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)!

• Affordable Connectivity Program - Bringing Affordable Internet to Families
• 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
• Pennsbury Sports Schedules
• PHS Project Updates
• Remote Learning Information
• Safe2Say - Anonymous Tip Line
• Senior Spotlight Submission Form - Class of 2024
• Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) - Events and Info

Pennsbury was filled with young helpers on Thursday, April 25, for Take Your Children to Work Day! It was a pleasure to see the bright faces of so many children exploring the District in a different light and getting a glimpse into the jobs that their parents do.

At the Fallsington Administration building, children, the majority of whom are district students, participated in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Smith, superintendent of schools, offering feedback on everything from food services to homework. At the schools, some kids served as teacher's assistants, while others helped run the front office.

From meeting their parents' colleagues to experiencing firsthand the difference that their parents make every day, it was a day full of learning and fun!

Thursday, April 25, was a remarkable evening as Pennsbury High School proudly inducted 191 new members into the National Honor Society! The ceremony at Pennsbury High School East auditorium celebrated academic achievement, leadership, service, and character.

Led by dedicated National Honor Society advisors, Ms. Tara Bellman and Mrs. MaryAnn Daley, the ceremony began with entertainment provided by Pennsbury High School concert jazz band members.

One by one, the outgoing student officers of the NHS spoke about the core values of the National Honor Society, focusing on its four pillars: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These pillars serve as guiding lights for students as they strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.

As a symbol of knowledge and commitment, the NHS officers led the new inductees in a candle-lighting ceremony. This act represented the passing of wisdom and the pledge to uphold the society's ideals. Together, they recited the National Honor Society pledge, a powerful affirmation of their dedication to academic excellence and service to others.

Pennsbury assistant superintendent Dr. Theresa Ricci concluded the ceremony with a heartfelt congratulatory message to the new inductees, inspiring them to continue their academic success and community service journey.

Congratulations to the newest members of the PHS National Honor Society!

The Pennsbury Choir Department took center stage on April 24 at the historic Princeton University Chapel for the 16th annual Big Sing. The talented performers of the Middle School Honor Choir, 9th-grade Chorus, Chorale, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, and Pennsbury Community Chorus filled the majestic hall with breathtaking harmonies and melodies.

The choirs showcased months of dedication and hard work under the guidance of our exceptional choir directors, Jordan Dalbenzio, Lindsey Strauss, Josh Suslak, and James Moyer.

Pennsbury's Vocal Music program is known throughout the region for its emphasis on musical excellence. All elementary students receive weekly instruction from a vocal music specialist. In addition, 5th-grade students perform in their school choir. In middle school, all students receive instruction in general music and may elect to participate in their school's chorus, vocal ensemble, and school musical. The Pennsbury High School Choral Musical Department boasts nearly 200 students in grades 9-12.

The department includes four academic choirs and one after-school ensemble for which students audition. PHS choirs are known internationally, performing in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The choirs have also performed multiple times in New York City at Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Monday, April 22 was Earth Day. Check out the different ways Pennsbury schools celebrated!

On Earth Day, students at Afton Elementary School took part in mindfulness activities like Yoga with Yogamazia, a Pennsbury Partner. Students also painted rocks to decorate the school's entrance, and learned about sustainability efforts from managers of local Starbucks. Later in the week, Afton's Green Team cleaned up the courtyard, with the help of friends from PECO and Sparks Environmental.

In honor of Earth Day, 5th-grade students at Edgewood Elementary School created unique jellyfish hanging in the library. What truly sets these jellyfish apart is the ingenious use of materials by the students. They transformed overhead projector transparency sheets, which were destined for the trash bin, into a stunning design. Then, they repurposed raffia, another potential waste, to complete their unique jellyfish creations. Kudos to the students and art teacher, Aphrodite Crane, for this creative, upcycled art project!

Fallsington's youngest students planted seeds in honor of Earth Day. The kindergarteners in Ms. Kooker and Mrs. Tietz's class learned the importance of taking care of nature. The students learned about the importance of protecting our plants and trees for our wildlife. They will continue their lessons with a culminating activity by spending the day at the Elmwood Zoo and then inviting the Elmwood Zoo (and some animal friends) to Fallsington Elementary!

