Kingsmen Nation
Rigor, Relevance, Relationships 10/23
Sean Galiher, Principal
Email: srgaliher@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://penn.phmschools.org/
Phone: 574-258-9503
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PennHighSchool/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @SeanGaliher
Join the Kingsmen Team as an employee
Join an institution committed to excellence. P-H-M is looking for prospective employees in a number of areas.
Click here for the jobs board.
Important Parent Survey regarding Internet access
PSAT planned for Oct. 29
Thursday, October 29, 2020 (Gold Day)
Students in grades 10-11 whose last names begin with the letters M-Z, including students who have been working virtually are scheduled to test. The decision to administer an in-person only PSAT is solely that of the College Board, and not Penn High School.
Room assignments for students are posted outside the main office, in the commons, on the testing wall by LGIA, and at the top of the main staircase.
Test-day adjustments
Only students who are testing will report to school on these two dates.
All other students will be provided asynchronous lessons in Canvas, with consideration given to those students who will be testing.
All seniors and non-testing juniors who attend programs such as Building Trades, Cadet Teaching, and the Elkhart Area Career Center should report to those programs as normally scheduled.
PSAT information for Virtual Students
- M-Z virtual students in grades 10-11 are encouraged but not required to take the PSAT.
- Students will need their own transportation to and from school on Thursday, Oct. 29
- Students should bring a picture ID, #2 pencils, and a calculator.
- Standard time testing will go from 8:55 a.m. until 1:10 p.m. Students with extended time will finish about 2:35 p.m.
- Parents may call in and excuse their student at the end of testing.
More information regarding these two dates was provided by Principal Sean Galiher in an email to each student and each parent/guardian registered in Skyward.
School fees available to pay through Skyward
Fees for the 2020/2021 school year are now available in Skyward. Please log into your Skyward Family Access Account to see your student’s fees. These fees will not change through the school year, even if your student drops or adds courses.
You have several options as to how you may pay this bill. Your payment options are:
1. You may send your payment with your student to the Bookstore. We accept check, money order, or cash.
2. You may mail your payment to:
Penn High School Bookstore
56100 Bittersweet Rd
Mishawaka, IN 46545
3. You may pay with a credit card by using our online payment system via your Skyward Family Access Account or the PHM website at www.phmschools.org/PayFeesOnline. Please note: There is a 3.49% fee for this service.
4. You may contact the treasurer srach@phm.k12.in.us and make arrangements for a payment plan prior to 10/30/20. Payment plan forms are also available on the PHM web page.
If you feel you may qualify for Free/Reduced meals with Textbook Assistance please go to www.schoolcafe.com and complete the online application. Parents qualifying for textbook assistance are still responsible for the supply portion.
Spectrum hosts Dried Ink Art and Writing Contest
Enter the Dried Ink Art and Writing Contest.
Guidelines: Submit your best Poetry, Prose, or Art piece to spectrum@phm.k12.in.us by Friday, Nov. 6.
Submissions should be two pages or less.
Winners will be announced the week of November 16.
Get published, see your name in print, and receive FABULOUS prizes.
"Divergent Union" & "Extinction" artworks featured in Penn Art Gallery
Also included in this show are some student works that pertain to the theme of Extinction. This was open for student participation (Grades 6-12) starting last March. The student work included in the gallery are all of the works submitted to date for this theme. If anyone has more pieces to submit, please bring them to Miss Miller in 154 and she will add them to the exhibit.
Docents needed in Art Gallery
Penn masks on sale in Bookstore
Cameras on expectation for Virtual Learners
Charge Chromebooks before attending school
Penn does not have extra charges to loan out.
Picture re-take dates set
All picture retakes - including senior pictures - are Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Thursday, Nov. 12. The photos will be taken in the hallway between the Cafeteria and the Arena.
Virtual Learner re-takes will be on Monday, Nov. 9, from noon to 6 p.m. in the hallway between the Cafeteria and the Arena.
Virtual Learners must enter at Door A and follow all COVID-19 protocols (mask/physical distance/self-monitor).
How to order school photos information
To order school pictures please go the the following website:
Order Code: 50231FB
Student may only ride on assigned bus
Student before-school drop-off procedures
Student after-school pick-up procedures
Free Lunch!
Thanks to a USDA waiver, all meals served to students at P-H-M will be free until further notice.
Student accounts will be charged for any ala-carte sales.
- Click here for Penn's Menu for Meals in October.
Penn High School will offer pre-packaged breakfasts. Students will select pre-packaged meal components in the cafeteria.
Penn will also be offering take-home meals for students. The meals will cover the days when students are learning from home. Meals will be given out at the end of the day on Wednesday and Friday. The package will contain three breakfast and three lunch meals. Items will be frozen if possible and bags will have heating and storage instructions.
We will have meals available for the 100 percent virtual learners from all schools and the community. Meals will be distributed at Penn High School Door C from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday. It will be the same type of bag with only four meals on Wednesday and six on Friday. Students do not need to be present for the parent or guardian to pick up meals. Student ID’s will not be required.
