Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual Silver Mile Run for Education & Health and Fitness Fair, hosted by the P-H-M Education Foundation.  This popular fun-filled family event will take place on Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. – noon at Penn High School. 

Register online today!

Northpoint Elementary recently held a one week food drive and donated the collection to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana. The students began donating boxes of cereal and when the drive was over, students had donated a total of 427 boxes of cereal.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation community partner Jordan Automotive, in turn, reached out to help Northpoint with this great cause. First, Jordan had a car delivered to the school as a fun way for the students to collect the cereal boxes seeing if they could fill the car up. Jordan then offered to match the food donations raised by Northpoint in dollars.

On Thursday, March 23, Northpoint School, along with Jordan’s General Manager Bob Hayden, presented the check for $427 to Milt Lee, Food Bank of Norther Indiana’s Executive Director and CEO.

The Food Bank will then distribute the cereal to school children throughout their service area of Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph Counties.   

Nearly 200 third, fourth, and fifth grade students participated in P-H-M’s 31st annual Elementary Spell Bowl on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

Each of the 11 elementary schools fielded three six-person teams (plus one alternate) representing grades 3, 4, and 5.

This year’s winners were a mixture from the schools:

3rd Grade Winners:

• 1st place– Prairie Vista with 24 points, coached by Ms. Shannon Sherman
• 2nd place- tie Northpoint and Walt Disney with 21 points each
• 3rd place– Horizon with 20 points

4^th Grade Winners:

1. 1st place- Walt Disney with 28 points, coached by Ms. Christine Austin
2. 2nd place– Northpoint with 27 points
3. 3rd place- Mary Frank with 24 points

5^th Grade Winners:

• 1st place- Northpoint with 29 points, coached by Mrs. Charity Ford and Mrs. Jen Payne
• 2nd place– tie Prairie Vista and Walt Disney with 28 points each
• 3rd place– Bittersweet with 27 points

The teams spend weeks preparing for Spell Bowl with their teacher coaches. They may study word lists, learn about derivations (e.g., Latin roots) and rules (e.g., capitalization, pluralization), and how to spell correctly under pressure.

The format of the Spell Bowl is more like a written test. The emcee reads a word and uses the word in a sentence, the students listen and then write it on paper within a 15-second time limit. The students’ written entries are reviewed by a panel of judges and then their score is posted in front of the audience. Each correct word spelling is worth one point.

The annual event is held in Penn High School’s Center for Performing Arts to not only accommodate all the student teams, but also their fans—family, friends and other staff from their home schools.

Mrs. Anne-Marie Reininga, P-H-M’s K-5 High Ability Coordinator, manages the Spell Bowl and works to assure that it is a positive and enriching experience for students. Academic competition can give students confidence, increase their motivation to sharpen their skills and abilities, and expand their opportunities to receive recognition.

Kids Club will be open for Spring Break 2017!

WHEN: Monday, April 3 – Friday, April 7

                 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

                *House of Bounce Carnival Day on Friday, April 7

WHERE: at the Mary Frank Elementary School location

                    13111 Adams Road, Granger (Entry through Door H) 

COST: $25 per child, per day + $10 activity fee per child

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Payment due Monday, March 27

                                                         Click here to download and print the registration form

Questions? Please contact Kailey Campanaro at (574) 258-9514 or Ashley Stoffl at (574) 258-9587 or click here for more information about P-H-M’s Kids Club program.

THE DEADLINE IS NOW EXTENDED TO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1!

P-H-M’s annual Young Author’s Conference offers an opportunity for all P-H-M elementary students in grades K-5 and their parents to meet and learn from a well-known children’s author.

This year’s guest author Judith L. Roth has written three children’s picture books (Goodnight Dragons, Julia’s Words and Cups Held Out) and a middle school novel-in-verse, Serendipity & Me. A native of California, Roth has been a resident of Indiana for almost 30 years now. Inspired by a love of music, Roth also writes some poetry. Her love of writing began with her love of reading when she was a student herself at the age 10. Roth is hoping to inspire other budding young authors like she once was!

While students are meeting with their peers, parents will attend a special presentation by Penn High School English teacher and Writing Coordinator, Mrs. Mary Nicolini, who is a recent recipient of the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award.

