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.

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• 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
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC)

All Pennsbury Schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 5, for Election Day and Teacher Professional Developement.

All Pennsbury Schools will be closed on Friday, November 8 for a Grading Day.

Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 a.m.

We will fall back one hour.

October has been Principal Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the dedication, hard work, and leadership of our school principals. Principals play a vital role in creating a positive learning environment, supporting teachers, and inspiring students to reach their full potential. Their commitment to fostering academic success, building school spirit, and addressing the unique needs of each student and staff member helps shape our schools and communities. We extend our gratitude to our principals for their endless efforts and contributions, showing them just how much their hard work and vision mean to us all!

• Afton - Joseph Masgai
• Edgewood - Katherine Mooney
• Eleanor Roosevelt - Lisa Follman
• Fallsington - Vincent DePaola
• Makefield - Eileen Martin
• Manor - Terri Salvucci
• Oxford Valley - Chris Becker
• Penn Valley - Barbara Hidalgo
• Quarry Hill - Richard Rebh
• Walt Disney - Ernesto Ortiz
• Charles Boehm - Stephanie Hultquist
• Pennwood - Derek Majikas
• William Penn - Corey Turkish
• Pennsbury High School - Reggie Meadows

The world-famous Harlem Wizards, proudly presented by NorthPoint Development, are returning to Pennsbury! This family-friendly event will take place on Friday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Pennsbury High School East (705 Hood Boulevard, Fairless Hills.) Click here to get your tickets. Last year's game sold out, so act fast! Check out the photos and video from last year's game!

All event proceeds will benefit the Pennsbury Education Foundation (PEF). Since its inception in 2003, the PEF has raised nearly $300,000 , which helps cover the costs of classroom mini-grants to enhance curriculum for Pennsbury students. Your support of the Pennsbury Education Foundation helps our teachers bolster the District's mission to prepare all students to become creative, ethical, and critical thinkers for lifelong success in a global society.

Thank you to our generous sponsors NorthPoint Development, Michael's Jewelers, McCaffrey's Food Markets, and CM3 Building Solutions.

We hope to see you on Friday, December 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Pennsbury High School East as the Wizards take on some of your favorite teachers and staff members for a night of tricks, hoops, and alley-oops!

This week, schools across the district celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali, a significant Hindu festival, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Students had the chance to learn about Diwali traditions, including the art of making colorful rangolis, diyas, and the importance of family and gratitude during the holiday. Through stories, art, and discussions, students connected with Diwali’s themes of positivity and unity, broadening their appreciation for diverse cultural celebrations.

Mrs. Kean’s first grade class at Quarry Hill Elementary School recently celebrated Diwali with a special visit from classroom parent, Mrs. Patel. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant holidays in Indian culture, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. To bring this beautiful tradition to life, Mrs. Patel shared a story about Diwali and taught the students how to create a Rangoli, a colorful and intricate decoration often displayed during the festival.

A Rangoli is an art form made using brightly colored powders, rice, or flower petals, arranged in elaborate patterns on the floor or ground. Traditionally, Rangolis are made to welcome guests and bring good luck into homes during Diwali. The students enjoyed designing their own Rangoli patterns, learning about the importance of the festival, and appreciating the beauty and meaning behind this tradition.

Mrs. Snyder’s third-grade class at Quarry Hill Elementary School recently enjoyed a special visit from student Nina’s mom, Mrs. Jigna Patel, who shared the rich traditions of the Diwali holiday. Mrs. Patel read Let’s Celebrate 5 Days of Diwali! to introduce the students to the festival’s vibrant customs. She explained the art of creating beautiful rangolis—colorful designs made to welcome good fortune—and the importance of lighting diyas, special candles that symbolize the victory of light over darkness. The students had a wonderful time making their own diyas and rangoli patterns, bringing Diwali’s beauty and meaning to life in the classroom. A big thank you to Mrs. Patel for such a fun and enlightening presentation!

