Kicking off 2017-18 School Year with #PHMExcellence

This morning Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker welcomed back nearly 1,500 teachers, administrators and classified support staff during the annual Kickoff Breakfast (click here to see the photo gallery below). As part of building excitement for the new school year, Dr. Thacker always takes time to praise staff and student achievements from the past year. Some of the many EXCELLENT accomplishments of P-H-M teachers, students and staff were highlighted in a video shown to staff. Dr. Thacker encouraged staff to share the great stories taking place across the District this coming year on social media using #PHMExcellence.

As part of the Kickoff Breakfast, a motivational speaker and leader in education is invited to come in and speak to P-H-M teachers. This year Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Fall Cree, Wisconsin spoke to P-H-M instructional staff about “Brining School stories to the World” and telling P-H-M’s story. Dr. Sanfelippo was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education and is the author of “Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways that Great Leaders Inspire Learning that Teachers, Students, and Parents Love.” Dr. Sanfelippo is innovative school administrator who has built strong relationships with his district’s students, families and employees through engaging social media stories. Today he also encouraged P-H-M teachers to do the same and be EXCELLENTstorytellers and to share the EXCELLENT things taking place every day within P-H-M’s 15 schools, telling them “You are teachers! You move people!!!”

P-H-M is an “A” rated school district and in the state’s Top 3 of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools. Excellence happens here!  Our teachers and students do amazing things every day.  Throughout this year, the community and our families will start seeing more and more of these stories. Look for and use #PHMExcellence on social media and click here for #PHMExcellence feed to catch up and see what you might have missed. 

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Kicking off 2017-18 School Year with #PHMExcellence

This morning Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker welcomed back nearly 1,500 teachers, administrators and classified support staff during the annual Kickoff Breakfast (click here to see the photo gallery below). As part of building excitement for the new school year, Dr. Thacker always takes time to praise staff and student achievements from the past year. Some of the many EXCELLENT accomplishments of P-H-M teachers, students and staff were highlighted in a video shown to staff. Dr. Thacker encouraged staff to share the great stories taking place across the District this coming year on social media using #PHMExcellence.

 

 

As part of the Kickoff Breakfast, a motivational speaker and leader in education is invited to come in and speak to P-H-M teachers. This year Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, superintendent of Fall Creek School District in Fall Cree, Wisconsin spoke to P-H-M instructional staff about “Brining School stories to the World” and telling P-H-M’s story. Dr. Sanfelippo was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education and is the author of “Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways that Great Leaders Inspire Learning that Teachers, Students, and Parents Love.” Dr. Sanfelippo is innovative school administrator who has built strong relationships with his district’s students, families and employees through engaging social media stories. Today he also encouraged P-H-M teachers to do the same and be EXCELLENT storytellers and to share the EXCELLENT things taking place every day within P-H-M’s 15 schools, telling them “You are teachers! You move people!!!”

 

P-H-M is an “A” rated school district and in the state’s Top 3 of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools. Excellence happens here!  Our teachers and students do amazing things every day.  Throughout this year, the community and our families will start seeing more and more of these stories. Look for and use #PHMExcellence on social media and click here for #PHMExcellence feed to catch up and see what you might have missed. 

PHM Welcomes New Teachers

Next Wednesday, Aug. 23 is the first day for grades 1-12 (Thursday, August 24th for Kindergarten), but today Penn-Harris-Madison’s newest teachers had their first day of school!

It was a busy New Teacher Orientation Day for this group of creative, talented and energetic teachers. This year P-H-M hired 41 new elementary, middle and high school teachers, as well Exceptional Education professional staff.

 

These newest teachers joined the ranks of one of Indiana’s highest ranked public school districts. As an “A” rated school and Four Star School District, 100% of our teachers are rated “Highly Effective” or “Effective.” Ongoing professional development supports and empowers our teachers to then in turn provide an excellent education to our students!

 

Browse the new faces you’ll be seeing throughout the 2017-18 school year!

