Pennsbury On Point
March 22, 2024
March 22, 2024
Welcome to Pennsbury on Point!
Pennsbury on Point is a weekly newsletter designed to keep the Pennsbury community up-to-date on district news, events, and information. The newsletter is 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.
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Quick Links
Find details for each link throughout the newsletter!
- Affordable Connectivity Program - Bringing Affordable Internet to Families
- Confidential Residency Reporting Tip Line
- District Emails Archive
- E-Flyers
- Employment Opportunities at Pennsbury School District
- Part-Time Jobs for Students
- Pennsbury Parent Academy - Events & Recordings
- Pennsbury Sports Schedules
- PHS Project Updates
- Remote Learning Information
- Safe2Say - Anonymous Tip Line
- Special Education Advisory Council (SEPAC) - Events and Info
Pennsbury Students Recognized for Safety
Congratulations to the Pennsbury-LYFT Character Award winners for March. Students Nolan O'Rourke*, Lukas Chacon Lewis, Quentin Rowe, Aiden Brambilla**, and Bobby Pawlowski were honored at the Pennsbury School Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
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 March was Safety.
Click here to read the full press release.
*Nolan is a winner for last month's trait, Cooperation.
**Not pictured
Pennsbury Students Perform at OAKE National Conference
19 Pennsbury singers recently performed at the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) National Conference in Chicago, Illinois! Students auditioned, were accepted, and worked extremely hard with their vocal music teachers to learn the music prior to attending the 50th National Convention. The students had the unique experience of working with renowned conductor, Judith Chan, and performed at the incredible Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra!
The singers had three days of intense rehearsals in Chicago, concluding with a performance at the Chicago Symphony Center for their families and conference attendees on Saturday March 16, 2024. Thank you to Pennsbury teachers Jen Stephens and Jennifer Kimock.
Children's Choir
Edgewood Elementary
- Virginia Chase
- Cameron Daily
- Iris Moffitt
- Ana Prandini-Paiva
- Tessa Sinanaj
- Lila Skolnik
- Maggie Rizzo
Quarry Hill Elementary
- Arjun Prabhu
- Cooper Kier
- Ella Smylie
- Emery Cohen
- Olivia Greeley
- Ujjwal Jha
- Caroline Miller
- Abigail O'Donovan
- Talia Rashid
- Charlotte Young
Youth Choir
Charles Boehm Middle School
- Cara Rizzo
Chamber Choir
Pennsbury High School
- Anya Nirschl
The Organization of American Kodály Educators has a mission to support music education of the highest quality, promote universal music literacy and lifelong music making, and preserve the musical heritage of the people of the United States of America through education, artistic performance, advocacy, and research.
Walt Disney Students Present at School Board Meeting
Students from Walt Disney Elementary School proudly represented their school at this month's School Board Action Meeting. Students Nancy Lin, Ben Leidy, Armani Gray, and Harish Babu updated the school board on all of the exciting events and learning taking place at Walt Disney.
Pennsbury Speech & Debate Claims Top Honors at PHSSL State Tournament
Three talented Speech and Debate students secured first-place victories at the prestigious Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Tournament held at Bloomsburg University March 15 - 16, 2024.
Swathi Bodduluri claimed the top spot in Congress - Senate, showcasing exceptional parliamentary prowess and eloquence.
Noah Gannon demonstrated remarkable quick thinking and persuasive abilities, securing first place in the challenging Impromptu Speaking event.
Andrew Prasanth mesmerized the judges with his captivating performance in Programmed Oral Interpretation, showcasing his mastery of storytelling through the fusion of various literary works.
