QCHS Class of 2019 graduates 385
The graduates made the Class of 2019 one of the highest performing in QCHS history. As Principal Dr. David Finnerty recounted:
- 17 students have committed to serving our country in the Armed Forces.
- 273 will follow their dreams to a college campus this fall in a 2- or 4-year program. These students have earned more than $6.2 million in scholarships.
- 65 seniors have earned membership in the National Honor Society.
- 17 seniors have earned membership in the National Technical Honor Society.
For the full story and additional photos, please click here.
For a video of the commencement ceremony, please click here.
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District names new principal for high school
Beginning July 1, Quakertown Community High School will have a new principal.
The Quakertown Community School Board voted 9-0 Thursday night in support of the administration’s recommendation to name Mattias van't Hoenderdaal to the position previously held by Dr. David Finnerty.
Mr. van’t Hoenderdaal, 35, is currently principal of School Lane Charter School’s International Baccalaureate Campus. Located in Bensalem, Bucks County, the IB Campus educates approximately 500 students in grades 7-12.
“I’m very excited and honored,” said Mr. van’t Hoenderdaal, who couldn’t attend the June 13 Board meeting because of School Lane’s graduation. “I’m eager to get started and get to know the community. For me, it’s about making an impact in the lives of students.”
Please click here for the full story.
“The traditions from the past, and everything that made Neidig Elementary School the great school that it is today are all coming with us as we start this renovation and addition project,” Principal Scott Godshalk said. “We honor those traditions from Neidig’s past, and we look forward to the limitless possibilities our updated 21st century school will provide.”
Mr. Godshalk emceed a marvelous event that included all 400 Neidig students and teachers, District officials, School Directors and visiting dignitaries.
For the full story and additional photos, please click here.
It was September 2017, and Mya Hibsman was one of more than 400 new seventh graders at Strayer Middle School. During an assembly, former Principal Derek Peiffer challenged the students “How will you make your mark at Strayer?”
Not long after, during a family dinner, Mya stated her legacy: “Mom, I want to start a lacrosse program at Strayer, wouldn’t that be awesome?”
With the help of Bruce Russell, a supportive teacher and former lacrosse coach, and a lot of hard work from several others, Mya’s goal became a reality.
Please click here for the full story.
D-Day thoughts by Board President Steaven Klein
Quakertown Community School Board President Steaven Klein opened the June 6 School Board meeting with thought's on D-Day. Here's what he had to say:
Putting history in perspective is powerful and moving.
Today, President Trump and President Macron of France celebrated and honored the surviving veterans of WWII that were active participants in D Day and the battles that followed. They also honored the thousands of fallen Allied Troops who began the liberation of Europe and the victory over the Nazi Regime that was very strong, very dug in and ready for the fight.
Put yourself in their shoes -- 17 years old, many had volunteered only weeks earlier, a few weeks of basic training and they were shipped over to England where the D Day staging took place. No cell phone to call home. No final goodbyes to your Mom, your brother, your sister, your father or your wife. The weather was so bad they delayed the invasion one day (from June 5th to the 6th). On the 6th the weather was still terrible, but they went anyhow. Can you image what this was like?
I could go on and on but I won’t. Just know that on this day 75 years ago, tens of thousands of Allied men fought to change the course of WWII and to defend the concept of being free and preserving liberty for all. It wasn’t just about winning this battle, our winning WWII. It was about the right of the human race to be free of tyranny and evil.
Thank God these Allied Forces were as brave and courageous as they were. Had they folded in the face of Nazi Germany, I promise you the life we all live today would be very different.
History can be a great teacher.
2 freshmen awarded Distinguished Achievement medals from Legion
Quakertown Community High School students Angelina Becker and Justin Sawadski each received a medal for Distinguished Achievement from the American Legion during Memorial Day services in Memorial Park.
According to the American Legion: "The American Legion believes that our students should be praised when they demonstrate strong qualities of character and good citizenship. That's why, since 1926, the Legion has recognized such students with its Distinguished Achievement Award. The award is given to a freshman girl and boy as selected by faculty and school administration for consistently demonstrating six qualities that define character: Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship and Service.
"Each award recipient is presented with a Distinguished Achievement certificate and a Medal of Honor with the six qualities engraved on the face of the medal. The back of the medal bears the Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis" (always faithful)."
