Kudos 2012 - 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

QCHS senior a finalist in poetry contest

 

 

QCHS sophomore raises plenty of money for American Cancer Society

 

 

 

 

Diane Bracalente attended Quakertown Community High School from 1978 - 1981 and was a multisport athlete. In 1980, during the fall of her senior year, she helped lead the Panthers’ field hockey team to the school’s first state tournament appearance. (Since then, QCHS has fielded only one other field hockey team at the PIAA State Final, in 1986.) It was during the state tournament when Diane realized she could play field hockey while attending college. She was recruited by several universities and decided to play field hockey at Old Dominion University in Virginia. While at ODU, Diane and her teammates won three consecutive Division I National Championships; she became a two-time All American, and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Along the way, she secured a spot on the USA National Field Hockey Under-21 Team, moving up to the USA National Team and eventually played in the 1988 Olympics, in Seoul, South Korea!

Diane earned her undergraduate degree from ODU and an MBA from the University of Massachusetts in 1992 with a focus in marketing. Following graduation from UMass, Diane began a career in marketing and technical solutions for an enterprise wide computer company called Pinnacle Software.  She said the Olympic experience opened many doors for her outside of sports. She developed confidence as she moved through the U.S. Olympic Development program, the traveling and the networking with players all over the country, with whom she stays in touch. Many of her ODU and Olympic teammates coach at Universities and “work” as ambassadors for the sport. Currently Diane is involved with a few business ventures, working with alternative energy suppliers mostly from China.  She also takes her daughter, Mayv, to practices and tournaments with the WC Eagles Club Team and her school team at Moravian Academy. Mayv also participates in the USA Field Hockey’s Futures program with the U14 age group.

 

 

 

 

 

Junior signs letter of intent to play soccer at St. Joseph’s University

 

Stephanie has maintained an “A” average in the Health Care Careers program since her sophomore year and has earned her Nurse Aide Certification, CPR/First Aid and Bloodeborne Pathogens Certifications. She is currently completing a Pharmacy Technician Certification program offered as part of her Health Care Careers program.  She also competed in the 2012 District SkillsUSA competition and placed second in Medical Math.

Upon graduation, Stephanie plans to attend Gwynedd-Mercy College with the goal ofbecoming a registered nurse.

Enrollment in the Health Care Careers program offers UBCTS students the opportunity to study Anatomy & Physiology, Medical Terminology, Nursing and Medical Assisting. Students earn certifications in CPR, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Pharmacy Technician.

 

QCHS sophomoreAmanda Hafler has been spending a lot of time shopping for Vera Bradley bags. But not for her own use.  Hafler has been busy selecting and purchasing the popular fabric bags for her senior graduation project, a bingo fundraiser to benefit The Upper Bucks Relay for Life, a program of the American Cancer Society. 

“In today’s economy, fundraising is difficult.  Most people don’t have a lot of disposable income.  This year, I tried to think of a fun way for people to support Relay for Life,” said Amanda, a 3-year team captain and a 2-year member of the Planning Committee of the Upper Bucks Relay.  “I decided to organize a bingo event with Vera Bradley bags as prizes.”

Representing her own Relay team, Amanda is working with members of another team, the Care Bears for Cancer, to host the event scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 1:00 p.m. at the Milford Township Fire Hall.  “The Care Bears do so much for Relay. They organize and run the Survivor Breakfast on the day of Relay as well as running their team stand,” said Amanda. 

Barbara Hafler,Amanda’s mother, sees it another way.  “I see this as a great learning opportunity for my daughter.  By teaming up with the Care Bears, Amanda will see first-hand the importance of working effectively with others to make a successful event happen.”

An added bonus is the involvement of the Upper Bucks Senior Activity Center, housed in the MilfordTownship Fire Hall.  Members will offer the food concessions on the day of the bingo event as a fundraiser for programs of the Senior Center.  “I’m really happy about that.  Not only will this event benefit Relay for Life, but it will also help out the senior citizens of our community,” Amanda said.

