Friday, December 19, 2025
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We’ll keep this intro brief so you can dive right into a well-deserved holiday break. Happy Holidays to each and every one of you — it’s truly an honor to serve this community and we are grateful for the way you always show up for one another.
This will be our final Patch until January 9, 2026 (how did that happen?!) and we’ll also be taking a pause from social media. Wishing you a season filled with peace, joy, and meaningful moments.
Enjoy this week’s edition of the Patch.
Following is a handful of photo highlights from recent events and activities. THANK YOU to Christmas City and 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.)
DISTRICT DISPATCH
DISTRICT DISPATCH
Your guide to timely information in the Palisades School District.
THANK YOU! The Holiday Giving Tree Is All Wrapped Up!
THANK YOU! The Holiday Giving Tree Is All Wrapped Up!
We would like to extend our most sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to our Holiday Giving Tree and granted gift wishes to more than 120 of our Palisades students. We fulfilled every, single wish again this year.
Special thanks to the Palisades Community Foundation, The Jason Kutt Legacy Fund, The Springfield Township Lions Club, Krapf Bus Company and our PHS faculty for their thoughtful, generous donations.
Thank you to our amazing school counselors, nurses, Kelly Miller, Karen Pavey and Kelsey Virnelson for all of your time, support, and patience (especially with the Elf running Santa's Workshop. She is truly grateful...)
We could not have done this without you! THANK YOU, all. You've made an enormous and impactful difference to our community.
PSD Holiday Video
PSD Holiday Video
Our High School TV/Video Department had a great time putting this video together. Thank you to everyone who participated in the video —we truly appreciate it!
Happy Holiday and Happy New Year!
Enjoy the video here!
Bill Schick Retirement & Recognition
Bill Schick Retirement & Recognition
Please join us in recognizing Chief Bill Schick of the Palisades Regional Fire and Rescue.
For the past 11 years, Chief Schick has served as an exemplary partner to the Palisades School District. His leadership at the Palisades Regional Fire and Rescue has ensured that our schools and facilities remain safe spaces for our students, staff, and community.
His commitment to continuous collaboration, guidance during drills and emergencies, and his proactive approach to fire safety have been invaluable. His steady presence and expertise have given us confidence year after year.
Furthermore, Chief Schick’s investment in securing a future generation of fire fighters is evident in his advocacy for a new Fire Program at the Upper Bucks County Technical School. This program, now in its second year, not only provides our students with critical career pathways but also helps secure the future of our regional volunteer fire services.
Chief Schick, on behalf of the entire School Board and the Palisades School District community, we offer our deepest gratitude for your 11 years of unwavering partnership, leadership, and dedication. Thank you for keeping our schools safe and for inspiring the next generation of first responders and all the best to you in your retirement.
Thank you again, Bill.
Kindergarten Registration for the Class of 2039!
Kindergarten Registration for the Class of 2039!
It's time to start planning for Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 school year.
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.
Meet The Teachers
Get Questions Answered
Receive Registration Support
Submit Required Documents
March 23, 2026
4:00-7:00PM
Palisades Middle School
4710 Durham Road, Kintnersville
Online registration begins 2/17/26.
GIANT Feeding School Kids Campaign
GIANT Feeding School Kids Campaign
The Palisades School District is proud to participate in the GIANT Food Company Feeding School Kids campaign!
From January 1 – March 31, everyone who shops at GIANT, MARTIN’S, and GIANT Heirloom Market stores will be invited to “round up” their bill to the closest dollar to support our district’s efforts to eliminate childhood hunger. Customers can also give by converting their CHOICE Rewards Points to donations in the GIANT app.
The round up funds raised will support Feeding School Kids. Through this campaign, our district can use the funds to:
Support school meal programs
Expand food distribution programs
Create on-campus food pantries and gardens
Provide additional weekend meals
Eliminate outstanding student meal debt
Join us as we round up to fight hunger!
Save the Date: Upper Bucks Transition Fair 3/12/26
Save the Date: Upper Bucks Transition Fair 3/12/26
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!
Pennridge High School
Thursday, March 12, 2026 @ 5:30-7:00pm
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.
PALMS Junior National Honor Society Makes a Special Visit @ Durham Nox
PALMS Junior National Honor Society Makes a Special Visit @ Durham Nox
Our Junior National Honor Society students at the middle school visited each classroom at Durham Nockamixon Elementary and shared a story and a craft. It was a special event for both the big "kids" and the little ones.
Check out the student-created video of highlights on PSDtv at the link here.
Congratulations To Our Future Business Leaders of America!
Congratulations To Our Future Business Leaders of America!
The Future Business Leaders of America competed at the Regional Leadership Conference this week. Our students showed professionalism across the 17 different events with 12 students placing in the top 10.
The following students have qualified for the State Leadership Conference:
Brodie Erk, Uriel Villada Gutierrez, Michael Oschmann, Blake Oglialoro, Chase McGroarty, and Shane Schuback.
Congratulations FBLA members!
Bucks County Music Educators Honors
Bucks County Music Educators Honors
The following students successfully auditioned and made BCMEA Honors Orchestra, Band, and Chorus respectively. They will participate in a festival in March.
Violin: Lily Clifford
Flute: Gianna Nastasi
Clarinet: Olivia Bellis
Trombone: Mandy Reese
Sopranos: Louise Focazio
Altos: Ilaria LeBlanc
Tenor: Nathan Clapp, Luke Ruvo, Alex Tumolo and Michael Oschman
Bass: Andrew Woerz and Aiden Shermer
Please join us in congratulating them on this achievement!
