
🎟 Admission: Free

Penn High School will host a FIRST Indiana Robotics District Competition on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, 2026. The competition will take place in the Main Arena and feature more than 40 teams from across Indiana.

Click here to see a photo gallery of last year’s competition.

📅 Event Schedule

Saturday, March 7

• 10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• All Day – Qualification Matches

• @7:00 p.m. – Competition concludes

Sunday, March 8

• 9:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• 2:00–5:00 p.m. – Playoff Matches & Awards

🤖 About the Competition

• Theme: FIRST AGE (Archaeology)

• Game: REBUILT

• This event serves as a qualifier for the FIRST Indiana Robotics Championship
  (April 17–19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds)

• Top teams may advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championships

👉 Click here for more information on the REBUILT game

🚗 Parking & Entry

• Parking: Penn High School parking lots: Main, Softball, Soccer; and across the street at Schmucker Middle School

• Spectator Entrance: Door D (northwest corner of the school)

🍔 Food & Amenities

• Food trucks available both days

• Spectator-friendly event for all ages

Come cheer on Indiana’s best student engineers and experience innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving in action!

All incoming sixth grade students and families are encouraged to consider participating band or orchestra in middle school by learning an instrument. Don’t know how to play? No problem!

Our band and orchestra teachers, with the assistance of Penn High School Fine Arts Department, facilitates Instrument Selection Nights to help students choose.

Discovery’s will be Monday, February 23th and Tuesday, February 24th

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Educational research shows that learning to play an instrument helps students experience team building, nurture creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills–not to mention learning presentation skills by participating in live concerts and performances.

Here’s what you need to begin your student’s musical journey:

STEP 1: Schedule your Appointment for an Instrument Selection Night by going to:
https://sites.google.com/phm.k12.in.us/phmisn/home

• You must Schedule an appointment BEFORE You Attend an Instrument Selection Night.
  Please complete the google form using full contact information for US Postal mailing and email
  addresses and phone numbers for all parents/guardians.
• At least one parent/guardian must attend the appointment with the incoming 6th grade student.
• Please select 1-3 instruments that your student would be interested in trying while at Instrument
  Selection Night. Arriving with a list of instruments that are appealing will help your appointment move along more smoothly. (please limit your list to a maximum of 3 instruments)
• Please note that some instrument sections fill quickly. Once filled, that instrument is no longer available for selection. To ensure that your student gets their preferred instrument choice, you are encouraged to attend an earlier selection night and time.

STEP 2: Attend the Instrument Selection Night

• Monday, February 23th and Tuesday, February 24th
• 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

STEP 3: Obtain Your Instrument

• Each student must have an instrument in good playing condition for the first day of beginning summer classes. Quinlan & Fabish Music representatives are available to help you set up rental at Instrument Selection Night or you may obtain an instrument from another vendor. Teachers are happy to point you in the right direction when looking for another source for instrument rental or purchase.
• PLEASE use caution if you deal with a vendor other than Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. (Ask the vendor – What is your recourse if the instrument needs repair or is not playable? What is your return policy?) We would advise against purchasing an instrument online. Many instruments purchased online do not work well and lead to frustrated students. Reputable music repair stores will not repair poor quality instruments, as they cannot guarantee repair or their workmanship.
• If you wish to purchase an instrument, we would recommend the following brands:
  • String instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass): Eastman, Sheryl and Roth, Knilling, and Yamaha brands. Please have your child sized for the instrument. Playing on the correct size instrument will ensure their success and is crucial for injury-free playing.
  • Woodwind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone): Armstrong, Bach, Buffet, Conn, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Haynes, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha.
  • Brass Instruments (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone): Bach, Conn, Eastman, Holton, King, and Yamaha.
  • Percussion Instruments: Specific equipment requirements will be shared for percussion at selection night appointments.
  • Again, the band and orchestra directors are happy to help you find an instrument for your student. Please contact your school’s director in advance of the first beginning summer class.
  • If your family has serious financial concerns, ask us about instruments available for use from the P-H-M Foundation.

STEP 4: Choose and Sign-up for a Summer Beginner Class Time

• Classes TENTATIVELY begin Monday, July 20 and end Friday, August 7th
• Classes are Monday – Friday and are 1 hour in length.

The first crucial music lessons take place in small, like-instrument classes. Students receive individualized attention to set proper playing habits for future success. Please contact your student’s middle school band or orchestra teacher if they need to miss any part of the summer classes. The teacher will connect you with an approved private teacher so your student stays current with their class. Private lessons to make-up for lost class time should be completed by the first day of school and are
at the expense of the family.

Choose from these Summer Class Times:

• Flute: 8am, 10am
• Oboe: 8am
• Clarinet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Alto Saxophone: 9am, 10am, 11am
• Trumpet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• French Horn: 8am
• Trombone: 8am, 10am, 11am
• Baritone: 9am, 11am
• Percussion: 8am, 9am, 10am
• Violin: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Viola: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Cello: 9am, 10am, 11am
• String Bass: 8am

STEP 5: Select Band or Orchestra as your 6th grade music choice

When scheduling your 6th grade classes, select Band or Orchestra for your 6th grade music choice.

