Race day for the annual Running is Elementary, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, was a little windy, but gorgeous: just enough sunshine, just enough warmth, and the raindrops held off until all the races were over.

This year was one of the biggest yet with 700+ students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools.

The one mile run is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. 

Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school then train with the runners for the 6-week club culminating in the one mile race. More than 700 students participated this year!

This picture of two 4th grade runners exemplifies what RIE is all about. 

These two boys were running neck and neck all the way to the finish line vying for first place.

After the race, the Disney boy (dark navy t-shirt) went out of his way to find the Moran runner (pink shirt) so they could take a picture together.

The students being from two different schools had never met before, but in that moment, it didn’t matter.

Running is Elementary not only teaches students about fitness and wellness, it also teaches them sportsmanship, connection and the importance of supporting and celebrating each other!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! Click to see the list below of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners only for the four races. The list shows finish times listed by bib number and school. Parents should contact their school coach for their child’s specific time.

What makes this event so special is that students are cheered on by their fellow students, families, teachers, running coaches, principals, PHM School Board members and administrators, principals, and other PHM staff members. A photo gallery sample is below, but click here to visit the full photo gallery in the Education Foundation’s Canto photo portal.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 06:49.07, Bib # 244, Northpoint
2. 06:50.53, Bib # 235, Northpoint
3. 07:05.08, Bib # 187, Mary Frank

School Team Rankings:

1. Horizon
2. Mary Frank
3. Northpoint

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 06:14.75, Bib # 597, Northpoint
2. 06:16.06, Bib # 650, Madison
3. 06:29.29, Bib # 590, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Horizon
3. Elm Road

4th Grade Girls Winners

1. 07:06.27, Bib # 62, Horizon
2. 07:30.09, Bib # 31, Elm Road
3. 07:31.47, Bib # 75, Mary Fran

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Northpoint
3. Bittersweet

4th Grade Boys Winners:

1. 06:34.34, Bib # 438, Walt Disney
2. 06:34.73, Bib # 392, Moran
3. 06:48.85, Bib # 402, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Bittersweet
3. Elm Road

Here’s a breakdown of the shirt colors:

Thank you to Cindy Batalis (physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) whose own love for running and her desire to pass that love on is the passion and brain child behind Running is Elementary. Thank you to all the PHM teachers, running coaches, school staff, and Penn Cross Country student-athletes who help out every year, along with P-H-M Education Foudation Board members and volunteers.

Thank you PHMEF and all their amazing sponsors that make this event possible for our students:

• Martin’s donated the post race snacks
• Royal Excursion donated transportation to auxiliary parking lots
• Benchmark Family Services helped PHMEF offset costs
• Culver’s provided gift baskets for a prize drawing
• Kona Ice and Tom’s Coffee did givebacks 
• Attorney Katy Wrona was also a sponsor

We’re Accepting Applications for the
2026-27 School Year

Click to learn more about P-H-M and why you should join our family.

Penn-Harris-Madison is pleased to be able to offer enrollment to non-resident students on a limited basis for the 2026-27 school year.

Families living in neighboring school districts interested in having their elementary children attend a P-H-M elementary school can apply for that opportunity.

The window to apply for available non-resident seats will open Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and close on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. 

On March 2 at 8:30 a.m., P-H-M will post the schools, grades and number of seats available for the upcoming school year. Families must complete an online application between March 2 – 20.

The NRS application will be posted on www.phmschools.org/non-resident-student-enrollment/ on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

There is no first-come, first-served advantage. 

📍 Penn High School | 🗓 March 7–8, 2026
🎟 Admission: Free

Penn High School will host a FIRST Indiana Robotics District Competition on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, 2026. The competition will take place in the Main Arena and feature more than 40 teams from across Indiana.

Click here to see a photo gallery of last year’s competition.

📅 Event Schedule

Saturday, March 7

• 10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• All Day – Qualification Matches

• @7:00 p.m. – Competition concludes

Sunday, March 8

• 9:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies

• 2:00–5:00 p.m. – Playoff Matches & Awards

🤖 About the Competition

• Theme: FIRST AGE (Archaeology)

• Game: REBUILT

• This event serves as a qualifier for the FIRST Indiana Robotics Championship
  (April 17–19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds)

• Top teams may advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championships

👉 Click here for more information on the REBUILT game

🚗 Parking & Entry

• Parking: Penn High School parking lots: Main, Softball, Soccer; and across the street at Schmucker Middle School

• Spectator Entrance: Door D (northwest corner of the school)

🍔 Food & Amenities

• Food trucks available both days

• Spectator-friendly event for all ages

Come cheer on Indiana’s best student engineers and experience innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving in action!

All incoming sixth grade students and families are encouraged to consider participating band or orchestra in middle school by learning an instrument. Don’t know how to play? No problem!

