Friday, March 6, 2026
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This weekend we lose an hour but gain a little sunshine as we spring forward with the clocks changing. Longer evenings and the first hints of spring are on the horizon — always a welcome trade-off.
Hoist the sails, set those clocks ahead, and enjoy this week’s Patch-perfect edition as we sail toward brighter days ahead!
Following is a handful of photo highlights from recent events and activities. THANK YOU to Kim Casterline, Kimberly McKenney, our PTA/PTOs, 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.)
DISTRICT DISPATCH
DISTRICT DISPATCH
Your guide to timely information in the Palisades School District.
Don't Forget to SPRING F O R W A R D ...
Don't Forget to SPRING F O R W A R D ...
Friendly reminder! Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. Remember to turn your clocks forward one hour Saturday night so you aren’t late on Sunday!
We may lose an hour of sleep, but we gain more sunshine! ☀️🌷
Today is Employee Appreciation Day!
Today is Employee Appreciation Day!
Happy Employee Appreciation Day to the incredible faculty and staff of the Palisades School District! Your dedication, compassion, and tireless commitment to our students and community make Palisades such a special place to learn and grow.
Every lesson taught, every moment of encouragement, and every act of care helps shape the future of our students. Thank you for bringing your talent, heart, and Pirate Pride to our schools each and every day. 💜💛
Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year IS NOW OPEN!
Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year IS NOW OPEN!
It's time to start Kindergarten Registration for the Class of 2039.
Children who will attain the age of five before 9/1/26 are eligible. Three proofs of residency, a current immunization record and proof of the child’s age must be presented.
Register online HERE.
There will also be an in-person event on March 23rd where you will have the opportunity to:
Meet The Teachers
Get Questions Answered
Receive Registration Support
Submit Required Documents
In-Person Event:
March 23, 2026
4:00-7:00PM
Palisades Middle School
4710 Durham Road, Kintnersville
Spring Community Classes are Underway!
Spring Community Classes are Underway!
See all of the class options and registration information on our website.
Ceramics (Spring Session Registration Is Now Open)
Qi Gong
Pickleball (BEGINNERS WELCOME)
Tennis
Volleyball
Check back frequently as new classes will continue to be added.
SCHOOL NEWS
SCHOOL NEWS
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.
Read Across America!
Read Across America!
Read Across America Day is celebrated annually on March 2 (Dr. Seuss’s birthday!) It's a nationwide initiative led by the National Education Association that promotes the joy and importance of reading.
Throughout the week, our students participated in themed spirit days and literacy activities designed to inspire a love of books and storytelling. It’s always a fun and meaningful way to highlight reading across all grade levels.
Dr. O’Connell surprised our Pre-K Counts kiddos with a special story time featuring “They All Saw a Cat.” Smiles, giggles, and curious little minds filled the room as the students explored the story together. Moments like these remind us that a love of reading often begins with the simple magic of sharing a good book. 📚✨
Big Artist, Little Artist Monster Meet! YOU'RE INVITED!
Big Artist, Little Artist Monster Meet! YOU'RE INVITED!
Second grade students at Tinicum Elementary and Durham Nockamixon Elementary created a texture monster painting in art class. Their artwork was shared with the high school art students who brought the texture monsters to life!
Not only can you come and see the amazing artwork but you can hear the monster stories written by students in the Palisades High School Creative Writing class!
You won't want to miss this wonderful, creative and FUN collaboration
March 26, 2026
Palisades High School Library
6:00-7:30pm
39th Annual PSEA Touch The Future High School Art Exhibition
39th Annual PSEA Touch The Future High School Art Exhibition
Organized by PSEA, this annual exhibition and competition draws hundreds of incredible artworks from young artists throughout Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Around 300 works in all media: painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, animation, mixed media, and more.
On display Feb. 10- March 20, 2026, the exhibit features this year’s Palisades students: Anthony Allsop, Sophia Schulz, Julia Ryker and Riley Lyons. Come on out and support this year’s student participants!
Fine Arts Center Gallery
Blue Bell Campus
340 DeKalb Pike,
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Opening reception and awards ceremony:
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Gallery open 1-3 p.m.; awards and remarks in Parkhouse Hall beginning at 2 p.m.
PSD Spring Sports!
PSD Spring Sports!
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
Home Track & Field meet dates:
3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/8, 4/14, 4/18, 4/28
You can find a complete calendar of upcoming PSD athletic events here.
Let's Go, Pirates!!!
1st Annual PHS Golf Team Outing and Fundraiser!
1st Annual PHS Golf Team Outing and Fundraiser!
April 25, 2026
Green Pond Country Club
Deadline:
April 11, 2026
Registration:
12:00PM
Shotgun Start:
1:30PM
Includes buffet dinner, snack & beverage of choice, fourman scramble, singles matched and much more!
Download the forms in PDF format HERE.
Questions? Contact James Deppe at 732-233-4302
Our Unified Crew Makes A Big Splash!
Our Unified Crew Makes A Big Splash!
Congratulations to our amazing Polar Plunge Team who braved the winter weather and jumped into icy waters in Philadelphia! Our courageous students were among nearly 13,000 plungers across the state that jumped in support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania.
Our Palisades team raised almost $6,000, contributing to the $2.8 million and counting for over 15,000 Special Olympics Pennsylvania athletes! Thanks to their efforts, local athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities can participate in free year-round sports training and competition.
This week, we also celebrated Spread the Word: Inclusion Day, which is held annually on the first Wednesday of March to promote respect and belonging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Led by youth and Special Olympics, the campaign encourages taking the online pledge, hosting school events, and ending the use of the R-word.
We are proud of you, Pirates!