Fourth graders at Makefield Elementary School celebrated Earth Day by tidying up school grounds. The students buddied up and went on a mission to find as much trash as they could in an effort to keep our Earth clean!

Students at Manor Elementary School spent the afternoon on Earth Day cleaning up their school grounds. Students also received nasturtium seeds in a biodegradable pot to take home and plant the courtesy of the Manor PTO.

7th graders chalked positive messages about sustainability on the bus dock to welcome parents to conferences and celebrate Earth Day.

On Earth Day, the Nutrition Group provided a meatless meal Monday opportunity to all three middle schools to highlight the environmental connection to food choices.

The Green Team is still collecting used crayons and juice pouches until Friday and then they will be recycling in partnership with the Yardley Refillery.

Congratulations to the Pennsbury Indoor Color Guard on their first place win at the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Network (MAIN) Championship Competition this past Saturday, April 20, 2024.

The team competed against 16 other high schools from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, taking home the gold medal in the Scholastic Novice Class with a score of 93.74.

The team of 12 students from grades 8-11 was led by captain Calleigh Gaffney (Grade 11), and is under the direction of PHS East Math teacher and Color Guard Director, Jacquelyn Stewart.

Southern Belle, a play written and directed by senior Ellie Umstead, was presented for adjudication on Tuesday, April 23. All judges were blown away by the level of writing, direction and acting.

Pennsbury earned the following awards:

Tennessee Williams Playwriting award - Ellie Umstead

Outstanding performance - Ava Mascio

Congratulations to Ellie Umstead and the entire to cast including: Ellie Palsgrove, Delaney Ryan, Jaymes Lewis, Maddie Levy, Matt Deem, Fae Templeton, Hibah Abdellatif, Emma Pepe, Ava Mascio and stage manager Aliana Rivera

Please join us this Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm in the West Cave to see this award winning play as well as 3 other plays (Little Women, directed by Annamarie Radzinski; The Father directed by Evan Capozzola; and The Game directed by Shaelyn Nuschke). Admission is free, donations are appreciated.

Students enrolled in Pennsbury High School's MOST (More Opportunities for Student Training) Program recently had the opportunity to explore the Integrated Studies program at Gwynedd Mercy University. This program is part of Think College's list of offerings available to students with intellectual disabilities in higher education.

Pennsbury's MOST Program is designed to support students with disabilities as they transition from secondary education to post-secondary life. It provides individualized instruction, vocational training, and community-based experiences to help students develop essential life skills and prepare for independent living and employment.

Pennsbury will be sharing "Senior Spotlight" social media posts for graduating seniors on the district's Facebook and Instagram pages. Posts will include a picture of the senior, along with a custom caption.

Click here to fill out a Google Form so you can have your Pennsbury High School senior featured in our Senior Spotlight!

*Only one post per senior, so please confer with other family/friends before submitting. A form must be submitted for a senior to have a post.*

Check out the work of students taking Stained Glass techniques at Pennsbury High School. In Stained Glass Techniques 1 students learn the basic knowledge and skills to create two and three-dimensional original stained glass artwork. In Stained Glass Techniques 2, students develop advanced design and stained glass skills. They may also be introduced to glass etching, sand blasted, and warm glass techniques such as fusing, slumping, and painting.

Pennwood Middle School's outdoor classroom is officially open! Mrs. Stinson's geometry class was the first to use the new outdoor space, dubbed "Respect Way" While the weather was a bit chilly this week, learning outside offered a welcome change from being indoors!

Pennsbury High School student Vedant Bargat and his father Vishal recently shared the vibrant traditions of Holi with his fellow students in Ms. Baxter's class.

Holi is a joyous Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal. It signifies the arrival of spring, the victory of good over evil, and the importance of unity and love. People come together to forgive and forget, play with colors, and spread happiness in each other's lives.

Vedant and Vishal explained the significance of Holi, its customs, and rituals, enlightening Vedant's peers about this rich cultural heritage and fostering cultural understanding and appreciation.