Our band and orchestra teachers, with the assistance of Penn High School Fine Arts Department, facilitates Instrument Selection Nights to help students choose.

Schmucker’s will be Monday, March 2nd and Tuesday, March 3rd
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Grissom’s will be Monday, March 9th and Tuesday, March 10th
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

*Based on school boundaries, a portion of Moran Elementary School students will attend Schmucker Middle School and a portion will attend Grissom Middle School.

Educational research shows that learning to play an instrument helps students experience team building, nurture creativity, enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills–not to mention learning presentation skills by participating in live concerts and performances.

Here’s what you need to begin your student’s musical journey:

STEP 1: Schedule your Appointment for an Instrument Selection Night by going to: https://sites.google.com/phm.k12.in.us/phmisn/home

• You must Schedule an appointment BEFORE You Attend an Instrument Selection Night. Please complete the google form using full contact information for US Postal mailing and email addresses and phone numbers for all parents/guardians.
• At least one parent/guardian must attend the appointment with the incoming 6th grade student.
• Please select 1-3 instruments that your student would be interested in trying while at Instrument Selection Night. Arriving with a list of instruments that are appealing will help your appointment move along more smoothly. (please limit your list to a maximum of 3 instruments)
• Please note that some instrument sections fill quickly. Once filled, that instrument is no longer available for selection. To ensure that your student gets their preferred instrument choice, you are encouraged to attend an
  earlier selection night and time.

STEP 2: Attend the Instrument Selection Night

STEP 3: Obtain Your Instrument

• Each student must have an instrument in good playing condition for the first day of beginning summer classes. Quinlan & Fabish Music representatives are available to help you set up rental at Instrument Selection Night or you may obtain an instrument from another vendor. Teachers are happy to point you in the right direction when looking for another source for instrument rental or purchase.
• PLEASE use caution if you deal with a vendor other than Quinlan & Fabish Music Company. (Ask the vendor – What is your recourse if the instrument needs repair or is not playable? What is your return policy?) We would
  advise against purchasing an instrument online. Many instruments purchased online do not work well and lead to frustrated students. Reputable music repair stores will not repair poor quality instruments, as they cannot
  guarantee repair or their workmanship.
• If you wish to purchase an instrument, we would recommend the following brands:
  • String instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass): Eastman, Sheryl and Roth, Knilling, and Yamaha brands. Please have your child sized for the instrument. Playing on the correct size instrument will ensure their success and is crucial for injury-free playing.
  • Woodwind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone): Armstrong, Bach, Buffet, Conn, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Haynes, LeBlanc, Selmer and Yamaha.
  • Brass Instruments (trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone): Bach, Conn, Eastman, Holton, King, and Yamaha.
  • Percussion Instruments: Specific equipment requirements will be shared for percussion at selection night appointments.
  • Again, the band and orchestra directors are happy to help you find an instrument for your student. Please contact your school’s director in advance of the first beginning summer class.
  • If your family has serious financial concerns, ask us about instruments available for use from the P-H-M
    Foundation.

STEP 4: Choose and Sign-up for a Summer Beginner Class Time

• Classes TENTATIVELY begin Monday, July 20 and end Friday, August 7th
• Classes are Monday – Friday and are 1 hour in length.

The first crucial music lessons take place in small, like-instrument classes. Students receive individualized attention to set proper playing habits for future success. Please contact your student’s middle school band or orchestra teacher if they need to miss any part of the summer classes. The teacher will connect you with an approved private teacher so your student stays current with their class. Private lessons to make-up for lost class time should be completed by the first day of school and are at the expense of the family.

Choose from these Summer Class Times:

• Flute: 8am, 10am
• Oboe: 8am
• Clarinet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Alto Saxophone: 9am, 10am, 11am
• Trumpet: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• French Horn: 8am
• Trombone: 8am, 10am, 11am
• Baritone: 9am, 11am
• Percussion: 8am, 9am, 10am
• Violin: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Viola: 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am
• Cello: 9am, 10am, 11am
• String Bass: 8am

STEP 5: Select Band or Orchestra as your 6th grade music choice

When scheduling your 6th grade classes, select Band or Orchestra for your 6th grade music choice.

