Dear Moran Families, I want to thank everyone from students and staff to families who have given me such a warm welcome to Moran. This is such a fantastic school, and I have absolutely enjoyed my time here. Mr. Anglin continues to progress in his rehabilitation, however, we have not confirmed a return date to school. Everyone misses him and anxiously awaits his return. This is a busy time of year! Please note the following items providing information for the upcoming months: Food Drive: Moran is still collecting food for its annual food drive. We will accept non-perishable food items through this Friday, December 8th. Care packages will be created and available to families in the Moran community in need of assistance this year. Please consider donating if you have not. It’s a wonderful lesson to teach our children to give back to those in need. Holiday Bazaar: Mark your calendars for this Saturday, Dec. 9th! Our PTA will be hosting its annual Holiday Bazaar from 9-3 pm. Please come and experience all the 70+ vendors have to offer from crafts to baked goods! Parents’ Night Out, Kids Night In: Information was sent home for this event to be held Friday, Dec. 15th from 6-9:45 pm. Cost is $10 per child, $25 for a family of 3 or more. Registration is due Monday, Dec. 11th! Winter Weather: Cold weather is on its way! Please make sure you are sending your child to school dressed for outside recess. Students will go outside if the temperature is at least Zero degrees with the wind chill. Winter coats, hats, and gloves are essential. When the snow comes, students must have snow boots and snow pants if they want to leave the black top areas. If you need assistance in providing any winter items for your child, please contact the office or your child’s teacher. We have a supply of clean, gently used winter wear to choose from. Absences: We want all children at school every day, on time. We understand that people get sick. In the event your children cannot come to school, please call the office by 8:40 am to report the absence. Otherwise, they will be marked unexcused. If you arrive later than 8:35 am, you must park in the front lot and sign your children in at the office. All students are expected to be in their seats, ready to begin the day at 8:40 am. The doors open at 8:25 am, so if you bring your children to school, please plan on dropping them off at 8:25 am. This will give them time to get to their coatroom area, hang up their belongings and empty their back packs. When students arrive late, they can feel anxious as they walk in to a class that has already begun. Please make every effort to ensure your children starts each day off right by being on time to school. Winter Parties: Moran Winter Parties will take place on Friday, December 22nd. If you have been approved by your classroom teacher to attend this party, please make sure you have filled out the correct volunteer forms at the office which includes an approved background check. If this is not on file when you arrive, you will not be allowed back into the learning areas. Thank you for your cooperation as we keep student safety the top priority. Wednesday, February 7th @ 7:00 p.m., SMS Cafeteria, "Student Internet Safety: St. Joseph Co. Police Officer Eric Tamashasky will present on what parents need to know and do to help keep their children safe online. This is open to all parents across the District and is presented by P-H-M's Forum Flyers of community events or activities are posted at this link on the district: website: https://www.phmschools.org/community-events-activities. There is a homepage link off the 11 elementary websites directly to this page. Currently, it is listed in the drop down menu of the middle and Penn websites because of the Penn Showcase banner ad. Running is Elementary: the date is Monday, April 30th and the Rain Date is Wednesday, May 2 (Rain Date). The event is not listed on the printed District Activity Calendar. It is on the PHM Corporate Google Calendar. I wish everyone a warm and wonderful holiday season! Sincerely, Amy Fadorsen, Interim Principal

Breakfast with Santa has been a big hit for over 30 years at P-H-M and this year was no exception!

On Saturday, December 2, 300 people had the chance to spend some time with Santa at Bittersweet Elementary School. The attendees were treated to a program that included a laser show titled “Laser Holidays” at the DVT, breakfast in the cafeteria and then a personal visit with Santa. Please see a photo gallery below.

See you next year!

P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker was recognized last night (Thursday, Nov. 30) as Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) 2017 Outstanding Educator of the Year!

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.

Are you stressed about getting shopping done? Need a date night without the kids? We have a solution for you! Friday, December 15th is an opportunity for parents to have a night out while your child enjoys time with friends in a safe environment. Time: 6:00 – 9:45 pm **We will not be serving dinner, but will serve snack and drink during the movie! Cost: $10.00 per child, $25.00 for a family with three or more children. We accept cash or checks. Please make checks payable to Moran PTA. Registration forms and payment are due Monday, December 11th. Late registration will be $15.00 per child and $20.00 the night of event. Forms are available in our office.

Do you like to dance? Do you want to learn how to spin a flag? Do you like to perform?

All levels are welcome to come to the Penn Cadet Winter Guard Auditions at Walt Disney Elementary School (enter in back). There will be two audition dates of Monday, Nov.20 and Wednesday, November 22. Audition times for both dates are 6-8 p.m.

Girls and boys, grades 4-6, will be accepted. 

Rehearsals will be every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Competitions will begin Saturday, January 27.

Come be a part of this incredible performing arts group!

Click here to download and print the flyer.
 

