Friday, April 3, 2026
Friday, April 3, 2026
Let's Connect!
Spring is in full bloom, bringing with it a season of bright colors, fresh starts, and just a little extra sweetness. From bunny sightings to chocolate treats, there’s playful energy in the air.
As we hop into a short break, we hope it’s filled with rest, sunshine, and time with the people who matter most.
Enjoy this week’s Patch-perfect edition!
Following is a handful of photo highlights from recent events and activities. THANK YOU to our PTA/PTOs, Dawn Smigo, our parent photographers and friends, our building principals, and Christmas City who share these photos for the newsletter every week. It would not be possible without you. You are appreciated! (Click or tap on an image to stop the carousel. Use the arrows to go forward and back at your own pace.)
Your guide to timely information in the Palisades School District.
The revised at-a-glance PSD district calendar can be found here.
FAQ for Weather Delays & Cancellations:
Please see the following link for information about weather delays and cancellations: https://www.palisd.org/our_district/superintendent_s_office/from_the_desk_of_dr__bridget_o__connell/faq_for_weather_delays_cancellations
On Monday evening, we welcomed the Class of 2039 (yes…2039!!!) and their families to Kindergarten Registration! By all accounts, it was a HUGE success! Be sure to check out some of the event photos in the carousel at the top of the newsletter.
Thank you to all of our faculty, staff, mascots, and student volunteers who made the event a HUGE success! A special shout out to Kelly Dobrydnia and Dr. Donnelly for organizing an evening where every future kindergartener left with a backpack, a t-shirt, and more -- and, most importantly, with a smile on their face!
If you missed the in-person registration event, it’s not too late—registration can still be completed online at: www.palisd.org/our_district/new_student_registration
*Once registration is completed, please contact Kelly Dobrydnia at kdobrydnia@palisadessd.org to schedule a time to pick up your incoming kindergarten student’s t-shirt and backpack.
Register online HERE.
See all of the class options and registration information on our website.
Ceramics (Spring Session Registration Is Now Open; Starts 4/8)
Qi Gong
Pickleball (BEGINNERS WELCOME)
Tennis
Volleyball
Check back frequently as new classes will continue to be added.
Find out what's happening in our schools! The Palisades School District is comprised of three elementary schools (Durham Nockamixon, Springfield, and Tinicum), Palisades Middle School, and Palisades High School.
The Monster Meet event with our Tinicum and Durham Nox 2nd grade students in collaboration with our PHS students was a huge success!
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. McNichol, Mrs. Piper, and Mrs. Sunday for organizing this special experience, to our PHS “Bigs” for their art and creative writing monster mash-ups, and to our second grade “Littles” for their enthusiastic participation.
It was wonderful to see such meaningful teamwork and excitement around learning!
We are proud to recognize and congratulate our newly inducted members of the National Junior Honor Society. This achievement reflects not only strong academic performance, but also a commitment to leadership, service, character, and citizenship. Being selected for NJHS is a testament to the hard work, integrity, and dedication these students demonstrate each day.
Thank you Mrs. Hilary Prego for your leadership in making this such a special event.
Congratulations to all of our inductees we look forward to all that you will accomplish!
Mr. Jason Blocher is the gym teacher at the Palisades Elementary Schools, and he has created an Adapted Physical Education class for the autism support classroom at Springfield Elementary.
He has designed an inclusive gym program that brings together our students and peers from other 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes. These students interact with and support our children during the activities he plans, creating an environment of encouragement and inclusion.
Mr. Blocher’s efforts have made a meaningful impact on fostering acceptance, connection, and a true sense of belonging for our students. I believe this program deserves recognition for the positive difference it is making in our school community.
Congratulations to Mrs. Judy Doerr for earning the Caring Community Award from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit!
Mrs. Doerr is the Secretary Extraordinaire at Tinicum Elementary School. This honor recognizes her compassion, dedication, and positive impact on our school community. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement!
We had an incredible weekend! We opened with a win—and the highest score in the FIRST Mid-Atlantic, which still stands.
Despite some ups and downs in qualifiers, our team stayed strong and finished as the 2nd seed.
Selected by Alliance Captain Team 316, Lunatechs, and joined by Team 7414, Retro Robotics, our alliance battled back after a first-match loss to win the next two—securing the Bensalem District Event Championship. Our third time winning this event!
We also earned the Excellence in Engineering Award for our innovative clamshell robot design and high-capacity brush system.
From the stands to the pits to the field, every student made an impact.
Next stop: District Championships, April 16–18.
PHS Senior, Silas Day, set a new school record on Tuesday in discus, throwing 158’ (to break the previous record of 155’ 1/2” set by Grant Broach in 2008)!
Congratulations, Silas!!!
Photo Credit: Dawn Smigo
Attention Juniors and Seniors!
