The Quakertown Review

Dear Quakertown Community,

Superintendent of Schools

Quakertown Community School District

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Dear Quakertown Community,

On behalf of the Board of School Directors, I would like to express my gratitude for your unwavering support as we reflect on our past accomplishments and move forward with our mission to support and ensure our students reach their full potential.

In the past, this time of year was challenging for our Quakertown athletics due to flooding during the months of March and early April, which often led to game cancellations and scheduling challenges. Today, I am happy to say that the spring is a season of celebration with the opening of our new multi-purpose field after many years of planning and hard work by our invaluable partners, stakeholders and community.

Now a cornerstone feature here in Quakertown, the multi-purpose field is in full use by our student athletes, who make us proud in and outside of the classroom. The project is the result of the visionary leadership of our school board, and the dedication of our faculty, specifically Varsity Baseball Coach Jonathan Pallone and our Director of Facilities Robert Christine, along with the exceptional work of our contractors including D’Huy Engineering and Skepton Construction. We would be remiss to not mention St. Luke’s and their long-standing partnership with our district which was once again demonstrated through their support of this project. Most importantly, the field came to reality thanks to the support of you, our community. It truly embodies our community spirit, and your support to see this historic project through will have lasting impacts on our students and school district.

I am so proud to be a member of the Panther community where strong bonds are continually formed and lifelong memories are made by our families here within the district. As we move into the final months of the school year, we are committed to continue working tirelessly to ensure our students receive the very best facilities as well as an exceptional education.

Sincerely,
Todd Hippauf
School Board President

Performance Details:

April 11th at 7:00 p.m.

April 12th at 7:00 p.m.

April 13th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p..m.

Tickets are $5.00 at the door

Strayer Middle School Auditorium

Matilda Jr. is coming to the Strayer Middle School Stage! We hope you can join us as we step into the magical world of Matilda Jr. and enjoy performances filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and extraordinary performances from our talented 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. This musical follows the journey of Matilda, a precocious young girl with a special gift for learning and a courageous spirit. She dreams of a better life and inspires those around her. The audience is in for a treat with the catchy tunes, funny moments, and impressive choreography. We are sure to be rooting for the “revolting children” as we connect with Matilda’s whimsical world. We can’t wait to share this incredible production of Matilda Jr. with you.

Quakertown Community School District officials formally unveiled the district’s new multi-purpose field at a grand opening ceremony and community event on March 22, drawing a crowd of students, athletes, parents, school board directors and administrators.

Located next to the Sixth Grade Center on the corner of S. 9th and Main Streets, the state-of-the-art field will be used for baseball, field hockey and soccer. Features of the field include artificial turf grass, a new batter’s eye and a lighting system to illuminate games into the evening. The field serves as a much-needed facility for high school athletic programs and is a viable location for community recreational leagues.

The ribbon cutting and grand opening was followed by a ceremonial first pitch by the Board of School Directors and the first home game of the season by the Panthers varsity high school baseball team. The national anthem was performed by the Quakertown Community High School Varsity Singers and during the 5th inning the high school band performed “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

St. Luke’s University Health Network in Quakertown is a long-standing supporter of the school district and has assisted with funding an upgraded digital scoreboard in addition to partnering with the school district to provide athletic training services at no cost.

The Quakertown Music Promoters Organization (QMPO) is an independent organization that supports the music department and the experience of music students at Quakertown Community School District (QCSD). This program is made up of families who want to establish music appreciation within the community, as well as instill a strong basis of music education and the arts in Quakertown students.

QMPO aims to ensure students can continue to access the pristine music programs offered in Quakertown schools and supplements funding of equipment, uniforms, and more and also raises money for scholarships.

QMPO hosted their annual Holiday Fest & Craft Fair last December, which is one of the largest in Bucks County. The event included a variety of vendors, including upward of 140 local small businesses. The fair featured holiday performances from QCSD music ensembles, plenty of food for attendees and a “Holiday Hunt” for families of all ages.

“We had an amazing showing for the Holiday Fest,” said QMPO Secretary Sue Hansen. “It was busy from start to finish!”

The fair raised money for the QCSD Music Department to enhance their programs, such as the Spring Musical and Jazz Band.

