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 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.

Pennsbury High School held its annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Monday. Students enrolled in PHS's AFJROTC program took part in the ceremony, marking 22 years since the terrorist attacks on our country.

AFJROTC program leader and retired Air Force Major James MacEachern Jr. reflected upon his memories of that tragic day and shared why it is important for students to remember this day.

"First remember to honor the memory of those who lost their lives. Their stories serve as a reminder of the fragility of life. Those firemen who ran towards the Twin Towers when others were running away, in my mind, are the real heroes. And the police, firemen, and EMTs who protect and serve us every day today, are the real heroes who still live among us. But, if you were to ask them, they are merely doing their job."

"Remember to appreciate the strength and unity that can arise from adversity. It teaches us that in the darkest hours, we have the power to come together, support one another, and emerge stronger."

Students and staff at Makefield Elementary School dressed in red, white, and blue and participated in the school's annual Walk to Remember. The patriotic ceremony is held in remembrance of the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

The energy level was electric last night when the Falcons hosted the Central Bucks West Bucks at the newly renovated Falcon Field. There is still work to be done, but the new multi-purpose stadium is looking good!

Students at Fallsington Elementary School who completed their summer reading project were treated to a special game of Bingo before school was dismissed on Friday, September 15. The children kept a watchful eye on their Bingo cards to see if Principal DePaola called one of their numbers, looking to fill up their cards. Winners were able to select a special prize from various prize tables set up in the cafeteria. Check out the excitement of one of the winners in the video below!

Many thanks to Office Depot/Office Max of Fairless Hills for designating Oxford Valley Elementary School as their Title I School Supply Drive recipient this school year! Senior General Manager Bob Rossi and Sales Manager Rob Fox stopped by the school on Friday, September 15, to drop off a big check for $2,911 that staff members can use to purchase school supplies.

Afton Elementary School held its first School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) meeting of the school year on Friday, September 15. SWPBIS is a proactive approach to discipline that promotes appropriate student behavior and increased learning. Students reviewed the Core Four behavior expectations: respect, cooperation, responsibility, and safety. They also learned about the rollout of the new Soar Store, which opens at the end of the first marking period. Students who receive SOAR cards for exemplifying one of the Core Four behavior expectations will have the opportunity to turn their SOAR cards in and "purchase" something special from the store. The assembly was also a kick-off to Sandy Hook Promise's "Start With Hello" Week (see below for more information.) "Start With Hello Week" emphasizes the importance of being kind, inclusive, and friendly. The District will mark "Start With Hello Week" with various activities.

The PBIS Team and Student Ambassadors at Penn Valley kicked off the school year with a fun-filled Superhero assembly to identify expectations for the school year. There are examples all throughout the building that model the book Acceptance is My Superpower. As a school community, staff and students are reading this book to help identify teachers’ and students’ own superpowers, such as creativity, kindness, leadership, loyalty, and helpfulness. Students enjoyed special messages from Superintendent Smith, Falls Township Police Chief Whitney, and the local fire department about their superpowers. Ten students earned Penn Valley Panther 200’s that were presented by mystery teachers at the first All School Meeting of the new school year. Penn Valley ambassadors and teachers demonstrated teamwork while playing challenging games during this assembly.

Principal Hidalgo reviewed school-wide behavior expectations with parents and guardians during Back to School Night this week. Ms. Hidalgo emphasized how, as a community of learners, staff and students work toward safety, excellence, respect, pride, and values.

Bravo to Pennsbury High School's Adam Dombrowski! Adam was named PBS 39's Artist of the Month for September!

The Bucks County Commissioners have recognized Pennsbury High School sophomore Nicholas "Nicky" Christopher for his efforts to support United States veterans. Over the last two years, Nicky, along with other PHS student volunteers, has raised more than $50,000 for Alpha Bravo Canine through his event called Strolling for Service Dogs. Alpha Bravo Canine is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to U.S. veterans with combat-related disabilities.

Nicky's initial donation to Alpha Bravo Canine stemmed from a business idea he launched during the pandemic called The Birthday Lawn Bandit. He donated half of his proceeds from decorating people's lawns to the organization but decided he needed to step up his efforts, and Strolling for Service Dogs was born. Recognition of Nicky's contribution to Alpha Brava Canine and veterans coincides with National Service Dog month.