Hybrid Calendar/schedules
Click here for the Hybrid Class & Lunch schedule.
Click here for the Hybrid Two-Hour Delay schedule.
Return to Learn safety protocols
Penn High School began its Hybrid Return to Learning plan on Monday, Sept. 21.
This document outlines our Return to Learn safety protocols as it relates to arrival and dismissal procedures, passing periods, lunch and classroom instruction.
Report student COVID-19 related symptom information to Penn
If a student presents one or more COVID-19 related symptoms, this information must be communicated to the school attendance office - 258-9501.
The following list shares those symptoms.
Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by the mouth
New onset of severe headache, especially with fever
New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Loss of taste or smell
Diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
Any student with one or more COVID-19 related symptom must stay home. If the student is at school, the student must be picked up within one hour of the parent being contacted. An additional conversation will need to take place with school officials to determine the correct plan of action. The student showing symptoms of COVID-19 could be subject to a 14-day quarantine.
Thank-a-Teacher Program
Teachers and staff are going above and beyond during these uncertain times. Find a way to say THANK YOU! The minimum donation is $20 per recipient and the money received is used to fund future grants for programs that wouldn't otherwise be possible due to budget cuts. Your special person will receive a note and congratulatory pin acknowledging your donation.
All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. We are also taking credit cards as payment. Forms can be downloaded at www.phmef.org. Thanks for your continued support for the P-H-M Education Foundation where our mission is to support excellence in education at P-H-M schools! Questions can be emailed to laynabender@phmef.org
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health
1. In order to share information about stress and stress management in a new way that is easily accessible to P-H-M's parents/guardians, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation SEL & Mental Health has united with community partners from Notre Dame, Reflections Counseling, Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, and Youth Service Bureau via a virtual panel format to create a video. The video includes a brief overview of the neurobiology of stress and what may be happening in our bodies due to COVID, tips for healthy stress management, the importance of modeling stress management for our students, helping to create a sense of psychological safety, information about supports offered at the elementary and middle schools through Youth Services Bureau, and how to access supports via P-H-M's counseling offices at the middle and high school. Please find the link to the video here: https://youtu.be/ZiD2yxReqpg
A very special thank you to our own incredible experts, including our amazing counselors. Mrs. Autumn Stout from Discovery, Mrs. Nancy Block from Grissom, Mrs. Stacy Eck from Schmucker, and Mr. John Westra from Penn High who were an integral part of this panel. Thank you also to our awesome community partners, Dr. Nancy Michael from Notre Dame, Dr. Heather Holleman and Dr. Jennie Knapp both from Reflections Counseling, Ms. Kim Neff from Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, and Ms. Laurie Ellis from Youth Service Bureau.
2. The SEL lessons for this month will focus on the SEL competencies of Mindset, Collaboration, Connection and Regulation. Specifically, we will talk about the importance of having a Growth Mindset and embracing the "Power of Yet" so we continue learning and growing, including growing from mistakes or setbacks. Lessons will also address the importance of being empathetic to others and showing care and concern to help others and ourselves.
2 The SEL Lessons for October will focus on the SEL Competencies of insight, regulation, collaboration, and connection. Specifically, we will teach students about concepts that fall under the umbrella of Emotional Intelligence; understand how their emotions can impact their body and touch on the concept of neuroplasticity of our brains; what empathy is and how to show it to others; and how to demonstrate care and concern for others in appropriate ways.
Contact Independent Study at independentstudy@phm.k12.in.us
If you are enrolled in Independent Study, please use the following email address for all questions and help: independentstudy@phm.k12.in.us.
Yearbook seeking feature images
If you'd like to be featured in the yearbook, we have some images we're looking for!
Specifically, if you have any cute pictures with your friends, family, pets, or by yourself from this summer, please email them to Branigan Thomas at bthomas066@phm.k12.in.us along with a short summary on what you were doing, your name, and your grade level!
If you have anything like the above but for autumn, you can email those pictures and that information to Paige Parker at pparker753@phm.k12.in.us
Purchase a 2020-2021 Yearbook
If you'd like to purchase the 2020-2021 yearbook, you can place your order any time at Jostens.com !
The sooner you order, the lower the price, so order ASAP!
Shipment price is built into the cost of the book, so make sure you give a shipment address that you want the book to be shipped to next fall!
For yearbook related questions, you can email Mrs. Pfernere at kpeterson@phm.k12.in.us
Connect with Kingsmen Court
Follow Kingsmen Court !!!
Instagram: @pennkingsmencourt
Twitter: @courtkingsmen
Information about how to apply to your student council is coming soon!
E-mail us with any questions @penn-kingsmen-court-grp@phm.k12.in.us
New student assignments for Counselors announced
Click here for the list of Counselors, student assignments and contact information.