Not only does QMPO help fund the music department; they also help prepare students for their future careers in music. They provide scholarships for students looking to pursue higher education in the musical arts and provide spirit awards and leadership training activities for students.

QMPO works hard to ensure the QCSD music students have all the materials they need to be successful. As parents and valued community members, QMPO strives to support the flourishing music program at QCSD.

To learn more about QMPO please visit their website https://www.qmpo.org/home.html

The Richland Elementary School Podcast Club, which was started in Spring 2021, provides a hands-on channel for students to find their voice through storytelling. Led by English Learning Development (ELD) teacher Elizabeth Coyle, a group of 4th and 5th-grade students conduct one-on-one interviews with their subjects of choice to produce podcasts through an audio recording, while incorporating the use of technology, sound effects and background music. The result is a dynamic and informative short story told from a student’s perspective.

“We wanted to start a new podcast series this spring, giving a little shout and some appreciation to the staff and teachers at Richland Elementary,” Coyle said. “Podcasting gives students an opportunity to communicate their interests and develop language and technology skills for an authentic audience.”

Richland Elementary’s school nurse, Dave Chavez, was the subject of a staff appreciation series released this spring. Interviewed by a 5th-grader Elena Burns, Chavez shares his passion for nursing and love for his work. In just under five minutes, listeners learn Chavez previously worked as a physical education teacher and spent seven years working in the operating room as a nurse at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Through his interview, listeners learn that students come into his office every day with everything from general illnesses, sports injuries, and ankle sprains to even a loose tooth. Sometimes it gets busy, with a record of 48 student patients in one day.

“Working as a nurse is very rewarding. It’s great to see students coming into the office with certain concerns and questions and to be able help them,” Chavez said. “It is kind of working like a detective. I ask questions and try to figure out what is at the root of their concern, and then create a plan to help them out. If they’re feeling their best, I feel super happy.”

With the goal to expand learning through creativity and problem solving, podcasting offers students an avenue to improve public speaking, leadership, and teamwork skills. Technology education is also a driving force behind the program, as students learn to use the app Seesaw to create podcasts on topics of their choice, from features on seasonal autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) to the latest NFL news.

Other teachers and staff highlighted in the spring series include those who have directly impacted the students’ lives, from school aides, creative art teachers to outstanding staff.

To listen to the club series and for the latest episodes, follow @MrsCoylePA and the Richland Podcast Club on the podcast website wakelet.com.

Principal Adam Schmucker and students from Lehigh ran a chess club with 5th-grade students from Feb. 22 to March 7.

At the Sixth Grade Center, eleven sixth graders are heading to Bloomsburg University to participate in the “Husky Dog Pound.” The Husky Dog Pound is a shark tank-inspired competition that includes middle school, high school, and Bloomsburg University students tapping into their inner entrepreneur to create innovative products and services to win over the “sharks.”

With Mrs. DiGiacomo as the facilitator, students in her extension class had the opportunity to choose different projects to take on. One of those was the Husky Dog Pound. After going through a first round of QCSD teachers and administration sharks, four teams rose to the top. With ideas like the Lawn Master, Glom Poms, Step Up shoes, and Anxiety Bands, sixth graders at the Sixth Grade Center look to make a mark out in Bloomsburg on March 21.

The creative process of building a product and business plan was a great learning experience for the students. Abby Morgan said, “We had to redo our idea many times. We learned nothing is perfect the first time.” Her teammate Anna Pfistner added, “If you think an idea is good, it can always be improved to become better. For the Bloomsburg competition, we plan to practice our presentation beforehand and improve based upon the feedback we got from the semi-finalist judges.”

In addition to competing in the Husky Dog Pound shark tank, students will get to tour the university. For many, this will be their first college visit.

Other Sixth Grade Center accolades include our students who qualified for the Bucks County Intermediate Unit STEM Design Challenge finals. Students were given the challenge of helping Pennsylvania farmers by creating a K’nex model of an agricultural robot or high tech farming equipment to support farmers. Our students competed against about 200 other middle school Bucks County teams and only 12 were chosen to move on to the Finals. The Masterminds, made up of Emily Mallery, Lillian Todorow, and Grayden Weinschenk, are excited to move on to the Fab Lab, for the Finals round. Grayden, a student in Mrs DiGiacomo’s Extension class, shared, “It is great working with a group of friends. We are all good at different things and working together helps make our project as great as possible.”