Miscellaneous Information

• You will receive a letter for your beginning band or orchestra student in May.
  In late-May, a letter will be mailed to your home verifying your instrument selection, your Beginner Summer Class time, and teacher. This letter will also include carpooling information. If you have not received this mailing by June 12th, please contact Mr. Zac Coudret at zcoudret@phm.k12.in.us
• Band and Orchestra Classes at Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker Middle Schools
  The P-H-M middle school music choices of Band, Orchestra, and Choir meet as curricular classes within the regular school day. More than two-thirds of all P-H-M middle school students participate in one of these three courses.
  • The band and orchestra schedules do not conflict with after school or before school activities.
  • Participation in instrumental music does not limit a student’s involvement in school sports, extra-curricular activities or academics.
• Band and Orchestra Directors at each P-H-M Middle School:
  • Discovery Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Directors: Mr. Murray Weaver mweaver@phm.k12.in.us and Ms. Cami Roper croper@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Mrs. Jessica Carhoun jjoyner-calhoun@phm.k12.in.us
  • Grissom Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Director: Mrs. Angela South asouth@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Ms. Vickie Marshall vmarshall@phm.k12.in.us
  • Schmucker Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Directors: Mr. Jeff Carnall jcarnall@phm.k12.in.us
    • Ms. Kristin Hills khills@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Mrs. Dodi Carnall dcarnall@phm.k12.in.us

On Wednesday, January 14, members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees, P-H-M and Penn High School administrators and coaches, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, community partners, student-athletes, guests and members of the media gathered to officially open the 80,000-square-foot multi-use student facility (click here to see a brochure with specs & details). It was also a time to honor retired, long-serving Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker. 

Click to see a full photo gallery of all the pictures from the event.

Built for P-H-M Students

The Fieldhouse will serve Penn High School students across athletic programs, academic, and extracurricular programs, including marching band, color guard, and robotics events (elementary, middle and high school). Academic use of the facility will include physical education classes and secure large-scale assessments, for example PSAT, SAT, and AP testing.

In addition, the Fieldhouse will support P-H-M middle school students through Future Kingsmen Athletics and Marching Band, helping students build both athletic and fine arts skills while safely preparing for the next level at Penn High School.

“The Fieldhouse is about investing in students and the experiences that help them grow,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “From academics to athletics and the arts, it will support learning and opportunity across our district for generations.”

The Fieldhouse will be open for student use beginning Tuesday, January 20th.

A Community Investment—Without Raising Tax Rate

The Fieldhouse project was identified as a priority in P-H-M’s 2022 District Master Facilities Plan and was completed without raising tax rates for residents of Penn, Harris, and Madison Townships. P-H-M continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County while delivering strong academic outcomes. The groundbreaking for the project was May 2024 (click here for those details). 

Click to watch the video below that includes time lapse video of the project–start to finish–and highlights from the ceremony.

The total project cost is $18 million, reflecting the district’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-range planning.

“This Fieldhouse is the result of years of thoughtful, long-range planning and sound fiscal stewardship by the Board,” said P-H-M Board of School Trustees President Chris Riley. “By following our District Master Facilities Plan, we were able to make a meaningful investment in students while maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in St. Joseph County and without increasing the tax burden on our community.”

Designed for Versatility and Excellence

Located just off McKinley Highway, the 80,000-square-foot Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker Fieldhouse expands Penn’s campus and provides much-needed indoor space to support year-round student programming across academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

“The design of this Fieldhouse reflects thoughtful planning around flexibility, safety, and long-term use,” said P-H-M Chief Operating Officer Dr. Sean Galiher. “Every element, from academic and training spaces to event amenities, was intentionally designed to support students, staff, and large-scale programming.”

The multi-use facility includes indoor space for these athletic teams:

*Track and Field: six-lane, 200-meter indoor track, pole vault, long jump, high jump, and shot put areas

*Indoor Hitting: Drop-down batting nets for baseball and softball indoor hitting practices

*Wood courts: two multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball

“The Fieldhouse gives Penn student-athletes a first-class, year-round training environment,” said Jeff Hart, Penn Athletic Director. “From indoor track and field to court sports and speed and agility training, this facility allows our programs to practice, compete, and prepare regardless of weather—supporting performance, safety, and student development.”

Beyond athletics, the Fieldhouse will accommodate marching band rehearsals, smaller scale robotics events, school dances, and other large student gatherings, further expanding opportunities for student engagement and districtwide events.

Additional amenities include four locker rooms, two classroom/conference spaces, a student commons area, a physical trainer and rehabilitation space, equipment storage, an observation hallway serving the second floor, a concession stand, security office, event parking, and future bleacher seating for more than 800 spectators.

“This Fieldhouse is truly a space for all Penn students, expanding opportunities for connection, creativity, and school pride,” commented Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry. 

Honoring a Legacy of Leadership and Giving

The Ribbon Cutting will commemorate that the Fieldhouse has been named in honor of retired P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna Thacker, recognizing their decades of leadership, service, and philanthropic support of Penn-Harris-Madison schools and the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF).

