Madison first through third grade students recently performed Stone Soup a “Rock” Opera for about ninety grandparents at an afternoon performance followed by a special time of punch and cookies. The students also did an evening performance for parents and other special guests. "Stone Soup, first published in 1947, is a classic picture book that remains one of Marcia Brown's most popular and enduring tale. The story, about three hungry soldiers who outwit the greedy inhabitants of a village into providing them with a feast, is based on an old French tale." Miss Kuzdzal’s work with students simply reinforced the value of this timeless tale as students worked together to prepare and perform this musical play.

Students ate lunch with their partner during our western themed book fair. Over one hundred guests consisting of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends, ate from our Chuck Wagon featuring BBQ Drumsticks, Cowboy Pie, Roll w/Apple Butter, Fiesta Corn, and Baked Apples with Granola. Tammy Yoder and Pati White, our food service Wagon Masters kept the food coming, hot and delicious. All students were invited to eat in the gym with our guests and enjoyed this special time. 

Madison students and families enjoyed perusing the Scholastic Book Fair recently held at Madison School.  Allison Laidig organized the event with the help of some terrific parent volunteers. Teachers made wish lists, students noted what they wanted, and books flew off the shelves as parents, grandparents or special friends made their purchases. While our sales were $500.00 over our goal the real success is measured in the support these families bring to our READ LIKE A CHAMPION campaign and in the smiles we saw as students shopped with their special guests. 

Visit with a Vet                 

A visit with a vet at Madison had nothing to do with a veteran although we honor and respect every person that has served in the military. This time our vet was, Dr. Matt Randolph. Dr. Randolph brought his daughter Bethany and their pony Hayley to school as part of our positive behavior plan. Dr. Randolph operates Equine Veterinary Hospital of Northern Indiana. But it’s also family affair concerning horses since his daughters ride in competitions and his wife, also a vet works in Granger at a small animal clinic. Students were able to ask questions, hear about Dr. Randolph’s work, and learn about horse health and about riding in competitions. After the presentation students were able to pet Hayley – she is a pony that knows how to behave!

During the Riley Bike-a-thon the weather cooperated as students, families, and friends rode a total of 392 miles on a windy Saturday morning in October. Nick Madlem rode 34 miles as the top boy rider while Brooklyn James rode 23 miles as the top girl rider each earning $5.00 for their effort. Brooklyn earned the title of Top Collections – Girl from 24 sponsors and Keegan Fall as Top Collections – Boy from 19 sponsors. Each student collected over $1,000.00 and $10.00 prize money. Madison Students collected pledges from family and friends for Riley Children’s Hospital totaling $5,878.00.

Do you like to dance? Do you want to learn how to spin a flag? Do you like to perform?

All levels are welcome to come to the Penn Cadet Winter Guard Auditions at Walt Disney Elementary School (enter in back). There will be two audition dates of Monday, Nov.20 and Wednesday, November 22. Audition times for both dates are 6-8 p.m.

Girls and boys, grades 4-6, will be accepted. 

Rehearsals will be every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Competitions will begin Saturday, January 27.

Come be a part of this incredible performing arts group!

Click here to download and print the flyer.
 

Monthly fire drills are a part of the routine at schools; we want to help students and staff to know how to exit a building safely in the event of a fire. But who tells students what to do at home if a fire breaks out? A team of volunteers from the Madison Township Fire Department recently brought fire prevention lessons to students at Madison.

It was a full day of learning for students as each grade spent time listening to the fireman and participating in activities and games enabling them to know the proper way to act or react in a fire. Activities included, learning about fire extinguishers, how to Stop, Drop, and Roll, playground safety, first aid, why do fireman use backboards, how to crawl out of a burning building, what a fireman looks like in full gear, and how to practice home fire drills. Students were given the assignment of meet with parent and create a home escape plan. Students submitting their evacuation plan were eligible for a MTFD “bag of goodies”.  All students received a MTFD drawstring bag and a water bottle.

Our students wish to thank the following members of the Madison Township Fire Department for a great day of learning fire safety: Pati Youngman, Christine Wesner, Cody Simmons, Scott Maurer, Meg Bronke, Robert Alwine, Rose Adams, Christopher Dresbach and Jason Fischer. 

The popular annual family event is scheduled for Saturday, December 2 and is open to the entire community, not just P-H-M families. However, please note this event is for Kindergarten – 3rd grade students only and children must be accompanied by at least one adult. All tickets are $7.00.

Show times this year are scheduled for 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Space is limited to 100 tickets/participants per time slot.

This year, ticket sales will be ONLINE ONLY at phm.revtrak.net and will go on sale Wednesday, November 1 at 8:00 a.m. Tickets will NOT be sold at the ESC on Nov. 1 or at the door on Dec. 2. Tickets sell out fast, so please make arrangements to setup your account at phm.revtrak.net prior to Nov. 1. Once tickets are sold out for a time slot, online sales for that time slot will end.

You will be able to pay online using eCheck, Discover, VISA or MasterCard credit or debit cards and a 3.49% transaction fee will be added to your total purchase amount. Tickets will be mailed to the address provided during the online registration prior to December 2nd. No refunds or tickets will be available at the door.

If you have any questions, please contact the P-H-M Community Education office at (574) 258-9568 or email Jenny Forkner.

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, recently learned that the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) named him the IAPSS 2017 Outstanding Educator. 

The public announcement of Dr. Thacker’s recognition will be made at P-H-M Education Foundation’s annual Superintendent’s Luncheon to be held Tuesday, October 17.

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. Jerry 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.

Parent Teacher Student Conferences will be conducted on Tuesday, October 24 from 2:30—7:00 pm and on Wednesday, October 25 from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. Teachers will be sending you an invitation on October 11 stating the day and time of your conference.  Please return a confirmation on or before October 16.  Teachers do their best to accommodate families by scheduling conferences together. We look forward to meeting with you

Conference time is communication time. It can be hard as a parent to know what to expect at a conference. First of all remember that you and your child’s teacher have the same goal—helping your child grow academically and socially. Your child’s teacher will share student progress and enlist your help. During this time you and the teacher will explore together areas they excel at and in what areas they need assistance. Together you may make an action plan to help your child. The chart below gives a checklist of things that may help you explore what is best for your child or may identify areas that could become part of the action plan. Be sure to end the conference by scheduling a way to follow up and measure progress.

Parent are key players in the PHM Triangle of Success!