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SPRING IS ALMOST HERE...UPDATED CALENDAR FOR 2018-19
The last day of school for students is now Tuesday, June 18th (due to inclement weather).  Monday, April 22 REMAINS A SCHOOL HOLIDAY for staff and students.   Click here to access the updated calendar for this school year -  REVISED CALENDAR 2018-19

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING CONTINUES:

Earlier this week, members of the community, staff and administrators who serve on the Comprehensive Planning Team's Steering Committee, met to review the results of the recent surveys which were completed by students, staff, parents and community members.  In reviewing the hundreds of surveys submitted, several areas of opportunities emerged as focus areas of our plan moving forward.  They include Academic Excellence, Communication, Facilities and Wellness.  Next week, we will be sending a questionnaire to those who indicated their interest in serving on an Action Planning Team.  The Action Planning Teams will develop the goals and strategies necessary to move our district forward in these focus areas over the next three years.

The Comprehensive Plan is required by the PA Department of Education (PDE) and must be submitted every three years.  The work of the individual committees will be presented at an Education Programs and Services Meeting later this school year.  Once approved by the School Board, it will be submitted before the deadline to PDE which is November 30, 2019.

2019-20 GPA/CLASS RANK PLAN CONTINUES TO BE REVIEWED:

This past week Mr. Heffernan, Principal of PHS and Asst. to the Superintendent, emailed an explanation of the GPA and class rank plan that was intended to be implemented beginning in the 2019-20 school year. Throughout this past week, many parents and guardians provided feedback and insights on both sides of the new plan. As a result, the stakeholder committee which has been working on this project, with the addition of a few more individuals, will get back together to discuss some possible improvements to the plan. If you would like to review the email about the next steps being taken which was sent last evening, please click this link.

For the original email sent earlier this week, please click here:  gpa calc letter original.pdf


Debate Teams

THE BIG DEBATE:  
This week PHS hosted area debate teams including those from the following schools:

  • Kutztown
  • Northwestern
  • Pennridge
  • Catasauqua
  • Wilson
  • Northern Lehigh
  • Saucon Valley
  • Salisbury

Palisades won 2-1 - great job and congratulations to our team!  Special thanks to Mrs. Hornberger and Mrs. Trieu for organizing this event!

Madrigals at Capitol

MADRIGAL SINGERS PERFORM AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING:

On Thursday, March 7th performers from the PHS Madrigals performed at the Capitol building in Harrisburg.  They were the guests of Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143rd) and were provided with a lunch and a tour of the building.  The students did a marvelous job, and as always, represented the Palisades community and our high school proudly!

The Madrigal Singers are a select group of 22 auditioned singers in grades 10-12 who meet as a class and perform for the community and at several outside events. They perform at approximately 30 events throughout the school year.  In addition to being in the Madrigal Singers, many of them are also members of sports teams, debate team, and various other clubs and honor societies. They performed in Harrisburg to celebrate Music in our Schools Month. 

Pirate Pride

NOTE FROM ATHLETICS:
Spring sports started on Monday, March 4th.  All paperwork should have been submitted for our student athletes participating this season.

PHS WRESTLERS COMPETE IN PIAA 2A STATE TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND:
Last weekend in the Regional 2A tournament, Nate Haubert placed 3rd at 145 lbs and Adam Marsh placed 2nd at 182 lbs. Nate and Adam and competed in the PIAA 2A State tournament this weekend at The Giant Center in Hershey, PA.

UPDATE FROM HERSHEY:  Adam Marsh lost in quarterfinals and wrestle backs.  
Nathan Haubert lost in quarterfinals but won in wrestle backs and moved onto wrestle later last night and today.

FROM PALMS TRACK:  
There will be a  Parents' Meeting for Middle School Track on Wednesday night March 13th, beginning at 7PM, in the Middle School Auditorium.
It is very important that parents attend.  Thank you for your attention.

Nick Caldwell

CONGRATULATIONS TO PALISADES SWIMMER, NICK CALDWELL:

Last Weekend, Palisades Junior, Nick Caldwell, participated in the District XI AA swim meet as an independent swimmer. Nick had an exceptional meet swimming personal best times. Nick finished fourth in the 50 free swimming a 22.63 and fourth in the 100 free with a time of 49.24. Nick has earned his way to the State Swim Meet, March 13th & 14th, at Bucknell University. Please congratulate him and wish him the best of luck. Congratulations on an amazing season Nick!

