Weekly Principal's Newsletter
August 17, 2025

The Panther Pulse
Oct. 11, 2026
A Senior Night Honor & Sawdust in the Shop!
Teacher Spotlight: A Full-Circle Moment for Mr. Gonce
Teaching is full of special moments, but Friday's high school Senior Night brought one that Mr. Gonce will never forget.
As part of the heartwarming high school tradition called "My Jersey, Your Impact," graduating senior James McFadden selected Mr. Gonce as the educator who made the biggest impact on his educational journey—gifting him his game jersey to wear and keep.
This honor holds extra meaning: James was in Mr. Gonce’s very first science class six years ago, back when Mr. Gonce was starting out as a long-term substitute teacher. James quickly became one of his all-time favorite students, and seeing him grow into a leader on and off the field over the years has been a true joy.
Receiving James's jersey stands out as one of the absolute coolest moments of Mr. Gonce’s career so far. It’s a wonderful reminder of the lasting connections built in our classrooms and the lifelong impact our teachers have on our students.
Congratulations to James McFadden on his Senior Night, and thank you to Mr. Gonce for the heart, dedication, and energy he brings to our school community every single day!
What's going on in Tech Ed?
Our TIDE students are diving deep into the world of manufacturing! To learn how an idea transforms into a finished product, students are designing and crafting their very own customized wooden cutting boards.
The project blends digital technology with real-world shop skills. Students start by using an online design tool to virtually lay out their cutting boards and "price out" their material ideas. After passing all required shop safety procedures, they hit the workspace—taking rough-cut lumber and using various machinery to mill, shape, and smooth their creations.
Through this end-to-end process, students gain firsthand experience in design, budgeting, safety, and woodworking (along with a good amount of sawdust!). It’s been incredible watching their digital designs come to life as tangible, handcrafted keepsakes.
Upcoming Dates
- October 12: (No School for Students)
- October 22: PTO Meeting @ Strayer (5:30pm-6:30pm)
- November 2: Picture Re-Take
- November 3: (No School for Students)
- November 6: Last day of Marking Period 1
Dr. Hoffman's Weekly Newsletter
Ski and Snowboard Club Information
Strayer students will have a few specific things to do if they would like to sign up for ski/board club. Linked here is the presentation from the ski club parent Google Meet. Reach out to mmcmaster@qcsd.org if you have any questions.
Students and parents should sign up for Remind for communication purposes (slide 10).
Join code if you already have the app: @f72ehg7
Obtain student pass and any desired add ons (slide 11). This is done through Blue Mountain.
Here is the link for Strayer Middle School for the 26/27 winter season:
https://group.shopskibluemt.com/group/register/36482007-f97a-4740-969a-9a003ddfdcd2
Group Password: 1iqLg3gqARvO
Deadline Nov 5th
Keep an ear/eye out for Pride meetings for students.
Students should join ski/board Google Classroom. Class code is: mx2haoqz
After Nov 5, please look for bus sign up/payment info. Est cost $100-$125 is depending on how many riders we have. This will be communicated and paid through Strayer.
School Counseling Corner
Strayer Athletics
QCSD Employment Opportunities
Join the QCSD Team and make a difference in the lives of young people! Check-out the QCSD Employment Opportunities. Let’s build a bright future together.
Quakertown Community Opportunities
We have lots of information on the community bulletin board. Please click here for the QCSD Community Opportunities.
