Palisades School District

The school board has formed an ad hoc committee to discuss whether or not to hire a school security officer/guard. There is currently $110,000 built into next year’s budget to fund one officer/guard; however, this expenditure can be removed prior to passing the final budget if the position is not deemed necessary for the district.
The first meeting was held on Wednesday, February 22nd and upcoming meetings will be held in the Palisades High School library from 5:30 to 6:30PM on March 8th and April 12th. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

In an effort to gather information from students, staff, parents and community, we would appreciate it if you would complete this brief survey. 

PenSPRA Student Scholarship

Does your school district have any students who plan to pursue a career in a communications field (i.e., journalism, English, public relations, advertising, graphic arts, etc.)? If so, encourage them to apply for the PenSPRA Scholarship! 

Each year, PenSPRA presents two, one-year scholarships worth $1,000 each. Scholarships will be awarded to one public school student from each of PenSPRA’s two regions. The candidates should have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA and have already been accepted at or applied to a two- or four-year college, vocational-technical school or other institution of higher learning. 

Completed applications for the scholarship must be submitted by Friday, April 7, 2023. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The recipients will be announced in the beginning of May 2023.

FROM OUR ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT:

Mind of the Athlete, Coach & Parent: A Mental Wellness Presentation

Dr. Spencer, licensed clinical psychologist, Lafayette graduate and Lehigh Valley resident will talk to athletes, coaches, families, and athletic administrators on improving the emotional health of athletes and coaches, suicide awareness and sports psychology.

This uplifting blend of energy, entertainment, and solid psychological content will focus on hope and help, mental wellness, and how to validate, empower, and encourage.   As part of his presentation, he will talk about how not to “SCAR” your athlete: be sure they Showered, Changed, Ate and Rested.

A Question-and-Answer session will follow.  The goal is to have the attendees become the emotionally healthiest version of themselves to thrive in their particular endeavors of life. 

The event geared toward coaches, athletes and families is free and open to the public.  The press are welcome.

Dr. Jarrod Spencer is a: Sports psychologist. Speaker. Author. Consultant. iFit guide. Dr. Spencer is president and founder of Mind of the Athlete, LLC, a sports psychology company committed to improving the emotional health of athletes. He is the author of Mind of the Athlete: Clearer Mind, Better Performance and the co-author of the book, The Sky Is NOT The Limit: Discovering the True North for Your Life’s Path. He is the creator of the Mind of the Athlete Program, a cutting edge 20 hour video and audio sports psychology curriculum.

He has been featured in USA Today, New York Daily News, Inc., and ESPN Radio. Dr. Spencer is a frequent guest on WFMZ Morning News in the NY/NJ/PA region. He also starred in the TV Show “What the Heck Were They Thinking?!” with former Heavyweight Boxing Champion Larry Holmes. Additionally, Dr. Spencer created and starred on the TV show Mind of the Athlete.  

As an athlete he was a tailback for the Lafayette College football team. He was a wrestler and rugby player.  Dr. Jarrod Spencer resides with his wife and three children in the Lehigh Valley.  

Details:

Sunday, March 12th, 2023

From 4PM - 5:30PM       

Coca-Cola Park

1050 Iron Pigs Way Allentown, PA 18109

Enter at the West Gate.  (It is labeled West).

Light refreshments served.

Raffles: NFL Eagles helmet donated by Riddell AND free tickets to the Iron Pigs baseball game        

Eventbrite registration is free and encouraged as space is limited.

For more information, click this link to view the press release.




GO PIRATES!!!  Congratulations to Seniors, Ashley Amato and Kai Stiansen who were selected to play on the 2023 Lehigh Valley Basketball All-Star Team on Sunday, March 26th!  Way to represent!!!  Good luck!



LET'S CHEER FOR AVERIE WINSOR - ON THE BEST UCA CHEER TEAM IN THE NATION!

Congratulations to Averie Winsor (Grade 10) and her cheerleading team who came in first in the UCA high school cheer nationals in Florida for their  game day routine! Still representing Palisades on some level! Best team in the nation!  Congrats to Averie and her family!

**Our spring musical, "Kiss Me, Kate!" runs March 2nd+3rd (7PM) and March 4th (2PM)**

Spring Musical Tickets are ON SALE

Over 70 student actors, crew, pit musicians and staff have been diligently preparing over the past few months, and we can't wait to share this production with our community. 

