Happy Thanksgiving from our Journeys class students at PHS who enjoyed an early Friendsgiving feast this week! Special thanks to them for their hard work in the Pirates Cafe which is open again at PHS!
Happy Thanksgiving (l to r) from Roman Santoro, Leo Cerborino, Morgan Wright, Kassie Mundhenk, and Kylie Helfrich.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Thanksgiving break - 11/22 (*) - 11/25; 11/28 regular school day for students.
(*) Early dismissal 11AM - PALMS/PHS; 12:15PM - elementary schools
PANTHERS, PIRATES, BULLDOGS AND TIGERS...OH MY!
Congratulations to all three of our elementary schools, as well as our middle school! These four schools have been recognized by the Commonwealth of PA for implementing the Schoolwide Positive Behavior and Interventions Program with fidelity for multiple years. Later this month, representatives from each of these schools will receive awards on our schools' behalf at the state conference in Hershey.
SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION FOR PHS STUDENT ATHLETES!
At last Wednesday's School Board Meeting, Savannah Witt was recognized for her 1st place victory in the 123 lb class at a recent collegiate wrestling tournament (yep, she is a sophomore in high school)! Thomas Smigo (senior) was recognized for his 4-time Colonial League and District XI Cross Country Championship cross country medals and for his performance as the State Cross Country Champion for the 2nd time! And finally, the Board recognized Steven Lilly (senior) for his prowess on the football field this fall. Steven rushed for more than 1200 yards this season!
Photo by Mrs. Smigo - pictured L to R: Savannah Witt, Thomas Smigo and Steven Lilley.
Marching Band Places at Championship:
Congratulations to the members of the Palisades High School Marching Band for their performance in the Cavalcade of Bands Championship competition this past Saturday at Hatboro Horsham High school! The band came in 7th place out of 15 schools, scoring an 88.195! Additionally, the percussion section scored 3rd overall out of 15 schools for their individual performance. Congratulations and thank you to seniors Lindsay Ulrey, Camila O’Donnell, Michael Zaleski, Will Oldford, and John McAnally for an amazing season!
Debate Team Update:
On November 10 and 15, the high school Debate team traveled to participate in their first competitions. The topic was whether the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania should legalize active euthanasia. All teams performed well and many new students experienced their first formal debate ever!! Sean Finnerty, Gianna Gammello, Jesse Holderer, Alena Horvath, Camila O'Donnell, and Sophia Schulz each experienced at least one round with perfect scores. Gianna, Sophia, and Sean each experienced more than one round of perfect scores!! Each team has already won at least one round this season and the Affirmative A team comprised of Gianna Gammello, Maggie Holderer, Alena Horvath, and Camila O'Donnell is currently undefeated!
Polar Plunge 2023:
Kids for Kindness & the Unified Bocce team are fundraising for 2023 UCS Cool Schools! You should join us and work together to support Special Olympics Pennsylvania and a truly awesome cause.
If our team reaches $500 in donations, representatives from Palisades High School will "Take the Plunge" at Scott Park in Downtown Easton on February 18th. All donations go to Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Go Pirates!
To join the Palisades High School team & help raise money from your families/friends, click here: Join team To make a donation to the Palisades High School team, click here: Donate
A "MUST SEE SHOW" - SEE PUFFS TONIGHT AND SATURDAY!
This year's fall play "PUFFS" (Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic) is Friday, November 18th at 7PM and Saturday, November 19th at 2PM. The play is a 'spoof' of the Harry Potter Franchise, told from the standpoint of the "Puffs" (based on Hufflepuffs). Join us for this hilarious performance, for Harry Potter and non-Harry Potter fans alike!
Purchase your tickets now!
1) Go to palisd.ludus.com (our virtual box office)
2) Select your seats. Available seats are indicated in Green.
3) Click 'complete order'. The tickets will be emailed to you, and again on the day of the event.
Please email [email protected] for assistance with the box office.
Video - How to Use the Virtual Box Office
Pictured above (l to r): Gabe Freeman, Camryn Ivory and Michael Zaleski - student producers/directors of the show. Photo courtesy of Mrs. Smigo.
Resource Allocation Ad Hoc Committee will be chaired by Mr. Scott Freeman (Region 1). Mrs. Dawn Grochowiak (Region 3) and Dr. Jim Ott (Region 2) will also serve on the committee. The purpose of the discussion will be to discuss the impact of declining enrollment on all of our resources. The next meeting will be held at the PHS Library on Monday, December 12th at 6:30PM.