Toby Olmstead

SHOUT OUT AND BEST OF LUCK:  Toby Olmstead swims for the Upper Bucks YMCA team, the Barracudas, and has qualified for 3 individual and a team relay event for districts! He will swim today in the district meet.

50 Freestyle: 27.77
100 Freestyle: 1.08.19
50 yd Butterfly: 37.09

MORE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE...

Skills USA Winners

USA SKILLS DISTRICT 11 CHAMPION RESULTS FROM UBCTS:
First Place: Advancing to State Competition - Health Knowledge Bowl - Naomi Mettin-Health Care Careers-Palisades- Gr12

Second Place: Precision Machine Technology - Darren Grigsby-Machining Technologies-Palisades-Gr 12 and TeamWorks - Tristan Grigsby-Construction Technology-Palisades-Gr 12

Third Place: Job Skill Demo A - Collin Whidden-Plumbing Technology-Palisades-Gr 11 and Prepared Speech - Jared Livezey-Electrical Technology-Palisades-Gr 11

Students and Mrs. Amber Schlosser, Assistant Principal of PHS pictured above.

Celebrating Apple Crunch Day

PSD SCHOOLS CELEBRATE APPLE CRUNCH DAY!
Students and staff across the district celebrated Apple Crunch Day on Wednesday, March 6th!  Schools across the nation joined in crunching delicious apples at mid day on Wednesday to promote healthy snacking.

Evelyn Keogh

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVELYN KEOGH - HONORED BY SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF INDIAN ROCK:
Earlier this week, Evelyn Keogh, a Junior at Palisades High School, was presented with the Violet Richardson Award for her work as a firefighter.  She has completed her 200 hours National Fire 1 Course at night during the school year, and she has clocked over 918 volunteer hours attending fire calls.  Evelyn was also recently honored by the American Red Cross of Lehigh Valley Bucks Chapter's Good Samaritan Hero Award for saving the life of an adult who went into cardiac arrest.  For this heroic effort, she and her father (also an Ottsville Firefighter) were honored with a citation from the PA Senate and had the American Flag flown over the US Capitol by members of Congress.

What a wonderful celebration to be shared with our community, especially with the celebration of women yesterday being International Women's Day!

Cybersonics Tech Team 103

CYBERSONICS STARTS THE COMPETITION SEASON OFF WITH SEVERAL HONORS!
Not only is the Cybersonics team ranked 8th out of 128 teams in the district...not only did they win 2nd place at last weekend's FIRST Robotics Regional Event in Hatboro Horsham... and not only did one of the lead advisors, Mr. Carlos Reckner, receive the Woodie Flowers Mentor Award...BUT THE TEAM TOOK HOME THE EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING AWARD for their work and robot! Now that's a great start to the competition season for our Cybersonics Team!

Follow the team this season on Twitter @cybersonics

Lee Harper Author and Illustrator

SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WELCOMED AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR, LEE HARPER:
Springfield celebrated Read Across America Day with a visit from author and illustrator, Lee Harper. The students enjoyed participating in a guided drawing demonstration. 

SHOUT OUT TO THE PHS STUDENT COMPETING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL BASSMASTERS TOUR:

Parker Lambert and Brandon Lawson represent Palisades High School on the High School Bassmaster tour. Last week, they finished in the top 25% of a field of 170 angler teams from 15 states in the Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School Eastern Open in South Carolina. Their season is off to a great start!

PHS OM TEAM

PALISADES ODYSSEY OF THE MIND COMPETES AT REGIONAL TOURNAMENT:

Palisades High School’s Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team took part in the 2019 Southeastern Pennsylvania regional OM tournament at Pennsbury High School in Fairless Hills, PA on Saturday, March 2.

The 2019 Palisades OM team consists of Jacob Farese (grade 9), Amy Farese (11), Brynn Keyser (9), Garrett Modig (10), Claire Olmstead (12), Amy Wydner (9) and Amanda Zaner (12); they are led by Coach Janet Farese.

Palisades placed 3rd in a division of 6 high school teams from Bucks County. The team’s Classics-themed Long-Term Problem was “Leonardo’s Workshop,” in which the students wrote, produced and performed an original 8-minute skit that incorporated artworks, inventions and personalities drawn from the life and work of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci.

