West Rockhill Elementary School- PSD

03/13/2026

We are searching for an interested community member or West Rockhill alumni to help with some summer artwork to spruce up our hallways and office. High school or college students or parents, anyone interested in volunteering sometime.

Please contact the principal directly at [email protected].

02/02/2026

One of the biggest privileges of working in education is watching students grow - whether that is naturally through academics as they progress through each grade, socially and emotionally as they build their confidence and self-esteem, or from overcoming challenges that life has thrown their way. Lizzy Thomas, a 5th grade student at West Rockhill Elementary, has exemplified this growth and resiliency, and most recently was recognized as the author and illustrator of the story “Cosmic Friends”.
Thanks to ‘Sing Me a Story,’ a Minnesota-based foundation that supports children in need, and the Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia, Lizzy’s story has become an original composition called “Three Cosmic Friends”. It was composed by a Temple University Master’s student and then performed in December by the Pennsylvania Youth Choral Ensembles. The ensemble consisted of 50 girls around the same age as Lizzy, and is the first time the ‘Sing Me a Story’ program commissioned a full choral work accompanied by strings.
It spreads the message of friendship, hope, and never giving up, something Lizzy and her family also embody. Congratulations, Lizzy!

12/22/2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we head into the holiday break, I am sharing a few reflections. This fall has been a memorable one for Pennridge. Across our schools, we launched new initiatives, strengthened programs, and continued to build momentum. In many conversations throughout the community, I have heard a consistent theme: the Pennridge spirit feels alive. That energy exists because of our students, our dedicated staff, and the partnership we share with families. We asked our staff to think about some of their stories from this past fall that exemplify who we are and what we value. But, we also wanted them to share some of their best moments of preparation, belonging, innovation, gratitude, and coming together as a community, too. Please feel free to enjoy these stories in our latest newsletter, over the break. https://app.smore.com/n/wqrc3

The holidays always prompt reflection, and as I get older, the stark reminder of time’s finite nature resonates more deeply. When I was younger, days felt endless; now, seasons seem to pass more quickly. That realization underscores the importance of this work and the extent to which we invest ourselves in it. The lessons your children learn, the challenges they work through, and the relationships they build each day matter. Schools are complex systems, but at their core, they rely on people, educators, staff, and families, working together to ensure they function with purpose and heart.
As winter break begins, I hope your family can slow down, reconnect, and enjoy time together. Whether that time is filled with activity or quiet moments, it offers rest, reflection, and renewal. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I am proud of the progress we have made together and optimistic about what lies ahead in 2026. From my home to yours, I wish you a warm, peaceful, and restorative holiday season.
I look forward to welcoming students back in the new year, ready to continue the important work ahead.

All good wishes,
Angelo

Dr. Angelo Berrios III
Superintendent of Pennridge

The Pennridge Pulse- Fall 2025

12/22/2025

We are so of Lizzy Thomas, a 5th grade student at West Rockhill.
This heartwarming story is why we like to say and love to all the time! Lizzy wrote a story that got selected to be composed to music by the Pennsylvania Youth Choral Ensemble, and premiered the song based on the tale about pandas written by Lizzy on Friday. Here's an excerpt from the article linked below. Please read the whole article!!!

"Once upon a time, three friends – a panda, a butterfly and an amalgam of the two, a pandafly – lived on three neighboring planets connected by bridges.
In the story “Cosmic Friends” by the 10-year-old author and illustrator Lizzy Thomas, the three best friends must save the world. “She’s definitely a little panda obsessed,” said Yvonne Thomas, Lizzy’s mother. “They’re fluffy and they’re cute,” Lizzy said, surrounded by a menagerie of stuffed pandas at her home in Perkasie, Pennsylvania..........

The Pennsylvania Youth Choral Ensemble will premiere a song based on a tale about pandas written by the daughter of a cancer patient.

11/21/2025

This year, The West Rockhill community is coming together to help families in need by donating presents. The families will be receiving a box of gifts ($25-$50 value for each child). All identifying information will be kept confidential. When you have selected
the size of family you want to support, you will receive gift tags with the age, gender, clothing size, and hobbies/interests. Please purchase the gifts and bring them to WRE Office with the gift tag attached to each box by 12/15/25.

To sign up to donate please click the link below and complete the google form:

https://forms.gle/yfEZ8KSET6JERhoP6

All the presents should be delivered, not wrapped, in an easy to carry box. If you are purchasing presents for multiple children in one family, it can be in one large box, or multiple. If you are purchasing for multiple children, please place labeled tags
on each present, so the family knows who should receive each present. Please make sure you tape your giving tree tag to one box and label the others with the same information.

11/20/2025

It's and at West Rockhill had an amazing event as dozens of grandparents joined their grandchildren to share stories, work on projects and just fill the room with what seemed like a million smiles!

11/11/2025

When your students and families raise more than $31,000 during their annual Race for Education, you better throw the ultimate "Ice Cream Party!" Well.... it was a little different, because there wasn't much eating....just covering Mr. Ehrmann with tons of it....and ALL THE TOPPINGS TOO!

11/11/2025

Today, on Veterans Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our country with courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

At the Pennridge School District, we are especially proud to recognize the veterans within our own school community, the incredible staff members who once wore our nation’s uniforms and now serve our students with that same sense of duty and commitment.

The photos below highlight several of our current Pennridge employees who have served in the Armed Forces. We thank each of them, and all veterans, for protecting our freedoms and for continuing to inspire our students, staff, and community every day.

Thank you, Veterans, for your service and your sacrifice. 🇺🇸

11/10/2025

On Friday, we celebrated reaching our Race for Education Fundraising goal of $30,000! As promised, if the goal was met, the students and staff turned Mr. Ehrmann into a human ice cream sundae. The assembly was filled with enthusiasm, excitement, and authentic joy. These are the types of moments that create core memories and bring a community together!

10/28/2025

WE DID IT AGAIN! Once again, the Pennsylvania Art Education Association (PAEA) has honored the Pennridge School District as an Outstanding Visual Arts Community for 2024–25.
This recognition celebrates our district’s commitment to cultivating and sustaining a strong, high-quality visual arts program for our students. A thriving arts program does more than teach creative skills—it builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration while empowering students to express their unique voices. These are the very qualities that prepare young people for success in school, in their careers, and as engaged members of their communities.

To celebrate this achievement, we invited K-12 Art Teachers to join us and be recognized at the School Board meeting, to be celebrated for their commitment to visual arts education opportunities for all students, K-12. We also want to showcase what they help create in our schools!
Art Teachers were asked to do something very hard- choose a few pieces from all of the amazing work in their classes and submit them to us so they could be part of our first-ever “Student-Art” Celebration Showcase. These 16x20 frames, and several more, are filled with exceptional artwork created by our students in all 11 schools and will be hung in the lobby of the District Office as well as the Boardroom so they can be seen and celebrated by our staff and community. This will be an annual showcase!

10/15/2025

We did it! We have now reached our goal of $30,000 for the Race for Ed fundraising! Watch as Mrs. Shellenberger lets Mr. Ehrmann know he will become an ice cream sundae in front of the ENTIRE school! Don't worry, he turns the tables back on her!

Can we reach $32,500 by Friday??? Share your fundraising pages, please!