Pennsbury on Point is a weekly newsletter designed to keep the Pennsbury community up-to-date on district news, events, and information. The newsletter will be 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.

The world-famous Harlem Wizards, proudly presented by NorthPoint Development, are returning to Pennsbury! This family-friendly event will take place TOMORROW, December 2, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Pennsbury High School East (705 Hood Boulevard, Fairless Hills.) Order your tickets today and watch as the Wizards take on some of your favorite teachers and staff members for a night of tricks, hoops, and alley-oops!

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.

Get ready for high-flying entertainment and fun for the whole family. Last year's game sold out! Tickets are going fast! Click here to order yours today! Thank you to our generous sponsors NorthPoint Development, KidsCare of Pennsbury, McCaffrey's Food Markets, CG Orthodontics, and Shoprite of Yardley!

Big J from the Wizards visited all ten of our elementary schools over the last two weeks, giving students a sneak peek at all the fun. Check out the videos below to see some of the fun!

Dear Pennsbury School Community,

The recent snow flurries remind us that winter weather will soon be upon us, bringing possible school closures or delayed openings and early dismissals. I would like to walk you through the process of how we make those decisions.

How is a weather-related closing or delay decision made?
In the early morning hours, we study weather forecasts and conditions in the community and confer with area superintendents. The final decision rests on my shoulders with advice from our Director of Facilities, the local emergency services personnel, and other key administrators. There are numerous factors to consider with the safety of students and staff at the top of the list.

Will all weather-related closures be virtual learning days?

• No, we built two (2) weather days into our calendar.
• The first two (2) weather days will be traditional, old-school snow days for students (no school, no homework for students).
• After these two days are used, on day three (3) we will transition to remote learning for weather-related closings. This will allow us to count these days as instructional days and avoid lengthening the school year.

How will we inform families about a weather decision?

• The decision to close schools or have a delayed opening will be made no later than 5:30 a.m. An early dismissal must be determined prior to 10 a.m.
• As in the past, we will notify families of a school closing, delay, or early dismissal by phone. This communication will occur between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. for a closing and by 10:00 a.m. for an early dismissal. Families will receive a phone call, email notification, and text message (if opted in).
• Families will receive notifications using the contact information listed in PowerSchool.
• Closure or delay information will also be placed on the district website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Whenever possible, we will make a decision the night before a weather emergency. In those cases, communication will be sent before 10:00 p.m.

As we begin the season of ice, snow, and cold and the challenges that winter weather brings, I want to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

This time of year also provides a great opportunity to attend one of our many school performances. You can find the District activity schedule here.

Sincerely,

Thomas A. Smith, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
tsmith@pennsburysd.org
215-428-4111

The 2023-24 Pennsbury High School Basketball season is officially underway! Check out this chilling hype video for the Boys Basketball team directed by seniors Colin Kelliher and Sam Callahan, with the help of Mr. Stymiest from the Pennsbury Channel. We wish the boys and girls basketball teams a successful season! Let's go Falcons!

Fourth-grade students at Makefield Elementary School recently participated in the Pennsylvania Invention Convention (PAIC) competition. The students formed teams and met during recess twice a week to work on their inventions. Teams worked through the engineering design process to think of a common problem and create a prototype for their solution to that problem. They also submitted blueprints and a pitch video. Congratulations to all of the hardworking and creative teams!

Creativity, critical thinking, innovation, teamwork, and communication skills are recognized as the skills that prepare students for increasingly complex school, work, and life environments. The Pennsylvania Invention Convention gives students recognition for creating inventions to solve real-world problems. Students discover a world in which they can gain the confidence and skills to invent their own future. (source)

Several Pennsbury schools held a Pajama Day today to support the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Students and staff at Afton, Fallsington, Quarry Hill, and Charles Boehm Middle School wore their favorite pajamas to help raise money for the children and families cared for at CHOP. Together, the school raised awareness and donated hundreds of dollars.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is the nation's first hospital devoted exclusively to the care of children. Families facing complex conditions come to CHOP from all over the world. Click here to donate.

Students in Pennsbury High School's Family and Consumer Sciences' Multicultural Cuisine classes have been researching the cuisine and culture from their own heritage. Inspired by Culinary Historian Michael Twitty, students have explored their own personal food history and the story that it tells.

As students traveled through the Caribbean, Empanadas Puertorriqueñas became an exciting topic within the classrooms. Motivated by class discussions and research, it quickly became evident where to get the best recipe: directly from the kitchen of one of their culinary students, Miah Galarza!

Connecting the classroom to home, Miah and her mother not only shared their family recipe but also made their own sofrito to season their Empanadas Puertorriqueñas. Miah taught students how to fold the empanadas and fry them to the perfect golden brown. Delicioso!

Pennsbury High School students enrolled in 3D Design I headed to Philadelphia for some artistic inspiration. The students toured Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, an immersive mixed-media art environment located on South Street. The nonprofit museum and art environment features the work of Isaiah Zagar.

Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood since the late 1960s, when he moved to the area with his wife, Julia. The couple helped spur the revitalization of the area by renovating derelict buildings and adding colorful mosaics on both private and public walls.

Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences. The space is made up of two indoor galleries and a bi-level outdoor sculpture garden. (Source)

The artistically-inspiring day ended with a picnic and play at a park near the museum.

Are you confused by college financial aid planning? We are here to help! On Thursday, November 30, the Pennsbury High School Counseling Department held a Financial Aid Planning presentation at Pennsbury High School East. Check out the recording below to learn how to navigate all of the options.

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!

The PHS Crochet Club wants to outfit the troops this winter, and they need your help! Pennsbury crafters are going to make handmade hats and scarves for U.S. troops through Operation Gratitude's Handmade with Love Program. If you have any extra yarn lying around, please consider donating it to the PHS Crochet Club. Donations can be dropped off at PHS East. To arrange pickup of large donations or for more information, please contact club advisor Breanne Weeden at bweeden@pennsburysd.org.

Please join us for our Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) event on Tuesday, January 23 from 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. in the Pennsbury High School East Auditorium. All parents/guardians are encouraged to listen, learn, and share.

If you are unable attend, the event will be recorded and posted on the district's SEPAC page. If you are interested in joining SEPAC, please complete this interest form to be notified of upcoming events and important information.

The mission of Pennsbury's SEPAC is to collaborate with administration and parents to facilitate communication, sharing of resources, and offer support programs. SEPAC strives to improve the experiences and education of all students who receive special education, while promoting understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within the Pennsbury School District.

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!

The annual required Chromebook fee that allows students in grades 5-12 to take their device home can now be paid online. The price is $40.00 (reduced to $15 for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch). The Chromebook fee can be paid by logging on to PowerSchool through a web browser, not the PowerSchool mobile app. Cash or check payments are also accepted at each school.

Click here for detailed instructions. If you are having difficulty with a payment, please email ChromebookPaymentQuestions@pennsburysd.org.

If you are having difficulty logging into PowerSchool, please contact the appropriate person at your student’s school:

• High School and Middle Schools - Guidance Office
• Elementary Schools - School’s Main Office

Download the FREE, Pennsbury School District App today and receive important alerts, news, and information. Customize your app experience and follow specific schools, calendars, lunch menus, and more! Available for FREE in the App Store and Google Play.

Apple (iOS) - Click Here to Download

Android (Google Play) - Click Here to Download

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.

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

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.

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.

The Pennsbury Parent Academy (PPA) 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 recent presentations.

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.

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).

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"!

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