The competition’s Spontaneous problem also tested the group’s creativity and ability to “think on their feat,” requiring the students to quickly devise a solution to a previously unknown challenge. Combined scores for Long-Term and Spontaneous problems determine team placements.

Odyssey of the Mind is the world’s longest-running creative problem-solving program for young people, hosting competitions at regional, state and international levels for students in grades K-12. 


Kindergarten Registration 2019

FOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION:  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click HERE for more information about registering your child (must be age 5 before September 1, 2019).  Any questions, please contact Ann Berger (ext. 4000) or Donna Holmes (ext. 2401).  Registration appointments will be held at PALMS on and during the day on March 22nd and in the evenings on March 25th and 27th, and April 1st.  You will be asked to select an appointment when you register your incoming student. 

School Board Logo

UPCOMING SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS:

3/13/19 - Education, Programs and Services Committee - 6:30PM in the PHS Audion
3/18/19 - Fiscal Oversight Committee - 9AM in the District Office
3/20/19 - Regular Board Meeting - 7PM in the PHS Library
3/21/19 - Joint Operating Committee - 7PM in UBCTS
3/27/19 - Facilities Committee - 6:30PM in the PHS Audion

For Board Meeting Agenda/Minutes - click here for BOARD DOCS

Click here for other meeting dates throughout the year:  District Calendar



MOMO Information

MOMO WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW:  We have sent information out to parents earlier this year regarding MOMO - a disturbing character and "game" online.  The attached letter from Bethlehem School District was shared with us by a parent, Mrs. Mergott.  It provides information and resources for parents and guardians about this unfortunate challenge being marketed to kids.  MOMO Challenge Warning.pdf


Help Wanted Logo

Full-Time Custodian for Evening Shift- Springfield Elementary

Custodian –full-time, primarily evening shift position at Springfield Elementary School, starting approximately April 4, 2019.  The interested candidate must be able to perform routine cleaning of assigned areas both independently and as a team, assist with snow removal, lawn care, and set up for special events.

This position is 7.5 hours per day. During the school year, the shift is from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. During the summer, the hours will shift to daytime.  This is a support staff contracted position and receives all benefits as per the collective bargaining agreement. Hourly rate: $20.82/hour

Interested candidates should send their letter of interest, completed application, resume, and criminal clearances (Acts 24, 34, 141 & 151 current within a year of their start date) and disclosure form(s), to Alan Crouthamel via email at [email protected] by March 19, 2019. EOE

To apply click here https://palisades.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=100    


Basketball Coaching Positions for the 2019/2020 School Year - DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Head Boys Basketball Coach and Head Girls Basketball Coach: Please submit your letter of interest, resume, clearances (Act 24, 34, 151 and 114 - current within a year), and disclosure form(s) to Brian Gilbert, Director of Athletics, Palisades School District, 35 Church Hill Road, Kintnersville, PA 18930, [email protected], or fax information to (610) 847-2562.  

All clearances and disclosure forms are available on the school’s website at https://www.palisd.org/our_district/employment_opportunities/employment_forms_clearances

Deadline for application is March 12, 2019. EXTENDED! Employment will be contingent upon receipt of acceptable clearances.  EOE

 

OTHER UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS:

lego
Sellersville Museum Website

NAMI End the Silence

trafficking flyer

Earth School Teachers Wkshp

Earth School Camp
Congratulations to Palisades swimmer, Nick Caldwell
Last Weekend, Palisades Junior, Nick Caldwell, participated in the District XI AA swim meet as an independent swimmer. Nick had an exceptional meet swimming personal best times. Nick finished fourth in the 50 free swimming a 22.63 and fourth in the 100 free with a time of 49.24. Nick has earned his way to the State Swim Meet, March 13th & 14th, at Bucknell University. Please congratulate him and wish him the best of luck. Congratulations on an amazing season Nick!
Congratulations to Palisades swimmer, Nick Caldwell
Last Weekend, Palisades Junior, Nick Caldwell, participated in the District XI AA swim meet as an independent swimmer. Nick had an exceptional meet swimming personal best times. Nick finished fourth in the 50 free swimming a 22.63 and fourth in the 100 free with a time of 49.24. Nick has earned his way to the State Swim Meet, March 13th & 14th, at Bucknell University. Please congratulate him and wish him the best of luck. Congratulations on an amazing season Nick!