Bensalem News and Notes

District Highlights ~ November 2025

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.

Image of the teacher team wearing gray shirt and the police team wearing a blue shirt

Bensalem B-Ball Rumble

On Friday, November 14th, Just for the Kids Education Foundation hosted their annual Bensalem B-Ball Rumble, a basketball game where BTSD teachers and staff play against Bensalem Police. This fundraiser brings together the Bensalem community for a fun evening of camaraderie, raising money for the JFTK’s Education Foundation.

Image of a group of high school basketball players lined up against the wall in the gym while 2 students take practice shots

Image of a man in a blue t-shirt and a man in a gray t-shirt get ready to start the game

Image of basketball players some in blue shirts and the other team in gray taking a shot

Image of 20 people standing in a BOWLING alley with the Phillie Phanatic mascot holding a plaque.

BHS Community Service Club

On November 3rd, Bensalem Rotary and Mud in my Cleats hosted a bowling event at Lucky Strike Bowling Alley. The Bensalem High School Community Service Club along with the Philly Phanatic and the Phillies Ball girls sold 50/50 and raffle tickets. Money raised that night is used to fund college scholarships in the Philadelphia area. Last year, six Bensalem seniors received scholarships.

Image of MCJROTC cadets standing by a table that holds the cake during cake cutting ceremony

BHS Marine Corps JROTC Cake Cutting Ceremony

On November 10th, Bensalem High School Marine Corps JROTC celebrated the 250th birthday of the US Marine Corps by holding a cake cutting ceremony. As part of this time-honored tradition, the first piece of cake was given to our Guest of Honor, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo. The second piece was given to the oldest Marine in attendance, James F. Steere, who passed it to the youngest Marine, Cadet Private Zara Macharia, signifying the transfer of knowledge and experience from one generation to the next.

Image of a beautiful cake with the US Flag to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USMC 1775-2025

Image of MCJROTC cadets standing by a table that holds the cake during cake cutting ceremony passing the first piece to our Mayor

Image of the oldest marine and youngest cadet walking out of the gym together after the cake cutting ceremony

Image of BHS Marine Corps JROT presenting the colors

Shafer Middle School

On Friday, November 7th, Shafer Middle School hosted a Veterans Day assembly for their students. The assembly began with the presentation of the American flag by the Bensalem High School MCJROTC cadets. Remarks were made by Colonel David Mills (BHS MCJROTC Senior Marine Instructor), retired Shafer Instructional Assistant Harold Piper (Army), and Captain Joy Snyder (Air Force and Army). The students also heard from PA State Senator Frank Farry and US Representative Brian Fitzpatrick. The program concluded with a slide presentation of family members of Shafer students and staff who have served in the Armed Forces.

Image of a piano with the choir and the audience singing the National Anthem

Image of a speaker dressed in formal Marine wear addressing the audience

Image of a Marine speaking to the audience

Snyder Middle School

Seventh grade Science classes at Snyder Middle School took part in a fun Virus Simulation Activity. One mystery student was carrying a simulated virus, and all students had to share their solution with 5 random classmates to simulate sharing a drink at the school dance. At the end of the activity, all students had their samples tested to see if it turned purple. Those students were infected. The activity was centered around classroom research and discussion of how viruses are replicated inside a living host and can be spread through a population in many ways.

Image of 2 students and classmates outside using test tubes to see is theirs turns purple

Image of 4 students outside of their school using test tubes to see is theirs turns purple

Image of a student and her classmates in their classroom showing her purple test tube

Belmont Hills Elementary School

To celebrate the end of their Economics Unit, Belmont Hills’ third grade students hosted a lively Consumer Day. Working in teams, they created their own businesses, made products, and set up shop to sell to their classmates. Students loved taking turns as both producers and consumers—it was a fantastic way to learn about money, choices, and teamwork!

Image of 3 students sitting at their desks selling the robots they made with text that says ROBOS

Image of a student using play money to buy items from 2 girls during Consumer Day

Image of 3 students using play money to buy items from 2 girls during Consumer Day

Cornwells Elementary School

Our youngest Cornwellians are finding great success in learning their letters, sounds, and words using Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI) overlay. This supplementary reading instruction helps students by visually mapping skills, such as phonics, to make instruction more explicit and to help students practice and master foundational reading skills. Mrs. Cherry enjoys practicing these routines during Walk to Intervention with a class of kindergarten students. It is wonderful to see all the students engaged in their learning.

Image of a teacher pointing to a white board as her class watches the board from a colorful carpet they are sitting on

Image of a group of students sitting on a colorful carpet watching and listening to a lesson

Image of a group of students in their classroom wearing pink shirts and holding up a sign that says Wear Pink and Fight for the Cure

Faust Elementary School

Faust Elementary united students, staff, and families for a school-wide Breast Cancer Awareness Walkathon. The event brought the community together in support of breast cancer awareness and research, while also highlighting the school’s commitment to service and compassion. Participants walked around the school grounds in a visible show of solidarity, honoring survivors and remembering those impacted by breast cancer. Through collective effort and generous contributions, the walkathon raised $1,781 to benefit breast cancer initiatives. Special thanks to Ms. Gibson and the School-Wide team for organizing this event.

Image of a group of students outside on the lawn wearing pink shirts and holding up a sign that says Hope and Faith

Image of a group of students outside on the lawn wearing pink shirts and holding up a sign that says Wear Pink and Fight for the Cure

Image of a boy who dyed his hair pink at the top

Image of students sitting on a colorful carpet practicing their math skills

Rush Elementary School

In math, first grade students at Rush Elementary have been exploring using manipulatives to help build their fact fluency. Students use Unifix cubes, number paths, and counters to help them add and subtract. Our new math program provides students with regular opportunities to build fluency in each lesson. Games such as Number Bond Dash give students practice completing number bonds to maintain fluency with decompositions within 10. They work for 60 second bursts to correctly complete as many number bonds as they can. They also set goals to improve their performance with each burst. Students love competing against themselves to improve their fluency skills!

Image of a group of students sitting on a colorful carpet working on their math sheets

Image of 3 students sitting on a carpet with smiley faces completing their math worksheets

Image of a student using a green marker to count on his worksheet

Image of 3 kids sitting on a colorful carpet working on their math problem

Struble Elementary School

Struble’s first grade Superstars have been actively engaged with building their fact fluency. Eureka math offers a variety of cooperative learning opportunities. Two activities highlighted in Eureka math that the students especially enjoyed were Roll a Total and Match: Expressions!

Image of 2 boys sitting on the colorful carpet working on a math problem

Image of 3 students looking up form their work to smile at the camera

Image of 2 girls sitting on the colorful carpet working on a math problem

Valley Elementary School

Fifth graders in Valley’s Reading class researched countries from around the globe and designed creative travel brochures to showcase their unique cultures, landmarks, foods, and traditions. Each brochure invites you to “visit” a new destination to discover what makes it special. Students then presented their projects to the class. The room was turned into an airplane for the day, they received an airplane ticket, and even enjoyed a midflight snack.