The Vera Bradley Bingo to Benefit the Upper Bucks Relay for Life offers 20 games of bingo, raffles, a Chinese auction, and door prizes. Each bingo game will feature a different Vera Bradley bag.  Even “tie” prizes are Vera Bradley products!  Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch will be available.  Advance tickets are $20.  Tickets at the door are $25.  For more information, or to get tickets, call 215-538-7817 or email relayvbbingo@gmail.com. To see all of the prizes, like us on Facebook:  Vera Bradley Bingo to Benefit the Upper Bucks Relay for Life.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A month ago, QCHS senior Matt Basile was named a National Merit Scholar semifinalist.

“You all serve as great role models for our other students,” Mr. Stone told them. “Your results will encourage more students to make concerted
efforts in taking the PSAT and SAT.”

A common love of foreign language links Heidi, Mara and Derek. Heidi wants to major in Spanish and study abroad. She’s not sure where she
wants to go to college but is applying to small schools such as Swarthmore. Mara wants to double major in Spanish and math and study abroad. She is considering several majors, including architecture. Derek applied to Cornell University’s CAPS program, which will allow him to return to China, where he went to meet his QCSD Cyber Program Mandarin Chinese teacher. He wants to study economics, politics and foreign relations.

 

The QCHS Girls’ Volleyball Team raised more than $5,000 with its 4^th Annual Dig Pink event. Senior Meghan Lopes organized the event for her Graduation Project.  She added a “Twist of Purple” to the DIG PINK Event this year in memory of a close friend’s mom who lost her battle to Mesothelioma, Maureen Montoney.  With part of the proceeds, she opened a scholarship called “Momma Montoney,” which will be presented annually to a senior athlete who has been directly affected by cancer or an immediate family member.  The rest of the proceeds will be donated locally to St. Luke’s for Breast Cancer Research.

The goal was to surpass last year’s total of more than $4,100. To date, this year’s event hasraised $5,491.70.  The team will put $2,000
into the previously mentioned scholarship fund for a $500 award this year and a $250 award for each of the next six years.  The hope is that future players will pick up the project and continue to fund the scholarship. The remaining $3,491.70 of this year’s proceeds will be donated to St. Luke’s.

A Giant thank you!

During halftime of the Homecoming football game, administrators thanked Giant Food Stores for its generous donation of a new scoreboard for Alumni Stadium. At the 50-yard line, Athletic Director Sylvia Kalazs, Principal Rod Stone and Business Manager Bob Riegel welcomed  store managers Todd Woodring and Steven Bowlby, from Quakertown, and Debra Thomas from Coopersburg.

 

 

 

QCHS teacher heals, thanks to outpouring of support

In July, QCHS biology teacher Tina Sullivan was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The tumor, called aMid-line B-cell,was locatedon top of her heart and was the size of a baseball. Now, after four chemotherapy treatments, the tumor is not visible on her most recent PET scan. Shewill continue with chemo and a maintenance treatment.

With a beautiful bald head, Mrs. Sullivan addressed her predicament with humor. Employing her biology background, Mrs. Sullivan explained her cancer through a QCSD-TV News interview, which you can watch by clicking here.

On Oct. 16, the QCHS field hockey team honored her for her courage and strength. The members wore lime green socks. The $828 proceeds from their snack stand and sale of green wristbands will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The total donation will be $1,656 because GSK’s Light the Night initiative will match the donation.

The team gave Mrs. Sullivan flowers, a symbolic check and a pair of green socks. They wanted to echo the slogan Mrs. Sullivan has obeyed, “No one fights alone!” The sentence is written on the green bracelets, along with her name.

At the Wednesday QCHS staff meeting, Mrs. Sullivan choked up as she told colleagues about the wonderful field hockey tribute. She added, “Your amazing outpouring of kindness, love and support have helped me fight this disease. I am so thankful for such caring friends and co-workers.”

