Walt Disney Elementary was transformed into a concert venue on Friday, Oct. 3 as students and staff celebrated “Rock Your School” Day with music, creativity, and school spirit.

The celebration began with an all-school assembly in the gymnasium, where students and staff showed up in their best rockstar outfits — from leather jackets and sunglasses to band tees and wild hair. The energy was electric as a live rock band made up of P-H-M staff members took the stage to kick off the event. The group performed three songs, filling the gym with cheers, dancing, clapping, and plenty of air guitar.

The excitement continued with a high-energy performance from the school’s dance group. To top it all off, representatives from each grade level took the stage for a spirited air guitar contest, showing off their best rockstar moves, and judging by the smiles and energy throughout the gym, it was a major hit.

Rock Your School Day has become a beloved tradition at Walt Disney Elementary, bringing the school community together to celebrate creativity, connection, and the joy of learning. Take a look at some of the highlights in the photo gallery below:

P-H-M hosted a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting on Tuesday October, 21, 2025 to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of, click the image above to watch the recorded video of the presentation. It will only be available until end of business day Thursday, Nov. 20th.

The session was led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

Click here to access Melissa Moore’s resources referenced in her presentation.

Questions can be directed to the presenter at m3consultingllcwi@gmail.com.

Moore also presented a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Recently Mr. Steve Govorko partnered with Mrs. Krystal Malone’s kindergarten class and their 5th grade buddies from Mrs. Cornett’s class for a hands-on learning activity with a practical twist — learning how to lace and tie shoes!

To kick things off, Mr. Govorko read the book Tie a Bow, Ben Bunny, which set the stage for the hands-on activity. After storytime, the older students worked one-on-one with their kindergarten buddies, guiding them through the steps of lacing and tying, offering encouragement, and celebrating each small success.

The activity not only gave kindergarteners practice with an important life skill but also allowed 5th graders to shine as leaders and role models. It was an afternoon filled with teamwork, patience, and plenty of smiles as students of all ages learned and grew together.

Mrs. Ashleigh Heatherly’s kindergarten class at Walt Disney Elementary recently brought science — and snacks — together for a fun, hands-on learning experience.

As part of their lesson on the five senses, students participated in an apple tasting activity, sampling three different types of apples: yellow, green, and red. Together, the class discussed how each of their senses — sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing — helps them learn more about the world around them.

After tasting, students voted for their favorite apple and used the results to practice their math skills through graphing and data collection. The final results were clear: green apples were the class favorite by a wide margin!

Activities like this one make learning interactive and memorable, helping young students connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences — and have a little fun along the way. Take a look at the photo gallery below!

P-H-M’s Annual Community Tailgate is a long-standing tradition that brings families, students, staff, and community members together to show their Penn pride. The event is held before the Penn Football home opener and is a chance for everyone across the district to connect, celebrate, and support the Kingsmen.

This year’s home opener will be “The Backyard Brawl” against Mishawaka on Friday, August 29th, 2025. Click here for game ticket info.

Gates open at 5:00 p.m. You must have a ticket to the football game to enter. Once inside the stadium head down to the white tents in the south end zone at the Yeoman Family Plaza.

Friday night marks the 67th meeting between Penn and Mishawaka. Penn leads the all-time series 49-16-1. 

The Indiana Department of Education released the 2025 IREAD results today, and Walt Disney Elementary is celebrating a remarkable achievement: 86.2% of third graders passed IREAD, up from 73.6% in 2024—a 12.6-point increase and one of the largest gains in the district.

This accomplishment is a testament to the perseverance of Walt Disney students, the dedication of our teachers and support staff, the encouragement from our families, and the leadership of former principal Dr. Mindy Higginson.

“Our students put into practice the literacy foundations taught by P-H-M’s dedicated teachers, and their families reinforced that learning at home. I also thank our principals, administrators, and support staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best and safest learning environments so our students could excel.” — Superintendent Dr. Heather Short

Walt Disney Dolphins truly rode the WAVE—showing Respect, Acting Responsibly, Valuing Friendships, and ensuring Everyone is Safe—throughout their IREAD preparation.

District-wide, 93.7% of P-H-M third graders passed IREAD, a 6.9-point increase from last year and the largest gain in district history. You can read the full district story here.

As the new school year begins, incoming principal Matt Garber looks forward to meeting students, families, and staff, and to building on this extraordinary momentum. “It’s an honor to step into a school community that has demonstrated such determination and teamwork,” said Principal Garber. “I’m excited to continue our journey of academic excellence together.”

Penn-Harris-Madison invites students, families, alumni, and community members to celebrate Homecoming 2025 on Friday, September 26, 2025 courtesy of the PHM Education Foundation.

The annual celebration includes the Homecoming Parade on Bittersweet Road in front of Penn High School, showcasing student groups, athletic teams, school clubs, and community organizations, followed by the Penn Kingsmen football game against South Bend Adams at Everwise Freed Field.

This is an event for the ENTIRE community and will have activities for people of all ages. Mark your calendars and plan to join in the fun! More details will be shared closer to the date.

At Monday night’s P-H-M Board of School Trustees meeting Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, presented three current P-H-M administrators for promotion. This was Dr. Short’s first school board meeting as superintendent since she started in the role on July 1. The following administrative changes were approved at the meeting:

Randy Williams was approved as the new Director of Academic and Student Support. Williams previously served in several administrative roles within PHM since 2008, including Principal of Madison and Walt Disney Elementary Schools, Dean of Students at Penn and Associate Principal of Penn. In 2018 he was honored as a member of the “Forty under 40” class. In 2023 He became the Director of Secondary Education and Student Services for the Middlebury Community School system. Williams now returns to Penn-Harris-Madison with a wealth of new professional experiences and an enhanced skill set.

Maddie Schmidt was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Grissom Middle School. Schmidt is a former Kingsmen and a graduate of Judson University. She has a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Bethel University. Schmidt began her career teaching language arts at Schmucker Middle School. During her time there, she also served as an Instructional Leader. She is an active member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative and has held multiple teacher leadership roles at SMS. Most recently, she served as a Dean at Schmucker. 

Beth Stroven was approved for the Assistant Principal position at Schmucker Middle School. This past year, Stroven served as a math teacher at Grissom Middle School and is a member of PHM’s Excellence in Leadership initiative. Prior to joining P-H-M, she was a teacher in Elkhart Community Schools, where she was recognized as the 2019 District Elementary Teacher of the Year and received the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Grant where she earned a master’s degree in Educational and Business Administration from Indiana State University. She later served as the principal of Mary Daly Elementary School.