Next Wednesday, Aug. 23 is the first day for grades 1-12 (Thursday, August 24th for Kindergarten), but today Penn-Harris-Madison’s newest teachers had their first day of school!

It was a busy New Teacher Orientation Day for this group of creative, talented and energetic teachers. This year P-H-M hired 41 new elementary, middle and high school teachers, as well Exceptional Education professional staff.

These newest teachers joined the ranks of one of Indiana’s highest ranked public school districts. As an “A” rated school and Four Star School District, 100% of our teachers are rated “Highly Effective” or “Effective.” Ongoing professional development supports and empowers our teachers to then in turn provide an excellent education to our students!

Browse the new faces you’ll be seeing throughout the 2017-18 school year!

Group 1: Elementary

Group 2: Middle School

Group 3: Penn High School

Student schedules were completed Wed, Aug 16 and mailed Thursday, Aug 17. If you wish to have your schedule before you receive it in the mail, you may come into the building and request a copy. Thank you for your patience with our office as not all staff members have returned to work yet. 

One of the most exciting celestial events is coming up the afternoon of Monday, August 21 and

P-H-M wants our students to be prepared and experience the Great American Solar Eclipse. 

What makes the Great American Solar Eclipse so great? This is the first major total solar ceclipse across the continental U.S., West to East Coast, since June 8, 1918!

The northern Indiana area is not in the total eclipse pattern. However, starting at 1:00 p.m., moving east, we’ll be able to see maximum coverage (about 88%) at around 2:22 p.m. with the eclipse concluding about 3:46 p.m. Still something extraordinary for our students and families to witness!

Because the first day of the 2017-18 school year is not until Wednesday, August 23, PTOs from all our 15 schools partnered with the P-H-M DVT and Planetarium to send home free “eclipse shades” with all of  our 10,700 students the last week of school back in June. DVT Director Melinda O'Malley also prepared this P-H-Mstudent/parent fact sheet and guide for watching the eclipse safely.

We encourage our students and families to experience this wonderful event, but to do  so safely! If your child has misplaced their “eclipse shades,” here are some resources to find/purchase new ones (some of these resources, but not all, are providing solar watching glasses for free; some payment and pre-orders may be required):

• Get Ready for the Great American Eclipse! seminar, Saturday, August 12, 2017, 4:15 – 5:15 p.m., University of Notre Dame DVT- Jordan Hall: See a simulation of the eclipse in Notre Dame's unique 50-foot planetarium and digital theater. Learn about historically interesting eclipses and how the moon's place in the solar system makes these events so spectacular. Discover how to view the eclipse safely, and receive free eclipse viewing glasses. 

  The event is free and appropriate for all ages, but TICKETS ARE REQUIRED! Click here to get your tickets.

• Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library has a small number available for free, call  574-259-5277 for more information
• Saint Joseph County Public Library is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing party on August 21 at the downtown branch on 304 S. Main Street, South Bend. Glasses are free of charge to use only if you attend the viewing party.
• NASA’s website has a listing of reputable vendors of safe solar filters & viewers

P-H-M DVT/Planetarium Director Mindy O'Malley will be in Carbondale, IL on August 21 for the GreatAmericanEclipse. She'll be posting pictures and video that you won't want to miss! Be sure to click here to like and follow PHM DVT & Planetarium Facebook page and then logon on August 21 to experience the eclipse with Mrs. O’Malley.

Be safe and enjoy the viewing, the next total solar eclipse viewable in North America is not until April 2024!

It's almost that time…. back to school!  Before it gets rushed, please take a minute to fill out the PTO's 5 Minute Form.  By filling out this form, you will receive the PTO's Weekly Email Newsletter.  This is the best way for us to create a new database with the most current information.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE 5 MINUTE FORM
Or type this in your browser: https://goo.gl/YdzH8W

This form is also required if you will be participating in Scrip or joining the DMS PTO Facebook page.

Questions can be sent to danasullivan4@me.com
 

All female P-H-M students grades 3-8 are invited to participate in a community-sponsored girls basketball league. The league begins on Sunday, September 10 and sign-ups are Sunday, August 27 in the Penn High School Arena from Noon – 2 p.m. The "Junior League" is for grades 3-6 and the "Senior League" is for 7^th and 8^th graders.

• Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) informational letter
• Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) registration information
• Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) informational letter
• Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) registration information

*Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view pdfs. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe’s website, at this link www.get.adobe.com/reader/, to download your free version. Or you can stop by the Education Resources Center at  55900 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka to pick up a copy. You can also call (574) 259-7941 for assistance.

Incoming 6^th graders received this packet during their 5^th grade year in elementary school. If you are beginning 6^th grade this year, important information can be found by downloading this packet.

