IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Superintendent O’Connell’s Community Message regarding a possible vaccine clinic: Click Here
IN OTHER DISTRICT NEWS:
Let's Talk About Lunch!
Throughout the pandemic ALL students have had access to FREE breakfasts and lunches in our schools cafeterias. While in the past, families who were interested in free and reduced lunch prices were required to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch application, this school year meals have been free for everyone.
Here is the dilemma, even though free meals are currently being enjoyed by all of our students, we would like to ask those who would normally qualify for Free and Reduced meals to complete the application as they normally would. There is funding that is available to our district through federal programs like Title I which helps support student learning. This funding is based on the percentage of students who are approved to receive Free and Reduced lunches during a non-pandemic period. So, if you would normally qualify for Free and Reduced lunches or if your situation has changed and you would likely qualify, please go to www.schoolcafe.com to APPLY.
Free meals for students are continuing throughout this school year, according to Gerry Giarratana, Director of Food Services, Transportation and the Warehouse.
More News About School Meals:
As you have likely seen on TV or read in the many articles published, the supply chain issues causing so many woes like getting ready for holiday giving, parts for repairing automobiles and staples like toilet paper, is also having an impact on school meals. “Of course, we continue to provide nutritious and delicious meals for our students, however, substitute items may be necessary from time to time,” says Director Giarratana. So if your child let’s you know that the lunch items posted on the menu for that day were not exactly what was served, be aware that supply chain shortages are having an effect everywhere, even in our cafeterias!
FINANCIAL AUDIT REVEALS GOOD NEWS FOR DISTRICT!
Last Monday, Bo Travis, CPA, CGMA from the auditing firm, Gorman and Associates, our school district’s financial auditor, shared some important information with our Fiscal Oversight Committee of the Board.
Bo reported that our district is the ONLY DISTRICT out of the approximately 20 districts his firm audits each year that has a positive net position! Sounds like great news, right, but what does it mean?
As explained in a conversation with our Business Administrator, Drew Bishop, this wonderful report card on our district’s financial health can be attributed to a few items including:
1. The district has little outstanding debt, and we are projected to be debt-free by 2029. A note (for debt service) will be paid off in 2023, and a bond (attributed to the $10 million for the Tinicum renovation) which was refinanced in 2019, will be fully paid in 2029. We have aggressively paid toward our debt as we have been able to do so over the years.
2. Facilities maintenance that is regularly scheduled and is paid for in cash. Our buildings and facilities are well kept and the maintenance that is required is pre-planned. Financing for maintenance projects is planned in advance from our capital projects fund balance in advance; we work on a five year maintenance plan.
3. Through adept fiscal management, our district savings is available and has been used for items such as the rising costs associated with the retirement costs. Those increases have been able to be covered mostly through savings, thereby minimally impacting taxpayers as those increases skyrocketed over the past 13 years.
Our School Board, administration and staff closely monitor our financial position which has proven to be beneficial to us for the long term, according to this auditing report. Being in a positive net position helps our taxpayers. Kudos to all involved!
UPCOMING VIRTUAL MEETINGS:
10/27/2021-Facilities Committee Meeting-6:30pm -To Join By Phone: (US) +1 414-909-3331 (PIN: 580702400#)
10/27/2021-Athletics Committee Meeting-7:30pm - To Join By Phone: (US) +1 470-273-8929 (PIN: 924025767#)
11/03/2021- Regular Board Meeting-7:00pm
Smigo Wins Colonial League Boys Cross Country Championship:
Congratulations to Thomas Smigo (Class of 2023) who was crowned the Colonial League Boys Cross Country Champion. This is the THIRD year in a row that Thomas ran his way to the championship.
Mitch Campbell (Class of 2022) who placed 9th in the Boys division.
Both teams will compete next week in the District XI meet at DeSales University.
Cavalcade of Bands Competition Results:
Last Saturday, The Marching Band competed in the Upper Moreland Cavalcade of Bands Competition. They placed 2nd with a score of 80.2, just missing the current division leader by 7 tenths of a point.
Their next competition is this Saturday at Nazareth High School.
Fall Sports:
Our Boys and Girls Cross Country teams, Field Hockey team, and the Boys Soccer team have qualified for the District XI playoffs! Our Girls Soccer team is still waiting for information on their qualifying status, but we should know soon. Please click this link for the District XI website where you will be able to learn more about our seeding, opponents, and locations.
