Neshaminy Update
Neshaminy School District / September, 2023
Follow us on Facebook
Watch us on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram
The holiday season is rich in lights, motion, and color which can create magical memories for those families that celebrate this special time of year. For children who have difficulty processing those elements or have various special needs, a typical holiday event such as a visit with Santa can be overwhelming. But thanks to the efforts of teachers and instructional aides in our elementary schools, these students can enjoy making warm holiday memories with their families in a calm, comfortable environment surrounded by familiar people who understand their needs.
Tawanka Elementary School hosted its third annual "Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience" on December 11. It was an opportunity to enjoy and visit with Santa in a private, calm and sensory friendly setting. This year Santa was joined by a special guest - Buddy from the movie Elf. Families were able to visit and chat with Santa in the familiar setting of their school, enjoy a special snack or just create crafts and play in some of our sensory-friendly activities.
We have already seen a mix of snow, ice and everything in between this season. Will we have more? Here is a reminder of Neshaminy's inclement weather procedures:
- Weather alerts will be shared by email, text alerts, Neshaminy district and school websites, and the district Facebook page. School closures and delayed openings will also be shared with local TV stations (CBS-3, ABC-6, NBC-10, FOX-29).
- All Neshaminy parents and guardians are urged to check their contact information in Home Access Center to ensure they are receiving communications. When winter weather is predicted, please check frequently for updates and alerts.
Two-hour delay starting times are as follows:
- Neshaminy High School: 9:16 am
- Middle Schools: 9:55 am
- Elementary Schools: 11:10 am
The Neshaminy community will be notified as early as possible for early dismissals and afternoon and evening activities cancellations. Depending on the circumstances, students will be dismissed on one of the following schedules:
- Early Dismissal Plan A (with lunch): Neshaminy High School: 11:30 am, Middle Schools: 12:15 pm, Elementary Schools: 1:00 pm
- Early Dismissal Plan B (without lunch): Neshaminy High School: 10:00 am, Middle Schools: 10:30 am, Elementary Schools: 11:00 am
Neshaminy Kids Club before- and after-school follows the district lead but issues their own weather alerts. Private school transportation will not be provided when Neshaminy schools are closed due to inclement weather.
BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Congratulations to the newest and returning Neshaminy School Board of Directors members. At the reorganization meeting on Monday, December 1, Magisterial District Judge Daniel Baranoski swore in three new members: Kristin Egan, Jake Krause, and Nicholas McGoldrick; and one returning member beginning a second term, Erin Brosious. Marty Sullivan was appointed by the new Board to continue as Board President for another year and Tina Hollenbach as Board Vice-President.
The new board unanimously voted to reappoint the law firm of Begley, Carlin & Mandio, LLP as the Solicitor of the Neshaminy School District for the calendar year of 2026.
The 2026 Neshaminy STEAM Expo will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Neshaminy High School. Since it was founded in 2015, this celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math has grown to become one of the most beloved and well-attended educational events in the district and a great night for students and their families.
We are looking for community individuals, businesses and organizations who would like to share their STEAM expertise with the next generation to join the 2026 Expo as presenters. Please contact Melissa Campbell, melissacampbell@neshaminy.org for more information and to sign up.
STUDENT SERVICES
Families are encouraged to visit the district website for information about the following important services and policies:
- Special Education Services
- Gifted Students
- Services for Protected Handicapped Students
- Destruction of Records
- Medical Assistance
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
MEAL ASSISTANCE
Families in need of food assistance can take advantage of the following resources:
The Bucks County Opportunity Council Food Program
721 Veterans Highway
Bristol, PA 19007
Ph: 215-781-2661
🔗 Food Program: https://bcoc.org/food-program/
🔗 Food Pantries: https://bcoc.org/food-pantries/
The Bucks County HUB (“Live” Human Services Directory)
Phone: 215-348-6201
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The United Way 211 Helpline
Phone: Call 211
REDUCE ILLNESS AND BOOST ATTENDANCE!
During the winter, families and friends spend more time indoors. This can make common illnesses easier to spread. To help reduce illness and keep students in school, please remember these best practices:
- Hand Washing: Regular handwashing at home and school helps prevent the spread of many illnesses. Teaching and practicing proper handwashing lowers the chance of germs spreading.
- Respiratory Etiquette: Teach children to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in the trash right away. If a tissue is not available, students and staff should cough or sneeze into their elbow, not their hands. Hands should be washed right after blowing the nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Vaccinations: Staying up to date with recommended vaccinations is important for preventing illness and reducing the risk of severe disease. School vaccination requirements help protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases. Information about required school immunizations is available at the NSD vaccination website.
