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.

Pictured above (l-r): Superintendent Dr. Tom Smith, Founder & Owner of Yogamazia Dr. Michelle El Khoury, Award Presenter and Afton Teacher Kristin Slota, Executive Director of FoDC Michael Ginder, Board Vice President of FoDC Laure Duval, & Award Presenter and William Penn Teacher Julie Samples

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On Wednesday, April 19, the Pennsbury Partners Program (PPP) held their 22nd Annual Partnership Recognition Reception at William Penn Middle School. Each year, the PPP honors a Business Partner of the Year and a Non-Profit Partner of the Year. Congratulations to this year's winners:

• Business Partner of the Year: Dr. Michelle El Khoury, Founder and Owner of Yogamazia
• Non-Profit Partner of the Year: Michael Ginder, Executive Director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal (FoDC)

Watch the video below to learn more about these amazing partnerships!

Click here to view a full list of this year's PPP sponsors.

Thank you to all of our Pennsbury Partners. These businesses and organizations dedicate their time and enrich the lives of our students year after year. We appreciate you!

Recently, Edgewood Elementary School held its Autism and Neurodiversity Walk-A-Thon and raised over $13,000! "Please believe me when I tell you that our school family was overwhelmed by the generosity of families and support of such a tremendous cause," said Edgewood Principal Stephanie Hultquist. "We wanted to be able to share with you all the JOY felt on the day of our walk as our community came together to support us! Please view a special video here that we compiled to celebrate the event."

All proceeds donated will be utilized for planning neurodiverse experiences, Community Based Instruction (CBI) opportunities, materials for specialized classrooms, and playground supports. Special thank you to Mrs. Lucisano, one of Edgewood's specialized teaching staff, who organized the event in partnership with their PTO.

Edgewood is unique to specialized programming as they partner with the district to support 5 specialized classrooms with focus largely across the Autistic Support spectrum. "Edgewood values the inclusive opportunities we are able to provide for ALL students in partnership with a supportive staff and community," said Hultquist.

Just in time for Earth Day, the Green Team at Fallsington Elementary School officially kicked off the school's recycling program. The team shared a "How to Recycle" presentation created by school board vice president Gary Sanderson and gifted support teacher Sherri Cohoon with all students and staff.

Fallsington's Green Team comprises students in grades 3-5 who truly show care and concern for the environment. They meet before school to brainstorm ideas to make the school more sustainable. Mrs. Cohoon says the recycling program has been met with great success, and she looks forward to implementing the team's sustainability plans next year and beyond.

Sixth-grade students at Pennwood Middle School recently took advantage of the beautiful weather and got outside to test the Scientific Method by launching rockets. Under the guidance of science teacher Mrs. Bevington, each student applied their new knowledge of the Scientific Method by making rockets, creating a hypothesis, and drawing conclusions with self-calculated results. The students also flexed their math brains by calculating average distances in inches while launching rockets from different positions on self-made launch pads. Mission accomplished!

As part of their capstone requirement to earn the Pennsbury High School STEM Graduate distinction, seniors Vinay Belogodu, Alex Huegler, and Jack Shea recently attended STEM nights at Afton and Makefield Elementary Schools to share their knowledge with some of the district's younger students. Each student shared what they learned by designing, manufacturing, and building a robotic eye that was part of the dragon sculpture at the PHS Senior Prom last year. This year, they are constructing a replica of R2D2 for this year's 1980's themed prom.

These seniors are members of SeaFalcons, Pennsbury's award-winning underwater robotics club. They are completing an engineering independent study this semester under the guidance of Applied Engineering and Technology teacher Terry Poulton. Alex and Jack plan on pursuing an engineering major this fall, with a concentration on mechanical engineering, while Vinay plans on studying aeronautical engineering.

On April 19, 2023, PHS senior Henry Franklin was awarded first place in the 2023 Bucks County Short Fiction contest for his story, “The Portraits of Randal Holmes." The award was presented by Professor Elizabeth Luciano of Bucks Community College.

In selecting the winner, Dr. Erangee Kumarage cited Franklin’s story as “A sophisticated critique of corporate greed, capitalism, and the complicity of the church and state in the oppression of the workers. The protagonist, Randal Holmes, is a compelling figure who appears to be more a vessel for art than an artist and who can’t help but fulfill the prophecy in his art. The prose contains vivid imagery (“His mental servos collapsed; his cognitive cylinders silenced”). The story invites multiple readings, so intricate is its symbolism.” Congratulations, Henry!

