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September 6, 2023

Bensalem High School (BHS) students were excited to return to school on August 28, 2023, especially the Class of 2024. They are BHS’s 100th graduating class!

Bensalem High School will be hosting the 100th Anniversary Kick-Off celebration with Music, Food Trucks, Student Performances, Building Tours, and more.

HISTORY

THE CORNWELLS SCHOOL – 2400 Bristol Pike, Cornwells Heights, PA:

According to history records, the first one-room school, erected in 1823, was torn down in favor of a two-room school building in 1893.  A third room was added in 1918.  A fourth room was added in 1923. The four-room building housed the first Bensalem Township High School and two elementary groups.  The first graduating class, the Class of 1925, consisted of five students.

The records also show that in July 1923, Samuel K. Faust was invited to take charge of the district for the express purpose of organizing a high school.  Previously, high school age students who lived in the Cornwells Heights area were sent to other high schools in towns nearby, such as Bristol, Langhorne, Jenkintown, and Frankford.

Mr. Faust served as Supervising Principal of Bensalem Township Schools and as the first Superintendent of Schools from 1923 until his death in 1940. 

In 1954, Bensalem Township High School was re-established at its new building and location at 2201 Street Road, Bensalem. 

In September 1969, the new Bensalem High School, located at 4319 Hulmeville Road, opened its doors.  A flag raising ceremony was held on September 10, 1969, the corner-stone was laid on May 13, 1970, a formal dedication of the building was held on May 15, 1970, and an open-house program for the community was held on May 17, 1970. 

Currently, there are 556 students in the 100th graduating class, the Class of 2024. 

We look forward to our community celebrating with us on September 23!

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August 23, 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students, and Community Members,

We hope this letter finds you well and eager to embark on another successful school year. As we prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, we want to take a moment to address an important aspect of our continuous commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community.  In collaboration with the Bensalem Township Police Department, we have meticulously designed comprehensive safety protocols and procedures to ensure a secure learning environment within our schools. These protocols are designed to be proactive, preventative, and responsive in nature, empowering us to address various emergency situations swiftly and effectively.  Throughout the school year, we will conduct a series of safety drills to ensure that our students and staff are well-prepared in the event of an emergency. These drills are an essential component of our safety strategy, providing valuable opportunities for practice and familiarization with procedures.

The safety drills will include, but are not limited to:

1. Fire Drills: These drills help familiarize students and staff with evacuation procedures in the event of a fire or smoke-related emergency.
2. Lockdown Drills: Lockdown drills are designed to simulate a threat inside the school building. Students and staff will practice securing themselves in designated safe areas until an official "all clear" is given.
3. Tornado/Severe Weather Drills: These drills prepare students and staff for safe actions during severe weather conditions, such as tornadoes or other extreme weather events.
4. Evacuation Drills: Evacuation drills involve safely moving students and staff to designated assembly points outside the building, mimicking a situation that requires the building to be vacated.
5. Medical Emergency Drills: These drills focus on the appropriate responses to medical incidents within the school premises, including administering first aid and alerting the proper authorities.
6. Shelter-in-Place Drills: Shelter-in-place drills involve securing the building's interior to protect students and staff from external hazards, such as chemical spills or airborne threats.

Each drill will be conducted with a commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all participants. The Bensalem Township Police Department will actively collaborate with our school staff during these drills, ensuring seamless coordination and the application of best practices. In the event of an actual emergency, parents will be notified and provided information regarding how to personally respond, if needed.

We understand that safety drills can sometimes raise questions or concerns, especially for our younger students. Therefore, we will work diligently to ensure that these drills are age-appropriate, communicated clearly, and conducted in a reassuring manner. Additionally, our teachers will provide age-appropriate explanations to help students understand the purpose and importance of these safety measures.  We encourage parents/guardians to have open conversations with their children about the drills, emphasizing their role in maintaining a safe school environment. Should you have any questions or require further information about our safety protocols, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we prioritize the safety of our school community. Together, we can provide a secure and nurturing environment that fosters learning and growth.

Sincerely,

Dr. Victoria Velazquez, Assistant to the Superintendent for K-12 Administration        
Deputy Director R. Race, Bensalem Township Police Department

Click Here for PDF of Above Letter

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MESSAGE FROM OUR TRANSPORTATION TEAM:

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• Bensalem students attending BCTHS, non-public, parochial and charter schools can contact their school for transportation information beginning on August 21.

• View Elementary class assignments on SCP beginning at noon on August 21.
• Shafer and Snyder Middle School students can view their schedule on SCP beginning at noon on August 21. Students will receive a printed schedule on the first day of school.
• Bensalem High School students can view their schedule on SCP beginning at noon on August 14. If you do not have access to SCP, please e-mail your guidance counselor.
• Frank Kern                A – CAS        Ext. 3012
• Pina Heslin               CAT – FRE   Ext. 3011
• Eileen Gallagher      FRI – KAZ     Ext. 3014
• Dayna Harrison        KE – MIL and ALT   Ext. 3018
• Elyse McGowan       MIN – PAZ    Ext. 3035
• Jeff Szczepaniak     PE – SHA      Ext. 3013
• Maryann Smith         SHE – Z       Ext. 3015
• Doree Watkins          Counseling Secretary          Ext. 3030 

• View Transportation information on Sapphire Community Portal (SCP) at noon on August 21.

NOTE: If you cannot access SCP, please contact your child’s school using the below phone extensions.

215-750-2800

Belmont Hills Elementary School, ext. 1100

Cornwells Elementary School, ext. 1200

Samuel K. Faust Elementary School, ext. 1300

Benjamin Rush Elementary School, ext. 1400

Russell C. Struble Elementary School, ext. 1500

Valley Elementary School, ext. 1600 

Robert K. Shafer Middle School, ext. 2200

Cecelia Snyder Middle School, ext. 2300 

Bensalem High School

12th Grade Office, ext. 3051

11th Grade Office, ext. 3061

10th Grade Office, ext. 3072

9th Grade Office, ext. 3041 

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AUGUST 2nd MESSAGE FROM OUR TECHNOLOGY TEAM:

All Bensalem student accounts will be reconfigured starting on August 3rd.

Once the reconfiguration begins, students will not be able to login with their current

credentials. The new credentials will be published to Sapphire Community Portal (SCP)  

on August 3rd.

Please note: Parent/guardian SCP log-ins are NOT changing.

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