"Kiss Me, Kate" was last produced at PHS in 1999, and is a classic Cole Porter musical featuring familiar tunes such as "Another Openin', Another Show", "Too Darn Hot", and "Tom, Dick, or Harry". The plot revolves around the romantic and professional lives of a divorced couple, Fred and Lilli, who are co-starring in a musical version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew''. As they perform, the tensions from their past relationship surface, complicating their present lives on and off the stage. Comedic vaudeville gangsters loom throughout the show to collect their I.O.U.'s, but the show must go on at any cost. This 'show within a show' earned the first ever Tony Award for best musical in 1949, and is sure to entertain, challenge, and inspire you with its memorable songs. We hope you will "Brush Up Your Shakespeare'' and join us!

This year’s show will take place on Thursday, March 2nd and Friday, March 3rd at 7:00 PM and on Saturday, March 4th at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available in advance at our virtual box office, palisd.ludus.com, or at the door. If you need assistance with tickets, please contact Neil Hong at [email protected]. 



PHS RECEIVES YOUTH HEART WATCH'S HEART SAFE DESIGNATION:

Congratulations to Palisades High School who received the Youth Heart Watch Program's "Heart Safe" designation!  Our high school personnel have been working with the Cardiac Center at CHOP and the Youth Heart Watch Program to create cardiac emergency response plans, complete CPR/AED training for their staff and hold drills to practice responding to a sudden cardiac arrest. 

This project was brought to us by Maddie Hoffman, a Pennridge student who suffered from a heart episode while participating in band practice on the field at her school.  Maddie is doing well now and continues to champion the Youth Heart Watch project in local districts!  Our superintendent, Dr. O'Connell heard Maddie's story and encouraged our administration to become a part of this very important movement to help save lives!

We recently saw a similar situation with Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety, who suffered from cardiac arrest while playing a Monday night game in early January.  Hamlin received immediate professional attention which may not always be readily available to you and me.  Having school staff trained for this type of event can be an important safeguard for a student or faculty member who suffers from such an event.  Congratulations to the PHS administration and staff for their commitment to being part of the Youth Heart Watch movement!

Tuesdays - 2/28/23 - 3/28/23
PHS Purple Gym at 7:30PM
Cost is $25 for 5 weeks or pay $5/week
Walk ins welcome

ADULT VOLLEYBALL - THURSDAYS
Thursdays - 2/23/23 - 3/30/23
PHS Purple Gym at 7:30PM
Cost is $30 for 6 weeks or pay $5/week
Walk ins welcome

ZUMBA:

Tuesdays -1/3/23 - 2/28/23
8 sessions
6:15PM-7PM
PHS Cafeteria
Dance your way to a healthy you!

SPRING CLASSES STARTING SOON...
Click on this link for more:  Spring Programs 2023

William Oldford - District 11 Band Festival

On Saturday, February 11, senior William Oldford participated in the District 11 Band festival at Central Bucks South High School. Just under 150 young musicians from high schools in Bucks and Montgomery Country participated in the concert, which was put together in less than 2 days! Will was one of just 15 trumpet players to qualify for a spot in the ensemble. Congratulations to Will on an amazing performance!

8th Grade Parent Information Night (Class of 2027) Slide Presentation

If you know any 8th grade parents, guardians and/or Class of 2027 members, please share this link with them that will give them an opportunity to view the slide presentation used on February 16th. The presentation reviews important information that was explained during the presentation.

Palisades High School Recognized as a Unified Champion School

Palisades High School is recognized as a Unified Champion School. 

Unified Champion School Goal: Schools that Welcome All People

The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program is aimed at promoting social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the three component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in, and feel a part of, all activities, opportunities and functions.

This is accomplished by implementing inclusive sports, inclusive youth leadership opportunities, and whole school engagement. The program is designed to be woven into the fabric of the school, enhancing current efforts and providing rich opportunities that lead to meaningful change in creating a socially inclusive school that supports and engages all learners. What a Unified Champion School “looks like” can vary greatly from school to school, based on the needs, goals, schedules and other factors unique to each school; but the basic building blocks remain the same.

Together we are creating a Unified Generation that Chooses to Include.

Spread the Word Inclusion Campaign Day

On Wednesday, March 1st, Palisades High School will be participating in the Go All In(clusive) campaign.  Around the world, exclusion and discrimination continue to divide people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are changing that with grassroots action for inclusion. As a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, Palisades High School students & staff will have the opportunity to take the pledge to include & sign the banner at the Pirates' Pier Cafe and during lunches.

