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Moran Elementary Students Bring Willy Wonka to Life on Stage

Moran Elementary was filled with music, color, and imagination as students performed the beloved musical Willy Wonka!

charlie with golden ticket

Based on Roald Dahl’s classic story, the production followed the adventures of Charlie and other Golden Ticket winners as they toured the mysterious chocolate factoryWith catchy songs, creative costumes, and plenty of Oompa Loompas, the show transported the audience into a world of pure imagination.

oompa loompa

Students worked hard to bring the magical tale to life, showcasing their talent and teamwork on stage. Bravo to the entire cast, crew, and staff for such a sweet and memorable performance!

Children posing in front of a stage set up for a performance.

Three children dressed in costumes on stage, a girl in a polka dot dress and two boys in blue and white outfits.

Two people on stage at a party, one girl in red dress standing next to a boy in suit.

Group of people posing on stage in costumes, likely a theatrical performance or themed event.

Three children dressed in costumes on stage, one boy kneeling down, holding a sign that reads "Willy Wonka".

Woman in blue dress on stage singing to audience.

Group of people dressed in costumes standing on stage, celebrating with confetti.

Two young girls performing on stage, one wearing a sequined jacket and the other in a white shirt, both holding microphones.

Two children on stage holding microphones, a woman in background holding a camera.

Three people dressed in costumes standing on a stage.

Two children sitting on chairs in front of a stage, one girl wearing a dress and the other boy wearing a hat.

Two children dressed as willy wonka and his grandpa, performing on stage.

Two children in costumes performing on stage.

People dressed in costumes on stage, celebrating a performance with confetti.

Three young girls in colorful shirts performing on stage.

Group of people on stage holding frisbees, posing for a picture.

Man in a red apron standing behind a table displaying lollipops, with a sign that says "WONKA BAR" in front of him.

Young girl in pink shirt on stage waving to audience during performance.

Children dressed as characters from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on stage. One child is holding a microphone.

People on stage performing in front of an audience.

Three people sitting on a stage, one child in a costume holding a doll, two others looking at them, all under a spotlight.

Group of people in colorful costumes performing on stage.

Moran Elementary Celebrates Friendship with Classroom Parties

On Thursday, February 13th, Moran Elementary students enjoyed Friendship Parties filled with fun and kindness. Since there is no school on February 14th, students celebrated early by exchanging valentines, enjoying small treats, and participating in fun activities.

students pose for photos

It was a great way to spread friendship and joy throughout the school, check out the photo gallery below!

Little girl in pink pajamas smiling at camera in classroom setting.

Boy in school uniform smiling at camera, standing at table filled with candy.

Girl in classroom holding bag, smiling at camera.

Girl in yellow hoodie flexing muscles in classroom setting.

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Young boy enjoying a cupcake in a classroom setting.

Little girl in pink shirt sitting at a dining table with a red heart on her shirt.

Little girl in classroom holding red heart.

Boy in black t-shirt standing at desk in classroom, smiling at camera.

Boy in red shirt sitting at table with baseball bat on wall behind him.

Little girl in classroom on Valentine's Day, smiling at camera.

Young girl in pajamas blowing bubble gum, smiling at camera in classroom setting.

Young boy in a classroom smiling at camera.

Little girl sitting at a table in a classroom, smiling at the camera, holding a brown paper bag.

Girl in red sweatshirt smiling at camera, sitting at table filled with Valentine's Day treats.

Three children posing in a classroom for a picture on Valentine's Day.

Three young girls posing in a classroom for Valentine's Day.

Children posing for a picture at a table in a classroom setting, smiling and happy, celebrating Valentine's Day with treats

Girl in pink sweater sitting at table on school day.

Two young girls posing in a classroom for Valentine's Day, one wearing red and white shirt with "I love you" on it, both

Smiling girl in pink shirt posing for picture at a table with gifts on it.

Two young girls posing for a picture at a classroom desk.

2025 Middle School Music Instrument Selection Night

Every P-H-M 5th grader who will be attending a P-H-M middle school as an incoming 6^th grader in the Fall 2024 has the opportunity to join an instrumental music class, which includes either band or orchestra. “Instrument Selection Night” is when students and families get to make their choice!

Fifth graders at Bittersweet, Elsie Rogers, Walt Disney, Prairie Vista, and some Moran Elementary Schools will attend Schmucker Middle School for 6^th – 8^th grades. Some Moran students will attend Grissom. Moran families please click here to view the P-H-M School Boundaries Map as a reference.

Schmucker’s Instrument Selection Nights are Monday, March 3rd and Tuesday, March 4th.

Grissom’s Instrument Selection Nights are Monday, March 10th and Tuesday, March 11th.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is nationally recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” offering choir, band and orchestra at Schmucker, Discovery and Grissom Middle Schools.

At “Instrument Selection Night,” a music professional will be available to give students advice about which instrument may be best suited for them. They will be allowed to “try out” instruments from various instrument groups.

In order to join 6th grade band or orchestra, students must select an instrument that they will learn, practice and perform for the school year. Click this link to sign-up for your appointment at your designated school and date.

Penn Winter 2025 Dance Clinic (PreK – 8 gr.)

DATE: Saturday, January 11, 2025

TIMES: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

(PreK & Kindergarten, 10:00-12:00)

*Registration Check-in, 9:45 a.m.

LOCATION: Penn High School Fitness Center (Door G)

COST: $40 (PreK & Kindergarten)

$50 (1st – 8th grades)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Payment due by Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Late registration could result in no t-shirt. Payments should be sent to Penn High School Athletics – c/o Cindi Minegar, 56100 Bittersweet Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545

PERFORMANCE: Students will perform Saturday, January 11 at the Penn Boys Basketball Game

JV Game: Pre-K, K, 1, 2

Varsity Game: Grades 3-8

2025 Books & Bots

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 cover American Tall Tales, Johnny Appleseed book cover B 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 ccussen@phm.k12.in.us.

Moran 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 Moran is among Indiana’s top 16%. Moran is ranked #163 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:

Discovery #3 in Indiana
Schmucker #40

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 shbwcphs@gmail.com 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!

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

Sarah Hildebrandt celebrates her free Olympics win with a humorous post on Instagram.

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.

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-34

Woman holding a medal in front of a sign.

Three people sitting at a table with microphones in front of them, posing for a photo. A woman is making a peace sign with

Woman in red jacket waving at crowd from parade float.

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Old blue car driving in a parade with people inside.

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-17

Four people sitting at a table in front of a banner that says "PENN HIGH SCHOOL" and "SARAH-HILDEB

Two people standing at a table with microphones, one person sitting, all three facing forward, in front of a banner with a

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-24

People gathered in a field for an outdoor event, some seated on chairs, others standing around tables and signs.

Children in cheerleading uniforms riding in back of a pickup truck during parade.

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-32

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-42

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-41

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-9

PENN-Sarah-Hildebrandt-Urban-Swirl-celebration-9-8-24-1

2024 Community Connections Fair

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, October 5th!

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.