Pennsbury On Point
May 26, 2023
May 26, 2023
Welcome to Pennsbury on Point!
If you have any photos or story ideas you would like to see featured, please email the Public Relations Department at publicrelations@pennsburysd.org.
All Schools & Offices will be closed this Monday, May 29, in honor of Memorial Day.
The Americans on this Wall Never Grew Old
Pennsbury High School (PHS) hosted the 22nd annual Wall of Honor Ceremony on Friday, May 26. The proud Pennsbury tradition of honoring fallen American heroes with ties to the District is traditionally held the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.
The Pennsbury Wall of Honor displays the names of 200 fallen soldiers who either graduated from Pennsbury High School or are connected to someone who works or worked for the District.
The ceremony began with the Posting of the Colors by the PHS Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and the singing of the National Anthem by PHS senior Macey Weber.
Major James MacEachern, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor of the Pennsbury JROTC, welcomed guests and thanked the Color Guard, comprised of Cadets Owen Wood, Volodymyr Smirnov, Jaletsy Melendez, and Sydney Busak. Cadet Annabelle Tsolakis recited the opening prayer. PHS senior Richele Dean-Hoff recited the poem "In Flanders Field" by John McRae, which pays tribute to the fallen heroes of World War I who lost their lives in Belgium and France. Junior Madison Klein, whose great-uncle was killed in Vietnam and is remembered on the Wall of Honor, read an excerpt from the Gettysburg Address. Maggie Lloyd and Naomi Weiss, senior members of the PHS Marching Band, performed Echo Taps.
This year's guest speakers included PHS JROTC cadets Brian Yates and Jack Shea, who reflected on what the Wall of Honor and military service means to them. Cadet Yates comes from a family with strong military ties.
"Being a part of a family which includes two uncles that served in Vietnam, two great grandfathers that served in World War II, and an uncle who served in Desert Storm, this holiday is one of the closest to my heart, knowing they put their lives on the line to protect our country and may not have made it back," said Cadet Yates.
Cadet Shea, a senior, will attend the Air Force Academy this fall.
"I am humbled and honored to be given this incredible opportunity to serve my country while pursuing my passion for leadership and personal growth," said Cadet Shea.
The ceremony also included a video that displayed the faces of the heroes listed on the Wall of Honor. The brief but impactful video left its mark on those in attendance, which included local veterans, Gold Star families, community members, Pennsbury School District Administration, School Board Directors, teachers, and staff.
"They gave the ultimate sacrifice for a nation who ordered them or needed them to go in the name of freedom, and they answered the call," said Aly McBryar, now in her 9th year as lead advisor of the PHS Wall of Honor.
McBryar also paid tribute to the Gold Star families in attendance.
"Today is special, though, because we are not only honoring their sacrifice but also the sacrifices of their families who they left behind. Their parents, siblings, wives, loved ones, and friends watched them walk away with pride and love, not knowing if they would ever be seen again."
'The fates of the fallen are final, but what is left behind to the families is never-ending," added McBryar.
McBryar works closely with the Pennsbury Wall of Honor Foundation, a non-profit organization, to maintain the wall and foster an appreciation and respect for our nation's military.
"This ceremony and tradition heading into Memorial Day weekend are so important," added McBryar. "Our students walk by the Wall of Honor every day and see the faces and names of Pennsbury graduates and those within the Pennsbury community who gave the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. It is an honor and privilege to work with the veterans of the Pennsbury Wall of Honor Foundation and run this ceremony each year."
Discussions and plans are underway to enhance and expand the Wall of Honor next year. Tours of the wall are available to the public. Please contact Aly McBrayer at amcbryar@pennsburysd.org.
Click below to watch the Pennsbury Wall of Honor Ceremony.
PHS World Language Welcomes Newest National Honor Society Inductees
The Pennsbury World Language National Honor Society held its spring induction ceremony on Thursday, May 25. Eighty-two students were inducted to one of three societies - French, German, or Spanish. To be inducted, students must have completed levels 3, 4, Advance Placement or an independent study of French, German or Spanish with a minimum grade of 93%. Additionally, their language study overall average must be an average of at least a 91 percent. Level 3 students earned a certificate of induction. Level 4 awardees earned graduation cords, and AP awardees earned graduation tassels.
Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding accomplisment!
Level 3 Honors French
Ayla Alon
Olivia Beno
Charlotte Combs
Mia Donnelly
Adnane Elhouari
Michael Lynott
William McKeever
Sophia Oleynick
Sean Ponento
Catherine Potgieter
Madeline Rea
Chelsea Schneider
Ruth Schwartzkopf
Victoria Smith
Colin Tchang
Olivia Wund
Level 4 Honors French
Nila Anbarasu
Mia Donnelly
Zack Malinoff
Abby Moser
Catherine Potgieter
Level 3 Honors German
Nida Ayub
Onkar Bajwa
Derek Bednarz
Fiona Bunnell
Sarah Gygax
Jaclyn Hauben
Evan Hawkes
Ella Kasatkin
Charlie Kealy
Nora King
Philip Minton
Megan Oleynick
Gabriella Pearson
George Rittenhouse
Samantha Smith
Andrew Thau
Taylor Titano
Lucas Turry
Level 4 Honors German
Jack Carlson
Trevor Evon
Maeve Healey
Ahnika Hernandez-Feehan
Keira Lee
Megan McClure
Advanced Placement
Alexander Huegler
Dalima Lappia
Miranda Newton
Megan Spiegelberg
Alexa Ramos-Guitierrez
Level Three Honors Spanish
Sriya Amineni
Alyson Bernstein
John Darrington
Naima Doraiswamy
Madison Feyl
Annika Foundos
Siddharth Gunda
Juliet Labrecque
Samarth Mannikeri
Lucy Palmieri
Annamarie Radzinski
Vinay Ruparelia
Carter Sargent
Ridhi Singh
Oleksii Smirnov
Paige Workman
Kevin Ye
Level 4 Honors Spanish
Valeria Cadavid Pineda
Jessica Conlow
Matthew Hicks
Paige Johnson
Jason Kaplan
Daniel Kim
Connor Labiak
Samantha Leon
Ashley Makovsky
Janki Namboodiripad
Chloe Rhein
Izzy Stackawitz
Advanced Placement
Jessica Conlow
Patrick Tenley
Independent Study Art History
Eliza Ault
Pennsbury Competes at Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
Pennsbury is represented at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University this week!
All seven Pennsbury teams placed in the top 10 in their problem and division at the state tournaments at Lockhaven University in April, with the Division 1/Problem 2 team from Quarry Hill/Afton advancing to the finals!
Congrats to all the teams that represented Pennsbury at the State Tournament, and best of luck to the Quarry Hill/Afton team at the World Finals!!
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved in Odyssey of the Mind, please visit www.pennsburyom.com or contact the POMA Board at pennsburyom@gmail.com.
Pictured above - Quarry Hill/Afton (division 1, problem 2) Akira Dhundia, Swaha Patel, Seerat Kaur, Ujjwal Jha, Kellan Corley, Jonathan Braverman, Divisha Pehlajani
Edgewood Elementary School
Quarry Hill Elementary School
Pennwood Middle School
William Penn/Pennwood Middle Schools
Pennsbury High School/William Penn Middle School
Pennsbury High School
The Magic of Science Comes to Makefield
Master magician David Hagerman brought his science-based magical wizardry to Makfield Elementary School on May 23.
Hagerman travels the US inspiring children to pursue futures with math and science through his edutainment magic show. His science and math-based shows make kids hungry for knowledge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.
"Technically, I'm a real modern-day wizard, using science and math to achieve illusions," said Hagerman. "Through my spectacle and performance, my real goal is to wow and inspire kids to consider science and mathematics as a future. It can be hard to get kids excited about STEM fields today, and considering that science and technology are our future right now, through wizardry, I am happy to show them the awe and wonder behind the science and math."
Performing a full-fledged math show that incorporates magical elements, Hagerman demonstrated visual science that stands on its own without the help and support of magic. The entertainment value of Hagerman's show held the students' attention and piqued their interest.
"My show is designed to be one of the most entertaining live performances that students will ever see related to science and math," said Hagerman. "By the end of the act, students don't even realize they have learned a considerable amount during their entertainment enjoyment. I really enjoyed sharing my performance art with the students at Makefield."
