Eleven Penn-Harris-Madison third grade students have been recognized as National Math Stars nominees through a partnership with the Indiana Department of Education.

The students earned the distinction by scoring in the top 2% of all third grade students in Indiana on the mathematics portion of ILEARN.

The National Math Stars Program is a nationwide initiative that recognizes and supports exceptional young mathematicians through academic enrichment, mentorship and advanced learning opportunities.

P-H-M is proud to celebrate the following students:

Bittersweet Elementary: Niko Hernandez
Elm Road Elementary: Daniel Ashdown
Elsie Rogers Elementary: Zeke Lannan
Horizon Elementary: Booker Kieser, Claire Stewart and Rowan Aland
Meadow’s Edge Elementary: August Kelver
Northpoint Elementary: Alan Jiang, Mason Ye and Frank Li
Prairie Vista Elementary: Emily Wojcik

This recognition reflects the hard work, curiosity and perseverance of these students, as well as the support they receive from their families, teachers and school communities. P-H-M proudly celebrates this outstanding achievement and congratulates each student on this honor.

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!

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 Frank

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

2026 Running is Elementary will be held Monday, May 4 (Rain Date Wednesday, May 6) at Elm Road Elementary School, 59400 Elm Rd, Mishawaka.

Timeline of Events:

• 2:50 p.m. – Introductions
• 3:00 p.m. – 5th gr. Girls Race
• 3:20 p.m. – 5th gr. Boys Race
• 3:40 p.m. – 4th gr. Girls Race
• 4:00 p.m. – 4th gr. Boys Race

Parking Information:

• Elm Road will be filled first before using Grissom Middle School, 13881 Kern Rd., Mishawaka
• Family/Spectator parking at the bottom of Elm Road School as space allows. This area will be primarily be for principals, coaches, and volunteers

ALL Runners need to be picked up no later than 4:30 at Elm Road. Runners may leave following completion of their grade’s run by checking out with the coach. 

RAIN DATE: Principals will be notified by Noon on Monday and information will be posted on elementary schools’ website along with P-H-M & Education Foundation website PHMEF.org 

Horizon Elementary is being recognized by the state for outstanding student achievement in reading, earning a perfect score on the latest IREAD assessment.

The Indiana Department of Education recently honored schools across the state that achieved a 95% or higher pass rate on IREAD, which measures third-grade reading proficiency.

Horizon led the way with a 100% pass rate, meaning every third-grade student met the state benchmark.

The recognition came during a statewide literacy celebration held over spring break last week. Because of the timing, P-H-M representatives were unable to attend.

Horizon’s results are part of a strong showing across the district. In 2025, 93.7% of all P-H-M third graders passed IREAD, a 6.9 percentage point increase from the previous year and the largest gain in district history.

That growth reflects a continued focus on early literacy, with students building strong reading skills that support long-term success.

This recognition is another example of #PHMExcellence in action.

Our school’s annual Spring Hat Parade was held Thursday, April 2 before Spring Break.

Below are some pictures:

For the full photo gallery, click here to access Horizon’s Canto photo gallery and use the password provided in the ParentSquare post.

Horizon Elementary students showcased their spelling skills at the 39th Annual P-H-M Elementary Spell Bowl, held this week at the Penn High School Entrepreneurial Operating Systems Center for Performing Arts.

The Horizon third grade team earned a second place finish with 26 points, competing against top teams from across the district.

The event brought together elementary students for an evening of academic competition and school pride. Northpoint led the overall results, earning first place in all three grade levels, including a perfect score in fifth grade.

One of the highlights of the night came during the fourth grade competition. Northpoint and Prairie Vista both finished with 29 points, sending the contest into a three-round tiebreaker that lasted 15 words. Northpoint ultimately claimed first place.

Penn High School Spell Bowl Coach Angela Yarrell served as emcee for the evening, and Superintendent Dr. Heather Short welcomed families to the event.

2026 Results

3rd Grade

1st: Northpoint – 28 points

2nd: Horizon – 26 points

3rd: Bittersweet – 24 points

4th Grade

1st: Northpoint – 29 points (won in tiebreaker)

2nd: Prairie Vista – 29 points

3rd: Bittersweet and Mary Frank – 27 points

5th Grade

1st: Northpoint – 30 points

2nd: Bittersweet – 26 points

3rd: Madison – 23 points

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.

P-H-M Schools recognized Horizon Elementary first-grade teacher Natalie Hapke for outstanding student achievement with a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award surprise.

Mrs. Hapke’s students achieved 55% academic growth from the beginning of the year to the middle of the year, the highest growth percentage in Grade 1 across the P-H-M School Corporation. This achievement reflects the strength of early instruction and the foundational learning taking place in Horizon classrooms.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Horizon Elementary Principal Amy Fadorsen joined school leaders in surprising Mrs. Hapke and her students to celebrate the milestone. Adding to the special moment, Mrs. Hapke’s husband, Matt Hapke, who serves as P-H-M’s Technology Director, was also on hand to help surprise her and presented her with flowers.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for providing the beautiful engraved awards that the teachers keep in their classrooms as a reminder of what they and their students accomplished.

The P-H-M Teacher Impact Awards are presented each semester to highlight educators whose students demonstrate exceptional growth and progress.

Looking for a fun and meaningful way to spend time together at home? We have the perfect adventure for your family: One Book, One School! 

Details:

• Book: Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship by Henry Cole
  • Synopsis: Twig, a lovable chipmunk, goes on a heartwarming journey as he discovers who he is, where he belongs, and the magic of friendship in Hill society
  • Every student will receive a copy
• Dates: March 2–31
• Reading will happen both at school and at home, with optional family projects that encourage creativity and discussion. These activities are a fun way to spend time together and bring the story to life.
• What: Read-alouds, Vending Machine book reveal, Optional at-home activities, Fun Discussions, Prizes, and more

Reading Schedule:

• Reading Schedule Calendar
  • Optional Read-Aloud Links
• March 2-6  – Chapters 1-6
• March 9-13 – Chapters 7-12
• March 16-20 – Chapters 13-17
• March 23-27 – Chapters 18-22
• March 30-April 3 – Chapters 23-24 & Final Celebration! 

B-I-N-G-O At Home Optional Activities:

While participation is completely voluntary, students who complete 5 in a row on the B-I-N-G-O sheet and return it by April 1, 2026, will have their name entered into a prize drawing. All completed sheets should be returned to your child’s classroom teacher.

• B-I-N-G-O Board
  • Dragon eyes coloring pages: Click here for the template to use.
  • Build a Sundial: Using recyclable materials you find at home, design and create your own sundial that tells time throughout the day, one that Twig would be proud to show Professor Burdock!
  • All other optional activities can be completed using simple materials like paper or items you already have at home. Get creative and use what you have!

Horizon Gives Back Through Dress-Up Days:

We are excited to partner with Rescue, Release, Repeat, an organization dedicated to caring for and protecting injured wildlife. During our dress-up days, we will collect $1 per day to help purchase items from their wish list and support their important work.

Give Back Week Dress Up Days as Plain Text:

March 16 – ”Hats off to Reading” day – Wear your favorite hat.

March 17  – Stuffed Animal Day (Bring your favorite woodland stuffed animal) 

March 18 – Dress in your favorite animal print 

March 19 – Career day, dress for your dream job 

March 20 – Read*Celebrate*Shine: Horizon Spirit Wear Day!

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.