This past week has been a flurry of activity. Students have been collecting food for this year’s food drive. Through their efforts, 900lbs. of food was collected to help families in need. 

Thank you for helping others this holiday season! 

Students were given the treat of having Mr. Rick Glassman, Environmental Education Coordinator, come to Horizon and inform students about things about the environment to enhance their Scientific learning. The students always look forward to seeing Mr. Glassman and the humorous way he introduces scientific concepts. 

Kindergarten students were introduce to “Jethro”, a character of Mr. Glassman’s creation. 

1^st grade students discussed Earthworms and their role in our ecosystem. 2^nd Grade students discussed insects and how vital they are to the circle of life . 3^rd grade students talked about Invasive Species and the toll they take on the environment in our area. 4^th grade students talked about the different types of soils in Indiana  and 5^th grade students talked about Wetland Life. 

Mr. Glassman will be back in February. 

Horizon 2^nd grade students were given an opportunity to go ice skating and they were able to meet some special guests. This was a special moment with some ND Hockey Players as they were heading to practice.  Hard work on and off the ice in the classroom as well as practice and games is critical for these student athletes. 

Thank you for all who helped with the book fair last week! 

Because of your efforts, we were and are able to get books and other things to enhance our library collection for students and staff alike. 

Our next book fair will be in April and it will be BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free). More news will be shared when that gets closer! 

The significance of Veteran’s Day will be a focus in all of P-H-M’s 15 schools on this Friday, November 11, 2016

At Horizon, veteran family members of third, fourth and fifth graders were invited to join the school’s Veteran’s Day program. More than 30 veterans are expected to participate.

Schmucker and Grissom Middle Schools will also hold their annual student’s Veteran’s Day programs on Friday.  

At Schmucker, members of the eighth grade class plan the program for the rest of their class. Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Richard Cardossa will speak to the students. 

At Grissom, students invited Former Governor of Indiana and Purple Heart Awardee Joe Kernan to speak at their annual Veteran’s Day program. ​

Book Fair starts on November 1^st.

We have a wide array of books and other items available for all students and parents to choose from. Make sure that you take full advantage of the selection. The book fair runs from November 1^st through November 4^th.

 The hours are as follows:

November 1st: 7:30am-6:00pm

November 2-4: 7:30am-3:30pm

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We will also be offering Pencil-Grams that can be purchased as well. Send a message to your favorite staff member or a fellow student. 

You also have the option of ordering online as well.  If you order online, your order will come AFTER the fair and will be delivered directly to the school. 

The photographer will be back on Tuesday, November 1^st for Picture Retakes.  If your child did not have their picture taken in September during school picture day, this is your chance to have a school picture taken.  All students will be photographed for the school yearbook, regardless of whether the family purchases a photo package.  Be sure to send your child’s picture envelope to school on Tuesday. Thanks!

Wednesday, Aug. 24th was the first day of school for Penn-Harris-Madison students grades 1-12.

This year, approximately 10,800 students will be attending P-H-M’s 11 elementary and three middle schools and Penn High School.

This year we have 641 of the brightest “SUNS” in our school. We know their futures will be brilliant at Horizon!

Scroll through the pictures below to see how they spent their first day! You can also check out our district photo gallery of the first day of school.

(June 17, 2016) After a whirlwind week of events that seemed to rival the velocity of Skylar Szynski’s 95 mile-an-hour fastball, the former Penn High School baseball star and Horizon Elementary Sun, finally gets to catch his breath … at least for one day!

Szynski, who was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round (112 overall) in the Major League Baseball Draft on June 10, signed with the Athletics on Thursday, June 16. He is scheduled to fly to Arizona on Friday, June 17, to start his professional career with the Athletics’ Rookie League team in Mesa.

MLB.com reported that Szynski signed for $1 million bonus, well above the $531,500 slotted for the 112th pick and has a provision for his college education to be paid for by the Athletics. Skylar has attended Penn-Harris-Madison Schools for his entire K-12 school career, including Horizon Elementary School from 2002-09 and Discovery Middle School, 2009-12.

Click here for the Skylar Szynski stat sheet.

“It’s very exciting, and nerve-wracking, too,” Szynski said after announcing his decision to forego a baseball scholarship to Indiana University and sign with the Athletics. “The pros will be less wear-and-tear on my arm. I’ll be more fresh.”

Szynski concluded a brilliant career at Penn in the Kokomo Semistate on Saturday, June 11. The defending state champion Kingsmen won the Northern Indiana Conference title this season, as well as sectional and regional championships before their season ended in the Final Four.

A 6-foot-2, 207-pound right-hander, Szynski pitched Penn to the 2015 Class 4-A state championship. He had a 27-4 career record for the Kingsmen. Szynski is only the fourth player to be drafted in coach Greg Dikos’ 29-season tenure, and he is the highest drafted Penn player.

Szynski burst onto the scene as a sophomore. He pitched a perfect game against defending state champion Elkhart Central, and finished that season with a 7-2 record.

“We’ve been watching Skylar for the last couple of years, the state tournament last year, the summer showcase tour last summer,” said Oakland Athletics Midwest Scouting Supervisor Rich Sparks. “He was on my team at the East Coast Pro last summer. A lot of eyes were on him last summer.

“It wasn’t just the Oakland A’s that liked Skylar this spring,” Sparks said. “I was at a game one time when there were 15 of us (scouts) there, and then the next time, there were 45 of us. All of the organizations had him high on their list. We just stepped up and pursued it a little harder than anybody else.”

