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Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed Dashboard (GPS) Launches

Penn-Harris-Madison schools are focused on continuous academic improvement that results in academic success for all students.

Standardized testing, or summative assessment, is one measure of academic success, but it is not the only measure.

In pursuit of providing more comprehensive analysis and to expand upon the data provided by state standardized tests, the Indiana Department of Education publicly launched this week (Tuesday, December 13, 2022) the first iteration of the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, or Indiana GPS (click here to view the State Indiana profile).

The description of the Indiana GPS dashboard on the IDOE website states “Together, our mission is to empower Indiana’s educators, families, communities, and employers with a learner-centered, future-focused dashboard that displays how our students are building the necessary knowledge and skills—in all grades and in all schools— through the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard, or Indiana GPS.”

The IDOE’s goal is to support Indiana’s goal to educate and graduate Hoosier students who can compete in the global economy. P-H-M supports this goal. Students whether they are going on into higher education, directly into the workforce or enlisting in our nation’s military must be prepared to be successful in life beyond high school. Strong and valuable education of today’s youth results in a knowledgeable and skilled adult Indiana workforce for tomorrow.

A student’s access to early education is an essential first step in their academic and overall development. Measuring kindergarten readiness, as well as a student’s PreK-2 literacy progress can provide key indicators of future success across the K-12 continuum.

We know that effective literacy skills play a vital role in helping students gain a deeper understanding of the world, explore topics in-depth, and seek credible information. At Penn-Harris-Madison, we have a well-articulated approach to teaching literacy based on the five critical pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

All of these components woven together help create a skilled reader. Our daily literacy block incorporates whole-group instruction, small-group (leveled) instruction, explicit phonics instruction, and vocabulary building.

Our teachers have been trained in order to deliver high-quality instruction that is supported through curriculum resources to meet the needs of all learners. Teachers are in regular contact with parents regarding their student’s progress and instructional goals.

At the elementary level, a couple of the indicators the GPS dashboard measures are early literacy and math growth. See some of P-H-M’s highlights are below; click here to view the full P-H-M GPS profile.

Early Literacy Measures

Percentage of PHM 3rd graders showing proficiency on IREAD-3: 88.3%
- State Goal: 95% by 2027
- Current State Status: 81.6%, 1 out of every 5 third graders in Indiana is not proficient in key literacy skills

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Students who pass the IREAD-3 assessment by grade three are roughly 35% more likely to graduate high school (as referenced on the GPS information webpage).

Math Growth

Percentage of PHM 6th graders meeting their individual growth targets on the math ILEARN: 41.9%
- State Goal: 45.8% by 2030
- Current State Status: 34.1% of Indiana sixth graders are meeting their math growth goals

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Early mathematics instruction focuses on concrete concepts before transitioning to more complex ideas after grade six. Students who are meeting growth goals at this critical juncture have a leg up on future math and science learning.

Graduation Pathways Completion

While still in its first iteration, the goal of the GPS is to examine Indiana high school’s graduation and post-graduation data with the goal to ultimately measure long-term success of each Hoosier.

Percentage of Penn Students who complete graduation requirements: 97.3%
- State Goal: 95% by 2030
- Current State Status: 86.4% of Indiana students complete their graduation requirements

Percentage of Penn Seniors who completed advanced coursework (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Dual Credit) during high school: 75.4%
- Current State Status: 59.5% of Indiana students complete advanced coursework
Percentage of Penn Seniors earning Indiana Diplomas above a General designation (Core 40 or higher): 98.3%
- Current State Status: 90.1% of Indiana students earn Core 40 diplomas or higher

Percentage of Penn Seniors earning high quality college and career credentials: 11.3%.
Members of the Class of 2021 who earned either an Indiana College Core (ICC) or an Associates Degree was 11.3%–the graduates who completed one or two years of college were members of Penn’s Early College Academy. In 2021, Penn High School ranked FIRST in the state with the highest number of students earning the Indiana College Core (ICC)! Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, non-Early College students will also be able to pursue an ICC Certificate.
- State Goal: 60% by 2030
- Current State Status: 5% of Indiana students earn a college or career credential before graduation, opening doors of future opportunity

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Increased education levels are positively correlated to labor participation, wages, and overall net worth.

COMING SOON:

The second iteration of the Indiana GPS dashboard – which will display all local data, including longitudinal and disaggregated data – is coming soon. Later in 2023, schools will be able to use the dashboard to view authenticated student-level data (not available to the public).

PreK-Grade 2 Literacy – Percentage of PreK-Grade 2 students demonstrating progress in essential early reading skills from one year to the next.
Kindergarten Readiness – Percentage of students demonstrating the skills necessary to be considered ready to start kindergarten.
Employment & Enrollment – Percentage of high school graduates employed or enrolled 1 year after their expected graduation year. Goal TBD.

Click here to learn more about the Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed dashboard.

Click here to view the full P-H-M GPS profile (scroll to the bottom of the webpage to find links to all 15 P-H-M schools–11 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and Penn High Schoo

2022 One-day Penn Winter Dance/Poms Camp

Students in grades PreK – 8^th can take advantage of a one-day Penn Dance Clinic.

DATE: Saturday, December 3, 2022

TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
(Pre-K and K 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

LOCATION: Penn High School Fitness Center (Enter through Door D)

COST: $40 (Pre-K & Kindergarten),
$50 (1st-8th grades)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY! Please register by Friday, November 25, 2022 so t-shirts can be ordered. Late registration could result in no t-shirt.

