Yelizaveta Hernandez, a Quakertown Community High School senior, has been recognized by the College Board for her academic success.

A straight-A student, Yelizaveta received the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Award and National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award for having a grade point average above 3.5 while scoring in the top 10 percent of Pennsylvania students on the PSAT.

“I’ve been applying for so many online scholarships to help pay for college, so when you win something it’s kind of surprising,” she said. “I didn’t expect it. I guess my hard work kind of paid off.”

Please click here for the story.

Several Quakertown Community High School students qualified to compete in the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference by placing during the recent regionals.

Students placing fourth or higher in objective tests and second place or higher in performance competition qualified.

"These students prepare for successful careers in business by applying classroom concepts in a workplace simulated competitive environment," said Sandi Frisch, the FBLA advisor. "I am so proud of our students for the leadership they have shown and for their outstanding accomplishments."

Please click here to see which students qualified.

Despite a COVID pandemic that has impacted their lives for nearly two years and snow and rain that made travel unpleasant on Monday, approximately 50 Quakertown Community High School students took part in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The events, organized by the school’s Social Justice Alliance, included card-making for residents of nursing homes, egg-filling for Quakertown’s Community Day, and the reading of books to young people in the school’s media center.

“These kids have done an amazing job to make this day a reality,” said QCHS teacher Bethany Fuller, advisor to the SJA. “They made the calls to set things up. It’s a huge undertaking and they showed a true commitment to doing what they can to give back to the community.”

Please click here for the story.

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s Fab Lab recently visited Neidig Elementary School to give students an opportunity to learn from its cutting-edge technology that’s designed to inspire and encourage them to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) fields.

Neidig Fab Lab’s work, which included students in grades 1 through 5, is linked to its curriculum and helps prepare students for tomorrow’s workforce, which will require them to be skilled in computer science and digital fabrication.

Students in fourth grade, for example, this week’s Fab Lab priority grade, have been learning about magnetic fields and creating a code path. JoAnn Klee’s fourth-graders were introduced to Sphero, a spherical robot programmed to roll around and perform different functions using an iPad App.

Please click here for the story.

Over the last few months, Trumbauersville Elementary School students have collected winter hats, gloves, and scarves as part of a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Plan focused on fostering Compassion, Perseverance, and Respect (CPR).

Several boxes of the items were donated Wednesday afternoon to Quakertown Community Outreach, which supports homeless and at-risk families. “It’s an awesome thing to see the kids know the importance of giving back at such a young age,” said Scott Seeger of QCO.

The idea was the inspiration of the student-led CPR Committee, two students in each class of third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders who are leaders and role models for their peers. The students are chosen by teachers and support staff.

Please click here for the story.

The Quakertown Midget Football Association's Junior Pee Wee team of 23 girls recently captured second place in Nationals at the Citrus Arena in Orlando, FL.

The Quakertown Community School District students, ranging from third to fifth grade, gave the performance of a lifetime, according to Coach Jaime Lynn Valleley. "The girls determination, teamwork and confidence at such a young age is both impressive and inspiring," she said. "I am so proud of them."

The team celebrated their victory over several days exploring Universal Studios, "creating memories and friendships that are sure to last a lifetime," she added.

Team members include Lexi Davidow, Alyson Cary, Alyssa Friedman, Angelina Valleley, Anna Pfistner, Aubree Klinger, Aubrey Spearing, Bailey Goodwin, Flavia Lauver, Guinevere Powell, Hailey Lane, Bella Freed, Jacee King, Jaycee Knight, Lyla Crouthamel, Mackenzie Gappa, Marleigh Franjul, Molly Felten, Olivia Hyde, Rachel Hattala, Reagan Maha, Rylie Rider, and Skyler White.

High school cheerleader Abby Gillmer assists with the squad.

In February the team will compete at Globals in Atlantic City, NJ.

From the recent newsletter of QCHS Choral Director Erin Camburn, congratulations are in order the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 winners!

"We had 9 students get into District Choir this year! Congratulations to: Olivia Bell, Brooklyn Spear, Julia Huff, Simon Fletcher, Jordan Mitchell, Karinna Richardson, Gwyneth Trumbore, Zachary Polek, and Phillip Rotzell!"

It's been a busy time for Layla Cotter, a student at Quakertown Community High School and Bucks County Community College.

At the Pennsylvania Farm Show, competing with the 4-H club Pronking Pacas, Layla and her alpaca, Morning Glory, finished second in Showmanship and fourth in Obstacles in the Intermediate Division.

