As stated in Board Policy 9130, parents are welcome to provide feedback related to curriculum materials.  The information submitted on this form will be directed to the building principal.

Click here to fill out and submit Instructional Material Feedback form.

Please click here to review Discovery’s “Return to Learn” plan prepared by Principal Elizabeth Willkom Cunha in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This is a working document and updates could be made depending on the latest COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker sent a letter to secondary parents on Feb. 4, 2021 notifying them of the District’s phased in approach to returning Secondary students back to In-person learning. Click to view the Return to Learn Transition Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions and other helpful information for P-H-M families regarding the 2020-2021 school year can be found on the P-H-M website at www.phmschools.org/returntolearn.

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes outstanding middle school students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Being a part of NJHS encourages students to develop strong leadership skills, build a commitment to community service, and strive for academic success. It’s a great opportunity for students to grow personally and make a positive impact on their school and community.

Visit www.njhs.us/about to learn more about the program.

Check ParentSquare to find out how to get involved in NJHS at Discovery Middle School.

School Trips for FREE! 

2025-2026 

Before you know it, your child may have the awesome opportunity to travel in middle school to Washington, DC in 8th grade, or Europe and/or Asia in 7th/8th grade. The cost of the DC trip is approximately $1,146, but the PTO runs a fundraiser that can help get your child there or on another school-sponsored trip! Using RaiseRight, the average Discovery family earns $25/month, which can almost completely cover the cost of the 8th Grade Trip to Washington, DC during the time that you have at DMS to participate in RaiseRight. In the last 12 years, DMS families have purchased over $2,815,000 worth of gift cards and earned $193,000 in FREE money! 

What is RaiseRight? 
A way to fundraise by using gift cards where you’re already shopping. It’s easy and rewarding! How Does it Work? 

Buy physical gift cards, eGift cards, and/or reloadable gift cards at full face value on the RaiseRight app or online at www.RaiseRight.com. Easily pay online through a secure ACH transaction or with a credit or debit card and earn a rebate between 2% and 20% that immediately goes toward funding your child’s DMS Trip Account (90%) and funding the PTO (10%). Use your full-price gift cards for your everyday shopping. 

Here’s a short video https://youtu.be/lPD4jn7FYvY that shows how the RaiseRight app works right on your phone! You can buy and scan e-cards at a restaurant or while in line to check out.

Where do I sign up? 

1. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/3iZJYcyJPj3GHn3z7 so we know who gets your rebates. 
2. Join our program by creating an account* on the RaiseRight app or online at RaiseRight.com. Our enrollment code is 7A84L4BB37615. The platforms work interchangeably. 
3. Link your bank account to enroll in online payments. Once you do this, you can elect to pay via secure ACH transaction (29 cents per order), via debit card (1% fee per order), or via credit card (2.6% fee per order). The PTO does not accept checks for RaiseRight payments. 

*Note: Only Parents can have RaiseRight accounts for their students. You are welcome to take orders from grandparents, family, and friends, but all orders and payments must be made through the parent’s account. All funds raised in your child’s trip account need to be used for Discovery trips. The account savings can be passed on to a sibling at DMS or gifted to a friend if not used by the end of 8th grade. 

Have a question? Contact the RaiseRight Coordinator, Elizabeth Cichowicz at ema817@aol.com 

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.

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

The school incident report is to be completed within 30 minutes of any and all threats or code of conduct violations that involve any violations of the 5772 Weapons guidelines to include the possession of a firearm in or on school property, in or on property that is being used by a school for a school function, or on a school bus is a felony (I.C. 35-47-9-2) and is prohibited by Board policy. Possession includes storing the firearm in a personal vehicle while on school property. This prohibition applies to all students including those who have a personal protection permit to carry a handgun. The term “weapon” means any object which, in the manner in which it is used, is intended to be used, or is represented, is capable of inflicting serious bodily harm or property damage, as well as endangering the health and safety of persons. Weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, tasers, handguns, stun guns, guns of any type, including air and gas-powered guns (whether loaded or unloaded), knives, razors, clubs, electric weapons, chemical weapons, metallic knuckles, martial arts weapons, ammunition, and destructive devices (bomb, incendiary, grenade, Molotov cocktail, rocket, with a propellant charge of more than four (4) ounces, etc.). Any student who has reason to believe that a person has or will violate this guideline shall report to the school principal or the supervisor of the activity immediately. The report should include as much detail as possible concerning the person(s) involved, the weapon, the location of the person(s), and how this information was obtained. Details of the incident must be included in the incident report to be shared with the Director of Communications.

Bringing the world to students and students to the world!

Penn-Harris-Madison believes there is immense value in enhancing students’ understanding and comprehension of globalization and history through experiential learning opportunities. Annually, we offer one week trips to Washington, D.C. for 8^th graders.

Qualified 7th and 8th grade students also have the opportunity for international travel. Typically a group comprised of 7th and 8th grade students from all three middle schools will visit Europe one summer and then Asia the next summer. 

The safety of our students and staff is the number one priority for P-H-M, that is why we partner with the EF Educational Tours for our Asia and European trips. As our trusted educational partner, P-H-M has conducted numerous tours with EF. The company has more than 50 years of experience providing a 24/7 Tour Director who is able to connect with a local EF office present in 53 countries around the world.