In The Q

The United States Department of Agriculture has extended a nationwide waiver to allow the Quakertown Community School District to provide FREE meals to ALL students regardless of need through December 2020, or until available federal funding runs out. No qualification or identification is needed.

In QCSD, all students are eligible to receive FREE breakfast and FREE lunch beginning Wednesday, September 23.

Please click here for more information.

The Quakertown Community School District wants all of its students, employees and community members to stay safe each and every day with special precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Toward that end, all employees and district families have been provided a daily checklist that aligns with the goals of the district’s Health And Safety Plan to safely monitor student and staff health. The questionnaire helps develop the important habit of checking for symptoms that may appear after exposure to the coronavirus.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of reported symptoms – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure, and can include:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• New loss of taste or smell

• Fever or chills

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

In the event a student or QCSD employee develops symptoms they should not attend school but should notify their school nurse and their physician about potential testing for COVID-19. Siblings of a symptomatic student should also stay home until student is cleared to return to school. If a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the District will then notify the Bucks County Health Department. Confidentiality will be maintained. BCHD will then conduct an investigation, contact tracing and provide appropriate guidance.

Employees must have a note from their medical provider or local health department that documents they are cleared to return to work. The note must indicate your diagnosis, that you are symptom free of COVID-19, and that you can work full duty with no restrictions. The note must be provided to Anita Kaseman, Benefits Manager, before you return to work.

Here are charts that show the procedures to follow:

• QCSD Exclusion From And Return To School Requirements

• Guidance For Staffing Decisions

• Recommendations For Pre-K To 12 Following COVID-19

This has been an incredibly challenging time for our entire school district community. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have dealt with this unprecedented situation.

Beginning October 12th, Quakertown Community School District elementary students will have the option of taking classes in school five days a week or continuing with online learning.

The Quakertown Community School Board voted to offer live instruction at its September 24th meeting. Directors also scheduled a special October 8th meeting to hear from the Administration about developing plans for live, five-day-a-week instruction for secondary students.

Please click here for Superintendent Dr. Harner's latest Blog.

Two Quakertown Community High School seniors are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise by the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Matt Catalano and Veronika Durr each received a Letter of Commendation for their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test in 2019. Earlier this month, Michael Dennis was recognized for qualifying as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist.

"These students have worked very hard to qualify for this achievement,” Principal Mattias van't Hoenderdaal said. “These accomplishments are a testament to their efforts, and the outstanding job our teachers are doing in the classroom. Matt and Veronika are developing themselves into responsible adults and will have wonderful opportunities. They are fine examples for our students to follow.”

Matt scored 1,450 on the PSAT while Veronika scored a 1,430.

Please click here for the story.

The PSAT/NMSQT exam will be administered on Wednesday, October 14th at the high school. Registration is open to 11th graders. The cost of the exam is $17 and the preferred payment is a check made payable to Quakertown Community School District. Cash will be accepted, if necessary. The number of tests is limited and therefore, registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must bring payment to Mrs. Devlin in the Counseling Office or to the Main Office window to reserve a spot. The deadline is Monday, October 12th.

All students who are testing must report to school no later than 7:30 a.m. (no exceptions) on October 14th. The test should conclude around 11:30 a.m. Please note students are responsible for providing their own transportation to school and home on this date.

Raymond Slifer, a Quakertown Community High School senior, has been named Student of the Month for September at the Upper Bucks County Technical School.

Raymond, a Machining Technologies student, is a Cooperative Education student trainee employed by Bracalente Manufacturing Group in Trumbauersville. He is a tool room technician and has received all excellent evaluations from his employer He has also excelled in the Machining Technologies Program, earning the OSHA 10 Safety Certification and several National Institute of Metal Working Skills Certifications. He was named a member of the National Technical Honor Society and most dedicated Machining Technologies student. He has also competed and placed at SkillsUSA machining competitions at the district and state levels.

Raymond contributes to the community by serving as a junior firefighter for the Richlandtown Fire Co. and a junior assistant scoutmaster for Troop 87. He has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

He is enrolled in the UBCTS/ Bucks County Community College Technical Entrepreneurship Program and will seek his associate’s degree upon graduation. He will then transfer to Pennsylvania College of Technology and major in Manufacturing Engineering.

Bree Barth, a third-grade student at Neidig Elementary School, loves baking and helping others. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic she’s been asking her mom when they could hold a bake sale to raise money for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Last weekend that day arrived and Bree sold her baked goods at the Richlandtown Borough Community Yard Sale.

She raised $242.33, more than double her goal!

