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Neidig students star in county STEM Challenge
“We are so proud of our Neidig leaders' work with the STEM projects,” Principal Scott Godshalk said. “Our students learn so many skills related to collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. This STEM competition allowed students to integrate those skills to demonstrate advanced achievement. Mrs. DiCicco provided exemplary leadership with her students!”
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Richland donates 500 pounds of food to pantry
“The people at the pantry are absolutely thrilled,” said Luke Witts, a Richland teacher and student advisor. “The items really targeted what they were looking for.”
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Arrest made in threats to Quakertown schools
A 14-year-old juvenile has been charged with making several false threats through the Safe2Say Something app that forced a lockdown at Quakertown Community High School and closed Strayer Middle School twice in March.
The Bucks County District’s Attorney’s office and Quakertown Borough Police each sent out press releases on Monday, April 12, to alert the community of the arrest. The perpetrator faces five counts each of terroristic threats, false reports to law enforcement authorities disorderly conduct and false reports to the Safe2Say program. The terroristic threats charges are graded as third-degree felonies and the other charges are third-degree misdemeanors.
“The Quakertown Community School District is very appreciative of the efforts of our law enforcement community to solve this crime,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner said. “I personally want to thank our School Resource Officers, Brian Hendrzak and Bob Lee, for their hard work and dedication in the investigation. They, along with police from Quakertown Borough and Richland Township, performed flawlessly during this entire process and we are incredibly grateful.”
Following the threats, Dr. Harner respectfully requested that parents speak with their children about the importance of not using Safe2Say for anything other than its intended purpose. He has also asked parents to take the time to check all apps on their child’s cell phone.
“It is my hope that our school community, which has been so supportive of our actions during this stressful time, can use these events and this outcome as a teachable moment,” Dr. Harner said. “Everything anyone does online leaves a digital footprint behind, which ultimately can be traced.”
School Board accepting applications for open seat
The Quakertown Community School Board is accepting applications for an open seat as Director Jennifer Weed, who is moving out of the area, will be resigning. Ms. Weed’s resignation becomes effective on May 12th.
QCSB Members represent three regions. The vacancy for Ms. Weed’s former seat is in Region 2: Milford Township and Trumbauersville Borough.
The Board is accepting applications for the open seat until noon on Friday, May 7th. Only residents of Milford Township and Trumbauersville Borough may apply.
Click here for an application. Download the form to fill it out electronically.
Please mail applications to the District Services Center, 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA, or email them to Board Secretary Terry San Angelo at tsanangelo@qcsd.org.
Levy chosen as QCSD transportation provider
The Quakertown Community School Board voted unanimously on March 25th to award a five-year transportation services contract - contingent upon successful contract negotiations, to Levy School Bus Co.
Following a Request For Proposal (RFP), after Levy opted out of its contract last year, Levy and First Student, Inc. were selected as finalists by the Board’s Transportation Committee of Board President Kaylyn Mitchell, Vice President Ron Jackson, Steaven Klein and Brian Reimers. The QCSD Administration agreed with the Committee’s recommendation.
Based on the proposals of the two companies, Levy is expected to cost $1.23 million less than First Student over a five-year period. Prior to the meeting, First Student offered to reduce its cost by $600,000. That did not sway the Board. More information can be found on the qcsd.org website under Departments and Transportation.
The district still needs to work out details of a contract with Levy. The vote was 8-0.
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If you would like more information on the Transportation Coordinator position, please click here.
Brynn Lansberg: UBCTS student of the month
Brynn, who attends Quakertown Community High School, is the daughter of Amy and Brian Lansberg.
A Cooperative Education student trainee employed by Mill Pond Veterinary Clinic and Kennel in Quakertown, Brynn has received all excellent evaluations from her employer. She also excelled in Animal and Veterinary Science as one of the program’s top students and leads her peers in the UBCTS Dog Daycare Service for the community.
Brynn was named a member of the National Technical Honor Society and is an active member of the UBCTS FFA Chapter. She is serving as the chapter’s Historian during the 2020-21 school year.
At the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show, Brynn showed a Hampshire pig. She contributes to the community by volunteering her time with Logan’s Hero’s Animal Rescue Inc. and Cookies for Hospice. After graduation, Brynn plans to attend Delaware Valley University with the long-range goal of becoming a veterinarian.
Youth & Prejudice Conference makes impact on QCHS students
He’s reading her words to Quakertown Community High School students who are seated in the school’s auditorium and watching him via video conference on a large screen. Despite the physical distance, the thoughts of his mother from 1944 as she stood in an Auschwitz gas chamber were gripping.
“Strange things go through your mind when you’re about to die,” Mr. Freeman read from the writing of his mother, Judy Beitscher Freeman. “Why live? Wouldn’t it be better to stop the suffering?”
“But she wanted to live and tell their stories,” Mr. Freeman said. Though many more dreadful episodes would find her, on this fateful day the sound of air raid sirens saved her.
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Q Rock advocates for positive culture
“We have a great sense of community here in Quakertown,” Alli said. “We’re one big family. We have broken down all barriers. We have so many different people, and while we’re all different we’re all friends. Everyone loves to spend time together.
“You can talk about the administration, the teachers, the staff, everyone is engaged with students,” she said. “The aides and the janitors always ask how you’re doing. (School Resource) Officer Lee understands students and what life is like for people our age. We’re really fortunate to be part of a great community.”
Q ROCK stands for Quakertown, Resilience, Ownership, Community and Kindness, the traits the high school is seeking to embody in its culture. The acronym was developed by a team of students. It’s at the heart of the QCHS positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS) program in which the entire school is involved. Its purpose is to build a positive culture throughout the building by clarifying expectations for students, creating consistency among staff, reducing miscommunication, sharing building-wide values, and focusing on prosocial behavior.
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Quakertown Community School District