*Photo courtesy of Bucks County Government

The Pennsbury School District would like to thank NorthPoint Development for their generous donation of school supplies to Penn Valley and Walt Disney Elementary Schools. The company provided backpacks and other necessary supplies to make sure students start the year off right!

On Friday, September 15, first-grade teacher Lorie Becker and her students at Walt Disney Elementary School joined nearly 27 million children and adults around the globe in over 190 countries to celebrate International Dot Day – a grassroots “creativity and courage” movement, started in 2009 by a teacher in Iowa. Inspired by New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds’ classic storybook for all ages, The Dot, International Dot Day inspires young and old to embrace the power of personal creativity to help make their mark on the world and move it to a better place.

Exploring the themes of creativity, bravery, and self-expression, The Dot is a story of a perceptive and caring teacher who reaches a reluctant student who thinks she can’t draw by encouraging her to be brave enough to “just make a mark and see where it takes you.”

This Monday, September 18 is the first day of Start with Hello week! The Start With Hello program teaches students in grades K-12 to build connections, end loneliness, and help each other. Click here to access the Start With Hello Parent Guide.

Schools across the Pennsbury District will be participating in the Start With Hello Week School Challenge. The challenge is as follows:

• Meet-n-Greet Monday: Meet someone new, use your own personalized “Hello Style!”
• Upstander Tuesday: Show appreciation to the Upstanders in your school community.
• Wear Green Wednesday: Green Out! Wear green today as a symbol of unity and solidarity with Sandy Hook Promise.
• Trusted Adult Thursday: Thank a Trusted Adult today. Trusted Adults are always spreading the Start With Hello spirit!
• Moving Forward Fri-Yay: Make a Start With Hello Promise Pledge to keep the Start With Hello spirit going throughout the year!

How would you like your child to go on an incredible journey in creativity? How would you like to share this experience as a coach and make a memory that will last a lifetime?

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an international creative problem-solving competition available to students of all ages (K-12). Each year OM issues six (6) different challenges that focus on science, technology, engineering, math, and the arts. Students present solutions to these challenges as 8-minute theatrical performances.

Registration for the 2023-2024 season is open, and The Pennsbury Odyssey of the Mind Association (POMA) will be holding virtual information meetings for parents and students wanting to learn more about this exciting program. To learn more, visit www.pennsburyom.com

Presented by Fran McKeown, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, in Partnership with Alexis Cane CFP in conjunction with the Pennsbury Community School.

This presentation provides an early understanding of the financial decisions students need to make concerning higher education. Topics include higher education costs, types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid.

When: October 16, 2023

Where: Pennsbury High School East, (705 Hood Boulevard, Fairless Hills), Room 104

Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $10

Click here to register.

The Pennsbury Arts Foundation is in the running to receive $1,000 from McHales Cares, a program that gives back to the community that it services. Throughout September, please take a moment to vote for the Pennsbury Arts Foundation daily at www.mchalescares.com. Once you submit your vote, you'll receive an email asking you to confirm your vote. Your vote will support Pennsbury Arts Foundation's 22nd year of awarding classroom grants, "Linking the Arts to Learning."

The mission of the Pennsbury Arts Foundation is to integrate the visual and performing arts into ANY K-12 curricular areas through Teacher-selected programs that create unique student learning opportunities.

Click the links below to view the current schedules for Pennsbury Athletics.

Weekly Sports Schedule - September 15 - 23, 2023

Current Team Schedules - Schedules are subject to change at any time. Check this page often for the latest updates!

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.

Click here for detailed instructions. If you are having difficulty with a payment, please email ChromebookPaymentQuestions@pennsburysd.org.

If you are having difficulty logging into PowerSchool, please contact the appropriate person at your student’s school:

• High School and Middle Schools - Guidance Office
• Elementary Schools - School’s Main Office

Registration is now open for Pennsbury Community School's Fall Classes! Course offerings include Pickleball, Yoga, Zumba, Introduction to American Sign Language, and more! Click here for more details and to register.

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

Click here to follow @Athletics_PSD on Twitter

Click here to follow @PennsburyHSAthletics on Instagram

Click here to follow @PennsburyHSAthletics on Facebook

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.

Did you miss an email from the District? Check the archive!

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.

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 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.

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 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)

Click here for more information.

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"!

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