Jeff Pursel Photography provided the photos above.

Seeing pink: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 17 and 19 were “pink out” days in QCSD in honor of the district’s efforts to raise money for cancer awareness and research.  Senior Meghan Lopes spearheaded the volleyball team’s event, which culminated with the Wednesday home match against Souderton. The football team will wear pink jerseys in the Oct. 19 home game against Souderton.

Both teams sold t-shirts to raise money, which will go to St. Luke’s Hospital’s program to help local cancer patients. The volleyball team’s t-shirts were gray with pink and purple. The front honored breast cancer and the back featured a twist of purple in honor of Maureen Montoney, a district parent and staff member who passed away from mesothelioma in Spring 2012. Meghan is a close friend of Maureen’s daughter Kathleen. The volleyball team is setting up a scholarship to be awarded to a senior athlete who is or has been affected directly by cancer. So $1 from each shirt will go toward this scholarship and the rest will be donated to St Luke’s for cancer awareness and research.

 

 

Homecoming Court knighted!

 

QCCHS students selected nine seniors to become members of the 2012 Homecoming Court. At the Homecoming Football Game, Kylie Clowney and Austin Henry were named King and Queen.  The high achieving, community-minded Court members are all respectful people!
 

Kylie is a member of Best Buddies, Key Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Henry, who had to quickly wipe off his football game face and smile for the cameras, is a member of the Executive Student Council, Best Buddies and Key Club.
 

Alex Dyer plays varsity baseball and hockey with the Philadelphia Revolution. Stephen Vanyo is a member of the marching and jazz bands, plays drums in a youth band called Ultraviolet, member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and volunteers at St. Isidore’s Food Bank. Dan Frasch also stepped off the football field of play. He is the NHS Treasurer, coaches youth basketball and sings with Ultraviolet. He recently wrote lyrics for a school-wide Neidig song. Video of the project will be available soon.

 

Gabe Nazarro said he watches a lot of sports, studies a lot, and is an FCA member. Morgan Kraus is a varsity cheerleader and a member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Key Club.

 

Rachel Keyser is an officer of the Gay Straight Alliance, co-edits the yearbook and works as a monster at Dorney Park! Jenn O’Neill has been a captain of a Relay for Life Team, plays softball and is a member of the German Club. Isabella Sutton is a spirited captain of the tennis team. She was nominated for a Wendy’s Heisman Award for her academic, sports and community extracurricular activities.
 

 

You can help win some iPads for Strayer students!

 

Somebody entered  teacher Shawn Storm’s name in a contest through WLEV radio. He has a chance to win free iPads for his classroom.

Click on the link below and VOTE FOR SHAWN by Oct. 30.  Shawn teaches sixth grade at Strayer Middle School. Students will benefit if he wins.
 

Click here and follow the directions.

 

 

 

Retired QCHS teacher inducted into Temple U. Hall of Fame

 

Long time QCHS teacher Doug Shobert was recently inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame for his decorated football career as an Owl. Retired QCHS teacher John Pilecki took a photo of Shobert on the Jumbotron as he accepted his award during halftime of the Temple football game against South Florida.

 

“I know Doug would want the other 2012 Temple Hall of Fame inductees mentioned,” Pilecki said, “so here they are: J.R. Read, Men's Crew, 1997-2000;  Peter Moore, Baseball, 1996-1999; Lance Johnstone, Football; 1993-1997; Mark Jackson, Men's Basketball, 1994-1997; and Danny Akerman, Men's Gymnastics, 1991-1995.

 

Shobert played football at Temple from 1969-73. One of the most decorated quarterbacks in Temple football history, Shobert earned Associated Press All-America honorable mention and second team All-East honors as a junior in 1971. A team captain as a senior in 1972, he still owns the Owls’ career completion percentage record (57%) while his 3,913 passing yards ranks sixth on the all-time list. His 26 career touchdown passes also ranks sixth at Temple. The Chalfont, PA native led Temple in passing in each of his final three seasons, leading them to winning records in each year.