District XI Swimming

On March 3rd and 4th Natalie Owens, Toby Olmstead, and Tori Oldford will be swimming at the District XI AA meet at Parkland High School.  The top 16 swimmers in each event qualify for the meet.  Swimmers may swim in at most 2 individual events.  Currently our swimmers are ranked in top 16 in the District in the following:

Natalie: 100 Yd Backstroke, 100 Yd Butterfly

Toby: 50 Yd Freestyle, 100 Yd Freestyle, 200 Yd Freestyle, 100 Yd Butterfly

Tori: 100 Yd Breaststroke

It is Yearbook Time!

Class of 2023 Parents & Guardians, would you love to include your child’s baby pictures and a heartfelt message in this year’s Yearbook? If so, you can choose one of the following options below! DEADLINE: March 1st, 2023

Spread Options:

Please email your Spread Choice, Message and Picture(s) to [email protected]g. Checks can be made out to PHS Yearbook and handed in to Mrs. Hoferica or Mrs. Timenchenko!

Use this link for more information about February and SUMMER CAMP!  February is for Fabulous FUN at the Fab Lab Center.pdf

Spring Coaching Positions Available for the 2022/2023 School Year

- Head Junior High Baseball Coach

- Assistant Junior High Baseball Coach

Interested candidates should send their letter of interest, completed application, resume, and criminal clearances (Acts 24, 34, 141 & 151 current within a year of the start of the season) 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. 

Palisades requires a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment.

Link to apply for clearances: https://www.palisd.org/our_district/employment_opportunities/employment_forms_clearances

Deadline for application is March 1, 2023.

Part-Time Food Handler (anticipated):  Part-time, 2 hours per day (11:15 am to 1:15 pm), 10 month, Food Handler position available starting as soon as possible at Springfield Elementary School. Candidate must be able to complete multiple tasks, prepare food, cook meals, serve the student meals, and assist with routine kitchen tasks such as operating kitchen equipment and daily clean-up. 

Interested candidates should send via https://palisades.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=1318: their letter of interest, application, resume and disclosure form(s) and clearances (current within the past 12 months of the closing date of the posting: Act 24, 34, 114 and 151). Letters of interest can be addressed to  Mr. Gerry Giarratana, Director of Food/Warehouse/Transportation. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2023. 

Palisades requires a pre-employment drug test as a condition of employment. 

Current employees may submit a bid form.

Link to clearances: https://www.palisd.org/our_district/employment_opportunities/employment_forms_clearances/

EOE

Instructional Assistant (IA)/Paraprofessional (anticipated) – part-time, 10 months, 5.75 hrs/student day, instructional assistant/paraprofessional at Springfield Elementary School. Position starts as soon as possible. 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.

Applicants must have strong technology skills, be highly qualified as defined by federal standards, which require either two completed years of study at an institution of higher education, an associate’s (or higher) degree, or PDE Highly Qualified certification.

Interested candidates should send via Recruit at https://palisades.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=1319: 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 Mr. Scott Davis, Principal at Springfield Elementary. Deadline to apply is March 3, 2023. EOE
Current support staff employees, please use a bid form. 

Registration: https://forms.gle/kVQJzpGb1GjsoCuk8 

3v3 FRANCIS BARNES MEMORIAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT:  New Event from Palisades Community Foundation coming this Spring!  Bring a team (all ages welcome to play), have some fun and give back to the Palisades community!  Sponsorship opportunities available to help support fundraising for the Foundation - visit our website for more information - www.palisadescommunityfoundation.com  PCF supports our schools (students, families and classrooms) and the community - all in the areas of Arts, Education and Wellness!  Register Your Team Here:https://forms.gle/kVQJzpGb1GjsoCuk8

NEW PRICE FOR ALL PSD STUDENT TEAMS:  $30/student team to join the tournament!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  YouTube Advertisement



FROM THE IRS:

As part of a continuing effort to improve service this tax season, the Internal Revenue Service today announced special Saturday hours for the next four months at Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) across the country.

The special Saturday availability across the nation will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Feb. 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13. Offices in dozens of states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will be open during this special four-month event, with no appointments required.

More than 40 locations currently plan to be open on Feb. 11, with 58 offices currently scheduled for March 11.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit a special IRS.gov page for the latest information on the special Saturday hours.

Thank you to volunteers and hoping to attract new ones! See Arts Festival Dates Below!

MACHINE OPERATOR POSITION OPEN-Seeking a Student: Click here for more information - Machine Operator_HS posting.pdf







Here are the details:
Session 1- July 3-7, Ralph Stover State Park
(4th off)
Session 2 - July 10-14 Ralph Stover State Park
Session 3 - July 17-21 Ralph Stover State Park 
Session 4 - July 24-28 - Bucks Co. Audubon