Other winners included:
Samarth Mannikeri - 3rd Place - Commentary
Michael Lynott - 5th Place - Commentary
Janson Minton - 7th Place - Congress, House
Zaki Ali - 7th Place - Congress, Senate
Anwita Janga and Sejal Ijaz - 4th Place - News Broadcasting
Other top finishers included: Afshan Syed, Semi-finalist - Dramatic Interpretation; Daniel Kim, Semi-finalist - Humorous Interpretation; Angelina Liu, Semi-finalist - Informative Speaking; Megan Oleynick, Semi-finalist - Persuasive Speaking; Kian Hecht, Quarter-finalist and Ella Kasatkin, Oct-Finalist, Lincoln Douglas Debate; and the team of Nivi Kanubaddi and Fabiha Afaf, Quarter-finalists, Policy Debate.
In overall Tournament rankings, Pennsbury Speech and Debate won 2nd place in the Large Schools Division, 2nd Place in Speech, and 3rd Place in Debate. Over 80 schools with over 540 entries competed in this year’s Tournament. Congratulations to all of our competitors and Coach Chris Berdnik!
Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Advances to States
In early March, Pennsbury proudly sent 9 teams comprising over 75 students from grades 3-12 to compete at the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament, hosted at Temple University's Ambler campus. Demonstrating exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills, 6 of these teams secured top 4 placements in their respective problem and division categories. Their outstanding performance has earned them a spot in the upcoming State Tournament scheduled for April 6th at the Pocono Mountain School District.
Congratulations to all the teams that represented Pennsbury at the Regional Tournament! Your hard work and ingenuity have been truly commendable. As these remarkable teams prepare for the State Tournament, we wish them the best of luck in their continued success.
For those interested in learning more about Odyssey of the Mind or getting involved, please visit www.pennsburyom.com or reach out to the POMA Board at pennsburyom@gmail.com.
Family Tradition of Science Exploration Continues at Makefield
Years ago, Mr. Walt Yeager brought his passion for science to Makefield Elementary when his son was a student, captivating young minds with exciting experiments. Fast forward to today, and the tradition lives on as Mr. Yeager's granddaughter attends Makefield as a kindergartener.
On March 15, 2024, Mr. Yeager, along with his son, daughter-in-law, and wife, delighted the entire kindergarten class with a series of engaging science experiments. From exploring the properties of solids, liquids, and gases, to hands-on activities like mixing dry ice with soap and creating slime, the students were immersed in a world of scientific discovery. They also experimented with food coloring, marveling at the colors they could create.
Mr. Yeager works at Universal Display Corporation, who generously provided the materials and goodie bags for all the students.
World Down Syndrome Day
Rock Your Socks
The date for World Down Syndrome Day, being the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which leads to Down Syndrome. Together, we can create a global voice for advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with Down Syndrome in our schools, community, and around the world.
Painting with a Buddy
On March 21, 2024, all three Pennsbury Middle School chapters of the Best Buddies Program participated in Painting with a Buddy, a fun painting activity held in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. This event was led by Dr. Alison Smith, all of the Best Buddies middle school advisors, and with the expert instruction of Pennwood art teacher Rebecca Van Lieu, who led everyone in creating the most beautiful rainbows!
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Pennsbury MOST Program Returns to Shady Brook Farm
Shady Brook Farm warmly welcomed the Pennsbury MOST Program back to its grounds, marking the beginning of a spring season filled with skill-building opportunities. The farm is getting reading for their Easter Eggstravaganza, and it was all hands on deck to prepare for this event.
MOST students Natalie, Oliver, Jessica, and Vinny, along with job coaches Barb, Jen, and Linda, joined forces to assemble candy bags, ensuring everything is set for the festivities. The young adults of MOST are happy to be back at Shady Brook and participating in the community.
The mission of the Pennsbury School District's specialized programs is to ensure each student is supported and prepared to reach their highest potential and empowered to live with engagement and purpose in our community. The MOST Program changes the focus from academic credits to post-secondary outcomes. Employment and daily living skills are the focus of the program through functional curriculums and authentic experiences in our community.
Makefield Drama Club Delights with Disney's Newsies
The second week of March brought a burst of creativity and talent to Makefield Elementary School as the Drama Club took the stage to perform Disney's Newsies the Musical. Comprising enthusiastic 4th and 5th grade students, the cast and crew, totaling 44 members, captivated the Makefield community with four sold-out performances. One of these shows was specially performed for the entire Makefield student body.