 

Temple’s record during Shobert’s time behind center was 18-9-1. His two best passing yardage games came as a senior when he threw for 227 yards against Boston College and 230 yards against Delaware.

 

"The ceremony was so great. One of the best weekends of my life,” Doug told QCHS teachers. “Jen and Marta [daughters] hosted a brunch on Sunday for all the family, a few of my TU friends, and Mike Pettine [currently defensive coordinator for the New York Jets, originally from CB West]. Too cool.”

 

After retiring from QCHS, Shobert lived many years in South Africa.

 

 

 

UBCTS receives grant for new signs

 

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation of Mooresville, N.C.  has awarded a $10,000 grant to Upper Bucks County Technical School for a front entrance sign replacement project.  The replacement project will add more visible entrance signs.  The project is a joint effort among UBCTS students, Lowes and an area sign company. Students will build the signs.

 

The Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation provided 32 grants to Career and Technical schools across the nation.  UBCTS is one of two Pennsylvania Technical Schools to receive the grant. Lowes will present UBCTS with the $10,000 check at 1 p.m. Friday, October 12 on the school campus.

 

“The grant in Perkasie represents Lowe’s commitment to career and technical education,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.  “By supporting schools like Upper Bucks County Technical School, we believe we are contributing to a cause that’s important to our customers and employees by helping provide improved learning environments and build stronger communities.”

 

Brandon Pfaff, a QCHS senior enrolled in the Carpentry Program at UBCTS. Brandon, along with some other carpentry students, provided input and quotes on why a sign replacement project is important to UBCTS. His input was part of the written grant process and was crucial to UBCTS securing the grant.

 

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2010, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

 

 

QCSD teacher's input key to published educational works

 

Strayer Middle School teacher Jacki Clymer’s name appears in several books and articles that mention her extensive work with Standards Based Grading and its components. Most recently, her work appears in a book by Dylan Wiliam called Embedded Formative Assessment. Wiliam, a nationally recognized education guru on formative assessment, visited QCSD in 2005. He and Mrs. Clymer co-authored an article that ran in the December 2006/January 2007 edition of the journal Educational Leadership.

 

“When he was here, Dylan challenged us to conduct action research,” Mrs. Clymer remembered. “I sent him student achievement data from the first year I did standards-based grading in my classroom. He commented on how effective it was and asked if I wanted to write a paper.”

The article they wrote together represented a blend of Wiliam’s work and Mrs. Clymer’s practical experiences. They wrote collaboratively in cyber space and never met in person. In Wiliam’s latest book, Mrs. Clymer’s work is used as an exemplar in the section on grading. There are five pages dedicated to her examples.

 

Mrs. Clymer’s work has also been included in other books and a training binder from ETS (Educational Testing Service). She receives emails from people all over the world who have read her work. Some ask for help, others simply make a connection by complimenting her ideas. She has presented at several conferences, including the High Schools that Work, in New Orleans; the National Science Teachers Association in St. Louis; Pennsylvania’s ASCD Conference in Hershey; as well as taught workshops at the Bucks County and Colonial County Intermediate Units.
 

“I like to keep learning and to keep helping other people who want to impact student achievement,” said Mrs. Clymer.
 

 

QCSD teachers discuss state of history learning at legislative gathering

 

State Representative Paul Clymer, R-Bucks County, called together college professors and high school teachers for a meeting during the summer to discuss the state of history learning. Clymer, chairman of the state education committee, said the topic is important because “too many people take our freedom and liberties for granted.”

 

Learning Facilitator Chad Evans and Freshman Center history teacher Janet Basset represented QCSD at the meeting, held at Upper Bucks County Community College. Teachers also represented Pennridge and Palisades. Legislators asked college professors, at the outset, if they believed students came to them with background knowledge. Next they quizzed high school teachers about what they value in teaching history and what gets in the way of classroom progress.