Prom tickets go on sale April 1-24! Tickets are $70 each during the first week of sales and $75 for the remaining weeks of sales. Tickets can be purchased directly on MySchoolBucks or by check or cash in Mrs. Scoggin’s office. Juniors and Seniors are permitted to bring a guest, either another Palisades student or an outside guest. If you are bringing an outside guest, you must pick up a purple guest form from the main office and return the completed form to the main office. The form needs to be approved by the administration first and then you will be able to receive a ticket for your guest. An information table will be available during many lunches, based on student availability.
This year’s prom will be held on Friday, May 15th, at the Steel Club in Hellertown. Arrival time is 5:45 pm, and the event ends at 10:00 pm.
Remember, if you plan to bring a guest that is not a current Palisades student, you MUST complete the Guest Permission Form prior to purchasing your tickets. This information can be found in the student handbook. For your convenience, the permission form can be accessed at this link here.
We don’t want the inability to afford a dress to prevent you from enjoying this special night. If you need any assistance in finding the perfect Prom dress, please see Mrs. Mazza in guidance or Mrs. Page in the nurse's office.
Are you ready for Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Flag Football, and Track & Field?! Our spring season starts in a couple of weeks. Come on out and cheer for our Pirates!
An important message from our Athletic Director:
Home TRACK & FIELD meet season is here and we need your help! Hosting a successful meet takes a team effort, and we’re looking for workers to help with timing, field events, check-in, and recording scores.
No experience is needed — we’ll show you exactly what to do. It’s a great way to support our athletes, make a few bucks and be part of the action! If you would like to help out, please contact Brian Gilbert at bgilbert@palisadessd.org
Upcoming Home Track & Field meet dates:
4/14, 4/18, 4/28
You can find a complete calendar of upcoming PSD athletic events here.
Let's Go, Pirates!!!
From the Palisades Pirates Football Boosters:
Dear Community Member,
The Palisades Pirates Football Team is excited to announce our annual golf outing at the Green Pond Country Club on May 16th, a cherished tradition that brings together our supporters, players, and families for a day of fun and community spirit. We are reaching out to invite you to become a sponsor and/or participant for this year's event, which will directly benefit our 2026 football players by providing meals, supplies, gear, and other necessities throughout the season.
Your sponsorship or donation-whether monetary or in-kind-will make a meaningful impact on our athletes and their experience. All proceeds from the event will go straight to supporting the team, ensuring that every dollar helps our players succeed both on and off the field.
We would be grateful for your support at any level, and all contributions are appreciated and tax deductible. Please contact us at palisadesfbboosters@gmail.com to secure your sponsorship or donate or see the flyer below. Together, we can ensure the Palisades Pirates have a successful and fulfilling 2026 season.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our student athletes. We look forward to partnering with you!
Date:
May 16, 2026
Location:
Green Pond Country Club
Cost:
$110 per person
Registration:
12:00PM
Shotgun Start:
1:30PM
Includes t-shirt, hot dog/hamburger, beverage ticket, buffet dinner, raffles, prizes, and much more!
Download the letter and forms in PDF format HERE.
Questions? Contact Beth Cook at 267-382-9350 (text) or palisadesfbboosters@gmail.com
Information in this section will be particularly helpful for those who have students in our schools.
Palisades School District invites parents and their four/five-year old preschool children to join us for Family Night. While a Palisades Teacher enjoys stories and activities with the children, parents will attend a presentation featuring fun ideas for learning about early literacy. During the second part of the program, parents and children will complete an activity together. Participants will receive a free book.
Two evening Pre-K Nights will be held for families, each covering a different topic. Families are invited to attend one or both of the sessions. Please complete the form at the link below to indicate which of the sessions you will be attending.
DATES:
Pre-K Night # 1: May 6, 2026
Topic of Session: Alphabetic Principle and Phonemic Awareness
Pre-K Night #2: May 20, 2026
Topic of Session: Concepts of Print, Vocabulary and Environmental Print
LOCATION:
Durham-Nockamixon School Library
39 Thomas Free Dr, Kintnersville, PA 18930
TIME:
6:00-7:00 PM
SIGN UP ONLINE AT THE LINK BELOW OR USING THE QR CODE:
You can download the flyer in PDF format in English or Spanish using the links below:
Links to recordings from the most recent Regular Board and Committee Meetings can be found below. Clicking on these links will redirect you to our PSD Stream channel on YouTube. You can find a complete Board and Committee Meeting Schedule on our website.
Disclaimer: Palisades School District is not responsible for statements made by those in attendance at the meeting. Rebroadcasting/reproduction of the audio recording is strictly prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained from the Superintendent or designee.