PTO introduction, update
The Penn PTO welcomes you to join us for the 2020-2021 school year. While this year may look diferent, the purpose of the PTO is still vital.
Over the past 3 years, the Penn PTO has provided grants to teachers, student groups, clubs, and organizations who apply during our fall grant cycle. The PTO also assists with volunteer opportunities, hosts the annual Snowball Dance, which is open to all grade levels 9-12, provides monthly teacher/staff appreciation events/recognition, and meets monthly to keep lines of communication open between parents, students, and administration. Come see what Penn PTO is about!
Click here to read this week's edition of PTO Corner, which includes important dates & information.
Random Acts of Kindness Club to meet on Monday, Nov. 2
If anyone is interested in joining the Random Acts of Kindness Club (RAK) please e-mail Mrs. Brazeau at mbrazeau@phm.k12.in.us.
The first virtual meeting will be Monday, Nov. 2nd at 3:15 p.m.
We look forward to meeting everyone!
New Freshmen Mentoring set for Monday, Nov. 2
GSA meetings scheduled
Kingsmen Community Care Club
We are so excited to be back! Our club, Kingsmen Community Care, is still happening this year.
Kingsmen Community Care is a partnership with the Center for the Homeless in South Bend.
In the past year we hosted many donation drives and hosted two events for the children that live there, a Fall Festival and a Movie Night. Although we cannot be in person for quite some time this year, we do have many exciting things planned.
Our meetings will be on an Instagram live for followers or anyone else that would like access. We then will be saving the livestream and emailing it out so that the information can be watched at your convenience. To share your email and to be put on our email list please email either ehenderson006@phm.k12.in.us or cperkins023@phm.k12.in.us or contact Mrs. Weaver with any further questions you may have. We are very excited for this year and hope you are too!
Thank you!
Eva Henderson and Chloe Perkins
Kingsmen Community Care Co-Presidents
National Honor Society application information
Juniors and Seniors-
If you are interested in becoming a member of NHS, email ktagliaferri@phm.k12.in.us to be added to a Canvas course for applying. In your email please include your full name, ID number, Graduation Year, first block Room Number on Gold and Black days, and whether you are in-person or virtual.
Penn Environmental Awareness Club to meet on Monday, Nov. 9
Join Penn's Environmental Awareness Club (PEAC)! We make Penn students more aware of what's happening in the world today and how we can all make an impact on it. Although climate change is inevitable and cannot be stopped, we can all be more aware of it and learn to inform others around us, making a difference in the community. We will meet over zoom during White Monday lunch.
- NEXT MEETING Monday, Nov. 9 @ 11:05 a.m. - we will be having a guest speaker come in and talk about solar energy.
Here was the winner of this week's virtual poster (posted above), created by Addison Clark.
Penn Republican Club message
As we near another election in our Republic's great history, the Republican Club would like to share highlights of inaugural speeches from both a Democrat and a Republican.
John F. Kennedy - January 20, 1961 - "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
Ronald Reagan - January 20, 1981 - "If we look to the answer as to why, for so many years, we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here, in this land, we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth."
Inaugural speeches are often historically significant addresses. Take some time to read the inaugural speech of your favorite president.
Girls Tennis call-out meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97332216887?pwd=Si9oelQwMWRVRjY1YWFFUTlPS010UT09
Passcode: wKpT28
All-Sports passes on sale
Students must register online to participate in Athletics
Student-Athletes must be picked up at Door D after practice
Parents/Guardians are asked not to pick up student-athletes at Door E due to safety concerns.
Bittersweet Railroad Crossing Alert
Stop signs have been installed on Bittersweet Rd. (north of McKinley) at the railroad crossing. Stop signs have also been added on Cedar Trail, Birch Road, Apple Road, and Ash Rd. (County Line). Please use caution and be aware of the new stops on routes to Penn.
Important School Information
Click on the following links for IMPORTANT SCHOOL INFORMATION:
School Messenger, the alert notification service: https://www.phmschools.org/parents/schoolmessenger
Parent FAQ on Emergency Preparedness:
https://www.phmschools.org/school-emergency-frequently-asked-questions
12th-grade Immunization Requirements:
https://www.phmschools.org/parents/12th-grade-immunization-requirements
Penn High School app now available
Android http://bit.ly/pennappandroid
The app was developed by Penn Sports Journalism Class interns Riley Clauss and Micah Focht.
The app provides quick links for students to the Penn website for the following categories:
- School news
- Google Calendars (Black-and-Gold Day Calendar, Athletics Calendar, Fine Arts Calendar)
- Student resources, including links to HAC and Canvas
- Counseling
- Clubs
- Fine Arts/Performing Arts
- Contact us/Staff Directory search engine
- The Pennant Sports News website
Attendance
Penn High School Calendars
Check out P-H-M's Community Events webpage
Click here to check out the P-H-M Community Events webpage for listings of non-school activities and events made available to P-H-M students and families by area organizations.