Bensalem News and Notes
May 1, 2026
District Highlights ~ April 2026
We are delighted to showcase the many wonderful activities and events taking place in our schools. At the beginning of each month, we will feature one highlight from every school, reflecting the memorable moments of the previous month.
Also included are upcoming Dates to Remember.
Autism Awareness Month
All Bensalem Township Schools recognize National Autism Awareness throughout April. We celebrate and honor individuals with Autism and emphasize understanding, inclusion, and support, moving beyond awareness towards meaningful acceptance.
Thank You, GIANT!
We love it when our community partners stop by with a huge check! Each year, GIANT Food Stores encourages the community to round up at the register to support the Giant Feeding School Kids initiative. A special thank you to Bensalem GIANT Store #6046 for their constant support, and thanks to our community members who give so generously to support this initiative. Growing minds are powered by proper nutrition!
Pictured (L-R): Andrea Halupa (BTSD Assistant Food Services Coordinator); Jenna Demirjian (BTSD Food Services Coordinator); Dr. Victoria Velazquez (BTSD Interim Superintendent); Diane Kling (Giant Lead Checkout Coach); and Walter Brown (Giant Assistant Store Manager).
Bensalem High School
On April 9, Mr. Jeff Schluchterer, Job Coach Debby Brady, and five students from the Owls Transition Program (ages 18–22) traveled to the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in Doylestown to attend the Employability Expo 2026. The Expo provides secondary students with disabilities from across Bucks County the opportunity to practice job interview skills and explore important information related to employment and career readiness. Our students did an excellent job, represented the district with pride, and thoroughly enjoyed this meaningful experience. We are so proud of their hard work and growth!
Shafer Middle School
Shafer Middle School proudly hosted their annual English Language Development Family Night, a special event dedicated to celebrating the rich diversity and culture within the ELD community. This year’s event brought students, families, and community members together for a fun evening of BINGO, along with delicious cultural foods and exciting prizes.
A special thank you to Ms. Schultz, Mrs. Hartman, and Mrs. Lewallen, as well as everyone who attended and contributed to making the evening such a success.
Snyder Middle School
At Snyder, Mrs. Monaghan, Mrs. Zucaro, and Dr. Miller's students enjoy their Adapted Music and Physical Education classes. In music class, they sing songs, play instruments, and use motions to explore dynamics (loud and soft), melody (high and low), rhythm (steady beat), tempo (fast and slow), and their singing voices.
In the first photo, students are using scarves to practice start and stop gestures in the song “Copy Cat.” In physical education classes, students participated in their volleyball unit using balloons and had a blast. They also had fun using music and movement to practice many skills such as stretching, direction following, and locomotor skills.
Belmont Hills Elementary School
Fourth grade students at Belmont Hills wrapped up their “Electricity and Energy” science unit by working in groups to conduct a lab in which they were tasked with making a lightbulb light. Students used their knowledge and understanding of electrical circuits to design possible ways to get their lightbulb to shine. They ended the unit by making connections between their learning and the many forms of electricity used to power the items in their everyday lives, such as lamps, cell phones, televisions and more.
Cornwells Elementary School
On April 7th, 22 fifth and sixth grade Cornwells Elementary students participated in the Bucks County IU Reading Olympics competition held this year at BHS. The teams answered a minimum of sixty questions encompassing the contents of twenty-five books. The Cornwells Reading Rock Stars scored 49 points earning Second Place ribbons and the Cornwells Fire Reading Dragons scored 55 points earning First Place ribbons. Congratulations to both teams and Mrs. Bryant, team coach who prepared the Cornwellians. A special shout out to the Cornwells volunteers for the evening: Ms. Fuchs, Mrs. Day, and Mrs. Fischer.
Faust Elementary School
Faust Elementary’s second and third grade Continental Math League students celebrated their success with a pirate-themed escape room led by Ms. Moran. Working as crewmates, students tackled challenging math clues to unlock the treasure. In the end, the treasure revealed the top ten students in the district and everyone enjoyed popsicles as a reward for their hard work. Congratulations to all participants!
Rush Elementary School
Rush kindergarten students stepped into the spotlight as they walked the red carpet for the 2nd Annual Alphabet Fashion Show, celebrating an incredible milestone of mastering all their letters and sounds. With cheers and applause from students and staff, the young learners shined with confidence, pride, and big smiles. We are so proud of their hard work and this exciting achievement. Way to go, Kindergarten!
Struble Elementary School
Sixth grade students at Struble are rocketing along. They read “A Wrinkle in Time” and are writing their own science fiction stories, sparking great conversations alongside the Artemis II launch. They also had great discussions of who would be willing to travel to space now and in the future. In math, students are building fraction understanding with tape diagrams and strengthening skills through IXL, while science features an inquiry-based study of tsunamis. Their teachers continue to encourage them to grow as lifelong learners and good, kind individuals.
Valley Elementary School
Kindergarten’s English Language Arts curriculum's current theme is "Then and Now." At Valley, students developed vocabulary and investigation skills related to learning about the past. Teachers helped students extend this learning by giving them the tools (literally and figuratively) to investigate a very cool group of reptiles who lived long ago: dinosaurs! During their exploration, the 5 and 6 year old paleontologists read books, wrote facts, and danced to songs about different dinosaurs. They also explored and debated possible explanations for dinosaur extinction and practiced using scientific tools to dig for fossils.
May and June Dates to Remember
May 5, 6, & 7: District Fine Art Festival ~ BHS Gymnasium - 6 to 8 PM
May 11: Interim Progress Reports Available on SCP
May 19: Election Day - Professional Development - Schools Closed, Offices Open
May 25: Memorial Day - Schools and Offices Closed
Jun 11: BHS Class of 2026 Commencement - 6 PM
Jun 12: Last Day of School (Grades K-11)
Monthly calendars can be found here.
Bensalem Township School District
Location: 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem, PA, USA
Phone: 215-750-2800
Website: www.bensalemsd.org
Facebook: facebook.com/BensalemTownshipSchoolDistrict
Instagram: bensalem.school.district