Please click here for the story.

The first day of school in the Quakertown Community School District was extra special for students attending Neidig Elementary School. On September 14, following 15 months of construction, a new Neidig opened.

“We’re very excited to welcome our students,” Principal Scott Godshalk said. “Our teachers and staff have been wonderful in preparing everything for a new school year. Neidig has always been a great place. This project provides our teachers, our students, and our Neidig families with even more opportunities to inspire greatness!”

Mr. Godshalk welcomed students as they were dropped off for the first day of school. Once inside students were taught to use one of the many hand sanitizers the district purchased to help in the battle against COVID-19. “This is all about the health and safety of everyone in our schools,” he said.

If you have a technology issue that requires a device repair or swap in person, please click here for the Sign Up Genius. There are appointment slots for Tuesdays through October 20th between 1 and 3:30 pm. This will take place at the district office, 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, at the loading dock on the side of the building opposite of Route 663.

If you have a technology issue that can be handled virtually or over the phone (ie. login information, Clever badge, PowerSchool related questions, etc.), please call 267-371-1262 or fill out the form by clicking here.

The Elementary Redistricting Committee met for the first time on September 23. The committee is made up of parents and administrators from the community who have volunteered to analyze the current elementary school boundaries. Each elementary school and the Sixth Grade Center has a representative on the committee, which is facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Nancianne Edwards.

The School Board has charged the committee with the following tasks:

• Develop options for the grade level configuration and redistricting of elementary (or K-6) students to be implemented at the start of the 2021-22 school year.

• Evaluate those options based on impact on academic program, impact on students and families, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, impact on facilities (including the future use of Quakertown Elementary and the Sixth Grade Center), requirement for construction, renovations, or modular classrooms, impact on transportation, impact on personnel savings, and other criteria as the Committee deems appropriate.

• Report its findings, decision matrix, and recommendations to the Board no later than January 31, 2021.

If you would like to send a comment or question to the Committee, use this email address: Elemredistrict@qcsd.org

For more information on the committee, please click here.

You don't have to be a student to see chef and teacher Christopher Polk create chocolate chip cookies from scratch. Watch the master make this tasty treat by clicking here.

The Quakertown Community School District has several job openings.

These employment opportunities can be found by clicking here. They include substitute nurses, aides, and food service workers.

Click here for job openings in the Upper Bucks County Technical School.

Education: Elizabethtown College, Bachelor's Degree in Science Education, Minor in Biology; Wilkes University, Master's Degree in Instructional Media

In QCSD: Quakertown Community High School, 9th Grade General Science

Previously: 7th Grade Science for Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon School District; Master Science Teacher, Commonwealth Charter Academy - Cyber; STEM Conservatory Manager for Commonwealth Charter Academy - Cyber; 8th Grade Science, Nitschmann Middle School, Bethlehem Area School District;

Happy to be teaching in my hometown.

Hobbies: Audio Engineering and Music Production; Golf, 4 Years Collegiate; Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Interstellar, Netflix, Amazon Prime; Supporting Our Students Outside of School

Why did you become a teacher? To impact every student I meet in a positive way. To make them love science, prepare for the world, and to make them know they're loved and cared for every time they walk into the room.

Education: American Public University - BA, English Literature; Drexel University - MS, Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

In QCSD: 8th grade ELA at Strayer

Previously: 10th grade Honors World Literature at Spring-Ford High School; 6th grade ELA at Sharon Hill Elementary; 7th grade ELA at Strath Haven Middle School

Hobbies: Running, reading and spending as much time as possible with my baby (Joey, 17 months old)

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher mainly because I love to read and I want to help kids learn to love reading as well!

Education: Bachelors' and Masters' in Vocal Performance, Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University; additional certificate work at Westminster Choir College of Rider University

In QCSD: Vocal Music, Quakertown Community High School

Previously: Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, N.J. (10 years as Middle and High School Vocal Director); Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, PA (1 year as an adjunct voice teacher); Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, MD (4 years as Middle School Vocal Director).

Hobbies: I like to cook and sing along to 80s music!

Why did you become a teacher? I want to share my love for music with students and show them that they and their peers can create an amazing musical experience together with a little hard work and a lot of passion. This job at QCHS is honestly my dream job and I am honored to carry on Mr. Lechner's incredible program.

