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!

Madison School enjoyed perfect fall weather for our Riley Bike-a-Thon on Saturday, October 7. But the bike-a-thon was not the only event on that day. It was also Mrs. Wisler's Birthday. Mrs. Wisler is an aide at Madison, attends student activities after school hours, co-chair of the Riley Bike-a-Thon, and an avid Notre Dame fan. She is a great role model for students of how to make your life count. Students came out Saturday with their bikes decorated, balloons, and a birthday cake all for this special lady. They will collect through October 20 for this year's contribution. Madison Students have collected over $110,000.00 through the years for Riley. Learning to care for others is really what it's all about.

Riding bikes, wearing green noses, and walking laps around the playground are a few of the fun ways Madison students learn to help others.  They also roll up their sleeves to organize canned food, pack meals, and collect quarters.  Although the kids know that participating in the fun activities somehow results in helping others, a group of 4th and 5th grade students recently took a closer look at the service projects to get a better understanding of how they serve.  Through their research, students learned about philanthropy, mission statements, and the purpose of some non-profit organizations. Kids will have even more fun knowing that by sharing their time, talent, and/or treasure, they can make a difference for the common good.  

Bike-a-thon for Riley Children’s Hospital – Riley provides kids with world-class pediatric routine and specialty healthcare.  It is one of the nation’s top-ranked children’s hospitals.  

Relay for Life – Relay is a community based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.  The mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight against cancer.

Logan Nose On – Logan Center supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may achieve their desired quality of life.

P-H-M Education Foundation – The Foundation distributes innovative teaching grants to support P-H-M teachers, staff, and students.  Since 1996, more than $520,000 has been given.

Feed My Starving Children – FMSC is  non-profit organization called to feed children, hungry in body and spirit.

Local Food Drive – The drive is to serve families in the community who are in need of help.  

The annual Superintendent’s Luncheon is coming soon! On October 17, 2017, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker will give his State of the Corporation address to parents, business, community and education leaders.

The luncheon, hosted by the  P-H-M Education Foundation, is a District fundraiser and also a chance to say thank you to all of the partners who have made grant funding possible. Those grants help make many important programs for P-H-M schools possible.

The featured speakers this year will be former Bethel men’s basketball head coach Mike Lightfoot and his wife, Jacci Lightfoot. Mike and Jacci will speak about how their new calling to lead was fueled by their passion for education and athletics.

For tickets, please click here to pay online. For more information, contact Amber Kennedy at 254-2893 (ext. 10721).

The application window for P-H-M Education Foundation’s Fall 2017 Grant Cycle is now open!

And thanks to the  success of the P-H-M Education Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Gala in May 2016, an additional $10,000 is available for grants. A total of $ 33,920 is available this academic year!!!

PHMEF is seeking innovative programs that have not been previous funding through past grant cycles. Note there are funding restrictions such as not paying for substitutes, food, party supplies, etc. A complete list of restrictions can be found in the application packet. Those applications requesting non-funded expenses will not be presented to the Grants Committee.

So parents work with your student’s teacher or principal to write up a grant proposal for a program you’ve been wishing you child’s school had. PHMEF grants are eligible to any staff member who can demonstrate their program’s innovation, creativity and reflects commitment to excellence in education. Click here for a list of the unique Spring grant awardees.

The window for applications closes on Thursday, October 26. Applications are due promptly at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26. If you are turning your applications in at the ESC, please come to 55900 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka. No late applications will be accepted. Note that there must be 10 copies for the traditional form.

There are two ways to apply:

• EZ Form: for grants less than $250

• Traditional Form: to be used for grants requesting $250 or more and/or a request that is comprehensive (multi-classroom, school-wide or district-wide requests)

Application and filing details can be found on the Education Foundation’s website. Click here to access the application.

The timeline for the PHMEF Fall Grant Cycle is as follows:
 

Thursday, Oct. 26 – All applications (EZ Form and Traditional Form) must be turned in by 4 p.m. No late applications will be accepted. Note there must be 10 copies for the traditional form. 
 

Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 27 – PHMEF grant committee meets to select recipients and presents grants for approval to the P-H-M Education Foundation Board of Directors.

By Nov. 30 – Recipients will be notified by email with formal letter to follow

By Dec. 8 – Checks will be sent to the recipient’s home school.