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman held his second meet-and-greet event on Jan. 30 at Free Fall Action Park to encourage transparency and communication within the community. Look out for another event this spring!

The Aspire Leprechauns delivered their weekly muffins and beverages to the District Office staff while Irish music played from their beverage cart. This group of students knows how to bring out the smiles in everyone! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Quakertown Community High School student athletes were honored for their dedication to athletics throughout their high school careers. Ten students were celebrated as they take their next steps into future athletic endeavors.

Students recognized include Kaitlin Calvello (Shippensburg University; Track), Anthony Ferrugio (West Chester University; Football), Cody Jefferson (PA College of Technology; Lacrosse), Logan Jeffery (Ursinus College; Football), Miles Longacre (Wilkes University ;Basketball), Matthew Marsten (Bloomsburg University; Baseball), Vincent Micucci (Shippensburg University; Football), Maria Wehmeyer (Ursinus College; Swimming), Grace White (Kutztown University; Volleyball) and Mary Wilkinson (Susquehanna University; Softball).

“I believe that more sports are represented on this stage today than at any other time in our college signing ceremonies” said Sylvia Kalazs, coordinator of student activities and athletics.

In a strategic step to move the district forward, the Quakertown Community School District announced that it has joined the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) Learning 2025 Network. This community of educators provides access to resources, strategic mentorship and professional development opportunities on a wide-scale and national level.

By joining this network, educators within the Quakertown Community School District will also gain tools to enhance students’ skills and knowledge needed for their future careers. Doing so also furthers the district’s mission of proving opportunities for all learners. The district will work with school leaders across the country to define priorities and challenges, review successful programs and policies, develop action plans, and further engage community stakeholders.

As a part of the Learning 2025 Network, the district will receive strategic mentorship from Dr. Monica Goldson, former Chief Executive Officer of the Prince George’s County Public Schools. This mentor partnership will strengthen leadership and provide an outside perspective to guide the district forward.

The Learning 2025 Network also enables school districts to learn from innovative strategies and best practices from others across the nation and strategically apply these insights. Down the road, Quakertown Community School District plans to reciprocate by sharing learning resources and experiences specifically surrounding the district’s efforts in career development.

This is one of many strategic steps Quakertown Community School District has taken this school year under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman to bring national resources and best practices so that the district can take a meaningful and deliberate approach to education.

Earlier in the school year, the district partnered with education expert Ed Hildago to work with teachers, administrators and students on an innovative approach to career development known in other parts of the country as the World of Work Initiative. Grounded in career theory, this teaching philosophy integrates the RIASEC career method into curriculum to empower students to learn and recognize their strengths. Standing for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional, the RIASEC methodology is rooted in research which shows that personalities seek out and flourish in career environments they fit. In other words, some individuals are better suited in certain careers and fields than others. This innovative approach allows students to learn about themselves and their peers on an introspective level and take advantage of their personality traits so that they can follow a career path that is paved with their strengths.

“Our decision to join this national network aligns with our mission to provide high-quality, comprehensive education that prepares our students for college, career, and life beyond high school,” said Dr. Friedman. “We want to move our district forward with evidence- and research-based recommendations to provide all learners with a bright future that is best suited to their strengths. Through guided self-exploration, students will not only move towards a career which they enjoy and excel in, but one in which they will thrive.”

By focusing on the work and partnership with Ed Hidalgo, Quakertown Community School District plans to become a ‘lighthouse’ district through the Learning 2025 Network and serve as an exemplary educational system that stands out among the rest of the network for their work to transform school culture, improve academic excellence, and provide resources for educators.

Next steps for the district will be continued work with Dr. Goldson, collaboration within the network, and a site visit from leadership with the Learning 2025 Network and the American Association of School Administrators.

During the month of March, Richland Elementary School Math and Reading Leaders synergized with staff and parents to create, plan, and execute math and reading stations for the whole school to experience. Every grade had assigned times to come and enjoy the learning activities!