Education: Immaculata University, Bachelor of Music; Kutztown University, Master of Education

In QCSD: Long Term Substitute, Richland Elementary School, 4th Grade, RELA teacher

Previously: Long Term Substitute at Tohickon Elementary School, 5th Grade (2016-2017); Private Schools, 4th & 5th Grades; Also, taught general & instrumental music

Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and two young daughters; Reading, Gardening, Playing French Horn in the Quakertown Band

Why did you become a teacher? I love learning and wanted to inspire my students to love it too! I believe we can all be lifelong learners. There's a big world out there to explore and education opens the door!

Education: West Chester University, Bachelor's Degree in Early Education

In QCSD: 3rd grade, Trumbauersville Elementary

Previously: 4th grade, Trumbauersville Elementary (per diem sub); QCSD elementary substitute

Hobbies: CrossFit (I am a trainer as well!); Hiking; Spending time with family & my dogs; All things Harry Potter!

Why did you become a teacher? I grew up always wanting to be a teacher. I loved my elementary school teachers and looked up to them so much. They inspired me to want to be just like them someday, so here I am! I love helping children learn and grow, and also be that person that they admire and look up to.

Education: Bloomsburg University, Dual Special Education & Early Childhood Education

In QCSD: Full-Day Kindergarten in Trumbauersville Elementary School

Previously: New Hope-Solebury School District

Hobbies: I coach girls soccer after school. I love coaching soccer for ages 5-18 years old.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I feel like I can reach out to students and make a difference like some of my teachers had done for me. I never (ironically) liked school as a child, so I wanted to make sure the students who walk through my door (or virtual door) are excited to come each and every day to participate.

Education: Temple University, Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education

In QCSD: AM kindergarten, Pfaff Elementary School

Previously: 1st-3rd grade in the School District of Philadelphia; Educational Assistant for English Language Learners in Central Bucks School District; Teach online one-on-one instruction with VIPKID in Beijing, China since 2017; PreK teacher, Federation Day Care; Yale Academy, English enrichment, 3rd-6th grade

Hobbies: I enjoy exercising, taking long walks, watching Netflix and Amazon Prime, spending time with family, and relaxing.

Why did you become a teacher? My love of children and learning inspired me to become a teacher.

Education: BA in Filmmaking/Screenwriting concentration, Temple University; BA in English lit./Creative Writing concentration, Temple University; Currently pursuing MLA, University of Pennsylvania

In QCSD: English 11 honors/College Prep, Quakertown Community High School

Previously: English 10 honors, Apopka (Fla.) High School; English 9, Celebration (Fla.) High School

Hobbies: I am a writer first and a teacher always. If I am not working on lessons or on a class for my MLA then I am writing or reading. If I’m able to get away from all of that then I am at the beach surfing or, maybe, working on my next homebrew.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher for the simple understanding of the opportunity presented to us by the prospect of knowledge. I consider myself a forever student. And I consider teaching to be a uniquely equipped position for those seeking to continue to learn and expand their thinking. This along with the idea of inspiring others to think similarly drove me to be a teacher.

Education: Shippensburg University, Bachelor’s of Science in

Education

In QCSD: Quakertown Elementary School, half-day Kindergarten

Previously: School Lane Charter School, Kindergarten; Tuscarora School District, St. Thomas Elementary School, 1st grade

Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, reading, and drawing.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher to help children be the best they can

be for their future success in life.

Education: Early Childhood Education, Bloomsburg University

In QCSD: Trumbauersville Elementary School, 3rd Grade

Previously: St. Joseph the Worker School, 3rd Grade

Hobbies: I love hiking, camping, snowboarding and paddle boarding at the beach.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I feel every student should be able to have the opportunity to become the best they can be. Children are our future and I love having a hand in molding the future into the best it can be!

Education: Millersville University, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Minor in early childhood; LCIU 21 - ESL certification; Dominican University - Master degree in ESL

In QCSD: ELD, 6th Grade Center.

Previously: ESL, Allentown and Reading School Districts

Hobbies: I enjoy camping, watching my son play football, watching my son and daughter race.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children I work with.

Education: B.S in Biology, Kutztown University; Master Degree in Education from Holy Family University

In QCSD: Fifth-grade science and social studies, Neidig Elementary School

Previously: First grade, Copper Hill Elementary School, Flemington, NJ; Fifth grade, Saint Isidore School in Quakertown

Hobbies: I like to go hiking with my family and explore new places.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher not only to teach the curriculum but to share personal wisdom and life experiences with my students. Now more than ever I love to laugh and be silly with my students. When students are having fun they are engaged. Consequently, you get those “light bulb moments” which are so exciting to watch.

