Pennsbury On Point

Pennsbury on Point is a weekly newsletter designed to keep the Pennsbury community up-to-date on district news, events, and information. The newsletter is emailed to families weekly and archived on the district's Public Relations webpage.

If you have any photos or story ideas you would like to see featured, please email the Public Relations Department at publicrelations@pennsburysd.org.

Follow the Pennsbury School District on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)!

• Back to School Night - Dates & Times
• Confidential Residency Reporting Tip Line
• District Emails Archive
• E-Flyers
• Employment Opportunities at Pennsbury School District
• Part-Time Jobs for Students
• Pennsbury Community School Registration
• Pennsbury Parent Academy - Events & Recordings
• PHS Project Updates
• Safe Arrival Attendance Reporting System
• Safe2Say - Anonymous Tip Line
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC)

The Pennsbury School District utilizes SchoolMessenger to notify families of school closings, emergencies, and other important information at the district level and building level. On Wednesday, October 9, 2024 the District conducted a system-wide test to verify that all parents/guardians are receiving emails, text messages, and phone calls. Please note: you must sign up to receive text messages by texting YES or Y to 67587 from the mobile number on file in PowerSchool. You will not receive text messages if you do not sign up.

If you did not receive all three notifications (phone call, text message, and email) please complete the Google Form linked here. Each parent or guardian should complete this form if they did not receive all three means of communication. Please complete the form for each Pennsbury student in your family.

You're invited! Join us for the Pennsbury High School Curriculum/Open House Event on Tuesday, October 15, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Pennsbury High School West's Keller Hall, located at 608 South Olds Boulevard in Fairless Hills. This event is open to all 7th and 8th-grade families and is designed to give an overview of the diverse curriculum offered at PHS. Representatives from all curriculum departments will be available to answer any questions you may have. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn more about what PHS has to offer! We look forward to seeing you there!

The energy was electric, and the stadium was packed with excitement as Pennsbury High School hosted its annual Be Our Guest Night. The event welcomed nearly 80 "Future Falcons" onto the track to cheer alongside the Varsity and JV Cheerleaders, creating an unforgettable evening for all.

The JV Cheerleaders led the young future cheerleaders through a series of cheers, including their signature Falcon Flap. Over 100 cheerleaders kicked off the game in a spectacular show of spirit, holding the American Flag and then cheering through the entire first half with pom poms, megaphones, and signs.

A big thank you to the Pennsbury High School Cheerleading coaches and athletes for making this night so special. The cheerleaders continue to give back to the community and will participate in the Alzheimer’s Walk this November. Stay tuned for more great things from these dedicated athletes!

At Fallsington Elememtary School, students in Ms. Popp's 4th grade class met their kindergarten buddies from Mrs. Tietz's class for the first time this week! This buddy activity offers a unique opportunity for the older students to mentor, teach, and build meaningful relationships with their younger schoolmates. Throughout the school year, the buddies will participate in fun and educational activities, fostering a sense of community and connection. We can't wait to see these friendships grow!

As part of the appetizer unit in the Classic Cooking class at Pennsbury High School, students recently took on the exciting challenge of creating their own unique charcuterie boards from scratch. Led by Family and Consumer Science (FCS) teacher Sue Schink, the students worked in groups to research, plan, and execute their charcuterie creations.

The unit teaches students about small plates and their role in kick-starting digestion before the main entrée. Each group was responsible for researching various ingredients, planning their board design, making shopping lists, and assembling the charcuterie boards themselves. This hands-on experience allowed students to showcase creativity and teamwork while gaining practical kitchen skills.

The Charcuterie Board Day was a tasty and educational success, giving students the opportunity to practice planning and execution while enjoying the delicious results of their efforts.

The first meeting of the year for the Best Buddies Club at Charles Boehm Middle School was a huge success! Students, along with club advisors Miss Adams and Mrs. Reuther, spent the afternoon connecting with new friends, and making friendship bracelets. Best Buddies is a program dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for all students to form meaningful friendships.

