We have launched the automated calling system for unconfirmed student absences on Tuesday, November 1^st.  What does this mean for parents? If you haven’t called the school to report your student’s absence, our automated calling system will place a call to the number in your School Messenger account to verify this absence. Please call Discovery no later than 11:00 AM on the day of the absence.

Cookie Dough pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, November 3^rd. Parents may enter through Door E from 4:15 – 5:30 PM. All cookie dough orders MUST BE PICKED UP THIS DAY!

October newsletter has now been posted. Click here to read.

School picture retakes are scheduled for Friday, November 4^th. If your student was absent for pictures, you may send your order form with him/her that day. If you want a retake, your student must bring their previous picture packet with them and give to the photographer that day.

This year, we would like students to bring ONLY fruits or veggies as their in-classroom snack items.  For example, snack baggies of carrots, celery sticks, dried fruits, etc. support good health!

SUMMER TEEN ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (STEPs)

STEPs is an activity-centered summer program for high school students entering grades 9-12. Taught by IU South Bend faculty, each of our one-week intensive learning “camps” introduces students to a different area of college study through lively, hands-on projects. All camps are limited to 15 students to ensure maximum engagement with our faculty. Morning and afternoon programs run from July 11-15 and July 18-22 and are $125 per program, with an optional lunch for an additional $20 per week. Reduced rates are available for students with financial need. To learn more about financial aid or to register for a program, visit www.iusb.edu/clas/steps. Special exceptions may be made for students entering 8^th grade if they have a strong academic record. If you have questions about the program or would like to apply for an exception, please contact Associate Dean Lee Kahan at  lkahan@iusb.edu.

You can also find more information here.

CANVAS is an online communication platform that connects students, parents and teachers. CANVAS has boosted the success of P-H-M’s Chromebook program in middle and high school, and most of our users have given it a “thumbs up” this year.

Starting June 6, 2016, P-H-M’s CANVAS users will see a new and improved “dashboard” when they log on. In addition to the new look, the user will have new options for organizing and viewing CANVAS content. We think the changes being made to the user interface will merit two thumbs up!  

Parents and students, watch the video below for an overview of the changes. 

The URL (web address ) to CANVAS is not changing. You will find it at the same location, or by using the same link or shortcut, as you have used in the past. 

• Click here to go to the CANVAS login page now, or copy/paste this address into your browser bar: https://phm.instructure.com/ to go there. 

Your login information will not change. Your CANVAS login is the same as your HAC (Home Access Center) login.

• Contact the school office or email the HAC helpdesk HAC@phm.k12.in.us if you need help setting up your account. 

Visit the Canvas Help Page for additional resources and information.

Parents, show your support for P-H-M’s middle school leadership AND help raise money for Discovery!

At the P-H-M Education Foundation’s 20^th Anniversary Gala on April 23, P-H-M principals will perform Vaudeville-style acts, competing against other P-H-M school teams. 

All the acts will be unique and definitely entertaining, but only one team—the one with the most votes—will win the PHaMmy award!

Here’s how you can help raise money for your school:

• Votes cost $10 each and you can cast multiple votes between now and the evening of the Gala.
• 50% of what each team raises will go directly back to that team’s schools!
• The first 100 votes for each team will be matched dollar for dollar by Gary Fox of Crowe Horwath.   (Mr. Fox is P-H-M Board of School Trustees President and an Education Foundation Board Member.)
  
   

Do DMS principals Sheryll Harper and Troy Kauffman (and their talented teammates) deserve your vote?

You bet they do! Just watch the video.

►START VOTING TODAY & give TEAM FOUR a head start! Follow these easy steps:

1. Click "Browse, Bid and Buy – View Items"
2. ​Click "Register” to create a Gesture account 
3. Vote for TEAM FOUR  (Auction Item #104)

Check here daily to see how the votes are coming in, and which team’s in the lead!

►WATCH LIVE STREAM OF THE GALA PERFORMANCES (Sat., April 23, 7:30 p.m.) on the Penn News Network—then vote again! Votes will be tallied and a winner announced at the end of the evening.

►PARTICIPATE IN THE SILENT AUCTION at the same “Browse, Bid and Buy” page where you cast your votes. Check out the many attractive items being offered, then stay on top of the bidding to get what you want and benefit the Foundation.  

The P-H-M Education Foundation has many reasons to celebrate its 20 years of service to the P-H-M community.  Since 1996, the Foundation has distributed more than $520,000 to our schools and classrooms via innovative teaching grants. The Foundation also uses proceeds to underwrite district activities with widespread impact such as “Running is Elementary” and the “Summer Visual Arts Academy.”  Its mission: To support excellence in education.

 A vote for TEAM FOUR is a vote for excellence in education!