Please Update Parent/Guardian Emergency Notification

Penn-Harris-Madison utilizes the School Messenger® alert notification service to distribute emergency messages, such as school closings, delays and student attendance (for unexcused absences).

We will use the home, cell and email address provided on this form. The “Primary” number will be called first in the event of an emergency, such as a school closing/delay. The “Primary” number can be a cell phone. Please also provide an email address, making sure it is current and correct. If at any point during the school year your contact information should change, it is your responsibility to notify your child’s school as soon as possible.

Parents & guardians can set the preferences of how you want to receive these important notifications using the School Messenger parent portal, InfoCenter. You must have an email address on file with the school in order to manage your SchoolMessenger preferences online. Visit www.phmschools.org/parents/schoolmessenger for information on how to create your account and set up your preferences. 

School Emergency Guide for Parents

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for students, staff and visitors. We work closely with national, state and local safety officials including police, fire, emergency medical services and the county health department to ensure that our schools are well-prepared for an emergency. Together we have developed a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan that serves as a guide to help staff and our public safety partners respond to a crisis in our schools.

Click here to review a parent FAQ on P-H-M's emergency preparedness safety protocols

The beginning of the 2017-2018 school year is just around the corner. Please remember the Indiana State Department of Health requires parents/guardians to provide their child’s full immunization record to the student’s school health office on or before the first day of school, August 23, 2017.  Click here for details on 6^th grade immunization requirements. 

If your child will be participating in Cross Country, Volleyball or Football, please note the practice dates below and click here for the required 2017-18 Athletic forms.

See the list below for important Discovery dates and events to get the year started:

• July 31 – Volleyball tryouts begin, click here for Volleyball games schedule
• August 1 – Football practice begins, click here for the Football games schedule
• August 7 – Office Opens
• August 14 – Cross Country practice begins, click here for the Cross Country meet schedule
• August 18 – Exceptional Ed. Incoming 5^th Grade Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
• August 21 – 6^th Grade Open House, 6:30 p.m.
• August 23 – First Day of School 
• August 28 – 7^th and 8^th Grade Open House, 6:30 p.m.
• September 4 – Labor Day (No School)
• September 8 – Welcome Coffee/Meeting, library, 9:30 a.m.; All Grade Spirit Dance, 4 p.m.  
• September 19 – School Picture Day
• September 20 – School Picture Day

Click here to see the 2017-18 P-H-M District Calendar of Events.

Three P-H-M school teams recently competed in the National TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude Mathematics and Science) Best in Nation Competition. The competition was held in Orlando the end of June.

TEAMS is an annual STEM competition challenging students to work collaboratively and apply their math and science knowledge in practical, creative ways to solve real everyday engineering challenges.

Discovery Middle School finished 4th in the nation in the problem solving category.

Schmucker Middle School’s team placed third overall. 

Penn High School sent four groups to the competition. One of the two 9/10th grade teams placed in the Top 10 for engineering written competition; the other placed in the Top 10 for engineering written competition. The 11/12th grade team placed 3rd in prepared presentation and Top ten for engineering written competition.

Three P-H-M school teams recently competed in the National TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude Mathematics and Science) Best in Nation Competition. The competition was held in Orlando the end of June.

TEAMS is an annual STEM competition challenging students to work collaboratively and apply their math and science knowledge in practical, creative ways to solve real everyday engineering challenges.

Penn High School sent four groups to the competition. One of the two 9/10th grade teams placed in the Top 10 for engineering written competition; the other placed in the Top 10 for engineering written competition. The 11/12th grade team placed 3rd in prepared presentation and Top ten for engineering written competition.

Schmucker Middle School’s team placed third overall. There were three parts to the competition, a written essay, prepared presentation and problem solving. They won third place in the essay section; fifth in the presentation and interview section; and third in the problem solving section—earning them Top 3 overall! 

Discovery Middle School also finished well, receiving 4th in the nation in the problem solving category.

DMS is introducing NEW Wellness uniforms this coming school year. This is the first change in 20 years!!

We will have them available in August, 2017. They can be purchased at Discovery as a set for $18 ($10/shirt and $8/shorts). Shirt color choices are lime green and hot pink. Shorts are black and are just above the knee…NO shorter shorts allowed! The uniforms will have Archer logos on them and a space for students to write their name so we can more easily prevent lost items.

Students in 7^th and 8^th grade may choose to continue using our original uniform (grey shirt and green shorts) OR purchase a new uniform. Incoming 6^th graders will all move to the new uniforms.

To be in compliance with our Wellness dress code policy, students MUST be dressed in either green or black shorts (just above the knee) AND a grey, pink or light green top next year in 7^th and 8^th grade. Sixth grade students must be dressed in the new uniform, a light green or pink top and black shorts.