Penns Manor Area School District
Where Bright Futures Begin
🎺🛍️ PM Marching Band Craft Show! 🎄✨
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7th! Join us for the annual Penns Manor Marching Band Craft Show and get a head start on your holiday shopping! 🎁
Come support our talented Marching Band while shopping from a variety of local crafters and vendors. There will be plenty of unique finds, handmade items, and gifts for everyone on your list! ❤️💚
📅 Saturday, November 7th
⏰ 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Penns Manor Elementary School
🛍️ Come shop, support, and spread some holiday cheer! 🎄🎺
❤️ We hope to see you there!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 7th! Join us for the annual Penns Manor Marching Band Craft Show and get a head start on your holiday shopping! 🎁
Come support our talented Marching Band while shopping from a variety of local crafters and vendors. There will be plenty of unique finds, handmade items, and gifts for everyone on your list! ❤️💚
📅 Saturday, November 7th
⏰ 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Penns Manor Elementary School
🛍️ Come shop, support, and spread some holiday cheer! 🎄🎺
❤️ We hope to see you there!
🍏 Ten Apples Up on Top! 🍏
Our Pre-K friends had the best time bringing one of our favorite stories to life! After reading "Ten Apples Up on Top!" - we put our rote counting to the test and tried a hands-on balancing challenge of our own.
Instead of apples, we used bean bags and foam rings to see if we could make it all the way to 10 up on top!
This fun activity was packed with big learning moments. Our little learners practiced:
• 1:1 Correspondence: Touching and counting each item carefully.
• Balance & Control: Moving slowly to keep their towers steady.
• Teamwork & Cooperation: Cheering each other on and working together to reach the top!
We might not have matched the characters in the book perfectly, but we definitely giggled just as much. Ask your little one how many "apples" they balanced!
📷: Mrs. Horn
*Additional photos on PM Facebook page
Our Pre-K friends had the best time bringing one of our favorite stories to life! After reading "Ten Apples Up on Top!" - we put our rote counting to the test and tried a hands-on balancing challenge of our own.
Instead of apples, we used bean bags and foam rings to see if we could make it all the way to 10 up on top!
This fun activity was packed with big learning moments. Our little learners practiced:
• 1:1 Correspondence: Touching and counting each item carefully.
• Balance & Control: Moving slowly to keep their towers steady.
• Teamwork & Cooperation: Cheering each other on and working together to reach the top!
We might not have matched the characters in the book perfectly, but we definitely giggled just as much. Ask your little one how many "apples" they balanced!
📷: Mrs. Horn
*Additional photos on PM Facebook page
🏃♀️🏃♂️☄️ Good luck to the Penns Manor Junior High Cross Country team! ☄️🏃♂️🏃♀️
Our runners are heading to Portage this afternoon for the Mustang Stampede! 🏃♀️ The races begin at 4:30 and 5:00 PM.
👏 Good luck to Jack Smicklo, Austin Cameron, and Gabriella Brink as they compete today! We are so proud of you and will be cheering you on every step of the way! 💙
Go Comets! ☄️💙🤍
📷: Mrs. Cameron
🌱💙💛 What a start to the year for PM FFA!
💛💙🌱From summer leadership to the show ring and everything in between, our members have been busy learning, leading, serving, and growing! ⭐️
⛺️ Our officers kicked off the year with a retreat at Keystone State Park, planning for the year ahead, building leadership skills, practicing Opening Ceremonies, and giving back to the park.
🚜 We connected with our community through Indiana County Farm Bureau’s “Hey There Summer” event, providing a petting zoo and meeting agricultural leaders, legislators, and community members.
🍎 We also had a beautiful Saturday at the ICCD Apple Festival, where 32 students helped represent our Agriculture Program through our petting zoo! 🐐🐑🐷🐍 A huge thank-you to everyone who stopped by and to the Indiana County Conservation District for including us in such a wonderful community event. Our students did an outstanding job showing their enthusiasm and advocating for agriculture! 🍏
🌱 Our members explored agricultural careers at Plant Yourself in Ag Day, getting hands-on with entomology, forestry, GPS tractors, cattle birthing, and so much more!
