Principal's Newsletter 2025-2026

It’s hard to believe, but the 2025–2026 school year is just around the corner—and we can feel the excitement building! The floors are getting that fresh shine, brand-new novels are finding their spots on classroom shelves, there’s a splash of fresh paint on the walls, and some awesome new staff members are joining our crew. It’s all coming together for what’s sure to be an unforgettable school year!

Behind the scenes, our team has been in full-on prep mode—setting up classrooms, organizing materials, and making sure every hallway, locker, and learning space is ready to roll. We’ve got our eyes set on Monday, August 25, 2025, and we’re getting everything just right for the big day!

The countdown is on, and we’re ready for a year full of curiosity, connection, and Panther pride!

With Panther Pride,

Dr. Matthew Crater
Principal, Strayer Middle School
Home of the Panthers

• August 19: 7th Grade Orientation (6:30–7:30 PM)
• August 25: First Day of School
• 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

Our Administrators are dedicated to creating a positive, safe, and supportive environment for all students. They work closely with staff, students, and families to ensure a smooth school experience—from day-to-day routines to big-picture goals. Whether it’s supporting student success, addressing concerns, or celebrating achievements, our principals are committed to helping every student thrive at Strayer!

Mrs. Kendra Swackhamer

• Administrative Assistant to Dr. Crater

Ms. Karen Succi

• Administrative Assistant to Ms. Maddon and Mr. Smith
• Attendance Secretary

Mr. Gasparetti

• Administrative Assistant for Extracurriculars and Sports

Our counselors are absolute rockstars! They’re here to help with everything — from making sure your schedule is just right, to helping you handle friendship drama, big feelings, or first-day nerves. They’re the friendly faces who welcome new students, help solve conflicts, and make sure you feel supported and safe at school. Need someone to talk to? They’ve got your back!

The PowerSchool Portal opened for students on Tuesday, August 5, 2025!
Here are a few quick updates and reminders as we gear up for the school year:

• ELA and Reading are now separate classes on student schedules — no more block periods.

• School doors open at 7:45 AM / Dismissal is at 2:55 PM.

• How to Create a Parent Portal Account

• PowerSchool Student and Parent Sign In

• If you have questions or concerns regarding your student's schedule, please complete the google form (linked here). Note: We will only make changes to student schedules if a class is missing or if the student has been incorrectly placed.

↪ Watch this short video to learn more about the class! ↩

Complete information, including details about the course and how to sign up, can be found HERE.

The Quakertown Community School District is now a full Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) district, and therefore, all students, K-12, qualify to receive free breakfast and lunch meals at school. Online/paper applications are no longer required to be processed for meal eligibility. Families that have been directly certified by the state will receive an email notification to file for their records.

Please note, this does not include a la carte items or second meals -- students would need funds in their cafeteria accounts for these types of purchases.

If your students have funds available in their cafeteria accounts and will not be purchasing a la carte items or second meals during the 2025-2026 school year, a parent/guardian on file in PowerSchool may request a refund. Please email sreiss@qcsd.org with each student's name, grade and mailing address for confirmation. Checks will only be made payable to a parent/guardian on file in PowerSchool. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing the refund from the time of request.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please email the Business Office secretary at sreiss@qcsd.org.

If you have an updated court order, please bring a copy to the main office at Strayer Middle School.
This ensures we have the most current information on file. Thank you!

Our new ADP insurance company is School Device Coverage. Please sign up online (here) for your student's school device insurance. Please note that you will need to purchase insurance directly through School Device Coverage, as QCSD will no longer be collecting payments. If your student was in 8th grade, please hold off on purchasing insurance until they receive their new device.

Welcome to Registration for the FALL 2025-2026 Athletic Programs

Note: Please use GOOGLE CHROME browser, if you don't you may have technical issues/glitches completing the registration.

TO PARTICIPATE for the First Day of FALL Practice, You Must Complete the Following:

• A Physical, PERFORMED on or after MAY 1, 2025 must be ON FILE with the Middle School Athletic Trainer.
• COMPLETE the FAMILYID Registration.

Parent/Guardian, please complete the registration form below. Once the student-athlete has been cleared by the Athletic Department and Athletic Trainer, their name will be listed on the clear to participate list. Please turn in a hard copy of PIAA Physical Sections 5 & 6 to the Middle School Athletic Trainer. Athletes must comply with a 24 hour waiting period (to process medical forms) after the receipt of physicals prior to being permitted to practice.

If you have any registration issues, questions, or problems with this site, please contact Evan Gasparetti (starting 8/19/25) Strayer Athletics Administrative Assistant (egasparetti@qcsd.org) or Brian Laiacona, Director of Athletics and Activities (blaiacona@qcsd.org).

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