The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted at the Monday, July 25, 2016 Board Meeting to approve the sponsorship agreement between the P-H-M Education Foundation and Saint Joseph Health System.

This agreement gives SJHS the opportunity to rename the tennis courts at Prairie Vista Elementary School “Saint Joseph Health System Tennis Courts at Prairie Vista” in exchange for a $10,000 donation to the P-H-M Education Foundation endowment. The naming rights will be for a 12-year period.

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising campaign, 80 percent of the donation will go into the Education Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs district wide. The remaining 20 percent will directly fund the school district’s professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School Corporation.

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. The Foundation awards innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, and other corporation-wide initiatives. You can read about the Education Foundation’s Srpring 2016 grant awards or their 20^th Anniversary Gala that raised aprroximately $100,000.

Separate from the P-H-M Education Foundation’s naming rights partnership with Saint Joseph Health System for Prairie Vista’s tennis courts, another fundraising initiative has been underway since Spring 2015 to resurface the tennis courts. No portion of the Saint Joseph Health System sponsorship contributed to the court refurbishment project; the naming rights are not related to the resurfacing of the tennis courts. The cost of resurfacing of the courts was paid for by Penn-Harris-Madison School District, a grant from the United States Tennis Association and private donations by the P-H-M Education Foundation, Prairie Vista families, community members and local businesses. You can read more about that project by reading this story. 

After a year-and-a-half of planning, $36,000 in fundraising dollars and 175 plus community volunteer hours … Prairie Vista Elementary’s tennis courts are finally getting a much needed “facelift!”

The courts surface had become “unplayable” because of extensive cracking. Thanks to some dedicated Puma parents, they led the charge and started a grassroots fundraising campaign in 2015 to help the Penn-Harris-Madison School District pay the expensive costs of having the courts resurfaced to tennis competition grade.

Our dedicated parent volunteer group wrote and applied for a grant from the United States Tennis Association’s Facility Assistance Program. In June 2016, the group received word that the project had been awarded $13,000 towards the project. P-H-M is putting up $15,000 towards the project; and another $8,000 has been raised in private donations from Prairie Vista families, community members and local businesses (please see the list below of those that donated $500 or more to the project). Counted among the $8,000 raised from other sources, P-H-M Education Foundation also awarded the project $3,000 as part of its Spring 2016 grant cycle. The fundraising total to-date (July 25, 2016) is $36,000!!!

The group has been working with Leslie Coatings, an Indianapolis firm that specializes in the resurfacing of outdoor sports facilities. Weather permitting, and thanks to the “PV Courts Cleanup Day” held in mid-July, Leslie Coatings can begin and hopefully complete the resurfacing of the courts by early August.

The goal is to have the courts ready for student use when your children come back to school on Wednesday, August 24. Our students will be introduced to tennis as part of the PE curriculum and have access to the courts as a part of after school programs. 

Our students won’t be the only ones who benefit from the newly improved courts, the Granger community and neighbors of Prairie Vista will also be able to use the courts. The upgraded courts will also make it possible for USTA to hold small, entry level tournaments at our school. Penn High School’s girl’s tennis team also plans to hold a free beginners tennis camp during the summer.

Stay tuned for information … a re-dedication ceremony is in the works and all of our Prairie Vista families will be invited!

We are extremely grateful to all of those who have donated their time in planning and cleanup hours, as well as funding to this project. This project is a perfect example of P-H-M’s “Triangle of Success”—connecting, students, teachers and parents to make remarkable things happen in our school district.

 Friends of Prairie Vista Tennis Courts, donations of $500 and above:

• Steve and Lisa Gerber
• Robert and Jan Hoenk
• Ironwood Family Dentistry
• JSK Development, Inc.
• Lionshead Specialty Tire & Wheel, LLC
• Dave and Jen Ludwig
• Rolan and Cynthia Pascual
• P-H-M Education Foundation
• Prairie Vista PTO
• Chris and Cindy Shepherd

Engaging, enriching—words that describe the 2016 Visual Arts Academy. 

Excited, enthralled—the reaction of so many of the children experiencing this unique summer program.

Now in its fourth year, over 800 children in grades K-5 are taking part in the 2016 Visual Arts Academy.  

The Visual Arts Academy has been nominated to receive the designation of “Promising Practice.” That distinction is granted by the Indiana Department of Education to programs that use innovative approaches to deliver educational benefits. Once “Promising Practices” are identified, other Indiana districts may choose to initiate similar programs for the families they serve.

The Visual Arts Academy represents an innovative partnership developed by Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame. The Academy features art making and writing through the examination of original works of art from both the Snite Museum and museums around the world.

It is comprised of six one-week programs, running from June 6 through July 15, 2016. Each week students from a different grade level experience a diversely rich curriculum that focuses upon the creation of an identity as an artist with words as well as images.

