Palisades School District

 
This is a Test of Our Emergency Broadcast System:
It is that time of year, and in preparation for any lousy weather or other emergency situations, a districtwide call and email will be sent to all persons in our system on Monday, October 21st at 5PM. In that way, we can confirm all of the emergency numbers and emails we have on file for our students and staff. Thank you for your attention. If you do not receive the call or email and should, please contact 610-847-5131, ext. 2401 (Donna) or 4102 (Diana).
PLEASE NOTE: Only custodial parents and staff will receive the early (5AM) snow calls that are made in the event of a weather closing or delay. Don't worry, your neighbors or family members who are on the emergency list for students will only receive a call or an email in the case of a true emergency when all stakeholders are on deck for communications.

Upcoming School Board Meetings:
10/17/24 - Joint Operating Committee - 7PM in the JOC Board Room 10/23/24 - Extracurricular Committee - 6:30PM in the PHS Library 10/23/24 - Buildings and Grounds Committee - 7PM in the PHS Library 11/13/24 - Education, Programs and Services Committee - 6:30PM in the PHS Library 11/18/24 - Fiscal Oversight Committee - 9AM DO in the Conference Room 11/19/24 - BCIU Board - 7PM in the BCIU Conf. Room 11/20/24 - Policy Committee - 5:30PM in the PHS Library 11/20/24 - Regular School Board - 7PM in the PHS Auditorium 11/21/24 - Joint Operating Committee - 7PM in the UBCTS Main Conf. Room
From the last board meeting, the following notable information was discussed/presented (among other topics):
NRG Demand Response Program: Palisades has received nearly $150,000 over the past ten years for our participation in an energy savings program with NRG. Our usage can be curtailed during very high demand periods sporadically throughout the year which offset's high usage elsewhere. The effected time is usually no more than 2 hours and is not impactful to our operations. We will continue to participate in this program, test our system response and receive payments from NRG for doing so.
Cardinal Point School Security Guard: School districts in the state of Pennsylvania are now required to retain school security guard services. Palisades School District will be contracting this service through our vendor, Cardinal Point. A job description and application will be circulated when available for this position through Cardinal Point. We anticipate that the guard hired by Cardinal Point will begin to provide services in our schools later this fall/early winter. This service will be covered by a state grant. Please stay tuned for more details forthcoming.
Outstanding Visual Arts Community: The Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) is proud to recognize the Palisades School District for its commitment to visual arts education with the endorsement of Outstanding Visual Arts Community 2024. PAEA empowers its members to transform their practices, students, colleagues, and communities to build a strong art education culture and citizenry. Kudos to our Art Department Teachers: Mrs. McNichol (elementary), Mrs. DeNato (middle school), and Mrs. Sunday and Mr. Jones (high school) for bringing this outstanding achievement to our district once again!


Dr. O'Connell and Director Landis with Senator Coleman at the Upper Bucks County Technical School for the Senator's Senior Expo:
UBCTS was the host to Senator Coleman's Senior Expo. With a variety of services and programs represented for senior citizens in Upper Bucks, the event was well attended.
Pictured L TO R Dr. O'Connell, Senator Coleman and his daughter, Director Landis, Executive Director of UBCTS, Dr. Herrera and Dr. Cullen, new Asst. Director of Student Services at UBCTS.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...Durham Nockamixon Elementary 1st Graders Welcome Trooper Rogers!
The first graders at DN had their smiles on and brains engaged as they gave a warm welcome  to PA State Trooper Rogers during his first visit to their classrooms.  The DN first grade students and teachers are excited to participate in the Police Youth Alliance Reading Program.  This program connects well with the first grade social studies curriculum.  It also incorporates reading and writing skills as the students learn about the role of a police officer.  We look forward to more exciting visits and lessons throughout the school year.   PSD Community School Programs Running Now! Check next week for updated classes for November! Our list of classes is growing! Click on this link for information about classes running this fall and how to register - https://www.palisd.org/our_district/community_school_programs
If you wish to conduct a class or program for our community, please contact Donna Holmes at 610-847-5131, ext. 2401 or email [email protected]

For a listing of open positions at Palisades School District, please click on this link: https://palisades.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx
NEW POSITIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED!
HELP NEEDED FOR EQUIPMENT TRUCK DRIVER - NO CDL REQUIRED! Anyone interested in driving the district's equipment truck for the band and football team, please contact Krapf Bus Company at 484-812-0150. Your assistance is appreciated!

Purchase Chromebook Insurance Today!
Insurance is available to families for a fee of $30 to cover damage to your child's chromebook for the school year. Click on this link for more information - Chromebook Insurance Webpage
or check out the flyer linked here in English: Palisades ADP+ English Flyer SY2425.pdf
flyer linked here in Spanish: Palisades ADP+ Spanish Flyer SY2425 1.pdf

Graduation Ceremony Date for the Class of 2025:

Mark your calendars! The graduation date for the Class of 2025 will be Friday, May 30th at 5:30 PM in Walter T. Rohrer Stadium. The rain date will be Saturday, May 31st at 10:00 AM. More information will be sent in the spring of 2025.

