Friday, October 17, 2025
Friday, October 17, 2025
Let's Connect!
It’s been a fantastic autumn so far. From mild days and winning games to the PHS Marching Band’s standout performances and our classrooms filled with enthusiasm, creativity and learning. We’re off to a truly positive start this school year.
This week's edition of the Patch is just as sweet as a Honeycrisp apple! We are excited to share it with you.
Enjoy!
Following is a handful of photo highlights from recent events and activities. THANK YOU to our parent photographers and friends 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 week of October 20th is School Bus Safety Week! As this week approaches, we want to remind our drivers to fully stop at least 10 feet away from a school bus with red lights flashing. This is particularly important in our community because there are many stops where students are crossing the street to get home. Our drivers wait to turn off their flashing lights until all students have safely made their way away from the road. Our high school drivers will be reminded about school bus safety over the next several days.
For more information on bus stop safety please click on the link HERE.
See the class options on our website. Ceramics, Qi Gong, Pickleball, Yoga, Meditation, Volleyball, and more! 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.
October is National Principals Month!
National Principals Month is a celebration in October that honors school principals for their leadership and dedication. It's a time to recognize their role in creating a positive school environment, supporting students and staff, and advocating for the resources they need to succeed. Here is a special shoutout to our very own! This week we will highlight our three elementary school Principals! Thank you for all you do!
Durham Nockamixon Elementary
1. Where did you go to high school and university?
Archbishop Wood High School
Temple University (Undergraduate in Education)
Gwynedd Mercy College (Masters in Education, Reading Specialist)
DelVal University (Masters in Educational Leadership)
2. Something you love about your job as a Principal:
I love children! They are my top priority! It is important that I am their number one advocate and cheerleader celebrating their successes. I enjoy visiting classrooms to read to students and celebrate school-wide accomplishments, as well.
3. A favorite hobby:
I enjoy crafting in my spare time and spending time with family.
Springfield Elementary
1. Where did you go to high school and university?
Haverford High School (Delaware County)
Temple University (Exercise Science)
Arcadia University (Masters in Special Ed)
Cabrini University (Reading Specialist)
Penn State University (Principal)
Lehigh University (Superintendent Letter of Eligibility)
2. Something you love about your job as a Principal:
I enjoy making school fun for students and staff!
3. A favorite hobby:
Music
Tinicum Elementary
1. Where did you go to high school and university?
Pennridge High School
Bloomsburg University (Undergraduate Degree)
Wilkes University (Masters Degree)
2. Something you love about your job as a Principal:
I love working with students at all grade levels and supporting teachers and staff in their professional growth and development. Watching our school community grow together is incredibly rewarding.
3. A favorite hobby:
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, exercising, and spending quality time with my family and dogs.
Fire Prevention Week in the PSD
Fire Prevention Week was October 5th through October 11th and our elementary students learned from our local fire companies about various aspects of fire safety including fire alarms and identifying safe routes out of your home. We are so grateful to all of our local departments for educating our students and keeping our community safe!
Spread school spirit with a cozy Palisades blanket! They make great gifts.
These super-soft 60"x70" blankets are a perfect way to wrap up in comfort while supporting a great cause — all proceeds benefit the PALMS Trek program.
$32 each
Order by November 1st
Get yours today and show your Palisades pride. ORDER HERE!
For those fortunate folks who placed orders for pierogies to support the PALMS Trek program fundraiser, the time has come to pick them up and enjoy them!
Pick up your order on Monday, October 20th from 2:40-4:00pm at Palisades Middle School.
Thank you for supporting such an important club.
On Wednesday, October 15th, four of our PHS Unified Athletes/Kids for Kindness members attended the Special Olympics Youth Summit where youth leaders from local schools gather to develop leadership skills and promote inclusion in their school communities.
Students began collaborating and planning whole-school engagement and club activities that will provide inclusive opportunities within the school.
Our Palisades students presented two successful whole-school engagement activities and fundraisers, including the Unified Shirt Sale and community Bake Sale.
You are Rock Stars! Great job Pirates!
Congratulations to the PSD Marching Band on their first place win in their division for percussion and color guard at the Cavalcade of Bands competition last weekend!
Be sure to come out and see them perform at tonight’s (10/17) home football game when the Pirates take on Wilson Area HS. Kickoff is at 7:00pm and it's Varsity Football's First Responders Night Game!
Photo credits: Kim Casterline & Lynsay Fitzgerald
WOW, WOW, WOW! Here’s an (awesome) update from our Director of Athletics, Brian Gilbert:
In all of my years here at Palisades (since 2001), this is one of the most successful fall athletic seasons that I can remember. All five of our team sports have made District Playoffs! In addition, all of the teams made the Colonial League playoffs, as well!
Tennis: We hosted a District Tennis match vs. Saucon Valley on Tuesday, 10/14, which Mr. Gilbert believes is a first in school history.
Field Hockey: Ranked 5th in District XI, we will be playing next Wednesday, 10/22 at Palmerton in the first round of the District Playoffs.
Football: We still have two games left but are currently ranked 3rd in Districts and will host a home District Playoff game on Saturday, November 1st.
Girls Soccer: Ranked 3rd in Districts, we will host a District game next Wednesday, 10/22. Currently ranked 2nd in the Colonial League, they won their 7th straight victory in the semi-finals against Southern Lehigh on 10/15.