📚 And the learning doesn’t stop in the Ag Room! Students have been getting hands-on with leaf and tree identification, greenhouse diagrams, tree aging, nature scavenger hunts, steak temperature labs, dog grooming, forest fire investigations, and so much more! 🥩🐩🔥🌳🍂 🐐 We’ve also enjoyed plenty of time caring for and learning with our class animals! 🐑🐐
⭐️ We welcomed 40+ members at our first FFA meeting and are so excited for everything still ahead!
🎡 And what better way to celebrate than with a successful fair season! Our members showed beef cattle, goats, pigs, and lambs at the Dayton, Indiana County, and Cookport Fairs. 🐮🐐🐷🐑🏅 Here’s to a year full of agriculture, leadership, learning, service, memories, and growth! ⭐️
📸 Mrs. Marron, Herd Agricultural Media, & Member Photos (Many additional photos on PM Facebook page)
🍂 Kindergarten students were busy strengthening their fine motor skills! They created colorful leaves and used Play-Doh to practice forming the letters of the alphabet. 🔤
📷: Mrs. Carney
📷: Mrs. Carney
From Caterpillars to Butterflies: A Hands-On Life Cycle Adventure 🦋
Our third grade scientists have been busy exploring the amazing life cycle of butterflies! As part of our science learning, students had the opportunity to bring in caterpillars and milkweed to help us observe the life cycle up close.
Throughout our study, students learned about metamorphosis and the four stages of a butterfly’s life cycle: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly. They watched with excitement as their caterpillars grew, formed chrysalises, and eventually emerged as beautiful butterflies!
This hands-on experience allowed students to see firsthand how living things grow and change over time. We carefully observed our caterpillars and butterflies, discussed their different life stages, and learned how each stage is an important part of the butterfly’s life cycle.
Our classroom was filled with excitement as we successfully hatched and released more than 25 butterflies! 🦋 Students were thrilled to watch their butterflies take their first flights and return to nature.
What an incredible way for our third grade scientists to experience science in action! We are so proud of the curiosity, care, and excitement our students showed throughout this amazing learning experience.
📷: 3rd Grade Teachers
Our third grade scientists have been busy exploring the amazing life cycle of butterflies! As part of our science learning, students had the opportunity to bring in caterpillars and milkweed to help us observe the life cycle up close.
Throughout our study, students learned about metamorphosis and the four stages of a butterfly’s life cycle: egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis (pupa), and adult butterfly. They watched with excitement as their caterpillars grew, formed chrysalises, and eventually emerged as beautiful butterflies!
This hands-on experience allowed students to see firsthand how living things grow and change over time. We carefully observed our caterpillars and butterflies, discussed their different life stages, and learned how each stage is an important part of the butterfly’s life cycle.
Our classroom was filled with excitement as we successfully hatched and released more than 25 butterflies! 🦋 Students were thrilled to watch their butterflies take their first flights and return to nature.
What an incredible way for our third grade scientists to experience science in action! We are so proud of the curiosity, care, and excitement our students showed throughout this amazing learning experience.
📷: 3rd Grade Teachers
🏈💜 A Look Back at Last Week’s Powder Puff Game! 💜🏈
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this year’s Powder Puff game such a success! This fun tradition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our High School PBIS Committee, teachers and staff, referees, coaches, players, and announcers. 👏💜
A very special thank you to Mrs. Kuzemchak for once again taking the lead in organizing this exciting event! Your time and effort are truly appreciated! 💜
Congratulations again to our Junior Class on their victory! 🏆🏈 And congratulations to our Powder Puff King, Landon Wolfe! 👑💜
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our students and make it such a great game! 💜🏈 Wishing our Varsity Football Team the best of luck as they head to Portage tonight! 🏈💜 Let’s go, Comets! ☄️
📷 Photos by Marley Smochek, Mrs. Dolney, Jeanne Lockard
*Many additional photos on PM Facebook page.
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this year’s Powder Puff game such a success! This fun tradition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our High School PBIS Committee, teachers and staff, referees, coaches, players, and announcers. 👏💜
A very special thank you to Mrs. Kuzemchak for once again taking the lead in organizing this exciting event! Your time and effort are truly appreciated! 💜
Congratulations again to our Junior Class on their victory! 🏆🏈 And congratulations to our Powder Puff King, Landon Wolfe! 👑💜
Thank you to everyone who came out to support our students and make it such a great game! 💜🏈 Wishing our Varsity Football Team the best of luck as they head to Portage tonight! 🏈💜 Let’s go, Comets! ☄️
📷 Photos by Marley Smochek, Mrs. Dolney, Jeanne Lockard
*Many additional photos on PM Facebook page.