 

Evans said discussion included whether or not rote memorization indicates college readiness. He said he told the gathering, “If I can teach kids to find information, they don’t necessarily need to memorize it. Of course it depends on the subject matter. But they need to understand context and gain background knowledge. The level of memorization can be debated.”

 

 

 

QCHS athletes attend leadership seminar

 

Six multisport QCHS athletes attended a sports psychology seminar Sept. 27 at DeSales University with Athletic Director Sylvia Kalazs to get tips about leadership. With their fall sports listed, they were Dan Frasch (football), Shelly Cowan (soccer/football kicker); Brittny Buonanno-Taylor (golf), Nick Lapinski (soccer), Liz Ebersole (cheerleader) and Meghan Lopes (volleyball).

 

The lively group met students from such schools as Notre Dame-Green Pond, William Allen (Allentown), Father Judge (Philadelphia), Southern Lehigh and Palisades. They all listened to a presentation from sports psychologist Dr. Jarrod Spencer, a former athlete from New Jersey, Lafayette College and West Chester University. He has developed a program called “The Mind of an Athlete.” He encouraged students to leap over five hurdles that typically trip up leaders. Dan said the main hurdles are anxiety and loneliness, which occur when the followers don’t agree with the leader’s decisions.

 

“He encouraged us to make healthy decisions when opportunities present themselves that aren’t so healthy,” Dan said.

 

All of the QCHS athletes said they most liked the advice about setting goals. 

 

Meghan said she always writes down goals because she likes to check them off when she reaches them. “It makes me feel accomplished,” she said.

The athletes returned to school with blue bracelets that say, “Clearer mind, better performance.”

 

 

 

Freshman Center staff, students impress visitors with 1:1 demonstration

 

The Freshman Center hosted a team of teachers and administrators from the Pennridge School District on September 24. Pennridge will begin piloting a 1:1 laptop program in October with one ninth grade team and some middle school teams. The visitors were extremely impressed to see how engaged students were in lessons and how few management issues they saw.

 

“They came to us with the goal of learning more about a typical day in a 1:1 school,” said Karen Shanton, Freshman Center Principal.  “While here, participants visited classrooms and spoke with both students and teachers.  Administrators picked our brains about how routines and protocols were developed, and were pleased to see the level of engagement among the freshman while working on various tasks.  Pennridge teachers reported that our staff and students were extremely helpful and accommodating, and expressed significant appreciation for the opportunity. They really enjoyed speaking with students.”

 

 

 

 

Art teacher will receive award

 

The Kutztown University Department of Art Education selected QCHS teacher Amy Migliore to receive the Outstanding Community Involvement Arts Advocacy Award.

 

Each year KU hosts an Annual Fall Art Education conference, during which faculty members recognize and honor arts educators who have made a difference in Pennsylvania. The awards chairwomen said they recognize Mrs. Migliore as a leader in the region and state for her Project Innovate recycling fashion show in the 2011-2012 school year. She will receive the award Nov. 16.
 

Mrs. Migliore instantly “shared” the award with colleagues who helped her “pioneer a vision on behalf of our exciting and capable students! In a time when other districts are pulling back, we found a way to give more and were enriched by it. A district’s strength lies in the hearts of its educators and staff. And that is what makes us great. We listened and watched as students excitedly worked together in a collaborative spirit on a project that was much larger than one of them alone could handle.  In a visual arts setting, where competition can sometimes be the more definitive measure,  and talent and skill levels often separate more than congregate;  our students learned to give, share, lead, cooperate and do more than they thought possible.  We surprised celebrity judges with our high level of craftsmanship and innovation and set a high standard for students in the midst of economic turmoil and academic uncertainty. I asked and you responded.  The students succeeded because we all said, ‘Yes!’”