Szynski said that the process leading up to his becoming a professional baseball player and signing has been a kaleidoscope of emotions.

“It’s awesome,” Szynski said entering the pro ranks. “I’m just blown away. I’m still in shock. Everyone has been very supportive. You just have to take it in stride.

“I’ve been talking about it for a couple of months, almost every day, trying to make the right decision, and weighing the pros and cons.”

Szynski said that his Penn coaches and teammates helped get him ready for the leap into pro baseball.

“They helped me get prepared by working hard every day, not taking a day off, and just having fun with it,” Szynski said.

Sparks said that Szynski displayed the character and maturity to sign out of high school.

“I would say that 90 percent of all kids drafted out of high school aren’t ready to go to the minor leagues,” Sparks said. “What sparked us is make-up. Make-up is a big thing for us in the Oakland A’s organization … mental toughness and stuff.”

Many high school pitchers only have a fastball in their arsenal, but Szynski’s 95 mile-an-hour fastball was just one reason the scouts flocked to Penn games. He also has a plus change-up and a plus breaking ball.

“The stuff itself is the peaking interest for us … the body, the frame, the way the arm works, the arm speed,” Sparks said. “It’s very tough to teach arm speed. We think he’s going to be stronger. We think he’s going to get bigger. He might throw harder in the future. That’s what we project. I don’t think there’s reason we can’t think of him as a No. 2, 3 starter in the Big Leagues for years to come.”

This year the Kingsmen offered player trading cards to their fans and boosters, and found that they were especially popular with younger P-H-M students playing in area youth leagues. Many youngsters had their cards signed by the ball players. Some day those Sklyar Szynski cards may be highly collectible! Click here to download your copy of Skylar’s card.

(June 10, 2016) It seemed assured that 2016 Penn High School grad Skylar Szynski would be drafted this year to play for a major league ball club. Known for his amazing fastball and great composure on the mound, last year he led the Penn Kingsmen to the IHSAA Class 4A State Championship. Of course the unknowns surrounding the draft were “In what round?” and “By which team?”

Those questions were answered Friday afternoon, June 10, 2016 when he was picked in the fourth round by the Oakland A’s (Oakland Athletics). Skylar was not in New Jersey for the event, nor was he watching from home with friends and family. He was practicing with his high school teammates as they prepare for this year’s Semi-State contest. (Penn will take on the Zionsville Eagles at noon on Saturday, June 11, at the Kokomo Municipal Stadium.)

As anticipated, Szynski was taken in the early rounds, being the 6^th pick of the 4^th round, and the 112th draft pick overall. MLB commentators had this to say about the A’s recruit: “He has a quick arm and a strong frame…… consistent delivery of the fastball… great aptitude for the change-up.” They concluded, “There is little doubt he can make it as a starter in pro ball.”

Major League scouts have had eyes on Skylar (6-2, 207 lbs.) for a few years now. The right-hander pitched a perfect game, retiring 21 batters, while still a sophomore at Penn, and he has attracted attention ever since. With speed guns in hand, no less than 20 MLB scouts have attended games this season to record Skylar’s 95 MPH pitches and to observe his play as a right fielder. The 2016 season wrapped with a 10-game winning streak for Szynski and the Kingsmen, followed by strong post-season play.

In the preseason, Szynski was named to the 1st team senior preseason All American team. This list recognizes the top 50 seniors around the country as they enter their final season in their high school career. 

Szynski’s 2015 honors include pitching in the prestigious Area Code Games in California, the East Coast Pro showcase in Fla., and the Jupiter (Fla.) World Wood Bat Tournament. His 2016 honors include being named the Northern Indiana Conference MVP. Skylar, son of Brent and Robin Szynski of Granger, Indiana, is an Indiana University commit.  He has not made a decision yet abou the Oakland A’s or Indiana University. He has attended Penn-Harris-Madison Schools for his entire K-12 school career, including Horizon Elementary School from 2002-09 and Discovery Middle School, 2009-12.

This highlight sheet includes Skylar’s stats and other facts about the outstanding Penn baseball program led by Head Coach Greg Dikos for the past 29 years. The program has garnered four State Championships to date (1994, 1998, 2001, 2015—with the 2016 title to be determined on June 18).

This year the Kingsmen offered player trading cards to their fans and boosters, and found that they were especially popular with younger P-H-M students playing in area youth leagues. Many youngsters had their cards signed by the ball players. Some day those Sklyar Szynski cards may be highly collectible! Click here to download your copy of Skylar’s card.

About Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation serves approximately 10,700 students in 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and Penn High School. P-H-M’s six “Four Star schools” for the 2015-2016 school year, as named by the IDOE are: Horizon Elementary, Mary Frank Elementary, Prairie Vista Elementary, Northpoint Elementary, Discovery Middle, and Penn High School. 100% of our teachers rank either highly effective or effective. P-H-M’s 2015 ISTEP+ results placed the District 10th in the state among 293 public school districts. P-H-M has been rated an “A-rated” school district by the Indiana Department of Education for six years in a row. Penn High School's graduation rate exceeds the state’s with a 97% graduation rate earning the High School national rankings by both the Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” and “Best High Schools.” Penn’s STEM Academy is a Fully STEM Certified Program by the IDOE—making it the first large, comprehensive public high school in the state to achieve this elite status! To learn more, please visit www.phmschools.org.