Bittersweet among U.S. News 2025 “Best Schools” rankings

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Bittersweet is among Indiana’s top 5.6%. Bittersweet is ranked #56 out of Indiana’s 1,000 elementary schools.

P-H-M’s elementary schools are at the top of the list:

  • Northpoint #1 in Indiana  
  • Prairie Vista #2 in Indiana  
  • Horizon #19
  • Mary Frank #32
  • Bittersweet #56
  • Moran #163
  • Madison #200
  • Elm Road #205
  • Elsie Rogers #393
  • Meadow’s Edge #239

P-H-M’s middle schools were also recognized:

 
There are 487 Indiana public middle schools ranked.
 
Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools were also ranked, and Penn was ranked #25!
 
The U.S. News & World Report K-12 directory encompasses 105,093 preschools, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.
 
The state assessment data used in the ranking indicators was sourced from the 2021-2022 school year’s achievement results for state assessments in mathematics and reading from the U.S. Department of Education’s EdFacts initiative. These include the numbers of test-takers for each subject by grade, the proportions of test-takers proficient in each subject area, and the economic and ethnic profiles of test-takers.

7th Annual Hair Donation Event to be held Nov. 16, 2024

This year’s “Short Hair Because We Care” will hold a hair donation event for the Children With Hair Loss organization will be held Saturday, November 16 at Penn High School’s Studio Theater.

Short Hair Because We Care Info

Anyone in the community can donate their hair, but the minimum is 8 inches of hair. Hair that is colored and permed is accepted. Local professional hair stylists will be donating their time to cut volunteers hair for free. Because this is for hair donation, the service provided is just a simple cut, no style.

This event was started in 2019-2020 school year by a group of 7th grade Grissom Middle School students. 

“It started as something that students could give, that wouldn’t be money or something they wouldn’t have control over being young students, but everyone can donate their hair, so that’s why we started it: to give everyone an opportunity to serve even if they don’t have other resources,” Ella Smoker Class of 2024. Click to see the WNDU-TV’s story.

Last year, 33 people donated a total of 334 inches (click to see photos)! Donate this year and help beat last year’s totals!

If you’re interested in donating, click here to sign up using the Google form.

Email shbwcphs@gmail.com with questions, and follow the group on Instagram at @shbwc_phs

If you can’t make it to the event or don’t have enough hair to donate, you can still help out by donating directly to Children With Hair Loss.

Children With Hair Loss is a nonprofit organization that provides hair replacements at no cost to children or young adults facing hair loss at no cost. Whatever the cause, hair loss can have effects that go deeper than cosmetics. Providing this hair is how this organization gives back to the community. You can help us give back to your community and the children facing hair loss by donating your hair or simply spreading the word about the event to everyone! 

October Bus Driver of the Month Kathy Green

Penn-Harris-Madison is thrilled to announce that Kathy Green, a dedicated P-H-M bus driver for over 22 years, has been named the Culver’s Bus Driver of the Month for October 2024!

While today’s presentation was made at Elsie Rogers, Kathy drives a bus for Bittersweet, Elsie Rogers and Schmucker Middle School and is beloved at each school.

Culver's Bus Driver of the Month

Kathy’s long-standing commitment to safety and her warm, friendly atmosphere on the bus have earned high praise from parents across the district.

We’re grateful to Culver’s and the P-H-M Education Foundation for supporting this monthly recognition, which celebrates the vital role our bus drivers play in the community. Thank you, Kathy, for exemplifying #PHMExcellence on the road every day!

You can nominate your favorite bus driver here, phmexcellence.com/PHMBusDriverNomination.

Pizza with the Principal

Last Friday, October 18th, students got to taste their rewards from the “Pizza with the Principal” program! 

The pizza party is our way of celebrating students who have worked hard and reached their reading goals. For those who didn’t participate this time or didn’t meet the required number of books, there will be more opportunities this school year to get involved. Stay tuned for updates on when the next round of “Pizza with the Principal” kicks off!

