Weekly Principal's Newsletter
August 17, 2025

The Panther Pulse
Oct. 18, 2026
Panther Pride on Display: Celebrating Our 2026 Fall Fundraiser Winners!
Some of our Strayer Panthers recently celebrated the rewards of their hard work during our 2026 Fall Fundraiser! The annual fundraiser supports key student programs and activities throughout the school year. Thanks to the incredible support of our families and community, students this past Tuesday were able to earn exciting incentives based on their sales tiers.
Bingo Party Fun Students who reached Level 2 ($60+ in online sales) earned an invitation to our high-energy in-school Bingo Party to play for some awesome prizes! Those reaching Level 3 ($80+ in sales) also unlocked the VIP Bling Duck "Sunny," which granted them an extra Bingo Card for even more chances to win.
Ultimate Prize: Tour of Lincoln Financial Field For our top fundraisers, the excitement extended beyond the classroom! Students achieving Level 5 ($300+ in sales) earned an exclusive, all-access VIP tour of Lincoln Financial Field. Level 7 sales champions ($600+) even got to bring a friend along for the ride. The group took a trip down the turnpike to Philadelphia, where they went behind the scenes to explore the home of the Eagles—a memorable experience celebrating their exceptional dedication!
A heartfelt thank you to all the students, parents, and supporters who made this year’s fundraiser such a resounding success!
Best Buddies Fall Fun in the Courtyard!
Best Buddies held their very first after-school event of the year, and it was a giant success! Members gathered in the school courtyard under beautiful, sunny autumn skies for a fall pumpkin painting afternoon. Buddies paired up to paint, shared snacks, listened to music, and enjoyed great conversation while creating colorful pumpkin masterpieces. It was a wonderful afternoon of friendship, inclusion, and fall fun. Thank you to all the students and advisors who made our first gathering so memorable!
A Senior Night Honor
Every year, the seniors of Quakertown Community High School participate in a beloved tradition that celebrates gratitude, mentorship, and the meaningful relationships built throughout their time as students. It’s called “My Jersey, Your Impact.”
This tradition gives our senior athletes the opportunity to present their sports jerseys to teachers or staff members who have made a significant impact on their high school journey. Quite a few seniors returned to Strayer Middle School to honor their former teachers!
- Holden Tomlinson honored his former teacher, Ms. Cravener, for “inspiring a deep love of math and problem-solving in me.”
- Brenden Gartland honored Mr. Carty. “I had Mr. Carty for 6th Grade Science and 8th Grade Math. I always looked forward to his class each day because he made learning fun and enjoyable.”
- James McFadden honored Mr. Gonce. “I chose Mr. Gonce because he has taught me a lot that will benefit me in the classroom, but more importantly, in the real world. He has made a positive impact on my life and has helped me improve as a student and an everyday person.”
Mr. Gonce and James M.
Mr. Carty and Brenden G.
Mrs. Cravener and Holden T.
Upcoming Dates
- 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
- November 9: First day of Marking Period 2
- November 19: National Juniors Honors Society (NJHS) Induction
- November 24: 1/2 Day for Students / Conferences
- November 25 - 29: Thanksgiving Break
Dr. Hoffman's Weekly Newsletter
Red Ribbon Week! (10/26-10/30)
Our school is getting ready for Red Ribbon Week® 2026! This year’s theme is “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™”
Throughout the week, our students will have many opportunities to learn about making healthy, positive choices and being a difference-maker in our school and community. Students will participate in daily spirit days, special morning announcements, classroom activities, and a school-wide door decorating activity centered around the Red Ribbon Week message.
We hope these activities encourage students to think about the choices they make, the influence they have on others, and what it means to be a hero in their everyday lives.
We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by talking with your child about making healthy choices, handling peer pressure, and being a positive influence on others. Ask your child about the Red Ribbon Week activities happening at school and what they learned!
Fact: Children of parents who talk to their children regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations. Visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week® and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or a dear friend.
Together, we can make a difference, be a hero, and help our students stay drug free! ❤️🩹
See Flyer below for spirit days
Second Step Lessons
7th Grade: Learning from Obstacles
Summary: This week’s lesson will help your child recognize that obstacles and challenges are a natural part of learning. They'll explore how facing difficulties and working through them can lead to growth and improvement.
Question: Share a time when you faced a challenge and how you worked through it. Ask your child about an obstacle they have encountered and what they learned from it.
8th Grade: Motivation Factors 1
Summary: This week’s lesson will introduce two important factors that affect motivation: success expectation and value. Your child will consider how their belief in their ability to succeed and how much they value a task influences their motivation.
Question: Tell your child about a time when you doubted your ability to do something but succeeded anyway. Ask them about something they feel confident doing and something they’re less sure about. What might help them feel more capable?
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.

