2025 Books & Bots

robot sitting on a stack of books reading a book with Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation logo

Saturday, March 1, 2025   

9:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. 

at Penn High School

for P-H-M students K – 5th grade

FREE! There is no cost for this event, but registration is required and limited.

REGISTRATION: Opens January 17 – deadline is Friday, February 14, https://bit.ly/BooksandBots

Sponsored by the P-H-M Education Foundation, Young Authors’ Conference is an opportunity for P-H-M students in Kindergarten – 5th grade to meet and hear from well-known children’s author and speaker Shannon Anderson, participate in a variety of robotic explorations, and visit a “Make It and Take It” puppet making session!

Shannon Anderson has spent 25 years teaching, from first grade through college level. She is now a full-time author, with picture books titled: B is for Belonging, Heroes Don’t Have to Fly, I Love Strawberries, and more. She is also known for her biography series, with books like The Story of Benjamin Franklin, The Story of Helen Keller, and so many more. A champion of kindness and positivity, Shannon believes that every day offers a new opportunity to make a meaningful difference.  

I Love Strawberries! book coverAmerican Tall Tales, Johnny Appleseed book coverB is for Belonging, book cover

As part of the morning activities, students will participate in three rotations: one session with Shannon Anderson, one interactive puppet-making session, and one session where students will enjoy the hands-on exploration of technology with Sphero Bots, Dot and Dosh, Bee Bots, Ozobots and more! Our amazing P-H-M teachers and volunteers will guide students and their parents through the interactive session guiding them on how develop a character and create their own puppet.

Student with laptop operating Sphero bot Teacher holding artwork done by Sphero bot

At least one parent or guardian must accompany the student(s)!  If more than one child is registering for Books and Bots, the family will stay together so only one adult is needed.  Siblings YOUNGER than kindergarten may not accompany adults. This experience is for your young author(s) and the parent/guardian.

CONFIRMATION: Participating students will receive additional information prior to the conference through their home school at the end of February.

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Candace Cussen at .

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.

 

 

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! 

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.

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.
Girl in black shirt waving at camera during parade.
A group of young men in football uniforms walking together.
Two young men in football uniforms giving thumbs up, standing on a street during a parade.
Group of people in orange safety vests at a parade, posing for a picture.
People gathered at Penn Theatre during a parade, holding signs and participating in the event.
Cheerleaders celebrating on float during parade.
Two people standing on a street corner, one wearing a vest that says "PENN STATE", both posing for a photo.
People celebrating at a parade, wearing orange safety vests, some holding signs, and one person is taking a selfie.
Pink Volkswagen Beetle convertible driving in parade.
Students celebrating at a parade, holding signs and balloons.
People in a parking lot dressed as sushi rolls, holding signs and banners, participating in a parade.
Group of people holding flags from different countries during a parade.
People marching in a parade holding signs and flags.
A collage of four photos capturing a moment from a parade float, featuring people in construction hats and hard hats,
Woman in kimono with blue flowers holding a kite.
Two people in colorful costumes posing for a picture.
People walking in a parade, some waving at the camera, all smiling and enjoying themselves.
Man in a car waving at people.
Group of people holding a sign at a parade.
Group of cheerleaders in red and white uniforms cheering on a parade float.
Children in school uniforms marching down street in parade.
Girl in yellow costume standing in front of cars at parade.

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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.
Man in a black shirt standing next to children in blue shirts holding baseball bats.
Five young girls in pink shirts posing for a picture at a parade.
Group of people standing on street corner during parade, celebrating hoco event.
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.

1 2 ... 6

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.
Woman in red shirt stands near wheel of fortune at outdoor event, surrounded by people.
Three people posing in front of inflatable bounce house at a fair.
Boy sitting in a bulldozer at a construction site.
Man in black shirt standing behind table at outdoor event, smiling at camera.
Boy in a red and white jersey standing on a field, waving his hand.
Banners on a fence at an outdoor event.
Three young men standing on a soccer field, posing for a picture. They are wearing blue and white jerseys, and one of them
Man standing behind a food truck, smiling at the camera.
People standing in a field taking pictures of a sign that says "Hoco Expo".
People gathered outside a food truck at an event, enjoying their meal in a park-like setting on what appears to be a sunny
Boy lying on grassy field after playing soccer.
Sign announcing homecoming fun zone at an event.
Food trucks parked in a lot at an event.
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, with some standing and others seated on chairs, engaging in conversation.
Two people carrying a baby at an outdoor event.
People standing around a tent at an outdoor event, with one person inside the tent holding a sign that says "premier arts".
Signs on fence advertising local businesses at outdoor event.
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, possibly a fundraiser or fair, with various items on display and a woman
Three people posing at an event, two in orange vests and one in a blue jersey, standing in front of a food truck.
Cheerleaders posing together for a group picture at an event.
Young man in football uniform holding up peace sign, standing on field surrounded by other players.
Person jumping on inflatable bounce house.

1 2 ... 15

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

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

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024)

On Sunday, September 8, the Michiana community joined Penn and P-H-M in giving Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hildebrandt a Heroine’s Welcome!

Before Sarah’s “Welcome Home” kicked off, the local media got some one-on-one time with Sarah, her parents, and Penn Head Wrestling Coach Brad Harper during a news conference. Coach Harper was Sarah’s wrestling coach when she was at Penn; he became her personal coach and coached her at the Tokyo Olympics wear she won Bronze. Coach Harper planned this special homecoming for Sarah. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

Sarah Hildebrandt pre-Parade News Conference (Sept. 8, 2024)
Penn Wrestling Coach Brad Harper, Sarah Hildebrandt, Nancy and Chris Hildebrandt

The parade left from Penn High School and went down McKinley approximately two miles and ended at Zolman’s Tire.

