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.

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As we approach the winter break, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and commitment to our schools. Your partnership enriches our community and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.

This season is a time for reflection, connection, and rest. We hope your break is filled with warmth, joy, and special moments with those you hold dear. Thank you for being an integral part of the Pennsbury family.

We look forward to all that 2025 will bring! Until then, wishing you peace, happiness, and all the best this winter season.

Reminders:

• Schools are closed December 23 - January 1.
• Schools reopen for students and staff on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
• Access our school calendar here.

More Reminders:

• Don’t forget to nominate a teacher, certificated staff member, or support professional for staff member of the year. The deadline to submit a nomination is January 6, 2025.
• Teacher/Certificated Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form
• Positions included in the Certificated Staff category
• Support Professional Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form
• Positions included in the Support Professionals category

• Confidential Residency Reporting Tip Line
• District Emails Archive
• E-Flyers
• Employment Opportunities at Pennsbury School District
• Part-Time Jobs for Students
• Pennsbury Parent Academy - Events & Recordings
• PHS Project Updates
• Safe Arrival Attendance Reporting System
• Safe2Say - Anonymous Tip Line
• Send some Pennsbury Praise!
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC)
• Support Professional Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form
• Teacher/Certificated Staff Member of the Year Nomination Form

The 2024-2025 school year calendar has been updated. February 14 has changed from a half day for students to a full a day off for students for Pennsbury Staff Professional Development.

Congratulations to the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award winners for December. Students Major Asay, Flynn Miller, Charlotte Jurrens, and Kyran Kervick* were honored at the Pennsbury School Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

The purpose of the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award is to recognize and reward students who embody exemplary character traits and behaviors. The character trait for December was Fairness & Sportsmanship. Click here to read the full press release.

*Kyran Kervick was unable to attend the December meeting will receive his award at next month's meeting.

Students from Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School proudly represented their school at this month's School Board Reorganization Meeting on December 19. Students Abdullah Ali, Michael Crane, Kylee Finn, Jackson Foschetti, Landon Green, Jocelyn Ma, Easton Samuels, and Ellie Werth

joined by Lisa Follman, principal, and Megan Abriola, assistant principal, updated the school board on all the exciting events and learning at Eleanor Roosevelt.

The Pennsbury School District recently celebrated Pennsbury High School students who earned recognition in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program. This program, established in 1955, honors academically talented high school students nationwide, offering commendations and opportunities for scholarships based on their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Pennsbury recognized 11 Commended Students (pictured below) for their remarkable academic achievements, placing them among the top 50,000 scorers of over 1.5 million test-takers. These students are: Armaghan U. Alvi, Derek H. Bednarz, Naima Doraiswamy, Alexandra M. Harkiewicz, Ashwika R. Janga, Michael A. Lynott, Daniel Z. Shen, Victoria M. Smith, Svanna J. Strandberg, Nuray Temiz, and Mark M. Wheeler.

Additionally, 6 Pennsbury High School students were named Semifinalists (pictured above), an honor awarded to the top 16,000 students in the nation who will now compete for Finalist status and potential scholarships. The Semifinalists are: Parker C. Bowman, Gregory J. Galonsky, Noam Gold, Lily G. Goldman, Vinay B. Ruparelia, and Kevin Ye.

The district is proud to acknowledge these students' dedication to academic excellence and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.

At the December 19 board meeting, the Pennsbury School Board of Directors proudly recognized the outstanding efforts of Pennsbury High School’s Wink4Pink Club. Established in 2002, Wink4Pink has been a cornerstone of breast cancer awareness and fundraising at PHS, recently surpassing the remarkable milestone of $100,000 raised in support of the cause.

Club Co-President Riley Kopceuch and Faculty Advisor Mrs. Evelyn Griffith attended the meeting to share the club's inspiring journey and promote their latest fundraiser—the Wink4Pink Phillies Pink Out Game. On Wednesday, April 30, supporters can cheer on the Phillies while contributing to the fight against breast cancer. For every ticket purchased, the Phillies will double their donation to Wink4Pink, but this offer is exclusive to this special night. If the club reaches their goal of selling 500 tickets, they’ll raise $8,000 for breast cancer awareness and earn the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the game.

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an exciting evening of baseball while supporting a vital cause. Purchase your tickets by clicking here and using the code WINK. Let’s hit a home run for a cause that truly matters!

The halls of Pennsbury’s ten elementary schools have been filled with the joyful sounds of music this week during our annual Holiday Sings! Students, staff, and families came together to celebrate the season through song, creating memories and spreading cheer as we head into winter break.

A big thank you to our talented music teachers and enthusiastic students for sharing the magic of the holidays with us.

The elementary schools weren't the only hallways filled with music this week. The talented student musicians at Pennsbury High School, Charles Boehm, Pennwood, and William Middlealso performed for family and friends ahead of the winter break!

Pennsbury High School made a strong showing at the Pennsylvania Music Educators District 11 Band and Orchestra auditions last weekend.

Congratulations to the following students who will proudly represent the Pennsbury High School Instrumental Music Program at the PMEA District 11 Band and Orchestra Festivals this year.