PERFORMANCE: Students will perform that evening at a Penn Boys Basketball Game TBD.

JV Game: PreK – 2^nd Grade
Varsity Game: Grades 3^rd – 8th

PHM Schools Polling Locations on Nov. 8

Voting Information

New Short Circuits Sphero program partners 3rd graders & Penn Robotics students

What would make more than 200 elementary students and dozens of Penn High School students show up at school on a Saturday? It would have to be something pretty cool, and there’s no doubt that P-H-M’s new “Short Circuits” Sphero is cool! Click here to see the full photo gallery on the P-H-M District website.

Teams of third graders from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools and their Penn Robotics Team 135 coaches/mentors were excited to show off what they had learned about coding, programming, and robotics to their parents, grandparents and family members.

The idea for Short Circuits came about from a discussion between longtime, now retired, Penn Robotics Team 135 Coach Jim Langfeldt and P-H-M Education Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom.

Current Team 135 Teacher Coach Kyle Marsh worked with Michael Niemier — a Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at Notre Dame — under the umbrella of his National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) grant, which funded Mr. Marsh’s summer work to write the Short Circuits coding program. Co-developer and former P-H-M teacher Jim Langfeldt has also participated in Niemier’s RET program.

During the 4-week after school practices, the Penn students have coached and mentored 3rd grade teams at all 11 elementary schools; one or two teachers at each elementary school are also involved helping to oversee the students.

During Saturday’s celebration, the 3rd grade students will demonstrate for their parents and family members what they’ve learned, including programming the Sphero robots to maneuver through the Penn Robotics student built obstacle course.

Short Circuits is sponsored by P-H-M Education Foundation. Former longtime PHM Board Member Gary Fox, and his wife Tamera, generously committed to a $20,000 donation over four years to sponsor the program. $30,000 was raised at the PHMEF 25th Anniversary Gala to pay for Sphero kits for all the elementary schools.

Sphero Celebration — *Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker, PHM School Board Pres. Chris Riley, PHMEF Exec. Dir. Jennifer Turnblom, Fmr. School Board Pres. Gary Fox, & his wife Tamera Fox*

2nd Grade Classes Release Final Butterfly

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!

Pen Pal Meet Up Day!

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!

Gaga Ball Fun for Everyone!

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!

Homecoming Weekend Set for September 23rd & 24th

There is going to be a little something for everybody happening at Penn High School on September 23^rd and 24^th, so mark your calendars and be sure to bring the whole family!

Friday, September 23^rd, 2022

P-H-M Education Foundation Family Fun Zone

Time 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Location: Behind Penn High School in the Door E Parking Lot / West of TCU Freed Field
Inflatables
Food Trucks
Penn Teacher Dunk Tank
Voting for parade costumes and floats

*All monies raised by the P-H-M Education Foundation goes into funding innovative school and teacher grants which in turn provide #PHMExcellence in all 15 P-H-M schools!

Saint Joseph Health System Health Fair

Time 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE!
Free Health Screenings PLUS interactive booths for children

Homecoming Parade

Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Behind Schmucker Middle School > Bittersweet > Ends at the P-H-M ESC
**SEE THE MAP BELOW**
Parade Grand Marshal P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, 2022 Penn Homecoming Court, Kingsmen Marching Band, Penn Cheerleaders, Penn student groups and clubs, local Fire trucks & Police cars

Penn Homecoming game, Kingsmen vs. Marian Knights

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
- Homecoming Court Presentation at halftime
Cost: $6
Children in grades K-5 get in FREE with a paying adult

Saturday, September 24th, 2022

Silver Mile Bubble & Color Run for Education – Sign up Here!
All monies raised by the P-H-M Education Foundation goes into funding innovative school and teacher grants which in turn provide #PHMExcellence in all 15 P-H-M schools!

Late Registration & T-Shirt Pickup
- Time: 7:15-8:00 a.m.
- Location: TCU Freed Field
Warm Up
- Time: 8:15
- Location: TCU Freed Field Track
1-Mile Fun Run / Walk
- Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
- Cost: $10 Per Person (4 & under free!) | T-Shirt $10
  - Price for Preregistration by September 22nd, 2022
  - Friday & Saturday (Day of) Registration: Cost $15
- Location: TCU Freed Field Track
Water and light post race snacks will be available to participants

Bobcats Around the World a Huge Success!

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!

Community Connections Fair set for Saturday, March 26

Picture above taken at the 2018 Community Connections Fair

Community Connections Fair

Saturday, March 26, 2022

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Schmucker Middle School

56405 Bittersweet Rd., Mishawaka

The Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s ENL Services’ is sponsoring the District’s FREE Community Connections Fair!

Come check out what the Mishawaka, South Bend, and Elkhart communities have to offer to your families!

P-H-M is inviting area businesses who want to participate in the Community Connections Fair to sign up. Click here to request a table at the event.

The Fair will also include cultural performances from P-H-M students and families. Families wishing to sign up to perform, click here.

Flyers about the event are available in the following languages, please click to download and print:

Bilingual interpreters will be on hand at the event to assist those families who need it.

Come out and enjoy the many cultural performances and student work that will be on display representing countries from all over the world!

Please join us!