Kingsmen Nation
Rigor, Relevance, Relationships 9/25
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
Penn 2020 Homecoming Court
Queen:
Julia Son
Grace Adams
Addie Machalleck
Katie Keough
Mary Petras
King:
Kyle Riffel
Logan Huchko
Samik Ghosh
Mzati Mwachande
Aidan O'Connell
Homecoming Teacher Video Winner!
Bittersweet Rd. Railroad Tracks 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.
SAT instructions for Saturday, Oct. 3
Penn High School is hosting the SAT on Saturday October 3.
Students who are registered should report to Door A between 7:30-7:45 am.
Students must have a valid picture ID, your registration ticket, 2-3 sharpened #2 pencils, an approved calculator if applicable, and may bring a snack.
Students are subject to the following guidelines:
1. You do not have Covid-19 or reason to believe you have Covid-19. Symptoms of Covid-19 include cough, fever, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
2. In the past 14 days, you have not come into close contact - within 6 feet - with someone who has a positive covid-19 test or is presumed to have covid-19.
3. To your knowledge, you are not violating any travel restrictions or quarantining requirements.
4. You agree to wear a mask the entire time you're at this test site and follow instructions from testing staff.
5. By entering the testing room, you're accepting the risk of Covid-19 exposure. While we have taken measures to help create a safe environment, unfortunately it isn't possible to remove all risk.
PSAT planned for Oct. 14 and Oct. 29
Given the current schedule, we will administer the PSAT on two separate dates.
Sophomores and juniors with the last names A-L are scheduled to take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 14, and those with the last names M-Z are scheduled to take the PSAT on Thursday, October 29.
More information regarding these two dates will be provided in the near future.
Student may only ride on assigned bus
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.
2019-2020 Ceramic Art students need to pick up saved artwork
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 the Penn's September Take-Home/Virtual Learning Meal Bag Plan.
- Click here for Penn's Menu for Meals in September.
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.
Free/Reduced meals & Textbook Assistance information
We would like to take this opportunity to remind parents to complete the application for Free/Reduced Price meals as well as textbook assistance. We know at this time that all students are receiving free lunches and many parents may not realize the need to complete the application for Free/Reduced Price Meals to qualify for textbook assistance.
Unfortunately, without completing the application and qualifying for textbook assistance, you will be responsible for school/textbook fees for your child(ren).
Click here for the income guidelines and application link.
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.
PTO seeks candy donations
The PTO will be distributing candy to our PENN staff and administrators as a token of our appreciation.
Please drop off donations of individually wrapped candy bags with your student to main office, in person to Door A or to Barb Zuidema's house by Oct. 13, at 52375 Spring Arbor Ct., Granger.
We hope to collect 60 + bags to send a "sweet thank you" to PENN staff and administrators.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Mental Health
1. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, “Social and Emotional Learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” Based on research especially regarding neurodevelopment and cultural responsiveness, the Indiana Department of Education holds that there are seven core competencies (Insight, Regulation, Connection, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Sensory-Motor Integration, & Mindset), which can be broken down into subtopics. These core competencies need to be intentionally taught to students to help them be successful both now and in the future, especially as it relates to college and career readiness. For the month of September, the SEL lessons will cover the SEL core competencies of insight, regulation, critical thinking and mindset. More specifically, the lessons will cover the subtopics of the following:
- Cognitive Flexibility (Flexible Thinking), which is learning to think about things and circumstances in a new, positive way. For more information, please see P-H-M's SEL resource with info on cognitive flexibility at this link.
- Identifying Personal Strengths
- Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Setting personal goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, & Timely)
- Developing a Growth Mindset, which is based on the work of cognitive psychology and Dr. Carol Dweck's research. A Growth Mindset means that people believe their talents can be developed through hard work, accepting constructive feedback, understanding that one can learn and grow from a mistake or failure, and embracing the power of the word "Yet" believing their time and efforts will help them to work toward achieving a goal.
2. September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please check out this newsletter for more information, including resources. Suicide Prevention Newsletter for Parents/Guardians linked here.
Service Academy Night scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28
The Office of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski is hosting its Service Academy Night on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, at 6 p.m. The location of the meeting will be at the Mishawaka District Office, located at 202 Lincolnway East, Suite 101.
The Service Academy Night provides information to students who have an interest in attending the Air Force, Merchant Marine, Naval, Coast Guard, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Click here for details.
RSVP at walorski.house.gov/academy
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sharon Christophel at (574) 204-2645 or at Sharon.Christophel@mail.house.gov.
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.
Return 2019-2020 textbooks
Bring the textbooks to Door A, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., on Monday-through-Friday school days.
