Bittersweet Elementary Walkathon: A Step Towards Thriving Education

Bittersweet Elementary recently witnessed an outpouring of support and enthusiasm during its annual Walkathon event. The elementary school, known for fostering an environment where student learning thrives, once again demonstrated the power of community, as students, staff, and some family volunteers came together to raise funds for a brighter future.

walkathon students posing

Incredible Students: The heart of any school is its students, and Bittersweet Elementary boasts an incredible group of young learners who are not only passionate about their education but also eager to make a positive impact on their community. 

Awesome Staff: The staff at Bittersweet Elementary play a pivotal role in shaping the educational experience. They understand that building strong relationships with students is the key to optimal learning. During the Walkathon, they showed their support not only by participating but by cheering on the students every step of the way.

Incredible Support of Families: The backbone of Bittersweet Elementary is its supportive and engaged families. Their generosity and commitment to the school are truly remarkable. Their presence and involvement in the Walkathon highlighted the strong bond between the school and its community.

The funds raised during this year’s Walkathon will contribute to several essential aspects of the school:

1. Classroom Supplies: Ensuring that every classroom is well-equipped with the necessary learning materials is crucial for effective education.

2. Art Program: Encouraging creativity through art is an integral part of Bittersweet Elementary’s curriculum. The funds will help maintain and expand this vital program.

3. Field Trip Transportation: Field trips provide students with hands-on learning experiences. The funds will help cover transportation costs, allowing students to explore the world beyond the classroom.

4. Positive Behavior Rewards (PAWS): Recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior helps create a harmonious and respectful learning environment.

5. Community Building Events: These events foster a sense of belonging and unity among students, staff, and families, enhancing the overall school experience.

6. Student Only Special Days/Activities: Special days and activities add excitement to the school calendar and create cherished memories for students.

7. Extracurricular Education: Supporting extracurricular activities allows students to explore their interests and talents outside of the regular curriculum.

Walkathon students pose

The success of the Walkathon is a testament to the shared commitment to providing Bittersweet Elementary students with the best educational experience possible. The school acknowledges that no donation is too small, and every contribution plays a significant role in shaping the future of its students.

Bittersweet Elementary extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated, donated, and supported the Walkathon. It is through the collective effort of students, staff, and families that this event was a resounding success, reminding us all that at Bittersweet Elementary, the journey of education is truly a community endeavor.

Four young girls posing together in yellow shirts at a track, smiling and giving peace signs.
Group of people posing on a track for a walkathon event.
Two girls posing in front of a stadium, one holding a camera, both smiling for the photo.
Two people standing on track at night. One person wearing a colorful costume and another in casual clothes. Both are smiling.
A group of people walking together in a line on a track.
People running in a stadium during a walkathon event.
Two children walking together on a track in a stadium.
Two young girls posing together in front of an athletic track, both wearing glasses and orange shirts, one holding a blanket
Children walking in a line on a track during a walkathon event.
Group of people walking together in a school setting.
Three children in red shirts standing on a track at a walkathon event.
Four girls in red shirts standing on a track, smiling at the camera.
People walking in a line on a track during a walkathon event.
Boy in orange shirt giving thumbs up at track.
Two young girls posing together in yellow shirts, smiling at the camera, on a field during a walkathon event.
Four children posing in front of a track for a walkathon event.
Girl in blue shirt walking on track during walkathon.
Group of children in colorful tie-dye shirts posing for a picture on a track.
Two young girls posing in front of a track at a walkathon event.
Girl in yellow shirt holding a cat on her shoulder.
Two people at a track during a walkathon event.
Two people standing on a track, one adult and one child, both wearing t-shirts with designs on them.
Four children in colorful tie-dye shirts posing for a picture at a track.
Two girls posing together at a sports event, both wearing red shirts with white lettering and one girl has a cat emblem on
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We Won the “I Love To Read Challenge”Archived

We received quite the surprise on Monday, February 6th, 2023 when Pete Byrne WSBT from WSBT-TV stopped by to inform us that we won the “I Love to Read Challenge!”

After informing us that we won, Pete read “Not Norman: A Goldfish Story” to the students and took some time to do a Q&A with the audience.

The story will aired on WSBT, click here to see the video segment!

 

Children sitting on floor in gymnasium, watching event.
A group of people posing for a picture in a gymnasium, with one person standing behind them.
Man in wheelchair interviewing man standing next to him.
Man in suit standing next to boy in wheelchair, both looking at something off-camera.
Man in suit standing at basketball hoop, smiling, talking to children.
Man in suit giving thumbs up to children in gymnasium.
Man in suit standing among children in gymnasium.
Man in suit speaking at podium to crowd of people.
Children in a classroom raising their hands.
Man reading a book to children in classroom setting.
Children sitting on the floor in a gymnasium, watching a man speak at the front of the room.
Two young girls sitting on the floor in a school gymnasium.
Man in suit holding book, speaking into microphone at event.
A large group of children gathered in a gymnasium for a reading event, listening to an adult sitting on a chair.
Man in suit standing among children seated on floor; he is speaking to them.
Man in suit speaking at podium in gymnasium.
Boy in camo pajamas on floor smiling at camera.
Children sitting on the floor in a classroom setting, smiling at the camera.
Two children sitting on floor in gymnasium, smiling at camera.
Young girl sitting on floor in front of group of children.
Girl sitting on floor in front of group of children.

