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!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! 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

Josie Engdahl didn’t think anything of it when she was pulled into a Teacher Leadership Team (TLT) meeting Friday morning to help plan professional development for fellow Meadow’s Edge teachers. But when she returned to her fourth grade classroom, Superintendent Dr. Heather Short was waiting with some unexpected news and the cameras were rolling. Click to watch the video below.

As Engdahl walked through the door, her students cheered and clapped as Dr. Short shared that she had been named Penn-Harris-Madison’s 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year. The surprise was coordinated by Meadow’s Edge Principal Lindsay Helman-Cass, who arranged for Engdahl to be out of the classroom so the celebration could come together. Click here to see the full photo gallery on Canto.

Now in her sixth year of teaching, including three years at P-H-M, Engdahl is an educator whose instruction prioritizes student engagement through both rigor and creativity. Her classroom reflects a belief that students learn best when they see purpose in their work and have opportunities to actively construct understanding.

A defining example is her interdisciplinary “tiny house” unit, where fourth graders apply mathematics standards for area and perimeter to design scaled floor plans and build three-dimensional models.

Students tackle complex shapes by breaking them into simpler parts, applying multiple strategies, and explaining their thinking using precise mathematical language. The project also integrates writing, collaboration, and presentation, reinforcing both conceptual understanding and communication skills.

“This unit reflects my core beliefs about teaching and learning,” Engdahl said. “Students learn best when they have voice and agency, and when tasks are rich enough to welcome many approaches. Creativity is not extra; it’s what drives persistence and precision.”

Engdahl is a proud P-H-M graduate, having attended Prairie Vista Elementary School, Schmucker Middle School, and Penn High School, where she was a member of the Class of 2016. During her time at Prairie Vista, Dr. Short served as her principal, making this recognition especially meaningful.

“I couldn’t be prouder that Josie chose to go into teaching and that the Selection Committee chose her to represent her fellow elementary teachers,” said Dr. Short. “I remember her as a student who loved being at school and learning; she always had the biggest smile. It’s been incredible to watch her grow into one of our finest teacher leaders and caring educators.”

After earning her degree from Ball State University, Engdahl began her teaching career at Anderson Intermediate School in Anderson, Indiana, where she taught from 2020 to 2023 before returning to her home district. She also returned to the volleyball program as a coach. Engdahl is currently Penn’s Girls Head JV Volleyball coach.

In Engdahl’s first year with P-H-M, she applied for and was selected  for the prestigious Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teachers (FCT), a program of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and the Indiana Department of Education. She was one of just 20 educators statewide chosen to participate in the program, which supports creativity-centered innovation in the classroom. Through a partnership with the South Bend Museum of Art, Engdahl designed lessons that ensure every student can engage with grade-level content while making meaningful connections beyond the classroom. She integrated visual arts into science instruction, allowing students to explore concepts like erosion and fossilization through hands-on work with clay giving them a tangible way to understand scientific processes and engage more deeply with the content. Click more to read about the creative lessons Engdahl did with her students.

“Josie exemplifies what it means to be an educator in Penn-Harris-Madison,” Dr. Short added. “She creates engaging learning experiences while modeling strong teaching for her colleagues. When teachers lead in this way, it strengthens the entire school and benefits every student.”

As a building leader, Engdahl is known for her strength as a relationship-builder and her contributions to school culture. She collaborates with Meadow’s Edge PBIS, Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), and TLT to help cultivate a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment for both students and staff. By helping establish shared expectations and common language across the building, she contributes to a school environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

“This work has fundamentally changed how we approach behavior and support students,” Engdahl said. “School culture is built through structured systems, strong relationships, and a shared commitment to ensuring every child’s success.”

“Josie leads by example,” said Principal Lindsay Helman-Cass. “She listens first to understand what’s working and where support is needed, then helps facilitate meaningful conversations that strengthen instruction. Through her leadership, we’ve seen stronger routines, increased time on task, and improved student outcomes.”

Every Spring P-H-M honors a Secondary Teacher of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Certified Employee of the Year. Penn High School Spanish Teacher Kelley Watts was named the district’s 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year on Thursday April 30, 2026.

All three honorees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner, which will be held this year on Wednesday, May 20th. The two Teachers of the Year will then go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Fall 2026 by the Indiana Department of Education. The PHM Education Foundation awards each Teacher of the Year a $1,000 grant and gift card to the Employee of the Year.

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 

Music in Our Schools Month just wrapped up at Meadow’s Edge Elementary, giving students the chance to see how music connects to all areas of learning.

Throughout the month, lessons in the music room went beyond just singing and instruments. Students used music to reinforce skills they’re learning in other subjects.

In math, students worked with fractions through note values, practicing how to add, subtract, and divide rhythms. Reading connections included close reading activities and lessons using You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch to explore figurative language. Students also added instruments and movement to children’s books to bring stories to life.

Creativity was a big part of the experience. Students drew and painted based on what they heard in music and even imagined what different instruments might look like.

Music also connected to movement and coordination. Activities like line dancing and playing rhythms with basketballs helped students stay active while building timing and rhythm skills.

Science concepts were incorporated across grade levels, with students learning about vibrations, sound waves, how sound travels, and how distance affects volume. They also explored how music has changed over time by looking at different periods in history.

To wrap up the month, Meadow’s Edge held a school-wide spirit week. Students and staff dressed up to represent different genres of music, adding a fun finish to the celebration.

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.

Meadow’s Edge Elementary marked Read Across America Day on Monday, March 2, with a schoolwide celebration centered around the work of Dr. Seuss. The day also coincided with the beloved author’s birthday, making it the perfect opportunity to highlight the joy of reading.

Staff members joined in the fun by dressing as characters from classic Dr. Seuss books, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the building and bringing favorite stories to life for students.

The celebration also featured a lineup of special guest readers from Penn-Harris-Madison leadership. Members of the P-H-M Board of School Trustees and district administration visited classrooms to share some of their favorite Dr. Seuss stories with students.

Guest readers included Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Board Member Jen Smoker, Board Secretary Dana Sullivan, Board President Chris Riley, Board Vice President Ryan McCullough, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Chief Operating Officer Dr. Sean Galiher, and Director of Professional Development and Student Learning Dr. Mindy Higginson.

The day concluded with an all-school assembly, where Board President Chris Riley read a Dr. Seuss-inspired book written by Meadow’s Edge Reading Specialist Lisa Ludwig. The special reading provided a unique and memorable ending to a day focused on literacy, creativity, and community.

Through engaging activities and the support of district leaders, Meadow’s Edge students were encouraged to celebrate reading and build a lifelong love of books.

1 2 ►

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!