The Young Author’s Conference is sponsored by Corporations for Education, a division of the P-H-M Education Foundation.

DATE: Saturday, March 11, 2017

TIME: 8:45 – 11:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Schmucker Middle School, 56045 Bittersweet Road

COST: Just $5.00 per child; the registration fee is used for conference expenses. Checks should be made payable to: YAC. Cash is also accepted. 

REGISTRATION: The deadline for registration is now Wed., March 1, 2017.  Please make sure you return the registration packet and fee to the front office by March 1. Please contact your child’s school, if you did not receive one. We require that at least one parent accompany their student(s) to the Conference. However, keep in mind that students and parents will separate for a portion of the day.

CONFIRMATION: Participating students will receive additional information prior to the conference through their home school the first week of March.

QUESTIONS: Please click here to email Lisa Duerksen.

At Penn-Harris-Madison, we are proud to offer year-round academic enrichment, athletic and recreational activities for the students and families within our award winning school district.

For months, P-H-M administrators, teachers, coaches and staff have been busy planning all the camps and activities that will be available for students when school lets out this year on Wed., June 7, 2017.

Everything from Japanese to building apps for mobile devices to baseball will be offered this summer! And we’re adding more and more …

Click here to see the full list of camps and activities being offered so far this year. New this year, some of the camps now have online registration making it easier for busy parents to register their children for these engaging opportunities.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band, orchestra and even piano at our three middle schools.

Every P-H-M student who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6th grader in the Fall has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra.

In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn, practice and perform for the school year.  

“Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional musician will be availability to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups.

Please see the dates and times below for your students’ soon-to-be middle school …

Discovery Middle School

Monday, Feb. 27 

Tuesday, Feb. 28

4:30-8:00 p.m.

Click here to learn more about Instrument Night and to make your appointment for designated school and date.

Registration for kindergarten students for the 2017-2018 school year will begin at each P-H-M elementary school on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. This registration opportunity is for youngsters who live within the P-H-M district and who will be five years old on or before September 1.

Penn-Harris-Madison has 11 elementary schools, each offering full-day kindergarten. You may use the P-H-M Street Guide and the District Map to verify which elementary school serves your neighborhood. 

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Please note a parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child and will need to bring following documentation:

1. Child’s original birth certificate

2. Two proofs of residency (e.g., recent lease/rental agreement and current utility bill showing address)

3. Immunization records

4. Any legal documents related to child custody, restrictions, or restraining orders

Click here to download and print the required registration forms and for other important kindergarten registration details.

https://www.smore.com/1gmz3-northpoint-newsletter-dec-2016?ref=email

We’re thrilled to welcome back all of our 11,000+ students and are excited to help all our students achieve Excellence.

The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 19, 2026 for grades 1 – 12.

• All students in 1st through 12th grades will report to their school buildings that day, and all those who are signed up for transportation services may ride the bus that day.  
• Kindergarten orientation takes place on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 with the first full day of kindergarten being Thursday, August 20th,

BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS:

Check out your school’s calendar (click here for a list of school websites) for the many back to school events starting in early August and mark your calendar to attend!

• Our elementary schools are hosting many fun Back to School family events starting the week of August 10th. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. 
• All three Middle Schools are also planning a Walk-Around on Thursday, August 13^th. Be on the lookout from communication directly from your school principal. Make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend!
• Penn is hosting a “Walk Around” to help parents and students get familiar with the school:
  • Penn High School’s “WALK AROUND” on Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. – Noon gives students a chance to familiarize themselves with the school and find where their classes and activities are located.

The BACK TO SCHOOL INFORMATION listed below will help P-H-M parents and students get ready for the 2026-27 School Year! 

CONTACTING SCHOOLS OVER THE SUMMER

• Elementary and Middle School Front Offices open Monday, August 3rd.
• Penn is open every week day over the summer.
• All schools are open Monday – Friday during business hours. Those hours vary by school.
• Click here for the School Directory of all 15 schools

ENROLLING YOUR STUDENT

• Enroll a new elementary or middle school student by visiting the school after offices open August 3, 2026. Click here to know what documentation you need to bring with you for registration.
• Enroll a new Penn High School student by calling (574) 254-2851. We will help you schedule your registration appointment and advise you on what information to bring with you to the appointment.  

