Bittersweet 2nd Graders and Penn High School Students Team Up for Gingerbread Fun

This week, second-grade students from Bittersweet Elementary School joined forces with Penn High School students to kick off the holiday season with delightful gingerbread-themed activities.

On Monday and Wednesday, Bittersweet’s 2nd graders took a field trip to Penn High School, where they collaborated with Penn students in creating gingerbread houses and engaging in fun gingerbread-inspired crafts. The high school students guided their younger counterparts through rolling and cutting the dough. They also read gingerbread stories and did multiple arts and crafts with the Bittersweet students.

girl with rolling pin

The multi-day celebration culminated today, Friday, November 22nd, as the baked ginger bread was brought back to Bittersweet to be assembled into houses and decorated. Families joined the fun, adding colorful candies, frosting, and festive designs to the creations.

mom with son

Second grade students decorating gingerbread houses has been a tradition for approximately 30 years, this is the first time that Bittersweet collaborated with Penn High School. It provided students with a creative outlet, a chance to learn new skills, and an opportunity to bond across grade levels during the holiday season.

The smiles and joy shared throughout the week are a testament to the power of collaboration and the holiday spirit!

Children making gingerbread houses at a table.
Person decorating gingerbread house with frosting and candy.
Children sitting on floor surrounded by craft supplies, smiling at camera.
Children sitting on floor working on crafts.
Man decorating gingerbread house at table with child.
Girl in kitchen wearing apron, smiling at camera.
Woman in plaid shirt and glasses smiling at camera next to a young boy wearing glasses and a blue top. They are standing in
Girl in white shirt smiling at camera while sitting at table.
Woman and child building gingerbread house in classroom.
People gathered around a table with food and treats, engaging in conversation and enjoying themselves.
Woman in purple shirt leaning over tray of gingerbread cookies on stove top oven.
Woman in kitchen preparing food, child standing next to stove, oven door open, person wearing green gloves.
Person holding a gingerbread house in front of a table with various snacks and drinks.
Two gingerbread houses on a table, one decorated like a Christmas house and the other like a Halloween house, both adorned
Boy in red apron holding rolling pin with flour on it.
Woman in kitchen, making gingerbread cookies, surrounded by children watching her work.
People gathered around a table filled with snacks, engaging in conversation.
Gingerbread houses decorated with candy, placed on a green tablecloth.
Man in black shirt and white hat standing next to a table with a child. The man is holding a small object in his hand.
Young boy sitting at table drawing.
Young girl in classroom holding treat, smiling at camera.
Gingerbread house decorated with cookies, candy, and icing, on a table during a gingerbread week event.
Boy in red apron decorating gingerbread cookies at kitchen counter.
Man decorating gingerbread house with candy canes and other festive decorations.

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Bittersweet Wins State Elementary Spell Bowl

Our Bittersweet Bobcats won the State Elementary Spell Bowl (Red Class)!!! The competition was held on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at North Liberty Elementary School.

This is a back-to-back Championship win for the 5th grade team. Last year they tied for 1st place, but this year they won by 5 words, scoring 53 points out of 56 possible points.

The students received 1st place in their division and 1st place overall, with all students earning a perfect or near perfect award! 

Congratulations to Coach Mrs. Michelle Leniski and her Championship Team: Lucy Buckler, Charlotte Bodnar, Carter Dailey, Sally Fraser, Madison Gardner, Presley Garver, Sophia Ho, Liam Nkundumukiza, Emery Stoll, and Myles Vlaeminick.

Thank you to Assistant Coaches Laura Cichoracki and Leslie Metcalf for their assistance and to Principal Shonda Masterson for her support.

 

 

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  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.

Group of people posing in front of a school bus, celebrating the driver's achievement as 'bus driver of the month'.
People gathered around a bus, one person holding a basket, all seemingly engaged in conversation.
People gathered around a bus driver receiving an award.
Group of people gathered outside a school building, receiving awards from a man in a blue shirt and cap.
Two people standing in front of a school bus, one holding a sign that reads "241030 Bus Driver of the Month".
Two people posing in front of a school bus. A woman on left holding a sign and a man on right standing behind her.
Bus driver of the month stands proudly in front of her yellow school bus, holding a basket filled with various items.
Three people standing in front of a school bus. The person on the left is holding a basket of items.
People gathered around a man handing out cards.
Group of people posing in front of school bus, including driver of the month.
The man is holding a basket of food for the bus driver.
Woman holding a basket of items in front of a yellow school bus.
Two people posing in front of a yellow school bus, one holding a gift basket.
Two people standing outside a yellow school bus, one handing something to the other.
Woman holding a card in front of yellow school buses.
A man and woman standing next to a yellow school bus, holding a basket of items.
People standing outside a school bus, one person holding a basket, posing for a picture.
This is a photograph of a man and woman standing outside a school bus. The man is holding a small yellow gift bag while the
Three people posing in front of a yellow school bus.
Bus driver posing with a basket of stuffed animals in front of school bus.
Group of people posing in front of a yellow school bus.
Bus driver of the month award. Woman holding a basket with school supplies.
Two people standing near a school bus, one holding a blue basket of items.
People gathered around a school bus, receiving awards, celebrating an achievement.