At Makefield Elementary, students recently celebrated Diwali with a special feature on their Kid Witness News Broadcast. The broadcast included a video read-aloud of a Diwali-themed book, bringing the story and traditions to life for students. A fourth-grade student also shared how her family celebrates Diwali, giving her peers a personal perspective on this vibrant festival. To add a creative touch, the entire fourth grade crafted colorful Rangoli Diyas, which were arranged into a display in the school’s main hallway.

At Afton Elementary School, students in Mrs. Corbett’s first grade class and Mrs. Pathak’s fourth grade class recently met to learn about Diwali! Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights. The two classes began with a captivating presentation by fourth grader, Nayan Aggarwal who spoke to her classmates and younger buddies about the meaning behind Diwali. Students then paired up with their buddies to create a rangoli craft. Rangoli is colorful artwork displayed on the floors during Diwali to symbolize the welcoming of guests. Fourth and first grade students worked to collaborate on their different idea designs to create their beautiful masterpieces!

Our very own Afton principal Dr. Masgai will be speaking at the prestigious 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 8. As a part of the Terrel H. Bell Leadership Panel, Dr. Masgai will engage Bell Awardees in a lively discussion focused on the essential habits of strategic instructional leadership, how to promote teacher leadership, and the emerging role of the principalship in a digital world.

Awardees are recognized for their outstanding school leadership, and the goal of the panel is to extrapolate the best practices of these award-winning principals on current and relative topics with the intent to replicate in attendees’ own schools. A Q&A will follow the presentation, facilitated by Dr. Masgai, Principal of 2019 National Blue Ribbon School Afton Elementary, 2020-2022 Resident School Ambassador Fellow in the US Department of Education, and Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University.

Congratulations to PHS student Sasha Cheeseman, who was chosen to represent Pennsbury High School's choir department at this year's American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Honor Choir in Dallas, TX. Tens of thousands of singers applied across the entire country, and only a few hundred are chosen for this incredible honor. Well done, Sasha!

On November 1, many people in Latin American countries celebrate Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead! According to Mayan Indigenous beliefs, the souls of those who are no longer with us return to visit their loved ones. It’s a day filled with happiness and nostalgia, as families feel the presence of their ancestors and celebrate their memories.

To honor the holiday, PHS Spanish teacher Vanessa Pietras took her three Spanish classes outside to decorate the school walls in chalk. Students created colorful Day of the Dead-themed drawings, for all to enjoy.

Fallsington Elementary recently had the pleasure of hosting poet Luray Gross as a poet-in-residence for 4th and 5th graders. A published author of five poetry collections, including Forenoon, Lift, and With This Body, Luray has been recognized with numerous awards, including a fellowship in poetry from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, which named her a Distinguished Teaching Artist. With her extensive experience as a storyteller and poet, she has shared her craft with thousands of students and teachers over her career.

During her four-day visit, Luray guided students in exploring poems from multiple perspectives—hearing them, voicing them, drawing inspiration from them, and creating their own original works. In both classroom sessions and activities in the school garden, students experimented with vivid imagery, explored different poetic forms, and used their imaginations to bring their ideas to life. By the end of the residency, students had crafted poems that will soon be published and displayed in the school’s main hallway.

A special thanks to Mrs. Miley for organizing this wonderful opportunity and to Luray Gross for sharing her love of poetry and helping our young writers express their creativity and find their voices!

Afton Elementary School recently had an unforgettable day with the StuntMasters BMX crew, thanks to the generous support of the Afton PTO! The assembly centered on the theme of "Positive Thoughts Through Purposeful Action" and reinforced the important spokes of character: trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and teamwork.

The presenters emphasized the importance of bicycle safety, reminding students to always wear a helmet and check their bike components to stay safe on their rides.

The StuntMasters wowed everyone with their high-flying BMX tricks, even jumping over Principal Dr. Masgai and some of our brave teachers! The students were absolutely mesmerized—thank you, Afton PTO, for making this thrilling and educational experience possible!

At Oxford Valley Elementary School, fifth graders teamed up with their second-grade buddies to help them navigate Schoology, their new digital classroom. The fifth graders guided their buddies through favoriting Schoology in Clever, organizing courses by teacher and specials, and connecting Google Drive. They also showed the second graders how to access their course folders to find materials posted by their teacher. Great job, everyone!

