In The Q

January 20, 2023 Newsletter

Wawa throwing our students a party

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Well-behaved QCHS students make an impression

Quakertown parents, ya done good!


A business thought so much of your children’s polite and respectful behavior they’re throwing them a party. The honor is being given to approximately two dozen students who attend Quakertown Community High School and were part of the Student Section for Friday night football games. Following each game, whether it be home or away, the students traveled to the Wawa on West Pumping Station Road and Route 309 for a sit-down meal.


“They were so very polite and so very patient,” said Michelle Yerkes, a Wawa associate who developed a friendship with the group and suggested a party to the store manager to repay the students’ excellent behavior. “There were 20 to 30 of them every Friday night, and it was crowded. But they waited nicely and always cleaned up after themselves. They’re just all-around good kids.”


Here's more on the Student Section.

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Cheerleaders headed to states

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Quakertown Community High School's cheerleaders are on their way to States in Hershey following their performance in the District 1 Championships!


Congratulations to coach Breanna Terman and her squad, which includes Sydney Bishop, Ally Swann, Alexis Austin, Cora Compo, Gabriel Jones, Alyssa Fonda, Jailyn Davis, Mackenzie Harris, Jaylin Applegate, Sophia Wang, Consuelo Torres, Abby Applegate, Joslyn Applegate, Ashley Patrick, Ella Chapman, Jillian Wehrheim, Amelia Castillo, Addison Keller, McKayla Dallison, Lorelai Keller, Mary Jimenez, Lily Bures, Sophia Talarico, and Chanel Pineda.


Go Panthers!

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QCSD Transportation now on Twitter

QCSD families, we wanted to share a new Twitter account that's been set up by Transportation Coordinator Brooke Renninger. It will be used for announcing any busing challenges we have during a normal workday, along with other general information. Please like @QCSDTransportn to follow.

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Singers Selected to PMEA Region VI Chorus

After finishing first in auditions as both a singer and an instrumentalist for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 chorus, band, and orchestra, Quakertown Community High School junior Zach Polek was selected for the PMEA Region VI Chorus, and was ranked No. 1 again!


Zach will be joined on the Region VI Chorus by fellow QCHS exceptional talents Phillip Rotzell, Amoria Riendeau, Otani Ekpe, and Tanner Sheridan.


Congratulations to all!

QCHS Voice/Piano Recital

Sunday, Jan. 22nd, 3pm

102 North Hellertown Avenue

Quakertown, PA

QCHS students showed off their musical talent at this event.

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Quakertown duals, Saturday, 8:30 am

Boys Varsity Wrestling - The Quakertown Duals - All 4 mats

Escape The Rock

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Panthers put on show at tournament

Collin Gaj became the first Quakertown Community High School wrestler to win the prestigious 53-team Escape The Rock wrestling tournament at Council Rock South High School.


Collin won the 145-pound weight class. With Mason Ziegler (121 pounds) and Calvin Lachman (215) each finishing third, the Panthers became the first team to ever have three semifinalists in the tournament.


For more on the event, here are stories from the Bucks County Herald and The Morning Call.

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A growing sport

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Girl wrestlers finding their place on the mat

Sports reporter Drew Markol of The Intelligencer and Courier Times wrote an insightful article about the growth of girls wrestling, which includes input from Quakertown Community High School. Great photos by Nur B. Adam,

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Hangeys inducted into Quakertown hall

Congratulations to Chuck and John Hangey on their entrance into the Quakertown Community High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. The event took place on January 18 prior to the Panthers 63-9 victory over Plymouth Whitemarsh.


Chuck, who has passed away, had a storied career as a former Quakertown wrestler, QYC head coach, PIAA Offical and PIAA District 1 Hall of Fame member.


John is a 1988 PIAA State Champ and current Rider University Head wrestling coach.


We thank them for their dedication to the program.


#OnceAPantherAlwaysAPanther

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Girls basketball develops winning formula

The Quakertown Community High School girls basketball team has not been welcoming hosts this season. Visitors entering the Panthers den during this 2022-23 campaign more often than not have come out on the short side of the scoreboard.

Quakertown’s 9-6 record, the first winning mark for senior captains Carolyn Sipprell, Katie Catalano, and Kayla Sicher, includes a five-game home victory streak over Wissahickon, 54-44; Hatboro-Horsham, 46-24; Lower Moreland, 42-32; Pope John Paul II, 42-31; and William Tennent, 46-41.


“We’re drastically improved,” Coach Brittany Bamford said. “We have a large senior group of kids who have made the commitment to basketball and to Quakertown. I’m very proud of them. They have worked hard.”


Here's more on the girls basketball success.