College Board National Recognitions:

The College Board National Recognition Program announced its 2024 recipients in their BIG Futures program! Congratulations to 12th grade students Grace Bucich, Toby Clark, Lucas Santoro and Savannah Witt, and to 11th grade students Zachary Derstine, Stacy Fleck, Rhea Greenberg, llaria LeBlanc and Jane Salva who were announced as recipients among rural/small town students and/or first generation students!

In order to receive the recognition the students met the following criteria:

During the Sophomore Year CURRENT 11th grade students…

Must be in the top 10% among PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT test takers in their state for their award program OR have received a 3+ score on at least 2 distinct AP Exams in 8th or 9th grade.

OR

During the Junior Year CURRENT 12th grade students…

Must be in the top 10% among PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT test takers in 11th grade in their state for their award program OR have received a 3+ score on at least 2 distinct AP Exams by the end of 10th grade.

Congratulations to these students for making us Pirate Proud!!!

Dear PHS Families, Community Businesses and Organizations, and Friends of PHS Theatre:

Click here to support PHS Theatre during our annual Playbill Ad Drive!!

This year, the Palisades High School Theatre Department is proud to present two productions: “THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE”, and “THE DROWSY CHAPERONE”. 

We would be honored by your support via an advertisement in both productions at a discounted price. 

We hope that this reasonable rate will help spread the word of the amazing services your business or organization offers, and/or celebrate a special person in our production. 

Your support will help us fund our pit orchestra, purchase costumes, rent equipment, and buy set materials for these productions.  

Your advertisement will appear in a slideshow before each show, as well as in our playbill. 

Baseball Parents Boosters Octoberfest:

The Palisades Parent Baseball Boosters are holding its annual fall Fundraiser called Octoberfest. All proceeds go directly to the High School Baseball Program, which now includes the Middle School Team.    Tickets are $30.00 for this Adult Only Event.   Please see the link for more details and to purchase tickets ($30.00 per person). 

From the the Class of 2026:  The junior class is having a “tailgate market” fundraiser on October 27th from 11am-2pm in the purple gym parking lot. To buy a spot to sell something of your own choosing, please fill out the google form.  On the google form there is a more detailed explanation of how it will work. You can sell old unused items, crafts, baked goods, produce, etc. Spots are $20 for one or $35 for two. In case of bad weather, spots inside will be coordinated inside the purple gym. For more information from the junior class student government please reference the flyer above! If you don’t want to sell anything, please come and check out the market! Have a great day Palisades!

Purchase Your 2024-25 PHS Yearbook!

The Palisades High School yearbook is a one of a kind publication.  It’s a limited edition collection of stories and events from the school year, and now is your opportunity to reserve a copy and make sure your student doesn’t miss out on remembering and sharing this special time in their lives with their classmates for years to come.  The 2025 yearbook is on sale now for $70.00 if purchased by Thanksgiving.  The price will increase after this date, but act now and make this purchase a great holiday gift for your son or daughter!  

For your convenience you have several purchasing options:

*  Easiest option: Order online at www.sscyearbooks.com
*  Fill out the order form (attached), and mail your order directly to Student Services Company (address on order form)
*  Phone Student Services Company directly 610.539.1330
*  Fax your order form directly to Student Services Company 610.539.6530

The yearbook staff has been working hard putting together a great book, so don’t delay, and purchase your yearbook today!!

Trot or Treat Fun Run to Support Palisades Cross Country:

Click on this link for more information - Trot or Treat Fun Run 10_30_24.pdf

Upper Bucks Career and Technical School News:

Please click this link to view the October newsletter for the Tech School.

Also from PDE - Apply for this Summer Program from the PA Governor's School for the Sciences - PA Governor's School of Sciences



We are here for Palisades!!!  If you would like to make a donation, please visit PCF's website at Palisades Community Foundation

From PCF...Artwork Notecards...a One of a Kind Purchase for Holiday Giving:

Palisades Community Foundation is selling blank notecards with art by our own students from last spring’s Covered Bridge Event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Knecht’s Bridge in Springfield.  These one of a kind images were done by students and the original pieces were on display in the high school’s art gallery as part of the celebration.  The pack of 15 blank cards are being sold as a fundraiser for Palisades Community Foundation for $15/pack.  Proceeds from the cards will go back to support projects across the community. 
To order click on this link: Order Form for Note Cards

PCF'S ANNUAL COAT DRIVE-Donate at any school location:

We will be collecting gently used, clean coats for all ages at our school locations from October 1 through October 31.  A coat distribution is being planned for Saturday, November 23 at the high school from 9 through noon in the lobby area.  Thank you in advance for supporting this project and we look forward to keeping our community warm and dry this winter!

MORE INFORMATION FOR GRANDPARENTS IN THIS VIDEO  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfEAPB6r_2U