Students from the Pennsbury High School Culinary Arts program in the Family & Consumer Sciences Department attended the Culinary & Hospitality Open House at Bucks County Community College on October 22. These aspiring chefs got to tour the culinary facilities and learn about the 2-year Culinary Arts & Baking & Pastry Arts degrees and certificates. They met the chef instructors who were holding demonstrations in the kitchens and sampled cuisine prepared by current BCCC culinary students. They also got to meet with admissions staff and talk one-on-one with the instructors and current students. It was an exciting evening for our students as they took steps to learn more about programs that can help them secure culinary positions in restaurants, bakeries, catering, and hospitality management.

Pictured: Chef Winans (BCCC, Baking & Pastry Instructor), Lina Blanchet (FCS teacher, Culinary Dual-Enrollment program, PHS), Carolina Cruz (PHS 11th grader)

On October 17, Pennsbury High School’s junior and senior students in the Adventure unit of Physical Education had the chance to take their learning to Tree Trails Adventure Park. This popular unit, available in both fall and spring semesters, allows students to step outside traditional sports and explore adventure-based learning. Throughout the course, students build valuable skills: they practice securing harnesses, belaying their peers, and using teamwork and encouragement to help each other tackle high elements.

The trip to Tree Trails is the culminating experience of the unit, offering students the thrill of navigating new challenges high in the trees. The park was filled with cheers and support as classmates cheered each other on and shared climbing tips.

At William Penn Middle School, students enjoyed a thrilling lunchtime “Fear Factor” challenge that put their taste buds to the test! Set up with a spin wheel and a game of Plinko, the activity allowed daring students to select their fate and sample unfamiliar foods. Once they spun the wheel or dropped their Plinko chip, each participant had to taste whatever food it landed on, from earthy Brussels sprouts to exotic lychee.

The selection was packed with adventurous bites like tofu, beets, and dates—ingredients some students had never tried before. While some brave tasters surprised themselves by enjoying the new flavors, others couldn't resist the fun challenge of pushing past their usual food preferences.

Oxford Valley Elementary’s Student Council held its annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest this week, transforming the school lobby with 67 creatively designed pumpkins! To enter, students contributed either a $5 entry fee or donated five canned or boxed goods to support the Pennsbury Kids Food Pantry. With an overwhelming number of entries, the school community enjoyed a festive display in the lobby, celebrating both creativity and generosity during the last week of October.

Check out some of the submissions below, and click here to view a slideshow of all 67 entries!

Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary held its annual "Kids Walking 4 Kids" event on Friday, October 25, uniting the school community to honor students with medical needs. This special event, organized by the Kids Walking 4 Kids committee led by PE Teacher Brian Doron, includes Tricia Steigerwalt (PTO), School Nurse Kaylyn Santangelo, Student Council Advisors Samantha Young and Hannah Rumbelow, and DJs and 5th-grade teachers Roger Kean and Jason Miller. This year, the school celebrated and honored two students, one in 3rd grade and one in 4th grade, who have Type 1 Diabetes.

Leading up to the walk, students contributed donations and colored paper sneakers that were displayed throughout the school. On Friday afternoon, students gathered outside, donning grade-specific colors and united for a lap walk around the large track field to show support for their classmates. Student Council also provided bracelets for each student, and students “Chalked the Walk” along the path from the school to the field.

Along the walk, students enjoyed optional "healthy hurdles" to jump over and could run a loop around a large heart in the center of the field after each lap. Eleanor Roosevelt’s PTO added decorations to enhance the day and collaborated with CHOP to donate part of the funds raised. This year’s Kids Walk raised $202, which will benefit CHOP and future PHS scholarships. Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary is proud to support its students and make a difference in the community!

Students from Pennsbury High School’s Autistic Support and Life Skills classes recently worked together to create a beautiful gingerbread house they named A Sweet Puzzle, which they are entering in the 39th Annual Gingerbread Competition at Peddler's Village. Their entry will be displayed in the teen category and showcased alongside other creative designs from November 17 through January 13. We are incredibly proud of our students for their effort and craftsmanship, and we’re excited to see A Sweet Puzzle displayed at Peddler’s Village for everyone to enjoy.

