Take 5 with Dr. Friedman

Welcome to the Take 5 with Dr. Friedman - your weekly 5 updates that take 5 minutes to read!
We have exciting news to share with our QCSD community.

On October 14th, Strayer Middle School students will experience a thrilling BMX stunt show from TMA Bucks, combining high-flying tricks with important lessons in bicycle safety. Our auditorium lighting upgrade is complete, providing brighter, more versatile lighting just in time for the holiday season of concerts, theater performances, and student showcases. We also celebrate our newest National Honor Society inductees for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Staff are participating in annual safety training to support students during challenging situations, and families can stay informed about learning with Firefly Benchmark Assessments, helping guide instruction and student success.

Have a great weekend, Panthers!

Dr. Matthew Friedman, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

TMA Bucks is bringing an action-packed and educational experience to Strayer Middle School! On October 14th at 1:00 PM, students will enjoy an exciting BMX stunt show featuring professional riders performing breathtaking aerial tricks and high-energy maneuvers. Beyond the thrills, the event is designed to teach critical bicycle safety skills in a way that is engaging and relatable for students. The BMX athletes will connect their daring stunts to important lessons about road safety, proper helmet use, and responsible riding behavior, helping students understand how to stay safe while riding their bikes. This unique combination of entertainment and education promises to be both memorable and impactful for all attendees.

The QCSD Facilities team is proud to share that the auditorium lighting upgrade at Strayer Middle School has been fully completed. This enhancement provides brighter and more versatile lighting to support a wide range of events and performances. The improved system will not only elevate the visual experience for audiences but also give students and staff the tools to showcase their talents in the best possible light.

This important update comes just in time for the holiday season, when our band, orchestra, and theater programs bring the community together through concerts and performances. We look forward to seeing our students shine—both on stage and under the new lights!

Safety remains a top priority for the district, and ensuring that students, teachers, and staff feel secure in their learning environment is essential to that commitment. One key component of maintaining a safe and supportive school climate is making sure everyone knows how to respond effectively during moments of unsafe or escalated behavior.

To support this, buildings across the district are scheduling their annual safety trainings focused on verbal de-escalation strategies and best practices for supporting students during times of upset. These proactive sessions equip staff with practical tools to defuse challenging situations, maintain calm, and uphold a positive school environment.

By emphasizing planning and preparation, the district is able to minimize disruptions, keep classrooms focused on learning, and ensure that every student and staff member feels protected and supported.

They excel. They serve. They lead. They succeed. This week, we celebrated all our new and returning members of the National Honor Society! This prestigious nationwide organization, founded in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes high school students who demonstrate excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

Our students have earned this honor through their commitment to academic achievement—maintaining a 3.4 GPA—serving their community, showing leadership in extracurricular activities and projects, and upholding high standards of honesty and respect. NHS provides members with valuable opportunities for leadership development, scholarship eligibility, and meaningful community engagement.

By living out the four pillars of NHS, these students exemplify what it means to make a positive impact—both in our schools and beyond. We are proud to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments!

At Quakertown Community School District (QCSD), we are committed to providing families with a clear picture of how students are learning and growing throughout the year. One key tool we use this year is the Firefly Benchmark Assessments for students in grades 3–12.

Firefly assessments, developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in collaboration with the Data Recognition Corporation (DRC), and are aligned to the rigor of state testing. They are delivered through the DRC INSIGHT online platform—the same system used for Pennsylvania’s PSSA and Keystone Exams.

What Families Should Know:

Purpose: Firefly assessments provide teachers with valuable feedback on how well students are meeting grade-level expectations and help predict performance on future PSSA and Keystone Exams.

Subjects & Grades: Students in ELA, Math, Science, Algebra I, Literature, and Biology take these computer-adaptive assessments across grades 3–12.

Instructional Impact: Results help educators identify areas of strength and pinpoint where additional support is needed, ensuring instruction stays aligned to state standards and district curriculum.

Testing Window: The first Firefly Benchmark testing window for QCSD students will be in mid-October, with all assessments taken digitally.

By using Firefly in October and again in Febuary, we can monitor progress, set learning goals, and ensure every student has the support needed to succeed.

• Over the first month, daily attendance has averaged 98%. Thank you, families, for helping students show up ready to learn.

• We currently have 110 paraprofessionals serving our schools, with 14 openings — if you're passionate about student success, come join our team!

• 99% of eligible students completed the beginning-of-year IXL diagnostic assessment, a strong start for data-informed instruction.