Pennsbury High School’s Drama Troupe #830 will present their student-directed One Act plays on April 26 & 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Pennsbury High School West (Orange Auditorium, aka The Cave). One Act plays are plays performed in 20 minutes or less. They are often-times snippets of full-length plays and used as competition pieces. This year four plays Little Women, The Father, A Game and Southern Belle were selected. Click here to read the full press release.

The Pennsbury School District is partnering with our PTOs, PEA, PESPA, and PASA for a great community event that supports our district's wellness mission. We cordially invite you to join almost 900 family members, district administrators, building principals, teachers, staff members, and students walking and running together in the YesYouCan 5K.

When: April 28, 2024 @ 9:00 A.M. (check-in 7:30-8:30)

Where: Behind Pennwood Middle School

Register: www.YesYouCan5K.com

First time going this distance? You can do it! Here is a link to a 4-week plan and article shared by Tom Stoddart, our K-12 Health and Physical Education Curriculum Coordinator.

Each participant will check a box for a school affiliation. School PTOs will share the profits of the event based on the number of runners connected with each school. A portion of the proceeds will also be donated to the charity Pennsbury Kids.

We hope to see you on April 28, 2024!

Congratulations to four Pennsbury High School students Shane Cherry, Kevin Chesney, Amber Miller, and Allen Solchaga whose works of art will be featured in the annual Tri-State DisAbility Art Show. An opening reception for the show will be held on April 26 beginning at from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Y.A.L.E. Performing Arts Center (750 Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill, NJ).

The gallery is also open for public viewing on April 27 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The Tri-State DisAbility Art Show is an inclusive event celebrating the talents and experiences of young artists in K-12 who are from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Delaware.

Pennsbury School District will be hosting the annual District Art Show on May 7, 8, & 9 at PHS East Campus. The Art Show celebrates the innovative, expressive, and divergent thinking of students in Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade! Please join us as we recognize our student artists, their hard work and thought provoking art at the District Art Show. Evening hours are 6-8pm on May 7, 8, & 9. PHS East Gymnasium is located at 705 Hood Blvd, Fairless HIlls. Your Art teachers cannot wait to see you there!

Pennsbury Community Chorus Presents:

Donald McCullough's Holocaust Cantata

with special guest Avi Wisnia

WHEN: Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Shir Ami - 101 Richboro Newtown Rd, Newtown, PA

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!

Click here to check out News from the Nest, the Pennsbury Athletic Department's new newsletter! Stay up to date on all things Falcon Athletics!

Join us for the 2024 Pennsbury Instrumental Music Summer Program, being held Monday evenings, July 1 - August 19, 2024! This program is open to all current 4th - 8th grade Pennsbury Band and Orchestra students. Students will participate in full ensemble rehearsals and sectionals! Attendance at all sessions is encouraged but not mandatory, so come play your instrument with us as much as you are able!

When: Monday evenings 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, 19

Culmination Concert: Monday, August 19 at 7:00 p.m. @ PHS East

Where: Currently in Grades 4 & 5 - William Penn Middle School (1524 Derbyshire Rd, Yardley, PA )

Currently in Grades 6, 7, & 8 - Pennwood Middle School (1523 Makefield Road, Yardley, PA)

Cost: $100 on or before 5/15/24; $125 after 5/15/24

To Register:

1. Complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM here: https://rb.gy/hvs0hw

2. Send payment to:
   Pennsbury Instrumental Music Summer Program
   ℅ Adam Pfannenstiel
   Pennwood Middle School
   1523 Makefield Rd, Yardley, PA 19067

• Checks or Money Orders must be made payable to: PIMB
• Please put STUDENT NAME & “SMP” in the memo line
• PLEASE NO CASH!

Cancellations on or before June 23, 2024 will incur a $25 charge. No refunds after June 23, 2024.

Many parents and caregivers struggle with how to help their child or teen with behavioral health issues. By attending one of these FREE workshops targeting specific age groups of the child, we will provide you with useful, age-appropriate information and practical strategies you can use at home right away. You’ll also meet other caregivers facing similar issues. Presenters are both skilled clinicians specializing in children and teens, and parents themselves.