Pennsbury High School students recently had the opportunity to explore job and career resources when the Workforce on Wheels (WOW) bus visited the campus. Organized by Ms. Worthington, Pennsbury's Transition Coordinator, in collaboration with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and PaCareerLink, the event aimed to connect students with valuable community resources.

Teachers Mrs. Zehner from PHS and Mr. Demore from the Academy brought their classes to board the WOW learning lab. Inside, students received information about Hot Job lists, On-the-Job Training opportunities, Career Interest Surveys, Hiring Events, and more. The presentation provided an overview of the numerous job opportunities available for local job seekers.

Workforce on Wheels will return to Pennsbury High School for at least two more sessions, including an Interview Clinic and a Resume Clinic, to further support students as they prepare for future careers.

Seventh grade students in Miss Kuhner‘s Family Consumer Sciences class at William Penn Middle School put on their sleuth hats this week. Students were instructed to investigate the crime scene and write down all of the unsafe situations they saw in the kitchens such as electrical cords dangling in the sink and potential cross contamination on a cutting board. Looks like they solved the crime!

This week in Mrs. Miller's art studio at Pennwood Middle School, students got their hands dirty with some creative clay projects! 6th graders explored different clay techniques to sculpt detailed insects, adding unique textures and designs to their creations. 7th graders crafted beautiful clay dishes, each etched with a meaningful quote, while 8th graders took on the challenge of creating clay doors, drawing inspiration from a variety of architectural styles.

In Mrs. Caron’s second-grade art class at Oxford Valley Elementary School, students recently created self-portraits. Using mirrors to observe their reflections, the young artists carefully studied their features, colors, and expressions. With pencils in hand, they brought their unique identities to life on paper.

This hands-on activity not only allowed students to enhance their drawing skills, but also encouraged self-expression and self-awareness. The self-portraits are a wonderful reflection of each student's creativity and individuality, showcasing the diversity and talent present in the classroom.

At Fallsington Elementary School, third-grade students in Mrs. Demusz’s SPARK class recently dove into the world of simple machines, focusing on the mechanics of levers. SPARK, which stands for STEM through Perseverance, Application, Resilience, and Kinetic Knowledge, offers students hands-on experiences in problem-solving and engineering.

The Engineering Design Process consists of the following:

1. Define the problem.
2. Identify constraints on your solution and criteria for success.
3. Brainstorm multiple solutions for the problem.
4. Select the most promising solution.
5. Prototype your solution.
6. Test and evaluate your prototype.
7. Iterate to improve your prototype.
8. Communicate your solution.

Students from Pennsbury High School’s French language and literature classes enjoyed a deliciously educational experience during a field trip to Mamie Colette Bakery. Led by teachers Madame Carroll and Madame Albrecht, the students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in French culture and practice their language skills in a real-world setting.

At the bakery, the owner, a native French speaker, gave an insightful talk (entirely in French!) about the art of pastry making. Students also had the chance to put their French skills to the test by ordering in French and enjoying a classic croissant.

This hands-on experience brought the French language and culture to life, making for a fun and flavorful day!

Third grade students at Manor Elementary School were busy this week creating beautiful sunset silhouette landscapes in Mrs. Brody's art class. The students used vibrant chalk pastels and bold India ink. The colorful pastels blend together to create stunning sunsets, while the India ink adds dramatic silhouettes, bringing their landscapes to life. Each piece is a unique masterpiece!

Madame Fearon's French classes at Charles Boehm Middle School recently learned about activities and sports popular in France! To bring a little French culture into the classroom, students formed teams and played a game of "pétanque."

Pétanque is a beloved French game that’s similar to bocce. Players take turns tossing metal balls (called "boules") as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball, known as the "cochonnet" or "jack." It's a fun and strategic game often played in parks across France. Students had a great time learning the rules and experiencing a piece of French leisure culture!

Picture day has been taking place all across Pennsbury lately. These students from Penn Valley, along with Principal Hidalgo, were certainly camera ready this week!

