In The Q

Here's an amazing welcome back from Neidig Elementary School and another from Quakertown Community High School.

Awesome cooking tips from the great Chef Chris Polk.

And for those who haven't seen it, here's QCSD's Closing and Coronavirus page, which has vital information for our families, including:

• The district's Continuity of Education Plan
  
• A Parent's Support For Distance Learning
• Technical Support For Students and Staff
  
• Superintendent Dr. Harner's Latest Blog

If you missed it, here's the link to Dr. Harner's appearance on PennLive's Facebook show to discuss school closings and online learning.

The Quakertown Community School District is aware of the increasing financial hardships faced by area families in these challenging times. We encourage QCSD families going through financial difficulties to pick up food for their students.

In addition, in our hopes to feed more students, beginning Monday, April 6, food can be picked up at the main entrances of Pfaff and Richland elementary schools, as well as our central location - the bus loop at Quakertown Community High School.

Food pickup at the three locations is three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, students will be provided with meals for two days. On Friday, they’ll receive food for one day. These meals are provided for free. Breakfast and lunch are included. All meals will be cold service, consisting of cereal, sandwiches, muffins, fruit, milk and juice. We ask that parents bring something to carry the food, a bag or a box, for example.

Because of the Friday, April 10 Good Friday holiday, food pickup for multiple days will be held Thursday, April 9.

Families may pick up food at any of the three schools. Students do not have to be present. If a parent or guardian is unable to attend food pickup, a friend or another family member may do so in their place as long as they have the student’s I.D. number and the name of the school the student attends.

Here’s more information, regarding filling out an application for Free and Reduced meal status:

• A free and reduced application can be filled out at any time during the school year.

• Even if you've already filled out an application (whether approved or denied), you can fill out another application if you've had a change in household income.

• Online application would be the current method to use due to limited mail receipt

• Families may contact Stacy Reiss (sreiss@qcsd.org) with questions concerning their free and reduced status or other questions.

Students from Pfaff and Richland recently participated in the STEM Design Challenge at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

Zach Garger, a K-12 Instructional Coach and the Quakertown Community School District’s Math and Science Content Specialist, said the event is a “unique experience” for elementary school students.

“It gives kids at the elementary levels an opportunity to participate in STEM activities,” Mr. Garger said of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math subjects that are part of the activity. “They have the ability to use their creativity, to use their imagination, and to solve real-world problems.”

The challenge for each team was to create a way to conserve energy in the future. For example, transforming energy from one object to power another or creating a new type of energy to power a city. Their task: Create a model of their energy conservation idea out of K’Nex pieces, and be creative.

Please click here for the story.

The Quakertown Community High School Jazz Ensemble hosted its annual jazz festival at Strayer Middle School on March 5th. Visiting schools included Boyertown, Cheltenham, North Penn and William Tennent.

Each band received a 45-minute clinic following its performance. Quakertown, which performed last, received its clinic prior to the evening’s performances.

One of the judges was Dave Kenney, who retired from QCSD after a career in which he taught every grade level of instrumental music. He is recognized as the founder and “architect” of the District’s Jazz Band program. His Jazz and Concert bands were renowned for their consistently high levels of performance, much like today’s bands, directed by Frank Parker.

For those who missed the outstanding performance, please click here for the fabulous video.

When Audrey Nolte, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, speaks to students, one of the many highlights of her presentation involves the story of her father’s pocket watch, a gift from his father.

When Mrs. Nolte explains how a Nazi guard purposefully stepped on it, breaking the glass, students hearing the story feel the impact.

“Stories live on and stories connect people,” said Riya Sembhi, an AP Art History student who recently heard Mrs. Nolte’s moving presentation. “That small pocket watch she had literally froze time in the midst of all that chaos.”

Quakertown Community High School art teacher Laurie Christine has had Mrs. Nolte, a former QCSD librarian, speak to her students for the last four years. The two educators are connected through the Butterfly Project, which remembers the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust.

