Article written by Melinda O’Malley, Director of P-H-M DVT & Planetarium

On the morning of Wednesday, January 31st, Michiana and all of North America will see its first Super Blue Blood Moon in more than 150 years!

P-H-M families will want to rise early and try to find a nice open viewing area to see as much of  this beautiful “lunar trifecta” as possible. On the morning of Jan. 31^st, the moon will be low on the western horizon–opposite the rising sun when the eclipse begins. Around 5:51 a.m., the left side of the moon will begin to take on a slightly pink color as it moves into the outer edge, the penumbra, of the Earth’s shadow. The moon will continue to move deeper into the Earth’s shadow as it slowly sets.  By 6:48 a.m., viewers in our area will begin to see the Moon’s color changing to a deep red as the Moon moves into the center, the umbra, of the Earth’s shadow. 

Now here’s an explanation of the Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse is why it is so special …

A supermoon is when a full moon occurs during perigee, its closest distance to Earth within its orbit. This makes the moon appear bigger and brighter than normal.

A “blue” moon, despite the name, actually has nothing to do with the color. Instead, it signifies the second full moon within a single calendar month. The expression “once in a Blue Moon” implies something rare. Blue Moons typically happen every two to three years, but double Blue Moons only happen three to five times per century and 2018 we will experience double Blue Moons in January and March! 

Finally, a Blood Moon is often the name given to a total lunar eclipse because the moon appears a reddish color when it enters the Earth’s shadow. The red coloration is caused by sunlight that is refracted, or bent, as it passes through the earth’s atmosphere.

Just as the entire lunar surface is bathed in a “blood red” tint totality begins and the Moon will start to disappear below the horizon. So, make sure to wake up early to beat the rising sun and witness a once in a lifetime “lunar trifecta!”

Horizon’s annual Science Fair was held Thursday, January 25th and there were many amazingly unique projects!  Congratulations to all who completed a project and were interviewed by the panel of judges.  This year, the four students representing Horizon at the Regional Science Fair held at Notre Dame on March 3rd are:

 -Ellie Satre

 -Rana Amouri

 -Mikan Gensic

 -Nate Hannah

 -AJ Rimelspach (alternate)

Horizon’s 4th graders participated in the 2017-18 National Geographic Society Geography Bee!  This is the first time Horizon students have participated in this academic competition, and it proved to be quite a challenge!

Special congratulations to all 10 of our 4th grade finalists:

Miken Gensic  ** School Champion**

Carley Carmichael  *co-runner-up

Noah Pressler

Kaiden Lindley

Zach Girton

Kaevon Johnson

Nick Marcella

Jayden Skillman

Emma Turnblom  *co-runner-up

Jacob Woolman

Mikan will go on to represent Horizon at the State level.  We will keep you posted on

his success as he moves on in the National Geography Bee competition!

Horizon Parents are invited to a special presentation 

Monday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the LGI, Discovery Middle School

Cmd. Dave Wells and Investigator Paul Strabavy of the St. Joseph County Drug Investigations Unit will talk with Discovery families about a variety of issues related to drug abuse and prevention, including the dangers of prescription drugs. This event is sponsored through a partnership of Discovery Middle School’s PTO and Discovery’s Guidance Department. 

Families from Discovery feeder schools, Horizon, Mary Frank and Northpoint Elementary Schools are also welcome.

Park on the west side of the building and enter through Door E. 

Registration for kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year begins Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Parents can register their student at their home P-H-M elementary school. 

This registration opportunity is for youngsters who live within the P-H-M School Corporation and who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2018. A parent or guardian must appear in person to register their child. 

Penn-Harris-Madison has 11 elementary schools, each offering full-day kindergarten. You may use the 2018 P-H-M Street Guide and the District Map to verify which elementary school serves your neighborhood. 

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. 

Please click here for more information on kindergarten registration and to print and download the registration forms.

Horizon Elementary students are showcasing their acting talents in the play, “Horizon Elementary Stole Christmas.” This is the school’s version of the timeless story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

The first public performance was on Thursday, Dec. 7, with the student body seeing a performance Friday, Dec. 8. There will be one more public performance on Friday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Please see a photo gallery below.

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.

The week of November 13-17, join the Horizon Student Leadership Team, Girl Scout Troop 50116, and Cub Scout Pack 561 as they collect food for the Mishawaka Food Bank! 

Simply send nonperishable food items and drop them in the collection bins located in each of the grade level areas. 

Over the past two years, they have been able to provide nearly 2500lbs of food to those in need. 

Let’s make this year bigger! 

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.