On Thursday, March 8, P-H-M’s Forum is sponsoring a districtwide parent meeting on Internet Safety.

According to the Pew Research Center, 94% of teens use their cell phone for their online activity and 71% use more than one social media site.

What do you need to know as parents and guardians to keep them safe online when they’re at home?

Hear from cybercrime and internet safety expert St. Joseph County Police Department’s Officer Eric Tamashasky on Thursday, March 8, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., in the cafeteria of Schmucker Middle School (56045 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka).

This is a districtwide event sponsored by the P-H-M Forum parent group and is open to all P-H-M parents. Because of the nature of Offc. Tamashasky’s presentation concerning the online dangers parents need to be aware of, this event is not suitable for students below 9th grade. Spread the word to other P-H-M parents about this informational opportunity.  

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra 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.  Students/parents must click to use this link to sign-up for your appointment at your designated school and date.

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

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional musician will be available 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. 26, 2018

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018

4:30-8:00 p.m.

Grissom Middle School

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018

4:30-8:00 p.m.

Schmucker Middle School

Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018

4:30-8:00 p.m.

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

Article written by Melinda O’Malley, Director of P-H-M DVT & Planetarium

On the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, Michiana and all of North America will see its first Super Blue Blood Moon in more than 150 years!

P-H-M families will want to rise early and try to find a nice open viewing area to see as much of  this beautiful “lunar trifecta” as possible. On the morning of Jan. 31^st, the moon will be low on the western horizon–opposite the rising sun when the eclipse begins. Around 5:51 a.m., the left side of the moon will begin to take on a slightly pink color as it moves into the outer edge, the penumbra, of the Earth’s shadow. The moon will continue to move deeper into the Earth’s shadow as it slowly sets.  By 6:48 a.m., viewers in our area will begin to see the Moon’s color changing to a deep red as the Moon moves into the center, the umbra, of the Earth’s shadow. 

Now here’s an explanation of the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse is why it is so special …

A supermoon is when a full moon occurs during perigee, its closest distance to Earth within its orbit. This makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than normal.

A “blue” moon, despite the name, actually has nothing to do with the color. Instead, it signifies the second full moon within a single calendar month. The expression “once in a Blue Moon” implies something rare. Blue Moons typically happen every two to three years, but double Blue Moons only happen three to five times per century and 2018 we will experience double Blue Moons in January and March! 

Finally, a Blood Moon is often the name given to a total lunar eclipse because the moon appears a reddish color when it enters the Earth’s shadow. The red coloration is caused by sunlight that is refracted, or bent, as it passes through the earth’s atmosphere.

Just as the entire lunar surface is bathed in a “blood red” tint totality begins and the Moon will start to disappear below the horizon. So, make sure to wake up early to beat the rising sun and witness a once in a lifetime “lunar trifecta!”

Recently fifth grade teacher, Kathy Dance, brought to the classroom a new experience for her students. It was a project that involved kinetic learning; spatial reasoning, critical thinking, and team work, making this experience a great teaching tool. The activity engaged each student and helped them work together. Students used clues, hints and strategy to find the key to The Escape Room activity.  We have included some photos and a short writing by student Locke Simpson about the experience.

An Escape Room by Locke Simpson, 5^th grade student, Madison Elementary School

Who! What! When! Where! Why!

• A group of kids working together.
• Trying to escape.

When going through an escape room these are the things you are thinking. You have to work together to get out. But there is always some kind of plot to follow to escape.

It is exhilarating. Also it is a friendly competition with other students.

An escape room is a room that you have to get out of. But in order to do that you have to figure out clues. Next, you find the next clue and work together to solve it. Finally you find a key and get out.

That was my experience in our escape room.

Registration for kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year begins Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Parents can register their student at their home P-H-M elementary school. 

This registration opportunity is for youngsters who live within the P-H-M School Corporation and who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2018. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Penn-Harris-Madison has 11 elementary schools, each offering full-day kindergarten. You may use the 2018 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 click here for more information on kindergarten registration and to print and download the registration forms.

Are we Art Smart at Madison? Yes, we are thanks to an amazing group of parents and grandparents who volunteer for this program each month. Recently Principal McMillen even picked a piece of art work from each grade for our Principal Pick Gallery. As you can see by the student work, it reflects what they have learned about each artist and their methods.

Students in kindergarten learned of Jackson Pollock, an American painter and major figure in the abstract expressionist movement. He was well known for his unique style of drip painting.

First grade students learned of the fluid use of color through Henri Mattise a French artist.

Second grade students loved learning about 20^th Century American author, painter and illustrator Norman Rockwell. Many recognized his works for their reflection of American culture and everyday life and remembered seeing his works at home on calendars.

Our third grade students have a great interest in the Old West and Native Americans. Their study of George Catlin, an American painter, author, and traveler, led to much discussion about what is was like for people and animals living during those years.

Our marvelous mathematical fourth grade students loved MC Escher when they learned that his work features mathematical objects and operations including impossible objects, explorations of infinity, reflection, symmetry, and even tessellations. Math appears everywhere.

Our fifth grade students took a look at the works of Romare Bearden an Afro-American artist. Romare worked with many types of media including cartoons, oils and collages.

December Newsletter

The Panther Pack at Madison is collecting nonperishable food items for our food drive. These food items will be distributed to Madison Families in need. We are grateful for your generosity.  Our final spirit day for the food drive is December 8. Bring food, wear your PJs, and sport your bed head hair as we work together to assist others.

Breakfast with Santa has been a big hit for over 30 years at P-H-M and this year was no exception!

On Saturday, December 2, 300 people had the chance to spend some time with Santa at Bittersweet Elementary School. The attendees were treated to a program that included a laser show titled “Laser Holidays” at the DVT, breakfast in the cafeteria and then a personal visit with Santa. Please see a photo gallery below.

See you next year!

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was recognized last night (Thursday, Nov. 30) as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) 2017 Outstanding Educator of the Year!

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.