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Putting on a clinic

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Basketball players teach youngsters the basics

Coach Brittany Bamford and the QCHS Girls Basketball Team gave a free clinic to girls ages 7-14 for the MLK Day of Service. The event was for beginner, recreational, and advanced players. Drills included Shooting skills/ Dribbling skills/ Finishing & Footwork skills/ Defense & Rebounding/ 1-on-1/ 3-on-3/ Team Play/ Skill Competitions. The girls on the team proved to be excellent teachers!

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MLK Day of Service

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Quakertown Community High School's Social Justice Alliance organized MLK Day of Service events. The SJA invited students from QCSD schools to volunteer by making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a food pantry, collecting food and clothing for donation, and making cards for veterans and nursing home residents.


There were 155 volunteers at the event, according to SJA advisor Bethany Fuller. Nearly 400 PB&J sandwiches were made and 173 pounds of food was donated to the Quakertown Food Pantry. Countless cards were made for veterans and nursing home residents. Several bags of clothing were also collected.


All of this was done in honor of Dr. King's legacy.


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Speakers bring learning opportunities for students

Quakertown Community High School brought in outside speakers on January 18th to give students an expanded learning opportunity. As part of the Career Pathways Speaker Series, Kim Lipyanik and Tyler Stalletti of QNB Bank spoke with students about careers in business and marketing. Mr. Stalletti, a Business Development Officer, is a 2013 QCHS graduate. Ms. Lipyanik is a Human Resources Officer.


Barbara Beck of Richland Township is a board member of the Bucks County Audubon Society. When she learned of the school’s Garden Club, she reached out to advisor John Stoverink about an opportunity to speak with students. Her presentation included information about native plants and beekeeping.

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Best Buddies team up with Trum Life Skills

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The Life Skills team at Trumbauersville Elementary School enjoyed a Community-Based Instruction trip with members of the Quakertown Community High School's Best Buddies Club.


The group had a great day, going bowling and later had a fun meal at Chick-fil-A!

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Freshman orientation, course selection and the AP Elective Fair

Strayer Elementary School 8th graders took part in freshman orientation and the AP Elective Fair at Quakertown Community High School. Teachers helped make the evening such a great event for district families.


To help families with the course selection process, here is the School Board approved 2023-24 Program of Studies. Please take note of new course offerings and focused elective opportunities for our students.


QCHS 2023-24 Program of Studies

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UBCTS registration through Jan. 31

Quakertown families of students in grades 8-11, the Upper Bucks County Technical School is now registering students. The deadline to register is January 31. If you or your student is interested in learning more, fill out this application for next year by clicking here.


UBCTS January newsletter.

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Free prom dresses available; see your school counselor

Quakertown Community High School has several free prom dresses available for students who may need one. No questions asked. Please see your School Counselor.

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Excellence in Scouting

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Quakertown Community High School sophomore Sean Egan stands with Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner and leaders of Trumbauersville Troop 13 in a Board of Review, the last step before becoming an Eagle Scout. Way to go Sean!

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Support Staff job fair

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#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.

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Changes to volunteer FBI fingerprinting

QCSD families, there's been a major change to volunteer FBI fingerprints. Please take a moment to read the information below.


PDE has issued a statement that the PDE Volunteer Service Code has been turned off and is no longer available. As of January 11, all volunteers must obtain their FBI Fingerprints through the Department of Human Services.


This change is not retroactive and the district will still approve people who have submitted their application in AppGarden with their PDE FBI Fingerprints prior to January 11. Any new or renewal applications that come in after January 11, must follow the new protocol.


More information may be found here.

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Registration for State Police Camp Cadet

The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M will once again be hosting the annual Pennsylvania State Police Camp Cadet Program at Camp Fowler, 5851 Horseshoe Road, Orefield (Lehigh County). Camp will take place from Sunday, June 11 through Friday June 16.


Camp Cadet is an overnight summer camp for boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 15 years old. The goal of Camp Cadet is to introduce cadets to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship between law enforcement and youth, while living in an atmosphere similar to an actual State Police Academy.


Presentations will include various municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. This camp stresses teamwork, honesty, and integrity, while developing discipline and self-esteem, which will promote good decision-making at a young age. At the completion of the week, cadets will not only be proud of their accomplishments, but also gain an understanding of what it takes to be a police officer.


For those who are interested in attending Troop M Camp Cadet, registration can be done by going on-line and registering through the below link. Registration is open from February 1, 2023, until February 28, 2023, and limited to the number of applicants.


For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit www.psp.pa.gov.

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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.

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Pride of Quakertown fundraiser

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Quakertown Community School District

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District.