The Quakertown Community High School softball team has completed its regular season with a perfect 20-0 record, perhaps the first Panthers’ softball team to do so.

“It’s a historic season for a great group of young ladies,” said Dave Scott, who has coached the team for five seasons. “They’ve been a pleasure to coach. They’re hard-working as a group and know how to have fun. You can see that they enjoy playing together and it shows on the field.”

Champions of the Suburban One League’s most difficult division, the Liberty Division, the Panthers are scheduled to open the District One 6A playoffs at 4 p.m. Wednesday at home against the winner of Monday’s Springfield (Delco) vs. Central Bucks South opening-round game. Quakertown, which has a first-round bye, is ranked second in the 24-team field behind undefeated North Penn.

Here's more about the softball team.

Five Quakertown Community School District fourth-graders, one from each elementary school, recently read their essays at the Upper Bucks Sertoma Club’s Heritage Program.

Students were asked to write a 250-word essay about a hero or someone who inspired them. The winners of the writings, titled “My Hero,” are Amber Burns of Pfaff, Donovan Culp of Neidig, Karol Martinez Acevedo of QE, Liyana Laiba of Trumbauersville, and Isabella Pallone of Richland.

Here's more on the essay contest winners.

Congratulations to these Quakertown Community High School wrestlers for making Pennsylvania’s All-Academic Wrestling Team. From left to right are silver medalist Mason Ziegler, gold medalist Collin Gaj, Calvin Lachman, Zach Borzio, and Gavin Carroll. Zach, the only senior, will be attending Williams College. Mason, a junior, will be attending Lehigh, while Calvin, also a junior, has accepted an offer from the University of Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to Quakertown Community High School senior Charlotte Dean, the winner of a $10,000 scholarship from Taco Bell.

Charlotte was required to submit a video that addresses:

• What is your passion and how are you currently pursuing it?
• How do you plan to use your passion to uniquely make a positive change in your community or the world?
• How will your education help enable you to pursue your passion and make a change?

Best of luck Charlotte!

Quakertown Community High School students and community members had the opportunity to meet with local businesses at the school’s first Job and Career Fair. The May 15th event gave students the chance to visit prospective employers during the school day. After dismissal, adults were invited in for the same opportunity.

“The focal point is getting job opportunities for all of our students,” said Pathways Administrator Jason Magditch. “Overall we were very pleased with the interactions our students had with the outside industry professionals. We feel it was a benefit to our community and students and we hope to continue to build upon each year.”

Here's more on the job fair.

With the contract of its food services provider concluding on June 30, the Quakertown Community School District came up with a rather unique way to see who would be serving student breakfasts and lunches in the future.

During the week of May 8, three contractors each had one day to stop by the District Services Center and put their best food forward to impress not only administrators and employees but students as well. Students from Quakertown Community High School, Strayer Middle School, the Sixth Grade Campus, and Neidig and Pfaff elementary schools were part of the taste testing.

“It was a really good experience because you get to have a say in what you want to eat,” said Amelia Bodnar of the SGC.

Here's more on the food tasting.

It’s become a rite of passage for Quakertown Community School District first graders. Before they leave for the summer, each student is given a book of their choice, compliments of the Quakertown Community Education Foundation.

“First grade is such a crucial year for students in the development of their reading skills,” said Dr. Erin Oleksa-Carter, Supervisor of Middle Level Programs and a QCEF board member. “We believe this will help them continue to grow as readers, and develop their love of reading.”

Here's more on the books.

Meet the Instruments night will be held Monday, June 5th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Quakertown Community High School cafeteria. This event is for any student entering grades 3 to 7 who wishes to learn a musical instrument next year!

At "Meet the Instruments Night" your child will get to try out their top instrument choices before you have to sign them up and get the instrument for them. Parents will also learn more about the program, be able to meet the teachers, and ask any questions.

You must pre-register for this event, so we will know how many people are attending and how many supplies we need to provide (mouthpieces, reeds, etc.) for the students to try out up to 3 instruments.

CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER FOR “MEET THE INSTRUMENTS NIGHT”

At the May 11 School Board meeting, school Directors highlighted the accomplishments of winter sports teams and school clubs. Several speakers also praised the efforts of retiring Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner for his role in helping to pave the way for the success of students and programs.

The QCHS robotics club had the Grand Champion and won the Coolest Bot Award for the second consecutive year on May 6 at the Liberty Bots Robolution, hosted at the York Country Day School. Liberty Bots is the local chapter of the National Robotics League (NRL). The NRL is sponsored by the National Tool & Machining Association as a way to get students interested in engineering and manufacturing.

Q-Botics club students Gideon Ritter, Makya Milkowich, Mariya Schlack, Kasimere McManus, Noah Secor, Dale Dietrich, Kaitlynn Keiser, Leslee Lopez, and Moses Georges designed and built a battle bot style robot from scratch. According to advisor Chris Polk, the team learned how to use a milling machine and various other tools to build the robot. They also learned about Brushless Motors, Electronic Speed Controllers, and Radio Controllers. The robot was designed using Autodesk Fusion 360 CAD software. At the competition, students battled the other robots for 3-minute rounds in a robot arena. The students also have to submit a documentation binder for each robot and participate in a team interview.

The Panthers Rhombo Combo earned third place and the Coolest Bot Award for the second year in a row. They also built “Haymaker,” a sleek robot with a spinning blade. Haymaker was undefeated at Saturday’s competition and earned the title of “Grand Champion.”

Students at Strayer Middle School and the Sixth Grade Campus dominated the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association State Conference in the Dragster Design competition, taking eight of the top 10 spots.

“I’m pretty proud of that,” said Chris Deily, one of the TSA advisors. “We’re extremely proud of our members. They are exceptional representatives of our community and of our school district.”

In Dragster Design, Strayer students Daniel Williams finished first, Brady Massinger was second, Brayden Williams third, Elizabeth Rank fourth and Carter Hippauf ninth. SGC students Owen Guerrero was fifth, Corbin Day eighth and Colin Ievers 10th.

The team of Carter, Elizabeth, and Daniel was also fifth in PA - R/C Off-Road Racing.

Two Quakertown Community High School students placed and another qualified to run for treasurer at the PA Future Business Leaders of America 2023 State Leadership Conference.

Connor Frisch, a junior, placed eighth in Network Design, and Katie Muller, a senior, finished ninth in E-business in the competition of 5,500 students at the Giant Center in Hershey. In addition, Richa Chawla, a junior, was one of four students chosen to compete for FBLA state treasurer.

QCHS was also recognized for several competitive categories, including Shaping Success, Summer Starter, Service Season, Champion Chapter, CTE Celebration, Big 33 Chapter Community Service, and How to be an Entrepreneur.

“I am so proud of the way our students performed,” QCHS FBLA advisor Sandi Frish said. “They had to stand up in front of judges, listen and answer questions in real scenarios. They represented Quakertowm very well.”

In addition to Connor, Katie, and Richa, QCHS students at the conference were Brooke Alsante, Meghan Black, Dylan Chauhan, Grace and Maria Dakuginow, Gage Frisch, Riley Jarrett, Cole Matheny, Riley McGinty, Emily Parker, Julie Pizzi, and Emily Tolchin. Emma Pham and Gwyn Trumbore competed online.

For the seventh consecutive year, the cheerleading team qualified for the PIAA tournament and finished seventh overall. Coach Breanna Terman described the season as "a great accomplishment.” She told the School Board the team is made up of “dedicated student-athletes and is amazing to work with.”

Following States, the squad traveled to Orlando for the National High School Cheerleading Championships where they performed Game Day and Traditional Routines.

The team includes Lorelai Keller, Ella Chapman, Jillian Wehrheim, Addison Keller, Gabriel Jones, Sydney Bishop, Cora Compo, Chanel Pineda, Joslyn Applegate, Mckayla Dallison, Jaylin Applegate, Mackenzie Harris, Sophia Wang, Mary Jimenez, Allyson Swann, Abigail Applegate, Lily Bures, Ashley Patrick, Alyssa Fonda, Alexis Austin, Coco Torres, Jailyn Davis, and Sophia Talarico.