Quakertown Community High School hosted its annual Dual Enrollment, AP and Electives Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 10 which featured its newly expanded Dual Enrollment program beginning in the Fall of 2024. This program will offer nearly 100 new classes to high school students for college credit eligibility. This opportunity will allow students to begin their college education at a fraction of the cost and earn credits from the comfort of their high school classrooms.

“QCHS is always looking for ways to grow and expand student learning,” said Director of Secondary Education, Michael Zackon. “We’re looking forward to implementing this exciting new opportunity for students interested in higher education.”

These courses are made available in partnership with Bucks County Community College, Arizona State University, Harrisburg University and University of Pittsburgh. The fair allowed students to “shop” around and learn more about the classes they want to take. School representatives also attended to answer any questions from students and community members.

“The fair helps us be interactive with the material firsthand and gives us visuals of courses before we decide to take them,” said Anna Greenday, tenth grade student ambassador.

“I want to pursue psychology in the future, and the fair helps me understand the subject better and narrow down my career options” added Riley Mcginty, fellow tenth grade student ambassador.

The fair offered many opportunities for students to get immersed in all kinds of subjects. QCSD will continue to provide students with ample opportunities to get ahead in their careers, and to reach their highest potential.

“No matter what path these students decide to go down, Quakertown has the teachers and programs to help guide them,” said George Banas, PLTW Teacher and football coach at QCHS.

Learn more about QCSD’s Dual Enrollment, AP and Elective programs by checking out the video below! Filmed live during the event, take a closer look into all the fantastic opportunities for students, including a surplus of new dual enrollment offerings.

The Math 24 school-wide competition at Pfaff Elementary was a truly exceptional event, showcasing the incredible dedication and hard work of 4th and 5th grade Pfaff students. Leading up to the competition, students diligently practiced and honed their math skills, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to excellence. Their efforts paid off, as the competition was a testament to their mathematical problem-solving abilities. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement, math jokes and enthusiasm as students showcased their skills and competed against one another. It was a celebration of mathematics, highlighting the importance of perseverance and determination. Overall, the 2024 Math 24 Competition at Pfaff Elementary was a resounding success, reflecting the outstanding talents and dedication of students who began training and practicing during their recess time in October. Way to go Pfaff!

Congratulations to the top 10 students who will be moving on to the District competition at QCSD on April 4.

• Alternates: Kayleight Ceneviva and Aiden Gibson
• Top 8 competitors: Melanie Compton, Gavin Romanauski, Korbin Smith, Zoey Hayes, Jasper Ly, Amber Burns, Alyssa Zirkelback, and Diya Patel.
• A special congratulations to our top three winners at Pfaff: Diya Patel (1st place) Alyssa Zirkelback (2nd place) Amber Burns (3rd place)

As part of an ongoing process, the Quakertown Community School District has concluded a series of comprehensive planning sessions within the community, marking a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Quakertown schools. The district held three meetings which allowed input and feedback from several stakeholders, including students, community members, and staff.

Expanding transparency and collaboration, the district invited these stakeholders who provided feedback and direction for projects and future development in the district schools. These first meetings focused on general goals for the comprehensive plan to achieve greater student success and formulate long-term strategic plans for the district. It also focuses on ways to ensure community engagement and involvement to achieve these goals. The second meeting focused on communications, facilities and finances. The final meeting provided a venue for public comment and review of the plan by all stakeholders involved.

Chad Evans, supervisor of educational planning with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, led the charge for each planning session, encouraging the community to give feedback to each section of the plan individually.

“All Local Education Agencies in Pennsylvania are required to engage in a comprehensive planning process every three years. Although there are components to comprehensive planning that are highly compliance-driven, it does create opportunities to engage meaningfully with the community, parents, educators, administrators, and students themselves,” said Evans. “Developing that road map to the future is important work because not only does it help establish our priorities, goals, and actions, it helps keep our vision front and center.”

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman expressed his gratitude and excitement for the project throughout the process.

“The efforts of our staff and the steering committee, in addition to our community response, demonstrates a shared commitment to the future of Quakertown schools,” said Dr. Friedman. “Consistent feedback is an integral part of the planning process and ensures informed management from the start so that together we can develop the best plan possible for our schools."