 

Group 1: Elementary

New P-H-M elementary school teachers
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Samantha Wendzel, Kindergarten, Walt Disney; Anna Carroll, Grade 1, Walt Disney; Lauren Henry, Speech Pathologist; Jessica Laskowski, Grade 4, Prairie Vista; Grace Heise, Grade 1, Elsie Rogers; and Ryan Edgar, Grade 1, Walt Disney.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Lindsey Blackford, Grade 5, Walt Disney; Allison Bergen , ENL, Moran; Melissa Macellari, Kindergarten, Elm Road; Kara Front, Grade 1, Elsie Rogers; Kelsey Moon, Resource Teacher, Walt Disney; Heather Williams, Speech Assistant; and Aundrea Taylor, Kindergarten, Walt Disney.

 

Group 2: Middle School

New P-H-M middle school teachers
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Laura Mason, ELA, Grissom; Sheila Davis, ELA, Schmucker; Courtney Piazza, Resource Teacher, Schmucker; Mikayla Garza, Science, Discovery; and Sarah Walsh, Science Teacher, Discovery and Grissom.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Eric Spatt, ELA, Grissom; Tony Krupa, Math, Schmucker; Caroine O’Toole, Resource Teacher, Schmucker; and Maggie Hartford, Social Studies, Schmucker.

 

Group 3: Penn High School

New Penn High School Teachers
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Crystal Ryan, Theater; Dorinda Bond, Business; Megan Bidigare, Counselor; Michelle Shanholt, Resource Teacher; Mercedes Muniz, Spanish; Shannon Dunfee, Spanish; Erin Hederman, Resource Teacher; and Bryan Hunter, Economics.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Brian May, Physics; Joshua Hart, Social Studies; DJ Landoll, Assistant Band Director; Zachary Coudret, Assistant Orchestra Director; Bennett Blazo, Social Studies; Dane Whipple, Resource Teacher; Jeremy Starkweather, English; and Jeremy Starkweather, English.

 

P-H-M Welcomes New Teachers

Next Wednesday, Aug. 23 is the first day for grades 1-12 (Thursday, August 24th for Kindergarten), but today Penn-Harris-Madison’s newest teachers had their first day of school!

It was a busy New Teacher Orientation Day for this group of creative, talented and energetic teachers. This year P-H-M hired 41 new elementary, middle and high school teachers, as well Exceptional Education professional staff.

These newest teachers joined the ranks of one of Indiana’s highest ranked public school districts. As an “A” rated school and Four Star School District, 100% of our teachers are rated “Highly Effective” or “Effective.” Ongoing professional development supports and empowers our teachers to then in turn provide an excellent education to our students!

Browse the new faces you’ll be seeing throughout the 2017-18 school year!

Group 1: Elementary

New Teacher Orientation
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Samantha Wendzel, Kindergarten, Walt Disney; Anna Carroll, Grade 1, Walt Disney; Lauren Henry, Speech Pathologist; Jessica Laskowski, Grade 4, Prairie Vista; Grace Heise, Grade 1, Elsie Rogers; and Ryan Edgar, Grade 1, Walt Disney.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Lindsey Blackford, Grade 5, Walt Disney; Allison Bergen , ENL, Moran; Melissa Macellari, Kindergarten, Elm Road; Kara Front, Grade 1, Elsie Rogers; Kelsey Moon, Resource Teacher, Walt Disney; Heather Williams, Speech Assistant; and Aundrea Taylor, Kindergarten, Walt Disney.

Group 2: Middle School

New Teacher Orientation
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Laura Mason, ELA, Grissom; Sheila Davis, ELA, Schmucker; Courtney Piazza, Resource Teacher, Schmucker; Mikayla Garza, Science, Discovery; and Sarah Walsh, Science Teacher, Discovery and Grissom.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Eric Spatt, ELA, Grissom; Tony Krupa, Math, Schmucker; Caroine O’Toole, Resource Teacher, Schmucker; and Maggie Hartford, Social Studies, Schmucker.

