So excited to be back!

So excited to be back!
Posted on 09/14/2020

Good morning, Quakertown!


Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!  Our faculty, staff, principals, and administrative team are thrilled and ready for beginning a new school year. Over the past month and a half, teachers and support staff have participated in training, so they are more than prepared for any eventuality that may come our way!  Our teachers simply can not wait to have your child(ren) back in their classrooms, albeit virtual or live. I cannot believe it has been six months since we have all been together.  


So many thanks that need to go out to all who got us ready for our opening today!  First, I would like to thank the Board of School Directors for unflinchingly giving of their time, wading through the reports, statistics, sitting through five-hour meetings, responding to community and administration’s emails, and giving us their best work for school reopening!  Thank you!  Next, I would like to thank the myriad of people who work in the District Services Center who worked behind the scenes all summer. Amongst all the turmoil and indecision, bills needed to be paid, purchase orders needed to be completed and submitted, and we needed to financially close out one school year and begin another.  While our finance team has been extraordinary financial wizards, facing a potential $6 million shortfall this year, every decision we and they make are incredibly important.


Finally, I would like to thank the Reopening Schools Task Force, the Work Groups leaders for Health & Safety, Equity, Social-Emotional Learning, and Virtual, and the more than 100 people who led and supported this effort.  Special thanks to Task Force Co-leaders Nancianne Edwards and Dr. Lisa Hoffman for their tireless efforts, work ethic and organizational skills.  Years ago, to save money, we significantly reduced the district administrative overhead. We do not have the financial capability to have depth in people. These two people, along with their teams, made a huge difference in getting ready for whatever COVID-19 throws our way.


The QCSD webpage has so many links to help you with answers to your questions (Parent FAQ).  Here is a link to the latest QCSD Newsletter that was published last week.  Part of our great news is that Neidig Elementary School reopened today after a 15-month construction project.  Check out the pictures of our beautiful new school!   


There is excitement and positive energy in the air as we reopen school. We appreciate your many “best wishes.”  I do realize from some of your emails that there is also stress about the beginning of this new school year.  This is totally understandable, especially as changes in enrollment, instructional method, schedules, staffing, and transportation continue to occur.  These changes happen every school year, but cause heightened stress this year.  Please know that the health and safety of everyone in our schools is at the forefront of our daily planning, and know our commitment to doing the absolute best we can in every situation.


Let kindness, grace, patience, and thoughtfulness be our mantra and theme this year as we get back to school.  We are the Quakertown Community School District. Let’s work together to make it a great year! 


Thank you!


Bill Harner

Superintendent, QCSD

[email protected]

@BillHarner


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