Education: Bloomsburg University, Bachelor's of Science in Early Childhood Education

In QCSD: Neidig Elementary 1st grade

Previously: This is her first year teaching

Hobbies: Playing lacrosse, going to the beach, baking with my mom

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher after my 2nd-grade teacher showed me how much of an impact a teacher can make in your life. I was always so shy in school and she helped me to realize my full potential and how to come out of my shell. I always wanted to be able to make a lasting impact like that in students' lives.

Education: Bloomsburg University, B.S. in Secondary Ed, B.A. in Biology; De Sales University, M.Ed. in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language); Kutztown University, B.S. in Biology (Allied Health Sciences)

In QCSD: 9th grade general science

Previously: Dieruff High School, Allen High School, and the Newcomer Academy for ESL students, teaching physical science, environmental science, and biology; Five years as adjunct professor and academic adviser for La Salle University's Allentown site in Bilingual Undergraduate Studies for Collegiate Advancement program

Hobbies: I am currently in my third season coaching the girl’s tennis team at QCHS. I also enjoy singing, and traveling. My husband and I enjoy going to Disney World on a regular basis.

Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I always really enjoyed the connections I made with my teachers. Many of them made lasting impacts on my education and my life. I really wanted to share my love of learning with students and help make an impact in their lives. I am passionate about constantly learning new things whether it’s how to install flooring or studying the behavior of atoms. I wanted to instill the sense that learning never ends and it’s something that no one can take away from you.

Education: Wilson College, Masters in TESOL (ongoing); Certified in K-12 Chinese and 7-12 Social Studies; The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Bachelor of Arts, Major: Translation Minor: French Studies

In QCSD: Strayer Middle School, Mandarin I, Mandarin II, 7th Grade Social Studies

Previously: Moravian Academy Upper School, Chinese Level 1-4, AP Chinese; World of Learning Institute, Chinese Level 1-4

Hobbies: I enjoy cooking. It is my way to wind down and relax. I also love traveling. I have traveled to many countries, such as England, Italy, Austria, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada.

Why did you become a teacher? I really enjoy teaching and interacting with my students. I want to make a difference in the lives of students. I am happy to share my knowledge with students. Teaching is the most meaningful way to contribute to the community.

Senior/Senior Parent College Application Process Seminar

A date and access information to our virtual Senior/Senior Parent College Application Process Seminar has been communicated to our seniors.

College Q&A

Our counselors will be available for a Google Meet college question and answer sessions on the below evenings. Access information will be shared on Canvas a day prior to the session.

• 10/5 (5:00-7:00)
  
• 10/7 (6:30-8:30)
• 10/12 (5:00-7:00)
• 10/13 (6:00-8:00)
• 10/14 (4:00-6:00)

Financial Aid Seminar

Date and time: Monday, October 26, 2020 7:00 pm

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Description: This presentation provides an early understanding of the financial decisions students need to make concerning higher education. We discuss higher education costs, the types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid.

Registration is required to join this event. If you have not registered, please do so now by clicking here.

Parents and guardians, please don't forget the screening questionnaire you've received each week by email. It aligns with the goals of the district’s Health And Safety Plan to safely monitor student and staff health.

You do not need to submit the questionnaire to anyone, but the QCSD safety plan does require that you screen your child(ren) each morning before they get on the bus or you bring them to school. Thank you in advance for your help in keeping students, staff, and our schools safe for live instruction.

Please click here for the questionnaire.

Exclusion From And Return To School Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID Care: Helpful Tips For Parents

Office For Teaching and Learning Newsletter

Canvas, SeeSaw Video Overview

Technical Support For School Computers

K-12 Music

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education amended the regulations implementing the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. To ensure that no student, employee or third party participating in or attempting to participate in an education activity or program is discriminated against based on sex, the Quakertown Community School District has updated its Title IX procedures.

Please click here for more information.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is sponsoring two patriotic-themed contest.

One, for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, is an essay competition titled “What is Patriotism to Me?” It comes with a grand prize of $5,000.

Another contest, for students in grades 9-12, is an audio essay competition. The title for that one is “Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned?” It comes with a grand prize of $30,000.

The deadline for both contests is October 31.

For more information about the middle school contest, please click here.

For more information about the high school contest, please click here.

Children ages 9-14 are eligible. Deadline for entries is November 1. Please click here for details.

The Education Department of Caron's Treatment Centers has developed shareable resources for parents for an unprecedented school year. Please click here for some great information

Please click here for videos of past School Board meetings.

Click here to find them.

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District.

Email: gweckselblatt@qcsd.org
Website: www.qcsd.org
Location: 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA, USA
Phone: 215-529-2028
Facebook: facebook.com/QCSDNews
Twitter: @QCSDnews