Group 3: Penn High School

New Teacher Orientation
Pictured left to right, 1st Row: Crystal Ryan, Theater; Dorinda Bond, Business; Megan Bidigare, Counselor; Michelle Shanholt, Resource Teacher; Mercedes Muniz, Spanish; Shannon Dunfee, Spanish; Erin Hederman, Resource Teacher; and Bryan Hunter, Economics.
Pictured left to right, 2nd Row: Brian May, Physics; Joshua Hart, Social Studies; DJ Landoll, Assistant Band Director; Zachary Coudret, Assistant Orchestra Director; Bennett Blazo, Social Studies; Dane Whipple, Resource Teacher; Jeremy Starkweather, English; and Jeremy Starkweather, English.

 

Watch the Solar Eclipse safely

One of the most exciting celestial events is coming up the afternoon of Monday, August 21 and

P-H-M wants our students to be prepared and experience the Great American Solar Eclipse. 

 

What makes the Great American Solar Eclipse so great? This is the first major total solar ceclipse across the continental U.S., West to East Coast, since June 8, 1918!

 

The northern Indiana area is not in the total eclipse pattern. However, starting at 1:00 p.m., moving east, we’ll be able to see maximum coverage (about 88%) at around 2:22 p.m. with the eclipse concluding about 3:46 p.m. Still something extraordinary for our students and families to witness!

 

Because the first day of the 2017-18 school year is not until Wednesday, August 23, PTOs from all our 15 schools partnered with the P-H-M DVT and Planetarium to send home free “eclipse shades” with all of  our 10,700 students the last week of school back in June. DVT Director Melinda O'Malley also prepared this P-H-Mstudent/parent fact sheet and guide for watching the eclipse safely.

 

We encourage our students and families to experience this wonderful event, but to do  so safely! If your child has misplaced their “eclipse shades,” here are some resources to find/purchase new ones (some of these resources, but not all, are providing solar watching glasses for free; some payment and pre-orders may be required):

P-H-M DVT/Planetarium Director Mindy O'Malley will be in Carbondale, IL on August 21 for the GreatAmericanEclipse. She'll be posting pictures and video that you won't want to miss! Be sure to click here to like and follow PHM DVT & Planetarium Facebook page and then logon on August 21 to experience the eclipse with Mrs. O’Malley.

 

Be safe and enjoy the viewing, the next total solar eclipse viewable in North America is not until April 2024!

Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely

One of the most exciting celestial events is coming up the afternoon of Monday, August 21 and

P-H-M wants our students to be prepared and experience the Great American Solar Eclipse. 

What makes the Great American Solar Eclipse so great? This is the first major total solar ceclipse across the continental U.S., West to East Coast, since June 8, 1918!

The northern Indiana area is not in the total eclipse pattern. However, starting at 1:00 p.m., moving east, we’ll be able to see maximum coverage (about 88%) at around 2:22 p.m. with the eclipse concluding about 3:46 p.m. Still something extraordinary for our students and families to witness!

Because the first day of the 2017-18 school year is not until Wednesday, August 23, PTOs from all our 15 schools partnered with the P-H-M DVT and Planetarium to send home free “eclipse shades” with all of  our 10,700 students the last week of school back in June. DVT Director Melinda O’Malley also prepared this P-H-Mstudent/parent fact sheet and guide for watching the eclipse safely.

We encourage our students and families to experience this wonderful event, but to do  so safely! If your child has misplaced their “eclipse shades,” here are some resources to find/purchase new ones (some of these resources, but not all, are providing solar watching glasses for free; some payment and pre-orders may be required):

P-H-M DVT/Planetarium Director Mindy O’Malley will be in Carbondale, IL on August 21 for the GreatAmericanEclipse. She’ll be posting pictures and video that you won’t want to miss! Be sure to click here to like and follow PHM DVT & Planetarium Facebook page and then logon on August 21 to experience the eclipse with Mrs. O’Malley.

