Pennsbury Prepares For 75th Anniversary With New School Year

FALLSINGTON, PA —The Pennsbury School District hits a milestone for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year: its 75th anniversary.

Schools Superintendent Thomas A. Smith presented his "Back-to-School" report to the school board at its meeting last Thursday, outlining important dates, statistics, and programs.

The school district is starting classes for students a little later this year too as opposed to prior years, Smith said. Click here to view the school calendar.

"This is the first time in a long time starting after Labor Day," Smith said. "We've got some positive feedback on that."

Classes start for kindergarten, and 6th and 9th grades on Sept. 4 for a full day of orientation with all students starting school on Sept. 5.

"We're back in business where all students come back and we're off to the races," Smith said. "We're excited for everybody to come back to school."

Meanwhile, new staff arrive on Wednesday for four days of training with returning staff for two days of professional development on Aug. 30.

On Monday, there is a school "Write" event at Pennwood Middle School in which haircuts and school supplies will be given out.

Smith also provided some facts about the district for the upcoming year:

• The school district has 9,611 students.
• 9,000 students are transported.
• There are 878 certified teachers and staff.
• There are 667 support staff members
• The district has 16 school buildings.
• There are 49 administrators.

Smith said the number of administrators is decreasing by one due to a retirement in which the position will not be replaced.

The district held meet and greets with two new principals and has another one scheduled for the new Makefield principal next week.

"We enjoy small class sizes," Smith said. "We offer a lot of opportunities for student success and programs that significantly exceed state minimums. Pennsbury never abandoned our love for music and arts programs and we won't be going forward."

Smith praised the district's "excellent, highly experienced teachers," saying that a good portion of them have more than 25 years on the job. He added that could present some challenges long term when retirements take place since he said not a lot of people are going into the education field these days.

As far as the 75th anniversary, Smith said a special logo for the district was created.

The district will have a "rolling" anniversary celebration throughout the year and a dedicated page on the school district's website for the anniversary.

Plans are also in the works for an alumni/community prom, he said.