For a limited time, you can purchase Unified Spirit Wear with the new design above! Every purchase supports Palisades Special Education programs and student activities. Available until March 20th. Check out the cool merch HERE.
The Upper Bucks Transition Fair is March 12th!
The Upper Bucks Transition Fair is March 12th!
Coordinated by the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown School Districts, this event is an excellent opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families to discover resources that will help with planning for the transition after high school.
A wide variety of agencies will be invited that support a wide range of disabilities.
Free entry and no registration required, so mark your calendars! Light snacks will be available for purchase (cash only) by Bake Ability and the Pennridge Unified Club!
Click HERE or scan the QR code for additional information about parking and confirmed vendors.
Pennridge High School
1228 N 5th St, Perkasie, PA 18944
Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 5:30-7:00pm
FAMILY CORNER
FAMILY CORNER
Information in this section will be particularly helpful for those who have students in our schools.
Nominate Our Educators with Real Impact!
Nominate Our Educators with Real Impact!
Let’s spread some joy! 🍎 Help us shine a light on the dedication of our educators. We’d love for parents to have the opportunity to nominate the educators who have made a difference in their children’s lives.
Nominate a staff member for the Lehigh University College of Education’s “Educators with Real Impact” initiative and they could be featured or win a raffle prize!
You can find the nomination form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDRg9U9RBlmIgrBrZWV7S4Npffot48j5eIdw-sk580PlVO3A/viewform
*** CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Kirsten Godiksen who received a well-deserved recognition this week! ***
Here is what the nominating individual had to say about the impact she's made: "Kirsten is an exceptional educator whose communication, advocacy, and leadership distinguish her as a true professional. She fosters open dialogue with students, families, and colleagues, creating a culture of trust and collaboration. She is a fierce advocate for her students' social-emotional needs. Kirsten is also a collaborative leader who strengthens teams through partnership and shared purpose.
Most notably, she is a standout in social skills instruction—intentionally teaching and modeling the interpersonal skills students need to thrive. Kirsten’s dedication and impact make her highly deserving of this nomination!"
Snow Make-Up Days!
Snow Make-Up Days!
The following day is no longer a student/staff holiday. School will now be in session on the following day:
Monday, April 6th (make-up for 12/15/25)
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
Important Reminder:
Important Reminder:
Electronic Devices and Cold Weather
Electronic Devices and Cold Weather
This is a reminder to avoid leaving laptops and other electronic devices in cold environments, such as vehicles, garages, or unheated areas.
Cold temperatures can cause several issues, including:
Battery damage or reduced battery life
Screen and internal component damage
Condensation forming inside the device when brought back into a warm environment
To help protect district-issued equipment:
Bring devices indoors whenever possible
Allow devices to warm to room temperature before powering them on
Avoid charging devices immediately after they’ve been exposed to extreme cold
Following these guidelines will help prevent avoidable damage and reduce repair downtime.
Thank you for your cooperation in caring for district equipment.
DaVinci Science Center DISTRICT CONNECT Membership for PSD Families
DaVinci Science Center DISTRICT CONNECT Membership for PSD Families
The Palisades School District has a membership to the DaVinci Science Center for the duration of the 2025-2026 school year. District families and faculty receive a 15% discount on general admission tickets and annual family memberships!
Use the following ticketing link and discount code Palisades15 to purchase your general admission passes here.
Thank you to the Palisades Community Foundation for their generous donation that made this membership possible!
PSD SCHOOL BOARD
PSD SCHOOL BOARD
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.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
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.
Palisades Community Foundation Is Here For You … And Now We Need Your Help!
Palisades Community Foundation Is Here For You … And Now We Need Your Help!
The Palisades Community Foundation (PCF) is a 501c3 organization that supports the arts, education and wellness in our community! For more that 25 years we have provided financial support totaling more that $1.5 million for projects in our here at home. In the last five years alone we have given more than $150,000 to support the Palisades School District in the following ways:
Provided scholarships for high school seniors entering college, the military or workforce
Made assistance available for students and families in need via distributions of winter coats, backpacks, school supplies and gently used clothing
Donated gift cards to students and families during the holidays
Made donations to the Lord's Pantry in Ottsville
Provided T-shirts for PALM Singers for Phillies game performances
Supported students in need with year books, prom tickets, and scholarships for field trips and after school activities
Purchased sound systems for our elementary performances
Helped purchase band and youth wrestling uniforms
Provided assistance to families experiencing unexpected life-changing events, such as house fires
Contributed funds for the installation of the LED sign at the high school to promote district events
PCF is a very active philanthropic organization in need of help. We are searching for new members to help us grow and continue to serve our community! We have events to organize and host such as the recent Harlem Wizards game at PHS, the annual 5K Family Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk (scheduled for May 16th this year), as well as other activities to support the building of a new, kid-friendly Pirate ship in the Walter T. Rohrer Stadium.
To learn more about PCF or to become a part of the team, please contact Michael Hsu, President of PCF at michaelhsu@peonyland.com or call him at 267-221-4149.
Thank you for your consideration!
River Crossing YMCA Complimentary Programs Begin This Spring!
River Crossing YMCA Complimentary Programs Begin This Spring!
River Crossing YMCA believes in offering pathway programs that support your health and wellness journey wherever you may be in life. Pathway programs are offered complimentary and made possible thanks to the generosity of their donors.
River Crossing YMCA is currently accepting participants for pathway programs that begin in April.
For a complete listing of Pathway and Community Impact Programs, visit the website here.
Interested in joining a Pathway Program? Click here and fill out the online form.
FreshConnect Bucks County
FreshConnect Bucks County
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.
Community Food Resource Information
Community Food Resource Information
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.
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