Under the guidance of Co-Directors Matt Kane, Gifted Support Teacher at Makefield, and Ann Turry, a former Makefield parent, Newsies tells the captivating tale of turn-of-the-century newspaper boys in New York City banding together to confront corporate greed. Audiences marveled at the dynamic acting, acrobatic dancing, and powerful musical performances. Makefield's Drama Club is a celebration of the community's creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to helping every child shine on stage.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration at Fallsington
At Fallsington Elementary, Mrs. Tietz and her kindergarten class, along with support from Mrs. O’Connell and Mrs. Moratti, celebrated St. Patrick’s Day across the curriculum.
The celebration kicked off with a captivating reading of Adam Wallace's How to Catch a Leprechaun. Inspired by the tale, students wrote their own stories that revealed why they consider themselves lucky.
Taking a hands-on approach, the class delved into STEM concepts by brainstorming ideas, posing questions, and utilizing various materials to construct leprechaun traps. Factoring in the potential height and weight of these mythical beings, the students engineered their traps with ingenuity and enthusiasm.
Transitioning to the artistic realm, the classroom bloomed with rainbow-themed creations, including pots of gold and leprechaun portraits that featured the students' own playful expressions. To add a culinary twist, they crafted rainbow-inspired snacks.
World Language Week
Phyllis Chapell Performs
On Wednesday, March 6, Pennsbury High School's World Language Department hosted their annual music celebration for all PHS language students, featuring the renowned singer Phyllis Chapell.
Phyllis and her band took the audience on a journey through the world of French music, paying homage to the legendary Edith Piaf, France's iconic cabaret and modern chanson singer. Additionally, students were treated to a fusion of French and New Orleans style jazz. Special thanks to John Rose and his team, Dustin DeFazio, Jim Moyer, and Lindsey Strauss for helping this production come to life.
Phyllis Chapell has spent her life developing a universal musical style singing “world songs.” Her repertoire includes songs in 13 languages from Brazil, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as American folk, jazz, originals and popular music. Phyllis Chapell has been named as one of the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time by Scott Yanow (Down Beat, Jazz Times and AllMusicGuide). She has also won song competitions for her original music; and was chosen to be one of Indie-Music’s Top 25.
Poster Contest
Congratulations to the winners of the World Language Week Poster Contest! This year's theme was "Language, A Unique Ingredient in Learning." Thank you, merci, danke, and gracias to all of the students who participated!
First Place
Angelina Jade Liu
Madam Albrecht's Class
Second Place
Maisarah Dombrowski
Madam Albrecht's Class
Third Place
Sara Savkar
Señorita Garberina's Class
Manor Art Show Celebrates Farm Animals
The Manor Elementary School Art Show took place on Thursday, March 14 in conjunction with the school's Book Fair, SPARK Night, and an ice cream social. The theme this year was Farm Animals. All donations given at the show went to local farm sanctuaries. The artwork was outstanding and every student had something on display.
Quarry Hill's Barnes & Noble Night
The Quarry Hill Elementary School Jaguars recently attended their annual Barnes & Noble night to celebrate Read Across America week. This year's theme celebrated the 85th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Families listened to teachers read, had books signed, participated in scavenger hunts, and hydrated with their two student-named Frappuccinos: The Munchkin Magic and Dorothy's Dream! It was a great night to celebrate books and reading!
ER Students' Innovative Ideas for School Enhancement
Mr. Gonzalez's third grade class at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary completed opinion writing essays responding to the prompt "What ideas do you have for making your school better?"
Students went to work with the writing process, and through a series of writing lessons that supported students through the prewriting, drafting, editing, evaluating, and publishing stages, students were able to finalize their opinion writing essays.