Masks/county health protocols are required.
Please participate in the U.S. Census
Penn High School would like to draw your attention to a very important event that will impact our school, community, and country for the next decade, and is taking place right now nationwide: the United States Census.
Please click on this link to read important information regarding the census and how your participation can help you, your family and our community.
Click here for Census resources.
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
The 2019-2020 Yearbooks are in
2019-2020 yearbooks are IN!
If you ordered your book last year, your book is being shipped to the address you gave at the time of your order. They will take a few weeks to get to you— please be patient!
If you’d like to purchase one of these books, they are available now in the bookstore in a limited supply for $85 a piece. Please contact the bookstore to make your purchase!
P-H-M Education Foundation Zoom for Education
Join us for the Zoom for Education Virtual Fitness Challenge! This brand new event is perfect for the whole family, from the experienced runner to the casual walker. Run solo on your treadmill, with your family around the block, or find a new place to explore! Not a runner? Choose your way to move (swim, bike, hike, row, dance, play a sport, or do cartwheels if that's your thing) to complete a 1 Mile, 5K, or 10K challenge anytime between Friday, October 9 and Sunday, October 11.
Zoom for Education will include exciting contests, fun surprises, PLUS...the top FIVE schools with the most participants (% of enrollment) will win $1,000!!! Grab your friends and family from across the country to join you in this exciting virtual movement that promotes healthy lifestyles and supports your P-H-M community. Price is $10 per person.
Please visit www.phmef.org for more information and updates.
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/staf 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.
Social Studies Academic Team to meet on Tuesday, Oct. 13
The Social Studies Academic Team will have a Virtual Meeting from 8-8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Email ebowers@phm.k12.in.us for the link.
Click here to join the email list.
Around the World in 180 Days Club to meet on Tuesday, Oct. 13
Around the World in 180 Days Club, the former Armenian Club, will have two Virtual Meetings in October. Both meetings will take place on Fridays from 8-8:30 a.m.
October 2nd topic - Country of Armenia
October 16 topic - Country of Georgia
Email ebowers@phm.k12.in.us for the link.
Dance Marathon new member meeting set for Wednesday, Oct. 7, or Thursday, Oct. 8
New Member Meeting!
If you are interested in learning more about Dance Marathon and joining us this year as we raise awareness and funds for Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, come to a new member meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, OR Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, at 3:30 p.m. We will meet virtually! Stay tuned for details re: how to join the virtual meeting. Attend the day that best fits your schedule. See you soon!
Contact Mrs. Davis with questions: sdavis@phm.k12.in.us
Freshmen Mentoring set for Monday, Sept. 28
Future mentor dates will be on Mondays.
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
Penn Animal Outreach to meet on Monday, Sept. 28
Penn Medical Club to meet at 3:20 p.m., Monday, Sept. 28
Penn Medical Club is the perfect opportunity for anyone interested in healthcare professions and any other interdisciplinary medical topics.
Each year, members participate in dissections, listen to speakers from the area, and go on engaging field trips.
Email us at pennmedclub@gmail.com if interested!
TSA to meet at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25
Together, TSA chapter members work on competitive events, learn and apply leadership skills, and may attend conferences at the state and national levels.
There will be a TSA meeting from 3:30-4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25. If you are interested in attending email ssinish@phm.k12.in.us or avanavermaete196@phm.k12.in.us.
Baseball Open Field set for Mondays and Wednesdays starting on Sept. 21
Mondays and Wednesdays: Juniors and Seniors
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Freshmen and Sophomores
- Times remains the same 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Make sure all necessary paper is completed
- IHSAA Questionnaire - An athlete cannot stay and participate next week without this completed.
- Register My Athlete - Students cannot train with the baseball team if this is not updated.
- Student-Athlete Responsibilities - You are responsible for self-checking at home for signs and symptoms of possible COVID-19 (must stay at home if sick), to let the Coaching Staff know directly if you're not feeling well.
- Wearing a mask to and from training, bringing your own (well-marked) water bottle which cannot be shared, and cleaning your clothing after every training session is mandatory.
Boys Lacrosse meeting for Freshmen/New Players set for Wednesday, Oct. 14
If you are interested in joining our team for the 2020-2021 Season, we are holding an in-person meeting Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria (enter through Door D). Masks and social distancing are required.
We ask ONLY Freshmen and NEW player families attend (a mandatory parent/player meeting will be held for ALL players in February).
Registration closes Oct. 30, so this will be your one opportunity to learn about this amazing sport! If you have any questions, you can email Myra Sweeney: myjim11@sbcglobal.net
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
Fitness Center Guidelines/News
- The Fitness Center will be closed at least until Oct. 1.
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.