The last home football game of the 2021 season is next Friday, October 29th versus Saucon Valley HS. We will honor our senior Band members, Cheerleaders, and Football players prior to the game.
At halftime, we will honor our 1st responders. AND it is also a PINK OUT - for Breast Cancer awareness.
PHS 2021-22 Yearbooks:
The Palisades HS 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 2022 Yearbook will be delivered this spring, is full color and is on sale NOW! The cost of the yearbook is $65.00 if purchased by Thanksgiving, but act now and make this a great holiday gift for your Palisades student. This rate goes up after November 25th, so get your order in early to get a discount!
For your convenience, we have several purchasing options available:
Order online at www.sscyearbooks.com
Print out and fill out this order form OR call your order in by dialing Student Services directly at 610.539.1330.
The yearbook staff is working hard to put together a great book- so don’t delay, and purchase your yearbook today!!
Hold On You Matter Walk to Make A Difference
Palisades staff, students, and families are encouraged to join the community in the Hold On You Matter Walk to Make A Difference being held on Saturday, November 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at BCCC’s Upper Bucks Campus, located at 1 Hillendale Road, Perkasie PA 18944.
The high school is participating in a variety of ways, including activities for the week of November 1:
Monday, November 1: The Tree of Respect will be displayed.Tuesday, November 2: Inservice Day (No School for Students) – Students, families, and community members are encouraged to visit OwWowCow on this day as a portion of proceeds from sales will be donated to the Bucks County Suicide Prevention Taskforce.Wednesday, November 3: Staff will wear green as a symbol for Mental Health support.Thursday, November 4: Registration for the walk will be available during student lunches; Hold On You Matter wristbands will be distributed. Friday, November 5: Purple and Gold Day, Students and staff will be encouraged to wear purple and gold to demonstrate Palisade’s unity and support for mental wellness and suicide prevention.
Palisades High School Key Club members will be participating in the walk and will also be distributing bubbles to all of the walkers.
To register for the walk, visit www.holdonyoumatter.com/walk. You will receive a t-shirt with a $10 donation when you register. In the notes section, please indicate that you are part of the Palisades team.
Questions? Email Mrs. Katie Lloyd at [email protected].
FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT..
Kassie Mundhenk Takes on New Role:
Kassie Mundhenk (Class of 2022) has been named to serve on the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center's board. Kassie's work as an actor, most recently playing Moira Ross in the HBO Max mini-series Mare of Easttown.has earned her this opportunity! Good luck to Kassie! Click HERE
Tinicum Elementary is Bringing It Home!
Congratulations to Tinicum for being named a U.S. News and World Report BEST elementary school for 2021. Of more than 4,000 elementary schools in PA, Tinicum was ranked #168. Kudos to our faculty, staff, students, and community!
PALMS Kicks Off Red Ribbon Week!
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of Americans during October of every year. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children. Through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives, the ultimate goal is the creation of a drug free America. During Red Ribbon Week at PALMS, we will focus on teaching students how to make positive, healthy decisions about drugs, alcohol, and bullying. During this week, PALMS would love to see all students involved in the activities listed below! Red Ribbon Week is all about making positive choices – so let’s all show our school spirit! This year’s theme is Kindness Matters. Click here for a list of planned activities at PALMS next week - Red Ribbon Week Flyer 2021.pdf
BRICKS ARE BACK!
Help us to fill the Star Way of Champions! Just $100/brick to commemorate a special occasion or to honor a loved one! We are ready to have made and install purchased bricks! Please complete the attached form to order your today! PCF brick form.pdf
PCF is looking for a recording secretary. Anyone interested can contact [email protected] This is a paid position. Knowledge of Quickbooks preferred.
COMMUNITY CORNER:
Palisades Youth Basketball Registration is Open: PYBA is up and running for the year and sign-ups are happening now for grades 1-6 boys and girls. Please follow the link below for more information and to register your child today! Questions? Please contact palisadesyouthbasketball@gmail.com
COMING SOON...COMMUNITY SCHOOL CLASSES FOR THESE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK...
Volleyball
Ceramics
Yoga
Hypnosis for Quitting Smoking, Losing Weight and Getting Better Sleep
TODAY - OCTOBER 23, 2021 - Click Here for a drop off location for your unused/unwanted medicines. Thank you for keeping our children and our water sources safe! Springfield Elementary is a drop off location today between 10AM and 2PM.