Miscellaneous Information

• You will receive a letter for your beginning band or orchestra student in May.
  In late-May, a letter will be mailed to your home verifying your instrument selection, your Beginner Summer Class time, and teacher. This letter will also include carpooling information. If you have not received this mailing by June 12th, please contact Mr. Zac Coudret at zcoudret@phm.k12.in.us
• Band and Orchestra Classes at Discovery, Grissom and Schmucker Middle Schools
  The P-H-M middle school music choices of Band, Orchestra, and Choir meet as curricular classes within the regular school day. More than two-thirds of all P-H-M middle school students participate in one of these three courses.
  • The band and orchestra schedules do not conflict with after school or before school activities.
  • Participation in instrumental music does not limit a student’s involvement in school sports, extra-curricular activities or academics.
• Band and Orchestra Directors at each P-H-M Middle School:
  • Discovery Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Directors: Mr. Murray Weaver mweaver@phm.k12.in.us and Ms. Cami Roper croper@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Mrs. Jessica Carhoun jjoyner-calhoun@phm.k12.in.us
  • Grissom Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Director: Mrs. Angela South asouth@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Ms. Vickie Marshall vmarshall@phm.k12.in.us
  • Schmucker Band and Orchestra Directors:
    • Band Directors: Mr. Jeff Carnall jcarnall@phm.k12.in.us
    • Ms. Kristin Hills khills@phm.k12.in.us
    • Orchestra Director: Mrs. Dodi Carnall dcarnall@phm.k12.in.us

This registration opportunity is for families who

1. Live within the P-H-M district AND
2. Have students who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2026.

Registration will take place at the schools during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in most cases. The offices at Elsie Rogers Elementary School and Moran Elementary School will take registrations from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Click here for more registration forms and more details on P-H-M Kindergarten Registration.

Penn-Harris-Madison also operates two preschool programs: Early Learning Academy (ELA) and Penn PALS. 

ELA registration for the 2026-27 school year also opens Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Click here to learn more about ELA.

Penn PALS registration for the 2026-27 school year has not opened yet.

If you are a not a P-H-M resident and you are interested in enrolling your kindergartner, please click here for more information on our non-resident lottery.

In 2024, Penn High School Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh and students came up with an idea on how to help students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Their idea was to use 3D printers to create and produce fidget tools for students. The key to making these tools more accessible and quickly available to the elementary students who needed them was to put a 3D printer at all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

Fortunately, P-H-M teachers and staff members can apply for classroom grants  through the P-H-M Education Foundation to pay for innovative ideas like this. Marsh was awarded a $5,000 grant to bring his idea to fruition. Penn High School students also benefit on this project because Marsh’s Robotics students not only install the 3D printers at the elementary schools, but they also help Marsh manage the project.

This inspiring story was recently featured on WSBT “Operation Education” highlighting the program in action at Elsie Rogers Elementary School where Marsh’s son Cooper attends third grade. Elsie Rogers was highlighted as of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools with the 3D printers. Click to watch the story below on WSBT’s YouTube channel.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

U.S. News and World Report released its “Best Schools” rankings for K-8 public schools by state and Moran is #175 out of Indiana’s 989 public elementary schools!

Data is based on the 2021–2022, 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 school years.

All of P-H-M’s elementary schools are ranked among Indiana’s “Best Elementary Schools”:

• Northpoint #1  
• Prairie Vista #2 
• Horizon #37
• Mary Frank #39
• Bittersweet #94
• Elm Road #172
• Moran #175
• Elsie Rogers #297
• Madison #273
• Meadow’s Edge #370
• Walt Disney #385

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

• Discovery #3
• Schmucker #53

Indiana’s 395 Indiana public high schools were also ranked, and Penn ranked #26.

The U.S. News & World Report analyzed 103,391 pre-K, elementary and middle schools nationwide for their rankings. The rankings use the same methodology for all included grade levels. For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. In other words, the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students. Click here for more information on the methodology.

The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best High Schools rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores on an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions. They reviewed data on 17,901 public high schools. Click here for more background information on their ranking system.

October is National Principals Month! To celebrate, we’re sharing short Q&As with each of our principals—giving you a glimpse into their leadership style, favorite parts of school life, and what drives their #PHMExcellence every day.

If you could swap places with a student for one day, what class or activity would you be most excited to participate in — and why?

I would go to Kindergarten because they always have fun and everything is new and magical!

What’s your go-to morning routine (or must-have snack/coffee order) that helps you tackle the day?

Coffee, coffee, coffee!

What were you like as a middle or high school student — and what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?

I loved being in choir and drama. I would encourage myself to be more outgoing and do even more!

If your job as a principal had a theme song, what song would be your walk up song–the one playing when you walked into school each day?

Everything is Awesome by Teagan and Sara

What was your favorite school lunch or snack when you were a student? What is your favorite school lunch now as a principal?

I loved pizza day! Now I love Nacho Grande day.

What’s one fun fact about you that most students or staff don’t know?

I loved to sing and act. I taught a drama club and a dance club when I was a teacher!

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies outside of school that might surprise people?

I love to cook and bake.

What’s one thing on your bucket list you still hope to do one day?

I have to visit Egypt and see the pyramids and the temple at Abu Simbel.

What’s your favorite school tradition or event?

March Madness at Moran is SO much fun!

If you could describe your school in one word, what would it be?

Home 🙂