Keep encouraging your child to read—it’s a rewarding journey, and who doesn’t love pizza as a bonus?

Moran First Graders Visit Their Pen Pals at Bittersweet

Bittersweet and Moran first graders have been forming new friendships through a pen pals program that connects students from both schools. Throughout the school year, the students exchanged letters, learning about each other’s hobbies, families, and school experiences.

Today, the Moran students had the chance to meet their Bittersweet pen pals in person during an exciting visit.

The day’s highlight was a trip to the PHM Arthur M. Klinger Planetarium, where the students watched an engaging show about our Solar System.

Planetarium

They learned about planets, stars, and other celestial wonders while deepening their connections with their new friends. This collaboration between the schools encourages writing skills, curiosity about the world, and the joy of new friendships.

See more photos below!

Spotlight on Bittersweet students at PHM Board Meeting

Our school hosted the Monday, October 7 P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting. It was an opportunity to shine the spotlight on some of the amazing things our students and staff are doing.

Principal Shonda Masterson kicked the meeting off by sharing with the School Trustees Bittersweet’s test data–Bittersweet students scored in the Top 5% of schools on last year’s ILEARN. Principal Masterson credited the teachers and the use of formative assessment with a focus on fostering stronger and more confident student writers. 

Principal Shonda Masterson speaking at PHM Board meeting

Creative writing exercises are being used at all levels. As an example second graders wrote about their field trip to Kercher’s Apple Orchard using their story vocabulary words. Alyssa Moles, Emmalyn Fazi, Steven Johnson, Cami Cromartie read their stories to the Board Members.

Students reading their stories Students reading their stories

Other Bittersweet highlights included:

  • pictures from 1st grade’s visit to nearby Garden at Chapel Hill Cemetery last Memorial Day to honor deceased veterans
  • the Pen Pals program for 1st and 5th graders to other P-H-M elementary schools
  • sharing the Bittersweet P.A.W.S. Pledge written by Media Aide Julie Villalba 

The spotlight on Bittersweet ended with a performance by Mrs. Cayleen Balbo-Veal’s 5th grade music students.

2nd Graders Visit The Pumpkin Patch

On Monday, October 7th, our 2nd grade students enjoyed a beautiful fall day at Kercher’s Apple Orchard in Goshen Indiana.

Thank you to all of our staff and parent volunteers for making this memorable day possible.

Take a look at the photos below:

2024 Homecoming Recap

Thank you to EVERYONE who came to the 2024 Homecoming Parade and Football game. It was a terrific time not only for the Penn students, but also for the entire community.

The Parade, Expo, Fun Zone, Food Trucks and Fireworks were all bigger and better than ever.

After the game was over, the fans in attendance were treated to a fireworks show set to music!

There are three photo galleries below, one of the parade floats and participants, one of the parade spectators and one of the fun zone and expo. Take a look and we’ll see you in 2025!

Parade Floats

Parade Spectators

Fun Zone & Expo

P-H-M Schools Receive $53,600 in Robotics Grants

Today the IDOE announced the recipients of the K-12 Robotics Competition Grants and 15 Penn-Harris-Madison robotics teams from eight P-H-M schools were awarded a total grant of $53,600! 

  • Penn High School (2 existing teams) – $14,000
  • Grissom Middle School (2 existing teams) – $5,000
  • Bittersweet Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175
  • Elm Road Elementary School (2 existing teams) – $6,137.50
  • Horizon Elementary School (2 existing teams) -$6,137.50
  • Meadows Edge Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175
  • Northpoint Elementary School (4 new teams) – $12,800
  • Walt Disney Elementary School (1 new team) – $3,175

For all teams, existing and new teams, the grant pays for coaching stipends, team registration, competition registration, game specific materials, and supplies for building competition robots. Funds can also be used for transportation to events. 

For existing teams, most of their supplies will be updating and replacing used parts, tools, storage, and new parts needed for the new game. New teams’ supplies will be start-up kits, tools, storage, and game specific parts. 