Based on these meetings, the Board of School Directors, along with district administration, incorporated feedback and suggestions to form an action plan which was presented at the school board meeting on Feb. 22. The full comprehensive plan will be available on the website for public comment. Following review and approval, the district plans to use the comprehensive plan as a foundation to build on and formulate a more expansive strategic plan and vision.

Neidig Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Week in some creative ways! Art classes created mini books after listening to Mrs. Hoisington read a story to the class. Mrs. Yarborough's third-grade class and Miss Nile's kindergarten class teamed up and read together. The third graders were eager to demonstrate their reading skills to their kindergarten buddies! Trumbauersville Elementary School teachers made sure to dress as characters from their favorite books!

Quakertown Community School District took its first step in embarking on a process that leverages research on a long-standing career methodology in which students’ interests drive their future and career exploration. Best practices learned from a process known as World of Work, this tailored approach to career development helps K-12 students find their place in their school community and in turn the working world.

Earlier in the school year, administrators, teachers and students met with education career development advisor Ed Hidalgo for an introduction to this innovative learning tool that will become part of the district-wide educational process in the fall of 2024. First launched in 2016 by Hidalgo, in partnership with researchers, educators and community partners, at the Cajon Valley Union School District in El Cajon, California, to help students discover their unique strengths, interests and values, building skills and aligning them to authentic experiences in the classroom in preparation for the working world. According to Hidalgo, the goal is to create a common language between students and all staff to encourage career curiosity and exploration, as research indicates that these types of conversations play an important role in the working world.

“Developing a common language of career between students and educators is important because research informs us that these conversations are essential to helping students make more informed choices about their future options,” said Hidalgo.

Grounded in career theory, the approach integrates the Holland typology, Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional (RIASEC), and its interest methodology into daily school life to empower students to learn and recognize their own interests. These codes were initially developed by American psychologist John L. Holland and stemmed from the approach he rooted in research showing that certain individuals thrive in various kinds of work environments based on who they are and their personality. By integrating this introspective practice and common language into daily school life, students learn about themselves and their peers on a deeper level and take advantage of their own distinctive character traits so that they can explore a career path that is paved with a vision of their future selves.

“This is an agentic process where students own the path, out of curiosity, they explore based on an understanding of their interests. We don’t want to narrow options too quickly,” said Hidalgo.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman emphasized the importance of the process and its alignment with the district’s mission. “We want to foster a love of life-long learning and activate the motivation and persistence needed to develop the life-ready skills to meet the demands of academic and career journey,” said Dr. Friedman. “Too often in education we focus only on academic measures alone but know that activating intrinsic motivation of students is critical to ensuring each one understands there is a place in the world for them. Just because one student excels in physics, doesn't mean they will be happy with a life-long career in engineering. An important part of this journey is self-discovery so that the next generation of professionals are not only the very best at what they do, but they also thrive while doing it,” he said.

Part of the introductory process to the initiative began with conversations at a meeting in Nov. 2023 between students and faculty during which several students had the opportunity to learn about themselves and their interests through the language of the RIASEC.

Emma, a tenth-grade student, shared her not-so-typical interest in classic cars and restoration. As a realistic and artistic individual, she knows herself well and can express a vivid and specific example of a career path she is pursuing that is aligned with her interests and workplace values. She has interned at several auto body shops and has a ’77 Chevy Silverado truck she plans to restore. Cole, a ninth-grade student, is just beginning his journey by learning he is enterprising and realistic, with an interest in entrepreneurship and athletics.

This process of self-discovery will be supported and guided by teachers and counselors daily. It is important to create an environment where everyone’s skills have a unique place. From there, students work collaboratively, playing off each other’s interests as a collective whole, and ultimately gaining greater respect for each other and their differences.

By learning and then using their students' RIASEC traits, students become career-curious and active participants on the journey from academic to career success. This mind shift will be focused on students connecting their education with future careers instead of through academic reviews or traditional methods. By inviting students to develop a common language of career, where they have the agency and ownership over their preferred RIASEC letters, educators within the district can highlight occupational pathways and options to help them frame their thinking to align their greatest interests to the best academic and career options available to them under this guided journey, students as young as kindergarten can begin to see the future version of themselves and in turn have hope about finding their place in the world which they will inherit.