🏐✨ Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball Lady Comets! ✨🏐
Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball team on their back-to-back victories over Cambria Heights and United this week! 🎉👏
A big congratulations to our JV team as well on their victory over United! 🏐
Keep up the hard work, determination, and teamwork, Lady Comets! We’re proud of you! 💙☄️
📷: Mia Dolney, Gregory Ricupero Sports Network
*Many additional photos on PM Facebook page.
Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball team on their back-to-back victories over Cambria Heights and United this week! 🎉👏
A big congratulations to our JV team as well on their victory over United! 🏐
Keep up the hard work, determination, and teamwork, Lady Comets! We’re proud of you! 💙☄️
📷: Mia Dolney, Gregory Ricupero Sports Network
*Many additional photos on PM Facebook page.
Many thanks to Mrs. Stephanie Leer from the Challenge Program along with Mrs. Lynda Wilson from InFirst Bank, for visiting Penns Manor and awarding ten Junior/Senior students $200 each for the following categories:
🌟Academic Excellence: Elaine Altemus and Kaitlyn Crowley
🌟Work Ethic: Robert Smith and Chloe Freno
🌟STEM: Elise Dugas and Lilly Clutter
🌟Community Impact: Ty Brendlinger and Logan Lohr
🌟Academic Improvement: Joe Buterbaugh and Alex Shirley
Congratulations to these students! Thank you, InFirst Bank, for sponsoring this program. Keep up the great work, Comets!🌟
📷: Social Media Team
🌟Academic Excellence: Elaine Altemus and Kaitlyn Crowley
🌟Work Ethic: Robert Smith and Chloe Freno
🌟STEM: Elise Dugas and Lilly Clutter
🌟Community Impact: Ty Brendlinger and Logan Lohr
🌟Academic Improvement: Joe Buterbaugh and Alex Shirley
Congratulations to these students! Thank you, InFirst Bank, for sponsoring this program. Keep up the great work, Comets!🌟
📷: Social Media Team
📚 Fifth grade recently had a special visit from Mr. David Swank, a representative from Fort Ligonier! He taught us all about our local history and how people migrated to our area long ago.
We learned about the forts built by the British and French, and even got to dress up like people from that time period. Students had fun reenacting historical moments and imagining what life was like back then!
🎒 This exciting assembly was a great lead-up to the upcoming 5th grade field trip to Fort Ligonier, where students will step back in time to explore the fort, view fascinating artifacts, and meet actors portraying people from the 1700s!
👏 It was an awesome experience that got everyone excited about our local history!
💙 A special thank you to the Penns Manor PTG for making this exciting learning experience possible! We truly appreciate your support of our students and their education! 📚✨
📷: Mr. Shearer
We learned about the forts built by the British and French, and even got to dress up like people from that time period. Students had fun reenacting historical moments and imagining what life was like back then!
🎒 This exciting assembly was a great lead-up to the upcoming 5th grade field trip to Fort Ligonier, where students will step back in time to explore the fort, view fascinating artifacts, and meet actors portraying people from the 1700s!
👏 It was an awesome experience that got everyone excited about our local history!
