Principal Kevin McMillen and Madison PTO President Kendra Laidig presented two Madison PTO Scholarships to former Panthers Gabrielle Gramza and Lindsay Miller at the PTO meeting held on May 30 in the Madison Gym.

Penn Student Gabrielle Gramza shared this about her time at Madison.  I remember my first Madison Fish Fry, the older kids working with the younger kids, retired teachers and previous students returned to help, all creating a strong community working together. Madison encourages everyone to lift up the next generation. It is our job to make sure the younger kids are supported and given the tools they need to be successful just as it is the job of those who have more experience than I to help me when I need it. I’ve lifted kids up as a learn to swim instructor giving the kids the confidence to do what I know they are capable of, and teaching them to trust me to help them, just as my teachers at Madison did. I’ve carried this through my high school years and plan to continue it through my college years as community is central at Vanderbilt University much like at Madison. Madison always encouraged me to think beyond myself. Through the sense of community at Madison, I learned how important it was to work with and help others.

Gabrielle will pursue a Biomedical Engineering degree from Vanderbilt University.

Bremen Senior, Lindsay Miller wrote this about her experiences at Madison.  Madison’s dedicated and caring teachers, family-like atmosphere, and tight-knit community have shaped me into the person I am today. Madison is the school I credit for turning me into the responsible young adult that I have become. The education I received from the wonderful teachers and staff at Madison helped build a strong base for the rest of my education. Madison also taught me the importance of helping others in my community which has led me to pursue a career in nursing where I will help others just like Madison taught me. I am proud to hear staff from Grissom and Penn say they know who the Madison kids are because that is a testament to the school and community. Even when I transferred to Bremen my principal said: “we love our Madison kids.” This showed me that I had made the right decision and when describing Bremen, I say that it is just a larger Madison. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to go to Madison because I know how much my six years at Madison has shaped me into the person that I am today.

Lindsay will attend Purdue University with a Major in Nursing.

We congratulate these young ladies on their excellent work in high school and anticipate good things in their future. 

Senior Kendra Laidig walked through the halls of Madison School this year as a Penn High School Cadet Teacher. She worked with Mrs. Julie Unrue in kindergarten. It was fun for her to be back in the school remembering her experiences here.

My experiences at Madison gave me the foundation necessary to be successful. I was always encouraged to strive to reach my potential in my education. I was provided with enrichment groups and excellent teachers who personally cared about me. Currently, I am cadet teaching at Madison and have enjoyed going back. It has reminded me of how special Madison Elementary is!

Kendra will attend Butler University in the fall, majoring in Healthcare and Business and plans to be a Physician’s Assistant. We are proud of Kendra and wish her all the best as takes the next step to live her dreams. We want to thank her for being a great role model and investing in our students this year.

Twenty-seven Madison Fifth Grade Students took the floor after the Spring Musical for their recognition night. Mrs. Dance and Mr. McMillen took the opportunity to recognize their hard work. Thirteen students, Keegan Fall, Delia Heet, Sara Heidinger, Roman Hozey, Brooklyn James, Kayla Kiszka, Silas Laidig, Mia Lechlitner, Tanner Mammolenti, Gabby Meert, Mitchell Schindler, Locke Simpson and Clara Yoder, earned the Presidential Academic Excellence Award. Trevor Tener, Owen Bickel, Maria Mammolenti, and Joline Allen each earned a Presidential Academic Achievement Award. Brooklyn James and Keegan Fall were awarded Citizenship Awards for following the Lifelong Guidelines, showing Panther Pride, exhibiting their personal best in all areas, modeling kindness and respect toward others and leadership abilities. Students were treated to a sideshow commemorating their years at Madison created by Mrs. Kelly Heet. Mr. McMillen created a wonderful slideshow from his middle school experience to help the students look forward to next year.
Madison Panthers – we are proud of you and we wish you well on your educational journey.

Miss Julie Kudzal conducted the 4th and 5th grade students twice in one day as they presented Pirates the Musical to grandparents in an afternoon performance and then to families again in the evening on May 30. The musical featured songs such as, Pirates All Are We, Stowaway, King of the High “Cs”, You Wanna Be a Pirate and Singin’ a Pirate Song. Each song presented students with a new musical challenge as they embraced the state music standards in an engaging way. There were some outstanding solo parts but each student contribution made the program exceptional.

Penn High School was proud to have 17 students earn valedictorian honors and two students earn salutatorian honors for the Class of 2018 during Commencement held on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Of those 17 Valedictorians, one of them, Kendra Laidig, attended Madison Elementary School, as well as Grissom Middle School.

Kendra’s college plans are to attend Butler University and double major in Health Care & Business, and Spanish, and graduate in the Physician’s Assistants Program. Her career goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant.

While attending Penn, Kendra’s activities, honors and team memberships included DECA President, Track & Field, National Honor Society and Student-Athlete Leadership Council.

Kendra also won Kingsmen of the Year and the Schmucker Awards at the Class of 2018 Senior Recognition Night ceremony on May 15. Click to watch a student profile video on Kendra.

Click to read more points of pride from the Class of 2018.

The Food Service Department of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is participating in the Summer Food Service Program for Summer 2018.

FREE MEALS will be available to children 18 years of age and under, or persons more than 18 who are determined by a state or local public education agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who participate in a public or non-profit private school program established for the mentally or physically disabled. 