Link To: Fiscal Committee Meeting 3/16/26
Link To: Regular Board Meeting 3/18/26
Link To: Policy Committee Meeting 3/18/26
There is always a lot going on in our community. In this section, you can find out how to get involved this week!
Disclaimer: Flyers and information presented in this section are provided by organizations in the general community. Palisades School District is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any information included in these submissions, and shall not be responsible for any decisions made based on such information.
The Palisades Community Foundation (PCF) is hosting two fundraising events that you don't want to miss!
SAVE OUR SHIP EVENT (Adults Only): Food, music, cocktails & raffles
DATE & TIME: Saturday, April 11, 2026; 6:00-10:00PM (doors open at 5:30PM)
COST: $50 per person in advance; $65 per person at the door
LOCATION: BW Social, 1984 Waldheim Rd, Hellertown, PA
CELEBRATE AMERICA’S 250TH RED/WHITE/BLUE FAMILY FUN RUN
DATE & TIME: Saturday, May 16, 2026; 9:00AM (Registration @ 7:30AM)
LOCATION: Palisades High School, 35 Church Hill Road, Kintnersville, PA
BE A SPONSOR! Two-for-One Events!
Guppy $100
Starfish $250
Navigator $500
Deck hand $750
Buccaneer $1,000
First mate $1,500
Captain $2,000
Admiral $2,500
For tickets and information, visit the PCF website HERE.
10 Weeks of FABulous STEAM Camp FUN! A Different Theme Every Week with Some Weeks Offering TWO Camp Options!
Fab Lab Summer Camp is the ultimate destination for curious minds and creative thinkers! Campers dive into hands-on adventures in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). From robotics to designing 3D creations, coding games, digital fabrication, and more, campers learn cutting-edge skills while having a blast. With expert mentors and state-of-the-art tools, every camper becomes an innovator. Unleash your child's potential and make summer unforgettable!
Who Should Attend Camp: Each camp has a list of who should attend, from children entering 1st to 7th grades. Campers are grouped by age and skill-level to ensure success and fun!
Dates: Summer Camp Preview days will be June 16, 17, and 18. Regular Summer Camp weeks will begin June 22 and run through August 21.
Days/ Hours: Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm (week 2 is Mon.-Thu.)
Full Day camp options for 3 or 5 days a week
Mornings only (8am-12pm) option is 5 days a week
Location: Fab Lab Center, One lvybrook Blvd., Suite 190, Warminster PA 18974
For more information, visit the website HERE.
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (PA PKC) is a state-funded prekindergarten program for 3- and 4- year-old children to help them gain school readiness skills. The goal of PA PKC is to provide a high quality-learning environment for children. The program provides comprehensive services to all enrolled children and their families. By forming a partnership with parents, staff, and the community members, we offer services designed to promote the healthiest, safest environment in which children, families, and staff can thrive and their full potential.
The new applications for Pre-K Counts for next school year are now available. Hard copies will be available in the main offices of each of our elementary school buildings shortly.
You can download the applications in PDF format below:
Pre-K Counts Application 26-27 (English)
Pre-K Counts Application 26-27 (Español)
Any eligible students from within our school district are able to participate. Parents must provide daily transportation. There are currently 13 openings for the program next fall. The Pre-K Counts classroom is located in Durham Nockamixon Elementary.
All completed applications can be sent to Kim Day, Director. Any questions can be directed to her by phone at 267-424-2024 or via email at kday@lq.org.
Springfield Township is looking for volunteers for its annual Roadside Cleanup Day on April 11th, 2026 at 11:30 AM. There seems to be a lot of debris along this stretch of Route 212 this spring and your contribution of your time would help beautify an area in our district.
The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) members will be on site to help with instructions, plastic bags and talk about safety while performing the cleanup. They have gloves and safety vests.
They will meet at the Springfield Elementary School and the effort usually takes a couple of hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Mike Clime, Springfield Township EAC Vice Chair at mikeclime@gmail.com.
FreshConnect Bucks County provides FREE, fresh produce to our residents facing hunger. They deliver in the PALMS parking lot on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Registration is required.
You can find the application and additional information here.
Our social worker and school counselors have been discussing ways to support families who may be experiencing food insecurity. They have compiled a list of local food resources, which is attached below. We encourage families and community members to review and share this information—sometimes we may not realize who might be in need of a little extra support. Click this link to view the list here.
For those looking to make a monetary donation, the Bucks County Opportunity Council, Inc. is one of the lead anti-poverty organizations in Bucks County. Their website for donations can be found here.
See below for flyers from community organizations. (Click or tap on an image to stop the carousel. Use the arrows to go forward and back at your own pace.)
If you would like to have information covered in the Patch, please send it to patch@palisd.org by Wednesday before its publication on Friday. If you don't currently subscribe to the Patch but would like to receive it via email, please sign up here.