BACK TO SCHOOL PACKETS & FORMS

• Back to School packet & information sheets can be found in ParentSquare under LINKS in the right column
• Parent/guardians are asked to these three forms in ParentSquare as soon as possible:
  • Photo Consent
  • Mandatory Curriculum Consent
  • Handbook Certification   
• These forms will be in Skyward Family Access:
  • CHIRP Release
  • Chromebook packet
  • Authorization to administer non-prescription medication at school

Click here for more information on how to login into your Skyward Family Access account

SCHOOL CALENDARS

• Here is the SY 2026-27 one-page calendar showing “at a glance” the start and end dates, as well as scheduled recess and vacation dates.
•  
  All P-H-M families are mailed the P-H-M District Activities Calendar early August. It lists key school and district events throughout the year. Click here to access a PDF version.
• Our online (Google) calendars are the most up-to-date. You’ll find a link to the P-H-M Corporate Calendar posted on the home page of the District website. It’s a Google calendar that can be added to your personal calendar.
• Each school also maintains an online Google calendar on the home page of each school website that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. This is also visible in your school’s ParentSquare portal.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• All P-H-M schools provide basic school supplies to our students, free of charge. Therefore, our schools do not issue supply lists. You will need to purchase a backpack, water bottle, lunch box, and other items you want your child to have at home or take with them to school. If other specific items need to be purchased for a class or lab, your child’s teacher will inform you after school starts.  

IMMUNIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES

• Click here to make sure you child is up-to-date with all required immunizations. 
• Proof of immunizations must be provided to the school office by the first day of school.
• Kindergarten parents, please get important kindergarten health information and medical forms turned in before your kindergartner’s first day of school. 
• Click here for the forms administering medications at school
• Click here for more information on P-H-M Healthcare Services 

TRANSPORTATION

• NEW FOR THE 2026-27 SY, P-H-M will be using Tyler Technologies, My Ride K-12 to provide real time GPS bus location so parents know when to send their students out to the bus stop. 
• Click here for instructions on how to set up your My Ride K-12 account through the app or website.
• Parents will be able to access their students’ bus routes and schedules through the My Ride K-12 app starting Friday, August 14.
• Have more questions about Transportation? Click here for Transportation contact information.

CELL PHONE POLICY

• Beginning with the 2026-27 School Year, Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 78 (SEA 78) requires that personal wireless communication devices are powered off and not accessible to students during the school day. 
• This law is applicable to all levels: elementary, middle and Penn High School. Click here to see the protocols.
• Principals will also share more information with families in their back to school messages.

FOOD SERVICE

• Visit our Food & Nutrition page  to see monthly menus and find nutritional information
• See if you qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch and Textbook Assistance. Click here to apply online.
• Online payment for child’s meals
• Other Payment options

PARENTSQUARE

• Penn-Harris-Madison uses ParentSquare to send urgent alerts, such as school closings and delays.
• Click here for instructions on setting up your account.
• Principals and teachers also use it for non curricular school and classroom communications.
  • Penn High School coaches and teachers who sponsor clubs, academic teams or extracurricular activities use StudentSquare to safely communicate with students, without exchanging cell phone numbers. Click here for details on how students can sign up for StudentSquare.
• Once your account is set up, families can chose their preferred mode of communication for non-urgent notifications–app, text, email, phone. You can also chose to have all communications automatically translated to your preferred first language. Click here for details on how to personalize your account and check your notification settings.

CLOSINGS/DELAYS PROCEDURES

• Make sure you sign up for ParentSquare to receive school closings/delays urgent alerts.
• Click to see how, when and what factors into P-H-M’s decision makings for 2-hour delays and closings. 

Penn-Harris-Madison’s culture of excellence, what we call #PHMExcellence, is built upon the “Triangle of Success”– linking students, teachers, and parents for the the best outcome for students. Success depends on supportive parents … help us help your children!

PARENTS Click here for ways to stay informed, as well getting connected and volunteering.