Upcoming Meetings:
12/05/22 - School Board Meetings - Reorganization and Regular Meeting - 7PM PHS Auditorium - MONDAY
12/07/22 - Facilities Committee Meeting - 6:30PM PHS Library
12/07/22 - Athletic Committee Meeting - 7:30PM PHS Library
12/15/22 - Joint Operating Committee Meeting - 7PM UBCTS
12/19/22 - Fiscal Oversight Committee Meeting 9AM District Office
12/21/22 - Regular School Board Meeting - 7PM PHS Auditorium
Budget discussions for the 2023-24 school year have begun - please see the highlights of the last discussion held last Wednesday:
1. The Act 1 Index for Palisades School District for the 2023-2024 budget year is 4.1%. This is the maximum increase allowable for the District without seeking exceptions. This index is set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
2. The Transportation budget has increased $131,775 due to an increase in the transportation contract which is tied to inflation but capped at 5% increase.
3. The building level budget increased by $147,275. Although the District’s individual building budgets decreased slightly, there is an expected increase in charter and cyber charter school tuition. The district is required to pay for those students who choose to attend outside charter schools (cyber or brick and mortar). Once again, the Board discussed the need for cyber charter school funding reform from the state legislature. The current rate paid to cyber charter schools is $22,908.80 for regular ed students and $51,416.23 for students who have IEP’s. A flat rate of $9,500 for each student attending a charter school is the most recent amount proposed.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL PROGRAMS CONTINUE...
THESE JUST ADDED FOR DECEMBER!
Health Qi Gong (pronounced chee gong) combines stretches, flowing movements, and breath to clear tension from the muscles, reduce stress, calm the mind and open the energy pathways. The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qi Gong teach you to move with relaxation. Qi Gong helps to create physical and emotional balance in the body. Practiced as a form of exercise it improves vitality, boost the immune system to help prevent illness and help to improve balance and coordination.
Tuesdays, 6 - 6:45pm
December 1 to December 22
4 week session - $48.
Location: PMS Cafeteria
Instructor: Diane Alex
Tai Chi is a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner accompanied by deep breathing. Often described as a moving meditation, Tai Chi has documented health benefits, including improved balance, stress relief and decreased chronic pain. We will be learning the beginning moves of a Yang Style form in this class.
Tuesdays, 7 - 8:00 pm
December 1 to December 22
4 week session - $60.
Location: PMS Cafeteria
Instructor: Diane Alex
TO REGISTER:
Use My School Bucks: Payment Using MSB
Email: [email protected]
Call: 610-847-5131, ext. 2401
WORKING ON A SPACE FOR PICKEBALL STARTING IN JANUARY! Stay tuned...
Also note, Adult Volleyball at PALMS will begin at 8PM through 12/20 starting next week.
OPPORTUNITIES AT PSD...HELP WANTED:
Two Long-term Substitute Instructional Assistants (IAs)/Paraprofessionals at Palisades Middle School– part-time, long-term substitutes. IA will assist student(s) in individual and small group settings with students with special needs. The ability to work calmly with student(s) exhibiting behavioral and academic challenges and an ability to follow the direction of professional staff is needed. Although not required, those with a teaching certification are encouraged to apply. Hourly rate: $21.40/hour after a probationary period, as per contract. One position is 5.5 hrs/student day, long-term substitute effective as soon as possible through March 30, 2023
Interested candidates should send via Recruit and Hire: letter of interest, application, resume, proof of being highly qualified, disclosure form(s) and clearances (must be current and dated within a year of start date: Act 24, 34, 114 and 151). Letters of interest can be addressed to Dr. Karl Scheibenhofer, Principal at PALMS. Deadline to apply is November 30, 2022. EOE
Palisades requires a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment
Link to clearances: https://www.palisd.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=193289
The attached information from Wells Fargo Advisors, is general information about giving charitable donations and the strategies involved. This information is for those considering a gift to PCF or other charitable organizations. It is meant as information only as we near the end of the calendar year. Click here: charitable_giving_strategies.pdf
PSD AND PCF TEAM UP TO HELP THOSE IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
Donations for gift cards for families in the Palisades School District who need a little help this holiday season are now being taken!
If you would like to purchase a gift card for a family in need, $25 gift cards are being accepted - Target, Kohls, Walmart or Giant preferred. Please drop off or mail to our District Office - 41 Thomas Free Drive, Kintnersville, PA 18930
You can also make a donation check payable to Palisades Community Foundation OR go to www.palisadescommunityfoundation.com to make a donation - any size donation will help a family have a brighter holiday this year! Thank you for your consideration!
OTHER COMMUNITY NEWS:
NOW ADDED: Musical performance from our own Strings Performers! A wonderful kick off to the holiday season!