Each day students work with the visiting artists and art teachers in art making, elementary writing teachers for writing workshop and visual thinking strategies, multi-media experience to learn about art mediums such as glass blowing or architecture. Students also spend one day at the Snite Museum.

Since its inception, the vision and mission of the Visual Arts Academy has been shared by a core group of teachers and administrators at P-H-M and Notre Dame. Under the leadership of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kay Antonelli, the group created the curricula “from the ground up” and provided the professional development for all teachers who participate during the Academy. Over 25 elementary writing and secondary art teachers are serving the Academy this summer.

Thanks to the financial support of these contributors, the Visual Arts Academy is provided for all children free of charge.

• 

  The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County ($50,000 grant)

• The P-H-M Education Foundation

• Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation

• The Snite Museum of Art

• The Law Offices of May, Oberfell, Lorber

• And various other contributors

The Indiana Department of Education has announced the 2014-15 Four Star Schools and six Penn-Harris-Madison Schools made the annual roster for this elite distinction.

Along with Prairie Vista, P-H-M’s other Four Star Schools include Horizon, Mary Frank, and Northpoint Elementary Schools, as well as Discovery Middle School and Penn High School.

In order to achieve this designation, a school must be in the top 25th percentile of schools in two ISTEP-based categories. Additionally, a qualifying school must have earned the highest designation in the state’s accountability system and be accredited by the Indiana Department of Education. A total of 287 schools received the award throughout the state. A complete list of the schools that received the award, as well as a more complete methodology outlining Four Star determination, can be found on the IDOE’s website.

In January, the 2015 ISTEP+ scores were released and P-H-M ranked 10th in the state among 293 public school districts. The District earned an 81.4% pass rate for ELA (English/Language Arts); 78.0% pass rate for Math; and an overall combined pass rate of 72.1% for both subjects areas. P-H-M was also rated an “A-rated” school district for the 6^th year in a row.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation serves approximately 10,700 students in 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and Penn High School. Penn High School's graduation rate exceeds the state’s with a 97% graduation rate and is rated a 90-25-90 school by the IDOE. 100% of P-H-M teachers rank either highly effective or effective. 

CANVAS is an online communication platform that connects students, parents and teachers. CANVAS has boosted the success of P-H-M’s Chromebook program in middle and high school, and most of our users have given it a “thumbs up” this year.

Starting June 6, 2016, P-H-M’s CANVAS users will see a new and improved “dashboard” when they log on. In addition to the new look, the user will have new options for organizing and viewing CANVAS content. We think the changes being made to the user interface will merit two thumbs up!  

Parents and students, watch the video below for an overview of the changes. 

The URL (web address ) to CANVAS is not changing. You will find it at the same location, or by using the same link or shortcut, as you have used in the past. 

• Click here to go to the CANVAS login page now, or copy/paste this address into your browser bar: https://phm.instructure.com/ to go there. 

Your login information will not change. Your CANVAS login is the same as your HAC (Home Access Center) login.

• Contact the school office or email the HAC helpdesk HAC@phm.k12.in.us if you need help setting up your account. 

Visit the Canvas Help Page for additional resources and information.

Running Is Elementary, now in its 8th year, took place Monday, May 2, 2016, on the 1 mile cross-country course located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The 700 student-athletes ran on wet ground under cloudy skies, but their spirits were warmed by the hundreds of spectators cheering them on. Enthusiasm for this event—including student participation and family support—grows every year!

This exciting program gets its momentum from the schools’ running clubs, formed early in the spring and led by staff who act as coaches for the fourth and fifth grade boys and girls who choose to participate. The clubs meet, run and train for several weeks ahead of the public RIE event in May. On that day the students, in their colorful team T-shirts, gather at the start line, eager to give the rugged course their best effort. Superintendent Jerry Thacker and TCU’s Chris Griggs-Huppert signaled the start of the first heat, with P-H-M Board members and patrons starting the other heats.

Every student, from the first to cross the finish line to the last, is cheered on. Some even have companions or support runners who help them keep the pace and finish the race.

One goal for all involved is personal fitness—a healthy pursuit made all the more fun since RIE takes place as outdoor recreation among friends.  Some youngsters with a bent for running set speed goals as well. One fifth grader finished the mile with a remarkable time of 6:04! 

Running Is Elementary is sponsored by Corporations for Education, the corporate arm of the P-H-M Education Foundation. Much credit also goes to Horizon Elementary P.E. teacher and RIE coordinator Cindy Batalis, who, along with her committee and many volunteers, works hard to make the event safe and successful.

Here is a photo gallery from this year’s event for you to enjoy! 

The Gala took place Saturday, April 23, 2016 at the Palais Royale Ballroom and PHMEF Executive Director Mari Linn Wise reports, “It was a smashing success!”

Friends of the school district gathered to celebrate the P-H-M Education Foundation’s two decades of accomplishments—having a great time and raising even more funds while they were at it!