Pictured above (l-r): Vaunsh Patel, Bryce Mosmen, & Sebastian Godun Not Pictured: Meha Koul

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Ten Pennsbury High School students attended the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference earlier this week in Hershey, Pennsylvania. In addition to learning valuable business skills and listening to numerous professional keynote speakers, students competed in various business-related events. The following students were recognized for their top placement in their respective events:

• Sebastian Godun, 3rd Place, Personal Finance
• Bryce Mosmen, 7th Place, Sports and Entertainment Management
• Vaunsh Patel, 7th Place, Personal Finance
• Meha Koul, 7th Place, Introduction to Business Communications

FBLA is an international education association of students preparing for careers in business or who are interested in learning about the free enterprise system. FBLA helps students develop leadership abilities and prepare for entry into and advancement within a business-related occupation. Over 5,000 students attended the State Leadership Conference this year, all working hard to compete and win in 71 different events. Pennsbury has offered FBLA as an extracurricular club for many years and the chapter is excited to continue its success in competition!

Sebastian Godun, with his 3rd Place finish, also qualified to compete at the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this summer. Congratulations to all of our future business leaders!

(Pictured above) PHS Speech and Debate Coach Scott Pollack and Amanda Qu

Pennsbury High School senior Amanda Qu recently competed in the prestigious Tournament of Champions National High School Debate Tournament (TOC) hosted by the University of Kentucky. This is Amanda’s second consecutive appearance at TOC.

Amanda placed 4th overall in Original Oratory (OO) with her piece titled “A Change of Heart. “ In addition, she reached the semi-final in Informative Speaking. Over 300 schools from 40 states participated in three days of intense competition.

According to the National Speech and Debate Association, OO is a speech written by the student to inform or persuade the audience on a topic of significance. It is a well-researched and organized presentation with evidence, logic, emotional appeals, and sometimes humor to convey a message.

The Tournament of Champions uses a bid system in which placing high enough in certain nationally or regionally respected tournaments earns debaters a bid, with at least two bids needed to compete.

On Thursday, April 20, Afton Elementary School held its first annual SPARK Expo. Students from all grades got to show off their own unique projects and share what they've learned this year with friends and family. Many projects were interactive, and guests were able to play student-made games such as mini-golf, basketball, and more. SPARK teachers Mrs. Slota and Mr. F were "SPARKletastic"! Director of Elementary Education Michele Spack, School Board Assistant Secretary Linda Palsky, and PA State Representative Perry Warren were in attendance.

Pennsbury introduced SPARK as a fifth elementary school Special in the 2019-20 school year. SPARK stands for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through Perseverance, Application, Resilience, and Kinetic Knowledge. The program is designed to teach 21st Century Skills (collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking) at the elementary level to foster strong development of these skills throughout the educational journey.

Over 200 projects were recently on display at the Makefield Elementary SPARK Expo. Students in grades kindergarten through 5th submitted projects for the Expo, spear-headed by Makefield SPARK teacher Kristy Davis.

Pennsbury introduced SPARK as a fifth elementary school Special in the 2019-20 school year. SPARK stands for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through Perseverance, Application, Resilience, and Kinetic Knowledge. The program is designed to teach 21st Century Skills (collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking) at the elementary level to foster strong development of these skills throughout the educational journey.

Walt Disney Elementary School kicked off spring with a "Healthy Body, Healthy Mind" event on April 13, with over 38 families in attendance. The event was a collaboration with The Nutrition Group, Pennsbury's food service provider. Families moved throughout different stations during the evening, including STEM, art, movement, and nutrition.

At the STEM table, families engineered a hoverboard out of a paper plate, balloon, and straws. With a nod to Earth Day, the art activity included using recycled water bottles to stamp the bright colors of a hyacinth plant. Another favorite was the movement station, where students challenged their families to a round of Dice Bonk, a fast-paced dice game that requires players to be the first to reach 21 by adding up dice totals. To top it all off, The Nutrition Group provided families with healthy smoothies and valuable information on healthy diets.

The evening came to a close as the family names were drawn to win four themed baskets in art, stem, board games, and outdoor fun. It was a fun-filled evening with families and teachers spending time together!

On Friday, April 4, Pennsbury High School's AP German class engaged in a clean-up of the entire campus of PHS West. This was a hands-on approach to learning about the German Recycling Program known as der Grüne Punkt. The class split up into five teams and focused on specific areas of the campus.