Thank you to all the parade participants who volunteered their time on a Sunday afternoon: Mishawaka and Penn Twp. Fire Departments, St. Joseph County Police, the Marching Kingsmen, Penn Girls and Boys Wrestling Teams, Penn Cheerleaders, Penn Youth Wrestling Club, Rocket Football cheerleaders, and Dr. and Mrs. Thacker. Along with Sarah with her mom Nancy and dad Chris, Sarah’s extended family were also in the parade. Sarah and her parents were in a golden yellow convertible Mustang driven by St. Joseph County Sheriff Bill Redman. Thank you to Zolman’s Tire for supplying some trucks.

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade (Sept. 8, 2024)

After the parade was over, hundreds gathered at Urban Swirl in Granger for an Olympic Celebration emceed by Mark McGill. A representative from Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood’s office read a proclamation declaring September 8th as Sarah Hildebrandt Day! U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym read the historical entry on Sarah’s Olympic achievement that he will be submitting to the official U.S. Congressional Record.

Sarah was able to see and catch up with the coach who gave her first break, then Discovery Middle School Wrestling Coach Raoul Donati.

Sarah Hildebrandt Celebration (Sept. 8, 2024) Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024) Sarah Hildebrandt Parade Photo Gallery (Sept. 8, 2024)

Sarah threw out free T-shirts featuring her smiley face tattoo on the front and her viral X tweet on the back.

Girl holding a red t-shirt with a white smiley face on it. She is standing outside in front of a building.
People gathered outside a restaurant, some waving, others standing in line; a woman on a stage behind the crowd, holding
Group of people celebrating at an outdoor event.
Young girl holding a red t-shirt with white writing that reads "duck".
Sarah Hildebrandt celebrating her Olympic success with a humorous meme.

Grateful for all the love and support that her hometown gave her, Sarah graciously took hundreds of pictures with all of her adoring fans. She also signed hundreds of autographs on posters, shirts, singlets, wrestling shoes and even foreheads! 

Sarah Hildebrandt Olympic Celebration (Sept. 8, 2024)

Check it all out in the photo gallery below.

This is a photograph of an outdoor event where a group of people are gathered around a man holding a flag, and another
Two young women posing together at a sports event. One is wearing a medal around her neck and they are both smiling.
Family members posing in front of a semi truck at a parade.
An elderly man speaking at an outdoor event, surrounded by a crowd of people and vehicles.
People gathered outside a building for an event, with one individual standing on a stage holding a microphone.
People at a parade holding flags, some are standing while others are sitting on a truck.
People gathered at a parade, waving flags and cheering, with a building in the background.
Two people standing on a bridge holding a sign that reads "USA" and "Olympics". They are waving at the camera.
Woman in a convertible car celebrating victory at parade.
People gathered around a table at an outdoor event, signing autographs on items displayed.
Two people posing with a trophy, one person wearing a red shirt, another in blue and white, and an American flag in
Woman in red, white, and blue jacket posing with older man wearing a medal around his neck.
This is a photograph of an antique car driving on a street during a parade. The car has a yellow sign on its side that reads
Man in red shirt standing next to another man, both smiling, wearing a hat, in front of a restaurant.
People sitting on a flatbed truck during a parade.
Man in red shirt throwing something to crowd at parade.
Parade of cars driving down a street in a small town.
Two women at a table, one signing autographs, other looking on; both are smiling and appear to be enjoying themselves.
People sitting at a table in front of a microphone. A man is holding a red shirt and a woman is holding a blue shirt. They
Two people sitting at a table with a microphone, in front of a banner that reads "PENNHILL" and has a logo for "Fighting
A group of people on a flatbed truck celebrating an event, with some waving flags and others holding signs.
People gathered outside a restaurant, some holding signs, others standing in line, all seemingly waiting for something.
People on a parade float waving to crowd; American flag in background.
Two people standing on a street corner in front of a brick building during daylight hours.

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2024 Community Connections Fair

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, October 5th!
 
2024 Community Connections Fair
 
Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.
 
If you have somebody in your family that would like to perform for our event showcasing a traditional act from your family’s culture, click here to fill out a form to participate.
 
We can’t wait to see you there!

Sarah Hildebrandt Parade

Penn High School’s “Golden Girl” is coming home! On Sunday, September 8th the community will have a celebratory parade for the Female Wrestler Olympic Gold Medalist.

The parade starts at 3:00 at the intersection of Bittersweet and McKinley Highway. The parade will proceed West down McKinley Highway and will end at Zolman’s Tire (2014 E McKinley Ave., Mishawaka).

There will be an Olympic Celebration 4:30 p.m. at Urban Swirl (Heritage Square, Granger). Congressman Rudy Yakym will present Sarah with a special gift; and Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood’s office will present a proclamation. Mark McGill will emcee the event.

There will be free posters, available on a first come, first serve basis. T-shirts will also be available for sale.

Sarah Hildebrandt parade info

Sarah Hildebrandt earned a Gold Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in Women’s Wrestling (50kg). Hildebrandt was one of two American women to win a Gold Medal in Wrestling at the 2024 Olympics. She is also just the fourth woman to win Gold in Team USA Wrestling history.

Hildebrandt earned a Bronze Medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She is also a two-time national collegiate champion. A 2011 graduate of Penn High School, Hildebrandt became the first female to qualify for the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Wrestling Semi-State competition and led Penn High School to the IHSAA Team Championship. Her personal coach is Penn Boys Wrestling Head Coach Brad Harper.