Please click here for the story.

Students in Quakertown Elementary School dressed like superheroes and heard from a superhero, who shared with them his message about how each of them can become a superhero.

Titan, from Omegaman & Friends, was brought to QE by fourth-grade teacher Christa Held, with a grant she obtained from the Quakertown Community Education Foundation.

His unique assembly included important messages about Anti-Bullying, Character Development and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in a fun way that captured the attention of the K-5 students and hopefully helps them retain the message for the long term.

“They were all engaged the entire time,” Mrs. Held said. “PBIS is something that we as teachers talk about all day long. But today they heard this message from someone else, and it’s something that will continue to resonate with them. They won’t forget the things Titan did on stage. He is a great role model. I highly recommend this program.”

Please click here for the story.

When Strayer Middle School students get on Bus 219 sometime after 7 each weekday morning, they know it’s going to be a good ride with Jane Buckley at the wheel.

“She’s always making our day better,” seventh-grader Kavai Sieger said. “We feel safe when she’s driving.”

Kavai is not alone in her praise of Mrs. Buckley, who has been a bus driver for Levy School Bus Co. for 17 years. All Bus 219 riders recently each put their fond thoughts on paper and placed their notes in an engraved thermos as a gift to their favorite driver. It reads “Mrs. Buckley is Strayer Stronger.” One recent afternoon, Bus 219 students lined up and presented her with the trophy.

“It made me feel great, like I’m doing my job,” Mrs. Buckley said. “I’ve had these kids for a few years. They know what my expectations are, what I will tolerate and what I won’t. They’re a great bunch of kids.”

Please click here for the story.

Paige Sheridan was recently crowned Miss Irish of Bucks County!

Paige, a senior at Quakertown Community High School, submitted an essay and a video about her Irish heritage and future goals. She was also interviewed as part of the process.

She will use the scholarship money that comes with this achievement to attend Chestnut Hill College, where she plans to study forensic biology.

At the Miss Irish of Bucks County Ball, she spoke with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who presented her with a United States flag that was flown over the Capitol Building.

Unfortunately, the Bucks County St. Patrick’s Day Parade was canceled, preventing Paige from taking part in it. Nevertheless, the Quakertown Community School District is proud of Paige's hard work, dedication and accomplishments!

Students in Kimberly Kreider's Advanced Placement German class recently participated in the National German Exam.

Three students received special recognition for their achievements in German, Mrs. Kreider said. The names will appear on the Honor Roll in May.

More than 4,585 students in the United States took the Level 4 German exam this year. Students read, listened to, and watched authentic and native speaker readings, audio clips, and video clips in German and then answered questions, Mrs. Kreider said.

Please click here for the story.

Please click here to register for this free event.

First Children Services presents a FREE webinar for families struggling with COVID-19 anxiety!

Hosted by Caitlin Summers, LPC, Program Supervisor, First Children Services

This webinar will include a presentation on coping with COVID-19 anxiety followed by a question and answer session. In an effort to give all families a chance to participate, we have a limited registration. Please register early to secure a spot!

Monday, April 6, 7:00pm-8:00pm

Click here to register

Thursday April 9, 12:00pm-1:00pm

Click here to register

Quakertown Community Outreach, a local nonprofit organization, can assist QCSD families with housing, transportation, prescriptions or food emergencies that arise due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. If you are in need of assistance, please email quakertownoutreach@gmail.com. Please visit Facebook and join our group, “Quakertown Community Outreach,” which will post updates on closures and services as they are received.

If you have questions about state programs such as unemployment, please visit https://www.uc.pa.gov/unemployment-benefits/Pages/default.aspx
Resources for additional services can be identified by calling 211.

For those in need of food, the following food pantries are open (though that may change). Please contact the pantry directly, as hours and processes are changing at a rapid pace.

Please click here for a list of helpful organizations.

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.

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