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
• Odyssey of the Mind Registration
• 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)

All Pennsbury Schools will be closed on Thursday, October 3 and Friday October 4 in observance of Rosh Hashanah.

PHS Project Community Update

• October 8, 2024
• 6:00 p.m.
• Pennsbury High School East Auditorium

Experience the excitement of homecoming this Saturday as the PHS Falcons host Central Bucks South! Kick-off is at 12:00 p.m. (rain or shine!) Tickets are $5 each (cash only). Don’t miss the annual crowning of the Royal Court (candidates pictured above), the PHS Cheerleaders, the Long Orange Line Alumni Band performance, and a special pre-game recognition of the undefeated 1974 Falcons team!

Photo credit: PHS Athletic Intern Jessica Naumenko

Don't miss the Long Orange Line in this Sunday's Lafayette Parade in Bristol! Check out The Patch for more parade details.

Members of the newly established chapter of the Pennsbury High School National Art Honor Society (NAHS) spent last Sunday painting faces at the AOY Art Center in Yardley. AOY Art Center, a Pennsbury Partner, is a non-profit organization that fosters creativity in the community. They offer various programs, including shows, adult and youth education, and summer art camps.

To be considered for membership in the PHS NAHS, students must be currently enrolled in an art class during the academic year, attend meetings events, and complete art-based acts of service, maintain a "B" in all art courses, and complete an additional four hours of art-based service time in addition to chapter projects.

Being a member of the PHS NAHS provides many benefits for students, including scholarship and networking opportunities, field trips, art service projects, portfolio support, Advance Placement development and exam criteria support, and having the support of others who appreciate their skills and passions.

For more information on the PHS NAHS, contact advisor Blair Greiner.

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.

Through the incredible generosity of Amazon and Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Penn Valley Elementary received 300 free "Literacy Kits" in honor of Amazon's Global Month of Volunteering, National Literacy Month in September, and the beginning of a new school year. Each Penn Valley family with students in grades K-3 received a drawstring bag containing three books, an activity sheet, and a bookmark. Additionally, employees from Amazon ABE8 in Florence, NJ, donated free book bags containing school supplies for EACH Penn Valley student! The bookbags and Literacy Kits were distributed on Friday, September 27. To share their gratitude, students wrote class or individual thank you notes to the Amazon employee volunteers. To read more about the Amazon/RIF partnership, click here.

Join us for this virtual presentation on Monday, October 7 from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m., as we discuss practical techniques to help you effectively represent your child’s needs & ensure they have strong support to succeed at school. Please click here to access the presentation.

Visit our website to learn more about the Pennsbury Parent Academy.

Students in Mrs. Cramer's Digital Photography and AP Art History classes took part in a unique and beautiful butterfly photo shoot! Mrs. Cramer, who lovingly raised the butterflies at home over the summer, brought them to class, where students had the opportunity to capture the delicate beauty of these amazing creatures through their lenses. This hands-on project not only enhanced their photography skills but also provided a close-up study of nature’s artistry in motion.

Fallsington Elementary is participating in the One School, One Book program. All students and faculty will read the same book and have organized opportunities to discuss the book. Students enjoyed a kick-off assembly to find out the title. Students played Minute to Win It Games based on the book’s characters.

Every Fallsington student and staff member will bring home a copy of the book 8 Class Pets + 1 Squirrel ÷ 1 Dog = Chaos, and begin reading it with their families on Monday, September 23. During the following weeks, families will read and discuss the story and the adventures of Cuddles and Twitch. In school, students will engage in discussions, answer trivia questions, and participate in creative extension activities. This program is about creating bonds, sparking discussions, and sharing book experiences between students, staff, and families.

Members of the Pennsbury High School Junior Varsity Cheerleading squad recently worked with the William Penn Middle School cheerleaders to help them learn the routine to Hail to the Falcons, Pennsbury's fight song. We are Pennsbury proud of the collaboration between schools and mentorship provided by the PHS JV squad!

Third-grade students at Penn Valley Elementary School learned the value of a dollar and more after a visit from Pennsbury Partner, Penn Community Bank. Antionette Gellentien, a retired Penn Community Bank financial center manager, brought her passion for financial literacy to Penn Valley to share with students the importance of smart saving and spending. Students also learned the difference between needs, wants, and emergencies and engaged in budgeting activities. We appreciate Mrs. Gellentien and Penn Community Bank's ongoing commitment to teaching our students about healthy financial habits.

This week marks the restart of the Pennsbury School District’s innovative planetarium classroom instruction, beginning with 5th-grade students and traveling to all 10 elementary schools in the district. Led by Mr. Glenn Goldsborough, Physics and Astrophysics teacher from Pennsbury High School, this interactive "Star Lab" experience is designed to ignite curiosity about space and enhance science learning through an awe-inspiring, hands-on approach.

In addition to the planetarium instruction, Mr. Goldsborough will teach a second lesson in both 5th and 8th-grade classrooms to deepen students' understanding of the universe. These sessions provide students with standards-based implementation, reinforcing key scientific concepts in preparation for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests, which now include science in the 5th grade.

The impact of this program has been tremendous, with approximately 80% of 5th graders and 70% of 8th graders experiencing a planetarium for the first time. The feedback from board members, administrators, teachers, students, parents, and PTOs has been overwhelmingly positive, with praise for both the content and the engaging delivery. Mr. Goldsborough’s instruction was recently observed at Oxford Valley Elementary School shown in these pictures.

The planetarium program is a key initiative in bringing the universe to every 5th and 8th-grade student in Pennsbury, aligning with the district’s commitment to providing exciting, real-world learning experiences. This effort ensures that our students are not only inspired by the wonders of space but are also prepared to meet rigorous academic standards.

Oxford Valley Elementary’s 5th graders sat down with Principal Chris Becker to discuss the important responsibilities of being a school safety! Mr. Becker emphasized the vital role safeties play in keeping our school safe and welcoming and setting a positive example for peers through leadership and responsibility. Thank you, 5th graders, for stepping up to help keep Oxford Valley safe and sound!

As September draws to a close, students at Pennwood Middle School took a cultural journey this week into the heart of Oktoberfest! Through fun and engaging activities, they learned about the rich traditions of this famous German celebration, from its history to its iconic foods and music.

Seventh graders in Ms. Kuhner’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) class at William Penn Middle School put their sewing skills to the test by creating their own pillowcases. This hands-on project allowed students to practice precision and creativity, while gaining valuable experience in textile work.

How would you like your child to go on an incredible journey in creativity? How would you like to share this experience as a coach and make a memory that will last a lifetime?

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international creative problem-solving competition available to students of all ages (K-12). Each year, OM issues six different challenges that focus on science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Students present solutions to these challenges as 8-minute theatrical performances.

Registration for the 2024-2025 season is now open and runs through this Sunday, September 29. The Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Association will be holding virtual information meetings for parents and students wanting to learn more about this exciting program. To learn more, visit www.pennsburyom.com.

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.

• Sat. 9/28 vs. CB South - 12:00 p.m. start (no change)
  
• Fri. 10/4 vs. CB West - 7:30 p.m. start (no change)
• 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 to view the latest news from the Pennsbury Athletics Department.

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.

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