Similar shows to Hagerman's have demonstrated a 33% increase in test scores for the children attending the spectacle. (Science in the Movies). Known as the world's most secretive magician, Hagerman works hard to protect magic's secrets as the rise of smart devices and the internet tears down the mysticism behind the performance.
PHS Mini-THON
On Saturday, May 20, Pennsbury High School held their annual Mini-THON event to raise funds for children and families battling pediatric cancer. Students stayed on their feet for six hours dancing, playing games, and more. Students also watched videos submitted by families directly affected by childhood cancer. Students from Makefield Elementary School stopped by to contribute $3356.38 that their school raised toward the total. The grand total raised was $25,867.70! Congratulations to all involved!
Pennsbury Elementary Students Meet Eagles Football Player and Mascot
Students from Edgewood, Penn Valley, and Fallsington Elementary Schools earned touchdown status and were invited to a celebration at the Eagles Novacare Complex with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Students participated in a variety of drills to stay active with Eagles player Landon Dickerson and mascot Swoop!
K-9 Presentation at Penn Valley
On May 18, Officer Brian Fisher of the Falls Township Police Department visited the third grade students of Penn Valley Elementary School. However, he did not come alone. He brought his K-9 sidekick, Leo the 9-year-old Belgian Malinois!
Officer Fisher spoke to the students about how K-9s are very helpful for tracking due to their sense of smell, and very good at catching people due to their speed. Officer Fisher also taught students about the difference between Leo's passive alert (sitting) and active alert (barking, scratching) to let Officer Fisher know he found what they were looking for. Officer Fisher also shared facts such as: K-9s take 32 weeks to train, they can run about 21mph, and that Officer Fisher has a button on his belt he can press to open his police car door and let Leo out to come help him!
Then, everyone went outside to see Officer Fisher and Leo demonstrate some of the many things Leo is trained to do, such as tracking a hidden object and following specific commands. Students learned a lot and had a great time!
SEPTA Makes a Special Stop at Afton
On, May 24, employees from SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) brought one of their buses to Afton Elementary School. Life Skills and second grade students had the opportunity to tour the bus, ride around the parking lot, and even get a look at the engine!
Students were taught about proper bus etiquette, how to pay for their bus ride, tips on being a safe rider, how taking public transportation can help the environment, and more.
SEPTA is one of the largest transit systems in the United States, serving five counties in the Greater Philadelphia area and connecting to transit systems in Delaware and New Jersey. Its services include regional rail, buses, trolleys, subway and a high-speed line to western suburbs.
German Cultural Immersion Program
On May 24, Pennsbury High School students from Herr Campbell and Frau DiFazio's German I and II classes were immersed in a 3-hour cultural program called "Der Waltz." The program included a history and overview of the Waltz's humble beginnings and rapid growth using classical music from Johann Strauss, a waltz lesson taught by a renowned La Luna dance instructor, and a performance from professional waltz dancers. After their dance lesson, students enjoyed a delicious buffet of Kartoffelsalat, Beschwipster Huhn, Wurst und Sauerkraut und Schwarzwälderkirschtorte. Shoutout to students Lillian Carlson and Vlad Smirnov for their solo performance! Watch the video below for a fun recap of the day.
Band and Orchestra Demonstration at Edgewood
Edgewood Elementary School had the pleasure of participating in annual band and orchestra lesson demonstrations this week. Third grade students were introduced to instruments while listening to great musical performances by Pennsbury's talented music teachers. The musicians were the first to perform at Edgewood's newly designed outdoor amphitheater stage!
Pennwood Student Places at Tournament
On May 13, Pennwood Middle School 8th-grader Avigail Wus finished third in Congressional Debate at the Chester County Intermediate Unit Middle School Tournament at Unionville High School, under the coaching of Chris Berdnik. She was the only Pennsbury student to attend the event, which included students from eleven schools and two different states. Avi also received recognition for serving as a presiding officer.
Being that this was her first official competition, the team is confident she has a bright future with Pennsbury Speech and Debate. Congratulations, Avi!
