In The Q

Many of you saw on TV or read about the devastating fire Friday evening at the former Quakertown Christian Academy. It is leased by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) as an Early Learning Center for Head Start, Pre-K Counts, and Preschool Early Intervention programs. Fortunately, no one was in the building when the fire started. If the fire had occurred earlier, it could have been a tragedy.

Quakertown is one of 13 partner school districts of Bucks County that comprise the Bucks IU. Within minutes of the fire starting Friday, I was contacted by the Executive Director of the Bucks IU, Dr. Mark Hoffman, who forewarned me of the situation. Many of the students who receive services at the Early Learning Center are from Quakertown and surrounding districts.

We immediately started working on a backup plan to get these students back into a classroom. Saturday evening, less than 24 hours after the fire started, Bucks IU Early Childhood Programs Director Dr. Deborah Lock (former principal at Pfaff ES and Milford MS) met at the Sixth Grade Center with Principal Eric Thompson, Quakertown district officials, and me to discuss how we can make it work for the Bucks IU and these students for the next two to four weeks.

I am thrilled with the response and support of our teachers and staff at the SGC.

Please click here to continue reading Dr. Harner's Blog.

About 250 students and 25 teachers and administrators packed the Quakertown Community High School cafeteria this morning and heard from a dynamic speaker before heading out to various parts of Bucks County and the Lehigh Valley to serve their fellow citizens.

The district’s second Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service was a wonderful moment for those seeking to make a positive experience on others. And it began with a one-hour presentation by Dr. Veirdre Jackson, an award-winning author, educator, and entrepreneur who is recognized as a leading educational trainer in trauma-informed practices and cultural competence.

“When a school district allows young people to take leadership, the students believe they can have an impact and begin to think about who they can be impacting,” said Dr. Jackson, the CEO/Founder of Living Strong Consulting LLC and the Co-Founder of Fresh Fountain of Life Counseling and Wellness. “These young people are invested in the process and they are empowered. Results can happen in a peer to peer connection. Young people have the power to influence."

Please click here for the story.

In Dr. Robert L. Leight’s remarkable life, there hasn’t been a time he wasn’t a student or teacher, or worked to enhance the educational efforts of those who were.

Dr. Leight, a member of the Quakertown Community School Board for 27 years and founding member of the Quakertown Community Education Foundation, was recognized for his service to the QCEF at the School Board’s January 23rd meeting.

“This is an honor,” Dr. Leight said during the presentation. “I thought I had my last hurrah several years ago. But they keep on coming. It’s amazing. I appreciate this so much.”

Please click here for the story.

Dear QCSD community member. A parent/community committee was formed last October 2019, to consider the option of changing school start times. This topic is being viewed through a complex lens that includes research, data, parent and community feedback, and information from other school districts in our region and across the state.

The committee would like to have your input by answering a few survey questions that have been developed. In addition, the committee would like to share key pieces of information they used in their research to provide you with background knowledge from which to base your answers.

Please click here for information and to access the survey.

The film Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer made an impact on those in the audience for the Quakertown Community School District’s showing of the movie that examines racial profiling and the effect on both citizens of color and police.

The movie, played in the high school Tuesday night, was brought to the district through the efforts of School Resource Officer Bob Lee’s work with Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub. Approximately 50 people attended the showing in the Performing Arts Center, including law enforcement, district students, teachers, administrators and community members from Quakertown and surrounding communities.

Students were particularly touched by the film, which Mr. Weintraub described as “provocative” with “some parts difficult to watch.”

Please click here for the story.

With leadership skills already flourishing, Quakertown Community High School sophomores Angelina Becker and Austin Hunsberger have been nominated for the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) scholarship.

The award comes with an invitation to attend a weekend leadership seminar at Albright College in Reading from June 5-7.

“Angelina and Austin were chosen among several applicants for their authentic and inspiring essays,” said counselor Erica Henry. “Both students demonstrated the leadership characteristics that are nurtured and expanded upon during their HOBY experience. Austin and Angelina will be excellent ambassadors for Quakertown Community High School.”

Please click here for the story.

Five Upper Bucks County Technical School students from Quakertown Community High School qualified for the state competition after finishing in first place in the recent SkillsUSA District 11 Championships.

The five winners are Thane Goetz, Machining Technologies; Brenden Keller, Baking & Pastry Arts; Brayan Flores, HVAC-R & Plumbing; Desiree Ramirez, Model, Cosmetology; and Ethan Clark, Small Engine Technology.

Please click here for Quakertown results.

Strayer Middle School Band Director Rachael Urquhart was so proud of her students she posted this photo on social media.

Ten Strayer band members performed at the Bux-Mont Intermediate Honors Band Concert. The students are Aydan Leighton, Mary Wilkinson, Morgan Lee, Jordyn Jones, Elijah Thomas, Sophia Piccolo, Zach Polek, Julia Huff, Richard Strader and Anthony Callan.