As a 4-H Ambassador, she recently visited Harrisburg and was shown around the State Capitol by Rep, Craig Staats, R-145.

You can read some of the finest student journalists in Paw Prints, Quakertown Community High School's student newspaper. Click here for the latest.

How many people do you know who would take a job with no financial benefit and countless hours of work that leaves themselves wide open to public criticism because their decisions are so vital to a promising future for our young people?

In Pennsylvania, there are 4,500 of them. Their motivation is to contribute to perhaps this nation’s most vital institution, the public education of your children. They are School Board members and the job they do ensures our schools continue to provide opportunities for the success of every student.

Every January, we take time to celebrate and recognize these everyday heroes – the nine elected School Board members for the challenging work they do on behalf of our students, families, employees and community. These dedicated volunteers are your neighbors, friends, community leaders, parents at your school, and engaged senior citizens.

Please click here for the story.

Just before winter break, the Quakertown Community High School wrestling team easily knocked off archrival Pennridge, 50-15, while inducting their first member into the Wrestling Hall of Fame.

John Rittenhouse, Quakertown’s first state champion wrestler in 1987, was honored with his induction into the new Hall of Fame. Ed Dougherty, who has passed away, is also part of the first Hall of Fame class. He began the wrestling program in 1959.

Please click here for the story.

On Page 19 of the January, 2022 issue of the Upper Bucks Free Press, Publisher Christopher Betz continues his occasional series that highlights notable Quakertown Community High School graduates.

Please click here for a story on 1960 grad Lynda Stahl Ulrich.

The Upper Bucks County Technical School is now accepting online applications for the 2022-23 school year. Please fill out your application by February 12.

Click here to apply for the 2022-23 School Year!

QCSD families, by now you are well aware there is a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers. Brooke Ott, QCSD's Transportation Coordinator, has been in regular contact with you regarding bus cancelations.

A page on the website is dedicated to these alerts. They can be found here.

Here are the upcoming cancelations:

January 25-28: Buses 226, 234, 246

If you or anyone you know enjoys working with children and is looking for a part-time job, please contact Levy Bus Company, (215) 536-4567 or office@levybus.com.

The Bucks County Health Department is providing free COVID-19 testing for:

• Bucks County school employees and contractors.
• Bucks County children who have exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.

This free testing opportunity is not for individuals required to provide proof of a negative COVID test in lieu of vaccination. Per the Bucks County Health Department, individuals required to produce proof of a negative test in lieu of vaccination will need to secure other testing arrangements.

Click here for the flyer which contains all the necessary links, addresses, and expectations. Please note that appointments are required and can be scheduled by scanning the QR code or clicking on the link provided. No walk-ins are accepted.

COVID testing at St. Luke's University Health Network.

CVS and Rite Aid do testing as well, and appointments can be made via their websites.

Click here to find other COVID-19 testing locations.

For information on picking up free rapid test kits, click here.

The Quakertown Community School District nursing staff has developed an online form for families to use if their child has tested positive for COVID. We’re hoping that having this option available makes it easier for our families to communicate positive results to our nurses. This process aligns with the goals of the district’s Health and Safety Plan to safely monitor student and staff health.

If your student has tested positive for COVID, please fill out this questionnaire.

Spanish version

Daughters of the American Revolution is offering dozens of scholarships for graduating high school seniors, college, and graduate students in varied areas of study.

Scholarship applications are being accepted through January 31, 2022.

Click here to visit the online application portal.

Click here for additional scholarship information.

ATTENTION PARENTS/GUARDIANS: It has come to our attention that there has been several cases involving children and teens being threatened and coerced by adults into sending explicit images online which is a crime called “Sextortion.”

Sextortion can occur on any social media platform, app, or game where people meet and communicate. The crime typically starts when students believe they are communicating with another teenager outside of their social network. Soon after the encounter, the fictitious teenager requests the interaction be moved from the website or app to another messaging platform so that they can instigate the exchange of sexually explicit material.

In return, the fictitious teenager is part of a scam extorting victims for money and blackmailing them to expose the explicit photo to their friend list. The scammers are requesting money be wired to them through cash applications, Amazon, and other venues. The scammers are using fake emails and profiles with most of them operating overseas.

This is something that is happening in our community, so we encourage parents to talk to their children about social media and their online habits. Remember under Pennsylvania Title 18 6321 it is illegal to possess or send sexually explicit images as a minor.

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