Penn Valley third-graders celebrated Halloween with a Halloween Dictionary Search, where they practiced their skills in using guide words, parts of speech, and alphabetical order. It was a spooktacular way to sharpen their RELA skills while having fun!

Students from Pennsbury and nearby districts recently dressed in pink at cheer practice in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These dedicated athletes are part of the Fireflies Cheer Abilities Team, which is a branch of Pennsbury Falcons Cheer Athletics (PFCA) and is coached by Kelly Liston. This fall and winter, the Fireflies will be competing in four major cheer competitions. In addition to their busy season, some team members also had the chance to participate in an Eagles Cheer Clinic over the weekend, learning new routines and skills. The month wrapped up with their annual Halloween party, where team members dressed in costume and celebrated together.

PFCA is an independent, nonprofit organization offering recreational cheerleading opportunities for athletes interested in sideline cheer, special abilities cheer, and competitive cheer.

At Manor Elementary, teacher Patty Kropp's 3rd-5th graders learned about the voting process. Following their lessons, students were tasked with creating public service announcements (PSAs) to encourage others to vote. Some students designed eye-catching posters that are now displayed throughout the building, while others chose to showcase their creativity through engaging memes and videos. This initiative not only helped students understand the importance of voting, but also allowed them to share their messages in fun and impactful ways!

Come out on November 8 from 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. to Playa Bowls at 110 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills to support Pennsbury Kids. Please mention the fundraiser when placing an order.

Pennsbury Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with the Pennsbury School District to provide funds to solve needs for students that are not able to be met with existing programs from federal, state, county, or other nonprofit organizations. Pennsbury Kids support our students in many ways throughout the year through things like instrument donations, collection drives for the district's food pantries, and most recently, strong support for Pennsbury's Starting School "Write" event. This community-driven initiative, support students and families as they prepare for the new school year by providing free back-to-school haircuts and school supplies.

Pennsbury High School Drama Club Proudly Presents

Almost, Maine by John Cariani

It's about love...but not quite!

When: November 21-23 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: PHS West, The Cave (608 South Olds Blvd)

All Tickets $10 (Cash only at door)

Click here to purchase tickets!

Pennsbury High School Drama Club Proudly Presents

A play about the magic of childhood:

S.T.A.G.E. Magic Theatre

When: November 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Where: PHS West, The Cave (608 South Olds Blvd)

All tickets $5 (Cash only at door)

Click here to purchase tickets!

**Magic Theatre is a relaxed performance for all ages and abilities.**

The Pennsbury Community Swap event is back! Give away your old things and pick up new ones - all items are free of charge! All families in the Pennsbury community are welcome.

Where: Manor Elementary School

When: Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Click here for more information.

The final date to get your Senior Portrait taken to be featured in the yearbook is November 15, 2024. No Senior Portraits will be accepted after this date. There are no exceptions.

Offer/Price/Start-End Dates

• Back to School (Free Icons)
• $85.00
• 8/31/24 - 10/25/24
• Campaign 1
• $90.00
• 10/26/24 - 11/15/24
• Campaign 2
• $90.00
• 11/16/24 - 12/13/24
• Last Chance to Buy Personalization Online
• $90.00
• 12/14/24 - 1/31/25
• Limited Supply
• $95.00

Personalization: $10

Icons: $5

Signature Package: $18

Clear Protective Cover, Autograph Section, Photo Pockets: $5

Advertisements

• Full Page: $265.00
• 1/2 Page: $140.00
• 1/4 Page: $90.00
• 1/8 Page: $50.00

Please contact Nick Ruggieri with any questions at nruggieri@pennsburysd.org.

Join us for the PHS Mini-Thon Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Pennsbury High School. Please click here to register!

By participating in the Turkey Trot, you'll be joining the fight to conquer childhood cancer alongside Four Diamonds, an organization dedicated to assisting children treated at Penn State Health Children's Hospital and their families. Four Diamonds covers 100 percent of all medical expenses related to cancer care not covered by insurance for eligible Four Diamonds children.

Let’s come together as a community to walk or run and make a difference for kids fighting cancer. See you on November 16!

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.

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!

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

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.

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