Edgewood Goes Back in Time
Recently, Edgewood Elementary School welcomed guests from the “past,” bringing history alive with a visit from Washington Crossing Re-enactors. The Revolutionary War officers brought with them the Durham Boat, which is used during the annual Washington Crossing event! Students had a great time participating in this fun, educational experience.
William Penn Spirit Week and Field Day Pep Rally
The Pennsbury spirit is in full swing at William Penn Middle School! Staff and students have been celebrating their upcoming annual Field Day tradition with two weeks of fun and excitement. The festivities were launched on Monday, May 15, with Tie Dye Day. The celebration continued with Yellow Day on Wednesday, May 17, and Patriotic Day on Thursday, May 18.
On Friday, May 19, the students and staff of William Penn enjoyed a Field Day Pep Rally held in the Charles Boehm Gymnasium. This event was the first Field Day Pep Rally held in four years! Both black and orange teams competed in games to add points to their respective team's overall score, which will be totaled at the final Field Day event. Overall Student Captains are Tyler Lee for the Black Team and Brady Kent for the Orange Team.
Throughout the week leading up to Field Day, students continued showing their pride each day by wearing tropical, sports team, and pink clothing to add points to the final score for their team. Go Falcons!
There's An App For That!
Download the new 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
Pennsbury Senior Spotlights - Class of 2023
Pennsbury is sharing "Senior Spotlight" social media posts for graduating seniors on the district's Facebook and Instagram pages. Posts 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.*
Timothy Bria
"Tim, You're amazing and we're so proud of you and all you've accomplished. We can't wait to see what you'll do in the future. We love you - Mom, Dad, & Pete"
Sean Mickel
"Sean, we are all so proud of the great young man you have become. You have accomplished so much already, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say that you will go on to do great things at Delaware. Dream big buddy. Love, Railme."
Juliana Bielawsky
"Jules, I am so proud of all of your accomplishments. You are such a strong, talented, and beautiful person inside and out. I love you the most! -Mom"
Tyler Errhalt
"Congratulations, Tyler. 'Be the best version of yourself in anything you do.' -Stephen Curry. Love, Mom, Dad, and Hailey"
Charles Darrington
"We love you and we're always proud of you. We cannot wait to see what great things you will do next."
Taylor Askey
"To say we are proud is an understatement. You have worked so very hard and sacrificed so much over the years. It has certainly paid off. Continue to show grace, humility, and integrity. You will do great things and we cannot wait to see it!! We love you so much and are so happy for the next chapter to begin! Love Mom, Dad, Rylee, Madelyn, Axel and the Bun!"
Save the Date!
Pennsbury High School's Senior Prom is Saturday, June 3. This year's theme is Prom to the Eighties! All attendees must be under 21 years of age and are subject to all Pennsbury Student Code of Conduct Policies.
The public is invited to tour Prom to the Eighties from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. The Prom Parade begins at 5:15 p.m.
May is Pennsbury Wellness Month, and we have some exciting events planned.
District-wide Contest
During May, all Pennsbury students and staff are encouraged to focus on their physical, social-emotional, and nutritional health. Please track your activities on the May Wellness Log.
We will celebrate the school with the most entries. Activities include walking, biking, playing sports, yoga, practicing mindfulness, and making a healthy snack. The possibilities are endless!
Win a Free Bike! One lucky participating student from elementary, middle, and high school will be randomly selected to win a new bicycle courtesy of The Nutrition Group, Pennsbury's food service provider!
We are excited to see how our families participate in Wellness Month!
Safe2Say Something
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.
Pennsbury Parent Academy
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
ACP - Bringing Affordable Internet to Families
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.
Join SEPAC Today!
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, June 8 at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this interest form.
Confidential Residency Reporting Tip Line
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:
(215) 428-4100 ext. 84777 (TIPSS)
Pennsbury School District E-Flyers Page
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.
Part-Time Jobs for Students
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.
2022-23 Chromebook Fees
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.
Ask Penny
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"!
2022-23 School Calendar
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About Pennsbury
215-428-4111
Email: publicrelations@pennsburysd.org
Website: www.pennsburysd.org
Location: 134 Yardley Avenue, Fallsington, PA 19058
Phone: (215)-428-4100