 

QCHS Senior named NMSQT Semifinalist

 

Nice guys do finish first! Or, so far, in the semifinalist position. QCHS senior Matt Basile has been named a National Merit Scholar semifinalist, based on scores he produced in his junior year on the PSAT. In the next few weeks, he will fill out an application documenting all of his standardized test scores, including his SAT cumulative score of 2390 (out of 2400), and his extra-curricular activities. If selected, he can become a finalist, which will help him secure scholarships to pay for college.

 

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” Matt said. “I’m really hoping it will ease the financial burden of paying for college, which is expensive.”

 

In presenting Matt with the semifinalist award, Rod Stone, Principal, noted that all QCHS sophomores take the PSAT in October. Juniors can select to take the PSAT. Across the country, 1.5 million juniors took the test in 2011. Those who scored in the top 16,000 were named semifinalists. Among the applications that will pour into NMSQT offices, the top 8,000 will be selected as finalists.

 

“Matt is a good role model,” said Mr. Stone. “We want many more juniors to take the PSAT because it can open up some opportunities.”

 

Matt said he took the PSAT twice in his sophomore year and once in his junior year. He took the SAT twice during his junior year. “I did a lot of work to prepare for the tests and I do think the practice helped me.”  Matt said that although he couldn’t remember his scores from PSATs, he did think they were in the range good enough for acceptance into Stanford and MIT, his top two choices. He’s not sure about his major yet, but plans to narrow it from engineer, math or some other science.

 

Outgoing and humble, Matt does do a lot more than prepare for tests! He is president of the National Honor Society and is excited that he and his club members are ready to start working on numerous service projects. He participates in choir, Varsity Singers and Marching Band. The band participates in its first competition Sept. 29.

 

Matt is the Pennsylvania State President of TSA (Technology Student Association). His first meeting, with seven chapter presidents from across the state, will take place in October. The group will plan the state event, which takes place in the spring at Seven Springs. He also just finished constructing and installing signs at a Trumbauersville park to complete his Boy Scout Eagle badge. He blended that project with his work as a junior member of the Trumbauersville Borough Council and he will report on all of that experience for his graduation project.

 

“I do participate with a wide range of people, from music to technology and a variety of ages,” Matt acknowledged. “I feel comfortable that I find people with similar interests as mine. I think I’ve got a good balance of academic and extra-curricular activities.”

 

(Left to right, in the photo above, Mr. Stone, Matt, Guidance Counselor Doug Detweiler and House Prinicipal Michael Zackon.)

 

QCHS senior meets Chinese teacher in … China!

Derek Maseloff held his father, Andrew, to his word and went to China this summer. The QCHS senior is a fourth-year QCSD Cyber Program student in Mandarin Chinese. Andrew promised Derek that if he sticks with Chinese, he would take him to China during his senior year to meet his My Chinese 360 instructor, Ning Wu.

“I was able to use a decent amount of my Mandarin,” Derek said. “I could hold basic conversations with my dad’s business associates. But the taxi drivers were another story. It was a different dialect.”

 

Andrew originally met Wu two years ago. The Quakertown parent goes to China often on business trips, so he met Wu in an international Back-to-School Night experience to put a face with a name. A story about Andrew’s adventure ran in a QCommuniqué, and was reprinted in a blog on the My Chinese 360 webpage.

 

During his Chinese lessons, Derek does not experience the sights, sounds and smells that permeated his senses when he arrived in Shanghai. “There were areas that were nice, like Times Square, but generally, the culture was shocking. People do a lot of spitting on the streets. The subways and the alleys are smelly.”

 

During his two-week stay, Derek enjoyed many tasty meals, and liked fried milk, but did not like a fish called Yantai. “It was worse than bad. There is nothing that could help that fish,” Derek said.

