Fifth grade students spent Monday and Tuesday, May 11-12, at Camp Eberhart for their annual outdoor education trip.

During the two-day experience, students participated in a variety of activities including rock wall climbing, archery, canoeing, rope swing courses, and more. The trip gave students opportunities to challenge themselves, work together, and build confidence through hands-on activities and outdoor adventures.

Camp Eberhart, a YMCA camp, offers students experiences focused on teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving in an outdoor setting.

The annual trip is a memorable tradition for fifth graders and provides students with the chance to connect with classmates while learning outside the classroom.

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Second graders from Bittersweet Elementary got into the holiday spirit through hands-on gingerbread fun.

Classes visited Penn on two different days, where high school students welcomed them into the kitchen and nearby classrooms for a variety of gingerbread-themed activities. Penn students helped guide the 2nd graders as they rolled out dough, used cookie cutters, and prepared the pieces that would later become gingerbread houses. The groups also worked on seasonal crafts together and enjoyed gingerbread read-alouds.

Today, the baked pieces made their way back to Bittersweet so the students could build and decorate their houses. Families joined the celebration, helping add frosting, candies, and plenty of personal touches to each creation.

Bittersweet’s second graders have been decorating gingerbread houses for nearly three decades, and partnering with Penn adds another meaningful layer to the tradition. The collaboration gives younger students the chance to try new skills while connecting with positive role models from the high school.

It was a joyful week for everyone involved and a great way to celebrate the season together.

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This morning, the entire Bittersweet Elementary School community came together at Everwise Freed Field for the official “Rush to the Goal”  Walk-a-Thon. Students from every grade level walked around the track as part of the school’s first major fundraiser of the year to support the Bittersweet PTO.

The Walk-a-Thon is more than just a fun event, it is an opportunity for students, staff, and families to rally together to support programs and activities that enhance student learning and school experiences. All proceeds stay within the school, helping fund PTO-sponsored initiatives that contribute directly to academic success and enrichment opportunities for Bittersweet students.

In the weeks leading up to today’s event, students reached out to family, friends, and neighbors for pledges.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and participated in this year’s Walk-a-Thon. Your generosity makes a difference for Bittersweet students!

Click Here to see the full photo gallery!

This morning, fourth grade students in Mrs. Kornrumph’s class had the opportunity to become scientists for the day by dissecting owl pellets.

What are Owl Pellets?

• Pellets are the undigested parts of a bird’s food, such as hair or bones.
• Owl pellets are not droppings (faeces/poo) – and they do not smell!
• Unlike droppings, pellets are not waste and they don’t smell, making them safe for classroom investigation.
• Dissecting pellets are a great way to see what makes up an owl’s diet

During the dissection, students carefully pulled apart the pellets to uncover tiny bones and skulls from small mammals like mice, the most common prey of owls. In some cases, owl pellets can hold the remains of up to six small animals, offering an incredible look into the food chain.

The activity not only sparked curiosity but also helped students strengthen their observation and recording skills. Each student had a worksheet where they could put items that they found to discuss it later.

Hands-on lessons like this bring science to life, encouraging students to ask questions, make discoveries, and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

Penn-Harris-Madison invites students, families, alumni, and community members to celebrate Homecoming 2025 on Friday, September 26, 2025 courtesy of the PHM Education Foundation.

The annual celebration includes the Homecoming Parade on Bittersweet Road in front of Penn High School, showcasing student groups, athletic teams, school clubs, and community organizations, followed by the Penn Kingsmen football game against South Bend Adams at Everwise Freed Field.

This is an event for the ENTIRE community and will have activities for people of all ages. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun! More details will be shared closer to the date.

After 19 years of dedicated service to Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker is retiring at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. To honor his legacy and impact, Bittersweet Elementary School held a special retirement parade in his honor.

Students lined the halls holding homemade signs, many proudly featuring Dr. Thacker’s well-known “Triangle of Success,” which connects students, teachers, and parents—a philosophy he championed throughout his tenure. The halls were filled with smiles, cheers, and heartfelt messages of gratitude as Dr. Thacker made his way through the building.

As he walked the parade route, Dr. Thacker waved to students, pausing to offer high fives, hugs, and handshakes to staff members and teachers along the way. The celebration was a touching send-off for a leader who has spent nearly two decades prioritizing student achievement, academic excellence, and a strong school community.

Thank you, Dr. Thacker, for your years of service and unwavering commitment to the success of every child. Your leadership will leave a lasting legacy at P-H-M and beyond.

Bittersweet Elementary’s fourth graders put on a wonderful musical performance for families and friends during their concert last night.

The program featured a mix of singing and instrumental numbers, showcasing all the hard work students have been doing in music class. In addition to vocal pieces, students played recorders, xylophones, and a variety of percussion instruments, adding fun rhythms and melodies to the show.

The concert was a great opportunity for students to build confidence and creativity while sharing their talents with the school community.

A big thank you to all the parents and families who came out to support our students—your encouragement means the world! Bravo to all our fourth graders for a job well done!

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Fourth and fifth-grade students from Bittersweet, Elm Road, Mary Frank, Meadow’s Edge, and Northpoint elementary schools recently enjoyed a musical demonstration by the Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra. This event offered the elementary students an exciting glimpse into what musical instruments may be in their future.

The demonstration began with a slow, moving piece before transitioning into a showcase of individual instruments. Penn orchestra members lined up at the front of the stage to perform brief solos. Each instrument’s unique sound and appearance were highlighted, sparking curiosity and excitement among the elementary students.

The event reached its peak when two Penn teachers brought a thrilling touch of cinematic drama to the stage. Dressed as Princess Leia and Darth Vader from Star Wars, the duo engaged in a light saber battle to the delight of the audience. In a dramatic twist, Darth Vader emerged victorious and led the orchestra in a powerful rendition of the iconic “Imperial March.” Adding to the spectacle, the string players adorned their bows with LED lights, transforming them into glowing light sabers as they performed the final number.

The demonstration not only entertained but also served as an introduction to the world of orchestral music, inspiring many young students to consider learning an instrument in the future. The Penn High School Symphonic Orchestra’s performance was a perfect blend of education and entertainment, leaving a lasting impression on its young audience.

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