💙 A special thank you to the Penns Manor PTG for making this exciting learning experience possible! We truly appreciate your support of our students and their education! 📚✨
📷: Mr. Shearer
🏃♀️🏃♂️💙 Good luck to our Penns Manor Cross Country team! ☄️
Reminder that the Comets host West Shamokin and Portage today at 4:30 PM for their only home Cross Country meet of the season! 🎉
Today is also a special opportunity to recognize our seniors: Elise Dugas, Trevor Cameron, and Peyton Strong! 🎓💙 Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and leadership throughout your Cross Country careers. We are proud of you and all you have contributed to the Comets! 👏🏃♀️🏃♂️
📣 Come out and support our runners! Let’s give them plenty of Comet spirit as they race on their home course! 💙☄️
⚠️ Parking Lot Notice: Please be advised that runners will be around the parking lots and entrances during today’s meet. Please use extreme caution when entering or exiting the parking areas. You may be asked to wait briefly if runners are crossing the entrances. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Please help spread the word, and thank you for your cooperation! 💙
GO COMETS! ☄️💙
Reminder that the Comets host West Shamokin and Portage today at 4:30 PM for their only home Cross Country meet of the season! 🎉
Today is also a special opportunity to recognize our seniors: Elise Dugas, Trevor Cameron, and Peyton Strong! 🎓💙 Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and leadership throughout your Cross Country careers. We are proud of you and all you have contributed to the Comets! 👏🏃♀️🏃♂️
📣 Come out and support our runners! Let’s give them plenty of Comet spirit as they race on their home course! 💙☄️
⚠️ Parking Lot Notice: Please be advised that runners will be around the parking lots and entrances during today’s meet. Please use extreme caution when entering or exiting the parking areas. You may be asked to wait briefly if runners are crossing the entrances. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Please help spread the word, and thank you for your cooperation! 💙
GO COMETS! ☄️💙
🏐💙 Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball Lady Comets on their 3–0 victory over Cambria Heights last night! 🎉👏
Now, let’s keep the energy going! 📣 Come out tonight to support our Lady Comets as they take on United! 🏐
🎨 Tonight’s Theme: TIE-DYE!
📣 Be there. Be loud. GO COMETS! 💙☄️
⚠️ Parking Lot Notice: Please be advised that PM is hosting a Cross Country meet today, and runners will be around the parking lots. Please use extreme caution when entering the parking areas. You may be asked to wait briefly if runners are crossing the entrances. 🏃♀️🏃♂️
Please help spread the word, and thank you for your cooperation! 💙
Let’s pack the gym and cheer our girls on to another great night! 🙌💙
📷: Mia Dolney
*Additional photos on PM Facebook page.
🏀💙 Attention, Elementary Students! 💙🏀
Basketball sign-ups for students in grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 will be held TODAY, Wednesday, September 30, from 6:00–7:30 PM at the tailgate tent at the high school football field. 🏀⛹️♀️⛹️♂️
📣 This is the LAST opportunity to sign up!
If you would like to play basketball, make sure you stop by tonight! 🏀💙
📅 Wednesday, September 30
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 High School Football Field Tailgate Tent
We hope to see you there! 🏀💙
Basketball sign-ups for students in grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 will be held TODAY, Wednesday, September 30, from 6:00–7:30 PM at the tailgate tent at the high school football field. 🏀⛹️♀️⛹️♂️
📣 This is the LAST opportunity to sign up!
If you would like to play basketball, make sure you stop by tonight! 🏀💙
📅 Wednesday, September 30
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 High School Football Field Tailgate Tent
We hope to see you there! 🏀💙
We had a bear-y special rescue mission in Pre-K! 🐻
After reading the classic favorite "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?", our little learners put on their brave rescue hats. A group of colorful bears found themselves floating in a giant tub of water, and it was up to us to save them!
Using only their trusty spoons as rescue tools, our students worked hard on their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to scoop the bears to safety. Once the bears were dry, the real mission began: sorting our colorful friends into their matching homes to practice our color recognition.
We practiced patience, teamwork, and our colors all in one splashy activity! Check out our little heroes in action.
📷: Mrs. Horn, Mrs. Clement
*Addtional photos on PM Facebook page
After reading the classic favorite "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?", our little learners put on their brave rescue hats. A group of colorful bears found themselves floating in a giant tub of water, and it was up to us to save them!
Using only their trusty spoons as rescue tools, our students worked hard on their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to scoop the bears to safety. Once the bears were dry, the real mission began: sorting our colorful friends into their matching homes to practice our color recognition.
We practiced patience, teamwork, and our colors all in one splashy activity! Check out our little heroes in action.
📷: Mrs. Horn, Mrs. Clement
*Addtional photos on PM Facebook page
💙🏃♂️ Come Cheer on the Comets! 🏃♂️💙🏃♀️
Join the Penns Manor Cross Country team for their only home meet of the season this Wednesday, September 30th, at 4:30 PM! The Comets welcome the Cross Country teams from West Shamokin and Portage to our home course.
📣 Come out and cheer on our PM runners as they take to the starting line!
This meet is especially meaningful for seniors Elise Dugas, Peyton Strong, and Trevor Cameron, as they compete in their final home race after years of dedication to the Penns Manor Cross Country program. 💙🏃♀️🏃♂️
🎓 Congratulations, Seniors! We are proud of you!