 

He enjoyed nights spent in Hiltons and other western hotels, but one night he slept on a bed that felt like marble in a Chinese hotel.  They visited five cities. A trip to a sixth city was derailed by bad weather and “airline shenanigans,” Derek said.

 

Derek said he wished he could read Chinese signs better. He spent his second evening in China speaking with Ning Wu. Now, through Skype and other learning materials, they are working together on the year four curriculum, which emphasizes reading and writing. Derek said he looks forward to going back to China when he can more fluently read, write and speak the language. He would like to attend Cornell University’s Capstone Program, which offers an international component. He knows that the ability to speak Chinese will offer him a huge advantage in the business world upon graduation.

 

He conducted a bit of business while there. “I bought a copule of ceramic owls at the Great Wall and it was stupid fun bartering for the price. I did that with polo shirts, too. And I got some Gucci and Oakley sunglasses that I bartered for. They’re probably not real, but that would be disappointing to know that.”
In about a week, you can watch Derek on QCSD-TV.

 

Tohickon Valley plants a garden!

It takes a village to raise a child and a group of dedicated parents to spruce up a school’s landscaping!

 

Mrs. Manuela Bezilla brought her green thumb and Dr. John Azzatori donated time and materials to construct a stone walkway to spruce up the Tohickon Valley flag pole terrace.  Mr. Bill Mapes pitched in with his landscaping expertise to assist in the project.  Teachers, parents, support staff members, and even students contributed to the project. 

Mrs. Bezilla led the project and contributed much time.  In fact, she couldn’t stop! After planting flowers around the bus circle, she continued planting in other landscape spots around the school, including around the front entrance sign.  The Tohickon Valley PTO supported the project by purchasing the plants, flowers, and bushes for the project. 

QCHS student featured on sports website

 

QCHS field hockey player Stephanie Thompson is featured on the Suburban One Sports website. Head coach Peach Draper said she answered a query for nominations two weeks ago. She submitted reasons why Stephanie should be featured and a reporter contacted the senior.

A standout in the classroom and on the field, Stephanie went to London to watch several Olympic competitions, including field hockey, this summer.

You can read the whole story by clicking here.

 

 

 

QCHS students: Good Sports!

 

The photo is worth 1,000 words! QCHS students know how to support each other. They took their positive spirit into Alumni Field football stadium and the home gym (Panther Den) and on the road to the competition venues.

 

Affordable internet for families that qualify

 

Do you know a family in Quakertown Community School District that could use help accessing the internet at home? Comcast and Verizon offer reduced rates for families that qualify. QCSD wants students to be able to learn anytime, anyplace. Access at home is essential.

The programs allow families to communicate through email and photo sharing, do homework, search for jobs, pay bills online, watch videos and download music. You can read the flyers by clicking here and here. Print them out and share them with families you believe can benefit.
 

 

 

 

QCSD represented at White House in education forum

QCSD Superintendent Lisa Andrejko and QCEA President/Professional Development coordinator Chris Roth visited the White House August 30 as part of a Pennsylvania contingent. Thirty education leaders were invited to meet with senior policy advisors and top staff of the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE).

Of the 30, Roth was one of only two teachers. Allentown School District was represented by Superintendent Russ Mayo and Mayor Ed Pawloski. The group also included a few superintendents, five principals, a few school board members, deans and officials from higher education and a few community organizations.

“We listened to three presentations with White House officials and then they met us in small groups for our feedback and questions,” Dr. Andrejko said. “It was a long day but very, very cool to be at the White House and have the ear of top education staffers."

According to one online report of the day, Larry Feinberg of the Keystone State Education Coalition and Haverford school board member, reminded White House staff that middle-class students in well-resourced schools actually score at the top on international tests. One staff member agreed, noting, “We need more investment in public education, not less,” with a focus on early childhood education, curriculum, wrap around programs, and parent engagement. He reported on the 300,000 teaching jobs lost in recent years, noting the economic implications for the U.S. and warned that sequestration – which will happen if congress does not head off looming mandatory budget cuts this fall – will mean billions of dollars cut to Title I, special ed, higher ed, and other student programs.

