In The Q
September 23, 2021 Newsletter
National Merit Scholar Semifinalist
Avinash Paul's test scores ranked in the top 1 percent of seniors in the US
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has named Quakertown Community High School senior Avinash Paul a semifinalist in its prestigious program for 2022.
Avinash is one of 16,000 semifinalists who represent less than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. His remarkable 1490 score on the 2020 Preliminary SAT gives him the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring.
Click here for the story.
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National Merit Commended Student
Avadar Brownlee’s PSAT score qualified her for recognition
Another Quakertown Community High School senior is being recognized for her exceptional academic promise by the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Avadar Brownlee qualified as a Commended Student for her outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in 2020, when she scored 1400.
Click here for the story.
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Vaccine clinic planned for September 24
The Quakertown Community School District has scheduled a pop-up COVID vaccine clinic for Friday, September 24 from 6 to 8 p.m., the night of Quakertown's 7 p.m. football game against Upper Dublin at Alumni Field. Students 12 and older and community members are welcome to get their vaccines.
The clinic will be held in the Park Avenue parking lot, in front of the high school, between 5th and 6th streets.
Click here for the consent form for minors who wish to be vaccinated. There will also be copies at the clinic.
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Free COVID-19 testing
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.
As noted on the flyer, appointments are necessary and are available beginning Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Click here for the flyer, which contains all necessary links, addresses, and expectations.
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.
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Panther Marching Band to host competition
Seven local bands plus the home team Panther Marching Band will be featured. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.
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ELD family night
QCSD event helps set up ELD families for success
English Language Development teacher Alaina Wert organized the event and several teachers helped with the planning and volunteered their time to support the district’s ELD families.
“It was really exciting to see everyone take part to create an event that I hope will become an annual one,” said Kim Finnerty, an assistant principal at Quakertown Community High School and a volunteer at the event. “Our families extended their thanks and the smiles all around revealed their appreciation.”
Click here for the story.
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Pfaff Runs The World
The goal is for all students to recognize and appreciate their similarities and differences. As a building, students paraded around the school with the world's flags. In addition, each classroom represented a country.
The idea is that being an accepting school citizen will keep Pfaff school positive and safe!
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QE Socratic Seminar
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Around the district in photos
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Chartwells discusses supply chain issues
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Free and reduced lunch application
For the 2021-22 school year, all QCSD students are eligible to receive a nutritional breakfast and lunch each school day at NO CHARGE to your household. No action is required for your student(s) to participate.
It is still strongly encouraged that all families fill out a Free & Reduced Lunch Application. If the State of Pennsylvania distributes P-EBT cards again during this school year, its determination of funding is based on your student's Eligibility Status on file with our district. In addition to possible P-EBT cards, an approved application on file qualifies students for a 30-day grace period beginning in the following school year.
A La Carte items will be an available option for the new school year so please remember to fund your student(s) School Cafe Account. Applications are available on the QCSD website by clicking here. If you have questions, contact Stacy Reiss at sreiss@qcsd.org or 215-529-2022.
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Elementary, middle school band & orchestra sign-ups
On the music department website you'll find everything you need to know such as musical instrument demonstrations, family testimonials, supply list, music store contact information, and more.
If you were in the band or orchestra last year, there's no need to register or sign up again. If this is your first year learning a musical instrument at QCSD, you'll need to sign-up to begin the process. Students in grades 3-8 can sign up for orchestra, and students in grades 4-8 can sign up for band.
Visit qcsd.org/music and click the yellow banner at the top of the website to get started today. Click the Contact page to email the band or orchestra teacher in your child's building if you have any questions.
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Education Foundation partners with BJ's for fundraiser
For each renewal and new member, QCEF receives up to $10, depending on the membership plan. Please share this message with friends, neighbors and family members.
Click here for a flyer about the program.
Click here for an application form.
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QCSD's ESSER funding plan
School districts are required to meet several specifications to receive this funding. The first is that they follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance with their Health And Safety Plan. Another is to receive public input and feedback from stakeholders.
The essence of QCSD's ESSER Funding Plan is focused on the myriad of academic, social-emotional, and mental health issues that resulted from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The federal dollars are one-time money and must be targeted at those needs.
Please take the time to review the Plan here and provide your feedback to Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner and the School Board at board@qcsd.org.
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VFW scholarships for middle school and high school students
The VFW has two scholarships, one for students in grades 6-8 and one for students in grades 9-12.
The Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
The VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest gives middle school students a chance to win their share of more than $1.4 million in state and national awards. Each first-place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first-place winner wins $5,000.
Click here for more information.
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Sun Safety poster contest
The Pennsylvania Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery (PAD) and American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Association are pleased to sponsor a statewide Sun Safety Educational Poster Contest.
The contest is open to students enrolled in Pennsylvania public school grades K-12. One student and school will be chosen from amongst all submissions and will receive a $5,000 grant to fund a sun safety education program or shade structure at their school.
In 2017-2018, the PAD worked with Pennsylvania lawmakers to pass a law that allows students to bring sunscreen to school without needing a letter from a physician and without having to store it in the nurse’s office.
The poster contest aims to educate students and educators about sun safety and the recent law. The deadline to submit artwork is October 15. Please see the enclosed contest guidelines and application form for more information and submission details.
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Mikayla's Voice offers free subscriptions
Mikayla’s Voice has published three children’s books written and illustrated by kids for other kids about having a friend with a disability. Mikayla’s Voice new enrichment website provides lessons to help continue the discussion about inclusion, kindness and friendship.
Mikayla’s Voice was awarded a Community Response Grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council to offer 267 FREE subscriptions to “Mikayla’s Bookshelf” for families with a child with a disability. Interested families should email sydney@mikaylasvoice.org as soon as possible.
Click here for a video tutorial.
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Looking for past "In The Q" issues?
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