⏱️ Practice + Hard Work = Progress! 💪
The Penns Manor Cross Country team traveled to Altoona on Saturday, September 19th, to compete in the Mountain Lion Invitational at Logan Elementary School.
🏃♀️🏃♂️ The Comets were one of 40 teams competing, with approximately 640 athletes taking part in the invitational. Racing against fields of more than 100 runners in each race, several Penns Manor athletes finished in the top 50, while others were right behind them in the top 100!
Several of our runners have also made significant improvements in their race times throughout the season. 📈👏
Great job, Comets! 💙 Your hard work is paying off, and Penns Manor is proud of you!
🎥 Mountain Lion Invitational Highlights: Cam-Ron Video Productions
*See PM Facebook page for full video!
GO COMETS! ☄️💙
Join the Penns Manor Cross Country team for their only home meet of the season this Wednesday, September 30th, at 4:30 PM! The Comets welcome the Cross Country teams from West Shamokin and Portage to our home course.
📣 Come out and cheer on our PM runners as they take to the starting line!
This meet is especially meaningful for seniors Elise Dugas, Peyton Strong, and Trevor Cameron, as they compete in their final home race after years of dedication to the Penns Manor Cross Country program. 💙🏃♀️🏃♂️
🎓 Congratulations, Seniors! We are proud of you!
⏱️ Practice + Hard Work = Progress! 💪
The Penns Manor Cross Country team traveled to Altoona on Saturday, September 19th, to compete in the Mountain Lion Invitational at Logan Elementary School.
🏃♀️🏃♂️ The Comets were one of 40 teams competing, with approximately 640 athletes taking part in the invitational. Racing against fields of more than 100 runners in each race, several Penns Manor athletes finished in the top 50, while others were right behind them in the top 100!
Several of our runners have also made significant improvements in their race times throughout the season. 📈👏
Great job, Comets! 💙 Your hard work is paying off, and Penns Manor is proud of you!
🎥 Mountain Lion Invitational Highlights: Cam-Ron Video Productions
*See PM Facebook page for full video!
GO COMETS! ☄️💙
💚 A heartfelt thank you to the Penns Manor and surrounding communities for coming together during our Green Out Football and Volleyball Games and for the incredible generosity shown in support of Zander Marshall and the Cure Mito Foundation.
Your donations are helping advance SURF1 gene therapy closer to clinical trial, bringing hope to families affected by Leigh syndrome. 💚
⏰ Only a couple of days remain in September! Donations are being matched through the end of the month, so if you missed the Green Out games, there is still time to make a difference!
💚 Double your impact and donate today:
oneshot.curemito.org
#LeighSyndrome #SURF1 #OneShotToLive #CureMito
📸:Marley Smochek, Jeanne Lockard, and submitted photos
*See PM Facebook page for additional photos.
Your donations are helping advance SURF1 gene therapy closer to clinical trial, bringing hope to families affected by Leigh syndrome. 💚
⏰ Only a couple of days remain in September! Donations are being matched through the end of the month, so if you missed the Green Out games, there is still time to make a difference!
💚 Double your impact and donate today:
oneshot.curemito.org
#LeighSyndrome #SURF1 #OneShotToLive #CureMito
📸:Marley Smochek, Jeanne Lockard, and submitted photos
*See PM Facebook page for additional photos.
💙Many thanks to all who planned and attended PM Bible Club’s “See you at the Pole” event! 🌅
📷: Mrs. Bothell
📚 Yearbook Ordering Information 📚
Order your 2026–2027 Penns Manor Yearbook today! See the flyer for details.
Order your 2026–2027 Penns Manor Yearbook today! See the flyer for details.
🌟Great job by our Junior High Envirothon team! We’re proud of all of our students for their hard work and dedication.
👏 Special congratulations to Emma Hildebrand, Landon Dolges, and Andrew Lindahl on earning 2nd Place! 🥈🌎
Way to go, Comets! ☄️
📷: Social Media
💜🏈Congrats to the PM Juniors who were the 2026 Powder Puff Champions! Congratulations also go out to Landon Wolfe, the 2026 Powder Puff King! 👑
Great job by all and thanks to EVERYONE who made this event possible! Stay tuned next week for more photos from the game.
📷: Social Media Team