The evening’s Roaring 20’s theme came through with plenty of glitz and glam. There were “flappers” in headbands and feather boas, and “dappers” in hats and spats. Chairperson Christine Rutherford and her staff of volunteers saw to the many details that made the evening memorable, including black and gold art deco touches, vintage costumes, designer cupcakes, and jazz music provided by Penn High students. 

View the full photo gallery here.

The highlight of the evening was the on-stage entertainment provided by teams of principals and assistant principals. Wise says, “PHMEF asked our principals and assistant principals to step outside their comfort zone to raise funds for our students by performing. P-H-M is so fortunate to have such caring administrators who want to raise funds for our students. Our winning Team Five closed out the night with a standing-ovation performance. Congratulations to all of the teams!”

Many parents, friends, staff members and community members who did not attend the Gala still supported it by casting $10 votes for their favorite teams of principals and assistant principals. On top of that giving, came a vote matching offer from Gary Fox for Crowe Horwath. He pledged to match each $10 vote, up to 100 votes for each team!

Here’s the final tally, including Mr. Fox’s generous support:

• Team 1 – 122 votes (Penn High)
• Team 2 – 217 votes (Horizon, Northpoint, P Vista)
• Team 3 – 437 votes (Elsie, W Disney, Meadow’s, Bittersweet, Madison)
• Team 4 – 223 votes (DMS, GMS, SMS)
• Team 5 – 451 votes (Mary Frank, Elm Road, Moran)
• Team 6 – 198 votes (Wildcard: Mr. Kauffman!)
• Total votes – 1,648

$16,480 was raised for P-H-M students and programs through votes alone!

Thousands of dollars in additional funds were raised through a silent auction conducted through online bidding, as well as live bidding to support the Summer Visual Arts Academy, and live bidding to underwrite PHMEF direct classroom grants. 

"I am overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the P-H-M community,” Wise states. “Our 20th Anniversary Gala was the first sit-down dinner in the Foundation’s history and it proved to be such a success. It was a night of fun and entertainment while raising much needed funds for our students.”

She continues, “Many thanks to the gala chair, Christine Rutherford, to the principals and assistant principals who showcased their talents, and to our families for their continued support.” 

The Foundation Board expresses special thanks to these five underwriters:  Gurley Leep Subaru, University of Notre Dame, Crowe Horwath, Jim and Julie Schwartz, and Gates Automotive Group.

Click here to view the Foundation’s timeline, charting 20 amazing years of contributions and growth. 

When Indiana’s presidential primary election takes place Tuesday, May 3, 2016, Prairie Vista will house a polling center, as it has in the past.

Voters should park in the north lot, near the portable classrooms. Voting will take place in the portable classrooms. Voters will not be allowed access into the school building. 

Other P-H-M schools that will serve as voting locations in this spring election are Penn High School, Schmucker Middle School, Mary Frank Elementary School, Meadow’s Edge Elementary School, and Walt Disney Elementary School. Of course registered voters may only use the polling location that serves their precinct, based on home address.  Here is a link to the precincts maps and polling location information provided by St. Joseph County.

All P-H-M schools will be in session on Friday, April 29—including Prairie Vista, of course!  

This day of instruction will make up for the day that schools were closed due to bad weather, Thursday, Feb. 25. 

Parents, thanks for your cooperation.

Students, see you then! 

P-H-M’s 30th annual Elementary Spell Bowl took place Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Nearly 200 third, fourth, and fifth grade students took the stage at Penn High’s Center for Performing Arts, all prepared to do their best in regulated competition.

Prairie Vista spellers had a great showing, placing at all three grade levels!  

The PV Third Grade Team finished in a four-way tie (along with Bittersweet, Madison and Mary Frank) for second place. Sarah, Bake, Gavin, Henry, Emerson, Eva, and Mallory are all members of the Third Grade Team.  They are coached by Mrs. Gage. 

Prairie Vista’s Fourth Grade Team also tied for second place, this time with Bittersweet and Walt Disney. Fourth Grade spellers include Ansar, Matias, Henry, Libby, Michael, Abigail, and Inas.  They are coached by Mrs. Mumaw and Mrs. Hoppers. 

And the Fifth Grade Team took home third place honors, missing second place by a single point. Fifth grade team members are Isaiah, Adam, Grace, Daisy, Faisal, Gwyneth, and Maria. They are coached by Mrs. Lebiedzinski. 

Penn High School’s Center for Performing Arts was the setting, and it was full of students, family, friends, and faculty. The audience was hushed as spellers worked, but cheers broke out whenever results were announced. It was a good night for the Northpoint Elementary spellers, who finished first at all three grade levels. 

Mrs. Anne-Marie Reininga, K-5 High Ability Coordinator for the district, manages the P-H-M Spell Bowl and works to assure that it is a positive and enriching experience for students. Academic competition can give students confidence, increase their motivation to sharpen their skills and abilities, and expand their opportunities to receive recognition.

Congratulations to all who participated in the 30th Annual P-H-M Spell Bowl!