Walt Disney Elementary School helo its 3rd annual Dizzy Day, on Friday, October 11. The fun-filled event, complete with a visit from Walt Disney mascot Dizzy the Dragon supports the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program!

PBIS is a school-wide approach designed to encourage positive behavior among students by teaching, modeling, and rewarding positive actions. It helps create a safe and welcoming environment where every student can thrive. The program promotes respect, responsibility, and readiness to learn, leading to better focus in the classroom and stronger relationships throughout the school community.

Dizzy Day is a great way to celebrate the positive choices Walt Disney students make every day and to reinforce the values that make the school a special place!

Tomorrow morning, October 12 at 9:30 a.m., the Pennsbury boys basketball staff will be hosting a FREE clinic at PHS for college coaches and players from the Suburban One Patriot League.

30 of the top returning players from the division will take part in a two hour skills and drills and competitive play sessions in front of a group of local collegiate coaches. Each local school will be represented by at least 3 players.

Each college coach will receive a player information packet, along with the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one.

Don't miss Pennsbury Drama's TNL (Thursday Night Live) at the Cave on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Pennsbury High School West, 608 S. Olds Boulevard) The show is entirely run by PHS drama student. Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults, $5 for students. (Cash only.) Adults who bring a canned good receive 50% off their ticket price.

Download and sign up for the FREE SchoolMessenger app and receive all of your Pennsbury School District emails & notifications in one place! There are several different SchoolMessenger apps available. Make sure to download the app that says "SM Home". You will create your account using the email address you have on file at your child's school. It is necessary to download the app to use the new Safe Arrival Student Absence Reporting System.

Safe Arrival Student Absence Reporting System - The Pennsbury School District prioritizes the safe arrival of all students at each school each day. We are now pleased to offer an efficient student absence reporting system called Safe Arrival to support our efforts. Please visit the Safe Arrival page on our website for more information and learn how to use the system.

Beginning Wednesday, October 9, PHS Basketball coaches and players will be hosting a weekly clinic at PHS West. This is a FREE clinic that will run for one hour for 3rd-5th graders and one hour for 6th-8th graders. The clinic will run for five consecutive Wednesday nights. There is no need to register. Please show up 10 minutes before your child’s schedules start time and have them bring a ball (preferably with their name on it) and water.

Click here to view the latest news from the Pennsbury Athletics Department.

The decision to start Friday night games at 6 PM aims to improve attendance and address several challenges. An earlier start time makes the games more family-friendly, especially for those with young children, and helps reduce student behavioral incidents. It also addresses staffing difficulties and helps players and spectators avoid colder temperatures later in the evening as the season progresses. Other schools with earlier start times have seen benefits, particularly for those traveling long distances, and the change may also boost visiting team attendance, which we have seen a decrease in. Overall, the goal is to enhance the experience for players, fans, and all others involved.

• Fri. 10/18 vs. Abington - 6:00 p.m. start

For potential playoff games, start times will be discussed depending on the opponent and how far they will need to travel.

As a district, we are committed to keeping you informed and constantly strive to improve the effectiveness of our communications with you. We are all too familiar with how inundated one's email inbox can become, and we don't want you to miss any important information from us!

To that end, the district administration team will send non-emergency communications to families on Thursdays as needed. These emails will contain links to important updates and information you need to know. All PSD Family Updates will also be posted on our website under "District Email Archive."

We will do our best to keep to this email schedule, obviously barring emergencies, so you can be assured that any necessary information from the district will be emailed to you on Thursdays as needed. In the event of an emergency, we will communicate with families in as timely a manner as possible.

Click here for a complete listing of course offerings and to register!

New this Fall

• Chess: Sharpen your strategic thinking and learn the classic game of chess, suitable for beginners and seasoned players alike.
• Crafting with Wool: Get creative with wool! Learn how to make simple, fun projects using different techniques like knitting or felting.
• Sewing with Patterns: Learn how to use sewing patterns to make your own clothes or accessories. Perfect for beginners or those looking to improve their sewing skills.

