Palisades School District officials applied for — and received — special recognition from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
To a burst of civic pride at their February school board meeting, officials announced that the district had been accepted for a Great Pennsylvania Schools Ribbon by the PSBA.
It joined New Hope-Solebury School District as the only Bucks County districts to receive the honor.
Among the highlights from the Palisades application, obtained by the Herald, the district guaranteed that 100% of its teachers were certified by the state, while vigorous programs were offered in the areas of career and technical education; gifted education; Advanced Placement or international baccalaureate; and internship or co-op programs.
The application also provided an extensive answer to how the district functioned as a “centerpiece of the community.” Included were particulars on innovative, locally linked education in language, environment, and science, technology, and engineering (STEM), as well as career pathway programs that connected directly with local institutions and employers.
It also noted the district’s celebrated Cybersonics Technology Team, which travels to various competitions, as a source of civic pride that parallels its athletic accomplishments. In addition, it explained how it demonstrates fiscal health to its community, and how it goes about producing and adopting its annual budget, while soliciting and purchasing local goods and services.
It added routine, ongoing public celebration of students and staff, and listed various honors received for academic and extracurricular programs. Special community events were described as promoting a “culture of togetherness,” including those conducted through the Palisades Community Foundation. Examples included the Holiday Giving Tree, and the Family Fun Run/Walk.
Finally, the application highlighted the district’s Emergency Preparedness Plan, its routine safety and security assessments, and its comprehensive community outreach and programming regarding mental health issues.
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