Dr. Thacker served as P-H-M’s Superintendent from 2006 to 2025. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, P-H-M became one of Indiana’s top school districts with the schools, students, teachers, and staff achieving countless recognitions, at the state, national and international level (click here for more background information on Dr. Thacker’s tenure).

“This Fieldhouse is an investment in students today and in the future of our district,” said Jennifer Turnblom, PHMEF Executive Director. “The Naming Rights Campaign directly benefits the Foundation’s endowment which in turn provides classroom grants for P-H-M teachers benefiting generations of students for years to come.”

Under the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign structure, 80 percent of naming rights donations are placed into the Foundation’s endowment to support long-term student programs, while 20 percent directly funds professional development for P-H-M teachers.

Longtime PHMEF donors and supporters Gary and Tammy Fox donated $10,000 to the PHMEF Naming Rights Campaign to have the fieldhouse honor Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker. Gary Fox served on the P-H-M Board of School Trustees with Dr. Thacker as the Superintendent from 2001-2020 before stepping down. He was re-elected to Harris Township, Seat 4 in November 2024. 

“Dr. Thacker’s leadership helped shape P-H-M into one of Indiana’s premier school districts,” said Gary Fox. “Naming the Fieldhouse in honor of Jerry and Donna Thacker recognizes a legacy rooted in student success, community partnership, and long-term vision.”

During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Thacker and his wife contributed $300,000 in lifetime donations to the Foundation.

“It has been our greatest joy to watch generations of P-H-M students learn, grow, and benefit from the opportunities a quality education provides,” said Jerry Thacker and Donna Thacker. “We are deeply honored to have the Fieldhouse named in our honor, and we hope it becomes a place where students continue to discover their potential for generations to come.”

Project Partners

Construction of the Fieldhouse was completed by R. Yoder Construction Inc., with architectural design by Fanning Howey, a longtime P-H-M partner with more than 40 years of service to the district. Structural engineering was done by Magnus Engineering. Civil Engineering by Danch, Harner & Associates Inc.

The sounds of the season filled the air this week as Discovery Middle School’s 8th grade Piano Lab students took their talents into the community, sharing holiday music with local audiences.

Under the direction of their music teacher, Mr. Nate Freel, students performed a selection of festive pieces at StoryPoint Assisted Living Facility in Mishawaka, Ind., bringing smiles to residents and staff alike. Later in the day, the group continued spreading cheer with a second performance at the University Park Mall, where shoppers paused to enjoy the live music and join in the holiday spirit.

These performances offered students the opportunity to showcase their musical growth while connecting with the broader community, a wonderful example of #PHMExcellence in action.

Thank you to the Discovery music staff for inspiring our students to share their gifts and make the season a little brighter for everyone around them! 

Click here to view the full photo gallery.

Discovery Middle School kicked off its annual “One Book, One School” program with a scavenger hunt that sent Archers all over the building in search of clues. The friendly competition added energy to the day and helped set the tone for a schoolwide culture of reading.

This year, all 6th through 8th graders are reading Bloom (The Overthrow) by Kenneth Oppel. Described by The New York Times as “the perfect book right now for young readers searching for hope, strength, inspiration — and just a little horticultural havoc,” Bloom is the first book in a fast-paced action-thriller trilogy.

The story begins in an unexpected way: with rain that carries mysterious seeds. Those seeds sprout overnight and spread rapidly, taking over fields, homes, and streets. The plants release toxic pollen and even form pods that can swallow animals and people. While the invasion seems unstoppable, three students: Anaya, Petra, and Seth, discover they might hold the key to fighting back. Their unique allergies appear to make them immune, and the race is on to understand why as the threat continues to grow.

The “One Book, One School” initiative encourages shared reading experiences, promotes discussion, and builds community across grade levels. With a thrilling book selection and an active kickoff, Discovery is well on its way to another successful year of reading together. 

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Seventh grade students at Discovery Middle School are gaining important, real-world skills through their Wellness classes by learning how to perform CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

As part of the unit, students were taught proper CPR techniques, including how to administer chest compressions and rescue breaths. They then practiced on both adult and infant training dummies to simulate real-life scenarios.

In addition to CPR, students also learned how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, a critical skill used to help someone who is choking.

Through this hands-on learning experience, Discovery’s 7th graders are building confidence and understanding the importance of acting quickly and safely in emergency situations—valuable skills that could one day help save a life.

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The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Discovery is #3 out of Indiana’s 483 public middle schools.

Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.

Schmucker also made the list at #53.

And all of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”:

• Northpoint #1  
• Prairie Vista #2 
• Horizon #37
• Mary Frank #39
• Bittersweet #94
• Elm Road #172
• Moran #175
• Elsie Rogers #297
• Madison #273
• Meadow’s Edge #370
• Walt Disney #385

Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools were also ranked, and Penn ranked #26.

The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 pre-K, elementary and middle schools nationwide for their rankings. The rankings use the same methodology for all included grade levels. For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students. Click here for more information on the methodology.

The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores on an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions. They reviewed data on 17,901 public high schools. Click here for more background information on their ranking system.

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, November 1st.

Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.

For any families that want to sign up to perform, please click here to fill out the Google form.