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Starting Tuesday, October 31, I’ll be on medical leave. Hopefully I’ll be able to return to work in 4-6 weeks but that will depend on how well my recovery and rehabilitation goes. The interim principal during this time will be Amy Fadorsen. Amy is the current Assistant to the Principal at Horizon and has administrative experience. Amy can be reached by contacting the Moran Office or by email: afadorsen@phm.k12.in.us.  Please direct all questions and concerns to Mrs. Fadorsen during my absence. She will be glad to help you.

Playgrounds: We ask that parent/guardians not visit our playgrounds during recess time or when school is in session. This policy is for your child’s safety and security as well as those of other parents. 

Focused Instruction: Are you curious about what skill your child is working on and if they have mastered it or not? Teachers in grades K-4 are sending this information home. If you’re not seeing your child’s information coming home contact their teacher. FI skills are those state mandated skills we want all students to know and be able to perform.

Picking Up/Dropping off Your Child:  Only bused students should use the front drop off area of our school. Students in cars, vans or trucks should be dropped off and picked up at the south entrance or exit. Please do not drop off students prior to 8:25 a.m. Help keep our students safe. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:  We appreciated your attendance during our two evenings of parent/teacher conferences. Working together, in partnership, we can help your child reach their learning potential. We hope you found your conference helpful.

Picture Retakes: Retakes were completed on Wednesday, October 16.

Daylight Savings Time: November 5, at 2:00 a.m., marks the end of daylight savings time. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour.

D.A.R.E. Graduation: Tuesday, December 5, is D.A.R.E. graduation for 5^th graders. Graduation starts at 11:30 a.m. in the IMR. Seating is limited.

Don’t forget to come visit us. We’d love to have you visit or volunteer. Please remember only approved volunteers may participate. If you have not been approved please stop by our office and pick up the forms you need in order to serve. Moran Elementary School is dedicated to serving its students and families. Please do not hesitate to call or stop by if we can be of service.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                Frank Anglin, Ed.S.

The popular annual family event is scheduled for Saturday, December 2 and is open to the entire community, not just P-H-M families. However, please note this event is for Kindergarten – 3rd grade students only and children must be accompanied by at least one adult. All tickets are $7.00.

Show times this year are scheduled for 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Space is limited to 100 tickets/participants per time slot.

This year, ticket sales will be ONLINE ONLY at phm.revtrak.net and will go on sale Wednesday, November 1 at 8:00 a.m. Tickets will NOT be sold at the ESC on Nov. 1 or at the door on Dec. 2. Tickets sell out fast, so please make arrangements to setup your account at phm.revtrak.net prior to Nov. 1. Once tickets are sold out for a time slot, online sales for that time slot will end.

You will be able to pay online using eCheck, Discover, VISA or MasterCard credit or debit cards and a 3.49% transaction fee will be added to your total purchase amount. Tickets will be mailed to the address provided during the online registration prior to December 2nd. No refunds or tickets will be available at the door.

If you have any questions, please contact the P-H-M Community Education office at (574) 258-9568 or email Jenny Forkner.

Dr. Jerry Thacker, Superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, recently learned that the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) named him the IAPSS 2017 Outstanding Educator. 

The public announcement of Dr. Thacker’s recognition will be made at P-H-M Education Foundation’s annual Superintendent’s Luncheon to be held Tuesday, October 17.

This is the second time Dr. Thacker has received this prestigious honor from his IAPSS peers; the first time was in 2013. He was also named Indiana Superintendent of the Year in 2012 and received the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014—Indiana’s highest award—from then Governor Mike Pence. He has also been recognized as Alumnus of the Year from both IUSB and Bethel College.

Dr. Jerry Thacker began his career in education in Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation as a 6th grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. Having filled a variety of leadership roles at districts across Indiana and Michigan, in July 2006 he returned to the P-H-M schools to serve as superintendent. Under Dr. Thacker’s leadership, the Indiana Department of Education has consistently named P-H-M an “A” Rated School District. The School Corporation now ranks in the state’s top 4% of public school districts with nine Four Star Schools.

Fifth graders from Mrs. Black’s class are using The Walking Classroom thanks to a grant provided by the PHM Educational Foundation. The Walking Classroom is a national award-winning program that is a way to learn and get exercise at the same time. Each student uses a walk kit preloaded with 111 podcasts aligned with 5th grade standards covering language arts, social studies, science, and health topics.

With the release of the 2016-17 Accountability Grades, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is proud to have nine schools received A's:
 

• Bittersweet Elementary School
• Elm Road Elementary School
• Horizon Elementary School
• Meadow’s Edge Elementary School
• Moran Elementary School
• Northpoint Elementary School
• Prairie Vista Elementary School
• Discovery Middle School
• Penn High School
   

Overall, 62 percent of Indiana schools received an A or B. For more information on and to view the 2016-17 School Accountability Grades, please click here to visit the IDOE website.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation has received an “A” grade from the Indiana Department of Education for the past seven years and expects to again be named an “A” Rated School District by the IDOE when that data is released.