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.

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.

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.

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Boys in grades 2nd to 8th are invited to participate in “Back to School” Basketball League at Penn High School.
2nd – 6th grade League
DATES: September 24th; Oct. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd 29th

LOCATION:

• 2nd-4th, Penn Fitness Center
• 5th-6th, Main Arena/West Balcony/Aux Gym Time

TIMES:

• 2nd-4th, Sundays, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
• 5th-6th, Sundays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

COST: $99

Click here to register online.
7th & 8th grade League
DATES: September 10th, 17th, 24th; Oct. 1st, 8th

LOCATION: Penn High School

TIMES: Sundays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

COST: $79

Click here to register online.

Questions? Please contact the League Director Coach Smith if you have any questions at

This year’s annual Community Tailgate will be a great way to kick off the return of the Backyard Brawl between the Kingsmen and the Mishawaka Cavemen. 

All fans are welcome, Cavemen and Kingsmen! There’s plenty of food for fans on both sides.

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, near the Zolman’s Tire & Auto Care South Concession Stand.

For $6 you get your choice of hot dog, hamburger or brat served with a bag of chips, choice of drink, and a cookie. Food tickets for the Tailgate are purchased at the Tailgate.

Penn Girls Basketball Head Coach Kristi Ulrich is once again offering a fall youth basketball league 

The “Junior” League is open to girls in 3rd – 6th grades. The “Senior” League is for student-athletes in 7th & 8th grades. All those participating in the ”Senior” league MUST live in the P-H-M District or attend a P-H-M School.

Sign-ups are on Sunday, September 10  from 12 – 2 p.m. in the Penn High School Main Arena. Enter Door D. 

The League runs September 17th – November 12th with a single elimination tournament for all age groups.

All games will be played on Sundays at Penn High School in the Main Arena, Auxiliary and West Balcony courts. Tournament times may vary on Nov. 12th.

Weekly Game Times are:

• 3rd & 4th grades: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• 5th & 6th grades: 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
• 7th & 8th grades: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

PennPALS will be holding Open Houses on Wednesday, August 16. Please attend the session that corresponds to your child’s teacher, age group and time of attendance.

• Miss Christine 4 & 5’s  Morning Class: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
• Miss Christine 4 & 5’s Afternoon Class: 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
• Miss Amanda 2.5 – 4’s Morning Class: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
• Miss  Amanda 2.5- 4’s Afternoon Class: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

The 2023-2024 District Activities Calendar was mailed to the homes of P-H-M families the last week of July.

The calendar provides key dates for testing, recess breaks, and school specific events (for the schools that provided the information).

You can click here to view a PDF copy of the calendar. You can also view a one-page of the 2023-2024 school calendar that shows the school year at a glance.

The P-H-M District online (Google) calendar is the most up-to-date. You can add this district and any school calendar to your own personal Google calendar.

Each of our 15 schools also maintains an online calendar that is updated frequently with the school’s scheduled activities and event details. You’ll need to visit your school’s website to add that calendar to your personal Google calendar. 

After the postponent of the original race date on Monday, May 1 due to rain, students were able to show their stuff on Wednesday, May 3.

The one mile run, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. Post race snack donations were donated by Costco. 

This annual event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race. Approximately 640 students participated this year! The students are cheered on by their fellow students, their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. Visit P-H-M’s Facebook page to see a full photo gallery.

Cindy Batalis (P-H-M’s 2009 Teacher of the Year and physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! It is a tremendous accomplishment to complete a one-mile cross country course race. Below are the race results show 1^st, 2^nd, and third place winners.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:56, Bib #2, Bittersweet
2. 6:57, Bib #513, Northpoint
3. 7:04, Bib #213, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Bittersweet
3. Elm Road

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:01, Bib #510, Northpoint
2. 6:25, Bib #536, Prairie Vista
3. 6:26, Bib #541, Prairie Vista

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Horizon
3. Northpoint

4th Grade Girls Winners

1. 7:20, Bib #42, Bittersweet
2. 7:31, Bib #381, Meadow’s Edge
3. 7:46, Bib #569, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Horizon
3. Northpoint

4th Grade Boys Winners:

1. 6:34, Bib #553, Prairie Vista
2. 6:44, Bib #206, Horizon
3. 6:51, Bib #196, Horizon

School Team Rankings:

1. Horizon 
2. Prairie Vista
3. Northpoint

Here’s a breakdown of the schools’ shirt color:

Running is Elementary races were postponed until Wednesday, May 3 due to the weather on Monday, May 1.

The races will still take place at Elm Road Elementary, 59400 Elm Rd, Mishawaka.

WHEN: Introductions start at 2:50 p.m.
Race Order
5th Girls: 3:00 p.m.
5th Boys: 3:20 p.m.
4th Girls: 3:40 p.m.
4th Boys: 4:00 p.m.

PARKING INFO:
South Bend Orthopedics: 60160 Bodnar Blvd, Mishawaka
Grissom Middle School: 13881 Kern Rd, Mishawaka
Shuttles start at 2:30 p.m.

ALL Runners picked up no later than 4:30 p.m. at Elm Road Elementary School. Runners may leave following their run and checking out with the coach.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for the 10^th year in a row!

Now in its 24th year, the 2023 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized 830 school districts and 78 schools across the country for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children. This NAMM Foundation celebrated and recognized K-12 music teachers in school districts who found creative ways for the “show to carry on” despite schools moving online or to in-person settings where masks were required not only for student musicians and instruments.

In our elementary schools, music class is part of the regular curriculum following state standards. Students are instructed in both vocal and instrument classes. Beginning in 6th grade, P-H-M students at our three middle schools (Discovery, Schmucker and Grissom) have the opportunity to choose choir, orchestra or band as their music elective. Students at Discovery also have the option of choosing Piano Lab. Schools from elementary all the way up to Penn High School also perform musicals.

Penn High School offers the Fine Arts & Communication Academy as part of its unique academy structure. The seven academy design provides Penn students with relevant and meaningful coursework taught in smaller, supportive environments where each student is known well by his teacher and peers. Nearly a third of Penn’s total 3,500 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, P-H-M answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood.

Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.