Upon return, the students were provided a variety of on-ramps or choices to learn how Germans recycle. Students could watch videos, read an article, listen to a podcast, or any combination of the three based on their learning preferences. To demonstrate their learning, the students worked collaboratively to sort the trash they collected into the various "containers" they would have used in Germany.

Looking forward, the students will be evaluating and comparing Der Gruene Punkt as well as a Pfand or deposit system in Germany with the American Recycling system. Lastly, the students will conduct research and present a hypothetical proposal for the building of a new environmentally-friendly high school as well as sustainability practices all in German.

Fourth-grade students from Fallsington Elementary School recently learned first-hand what happens to water when they flush a toilet or use a sink.

The students, accompanied by Gary Sanderson, vice-president of the Pennsbury School Board of Directors, paid a visit to the Lower Buck County Joint Municipal Authority for a tour of the wastewater treatment plant.

Managing Director Vijay Rajput led the students through the grounds and facilities, explaining, in detail, the various processes that wastewater goes through once it reaches the plant before ultimately being put back into the water cycle.

The students were fascinated by the process, which involves the removal of debris before the water moves to sedimentation tanks, followed by another set of tanks where bacteria are used to remove any remaining organic waste. Mr. Rajput explained the importance of constantly testing the water to ensure the bacteria levels are at optimal levels to get the job done. Too much or too little bacteria can hinder the process. Once the bacteria has done its job, the water is treated with chlorine before it is piped three miles from the plant to the Delaware River and returned to the water cycle.

Pennsbury High School's award-winning underwater robotics club, the SeaFalcons, with the support of advisor Miguel Hermo, have been recognized for a recent community service project. The club received the Make A Splash community service award at the 2023 Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch and SeaGlide Challenge.

The team's officers (Riya Lakhani, Miranda Newton, Alex Huegler, Vinay Belagodu, Srujan Kumar Damaraju, Michael Davis, Jack Shea) coordinated a massive community spring litter cleanup last month spanning Trenton Road Park, Pennsbury High School East and West campuses in Falls Township, as well as LMT's Nature Trail, a local playground, baseball fields, and basketball courts. A hundred and twenty bags of garbage, a shopping cart, and tires​​​ were collected with the manpower of 103 volunteers helping for several hours. Volunteers from PHS's Environmental Club, AFJROTC, Boy Scout Troops, Mini-Thon, National Honors Society, Lower Makefield Township Youth Committee, and many other students, teachers, and community members contributed to the success.

Following the event, SeaFalcons team members presented before the LMT Parks and Rec Commission to share the details of the cleanup. “Beyond the tangible results of collecting trash, we were able to bring together a group of motivated individuals to work together for our community,” said Riya Lakhani, club President.

The team has been invited to the 2023 International SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland next month. "Attending the event is the culmination of our team's efforts over the last four years. We had been invited to the competition in 2020, but it was canceled due to Covid. Representing Pennsbury at an international event will be a great memory, as our officers are all graduating in June," said Riya.

In recognition of Earth Day, we are having our second annual Pennsbury Zero Waste Day this Monday, April 24, to raise awareness across all schools and buildings.

To underscore our commitment to sustainability, the Pennsbury Board of Directors recently approved our District Sustainability Plan. This three-year plan has identified key areas for use to reduce, reuse and recycle materials in our school.

Zero Waste Day reminds us that small, daily choices can make a big difference when practiced by many people!

On April 24 and every day going forward, we ask that you:

• Pay attention to the materials you use on a daily basis.
• Use only reusable items versus disposable items that end up in landfills.
• Do not make any copies unless they are absolutely essential and the task can’t be completed on a computer.
• If recyclables are placed in plastic bags, Waste Management can’t take them!
• Bottles and cans need to be emptied.
• Pennsbury uses single-stream recycling: paper, plastic, and cardboard in the same container.
• Have more questions about what can be recycled? Click Here

Please help us make Pennsbury even better!

Come on out for the Battle of the Bands at Charles Boehm Middle School! Proceeds from the event support the Charles Boehm 8th-grade class! Enjoy a night out with talented Pennsbury musicians!