PHM Schools Polling Locations on Nov. 8Archived

Voting Information

2nd Grade Classes Release Final ButterflyArchived

Science quite literally “came to life” this Fall and our second grade students were able to see it with their own eyes!

Each second grade class had several “Butterfly Gardens”, contained habitats with live caterpillars in their rooms. As the students learned about the life cycle of butterflies they could observe the caterpillars as they fed, formed their chrysalis, then emerged as a beautiful butterfly.

butterfly emerge

Each time a butterfly was ready to be released, all of the second grade classes would gather to watch it fly away. 

Today’s release was the last one and it couldn’t have been a better day for it. See some photos below!

A colorful snake in a clear container on a table.
Butterfly in a greenhouse.
Butterfly in a netted enclosure.
Two children in a parking lot near a butterfly. A child is holding a butterfly on a stick.
Two children feeding fish at a park.
Two people interacting with a colorful fish tank, one pouring water into it while another reaches in to touch a fish.
Woman in blue shirt bending over to plant something in ground.
Two children reaching into a bucket of water to catch butterflies in a park.
Two people interacting with a small fish tank on the ground.
Children in a schoolyard, participating in an outdoor activity led by an adult.

 

 

Pen Pal Meet Up Day!Archived

Bittersweet and Moran first grade students have been writing letters back and forth through a brand new pen pals program! (Not to be confused with Penn PALS, the P-H-M preschool program)

letters

Each student has been writing to a “buddy” at the other school. The latest letter that the Bittersweet students wrote was an invitation to the Moran students to visit Bittersweet.

Today that visit happened. Not only did the “buddies” meet each other, but they also spent time with and got to know each other over the course of several hours.

Bitt and Moran student

The buddies sat together through drawing and arts and crafts lessons before heading down to the Digital Video Theater & Planetarium.

Bittersweet DVT

The pen pal program is expected to run through the duration of the school year. The Moran students plan to reciprocate the Bittersweet hospitality by inviting Bittersweet students to visit Moran some time around Thanksgiving. Stay tuned!

 

Little girl sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling broadly at the camera.
Young boy in blue jacket sitting at desk.
Young boy sitting at table in classroom, smiling at camera, holding pencil, surrounded by other children and adults.
Little girl sitting at a desk in a classroom.
Little girl sitting at a table in a classroom setting, smiling at the camera.
Young girl sitting at a desk in a classroom.
Two young boys sitting at desks in a classroom, working on craft projects.
Two young boys sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling and looking at the camera. They are surrounded by school supplies
Two young girls sitting at a table in a classroom setting, engaged in an activity involving craft supplies and possibly a
Two children sitting at a table in a classroom, working on crafts.
Two boys sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling and looking at the camera.
Boy sitting at desk in classroom with paper plate on table.
Children sitting at desks in a classroom, some holding pencils, posing for a group picture.
Little girl in a theater seat, smiling at camera.
Boy holding a green leaf in front of him, surrounded by classroom supplies.
Young boy holding up a hand with two fingers extended in front of him, sitting at a table with craft materials and a plate
Woman giving thumbs up in front of audience, possibly at a movie screening or presentation.
Children sitting in movie theater seats.
Young girl sitting in movie theater seat.
Three children sitting in movie theater seats, smiling at camera.
Boy in blue shirt smiling at camera, sitting at desk with pencil, book, and other school supplies behind him.
Teacher at front of classroom showing video on screen to students seated at desks.
Two boys sitting at a table in a classroom, writing on paper, surrounded by school supplies and chairs.
Three children sitting around a table in a classroom, smiling at the camera. The table is cluttered with various items
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Gaga Ball Fun for Everyone!Archived

There has been a major renovation to the Gaga Ball pit on our playground this week that makes it accessible to all of our friends.

“Gaga is a fast paced, high energy sport played in an octagonal pit. The more players the better! Dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball, the game is played with a soft foam ball, and combines the skills of dodging, striking, running, and jumping, while trying to hit opponents with a ball below the knees. Players need to keep moving to avoid getting hit by the ball. Fun and easy, everyone gets a serious workout.” – Description courtesy of the Gaga Center

In early September, a fourth grade student named Jordy, who has some mobility challenges asked his teacher, Nikki Kornrumph, if she could lift him up and put him in the Gaga Ball pit.

For safety reasons that could not be done, but that conversation sparked an idea: what if there was a gate that would allow everyone to access the Gaga Ball pit?

Gaga Pit with gate

Fourth grade teacher Mrs. Kornrumph made it her mission to research and find out how we would be able to install a door on the Gaga Ball pit in order for all students to be able to play.

Mrs. Kornrumph found a gate that could be installed and contacted the Bittersweet PTO to see if they would be willing to help with funding and they were happy to do so!