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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?

Girl in pink shirt laughing at camera in school cafeteria.
A group of people posing for a picture in a school cafeteria.
Three people posing in front of a pizza shaped like a slice of pizza. The person on the left is wearing a shirt that says
Woman posing with cardboard pizza cutout in school cafeteria.
Woman holding a pizza in front of her, posing for a picture with a smiling boy behind her.
Three young girls posing in front of a table with pizza, smiling at the camera.
Three children posing with a woman in a pizza costume in a classroom setting.
Woman in pink shirt holding pizza box, standing next to man in black t-shirt and jeans.
Young boy in pink shirt sitting at table in school cafeteria.
Young girl in a classroom setting, smiling at camera.
Girl holding a book in front of her face, smiling at the camera. She is standing in a room with tables and chairs, and there
Girl holding slice of pizza in school cafeteria.
Little girl holding a slice of pizza in a school cafeteria.
Woman in pink shirt holding child in front of pizza costume.
Little girl in pink shirt smiling at camera in school setting.
Person in blue hoodie holding a book, kneeling on one knee in front of a bulletin board.
Girl in glasses smiling at camera, standing next to table with books.
Young boy performing handstand in gym.

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!

Two young girls posing for a picture in an indoor setting, one wearing a black and white plaid skirt and the other in a
A computer screen displaying a space scene with a cityscape in the background and a large moon in the sky.
This is a composite image showing two different scenes from a video game, featuring space exploration themes and graphics.
Woman in white jacket standing in front of children, gesturing with her hands while speaking into microphone.
Young girl in a movie theater.
Little girl in pink shirt standing in front of movie theater seats.
Two young girls posing together in front of a museum display.
Boy in a theater seat, smiling at the camera.
Woman standing in front of whiteboard filled with educational materials, holding a book.
Young boy sitting at a table in a room, smiling towards the camera.
Two young boys sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling at the camera.
Two children watching a movie in a theater.
Two young girls sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling and looking towards the camera.
A young boy with a big smile sits at a desk in a classroom.
Young boy sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling at the camera.
Boy in blue hoodie sitting on floor in classroom.
Two children sitting in a dark movie theater.
Teacher presenting to students in a classroom setting.
Empty movie theater seats in a dark room with a red light on the ceiling.
Boy smiling in airplane seat.
People watching a movie in a dark room.
Woman in a blue shirt standing in front of a display case filled with plaques and trophies.

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:

Little girl holding a pumpkin in an apple orchard.
Group of people posing in front of a truck at an apple orchard.
Group of people posing in front of a hay bale with pumpkins, smiling at the camera.
People in a field surrounded by pumpkins, standing near each other, on a sunny day.
People sitting in a field, gathered around a truck, with some holding bags of groceries and others interacting with each
Three people standing in front of cornfield.
People walking through a field of pumpkins.
People standing in a field of pumpkins, possibly at an apple orchard.
People walking through a cornfield.
People gathered in a field, listening to someone speaking at an apple orchard event.
People standing in a group outside during the day.
Woman and child standing near pumpkins in a field.
Young boy standing in front of a sign for an apple orchard.
Young boy in a field of corn.
Three boys sitting on a hay bale at an apple orchard.
Children posing in front of a pumpkin patch at an apple orchard.
People sitting in a truck bed full of pumpkins at an apple orchard.
Family of three enjoying a day out at an apple orchard in autumn.
Three children standing in front of a table filled with pumpkins at an outdoor market.
People gathered around a table filled with pumpkins at an apple orchard.
Family sitting on hay bale at apple orchard.
People posing in front of a pumpkin patch at an apple orchard.
Little boy standing in front of a large apple sculpture.
Little girl standing in front of apple orchard sign.