Arsalan Alvi, a student in Mrs. Stumbaugh's 5th-grade class at Oxford Valley Elementary School, created a presentation to teach the class about Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr. Arsalan shared the meaning of this important holiday and the traditions and customs that go along with it. The class was impressed by the beautiful message of Ramadan. Arsalan explained the meaning of fasting: "The hunger teaches us to be patient. It also shows us how the less fortunate feel so we will be grateful for what we have. It is a month for us to take care of people in need." The students were so impressed by Arsalan's knowledge and commitment to his religion. He also prepared treat bags for the students to have them share in the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr.

Penn Valley Elementary's Title I Team hosted a Family Game Night on Tuesday, April 18. Families and teachers had a fun evening rotating between a variety of game stations. Door prizes were raffled off to some lucky winners, as well. It was a great evening all around!

Come join Pennsbury School District and The Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center for a special event in honor of Yom HaShoah.

Monday, April 24

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Pennsbury High School East Auditorium

Pennsbury's Best Buddies Friendship Walk will be taking place on Saturday, April 29th, at the Middle School campus track! Check-in opens at 9:00 a.m., and the walk begins at 9:30.

Please click here to register for the walk. There is also a link in the form that takes you to the Best Buddies Website, where you can register and fundraise to help support Pennsbury's Best Buddies program!

If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please complete this volunteer form.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Since 2009, more than 150,000 participants in 60 cities have walked to raise awareness for inclusion, friendship, leadership development, and integrated job opportunities for people with IDD.

Following the closing arguments of a murder trial, members of the jury battle between sympathy and empathy with a potential death penalty verdict at stake. As the jurors try to reach a unanimous decision while sequestered in a room, one juror casts considerable doubt on elements of the case. Personal issues soon rise to the surface, and conflict threatens to derail the delicate process that will decide one boy’s fate.

12 Angry Jurors, adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, is the last mainstage of the school year presented by Pennsbury High School’s Thespian Troupe 830 in the Orange Auditorium at Pennsbury High School West. Show dates are Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online or cash only at the door.

Casting includes thespians: Tim Brachelli, Andrew Capozzola, Evan Capozzola, Meghan Crohe, Cassi Daley, Michael Hartman, Maeve Healey, Janki Namboodiripad, Shaelyn Nuschke, Coral Ramos Saturria, Nate Vereb, Macey Webber, and Scott Wilson. Swings include: Charlie Block, Alex

Harkiewicz, Jason Kaplan, Fae Templeton and Caylee VanVeen

The annual Pennsbury School District Art Show is fast approaching. The tradition gives students in grades kindergarten through 12th to display their artistic abilities and works of art created under the guidance of the district's talented and knowledgable art teachers. Mark your calendars and check out student photography, paintings, mixed media, ceramics, and more! The PSD Art Show is May 2-4, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at PHS East Gymnasium.

Do you know a Pennsbury Gold Card holder or older adult in the community who appreciates art? Let know that the Pennsbury Art Department is holding a special PSD Art Show Preview for them on May 3, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered. Spread the word!

This year, the PSD Art Department is excited to our its first-ever District Art Show T-Shirt. The shirt was designed by Ben Pulka, a student at Pennsbury High School. Grab yours today! T-shirts are limited and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can order online via this link, or you may pay by cash or check by printing out this order form and returning it to your favorite art teacher or school's main office. T-shirts will be delivered to Homerooms or PHS B-Period teachers prior to the Art Show.

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.*

Set up shop and refresh your child's wardrobe at no cost by swapping gently worn clothing! This event is FREE to all Pennsbury families! Click here to reserve your table! Questions? Email Patty Kropp at pkropp@pennsburysd.org.

Come out on Sunday, April 30, for a healthy, fun, family day in support of Pennsbury School District PTOs! Click the link below to sign up. All proceeds benefit Pennsbury PTOs and the non-profit, Pennsbury Kids.

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.

Click here to register.

Click here for more information.

The Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 school year! All PHS seniors planning to attend college/trade school can apply, and PHS graduates can apply each year they are in school! Click here for more information and to apply.

TMA Bucks Community Traffic Safety Program is hosting its 3rd annual Teen Safe Driving ROADeo. This FREE event is open to all high school students in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The event is designed to keep teens safe on the roadway through education, interaction, and fun. Click the link and sign up today!

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 mission of the Pennsbury School District's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to collaborate with administration and parents to facilitate communication, sharing of resources, and offering of 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 here to learn more.

SEPAC holds monthly meetings, and all parents are welcome to join. Their next meeting is Thursday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this interest form.

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)

Please click here for more information.

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.

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 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.

Please click here for more details

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).

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"!

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