Congratulations to this proud teacher and her tremendous students.

Gabe DeCosta is one of the most well-liked students at Quakertown Community High School. Chef Chris Polk recently sent out a photo of Gabe's great work in class.

Here's what Mr. Polk had to say: "So proud of one of my ASPIRE students! Because of dietary needs, we made a pureed pizza today as his final. This follows a new trend of plating pureed food to look like the original. His pizza is made up of pureed breadsticks, sauce, cheese, and broccoli. I am so proud of him!"

Congratulations to six Quakertown Community High School wrestlers who captured Suburban One League Continental Championships.

The champs are Kyle Miller (120 pounds), Zach Lewis (132), Domenic DeFalco (138), Patrick McCoy (145), Micah Kunkle (182) and Jeremy McGuigan (285).

Please click here for a Bucks County Herald story on the SOL Continental Championships.

The Intelligencer reports on the Panthers prepping for Hershey.

Here's a feature story on Jeremy McGuigan in The Intelligencer.

Gavin Croisette

• 1st Team All-League – Place Kicker

• 24 of 25 PAT’s

• 6 of 9 Field Goals (long of 42 yards)

Tyler Merwarth

• 1st Team All-League – Running Back

• 500 yds rushing (1,000 all-purpose yards)

• 7 touchdowns

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Madilyn Siuta

• 1st Team All-League (2nd consecutive year)

• District Qualifier all 3 years at Quakertown

• Most decorated female golfer in Quakertown history

• Continuing her golfing career at West Chester University

Competitive Spirit (Cheer Squad):

• PIAA Championship Semi-Finalists – placed 14 in State

• 3rd place at District One Championships

• Qualified for Nationals (Florida)

Spring Sports Registration is open now through February 28 for both Quakertown Community High School and Strayer Middle School athletes.

All spring sport athletes must complete the registration and pay to play on the FamilyID website.

For high school families, please click here.

For Strayer families, please click here.

Kindergarten Registration appointments are now being scheduled for kindergarten registration week: March 2-5.

If you will have a kindergarten student in the Quakertown Community School District for the 2020-21 school year, please click here for more information.

The last Friday of each month, Quakertown Elementary School has a special breakfast that includes a speaker discussing an important topic.

On January 31, Nick Mediate gave a fun and informative presentation on the power of video games, and what everyone can do to ensure we are using them in a healthy manner.

"This was very informative for both our students and parents," Principal Michael Zackon said. "I certainly learned a lot."

"We are on schedule!" said Neidig Principal Scott Godshalk. "The first day of school for the 2020 - 2021 school year is set for Monday, August 31, 2020. We are looking forward to being back at home for the first day of school!"

For more on the Neidig construction, please click here.

Singer and songwriter Jared Campbell returned to Richland Elementary School this year to give two more amazing performances! His message and his music centered around kindness and the power of words to lift people up.

Students learned the three keys to making history:

• 1. Be yourself.
• 2. Never give up.
• 3. Be a leader!

For more on the great things happening at Richland, click here to read Principal Nicole Zuerblis' Richland Reflections newsletter.

Trumbauersville Elementary School recently held its 6th Annual Knowledge Fair, which couldn't have been done without the efforts of TPO Knowledge Fair Chair Janel Derkosh, who coordinated the event.

For information on that and more TES happenings, please read the latest Trumbauersville Times!

Quakertown Borough Police Department is accepting applications for its sixth annual Citizens Police Academy, said School Resource Officer Bob Lee, an officer with QPD.

Students ages 16 and above may apply for a spot in the academy, which begins on March 2. It is being offered at no cost. Applicants may be subject to a background check and need parental permission.

Click here for an application and email it to Sgt. Stoneback at sstoneback@quakertown.org.

Click here for more information.

Quakertown Community Outreach, a local nonprofit organization, has raised money for families struggling with their student lunch debt in the Quakertown Community School District. Funds will be disbursed to parents who apply for assistance and are approved.

To get the approval process started, please fill out this form by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact QCO at quakertownoutreach@gmail.com

Paw Prints, the high school's digital newspaper, and QCSDTVnews and tremendous sources of information for students and parents.

To watch QCSDTVNews, please click here.

To read Paw Prints, please click here.

A place on the Quakertown Community School District website has been added to help parents locate help for their students suffering from mental illness and/or drug dependency.

Please click here for the "Parent Resources" page.

In addition, if you're looking for information about vaping, please click here.

The Quakertown Community School District is in need of custodians. SSC Services, which services the district, is seeking full and part time permanent and seasonal custodian positions.

Candidates may contact Laird Ihle, director of SSC, at 610-392-1059 or via email at lihle-ssc@qcsd.org.

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