Classes are designed for adults of all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to sign up and try something new.

We want to ensure you receive timely and important updates from our school district. The best way to stay informed about emergency situations, weather-related notifications, and other critical news is through our text message alerts.

👉 To opt-in, simply text the letter Y or YES to 67587 from the mobile device you have on file with the school district.

🔍 Not sure which mobile number is on file? No problem! Just check with the front office staff at your child's school to confirm the correct number.

The district does not charge recipients for the text messages they receive or send to the short code; however, wireless providers may charge for individual text messages, depending on the plan associated with the wireless device. Please check with your carrier if you are uncertain.

Stay informed and stay safe. Sign up today to make sure you never miss an important update from Pennsbury School District! 📚✨

Starting this year, the Pennsbury Activities Calendar will no longer be in PDF format. It is now built directly into the Pennsbury website. Click here to view! (Be sure to scroll down.)

Click the links below to view the current schedules for Pennsbury Athletics.

Weekly Sports Schedule

Current Team Schedules - Schedules are subject to change at any time. Check this page often for the latest updates!

Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like working close to home and earning a competitive salary? Then becoming a Pennsbury Bus Driver is the job for you!

We offer:

• A competitive salary
• Flexible hours
• Student-centered work environment
• Paid training for your CDL

Questions? Email transportation@pennsburysd.org

How to Get Started:

1. Create a training account at PaTTAN: pattan.framwelder.com
2. Complete the 7 online courses: Bureau of Special Education Para Credential of Competency Entry Level Training Series and save your certificates.
3. Email paras@pennsburysd.org to set up an interview to complete the process.

Questions? Email us at paras@pennsburysd.org

The Pennsbury Parent Academy is a series of educational programs and presentations offered to Pennsbury parents and guardians to support school success and continued home-school partnerships. The PPA program includes monthly, live in-person and/or virtual programming on a variety of topics to promote parent and guardian community engagement, such as:

• Mental Health & Wellness
• Supporting School Success
• Social Media & Internet Safety
• Diversity & Inclusion

Visit our website for recordings of past presentations.

Click here to view Pennsbury High School's Student Job Board and find local area businesses with open positions. Some positions allow applicants as young as 14 years old.

Click here for information on how to obtain a work permit.

Click here to visit the Pennsbury School District's E-Flyers Page.

These flyers represent current or ongoing announcements of interest to Pennsbury students and their families that emanate from local community organizations, sports leagues, scouting groups, and other non-profits. Browse through our gallery!

To obtain approval for a flyer to be posted on the E-Flyers Page, please email your request to Macy Cellitti at mcellitti@pennsburysd.org.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the PA Office of Attorney General. Report a confidential tip to help prevent violence and tragedies.

Click here to submit an anonymous tip.

The Nutrition Group is Now Hiring Kitchen Managers, Cooks, and Food Service Workers at Pennsbury School District!

Great opportunity! Monday through Friday, daylight shifts, no nights or weekends. Competitive wages offered.

Learn more about additional opportunities with us and join our team today! Apply online now at: tngcareers.com and search “Pennsbury” or call our office at 215-428-4100 ext. 22201

The Pennsbury School District is making a concerted effort to ensure that students who reside within our District boundaries are able to attend the school they are assigned to based on their home address. To help us, we have established a Confidential Residency Reporting Tip Line. If you believe someone is falsifying their student's address to attend the Pennsbury School District, please call or email:

residency@pennsburysd.org

(215) 428-4100 ext. 84777 (TIPSS)

Click here for more information.

Have a question about Pennsbury? Don't trust the rumors, ask Penny!

Send Penny an email at askpenny@pennsburysd.org.

tsmith@pennsburysd.org

215-428-4111

Email: publicrelations@pennsburysd.org

Website: www.pennsburysd.org
Location: 134 Yardley Avenue, Fallsington, PA 19058
Phone: 215-428-4100