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

Five people on a truck during a parade, waving to the audience.
People walking down a street in a parade, with a jeep behind them. The scene is set during the daytime under clear skies.
A collage of four photos capturing a moment from a parade float, featuring people in construction hats and hard hats,
Large yellow truck driving down a street during a parade.
Group of people holding a sign at a parade.
Two people waving from a parade float that reads "breaking ground for deaf children" and has blue blocks on either side.
Two young men in football uniforms giving thumbs up, standing on a street during a parade.
Colorful display of a float in a parade, featuring a building decorated with various signs and images, including a woman's
Group of cheerleaders in uniforms holding pom poms, standing on a street during a parade.
Man in a construction helmet driving a truck during a parade.
Woman in kimono with blue flowers holding a kite.
People sitting on a truck bed during a parade.
Group of people standing on a stage at a parade, holding signs and waving to the crowd.
People walking in a parade, some wearing safety vests.
Three cheerleaders celebrating on a float during a parade.
People walking in a parade, some waving at the camera, all smiling and enjoying themselves.
Children in school uniforms marching down street in parade.
People in colorful costumes riding a decorated truck at a parade.
Man in a car waving at people.
Marching band members in uniforms, standing together in a line.
Girl in black shirt waving at camera during parade.
Group of people in colorful costumes, dancing on a city street during a parade.
Pink Volkswagen Beetle convertible driving in parade.
Woman carrying child on shoulders at parade, both wearing blue dog ears.

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Parade Spectators

Girl in a tan shirt standing on sidewalk at parade.
People gathered on a street at a parade event.
Two people posing together for a picture at an event.
Three young women wearing orange safety vests standing in front of a building. They are smiling and posing for the camera.
Girl in red shirt holding cheerleading pom poms.
Five young girls in pink shirts posing for a picture at a parade.
Man in a black shirt standing next to children in blue shirts holding baseball bats.
Two children posing in front of a crowd at a parade, both wearing matching shirts and standing on a sidewalk.
Man in a black shirt standing among children wearing hard hats.
Girl in tan shirt waving at camera, standing in front of crowd.
Girls in colorful costumes posing for a picture at a parade.
A group of people gathered on a street corner during a parade, holding balloons and flags, smiling at the camera.
Four young women posing together at a parade, smiling and holding food items.
People gathered on a street for a parade, watching floats pass by.
Three young girls posing for a picture at a parade, wearing festive shirts and sunglasses, standing in front of a crowd of
Boy in orange shirt giving thumbs up at parade.
Three children standing in front of a building at an event, posing for a picture.
Person in orange shirt giving thumbs up at parade.
Two people posing together at a parade.
Two girls posing together at a sporting event.
People gathered at a parade, watching floats go by.
Woman in red hoodie posing with young boy at a parade event.
A group of people standing in a parking lot, watching a parade.
A group of young girls posing for a picture at a parade, smiling and wearing colorful outfits.

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Fun Zone & Expo

Three children standing in front of inflatable bounce house at an outdoor event.
Man in blue shirt pointing at ice cream cone mascot.
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, with some standing and others seated on chairs, engaging in conversation.
Woman and child holding balloons at Penn State event.
Three people posing at an event, two in orange vests and one in a blue jersey, standing in front of a food truck.
Child sitting on a slide in an inflatable play area.
Boy sitting in a bulldozer at a construction site.
Group of people posing in front of a sign that reads "Penn HS HOCO" and "Hoco 2010".
Children playing in inflatable pools at a carnival.
People gathered around a table with a wheel of fortune and prizes at an outdoor event.
Two people carrying a baby at an outdoor event.
Young boy sitting in a red fire truck.
Woman standing at table with sign reading "NIVA" in front of her.
Two people standing in front of a sign at an event. The sign says "GNTN". One person is holding a drink and smiling towards
Child in yellow shirt reaching into container of candy at table.
Signs on fence advertising local businesses at outdoor event.
Young man in football uniform holding up peace sign, standing on field surrounded by other players.
Penn HS Hoco Expo sign on a grassy field".
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, possibly a fundraiser or fair, with various items on display and a woman
Four women posing together at a football game, smiling and looking towards the camera.
Woman in red shirt stands near wheel of fortune at outdoor event, surrounded by people.
Group of young men in football uniforms posing for a picture at a sports event.
People standing in a field taking pictures of a sign that says "Hoco Expo".
People gathered at a park for a Penn State HOCO event, celebrating homecoming with a sign that reads "Penn State HOCO" and a

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