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)!

• 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)

On December 13, 2024, Pennsbury High School welcomed students from across Abington, New Hope-Solebury, Palisades, Truman, and Upper Moreland School Districts for the annual Cool Schools Polar Plunge at Falcon Field!

This chilly event, benefiting Special Olympics Pennsylvania, raised funds to support year-round programs for over 15,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Participants, including students and staff, braved the freezing water to make a difference while enjoying lively music, lunch, and hot chocolate.

We're proud of everyone who plunged for this great cause and thank Pennsbury High School for hosting this impactful event. Together, we're building a community of acceptance and support!

Enjoy the video recaps of last Friday's Harlem Wizards game at Pennsbury High School! We raised nearly $30,000 for the Pennsbury Education Foundation!

Special thanks to our sponsors NorthPoint Development, Michael's Jewelers, Jefferson Health, McCaffrey's Food Markets, CM3 Building Solutions, Inc., and Wegmans!

We would like to express extra special thanks to Pennsbury High School students Chloe Sowell and Miles Piney for their photography and video support; Ashley Sassaman and Makefield Elementary School students for performing the National Anthem; the Pennsbury High School JROTC for presenting the colors, and the Pennwood and William Penn Middle School Cheerleading squads for adding some extra pep to this year's event!

And, lastly, to our staff and volunteers who helped make this year's event another rousing success...we could not do it with you!

The Pennsbury High School World Language Department held its annual Fall National Honor Societies Induction Ceremony at PHS West on December 11. For induction into the respective National Honor Societies, students must meet the requirements of 93% in their current level of study and an overall average of 91% throughout their language studies.

Congratulations/Felicidades/Félicitations/Herzliche Glückwünsche to the following students!

Spanish 3 Honors

Jordyn Algazi
Sophia Asencio

Cameron Baglieri

Ethan Braverman

William Curtin

Anwita Janga

Ashwi Janga

Ava Jordan

Ryan Mathis

Angelo Pereira

Aiden Reller

Katerina Tarasov

Anna Zalot

Spanish 4 Honors

Sanika Deshmukh

Kiley Hollner

Vera Klochkova

Emily Moonay

Spanish Advanced Placement

Brianna Monroy

French 3 Honors

Jonathan Vazapphilly

French Advanced Placement

Olivia Beno

Lunatchie Helena Jerome

Elias Ouazzani Chahdi

Catherine Potgieter

German 3 Honors

Abby Hicks

Benny Lin

Crystal Menzies

Allison Muldoon

Charlotte Rittersbach

Nathan Vereb

German Advanced Placement

Charlie Kealy

Nora King

Gabriella Pearson

Samantha Smith

Congratulations to the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award winners for November. Students Sahaj Thakkar, Kate Bedesem, Roneicia Austin, Charlotte Rittersbach, and Allison Bennett* were honored at the Pennsbury School Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, December 5, 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 November was Responsibility. Click here to read the full press release.

*Allison Bennett was honored for October's character trait of Respectfulness.

Students from Edgewood Elementary School proudly represented their school at this month's School Board Reorganization Meeting on December 5. Students Annabel Hibshman, Brady Bach, Dean Estroff, and Declan Ferroni, joined by acting principal Katherine Mooney and teacher Kristen Marco, updated the school board on all the exciting events and learning at Edgewood.

Congratulations to the Pennsbury High School JV and Varsity Cheerleading teams for earning bids to the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals in Dallas, Texas!

This past weekend, the teams showcased their talent and hard work at a competition in East Stroudsburg. The Varsity team earned the 2nd place trophy along with awards for Technical Excellence in Stunts and Technical Excellence in Tumbling, securing their spot at Nationals. Meanwhile, the JV team also wowed the judges, bringing home the 1st place trophy, the title of Regional Champions, and their own bid to Nationals!

We can’t wait to see what incredible accomplishments lie ahead for these dedicated athletes. Go Falcons!

On November 29 , Pennsbury High School's Long Orange Line performed at the 6abc Dunkin Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year marks the band's 40th time performing in beloved Philadelphia parade! Click here to see their performance!

The Long Orange Line has also performed on four different continents, at The Great Wall of China, the London New Year's Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses parade, and Disney Parks around the globe.

Pennsbury High School student Swathi Bodduluri won first place in Congressional Debate at the prestigious Glenbrooks Speech and Debate Tournament held in Northbrook and Glenview, IL on November 23-25, 2024.