Be safe and enjoy the viewing, the next total solar eclipse viewable in North America is not until April 2024!

Sign up announced for Penn Girls Basketball League

All female P-H-M students grades 3-8 are invited to participate in a community-sponsored girls basketball league. The league begins on Sunday, September 10 and sign-ups are Sunday, August 27 in the Penn High School Arena from Noon – 2 p.m. The "Junior League" is for grades 3-6 and the "Senior League" is for 7th and 8th graders.

 

  • Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) informational letter
  • Click here for the Junior League (Grades 3-6) registration information
  • Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) informational letter
  • Click here for the Senior League (Grades 7-8) registration information

 

*Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view pdfs. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe’s website, at this link www.get.adobe.com/reader/, to download your free version. Or you can stop by the Education Resources Center at  55900 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka to pick up a copy. You can also call (574) 259-7941 for assistance.

 

 

Beginning of Year Information at a Glance

 

The beginning of the 2017-2018 school year is just around the corner. Please remember the Indiana State Department of Health requires parents/guardians to provide their child’s full immunization record to the student’s school health office on or before the first day of school, August 23, 2017.  Click here for details on Kindergarten immunization requirements. 

 

See the list below for important Prairie Vista dates and events to get the year started:

 

  • August 7 – Office Opens
  • August 21 – Back to School Night Walk Around, 5-6:30 p.m.; New Parent Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • August 22 – Back to School Meet and Greet, 1-2 p.m.
  • August 23 – First Day of School (Grades 1-12); Kindergarten Orientation Parent Visit, 9-10 a.m.
  • August 24 First Day for Kindergarten
  • August 29 – 1st Grade Parent Information Night, 5:30 p.m.; 4th Grade Parent Information Night, 6:30 p.m.
  • August 30 – Dibels Testing (Grades K and 1) 8/30-9/27
  • August 31 – 5th Grade Parent Information Night/Camp Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • September 4 – Labor Day (No School)
  • September 7 – 2nd Grade Parent Information Night, 5:30 p.m.; 3rd Grade Parent Information Night, 6:30 p.m.
  • September 12 – Picture Day; 5th Grade Camp Parent Volunteer Mandatory Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • September 22 – Fun Fair

 

Click here to see the 2017-18 P-H-M District Calendar of Events.

Field Day Here at Last!

 

Nothing signifies the end of another school year like field day. On Friday, June 2, 2017 Prairie Vista students and staff enjoyed beautiful weather by taking part in field day activities such as tug-of-war, capture the flag, dancing and more. The students were also able to stay cool by enjoying treats from a snow cone truck!

 

Please check out the picture gallery of activities below.

Prairie Vista Named a Four Star School

The Indiana Department of Education announced on Friday, May 26, 2017 the 2015-16 list of Four Star Schools and Prairie Vista, along with eight other P-H-M schools, have earned that distinction–the most the District has ever had!

P-H-M’s other Four Star Schools are Discovery, Horizon, Madison, Mary Frank, Meadow’s Edge, Northpoint, Penn and Schmucker. Meadow’s Edge made the list for the first timeMeadow’s Edge is one of  P-H-M’s five Title 1 schools.

In  2015 Prairie Vista was named a National Blue Ribbon School (in the “Exemplary High Performing Schools” category), one of only 10 in the state and 335 in the nation. Previously in 1996, the U.S. Department of Education also named it a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.  The IDOE has named Prairie Vista a Four Star School from 2010-2015. Click here for more information on Prairie Vista’s “Points of Pride.”

To qualify as a Four Star School, a school must have received an “A” rating for the 2015-16 school year, tested at least 95% of students on ISTEP English/Language Arts and Math, and be in the top 25th percentile on ISTEP and ECA participation and passing rates. This list is based on 2015-16 school data. Click here to see the full list of criteria.