Weekly Principal's Newsletter

Dear Strayer Families,

We had a fantastic week at Strayer Middle School! Our students really enjoyed the “Support Our Experiences” fundraising assembly—a fun event that brought lots of smiles while directly supporting student opportunities. Looking ahead, we’re excited to get ready for several key events: Picture Day, the Safe2Say presentation, and our upcoming Back-to-School Night.

I am incredibly proud of our students for the way they’ve started this school year. Over these first few weeks, they’ve worked hard, not only in their classes but also in completing several beginning-of-the-year benchmark assessments. Their focus and determination set a strong foundation for the months ahead.

Thank you for your continued support—we’re off to a strong start!

Dr. Matthew Crater

Principal - Strayer Middle School

Picture day will take place at Strayer middle school on Monday, September 22, 2025. Please view the attached information from Christmas City Studio.

We are excited to invite all parents and guardians to our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 18, from 6:00–8:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, learn more about the school year, and see the wonderful work happening at Strayer Middle School. Please see the attached letter for full details. We look forward to seeing you there!

On Wednesday, September 17, our students will participate in a refresher on how to use Safe2Say Something, Pennsylvania’s anonymous reporting system that empowers students to speak up about concerns related to safety or the well-being of themselves or others.

For parents: Safe2Say allows students (and community members) to submit anonymous tips via a mobile app, website, or hotline. Trained crisis center staff then work with schools and local authorities to ensure concerns are addressed quickly and appropriately. This important program helps us keep Strayer a safe and supportive place for every student.

• September 15: Parent Organization Meeting (6:00-7:00PM) @ SMS
• September 18: Back to School Night (6:00–8:00 PM)
• September 22: Student Picture Day
• September 23: No School
• October 1: Minding Your Mind Presentation (more information to come!)
• October 2: No School

Book Recommendations for September:

• The Anxious Generation by: Jonathan Haidt
• The 5 Love Languages of Children by: Gary Chapman

Welcome back, families! September is all about helping our students start the year with confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. In the counseling office, we’re focusing on:

• Transitions & Routines – adjusting to new schedules and expectations.
  

• Friendship & Community – building healthy relationships and practicing kindness.
  

• Goal Setting – encouraging students to set small, achievable goals for a successful year.

We’re excited to partner with you in supporting your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth. Here’s to a great start to the school year!

The Request for Assistance Form should be completed if you have non-urgent concerns regarding an area of your student’s educational programming that may need attention from the school team. Submission of this form does not trigger immediate intervention, but it will alert the school’s MTSS team to review your student’s data and follow up with you regarding your concern.

Reporting Student Absences: Information on how to report student absences can be found under "Attendance Information" on our website.

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.

We have lots of information on the community bulletin board. Please click here for the QCSD Community Opportunities.