Dr. Andrejko left with impressions of “security, many offices, hustle and bustle.” She had time to offer suggestions in a small group session. What did she think would come of the sessions?

“I do think some things are easy fixes,” she said. “For example, the federal grants require so much reporting and paperwork. We suggested a streamlined process reminding them that schools have had cutbacks in administration and that there are few to do this work. With the big policy issues, like testing and standards, I don’t think they understand some of the negative impact. We did ask that the president portray a more positive message about education and teachers. We explained how devalued teachers feel and the lack of respect for what we all do with kids every day. I think that message got through loud and clear.”

Roth said, “Though everyone in the meeting was there representing different roles in education and sections of the state, the passion for public education and the success of all students was clearly evident in the dialogue throughout the day.  It is the duty of all stakeholders - parents, teachers, administrators, school boards - to continuously provide feedback on the regulations and programs that are being promoted by legislators for the future of public education.  Together we can ensure the best education for all students in Pennsylvania.  Hopefully the conversation will continue.”

 

QCSD technology gurus quoted, published online

 

 

QCSD technology staff members and Superintendent Lisa Andrejko found their way into the paragraphs of more online publications this summer. First, Supervisor of Technology Joe Kuzo was quoted in a story about how school districts deal with students and their personal technology devices in school. A few weeks later, Cyber Program Technology Facilitator Todd Silvius wrote an article for CompassLearning Navigator. And on Aug. 20, Technology Director Tom Murray and Dr. Andrejko were both quoted in THE Journal, one of the largest edtech magazines in the country.

 

A reporter from the Pocono Record set out to discover how districts in the Stroudsburg area deal with students and their personal technology devices in school. In her research, she discovered QCSD’s three-year-old one-to-one laptop program and interviewed Kuzo. The story first ran in the Pocono Record and was posted online at Philly.com, powered by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News.

 

This will be the third year Freshman Center students receive district-issued laptops. Or, students can choose to bring their own. (Only 15 percent opted to bring their own computers the first year and 30 percent brought their own the second year.) Students in 10th and 11th grades will also receive laptops this school year. By the 2013-2014 school year, all high school students in grades 9-12, will have personal laptops, all year long.

 

The one-to-one initiative blends with teachers’ use of Blackboard, an online program where they post classroom notes, assignments, articles and other class details.  Students receive school email addresses so they can communicate with teachers and collaborate online.

 

"It gives kids who are hesitant to raise their hand in class a chance to be more interactive," Kuzo was quoted. You can read the entire story by clicking here.

 

Meanwhile, Silvius took matters into his own hands after reading a blog about Standards Based Learning (SBL) on the CompassLearning Navigator site. The cyber program technology facilitator had just finished working with summer school teachers and students when he read the blog. He explained QCSD’s implementation of both SBL and Standards Based Grading using online curriculum for summer school from grades 6-12.

 

Silvius’ explanation is clear and compelling reading for anyone who may still feel unsure of the value of SBL and SBG. You can read the entire story by clicking here.

 

THE Journal cover story focuses on getting students online at school and at home. Murray explained how QCSD wired all its buildings with wifi, thanks to government funding in 2008. He explained the one-to-one netbook program and the cyber program, initiated to meet student need. Comcast offers reduced rates for qualified families through its Internet Essentials program. On pages 28 and 29, Dr. Andrejko explains that blended learning (a mix of face-to-face and cyber courses) help meet student interest and need. You can read both stories by clicking here.  

 

  

 

QCHS raises money for cancer

 

The QCHS boys’ volleyball team raised $750 to help fight cancer during the spring 2012 season. Kyle Krause and co-captains Ryan Mease and Nick Grossov presented a big ceremonial check to St. Lukes. The Dig Blue event was their first such effort.