The program will operate Monday through Friday. All sites will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

Please click here for more information and a complete list of sites and dates.

The annual P-H-M Employee & Retiree Recognition Dinner was held Tuesday, May 15. This year 47 faithful and dedicated P-H-M teachers and staff members retired, including a couple from Madison. Those that attended the dinner were recognized by Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and School Board President Chris Riley.

Below are the Madison employees who are retiring this year:

• Sheila Lehman, Teacher, 25 years
• Patricia Powell, Learning Lab, 19 years
   

Service Awards were also given to employees who have dedicated 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 years of service to Penn-Harris-Madison. See those that were honored from Madison:

• Kathleen Dance, 30 years of service
• Deborah Gurtner, 30 years of service
• Patricia Boner, 25 years of service
• Elaine Truex, 25 years of service
• Julie Unrue, 25 years of service
• Susan Brew, 20 years of service
• Pamela Christofield, 15 years

Click here for a full list of this year’s Service Award employees. 

Click here to view the full photo gallery of Service Award Winners and Retirees.

We thank all our employees for their years of faithful service to P-H-M students and families!

The P-H-M DVT & Planetarium is now proud to offer online ticket purchasing, seat reservation & online payment through the P-H-M RevTrak Web Store. 

Click here to pick your seats and purchase them online today!

There are three shows left for the rest of the 2017-18 school year, take advantage of this new online feature today to see these last three shows:

• Wed., May 9, 6:30 p.m.:  EGYPT: SECRETS OF THE MUMMIES
• Wed., May 16, 6:30 p.m.: SPACEPARK  360
• Wed., May 24, 6:30 p.m.: SUMMER NIGHT SKY

To get more details on the P-H-M DVT & Planetarium, please visit www.phmschools.org/dvt.

This inaugural year for the P-H-M Education Foundation’s Silver Mile new format … the Bubble Bash … was a huge success! Click here to see the full photo gallery below.

Hundreds of P-H-M students, family, teachers and staff turned out Saturday, May 5 at Penn High School for the morning non-timed 5K walk/run through the neighborhoods behind Penn. More than 1,500 enjoyed the gorgeous and warm weather and bubbles!

There was lots of pre-race activities to get the runners warmed up, including a School Spirit Contest and Zumba!

After the race, runners enjoyed post-race snacks donated by Whole Foods and Hacienda Restaurants and browsed through the Health & Fitness Expo in Penn’s Cafeteria. Free health screenings were offered by presenting sponsor Saint Joseph Health System, along with numerous businesses showcasing their health-related items.  More than 100 items were up for bid at the silent auction, including Penn High School parking spaces and front-row graduation seats. And families were treated to P-H-M’s talented students participating in the Silver Mile Talent Showcase inside the Main Arena. 

Thank you to all the sponsors including St. Joseph Health System, ABC 57, Sunny 101.5, Drive & Shine, and many others.

The Silver Mile Run for Education raises funds to provide innovative grants that fall outside the P-H-M school district’s budget. It remains the Foundation’s largest fundraiser in its 13th year.  We look forward to seeing you in May 2019!

*Please see the photo gallery below. To download a high resolution jpg file from the photo gallery, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function.

It was a gorgeous day for the 10^th annual “Running is Elementary.” Most years, 4^th and 5^th grade students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are fighting the elements of wind, rain, sleet or snow … but not this year!

Almost 700 students  participated in the 1 mile run on the Penn cross-country course located behind Elm Road School on Monday, April 30. Please click to see the photo gallery below.

The fun event encourages fitness and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary Race. Cheered on by their families, principals, teachers and running coaches it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. “Running Buddies” accompany those students who may need their extra assistance and/or encouragement.

Cindy Batalis (P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and physical education teacher at Horizon Elementary) began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. “This is a thrill! All the kids out here running today are out here making a positive step to healthy habits and we celebrate all of them. It's a true community event!"

The top times for the 2018 Running Is Elementary Race were as follows:

5^th grade Boys

BIB# 99
Elm Road School
Time: 5:59
 

5th grade Girls Winner

BIB# 190
Horizon
Time: 6:43 
 

4^th grade Boys

BIB# 429
Meadow's Edge
Time: 6:05
 

4^th grade Girls

BIB# 171
Elsie Rogers
Time: 6:51

It was particularly heartwarming when the whole crowd got behind one special runner to cheer him on 4th grade Horizon student Mikan Gensic, son of Penn Biology Teacher John Gensic. Mikan took everything in stride and didn't even seem to be tired when he was done. He even had to be talked into getting his complimentary bottle of water and frozen Urban Swirl cup!

All runners are to be congratulated for their efforts and hard work!!

A big thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation and Corporations for Education for sponsoring the event!

Sponsors for the 2018 event:

Presenting sponsor – Corporations for Education

Royal Excursion and Gaylor Electric

After Race Snack Donations:

Urban Swirl and B&B Organics

Be sure to sign up to run in the P-H-M Education Foundation’s Silver Mile Bubble Bash this Saturday, May 5. Click to register online today!

Please see the photo gallery below. To download a high resolution jpg file from the photo gallery, just simply click the “DOWNLOAD” button on the bottom right-hand corner of the photo while viewing it in the Photo Gallery function.