While in the early introductory stages, the K-12 program will also expose students to a wide-range of careers, providing opportunities to explore through hands-on learning, meeting with people who work in the field and eventually practicing skills related to each profession.

Trained teachers and administrators will continue to work in cohorts to build capacity internally until the program is officially launched district-wide.

“Together, we can all build a common language of self and career, a life process that is vital to our community and personal well-being,” said Superintendent Friedman. “For that reason, we are starting this initiative, to make our most prized resource - our students - be the first to help us expand our thinking on future readiness.”

In the heart of a bustling community, the Quakertown Elementary Parent Organization, Parents Involved in Education (PIE) embarked on an ambitious journey to bring together students, parents, and staff from all the local elementary schools for an unforgettable evening. The star attraction? A sold-out event featuring the mesmerizing basketball artistry of the Harlem Wizards and staff from every elementary school.

As the day approached, excitement bubbled throughout the town. The event promised more than just a basketball game; it was a celebration of community spirit, where everyone had a role to play.

Lines wrapped around the block as the event neared. The gymnasium, usually echoing with the sounds of bouncing balls and squeaking sneakers, was transformed into a vibrant arena. Stands packed to the brim, the air crackled with energy as families found their seats, their faces alight with expectation. Among the eager crowd, a special attendee wagged his tail in excitement—Ozzie, the beloved therapy dog, was greeted by adoring fans, big and small.

After a VIP Meet and Greet, the Harlem Wizards took the court, their flair and skills igniting roars of approval. But this was no ordinary game; staff members from every elementary school joined the Wizards, showcasing their hidden talents, dance moves, and clear joy to the delight of their students.

The highlight came when children from the audience were invited to participate, turning the event into a heartwarming family affair. Laughter and cheers filled the room, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

In one magical evening, the Quakertown Elementary PIE not only united a community but also reminded everyone of the joy in coming together, sharing experiences, and celebrating the talents that make each person unique.

Quakertown Community School District (QCSD) announced its national recognition as a ‘Common Sense District,’ awarded for creating a culture where the entire school community is invested in ensuring students thrive as digital learners and technology astute citizens.

With a commitment to taking a whole-community approach to preparing students to use digital media, Common Sense is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping youth and families explore, create, connect, and learn while also working to limit the dangers that exist in the online realm, such as plagiarism, loss of privacy, and cyberbullying.

Earlier in the school year, teachers within the district participated in professional development instruction focused on digital citizenship including a day each week dedicated to learning new and innovative technology known as Tech Tuesdays. Also, district librarians have been working with teachers to help revise curriculum to embed technologically relevant lessons for students throughout the school year focused on topics like civics in digital life, and news and media literacy. Finally, to show their dedication to responsible digital citizenship, all schools participated in Digital Citizen Spirt Week in October 2023. This included students wearing pajamas to school to symbolize a commitment to a good night's rest without cellphones and wearing hats to school as reminder of the importance of online safety and adult supervision.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Friedman noted that as a Common Sense District, the teachers and administrators within the district remain committed to the importance of being good digital citizens while working to provide students with the foundational skills needed to compete and succeed in a modern workplace.

“Being recognized as a Common Sense District reflects the hard work of our teachers and librarians to implement these cutting-edge tools. We are honored to have such a dedicated team,” said Dr. Friedman. “By preparing our students to use technology safely, responsibly and ethically, we are providing them with an advantaged opportunity in this ever-changing digital world.”

Schools across the country have been using Common Sense Education's research-based digital citizenship resources since 2009, which were created in collaboration with researchers from Project Zero, led by Howard Gardner at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The resources provide students, educators, and parents with tangible skills related to internet safety, protecting online reputations and personal privacy, media balance, managing online relationships, and media literacy. The free K-12 curriculum is used in classrooms across all 50 states, in more than 50,000 schools, by more than half a million educators.

"We applaud the faculty and staff of Quakertown Community School District for embracing digital citizenship as an important part of their students' education," said Kelly Mendoza, vice president of education programs at Common Sense Education. “The district deserves high praise for giving its students the foundational skills they need to compete and succeed in the 21st-century workplace and participate ethically in society at large."

For more information, visit www.qcsd.org/ or www.commonsense.org/education.