The Panther Post

December 2, 2022

Points of #PHMExcellence

For 27 years, Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation has been dedicated to supporting #PHMExcellence by providing access to innovative classroom grants available to all P-H-M teachers and staff to apply. PHMEF grants provide funding for programs that fall outside schools’ budgets.

The application window for the Fall 2022 grant cycle was October. The PHMEF Grants Committee awarded more than $15,000 in this grant cycle. Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom visited schools this week to surprise teachers with the news that their grants were being awarded. Click here to watch the video to see the joyful reaction of teachers and students. Click to learn more about PHMEF grants and see the full list of grants awarded in the Fall 2022 grant cycle.

Want to help support the Education Foundation and #PHMExcellence? The Education Foundation‘s Annual Drive is underway. As a registered 501(c)3 organization, donations are tax deductible. Click here for ways to support the P-H-M Education Foundation.

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Madison MVP's

Madison's one and only...Bianca Perez. Mrs. Perez is our Youth Development Specialist. She provides individualized support and mentoring to students who need additional assistance with school or other issues. She helps teach children life skills such as decision making, conflict resolution, and problem solving. She loves helping others and spending time with our Panthers. Thanks for all you do, Mrs. Perez!

Important Dates

December 7

LaBraid Orders and Money Due


December 9

Ugly Christmas Sweater Dress Up Day


December 12

PTO Meeting @ 6:00 PM


December 19-22

Holiday Dress Up Spirit Week

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High Ability Identification

In accordance with Indiana law, we are required to have an identification process in place to identify High Ability students. According to the Indiana Department of Education, ‘“High ability student” means a student who: performs at, or shows the potential for performing at, an outstanding level of accomplishment in at least one domain when compared to other students of the same age, experience, or environment; and is characterized by exceptional gifts, talents, motivation, or interests.’


Indiana requires the screening of all kindergarten, second grade, and fifth grade students who are not previously identified as High Ability. A student may be labeled as High Ability in Language Arts and/or Math.


PHM uses two nationally-normed assessments to identify High Ability students: CogAT and NWEA. CogAT - Cognitive Abilities Test - testing will be done during the month of December. CogAT is an aptitude test that measures a student’s problem-solving skills and thinking abilities. There is no preparation that can be done for this test. Students will participate in a practice test to familiarize them with the type and format of the questions.


Depending on your child’s results and grade level, he/she may participate in NWEA testing in February. That information will be forthcoming.



*This testing impacts all kindergarten students and many second and fifth graders*

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Visitors and Volunteers

At Madison we are encouraging all of our visitors and volunteers to preregister with Safe Visitor for EVERY school event. Pre-registration is available to make the check-in process at the school run faster. Click here to utilize SafeVisitor’s Online Pre-registration process.


What to expect when you arrive at the school:

  • All visitors will now be required to present a valid photo ID, which may include a driver’s license, State issued photo ID, or passport every time you enter as a school visitor.
  • All approved visitors will have a picture taken at each visit and receive a temporary badge that must be visibly worn at all times.
  • All visitors must return to the main office and check-out at the front desk, returning their badge.


Looking forward to celebrating with you all throughout the year!

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eLearning Instructions for Inclement Weather Days

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Community Fitness Opportunities:


As the weather quickly shifts from fall to winter, the school district is happy to pilot free fitness opportunities for the P-H-M community. This will take place four (4) days per week at the sites listed below.


Who is eligible to participate: The P-H-M Adult Community and Staff (no students). This includes residents of the school district and non-resident parents/guardians of attending students.


What: Access to walking/jogging tracks, open gym/basketball courts, and weight room


When: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the sites listed below. Note: The fitness centers will be closed during designated school recess dates.

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5th Grade Families

Please make sure to check out the Middle School Extracurricular Activities that are available for P-H-M students!

COVID Home Test Kits

The state has provided COVID home tests free of charge for our students. Limit 1 kit (2 tests) per student. Parents and/or guardians may pick them up from the office while supplies last.

Student Fee Update

Student fees are uploaded into Skyward. Parents have the option of paying by cash, check, or online. If paying by check make sure the check is made out to Madison Elementary. If you are interested in paying online please follow the directions below.


To get started, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Ensure that you have login credentials to Skyward Family Access

Step 2: Follow this link to e~Funds for Schools

Step 3: Select “Pay for Student Fees”

Step 4: Select “Login to retrieve my information”

Step 5: When prompted, click to sign in to Skyward Family Access

Step 6: Select “Pay for Student Fees”

Step 7: Select your students, add all fees to the cart, then follow prompts to online checkout!


Note: There is a flat fee of $1.50 for payments made when using a checking account. For payments using a credit or debit card, there is a fee of $2.85 for every $100 increment


All student fees are due by March 31st.

Breakfast and Lunch

Just a reminder that breakfasts and lunches are not free this year and that parents need to apply asap for free lunch and book rental assistance at www.schoolcafe.com if they think they may qualify for free or reduced lunches.

Reporting Student Absences

If your child will be absent for any reason, please notify our office as soon as possible! Our office staff records all absences beginning at 8:00 am and must phone any student's home who does not report to school without notice.


Another option is to go to your Skyward Family Access Account and follow these steps:


  • Click on the Attendance Tile for the child who will be absent.
  • Click on the Absence Requests Tab
  • Click Add Absence Request on the right side of the screen
  • Enter Start and End Date
  • Check All Day if the absence will be the entire school day
  • Attendance Reason - Choose from the drop down menu
  • Comment - Add any information regarding the absence reason
  • Click SAVE in the upper right hand corner

Outside Organizations

P-H-M no longer distributes paper flyers or other promotional items of outside organizations through our schools. Please do not print and send flyers to our schools for distribution.


Instead, we now post digital flyers on our Community Events & Activities section of P-H-M District website at this link: https://www.phmschools.org/community-events-activities (linked below, as well) There is also a link back to this page off all 15 school websites.

Social Emotional Learning

P-H-M is committed to helping students reach their fullest potential, which includes the whole child! Please visit the PHM website HERE for various valuable parent resources to help you in supporting your child.

Helpful Links

Pay School Fees Online

School fees are ready!

Community Events & Activities

Clicking on the button above will provide you a listing of non-school activities and events made available to P-H-M students and families by area organizations.

Forms for Parents

The PHM website has almost all forms (some online) and information you may need throughout the school year. Instead of hunting down paperwork, always check here first.

The Safe School Helpline® is a confidential way to report student concerns about threats, suicide, drugs, bullying or anything that threatens the safety of our schools. It's Available 24/7. Click to watch a video on how to get in touch with Administration anonymously 24/7/365.


Four Ways to Report to the Safe School Helpline®

Call: 1-800-418-6423 ext 359

Text: TIPS to 66746

Online: SafeSchoolHelpline.com

Mobile App: Download the FREE app from the GOOGLE PLAY STORE and the APPLE APP STORE


The app makes it easy to anonymously report a safety or mental health concern using your mobile device to text, call, or submit an online form.

A Note from PTO

This year's PTO Officers:


President: Mary Schori

Vice President: Julie Mattison

Secretary: Brittany Fox

Treasurer: Betsy Bartholomew