The P-H-M proposal was selected from more than 145 grant proposals submitted for this funding opportunity, 137 school corporations and non-profit groups were ultimately chosen. The IDOE review team was impressed with P-H-M’s plan to design, construct, program, and participate in competitions with the goal of increasing Indiana student interest in STEM.

This grant removes barriers for schools and gives students opportunities to excel. It also creates a P-H-M pipeline of future Kingsmen robotics students with experience and excitement about robotics. Ultimately this opportunity gives students more STEM co-curricular experiences and broadens their horizons for future careers.

Homecoming 2024 Details

Attention P-H-M families and community members! Mark your calendars for the annual Homecoming Celebration on Friday, October 4, 2024. Penn High School students, don’t forget the Homecoming Dance is on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
 
This event is ONLY possible through the generous support of the P-H-M Education Foundation, Presenting Sponsor “Drive and Shine” and our other incredible sponsors. Click here to see the videos and pictures from last year’s amazing event.
 

Friday, October 4, 2024

Family Fun Zone
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Stadium
• What:
Bounce Houses, Gaga Ball, Obstacle Courses, 22 ft slide and more!
• The Family Fun Zone is Free thanks to Fun Zone Sponsors Gary and Tammy Fox 

Vendor Expo
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: First Base Side of the Jordan Automotive Group Baseball Stadium
• What: Tables with vendors sharing valuable information &
Free “Go Penn” temporary tattoos for all Kingsmen and future Kingsmen!

Food Trucks
• Time: 4-7 p.m.
• Cost: Varies
• Location: North End of Penn High School Parking Lots
• What: Get dinner or a snack from a varity of delicious local food trucks!

Homecoming Parade
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Location: Wraps around the rear of Schmucker Middle School, Left turn onto Bittersweet Road, Right turn past Penn Student Parking (See Map)
• What: Each P-H-M Elementary and Middle school will be marching as well as floats created by a varity of Penn High School sports, clubs and students groups.  Don’t forget to vote for your favorite float at the Expo!

Football Game
• What: Penn vs Elkhart
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $6 in advance (online or high school students may purchase in the Penn Athletic Office until 8 a.m. on Friday) $7 at the gate (or after 8 a.m. in the Penn Athletic Office)
  Any elementary student or younger, who attends with a paying adult, is free! (Ex. 1 paying parent with 3 elementary children, all 3 children are free)  
• Location: Everwise Freed Field
Click for facility Rules to Remember

Parking
• Cost: $3 to park in lots around Penn High School (See Map)
  All money raised through parking supports the Penn High School Band Boosters 
• Cost: Free to park in Schmucker, Pennway, Baseball and softball lots (See Map)
  Families are encouraged to arrive early to allow plenty of time to find parking and walk to the events

Fireworks
• Time: TBD – After Football Game
• Location: Everwise Freed Field
• What: Spectacular firework’s show to end the evening

Click Map to Expand
Homecoming 2024 Details

Saturday, October 5, 2024

“An Enchanted Evening” Homecoming Dance
• Time: 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Location: Everwise Freed Field & Yeoman Family Plaza
• Cost: $25 Per Ticket
Purchase Tickets Here
• What: An Enchanted Evening for PHS students! Great music, games, and food! Plus, new addition of a 360 -degree videography photo booth!

October 1-7, 2024

Silent Auction
• Beginning October 1st, bid on a variety of items compliments of our community partners
Click Here for Silent Auction 
• All proceeds benefit the P-H-M Education Foundation

For sponsorship opportunities or other information, please reach out to Jen Turnblom jturnblom@phmef.org

Rules to Remember:

  • No reentry; once you leave, you are not allowed back in.
  • No outside food or beverages, no insulated cups
  • No backpacks
    • Diaper bags & large women’s purses are allowed
  • Penn does not have a clear bag policy
  • No electronic noise makers
  • No Footballs or Beach Balls
  • No weapons of any kind
  • No alcohol
  • No Smoking/Vaping products of any kind. All PHM school property is smoke free.
  • No open flames at private tailgating