Gaga Gate

Not only did the PTO pay for the gate to be installed but they also oversaw the installation process. Mr. Nate worked closely with the P-H-M maintenance staff to cut a hole in the existing Gaga Ball Pit and to securely install the gate.  

Jordy had been waiting so patiently, asking everyday if it was installed yet.  Thursday, September 22, 2022 was the day! When he went out for recess, they were just finishing the installation of the door.  

Our Office Aid Cortenay Rowe was on hand when Jordy was FINALLY able to play with his friends. Take a look at the video, he was over the moon!

Bobcats Around the World a Huge Success!Archived

On Thursday, April 14th, 2022, we held our inaugural Bobcats Around the World Spring Fest!

In the weeks leading up to the event, our students were busy creating art that represented cultures from around the world.

The art was on full display as families toured our hallways during the festival.

Not only did the students create the art, but they also learned a lesson about the place they were painting / drawing so it was educational too.

In addition to the international art gallery, we had games, face painting, a raffle, bounce houses and more located throughout the school. 

To make it a one-stop shop for entertainment, we also had wonderful food trucks offering a variety of options for supper.

We’d like to think our WONDERFUL hardworking and creative PTO as well as the community sponsors that made this possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!!!

Take a look at the pictures below!

Young girl posing in front of a display of children's art on a purple wall.
This is a photograph of a man carrying a young girl on his shoulders in front of a backdrop that includes a tree and a sign
Three children posing in front of an inflatable bounce house at a carnival.
Children at a table in a library, creating crafts using construction paper and markers.
Young boy sitting in front of a display of olympic rings posters on a blue wall.
Boy in front of a wall of children's artwork at an art exhibition.
Four girls posing in front of a building during spring fest.
Children in a library participating in a fishing activity.
Young girl applying makeup to her face in a room with dining tables and chairs.
In a bustling airport lobby, a man and a child are interacting with colorful luggage tags on display.
Woman applying makeup to woman's face at table in room.
Woman applying green face paint to boy's face in library setting.
This is an indoor bounce house set up for a carnival event.
An art display featuring a collection of drawings of elephants in various styles and colors.
This is a photograph of a classroom display board featuring various colorful artwork, including paintings of birds and fish,
Children gathered around a chalkboard with writing on it.
People in a room celebrating spring fest, some are dancing while others look on, all wearing casual clothes.
Three people in a room with a signboard that has writing on it.
Children playing with a chalkboard sign at a school event.
People gathered around a table with a chalkboard, engaging in an activity.
Two young girls posing in a classroom setting, one wearing a red hoodie with "SECARE" written on it and the other in a white
People gathered in a gymnasium for a fundraiser event.
The bulletin board is filled with colorful posters and drawings, including a panda, a fish, and a tree, arranged in rows.
Girl in white shirt holding a red balloon on a school field.
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2022 Middle School Instrument Selection NightArchived

Discovery 

Tuesday, Feb. 22 and Wednesday, Feb. 23

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Schmucker 

Monday, Feb. 28 and Tuesday, March 1

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Grissom 

Monday, March 14 and Tuesday, March 15

4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra at Schmucker, Discovery and Grissom Middle Schools.

Every P-H-M 5th grader who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6th grader in the Fall 2022 has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra. “Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional will be available to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups. Click here to download, view and print more information on Instrument Selection Night.

In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn, practice and perform for the school year.  Click this link to sign-up for your appointment at your designated school and date. 

Penn Poms to host one-day clinic on Saturday, Jan. 29Archived

Penn Poms will host a one-day clinic on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

The Poms clinic participants (pre-K through eighth grade) will learn a dance routine during the day on Saturday, Jan. 29, that will be performed at the Penn High School boys basketball halftime that night. The clinic cost is $35 per student.

Click here for details.

*Adobe Acrobat Reader will be required to view the pdfs on this page. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please visit Adobe’s website, at this link www.get.adobe.com/reader/, to download your free version.

COVID Testing Walk-in Clinic for P-H-M Students & StaffArchived

map
The Clinic is located at the Southeast Corner of Bittersweet Rd & McKinley Hwy


COVID Testing Walk-in Clinic
If a student, teacher, or staff member is symptomatic or quarantined due to exposure, they may receive a free BinaxNOW rapid antigen test for the COVID-19 virus. This program uses Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW tests provided by the federal government.

The IDOH has recently revised the school site testing criteria due to the limited supply to only test the following groups:

  • Symptomatic students Pre-K through grade 12
  • Symptomatic teachers and staff members age 50 and above.  

Where can they be tested:

  • The walk-up clinic will take place at the P-H-M Bank Locker Room Building located on the corner of Bittersweet and McKinley Hwy (US20) near Penn High School. Entry is off McKinley Hwy.
  • No appointment is necessary.
  • The clinic will be open when school is in session on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. AS LONG AS TESTS ARE AVAILABLE. The Clinic may need to close early on the days it is in operation as the number of available tests per day may vary due to the national shortage. 
  • We will only test a student accompanied by a parent/guardian.
  • Please bring the completed consent form to the clinic at the time of testing. Click here to download and print the consent form.