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.

Today is Veterans Day. This is a time to honor, remember, and celebrate those who bravely served our country. On this day, and every day, we say thank you to our veterans who have given so much. Schools district-wide held various activities and ceremonies this week to honor veterans. Some of which are highlighted in this week's Pennsbury On Point. To veterans in our community and everywhere, thank you for your service!

Pennsbury students took some time this week to get to know some of the district's veterans a little better and talk about their military experiences. Check out the link below to see their interviews!

After Covid forced administration at Charles Boehm Middle School to alter its annual Veterans Day Breakfast for the last two years, the event was restored to its normal in-person status yesterday. Local veterans were invited to join students at the school for food and a presentation. All the while, Principal Bloom had a special surprise in store for 6th grader Reaghan C. and her grandmother. Check out the video below to see the surprise! Thanks to Bob Kelly from FOX 29 for broadcasting from the school and helping us deliver this special moment!

Yesterday, Oxford Valley Elementary School hosted a special assembly in honor of Veterans Day. Students invited veterans they personally knew in their lives to attend this event. As the veterans entered, they were met with boisterous applause from the entire school. An empty chair sat among the veterans during the entire assembly to honor those we have lost. Members of the Pennsbury High School AFJROTC presented the colors.

Students learned about the sacrifices many veterans have had to make in their lives in order to serve and protect us, such as missing birthdays, holidays, weddings, and not being able to see their family for a very long time. They also learned that many veterans continue to struggle upon returning home, with things such as homelessness, joblessness, and mental health issues.

Mike Koniers, a veteran and member of the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors (PWW), spoke to the school and shared that donations to the PWW are used to provide emergency financial assistance to veterans to help pay for housing, utilities, transportation, medical, and other expenses. Ninety-six cents of every dollar donated goes directly to helping veterans.

The students who invited veterans were then called up to give their veteran a goody bag and a hug as a small thank you for everything they have done for us. Finally, music teacher Victoria Zajac led the entire school in a choreographed song for all of the veterans as a way of expressing their gratitude. Check out the video below!

Veterans related to students who attend Makefield Elementary School were invited to attend a special breakfast at the school on Thursday. Students kicked-off the event with the presentation of the colors before leading guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious breakfast and took in the beautiful and heartfelt Veterans Day messages created by students on display in the cafeteria.

The third-grade students of Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary welcomed a virtual guest speaker this week in honor of Veterans Day. Helen Stopper, and her sister Louise, shared a Veterans Day presentation with the students in the classrooms of Meg Velez, Karen DeSpirito, Sammy Gonzalez and Kris Bria and Hannah Rumbelow. Also in attendance were Lt. Colonel (R) Ken Bria and Afton Gifted Support Teacher, Eileen Koch. Ms. Stopper, a retired Pennsbury Administrator, declared the day a “Day of Peace” at Eleanor Roosevelt and shared the background of the first Armistice Day, which was later renamed Veterans Day. The presentation included photos of veterans in Ms. Stopper’s own family, along with pictures of Lt. Colonel (R) Ken Bria and Specialist Sammy Gonzalez. Both Mr. Bria and Specialist Gonzalez answered questions from the students. Ms. Stopper has shared a Veterans Day presentation with the 3rd Graders of Eleanor Roosevelt every year since 2016.

Students in Ms. Kopchinski's kindergarten class at Afton Elementary School prepared a special song to honor veterans.

"If not me, then who?" One simple statement by 1st Lieutenant Travis Manion, USMC, described the sense of duty felt by service members and their families. That sentiment was delivered to students at William Penn Middle School on Thursday. Chris Kearns and Bob Craven of the Travis Manion Foundation spoke to the students ahead of Veterans Day and shared Lieutenant Manion's story and the legacy he left behind. Students watched a video about Manion and the impact his legacy continues to have on the world. Following the video, a group discussion was held and students were asked to share their definitions for what it means to embody these four important qualities: Integrity, Kindness, Gratitude, and Perseverance. Students had some great answers, such as the importance of taking care of others, being thankful for the good things in life, and to never give up.

Click here to learn more about the Travis Manion Foundation and their mission. Thank you to William Penn teacher Mrs. Dawn McCormick and the staff of William Penn for their efforts in planning and making this educational event possible.

Seventh and 8th-grade students from Charles Boehm, Pennwood, and William Penn participated in an all-day choir festival at Pennsbury High School West on Thursday, November 9. The day was designed to give middle school students at sneak peek at choir activities at the high schools. The students worked with the high school choir directors and performed alongside the Pennsbury High School Chamber Choir for their families.

The world-famous Harlem Wizards are coming to Pennsbury on December 3, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.! This fun-filled, family event is open to the entire Pennsbury community and all proceeds from the evening will benefit the Pennsbury Education Foundation. Tickets are now on sale! Click the link below to purchase.

The Pennsbury Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) committed to supporting the best possible curriculum, instruction, and programs for all Pennsbury students. Click here to learn more about the PEF.

The Pennsbury High School Marching Band's drum line recently participated in a recording session for the 6ABC Thanksgiving Day parade. The drum line will be featured as part of the parade's opening production number. Make sure to tune in and see the Long Orange Line in its 39th appearance in the parade.Coverage begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day!

Pennsbury art teacher Maggie Weber recently presented a hands-on workshop on mixed media sculpture design techniques to K-12 teachers at the annual Pennsylvania Art Education Conference (PAEA). The two-day conference was held in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and art teachers, art professors, and museum educators from around the state attended the event.

Weber was invited to present after submitting a blind-reviewed proposal and selected by a panel made up of PAEA members.

Weber currently teaches Art 1 and 3D Design at Pennsbury High School but has taught various visual arts courses since coming to PHS six years ago.

"This is my first time teaching 3D Design at PHS, and I am loving it! I have learned a lot from my colleagues (shout out to Mr. May!) and enjoy sharing new techniques and concepts with my students. I started using shreddy mix with animal head sculptures in my Art 2 courses last year, and the students were able to create realistic textural details and forms with the material. I am drawn to mixed media materials because I think it is engaging and interesting to students at all levels," said Mrs. Weber.

In addition to teaching at PHS, Mrs. Weber also serves as the PAEA Region Representative for Bucks and Montgomery counties.

Do you enjoy working with children?

Do you like working close to home and earning a competitive salary?

Becoming a Pennsbury Bus Driver is the job for you!

We offer…

- A competitive salary
- Flexible hours
- A student-centered work environment
- Paid training for your CDL

Come join our team!

Apply online at: www.pennsburysd.org or call: 215-428-4140

Current CDL holders can start right away! (Once they receive proper clearances)

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. If you are interested in attending meetings, please fill out this interest form.

Their next meeting will be Thursday, November 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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.

Free breakfast is now available to all Pennsbury students. The Universal Free Breakfast Program will run through the end of the 2022-23 school year. More than 1.7 million Pennsylvania children enrolled in public schools, intermediate units, charter schools, career and technology centers, and childcare institutions that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs will benefit from this state-funded program.

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).

Click here to visit the Pennsbury School District's E-Flyers Page. On this page, you will find flyers that represent current or ongoing announcements of interest to Pennsbury students and families. 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.

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 $13-$15/hr. 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