The end product showed many diverse and well-thought out ideas. Some of these ideas included: A free snack for students during snack time, a student pet day where they could bring in their own pets, additional recess opportunities, winning stuffed animals with the school's golden ticket initiative, additional lines in the cafeteria to speed up the serving process, and so much more. Great job, everyone!
Run by Pennsbury teachers Dana Hoffman and Aphrodite Crane. It will be taking place at Eleanor Roosevelt for a few weeks this Summer, but open to all Pennsbury students in that age range.
The Entire Pennsbury Community is Welcome to Participate!
A SWAP Meet, short for "Swap and Share" or "Stuff We All Possess," is a great way for people to exchange gently used items they no longer need for things they can use or want. These events are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability by reducing waste and promoting the reuse of items. Here's how a SWAP meeting typically works:
- Gathering Items: Participants gather items from their homes that are in good condition but are no longer needed or wanted. These items can include clothing, toys, household items, books, and more. The idea is to bring items that someone else might find valuable.
- Sorting and Display: When you arrive at the SWAP meeting, items are usually sorted into categories and displayed in an organized manner. This makes it easier for participants to find what they're looking for.
- Giving and Getting: Participants can either give, get, or both. If you have items to give, you can place them on designated tables or in specific areas for others to take. If there are items you need or want, you can browse through the items brought by other participants and take what you need.
- No Money Exchange: The key principle of a SWAP meeting is that no money is exchanged. Everything is based on the principle of sharing and swapping items freely.
- Unclaimed Items: After the SWAP meeting, any unclaimed items are often donated to local charities or organizations, ensuring that even items that weren't swapped find a useful purpose. You can take it to the nearest location and support another person by donating any items you have left.
SWAP meetings are a win-win for both individuals and the environment. They promote recycling and reusing, reduce waste, and provide an opportunity for community members to connect while helping one another. It's a great way to declutter your home and acquire items you need without spending money.
We hope you can join us. If you would like to join us, click here and complete the Google Form.
Join us for the 2024 Pennsbury Instrumental Music Summer Program, held Monday evenings from July 1 - August 19, 2024. This program is open to all current 4th - 8th grade Pennsbury Band and Orchestra students. Click here for more information and to register!
Pennsbury Parent Academy
The Pennsbury Parent Academy 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
Tale as Old as Time
We've Got Spirit, Yes, We Do!
Pennsbury High School Cheerleading announces **SAVE THE DATES** for clinics and tryouts for the 2024-2025 Season. Male and female athletes with experience of all levels are welcome. Parents and guardians of interested athletes are strongly encourage to attend the May 6 meeting so that all parties involved understand the level of commitment expected of Pennsbury cheerleaders. All questions can be directed to pennsburyhscheercoaches@gmail.com
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.
Remote Learning Information
Now that the we've had two "traditional snow days," Pennsbury schools will transition to remote learning for all students in the event of another weather-related issue. This will allow us to count these days as instructional days and avoid lengthening the school year.
Please click the button below to familiarize yourself with the District's Remote Learning procedures.
Become a Paraprofessional
The Pennsbury School District can help you earn your paraprofessional certificate of competency.
How to Get Started:
- Create a training account at PaTTAN: pattan.framwelder.com
- Complete the 7 online courses: Bureau of Special Education Para Credential of Competency Entry Level Training Series and save your certificates.
- Email paras@pennsburysd.org to set up an interview to complete the process.
Questions? Email us at paras@pennsburysd.org
Become a Bus Driver
The Pennsbury School District can help you earn your CDL.
Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like working close to home and earning a competitive salary? Then becoming a Pennsbury Bus Driver is the job for you!
We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Flexible hours
- Student-centered work environment
- Paid training for your CDL
Questions? Email transportation@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.
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.
PHS Key Club Requesting Empty Pill Bottle Donations
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!
Yarn, Anyone?
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.
Pennsbury Sports Schedules
Click the links below to view the current schedules for Pennsbury Athletics.
Current Team Schedules - Schedules are subject to change at any time. Check this page often for the latest updates!
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.
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"!
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)
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).
2023-24 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