The Panther Post
March 24, 2023
#PHMExcellence
Penn-Harris-Madison's commitment to providing academic excellence is being recognized on the state and national level again. Penn Math teacher Dr. Richard Robinson was recently selected as an Indiana Finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Dr. Robinson is one of three Indiana secondary mathematics teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, the nation’s highest honor for U.S. K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers. The awards program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. State Finalists represent the most outstanding teachers Indiana has to offer and serve as both a model and an inspiration to students and fellow teachers. This is the third time P-H-M has had teachers recognized as a PAEMST award winner. Elsie Rogers teacher Amanda Fox won in 2022 last year for Math; and Penn Biology Teacher John Gensic was recognized in 2019 for Science.
Madison MVP's
Important Dates
March 31st
Report Cards posted to Skyward Family Access
April 3rd-7th
Spring Break - NO SCHOOL
April 17th-May 4th
ILEARN testing for grades 3-5.
MADISON SPIRIT WEAR
5th Grade Families
GMS is hosting a family night on Tuesday, March 28 for any current GMS students and their parent(s)/guardian(s), as well as any incoming students who are currently in 5th grade and will attend GMS next school year. Students must attend with their parent/guardian. We will meet in the GMS cafeteria (enter the main door).
This is a great opportunity to experience GMS and hear from GMS and Penn Champs!
At the event, there will be a panel of various Grissom staff members and Penn coaches discussing what it means to Build a Student Champion. There are prize drawings and 21st Century Info (free college or trade school)! We said PRIZES!!
You will not want to miss it! We hope to see you there!
Safe & Healthy Learning Environment Winter/Spring 2022-23
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*
eLearning Instructions for Inclement Weather Days
5th Grade Families
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
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
PTO Officers:
President: Mary Schori
Vice President: Julie Mattison
Secretary: Brittany Fox
Treasurer: Betsy Bartholomew
Madison Elementary Contact Information
Email: lschirripa@phm.k12.in.us
Website: https://madison.phmschools.org/
Location: Madison Elementary School, Dogwood Road, Wakarusa, IN, USA
Phone: (574) 254-2816
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadisonPanthersPHM