They showed a passion to make a difference
Dr. Martin Luther King’s inspiring words made their mark in classrooms throughout the Quakertown Community School District in the days leading up to Monday’s holiday and on the day itself. Teachers did a wonderful job of sharing Dr. King’s message and giving students a forum to think critically of what his message means today.
Strayer Middle School student leaders in the National Junior Honor Society came up with several great ideas, including a common school-wide lesson in each Strayer class last Friday about how each student can provide the change the world needs. Students also developed a host of service ideas, including the creation of videos and crafts that were shared with each QCSD elementary school to teach students about Dr. King.
At the high school, the Social Justice Alliance (SJA) provided the creative impetus for ways to serve the community. On Monday afternoon, SJA advisors Bethany Fuller and Helena Li hosted two virtual Spark Talks on the topics of Systemic Racism and Giving Back. Students participated in several service-related events, including making cards for residents of a local nursing home; recording videos of themselves reading a children's book out loud in the spirit of MLK day. The videos were shared with QCSD's elementary schools; and they collected donations for Valentine's Day Gift Baskets for families in need.
Please click here for the story.
Please see Dr. Harner's MLK Day blog.
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| Kaylyn Mitchell, President | Ron Jackson, Vice President | Jon Kern |
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| Steaven Klein | Keith Micucci | David Ochmanowicz, Jr. |
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| Brian Reimers | Chris Spear | Jennifer Weed |
QCHS grad earns Internship Award at Penn State
Hailey Reiss, a graduate of Quakertown Community High School, was one of 13 students at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences to earn an internship award.
The award, which includes a $1,000 stipend, was established to encourage students to participate in a credit or noncredit educational internship program that relates to their field of study. Recipients are chosen based on an internship plan, a final report, an employer evaluation and a letter of recommendation from their academic adviser.
Taking advantage of teachable moments
In the last two weeks, students and educators in QCSD have taken advantage of historic teachable moments. One was planned, the other was not. Both, however, with the help of our teachers, helped young people develop critical thinking skills.
For the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris, QCSD's Office For Teaching and Learning shared resources that would be helpful for teachers to incorporate into lesson plans.
"We know how important it is for our students to learn about participating in our democracy through voting and serving and is something that we promote within our school community," said Chad Evans, K-12 Curriculum Supervisor of Business, Health and Physical Education, Social Studies, and World Language. "Inauguration Day is unique in that it occurs once every four years and is yet another opportunity for all Americans to celebrate the democratic principles and traditions that continue to this day."
Two weeks earlier, a mob violently attacked the Capitol. The next day, students throughout the high school were engaged.
“They were amazing,” Frank Parker said of the student conversations in his Wind Symphony class. “Some were outraged that something like this could happen in our country. Others felt it wasn’t so surprising or unexpected. But during the discourse, students were very supportive of one another.”
Said Social Studies teacher Jason Anderson: “We’re all Americans trying to figure it out. Offering students a forum to think critically in school is a responsibility I have. I’m not anymore intellectually savvy than they are. I’m struggling as much as they are to make sense of it.”
Please click here for the story.
Local non-profits make Quakertown 'special place'
During the recently concluded winter break, a record number of Quakertown families benefited from the work of local non-profit organizations and the generosity of businesses and individual citizens to enjoy the holiday season.
The organizations include Quakertown Cares, created by former Quakertown Community School District administrator Jim Newcomer, Shop With A Cop, organized by QCSD School Resource Officer Bob Lee, and Quakertown Community Outreach, directed by Karen and David Hammerschmidt.
“These grassroots organizations definitely make Quakertown a stronger community,” said QCSD social worker Kirsten Cochran, a member of the Quakertown Cares board who coordinates with the non-profits to make certain the neediest families benefit from these programs. “They really make Quakertown a special place.”
Please click here for the story.
QCHS sports information
If you're looking to watch Quakertown's away contests, click here to live streaming sites for each Suburban One League School.
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Now's the time to sign-up for Spring Sports. The deadline is February 5th. Please click here to sign-up.
Consider applying for Free & Reduced students meals
As the 2020-2021 school year has been like nothing we've experienced before, we would like to strongly encourage families to apply for the Free & Reduced Meals Program. Families that qualified for Free & Reduced meals in the 2019-2020 school year were eligible for Pandemic EBT Benefits through the State during the spring and early summer. That benefit provided a debit card to purchase groceries based on Free & Reduced information.
Currently, our district is providing ALL families with children up to the age of 18 with FREE breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year through funds from the US Department of Agriculture. However, if you do not have a current application on file for the 2020-2021 school year, you could miss benefits from the state, should it decide to provide the Pandemic EBT Benefits again.
Please click here for the Free & Reduced Meal Program applications.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Stacy Reiss, Free & Reduced Lunch Program, at sreiss@qcsd.org or 215-529-2022.
District boosts pay for substitute teachers
Hoping to incentivize more people with a Bachelor’s degree to become substitute teachers, the Quakertown Community School District is significantly increasing pay for substitute teachers for the 2020-21 school year.
The per diem rate is being raised from $105 to $120 per day. Long term per diem pay is being raised from $140 to $175 per day, highest in the area. The average per diem rate in Bucks County and surrounding districts is $109. The long term substitute rate is $125. Please click here for the story.
QCSD has several job openings that can be found by clicking here. They include substitute nurses, aides, and food service workers.
Click here for job openings in the Upper Bucks County Technical School.
Caron Foundation: Supporting children impacted by a loved one's substance use disorder
Despite significant efforts to decrease the national addiction and overdose crisis, rates continue to climb. The challenges presented by the pandemic have only intensified the issues. When a family member struggles with substance use disorder, everyone is impacted.
Wednesday, February 10th, 2021 | 11:00AM-12:30PM
In this free virtual presentation by the Caron Foundation, you will hear from two speakers who will talk about this issue:
- From the perspective of a parent in recovery and
- As a professional who provides support groups for children and teens impacted by the substance use disorder of a loved one.
Please click here to register.
Quakertown Community School District