District Orchestra

Simon Couchoud (Oboe)

John Darrington (Trombone)

Hope Massey (French Horn)

Ethan Moore (French Horn)

Sean Ponento (Trombone)

Owen Spiegelberg (Trumpet)

Michael Stemle (Trumpet)

District Band

Simon Couchoud (Oboe)

John Darrington (Trombone)

Jed Majikas (Tenor Saxophone)

Hope Massey (French Horn)

Ethan Moore (French Horn)

Cooper Paulkis (Trombone)

Sean Ponento (Euphonium)

Owen Spiegelberg (Trumpet)

Michael Stemle (Trumpet)

Kevin Ye (Trombone)

The PMEA District 11 Orchestra Festival will be held January 8-10 at Spring-Ford Area High School. The District Band Festival is scheduled for January 23 and 24 at Wissahickon High School.

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of these outstanding young musicians who competed against their peers from schools throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

PMEA is a statewide non-profit organization of over 3,700 members dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians.

Pennsbury High School recently welcomed back several accomplished alumni for an engaging and insightful alumni panel. Former PHS students returned to their alma mater to share their experiences and provide current seniors with valuable perspectives on life after high school.

The event was designed to help seniors reflect on their future plans, offering them a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insights into college life, career pathways, and the challenges and successes that come with the transition from high school to the next chapter of life.

The distinguished panel of PHS alumni included:

• Hayden DiFranchi, Temple University
• Mohammed Adam Dombrowski, Brown University
• Francesca Dragoni, University of South Carolina
• Liam Fogel, High Point University
• Marissa Guerriero, West Chester University
• Connor Labiak, University of Virginia
• Taylor Lewis, West Chester University
• Gianna Mathas, Dickinson College
• Wesley Pointer, University of Delaware
• Keyonia Proctor, Delaware State University

Pennsbury High School students enrolled in AP Art Design, Art 1, and members of the National Art Honor Society recently visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art to view the exhibit "The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure". It was a very impactful trip and the students were even interviewed about their experiences at the museum and featured on WHYY News. Click the link below to see the video.

Manor Elementary School’s third-grade students brought the spirit of the season to their community once again this year. On December 17, the young carolers went door-to-door with flashlights and song sheets, surprising and delighting neighbors with festive holiday songs. The heartwarming evening concluded with sweet treats and apple juice in the school’s cafeteria, leaving everyone with smiles and holiday cheer.

This beloved tradition, led by Mrs. Grothman since 1996, was made possible with the support of Manor’s art teacher, Mrs. Brody, Principal Salvucci, and countless parents who joined in the festivities. Together, they created a magical experience that will be remembered for years to come.

Mrs. Byck, our district’s Instructional Technology Specialist, visited all kindergarten classrooms at Edgewood Elementary to help our youngest learners get ready for potential remote learning days. During her visit, students learned how to log onto Google Meet through our learning management system, Schoology. They practiced important skills like turning their camera and microphone on and off, raising their virtual hand, and leaving the call independently. Thanks to Mrs. Byck’s guidance, our kindergarteners are now equipped with the tools they need to connect and learn from home!

On December 18, Pennwood Middle School Band students had the exciting opportunity to learn from some special guests! Dr. DiMeglio, along with several Pennsbury High School Band members who are Pennwood alumni, joined the band rehearsal. The high school students played alongside the middle school musicians and shared their experiences as part of the PHS Band program. It was an inspiring visit that highlighted the strong connection between the middle and high school music programs.

On December 18, the kindergarten and first grade classes of Fallsington Elementary School participated in a holiday exchange. Students visited all 4 classrooms to do some fun holiday activities: holiday Bingo, creating winter hats, putting their names in holiday lights, and creating a paper bag Gingerbread house.

Fourth-grade and first-grade buddies at Walt Disney Elementary School had a great time teaming up for a fun and collaborative activity, creating a memorable experience for students of all ages!

In the December 13 edition of Pennsbury on Point we shared that the Pennsbury High School World Language Department held its annual Fall National Honor Societies Induction Ceremony at PHS West on December 11. We inadvertently left out the names of the following inductees:

Spanish 4 Honors

Sanika Deshmukh

Kiley Hollner

Vera Klochkova

Emily Moonay

We apologize for omitting these students. Congratulations on this outstanding academic achievement!

🌟 Introducing Pennsbury Praise! 🌟

We believe in celebrating the outstanding dedication, passion, and hard work of our staff! Pennsbury Praise is a simple yet meaningful way to express your gratitude and acknowledge the incredible efforts of any Pennsbury School District staff member.

Whether it's a teacher who inspires, a support staff member who always goes the extra mile, or an administrator who leads with care, Pennsbury Praise lets you share your appreciation directly with them. Take a moment to brighten someone's day and show them how much their contributions mean to our Pennsbury community.

Click the link to send some Pennsbury Praise and make someone's day shine!

Did you know that the Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation is the largest, privately funded foundation serving a public school? Since its founding in 1956, the PSF has awarded close to $3.8 million in grants and zero-interest loans to nearly 1,900 Pennsbury High School graduates, including $200,000 to 62 students just this past June.

The Foundation’s goal is to help lessen students’ financial burdens, allowing them to focus on their studies and personal growth. By supporting the PSF, you’re investing in the future of our community and helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders. Student applications for the 2025-26 school year will be available in January 2025.

The PSF is seeking end-of-year contributions! Your support directly impacts the lives of deserving Pennsbury students by providing awards that they can use for tuition, books, and other essentials.

Click here to make an online donation.

Contributions may also be mailed to:

Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation

Box 338, 134 Yardley Avenue

Fallsington, PA 19058

To learn more, including other ways to donate, go to PennbsuryScholarshipFoundation.org, email scholarships@pennsburysd.org or call 215-428-4145.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Did you miss an email from the District? Check the archive!

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.

Dr. Thomas Smith, Superintendent of Schools

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