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. 

📍 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!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 13

Click to register:

bit.ly/BooksandBots2026

Saturday, March 7, 2026   

9:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. 

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.

Click here to register online today!

OPTIONAL T-SHIRT PURCHASE: If you would like to order a t-shirt, CLICK HERE to be taken to Time for Tees website to place your order. Please note, this is an OPTION and not required. 

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 Jill Esbaum, participate in a variety of robotic explorations and engage in a dinosaur exploration activity. This is a FREE event thanks to the Foundation!

Jill Esbaum is the award-winning author of more than 65 children’s books, both fiction and nonfiction. A few recent titles include It’s Corn Picking Time!, Polecat Has a Superpower, and Bird Girl – How Gene Stratton Porter Shares Her Love of Nature with the World. Back in 2012 National Geographic Kids asked Jill to write a book featuring the Angry Birds and dinosaurs titled Angry Birds Playground: Dinosaurs, which gave her Dino Fever. Her dinosaur books since then include If a T. Rex Crashes Your Birthday Party, How to Grow a Dinosaur, and a three-book graphic early reader series, Thunder & Cluck. Jill lives on a family farm near Davenport. 

As part of the morning activities, students will participate in three rotations: one session with author Jill Esbaum, one dinosaur exploration session thanks to the Indiana Dinosaur Museum, 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.

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.

COST: Free!

QUESTIONS: If you have any questions, please contact Candace Cussen at ccussen@phm.k12.in.us.

Click here to register online today!