MESSAGE FROM DR. O’CONNELL, SUPERINTENDENT (04/09/20):
Today, Governor Wolf announced that all schools in the state of Pennsylvania will remain closed for the balance of the 2019-20 school year. You can read his announcement here: News Article
Based on the information available at this time, Palisades will continue to provide online instruction for continuity of education through June 15, 2020.
Our offices remain open virtually, and I will continue to keep you abreast of the effects of this closure on our year end activities.
We continue to distribute meals for all children ages 4 - 18 at both Tinicum Elementary and Palisades High Schools. To date, we have distributed more than 5000 meals since our district closure began on March 16th.
I hope that you enjoy your holiday break and thank you for your flexibility and patience as we continually improve our online capabilities.
VOTE FOR UPPER BUCKS COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL STUDENT: Please go to the following link and vote for Damen Marlin - a Pennridge student in the Aviation Program at UBCTS. He is in the running to win a scholarship and can use your help. Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click VOTE NOW; then pick Damen Marlin and then click VOTE. Please share this link - let’s push him up to the top!
https://info.techforcefoundation.com/en-us/future-techs-rock-awards/2020/vote?hsCtaTracking=9a93f130-a2c6-47d6-8eeb-45560944b998%7C875d4366-59e0-4070-a4fd-e906ff1a0e66#meet-the-finalists
MONDAY, APRIL 6TH, STUDENT ATHLETE DAY! Please click on this link for a short video celebrating our student athletes. During these difficult times and social distancing, the video is a great reminder of our students and the Pirate Pride that makes our community special!
PALISADES IS ONE OF THE BEST COMMUNITIES FOR MUSIC EDUCATION!
This week, Palisades School District was Nationally Recognized as a 2020 Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. The award program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. Overall, there were 754 school districts selected, while 112 schools were from PA. This is an outstanding honor and recognition for our school district! Please join us in congratulating our music students, teachers, music booster groups, parents, administrators, School Board, and community!
GOOD NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE:
Last week, Palisades School District received an Award of Merit for the submission of our “Spotlight On Success” Calendar 2019-2020! This award and recognition was given by the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association; there were 230 submissions and we were one of the best! Special thanks to Ryan Musantry (student intern in the CR Office) and to Joe Santoro (3 Tuna Productions) for their work on our award-winning calendar! Also, special thanks to all of you who regularly send in photos for use in our calendar depicting life in our schools! #palisadesproud
NOVA is launching an Internet Safety Poster Contest. NOVA believes this is a great opportunity for students to use their imaginations and creativity while at home.
See the contest rules and submission form by visiting https://bit.ly/2JsqAPi.
All entries are due by 4/17/2020 and must include the submission form.
We are looking forward to seeing all the entries from students in Bucks County! We look forward to seeing their masterpieces!
TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE! The Springfield Township Police Officers are challenging students to a SIT UP and PUSH UP challenge! PRIZES AWARDED!
Special thanks to Chief MacDonald and the other Springfield Township Police Officers for helping to keep students safe! Click here for more information - SPRINGFIELD TWP POLICE SIT UP AND PUSH-UP CHALLENGE
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE UNITED WAY:
Here is some information about two programs sponsored by the United Way that are particularly relevant to current needs in Bucks County communities. The specific programs are:
2-1-1 Information Referral Service is a free service that operates 24/7/365, in more than 100 languages. It connects residents of Bucks County with the resources and services available to meet their everyday needs and crisis situations. The United Way staff is working continuously to update resources in the 2-1-1 database, networking with agencies to ensure only the most accurate information is available. It is the best resource to connect those in need with the services that can help them.
2-1-1 can be accessed at the following link: https://www.uwbucks.org/2-1-1/
Fresh Connect, is a free mobile farm market that is continuing to provide fresh fruit, vegetables and other staples to those in need. The market is hosted at three sites, Bristol, Warminster and Ottsville on a weekly basis. This program has been consistently serving about 520 families each week and they anticipate the need will grow as the health crisis continues. Details of the program are available at the following link: https://www.uwbucks.org/freshconnect/
Additional COVID-19 Resources may be found at: https://www.uwbucks.org/covidresources/
The United Way is continuing to assess the needs in the community and support their network of nonprofits. On March 17th, they announced the launch of the Bucks County COVID-19 Recovery Fund (uwbucks.org/covidrecovery). There are no administrative fees associated with this fund.
We know that the proposed Federal emergency relief package will help many people. We also know that there will be people – and needs – not covered by the funds.
Here are the key points:
Bucks County COVID-19 Recovery Fund fills in the gaps of other emergency relief funding, focusing on the people and needs that can’t be supported any other way.
There are no administrative fees.
All funds will be used to assist Bucks County residents.
Assistance will be provided through our member agencies, who are invited to apply for immediate financial support of their life-sustaining programs. We will not be making direct grants to individuals.