Palisades Band Association Fundraiser
Palisades Band Association Fundraiser
With your help, the Palisades Band Association can earn money with the SHOPWITHSCRIP gift card program. How do I get started?
1. Scan the QR Code to download the app or go to www.raiseright.com
2. Click Sign Up
3. Click on Join A Program
4. Enter Code MFJPHDMRGG96
5. Enter your information
6. And SHOP!
Search through the pages of participating retailers and pick gift cards from your favorite retailers to gift or use yourself! Each retailer lists a % (2-22%!) that they will give back to PBA for your purchase. There are hundreds of popular retailers.
If you purchase a $25 gift card, you pay only $25. Raise Right pays the PBA directly. Shop as you normally would, at no extra cost to you, while supporting the Band Programs at Palisades!
PSD Winter Sports
PSD Winter Sports
Our winter sports program is now underway. Be sure to come out and support our Wrestling, Basketball and Unified Bocce teams.
You can find a complete calendar of upcoming PSD athletic events here.
Let's Go, Pirates!!
Palisades HS Baseball Winter Baseball Mini Camps: January 11th & 18th and February 1st & 8th
Palisades HS Baseball Winter Baseball Mini Camps: January 11th & 18th and February 1st & 8th
Coach Koenig, his staff, and the Varsity Players will lead the 2-hour camps over four Sundays. Open to all youth ages 1st grade through 7th grade.
Times: 10:00am until 12:00pm (over four separate Sundays)
Location: High School Gold Gym
Dates: January 11 & 18th (General Camp); February 1st & 8th (General Camp with Pitchers & Catchers)
Cost: $100 per camp (per player) or $150.00 for all 4 weeks (per player)
What to Bring: Hats, Gloves, Bats, Helmets, Water Bottle
All proceeds from the camp go directly to the Palisades High School Baseball Boosters, which supports both the High School & Jr. High School Baseball Programs. If you have any questions, contact Coach Alkhas at ralkhas@palisadessd.org
To sign up, you can scan the QR code, click on the link here or download the form in PDF format here.
FAMILY CORNER
FAMILY CORNER
Information in this section will be particularly helpful for those who have students in our schools.
Information from the School Nurses
Information from the School Nurses
All children in the state of Pennsylvania are eligible for health insurance. When not covered by private insurance or Medical Assistance, Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is able to provide either no-cost or low-cost insurance to children. Children who are covered by insurance are more likely to receive preventative care (ex: well visits, vaccines, etc.), have access to a health care provider when they are sick, get sick less frequently, and maintain better school attendance and performance. Rather than using the emergency room or urgent care for acute issues, insurance makes it easier for your child to be established with a primary care provider. Primary care providers that see your child on a regular basis, get to know your child and get a much better view of their overall health. Routine maintenance of your child’s health is crucial for the illness prevention and early detection of serious illnesses and conditions which may not be as easy to spot when being seen by a different provider at each visit. Please contact the school nurse’s office if you have any questions or need assistance with obtaining CHIP for your child.
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.
Take a Walk Down Candy Cane Lane!
Take a Walk Down Candy Cane Lane!
Mrs. Heilig-Trexler (PALMS Science Teacher) and her family create an amazing outdoor Christmas display each year and are inviting everyone to take a walk down Candy Cane Lane!
They are collecting donations for a local charity from Macungie supporting adults going through cancer treatments. To read up on this charity, or to make a donation directly to them, please click here: Mandee's Lunchbox
Since they began creating their displays, her family has raised almost twenty thousand dollars for local charities. Last year, they raised $1,900 for Mandee's Lunchbox and would love to beat that total this year.
Here are the details if you would like to visit:
Address: 1309 W Minor St., Emmaus, PA
Hours: 5:00-10:00pm nightly until December 31st
Jumpstart Creativity in January at the Fab Lab! New Year, New Programs!
Jumpstart Creativity in January at the Fab Lab! New Year, New Programs!
The Bucks IU Fab Lab offers a number of great programs, including an eSports Club, Hummingbird Robotics Lab, Digital Art Lab and more. Check out the full list of offerings here.
Winter Driving Reminder
Winter Driving Reminder
The winter season is fast approaching and driving conditions can become challenging. We care deeply about the traveling public’s safety, especially when it concerns the safety of our school students.
Please keep in mind the following recommendations from the PA Department of Transportation:
1. Keep the vehicle in good condition in accordance with the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Manual Pre-Trip inspection.
2. Keep windshields, driver’s side windows, passenger doors and mirrors completely clear at all times. Inspect tires for tread wear and correct inflation, and use tire chains when acceptable.
3. Set a regular speed, and drive slower than the posted speed limit or what you would normally drive in dry conditions, especially in inclement weather. When driving on snow or ice covered highways, judge the effect of traffic and temper- ature on road surface friction by noting whether other vehicles are skidding. Remember, bridges freeze before the road surface.
4. SLOW DOWN. Just because the posted speed limit is 40 mph, it doesn’t mean you have to drive that fast. Remember, the speed limit is an indication of maximum safe speed during optimal conditions. 5. When following a snowplow truck, stay back 200 feet.
Thank you for your efforts to keep our students safe this winter.
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 due to financial challenges or recent changes to SNAP benefits. 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.
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.
PECO Customer Relief Fund
PECO Customer Relief Fund
United Way shared that PECO is offering a one-time assistance program that provides up to a $500 credit toward your electric and/or natural gas bill. It’s designed for people who may not qualify for other programs— but still need help. Find out more on United Way's website here: https://www.uwbucks.org/pecohelp/
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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