In The Q

Zach Polek is the first Quakertown Community High School student in more than three decades to finish in first place in auditions as both a singer and an instrumentalist for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 chorus, band, and orchestra.

“That was a shock,” said Zach, a junior who is a baritone and plays the trombone. “Wow, definitely a shock.”

While the accomplishment is extraordinary, the educators who have seen Zach’s growth praised his work ethic. “It’s not like this fell out of the sky and landed on him,” said Choral Director Erin Camburn. “He has three important traits for success: talent, a real desire to improve, and he works extremely hard. I am so happy for him.”

Here's more on Zach's accomplishment.

Teacher and firefighter: Andy Snyder's Christmas Day heroics

For those who haven't heard, Quakertown Community High School teacher Andy Snyder was part of the Quakertown Fire Department team that rescued a 6-year-old black lab named Jack, who was trapped in icy waters on Christmas Day.

Jack, who was near the Old Brickyard Pond near Heller Road in Richland, had spotted some ducks onto the pond and fell through the ice and into the water.

"We could see him the whole time," Mr. Snyder told NBC-10 news. "He had his head above water and he was struggling to get up on the ice but he obviously couldn't. And as a dog owner, that was part of the motivation to leave the family at home on Christmas Day and save somebody else's dog."

Here's a video of the news report.

The Fall sports season provided continued success for the Panthers, both teamwise and individually. Here are some of the top performances:

Fall Sports Highlights

Rebekah Hickey qualified for the PIAA State Cross Country Championships

Ty Wilkin and Brady Gallagher qualified for the District Golf Championships

Teams qualifying for District Playoffs: Field Hockey, Football, Girls Soccer

First Team

Cross Country: Rebekah Hickey (3rd in SOL championship), Sophia Abato (9th)

Field Hockey: Alex Bevan-Xenelis, midfield

Football: Vinny Pelligrini, OL, Devin Eure, LB, John Eatherton, DB

Girls Soccer: Carolyn Sipprell, defense, Darby Vail, goalie

Golf: Brady Gallagher

Second Team

Field Hockey: Kiera Gallagher, midfield, Katelyn Landis, midfield

Football: John Eatherton, RB, Nick Laudenberger, OL, Ed Bittner, DL, Mike Richino, DL, Brett Hileman, LB, Vince Micucci, P

Girls Soccer: Callie Abel, defense, Madison Kalinowski, midfield

Golf: Ty Wilkin

Volleyball: Grace White, MB

Honorable Mention

Boys Soccer: Stone Renshaw, midfield, Carter Tull, defense

Cross Country: Kayra DeVries, Mona Nouri, Risa Palmer

Field Hockey: Natalie Boyd, midfield, Julie Pizzi, goalie, Megan Roth, defender, Leah Schwalm, forward

Football: Vince Micucci, QB, Max Morris, WR, Owen Jaegers, TE, Nick Laudenberger, DL, Gavin Carroll, LB

Girls Soccer: Angela Calvanese, defense, Faith Greenday, defense

Golf: Joey Pizzi, Zach Oechsle

Volleyball: Erica Gildea, L, Anna Skogen, S, Kayla Sicher, OH

Here's the leadership team of the Best Buddies club, which meets each month with more than 200 Quakertown Community High School students.

From left to right, front row, are Natalie Welliver, Emma Pham, Julie Pizzi and Jessica Meirinho. Back row, left to right, are Katie Muller, Madelyn Byrnes, Julia Reich, Lauren Harwick, advisors Megan McGinty and Jennifer Honrado, Michael Wishingrad, Rylan Dauter, and Cole Reich.

QCHS 2023-24 Program of Studies

QCHS families, here is the School Board approved 2023-24 Program of Studies. Students will be hearing more about this during the course selection process from their school counselors.

Parents and families may find more information by attending the AP Electives Fair on January 18th at 6 p.m. in the Cyber Commons. (Snow date is the 19th). Please take note of new course offerings and focused elective opportunities for our students. Thank you.

QCHS 2023-24 Program of Studies

#QCSD is hosting a Support Staff Job Fair on Wednesday, January 25th from 9am to noon at the District Service Center!

Booths will be set up for:

Chartwells - Food Service Openings
Levy Bus
LifeSpan
ESS - Substitute Teacher Openings
QCSD - Aide, Maintenance Openings

There will be computers available to apply on the spot, as well as coffee and light refreshments. If you know anyone currently looking for a job, please have them come to the Job Fair.

From Ray Fox, Alumni Association Vice President:

As we begin 2023, I felt it was important to share a little of the history of the Alumni Association including our plans and goals for the future.

It is important to note that every Quakertown Community High School graduate is automatically considered to be part of the QCHS Alumni Association. The current Board of Directors includes President Melea Barto Rupert (’73), Vice President Ray Fox (’66), Secretary Denise Loux Fox (’80), Treasurer Lori Horne Kertesz (’79) and Larry Benner (’65), Evelyn Roth Gerhart (’68), Peter Jarrett (’71), Greta Hilker Krause (’89), Shannon Smith Miller (’92), Chris Betz (’90), and Jane Price (’75).

The Alumni Association has a history that goes back to the 1940’s when it was a very active organization. Unfortunately, it disbanded in the 1990’s. In 2008, Dr. Robert Leight (’50) sent out a communique asking if any alumni would be interested in a meeting to discuss reactivating the Alumni Association.

Continue reading Alumni Association's plans and goals.

Stakeholder Superintendent Search Questionnaire

The Quakertown Community School District School Board is seeking stakeholder input regarding the District’s next Superintendent of Schools. Please take a moment to complete the questionnaire.

Superintendent job description.

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?

School Directors are motivated 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.

Each 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.

Read more here.

School Board newsletter.