Assistant Coach Jennifer Stover said the relatively new bowling program is “thriving.” Indeed. The boys finished wit a 48-8 record while the girls were 46-10. The boys won the Suburban One League’s American Division championship and three bowlers from the boys and girls teams were named first team all-league selections.

Aydan Leighton finished third in the SOL tournament. Julia Skarbowski and Breanna Gardner were also first-team all-league. Julia was fourth and Breanna fifth in the SOL tournament.

Led by Aydan’s all-time high average of 208, the Panthers set their all-time high average of 955. Aydan also had the high individual series of 734. Jacob Siegfried, an honorable mention all-league performer, had the high individual game of 277. Elijah Pint and Nick North also made the honorable mention all-league team.

Alexandra Baranyai made the girls’ second team while honorable mentions went to Erin Fenstermacher and Madison Dager, and Abbie Betz.

The team set the all-time high average of 761, all-time high series 2527, and all-time high game of 889. Julia set the all-time high individual girls average of 181, all-time high individual girls series of 689, and all-time high individual girls game of 256. Breanna shot a 230 game, while Alexandra shot a 210 game, and increased her average 52 pins from last year.

Carolyn Sipprell was a dominant force for the girls' basketball team and finished her career with more than 1000 points and 500 rebounds. Girls' basketball Coach Brittany Bamford described those numbers as a "monumental accomplishment.

Only five girls have preceded Carolyn to 1000 points: Daniella Ciccarone (2010), Colleen Gavin (2009), Jen Carlson (1989), Anita Serge (1980), and Miram Afflerbach (1930).

Carolyn has accepted a scholarship to Thomas Jefferson University.

The Quakertown Community High School girls indoor track team completed what coach Jason Anderson called a "stellar season" with Mackenna Calabria qualifying for states in the 60 meters as one of the top 20 fastest girls in PA. "This is her second year running in the Indoor State Championships at Penn State," Coach Anderson said. "She's been incredible."

Rebekah Hickey had another outstanding campaign, setting two school records and running a state qualifying time in the mile, only to be edged out by finishing just outside the top 20.

The girl's 4x200 team of Mackenna, Ashlyn Calabria, Rachel McMonagle and Ember Retter also qualified for the Meet of Champions at Lehigh and ended the season 22nd, just outside the top 20. Other highlights included Kaitlin Calvello, a junior, finishing in the top 30 in both long jump and triple jump.

Quakertown Community High School's 4x200 relay team qualified for the Meet of Champions with a personal best time of 1:36.51. William Dickson led all team members with a 23.69. He was followed Christian Demarco (24.24), Devin Eure (24.27), and Otani Ekpe (24.27).

At the Meet of Champions, Coach Dave Loew said the team ran its best race - 1:36.05 - finishing 14th of 70 schools.

Several Quakertown Community High School swimmers qualified for districts at the Suburban One League Liberty Championships. Coach Meg Ganz told the School Board.

Joshua Einolf finished second in the 100 Fly and third in the 200 IM. Kara Woods set a team record in the 100 Fly and was third in the 100 Back. Lilly Bauz, Alex Tantorno, Maria Wehmeyer, and Kara set records in the 200 Medley and 200 Free relays.

District qualifiers include Lilly in the 50 free and 100 fly, Joshua in the 100 Fly and 200 IM, Kara in the 100 Fly and 100 Back, and the 200 Free relay team of Lilly Bauz, Alex, Maria, and Kara.

Quakertown wrestling team under Coach Kurt Handel is in the midst of a historic run. The Panthers have won the title for seven consecutive years, won the PIAA District One-East Class 3A tournament of 68 teams for the second year in a row, and qualified six wrestlers for the boys’ State Tournament.