The annual Holiday Staff Gift Card Donation campaign benefitting the Neshaminy Education Foundation delivered 90 cards to Neshaminy staff members and raised over $2,100 for the NEF this year. Neshaminy families had the opportunity to make a donation to the non-profit foundation in the name of a Neshaminy district staff member. Each staff member received a colorful card announcing the donation with the name of the donor and an optional personal message in the week before the holiday break. 2025 is the fifth year for the staff donation gift card campaign, which will also be offered at the end of the school year.
Albert Schweitzer ES students and staff rocked their annual Sing-along with an Elf Idol theme! From enthusiastic sing-alongs to show-stopping performances, everyone joined in on the fun. The judges had a tough job, handing out scores from 6–7 all the way up to some big, festive 10s. Laughter, music, and holiday spirit filled the room—what a fun way to celebrate together!
Poquessing MS
Hoover ES
Maple Point MS
The staff, students and families of Albert Schweitzer Elementary School were happy to share the joy of the holidays with several families in need this year. Mrs. Moyer, Albert Schweitzer’s school counselor, coordinated with the National Federation for Teachers, Middletown Township Police Department, Members of the Queen of the Universe Catholic Church and several families from the Schweitzer community to assist in providing holiday gifts to families in need. Together with their help they were able to provide holiday cheer to 16 families and 39 children.
The supplemental Neshaminy food drive that started with the Thanksgiving holiday continued to cover the winter break. Full meals were provided for 179 Neshaminy families throughout the district. Over the entire holiday season, this effort moved thousands of pounds of donated food, provided over 600 meals for families, fully stocked the district's food pantries, and was able to meet every request for food assistance as they were received. Thanks to the dozens of community and business donors, our Neshaminy School Resource Officers, our Neshaminy school counselors, social workers and nurses, the Neshaminy Education Foundation, PTO and parent volunteers, and the generous Neshaminy families, students and staff who supported these efforts.
The Carl Sandburg MS SPIRIT service club teamed up with the Girl Scouts of the Neshaminy Valley Service Unit to host a Winter Warmth Collection benefiting the Salvation Army. Club members created eye-catching signs for the school and organized weekly homeroom collections, keeping track of donations to determine which class would win a pretzel party. Thanks to the generosity of Sandburg students and staff, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, and blankets were gathered to help those in need stay warm this winter. The Girl Scout service unit also contributed significantly through its own campaign, involving girls from kindergarten through 12th grade across the Neshaminy School District. Over 450 items were donated to the Salvation Army thanks to this effort.
Maple Point Middle School kicked off their Head Over Heels Winter Sock, Hat, and Glove Drive in December. They are seeking donations to help those in the community who are homeless to stay a little warmer. Through January 16, bins can be found in the library media center at the school to collect socks, hats, and gloves of all sizes. Donations can also be dropped off at the Main office during normal business hours. Everything donated will go to homeless support organizations in our area.
This holiday season, Carl Sandburg’s 8th grade AVID students once again embraced the spirit of service through a Care-Mail Holiday Card project. In partnership with the Break Free Education Organization, students learned about the importance of connection and compassion for teens who are currently in confinement; especially at a time of year that can feel particularly isolating. Each AVID student was paired with a teen and wrote a personalized letter filled with encouragement, kindness, and hope. Through this experience, students reflected on empathy, gratitude, and the power of the simple act of connecting with others. We hope these messages uplift the recipients and remind our students that one simple act of kindness can be just as powerful for the giver as it is for the receiver.
On December 22, the hub at Neshaminy HS was filled with delightful hand-made crafts ranging from candle holders and tree ornaments to pillows and plants. Students and staff quickly bought up the stock of items, which were created by students in two classes. This annual tradition gives the students an opportunity to explore their creativity and build crafting skills while also giving them the opportunity to learn business and accounting by planning and operating a working enterprise.
Blue Color Captains
Red Color Captains
Blue Team Seniors
Red Team Seniors
Blue Team Juniors
Red Team Juniors
Blue Team Sophomores
Red Team Sophomores
Blue Team Freshmen
Preparations for Gym Night 2026 are already well underway. After two days of online voting in November, students in each grade elected their Red and Blue Team Captains and Color Captains. The theme for the 72nd edition of Gym Night, which will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 27 and 28, is "Inventions with Intentions." Preparations, including prop construction and the painting of the murals, has begun at sites across the district. Practices for the exhibitions will begin in early January. (Red Team Freshmen at right).