Swathi, a senior, competed in a field of 194 participants, advancing through three preliminary rounds, one semifinal round, and one final round over two days. Her dedication and exceptional skills were on full display, earning her well-deserved accolades and solidifying her standing in the competitive world of speech and debate.

The tournament hosted over 245 schools from around the country and internationally. The Glenbrooks Speech and Debate Tournament is the largest invitational speech and debate competition in the nation hosted by a high school. It is widely considered the most competitive tournament of the regular season. Congratulations to Swathi and Coach Chris Berdnik!

The "Baking Buddies" program, launched in 2023 by Mrs. Breuer, kindergarten teacher at Oxford Valley Elementary School, and Chef Tyler Fortna, bakery chef at Bucks County Technical High School, continues to create memorable, hands-on experiences for students across grade levels.

This year, high school seniors teamed up with kindergartners to create festive snowman donuts. The seniors guided the younger students, demonstrating frosting techniques, decorating, and how to use piping bags to bring their edible creations to life. The kindergartners took pride in their donuts, which they happily brought home to share with their families.

Walt Disney Elementary School students have been playing one of their most favorite PE games among students and staff, "The Grinch."

"Students travel through the town of Whoville to collect presents and return the presents to their toybox," explained Scott Kennedy, physical education teacher.

"Students have to be careful because the Grinch is also sneaking around our town trying to steal the gifts," continued Kennedy.

The activity is based on the game of tag and is also a fitness activity, with half of the students "driving" around Whoville while the other half exercises at the fitness wall. Based on their participation, students can earn the opportunity to be the Grinch, while other students can earn bonus rounds on the scooters.

On Friday, December 6, students across Pennsbury schools embraced the spirit of giving through Pajama Day fundraisers for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

The Charles Boehm Middle School National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) hosted their Pajama Day event, where students sported cozy flannels and fun onesies, raising $356 to support pediatric patients at CHOP.

Quarry Hill Elementary School's Student Council also organized their annual Pajama Day, encouraging students to wear their pajamas in exchange for donations. With the help of online and cash contributions, the school raised $970. Fifth-grade representatives took the lead, collecting donations throughout the week.

Together, these efforts combined comfort with compassion, making a meaningful impact for a worthy cause.

Students in Madame Garberina, Madame Carrool, and Madame Albrecth’s French classes recently experienced the delicious art of French baking! Thanks to Mamie Colette’s bakery in Newtown, students sampled authentic pâtisseries.

Pâtisseries are delicate and beautifully crafted French pastries, known for their rich flavors and intricate designs. This tasting gave students a chance to deepen their appreciation for French culture while indulging in some sweet treats.

Merci beaucoup to Mamie Colette’s for bringing this culinary delight to our students and making French class even more magnifique! The students said the pâtisseries were très bien!

Eighth-grade students in Mrs. Gabbett’s Digital Literacy & Media classes at Pennwood Middle School are honing essential “soft skills” for effective teamwork in podcasting. To build their collaboration skills, students worked in teams to construct marshmallow and spaghetti towers. Following the activity, they reflected on the challenges they faced and discussed strategies for achieving positive outcomes in group projects.

Angelina Liu, a junior at Pennsbury High School, earned fourth place in the Informative Speech category at the 2024 Princeton Classic, a prestigious national circuit tournament held at Princeton University from December 6-8, 2024.

Her speech, entitled "Nacho Ordinary Material," stood out among 847 total entries across 10 events. The tournament hosted over 102 schools from 14 East Coast states. Congratulations to Angelina and her coach, Chris Berdnik!

On Wednesday, December 4, the Pennsbury High School Air Force Junior ROTC unit underwent its annual inspection conducted by the JROTC Main Office.

The review evaluated administrative compliance, cadet uniform and grooming standards, and student leadership. Inspector Mitch Berger, a retired Air Force Colonel, expressed admiration for the program, particularly the cadets' exceptional planning and organizational skills.

Colonel Berger individually inspected each cadet and engaged them in conversations about the JROTC experience. Ten first- and second-year students impressed with an almost flawless execution of the 30-Step Drill routine. Additionally, the cadet leadership delivered a detailed briefing highlighting the program’s achievements over the past year.

Both PHS Principal Mr. Meadows and JROTC Instructor Major James MacEachern commended the cadets for their hard work and dedication.