Collin Gaj won a state title, and Mason Ziegler finished second, while Zach Borzio, Calvin Lachman, Gavin Carroll, and Ike Williams also qualified for states.

On the girls' side, Caroline Hattala won a state title while Peyton Fries, Hailey Kuliga, and Ashley Stank qualified for states. And with the PIAA sanctioning girls wrestling next year it becomes an official sport!

On a night when the School Board recognized the excellence of academics, arts and athletics in the Quakertown Community School District, several speakers praised the efforts of retiring Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner for his role in helping to pave the way for the success of students and programs.

“Your vision and leadership to instill pride in Quakertown has been phenomenal over the last decade,” Board President Glenn Iosue said. “As you can see from the students here, you’ve accomplished greatness and I applaud you for everything that you’ve done.”

Here's more on Dr. Harner.

The Trumbauersville Panther Runners did an amazing job completing their 5k. The season was a lot of fun and students and teachers are looking forward to another great one next year!

The Quakertown Community School Board passed the District’s 2023-24 Proposed Final Budget. The vote was 8-0. The $131.7 million plan includes a 2 percent increase in property taxes, though Directors said they are looking for cost reduction measures to wipe out the proposed tax increase.

Here's more on the 2023-24 Proposed Final Budget.

Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner updates and summarizes three of the School Board’s discussions and concerns, titled "Our budget, and UBCTS fiscal accountability"

Quakertown Community School District athletes who will be competing in grades 7 to 12 in the 2023-24 school year may sign up for a free physical.

Physicals may be scheduled for Thursday, June 8 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Sign up here.

If you are a resident in the vicinity of Alumni Field, the Quakertown Community School District would like you to know there will be fireworks following the graduation on Tuesday, June 6.

The commencement is scheduled to begin at 7:30 that evening, and conclude between 9:30 and 10 p.m. If there is inclement weather, the rain date is Wednesday, June 7.

Thank you for your continued support of QCSD.

Quakertown Community High School is again offering the highly popular AP Boot Camp for incoming ninth-graders who plan to take AP Human Geography.

The three-day session, scheduled for August 15-17 from 9 AM to noon at QCHS, will strengthen their academic foundations and refine their advanced learning skills. The focus is on team building, time management, AP-level reading, and note-taking skills. By performing the work to pass this college-level course, students learn the habits necessary to succeed in high school. Students will have time to ask questions and work on their Summer Assignments. In addition, students who have previously taken the course will also be attending to discuss their experiences in the class.

The Boot Camp will be taught by Sean Burke (sburke@qcsd.org) and Kevin Laboski (klaboski@qcsd.org). Here is the RSVP link.

Megan Woods, a Sports Management/Law Tract junior at DeSales University was recently inducted into Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society that recognizes academic distinction of students at select colleges and universities. It acknowledges the academic achievement, positive character traits and community service of its individual members.

In addition, Megan was recently selected to serve as an intern with the Philadelphia Eagles this upcoming season, the first student from DeSales to have been offered an internship with the organization.

Each school district in Pennsylvania is required to develop a Special Education plan aligned with its strategic plan. The plan reflects ongoing programs and services and incorporates anticipated changes in programming as a result of corrective action generated by cyclical monitoring and improvement planning and other factors.

Here is QCSD’s Special Education plan for 2023-26.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) invites Pennsylvania students in middle school, grades 6 through 8 and high school, grades 9 through 12, to participate in the American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan Art Contest.

The American Marten was last seen in the state of Pennsylvania around 120 years ago. Now, the PGC is considering reintroducing it to the state. The PGC is looking for artist representations of the American marten on suitable Pennsylvania landscapes to be featured in the American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan.

Through this art contest, the PGC hopes to:

• Promote wildlife art among young artists.

• Enhance students’ knowledge of the American marten, a native species to Pennsylvania which hasn’t been seen in the state in 120 years.

• Recognize and support the talents of young artists.

Learn more about the Contest Rules and Registration Procedures

Please click here for videos of past School Board meetings and Board newsletters.

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