Boys Soccer: Ranked 2nd in Districts, we will host a District game next Wednesday, 10/22. After their loss on 10/15 against Northwestern Lehigh, they are 4th in the Colonial League.
Way to go Pirates! We are cheering for you!
October 17th:
First Responders Night
October 24th:
Senior Night/Pink Out Game
Kick off is at 7:00pm at the Palisades High School Walter T. Rohrer Stadium.
You can find a complete calendar of all of Palisades High School sports games here.
2025-2026 season and yearly passes are available that can be used for all HOME, regular season, sporting events. If you would like to purchase a pass online, please go to this link.
We are still seeking a few more volunteers for next Friday, October 24th, the football team's Senior Night and Pink Out Game! If any of you have some time, we would really appreciate the help. Let's go Pirates! 💜💛🏴☠️🏈
October 24th: Senior Night/Pink Out Game
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4CA8AA2DA3FE3-58005960-baseball#/
Thank you so much!
Amy Kapp and Lynsay Fitzgerald
The following is the schedule for Picture Retake Day. This will take place on Friday, October 24, and will be held in the high school library. This is an opportunity for faculty, staff, or students to obtain a photo or ID if they missed our first picture day or to have a retake.
All faculty, staff, and students are required to have an ID and their photo taken during the school year, even if they do not plan to purchase a photo package.
Students will be called down throughout the day by last name via the intercom. If getting a retake, students should bring their original package of photos when they come for the retake.
Orders can be placed in person using print envelopes, which can be picked up in the main office. The online school code is PALHS25, and anyone placing an online order should not bring an envelope. The link to order is only active until midnight on picture retake day. Afterward, you must wait to be issued a form that will include your code.
Virtual students may come anytime during this schedule and must check into the office. No parents, family members, or others will be allowed into the building. You may need proof of identification for various reasons within the community. It is advised that you attend picture retake day during the scheduled time frame for this purpose if you missed the first picture day.
Picture Retake Day October 24, 2025 Schedule (8:00am - 1:30pm)
8:25-8:40 (Freshmen A-M)
8:40-8:55 (Freshmen N-Z)
9:25-9:40 (Sophomores A-M)
9:40-9:55 (Sophomores N-Z)
9:55-10:10 (Juniors A-M)
10:10-10:25 (Juniors N-Z)
10:25-10:40 (Seniors who need ID badges)
11:25-12:00 (AM Vo-Tech)
Faculty may come for a retake at any time during this time frame
Senior yearbook headshots will take place throughout the morning, upon invitation only. Mrs. Scoggin will contact the Seniors who need this picture. The studio will bring a drape, suit jacket, button-down shirt, and tie for those who wish to borrow one.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Pavey at kpavey@palisadessd.org
Information in this section will be particularly helpful for those who have students in our schools.
Every year, ALL of our families must review and update their child(ren)'s information in our PowerSchool Student Information System so that we have the most current information on file in the event that you need to be reached in an emergency. Video instructions on how to access and complete these forms are available here.
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.
** PLEASE NOTE ** The Extracurricular Committee Meeting scheduled for 10/22/2025 has been canceled.
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.
On Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can safely drop off unused, unneeded, or expired medications during Bucks County’s Medication Take Back Day.
This program helps protect our kids, pets, and waterways by keeping harmful medications out of the wrong hands and away from the environment. Prescription, over-the-counter, and pet medications will be accepted. Vaping devices, creams, ointments, and inhalers can also be dropped off. Please remove batteries from vapes.
Sharps will be accepted at select sites. Illicit substances cannot be accepted. Below is a list of local drop-off locations across our area:
Pennridge Regional
Police Department
200 Ridge Road
Sellersville, PA 18960
Quakertown Borough
Borough Hall
35 North 3rd Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Quakertown Borough
St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Campus
Main Entrance
3000 Saint Luke’s Drive
Quakertown, PA 18951
Richland Township
Police Department
229 California Road
Quakertown, PA 18951
Springfield Township
Springfield Township Elementary School
1950 Route 212
Quakertown, PA 18951
Telford Borough
Indian Valley Public Library
100 East Church Avenue
Telford, Pa 18969
For more details, visit bcdac.org or call 215-444-2700.
The world-famous Harlem Wizards will visit Palisades High School on Monday, November 10th at 7:00pm in the Purple Gym! Join us for an evening of great fun and fundraising. The Wizards will play a game against a team of Palisades School District administrators, teachers, athletes, community leaders, and community members. Proceeds will benefit the Palisades Community Foundation Initiatives programs.
The event will feature a variety of fun interactive extras to complement the Wizards' dazzling demonstration of hoops artistry: Pregame "Wiz Kids" warm-up, contests, comedy, awesome slam dunks, audience participation, merchandise giveaways, and more. The game will conclude with the Wizards' signature dance extravaganza that will have the crowd on their feet!
Doors open at 6:00pm. General admission tickets are $20.
Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Children age 3 and under are FREE and don't need a ticket.
"WizKids" who purchase jerseys in advance will get to meet the players before the game!
Food and merchandise will be available for sale.
Tickets (and FUN) are available online here!
Help us to fill the "Star Way of Champions" in the Walter T. Rohrer Stadium at PHS! For just $100/brick you can commemorate a special occasion or honor a loved one. We're ready to have new bricks made and installed! Please complete the application form to order yours today.
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.
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.