Bensalem News and Notes

District Highlights ~ February 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.

Exciting Music News

Congratulations to Julian Sliwinski for proudly representing BHS at the PMEA District 11 Band Festival, recently held at Central Bucks High School East. Julian was one of just seven alto saxophonists selected to participate in this prestigious festival, which showcased the top band students from Bucks and Montgomery counties. Additionally, 3 BHS choral students Julianna Parker (alto - ranked #1), Jacob Ashford (tenor), and JaNylah Gilbert (soprano) participated in the PMEA District 11 Chorus Festival and earned placement in the 2026 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region 6 Chorus Festival. Our talented musicians’ achievements reflect tremendous dedication, artistry, and musical excellence.

Image of a saxophone player holding his instrument with text that says PMEA

Image of 3 choral students wearing their competition t-shirt

Exciting Art News

Congratulations to our BHS student artists who were juried into the PSEA Touch The Future Show, the top student art show in Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

Girls Basketball

Congratulations to our Girls Basketball team for qualifying for the PIAA State Tournament for the first time since 1983! This incredible season included BHS's first playoff win since 2009 and a historic return to States. We are so proud of our LADY OWLS!

Image of 3 students and district superintendent at a table in a library

Bucks County Student Forum

On February 18, the Bucks County Student Forum facilitated by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, hosted Mr. David Sunday Jr., Attorney General of Pennsylvania, as he launched the first of four Teen Talk roundtable discussions focused on “Social Media’s Impact on Student Mental Health.” BHS student leaders Jordyn Bell, Mary Beck, and Nand Patel attended with Superintendent Dr. Lee and BHS teacher Mrs. Kerryn Sibley. The Student Forum meets monthly to discuss local and regional issues and share perspectives from their schools and districts.

Bensalem High School

On February 12, 13 and 14, Bensalem High School Drama Club performed CHICAGO TEEN EDITION. The show, a modified, high-energy adaptation of the classic Broadway musical, was designed specifically for high school performers and audiences. Set in the roaring 1920s, the story follows Roxie Hart, a chorus girl with dreams of stardom who murders her lover and convinces her husband to take the rap. Kudos to the entire cast, crew, musicians, Director Raegan Ruiz; Vocal Directors Lisa Albert and Sydney Black; Pit Director Stephanie Schrader; Technical Director Alyssa Mihalik; and Choreographer Alana Hardison-Stokes on four fantastic performances!

Shafer Middle School

A huge congratulations to Shafer’s Robotics Team for earning 10th place at the PA FIRST Tech Challenge. Teams of middle and high school aged students were challenged to design, build, and program a robot to play floor games against other teams’ creations. Under the guidance of Mr. Grayson, Shafer students dedicated countless hours after school to prepare for this competition. Fin tastic work, Sharks!

Students presenting their design to referee

Students pose at competition wearing their team t-shirts

Image of student in class shooting their catapult across the room

Snyder Middle School

Mrs. Phillips and Mr. O’Donnell’s seventh grade science classes at Snyder created balloon catapults while studying different types of energy. The catapults allowed students to investigate the use of kinetic and potential energy. Students worked to see how the gravitational and elastic potential energy could affect the kinetic energy of mini marshmallows that were catapulted across the classroom and down the hallway. Winners were recognized for distance and accuracy.

Image of 3 students shooting their catapult across the room

Image of a student shooting his catapult down the hallway

Image of 2 students in class creating their project

Belmont Hills Elementary School

In honor of Black History month, students in Ms. May’s third grade class at Belmont Hills chose an influential Black figure to research. They created a poster including important facts and accomplishments from that person’s life. Students then participated in a gallery walk to learn more about the Black figures that their classmates researched.

Image of 3 students in classroom holding up their project

Image of an entire class of students holding up their project

Image of kindergarten students dressed as 100 year olds

Cornwells Elementary School

Cornwells kindergarteners celebrated the 100th day of school by dressing up as 100 year olds, complete with gray hair, glasses, and creative costumes that brought plenty of smiles and laughter. This fun activity helped mark an important milestone in the school year while encouraging imagination, school spirit, and a love of learning.

Image of a girl dressed with curlers in her gray hair

Image of a girl dressed as an old lady and wearing a wig

Image of a student working at his laptop

Faust Elementary School

Fourth grade students at Faust spent an exciting and curiosity filled day exploring the Franklin Institute, diving into hands on science experiences that brought their classroom learning to life. Students rotated through interactive exhibits such as the iconic Giant Heart, the Space Command Center, and the Electricity Lab, where they experimented, asked questions, and made real world connections to topics they’ve been studying. The trip sparked wonder, teamwork, and plenty of “aha” moments as students engaged with engineering challenges, explored motion and energy, and discovered how science shapes the world around them.

Image of a photo and report that student did on Louis Armstrong

Image of students working on his computer gathering information

Image of famous black americans and a report about them hanging in the hallway

Image of a worksheet on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Rush Elementary School

Third grade students at Rush engaged in an in-depth study of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students explored his life and the impact he had on the Civil Rights Movement. They read a variety of books that highlighted his journey, challenges, and triumphs, and watched educational videos that brought his story to life. Class discussions helped students reflect on how Dr. King's efforts not only transformed America, but also set an example for peaceful advocacy around the world.

Image of students sitting at their desks smiling with their hands on their head

Image of a student working at his desk in school

Image of 7 students holding up their project

Struble Elementary School

Struble fourth graders have been learning about American History in Social Studies class. Throughout the unit, students learned about the United States of America ranging from early settlers in the colonies up to present day. To solidify their learning, students were given vocabulary words that were taught in the unit and were tasked to create a trading card for their term. They drew inspiration from real life Pokémon cards and combined that inspiration with what they learned in class to create a meaningful project. Students shared the cards with their classmates using them as a study opportunity for their chapter test.

Image of 2 students sharing their project with one another

Image of 2 students working at their desk

Valley Elementary School

At Valley, the VALOR Club (Valley’s Active Leaders of Outreach and Responsibility) has been painting the hallway windows to resemble “stained glass.” Students submitted a proposal to Principal Pratt that included colored sketches and some very persuasive reasons to add more color to Valley’s hallways. This will be an ongoing project as students take their time and effort into making the hallways more welcoming, colorful, and appealing for staff and students!