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.

On Friday, students across the district participated in various activities ahead of Earth Day designed to raise awareness of environmental issues and to help beautify the community.

Specifically, fourth-graders from Eleanor Roosevelt helped pick up garbage at Core Creek Park as part of their monthly service project. Students from Fallsington and Oxford Valley participated in a Recycled Works of Art Contest reusing and repurposing materials that would normally end up in landfills. Staff and students cast their vote for their favorite entry.

At Penn Valley, faculty members and district administration filmed Earth Day read-aloud videos that students watched throughout the week. The school is also working with Snipes Farm and the PTO to design and create beautiful and sustainable outdoor spaces. One of their gardens is being transformed into an interactive sensory garden and outdoor learning area. Involving students in the gardening process fosters pride and respect for school property and promotes inclusivity. Lastly, students painted rocks for the school's rock garden. Outdoor Landscape Supply generously donated over 500 rocks. The project offers a unique opportunity for each student to leave their mark at the school, even after they have left the school.

Kindergarten students at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary in Mrs. Baccari’s classroom recently had a visit from 5th Grade Afton Elementary teacher and Pennsbury parent, Mrs. Rupali Pathak.

The visit by Mrs. Pathak was in conjunction with a social studies unit in which the students are learning about the world around them. The current topic of study was Asia and, more specifically, the country of India.

“Mrs. Baccari graciously invited me to her classroom to talk to her students about India. I used this opportunity to fully immerse the students in the Indian culture with clothing, music, and dance. I loved seeing the excited look on the students' faces as they watched their classmate and my daughter, Shriya, dance for them. We also discussed mendhi (henna) and how it is applied to your hands. I turned this idea into a craft where students decorated their own mendhi handprints. I enjoyed watching Mrs. Baccari’s very eager kindergarteners learn about a new culture,” says Mrs. Pathak.

“My students absolutely loved this visit,” says Mrs. Baccari. “They were mesmerized by the music and dance. It was wonderful for my kindergartners to learn about Indian culture in such an engaging and authentic way. Thank you to Mrs. Pathak for all of the time and effort she put into this lesson! She was truly amazing!”

Congratulations to Pennsbury High School sophomore Adam Dombrowski for placing third in the 5th Annual Bucks County Short Fiction Contest for High School Students. Adams's story, titled "No Chances," was selected from a field of 67 entries.

The contest is funded by Bucks County Community College, with the support of the college's Language and Literature Department. Regarding Dombrowski's story, judge Joseph Shakely commented," 'No Chances' is an ambitious story that manages within just a few pages to evoke the dystopian visions of Orwell, Burgess, and Serling. Its opening is calculatedly disorienting, reflecting the situation of the narrator. We don't lose patience with this minimal exposition, though, because we are experiencing it just as the narrator/protagonist is and because the author has a good sense of what information to introduce, when to introduce it, and how to accomplish all this in a way that seems natural and organic to the story. The emphasis on setting—sterile, cold, and claustrophobic—provides an effective backdrop for the emergence of the ideas at the core of 'No Chances.'"

Adam was recognized at a ceremony at Bucks County Community College on April 20. He also presented a public reading of his work. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick was also on hand to recognize the winners with a certificate from his office and a certified flag that flew over the Capitol building in Harrisburg.

Congratulations to the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award winners for April. Emma Dunkerley, Leilani Aikens, Salma Elenany, and Luke Sherratt* were honored at the Pennsbury School Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, April 21, 2022.

The purpose of the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award is to recognize and reward students who embody exemplary character traits and behaviors. The character trait for April was integrity. Click here to read more about this month's winners.

Student from Penn Valley Elementary School proudly represented their school at this month's School Board Action Meeting. Jean Haba (5th,) Elizabeth Kulakovska (4th,) Amanda Silva (4th,) and Lilly Ross (3rd) updated the school board on all of the exciting events and learning taking place at Penn Valley. Each month, a different school provides an update to the Pennsbury School Board of Directors. View Penn Valley's presentation by clicking on the file below.

Pennsbury's Educators of the Year and Support Staff Professionals of the Year were honored at the April 21 school board meeting. Parents, students, and staff members submitted nominations earlier this year. A committee of staff members, administrators, students, and PTO members reviewed the many nominations received and selected two winners from each of the district's 14 schools.

Calling all parents and guardians of the Pennsbury High School Class of 2022! Help us celebrate the senior class with our Senior Spotlight! Submit a photo of your senior and a special message that we will share on the district's Facebook and Instagram pages, and Pennsbury on Point.

Please click the link below to submit your photo and message.

*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.*

Google Form Sign-up: https://bit.ly/38jErXY

Join Pennsbury High School in their fundraising efforts for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk! The walk will be held May 21 at Pennsbury High School. Please click here to make a donation or to sign up to walk.

The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as 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. Funds raised at the Friendship Walks help support the local Best Buddies program!

Pennsbury's own Birthday Lawn Bandit is at it again! Nicky is helping the nonprofit Alpha Bravo Canine, which trains and donates service puppies to veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other disabilities. Click the link to find out how you can help!

Safely dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired medications and vaping devices on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am–2 pm! The Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission is holding a collection drive to protect our youth and the environment. Help keep our kids, our homes, our pets, and our streams safe.

Visit one of the 48 sites located in Bucks County. Click here to find a location near you and see what’s accepted.

Looking for before or after-school child care programs or summer camp? Look no further than KidsCare of Pennsbury! Founded in 1991, KidsCare of Pennsbury provides high-quality, school-age child care for families in a safe, friendly, and child-centered environment. KidsCare offers diverse enrichment and learning activities that build self-esteem, develop skills for navigating challenging situations, nurture positive social relationships, and embrace a healthy respect for the community. The programs are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and are all developmentally age-appropriate and are taught by certified teachers. Click below for more information or visit the KidsCare of Pennsbury website.

The Pennsbury Education Foundation (PEF) is dedicated to ensuring the success of all students in the district and recognizes that their needs are diverse. The PEF believes every child deserves the opportunity to learn, be appropriately challenged, and succeed.

A 501(c)(3) organization, the PEF relies on donations from individuals and businesses to support the purpose of improving teaching and learning in Pennsbury through innovative educational initiatives. Grants are awarded to teachers and administrators through an application process that occurs twice each year.

Please consider supporting the PEF with a tax-deductible donation. For more information, please click here.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the PA Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to "say something" BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it's easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.

Click here to submit an anonymous tip.

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. These flyers emanate from local community organizations, sports leagues, scouting groups. and other non-profits. 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.

The purpose of Pennsbury School District's Senior Tax Rebate is to provide property tax relief to eligible senior citizens residing in the district. Please click here to learn more.

Did you miss an email from Dr. Smith? All emails Dr. Smith sends to the Pennsbury community can be found on the superintendent's website.

Registration is now open for the 2022-23 school year! Please click here to begin the registration process.

Sign up today for the 3rd Annual Yes You Can 5K, Sunday, April 24 at the Pennsbury Middle School Complex! This chip-timed 5K race, organized by Makefield Elementary School, is open to the entire Pennsbury community and benefits all PTO's in the Pennsbury School District. Lace-up your shoes and prepare for a fun-filled day of community, confidence, and wellness!

Click here to register!

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 by clicking here and searching 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