There will be one simple, universal application for funds, to include the data we need to collect and track. It will not be onerous for our nonprofit partners, but we will be able to track how funds are impacting our community.
United Way is here to help.
Together with Penn Community Bank, we’ve launched the COVID-19 Recovery Fund to help those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
To learn more about the Recovery Fund or to see how you can help visit: www.uwbucks.org/COVIDrecovery
The Pandemic Toolkit Parents Need
8 expert tips to help families stay regulated.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pulling-through/202004/the-pandemic-toolkit-parents-need
A Survival Guide for Parenting Through the Global Pandemic
Psychologists provide a guide on helping families through the crisis.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-child/202004/survival-guide-parenting-through-the-global-pandemic
Stop Romanticizing the Lockdown – It’s a Mental Health Crisis in the Making
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2020/03/stop-romanticising-lockdown-its-a-mental-health-crisis-in-the-making/?fbclid=IwAR0cnpnrnumrLc6d2fftaTkMKtIUHNM0876pUBccP4KaDaJbVB-SFKVq7Os
ACEs Connection
Join the movement to prevent ACEs, heal trauma and build resilience.
https://www.acesconnection.com/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
We are in this together, and help is always available. If you're feeling alone and struggling, you can also reach out to The Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741 or National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Peace of Mind Foundation
Jim Mcingvale and Dr. Liz McIngvale talk with Dr. Bruce Perry about the impact the #Coronavirus has on children, families, and the community.
https://www.facebook.com/peaceofmindfoundation/videos/199094788011044/?t=17
Episode 12, Partnered with a Survivor Podcast (Special COVID-19 edition)
Ruth Stearns Mandel & David Mandel
In the first of a series of COVID-19 specific podcasts, David and Ruth talk about how the dynamics of domestic abuse are changing in the context of the COVID-19. Talking to both professionals and family members, Ruth offers insights from her own history related to being isolated with her abusers. The discussion about how we can best continue to partner with survivors and intervene with perpetrators follows with examples and practical steps.
https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/episode-12-partnered-with-a-survivor-podcast/
What Resets Our Nervous System After Trauma
With Peter Levine, PhD
A free report from NICABM
https://files.nicabm.com/Free-Resources/NICABM-PeterLevine-WhatResetsOurNervousSystemAfterTrauma.pdf
Scholastic Learn At Home Program – free daily courses for kids: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html/?caching
Mystery Science – free science lessons for K-5th grade: https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
Hippocampusorg – 7,000 free videos for various subjects: https://hippocampus.org/
Virtual Museum Tours – https://www.parents.com/syndication/museums-with-virtual-tours/
Virtual Field Trips – https://www.virtualfieldtrips.org/
Boardmaker – A collection of standardized picture symbols used for communication with students who are strong visual learners, including those with autism spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome, speech and language disorders and behavioral disorders: https://goboardmaker.com/pages/activities-to-go
DeltaMath – A free website for teachers/ students that cover a wide range of math content from middle school through AP Calculus: https://www.deltamath.com/about
Cape May County Park & Zoo – Virtual Zoo School: http://www.capemaycountynj.gov/1400/Virtual-Zoo-School
Pittsburgh Zoo – Zoo’s web cams, podcast, and educational/ fun programming: https://www.pittsburghzoo.org/bringing-the-zoo-to-you/
Elmwood Zoo – Weekdays at 11am is ‘Zoo School Live’ and one can post live questions: https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/?s=zoo+school+live
Cincinatti Zoo – Home Safari Facebook Live each day at 3pm (also on YouTube channel): http://cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources/
Philadelphia Zoo – At 2 PM weekdays they go live on Facebook: https://philadelphiazoo.org/, https://www.facebook.com/pg/philadelphiazoo/posts/?ref=page_internal
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk – The Maritime Museum of Norwalk CT has Live Facebook shows at 3 PM and replays here: https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/#home-events-cal, https://www.facebook.com/pg/maritime.aquarium/posts/?ref=page_internal
List of zoos that are live-streaming animals to ease Coronavirus isolation – https://wdef.com/2020/03/18/zoos-live-streaming-animals-ease-coronavirus-isolation/?fbclid=IwAR3N3ZTrgH1emWNXgMLR506Or8igOTk9pFLUHdEHDsyYpa1ttKpFpQaYitY
Delish Kids + Parents Cooking Class – Instagram Live (handle is @Delish) at 1:00pm: https://www.delish.com/, https://www.instagram.com/delish/?hl=en
Calendar of virtual field trips for families/ daily activities – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qpFAQz_QJt0ZTVTixAyuGRjsKGYI23CjlaO9eLBkThE/preview?fbclid=IwAR0m1kKDWmIZV5Kwdrg4mpAvlHHi3M-6NtxvibGChu5JWf2a-JkLjrKzTK0