All caregivers are welcome, including but not limited to: parents, step-parents, grandparents, foster parents, and professional caregivers! All classes will be held in person at: Lenape Valley Foundation 500 North West Street, Doylestown, PA. Attendees must complete the form to register and attend. One form must be submitted for each attendee. Click here to register!

Run by Pennsbury teachers Dana Hoffman and Aphrodite Crane. It will be taking place at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School this summer, but is open to all Pennsbury students in that age range.

Click here to register!

A SWAP Meet, short for "Swap and Share" or "Stuff We All Possess," is a great way for people to exchange gently used items they no longer need for things they can use or want. These events are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability by reducing waste and promoting the reuse of items. Here's how a SWAP meeting typically works:

1. Gathering Items: Participants gather items from their homes that are in good condition but are no longer needed or wanted. These items can include clothing, toys, household items, books, and more. The idea is to bring items that someone else might find valuable.
   
   
2. Sorting and Display: When you arrive at the SWAP meeting, items are usually sorted into categories and displayed in an organized manner. This makes it easier for participants to find what they're looking for.
   
   
3. Giving and Getting: Participants can either give, get, or both. If you have items to give, you can place them on designated tables or in specific areas for others to take. If there are items you need or want, you can browse through the items brought by other participants and take what you need.
   
   
4. No Money Exchange: The key principle of a SWAP meeting is that no money is exchanged. Everything is based on the principle of sharing and swapping items freely.
   
   
5. Unclaimed Items: After the SWAP meeting, any unclaimed items are often donated to local charities or organizations, ensuring that even items that weren't swapped find a useful purpose. You can take it to the nearest location and support another person by donating any items you have left.
   
   

SWAP meetings are a win-win for both individuals and the environment. They promote recycling and reusing, reduce waste, and provide an opportunity for community members to connect while helping one another. It's a great way to declutter your home and acquire items you need without spending money.

We hope you can join us. If you would like to join us, click here and complete the Google Form.

Join us for the 2024 Pennsbury Instrumental Music Summer Program, held Monday evenings from July 1 - August 19, 2024. This program is open to all current 4th - 8th grade Pennsbury Band and Orchestra students. Click here for more information and to register!

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.

The Pennsbury Community Chorus Musical Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast, Jr., July 22 - August 1, 2024. Led by PHS Choral Director, Lindsey Strauss, this unique opportunity is open to rising 5th graders through rising 10th-graders. Students will learn theatrical skills during the two-week camp, held at Pennsbury High School West, culminating in a performance showcasing those skills. For more information and to register, visit www.pennsburysings.org.

Pennsbury High School Cheerleading announces **SAVE THE DATES** for clinics and tryouts for the 2024-2025 Season. Male and female athletes with experience of all levels are welcome. Parents and guardians of interested athletes are strongly encourage to attend the May 6 meeting so that all parties involved understand the level of commitment expected of Pennsbury cheerleaders. All questions can be directed to pennsburyhscheercoaches@gmail.com

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.

Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.

Now that the we've had two "traditional snow days," Pennsbury schools will transition to remote learning for all students in the event of another weather-related issue. This will allow us to count these days as instructional days and avoid lengthening the school year.

Please click the button below to familiarize yourself with the District's Remote Learning procedures.

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

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

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.

PHS Key Club is cleaning pill bottles to be donated to developing Latin American countries. These pill bottles will be used to package medical supplies for those in need. Students have cleaned over 180 bottles and are looking to clean even more throughout the school year. If you are looking to declutter your medicine cabinet, please reach out to Vanessa Fry (vfry@pennsburysd.org) or Oksana Cheeseman (ocheeseman@pennsburysd.org) to donate!

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!

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! Positions include Food Service Workers, Cooks, and Kitchen Managers with rates from $15 - $17 per hour. The hours are Monday-Friday, school hours only. No nights, weekends, or holidays! Apply today by calling the Nutrition Group office at 215-949-6740 ext. 2, or click here and search for "Pennsbury"!

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, or leave a message at 215-428-4100, ext. 73669 (PENNY).

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