Super Blog: Goal-setting has been critical to QCSD's improved performance
Board-approved Superintendent Goals have guided the district to seeing student achievement flourish, dramatically improving college and career readiness, and establishing the Board as excellent stewards of our financial resources, all while sustaining, and even growing, student programs.
Please click here to read Dr. Harner's Blog.
SRO Lee hands out flyers to student drivers with safety information
The flyer included the number of points given out for a variety of violations, and warned against driving impaired, aggressively or without a seat belt. SRO Lee said it's a safety precaution during prom and graduation season.
The gifts are from the Quakertown Community Education Foundation
“First grade is such a crucial year for students in the development of their reading skills,” said Erin Oleksa-Carter, the district’s supervisor of literacy and arts. “We believe this will help them continue to grow as readers, and develop their love of reading.”
Approximately 365 books were given out, and the one each child received was determined by their teacher, based on the interest they’ve shown in a certain topic and their reading ability.
For the full story and more photos, please click here.
With exhibits set up outside the school, students from kindergarten through fifth grade “visited” Algeria, Brazil, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia and Vietnam. It was part of the school’s annual “Celebration of Cultures.”
"Our faculty and staff did a tremendous job putting everything together,” Principal Dr. Michael Zackon said. “This was an outstanding and important educational event for our students.”
Please click here for the full story.
Students advocate for everyone wearing same color graduation gowns
Four students from the Quakertown Community High School Gay Straight Alliance recently went before the School Board to advocate on behalf of having the same color cap and gown at commencement for all students.
WFMZ-TV news reporter Jamie Stover, a 2008 graduate of Quakertown Community High School, reported on the issue.
Click here to see her story.
Dr. Hoffman chosen for National Women’s Leadership Consortium
Quakertown Community School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hoffman is among 20 women leaders chosen to participate in the American Association of School Administrators National Women’s Leadership Consortium.
Established in 2016 by AASA, The School Superintendents Association as part of the Women in School Leadership Initiative, the Consortium is designed to bring together successful women leaders to identify and address barriers females face when aspiring to top leadership positions. The Consortium is unique in that it’s designed to blend school superintendents with corporate and nonprofit leaders.
“I am incredibly honored to have been selected as a member of this incredible group of women educators,” said Dr. Hoffman, the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning. “Being a part of this consortium provides me with an opportunity to connect with my peers throughout the country, share ideas and best practices, and build my professional practice.”
Please click here for the full story.
Troop 55 Scout receives Union League's 'Good Citizenship Award'
BSA Life Scout Daniel Boice of Quakertown's Troop 55 has received the Union League's "Good Citizenship Award."
The honor goes to 11th grade students who demonstrate hard work and fair play, and whose personal attributes include honesty, courage, tolerance, curiosity, loyalty and endeavor to follow and uphold the principles of American patriotism.
Troop 55 committee member Kiersten Hendricks said Daniel is a role model for his peers. "He is a good citizen based on several factors to include his success in school and many extracurricular activities."
Daniel was recently inducted into the National Honor Society, and he is involved with Math Club. He supports his church as an altar server, and serves with his troop in several annual service projects, including placing flags on veterans graves for Memorial Day, walking in the Memorial Day parade, performing food drives for the local VFW, and helping with the local community’s Bike Rodeo, which teaches bike safety to youths 4-12.
"Having had the opportunities to see his mother become a U.S. Citizen in 2008, take multiple trips to Malaysia, and participate in the 2017 Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Washington Crossing Cemetery have further taught him about patriotism," Ms. Hendricks said.
Students had a blast at the luau, dressing up in their most colorful, tropical wear. It's a great group of student headed to the sixth-grade center!
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Presentations on vaping for parents, guardians
Two important presentations were recently given at Quakertown Community High School that Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner wanted to make parents and guardians aware of.
One involves drug abuse and vaping; the other is about the Pennsylvania Youth Survey.
David Fialko of the Council Of Southeast Pennsylvania, a highly sought after speaker, spoke about drug abuse and vaping. His presentation can be found here.
Carolyn Staffieri, a QCSD Pupil Services Administrative Intern, presented on PAYS data. Her presentation can be found here.
Quakertown Community School District