First-grade students at Walt Disney Elementary School marked their 50th school day on November 19 with a 1950s-themed celebration. The young learners explored what life was like in the '50s, including the inventions of popular toys from that era.

The celebration continued with classic 1950s fun—students enjoyed root beer floats and showed off their skills in a lively first-grade hula hoop contest. A fun time was had by all!

Pennsbury High School Special Education teacher Mrs. Baxter recently visited Mrs. Churchwell's Education and Training class to share her expertise on adaptive technology for students with diverse learning needs. She introduced students to a variety of innovative tools that help enhance communication and support student success.

As part of their Special Education Unit, Mrs. Churchwell’s class—composed of students aspiring to careers in education or working with children—had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the power of these tools. Mrs. Baxter invited the class to observe her students using five different communication devices, along with other adaptive technologies that assist in daily learning activities.

This hands-on experience gave future educators valuable insights into how technology can create inclusive learning environments. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Baxter for inspiring the next generation of educators with her knowledge and passion for inclusive education!

Mrs. Raven’s third-grade class at Oxford Valley Elementary School had an exciting hands-on science lesson exploring the wonders of magnetism. Students discovered the principles of magnetic force by creating their very own “floating paper clips.” This engaging activity combined creativity and critical thinking, sparking curiosity and a deeper understanding of how magnets work in the world around us.

On Thursday, December 5, the Pennsbury High School band and orchestra came together to perform at the annual Holly Nights event at Pennsbury Manor.

Holly Night at Pennsbury Manor is a night to "Let your holiday spirit burn bright and experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. This joyous feast for the senses offers crackling fires, hot-mulled cider, dancing shadows, and the merry sounds of carolers strolling the grounds." The PHS band and orchestra were happy to be a part of this festive event.

The Green Team at Charles Boehm Middle School has been hard at work ensuring sustainability shines in every aspect of their events, from décor to dinner. Under the theme Waste Not, Want Not: Embrace Every Bite!, the group is promoting mindful eating to minimize food waste and encourage thoughtful consumption. Their innovative initiatives include repurposing October's "Energy Pumpkins” to give them a creative second life—transforming these seasonal staples into delicious dishes. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin risotto, pumpkin cake, and roasted pumpkin seeds have all been shared, showcasing how versatile and delightful pumpkins can be. By savoring every bite and finding creative uses for leftovers, the Green Team is building a greener future one meal, one pumpkin, and one step at a time.

Pennwood Middle School recently held a pep rally to emphasize, reinforce, and celebrate the 3 Rs as part of their school's PBIS expectations. During December, students sent in submissions on how they show the 3 Rs - Respectful, Responsible, and Ready - for the chance to be selected to participate in some celebratory events. During the rally, they also recognized their students of the month. As an added bonus, Pennwood's staff competed in a blow-up costume race. Pennwood students continue to strive to be Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to make a difference. "We aRe Pennwood, We aRe United!"

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive framework designed to improve student behavior and build a positive school culture. It emphasizes teaching and reinforcing expected behaviors, creating consistent behavioral expectations, and providing support systems to encourage positive behaviors. Pennwood is utilizing this program to promote a safe, positive learning environment and to provide consistency in all areas of their school.

Pennsbury bus drivers recently hosted a holiday party, made even more special with help from students in the M.O.S.T. program. Together with Special Education teacher Kristen McDaniel, the students enthusiastically helped wrap gifts for the celebration.

The M.O.S.T. program focuses on employment and daily living skills, providing students with hands-on experiences and functional curriculums that prepare them for real-world success in their community. This collaborative effort showcased the spirit of the season while reinforcing the program’s mission of meaningful engagement.

On Saturday, November 16, Manor Elementary School hosted the third annual Pennsbury Community SWAP, an exciting event for the Pennsbury community. Attendees had the opportunity to give away gently used items they no longer needed and pick up new treasures—all completely free of charge! The morning was filled with neighbors sharing and collecting fantastic items, and anything left at the end of the event was donated to those in need. We can’t wait to see even more participation at next year’s SWAP!

At William Penn Middle School, students in Mrs. Harkins' and Mrs. Meltzer’s 7th-grade math classes spiced up their review session with a fun and interactive game called Cake Walk! After answering questions correctly, students had the chance to pick a mystery bag and discover exciting prizes inside. From candy to stuffed animals and other surprises, the game added an extra layer of excitement to learning!

🌟 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.

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