Take 5 with Dr. Friedman
Happy Friday, Panther Nation!
In this week’s Take 5, I want to highlight several important updates across our district. First, I encourage all members of our QCSD community to participate in our Special Called Board Meeting on December 16 at 7 PM. Staying informed and engaged is essential to understanding the work happening throughout our district, and you are welcome to join us in person or watch live — or anytime afterward — on our YouTube channel.
We are also proud to share that Eric Gozzard, our Future Readiness Coordinator at QCHS, recently led two outstanding webinars to support families as they plan for college and career pathways. If you were unable to attend, both sessions are now available on the QCHS website.
With winter weather already upon us, this edition includes a helpful overview of the ways we communicate delays and closures to ensure our families stay informed. You’ll also find an update on the Pennsylvania STEELS Science Standards, along with suggestions for how you can support learning at home.
Finally, don’t miss our latest Panther Pride feature highlighting QCHS student Aiden Myers and his remarkable musical talent. The article, written by QCHS senior and Communications Field Study student Maggie Wilson, is well worth the read.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Panthers,
Dr. Matthew Friedman, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
1. Special Called Board Meeting – 12/16 at 7PM
The Board of School Directors of the Quakertown Community School District will hold a Special Called Meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
This meeting is being scheduled to address important district matters, and the community is encouraged to stay informed and engaged.
Location:
100 Commerce Drive
Quakertown, PA 18951
Watch Online:
If you cannot attend in person, the meeting will be livestreamed on the QCSD Board YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@qcsdboard4511
Your participation and interest help strengthen our schools and community!
We hope you will join us.
2. Future Readiness Center - Webinar Library
The Future Readiness Center recently hosted two highly informative webinars designed to support students and families as they plan for life after high school. The sessions—“Long-Term Planning for College and Trade Schools” and “Saving for College: PA 529”—offered valuable guidance on navigating postsecondary options and understanding financial planning tools. Both webinars were recorded and are now available on our website for QCSD families to access at any time.
What is the Future Readiness Center?
The Future Readiness Center is dedicated to helping students explore and understand their individual strengths, interests, and values as they consider future career pathways. By fostering collaboration among students, families, educators, and community partners, the Center works to expand students’ knowledge of opportunities available beyond high school. Its mission is to empower every student with the resources, confidence, and support needed to make informed decisions about their future.
3. Winter Weather Notifications
When there is a weather-related delay or closure, QCSD makes sure the information is shared as widely as possible. Here’s where to look, and the order our Communications Department spreads the word:
1. Your Email and Cell Phone
- This is the first step because it reaches our families directly. All staff and families will receive an email, phone call, and text with the latest updates FIRST. Make sure your contact information is up to date with us - if we don’t have your contact info, we can’t reach you!
2. QCSD Websites
- Every school homepage will be updated with a pop-up alert on all pages to make delays and closures more visible.
- Look at the Live Feed on the right-hand side of each homepage.
3. Social Media
- Updates are posted immediately across all district and school accounts:
- Facebook: QCSDSchools, QCSDRichland, QCSDNeidig, QCSDQES, QCSDPfaff, QCSDTrumbauersville, QCSD Middle Schools, Quakertown Community High School
- X: https://x.com/QCSD_Schools
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qcsd_schools"
4. Local News Outlets
- We notify WFMZ, 6ABC, and NBC so that delays and closures are listed on local broadcasts.
4. Pennsylvania STEELS Science Standards
Pennsylvania has introduced the PA STEELS standards, which stand for Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability. These standards shift science instruction from memorization to a hands-on, inquiry-based approach where students explore real-world phenomena and make sense of how the world works.
For students, this means more opportunities to ask questions, test ideas, and explain their reasoning using evidence. The STEELS standards connect learning to authentic, real-world challenges, making science more engaging and relevant. Students will use a combination of scientific knowledge, problem-solving skills, and collaboration to think critically about topics in nature, technology, and sustainability. The Science PSSA will begin assessing these standards for 5th graders starting in the 2025–2026 school year.
Families can support science learning at home by encouraging curiosity and open-ended thinking. Ask questions like, “What surprised you most?” or “Why do you think that happens?” Reinforce teamwork by celebrating your child’s ability to work with others and value different perspectives. For younger students, try simple science activities, cooking experiments, or nature walks to make observations together. For middle school students, encourage hands-on problem solving, such as helping with recycling projects, exploring how things work around the house, or discussing how technology impacts daily life. For high school students, connect classroom topics to current events, sustainability efforts, or career paths in science, engineering, and environmental studies.
5. #PantherPride - Musical Panther Aiden Myers
By: Maggie Wilson, QCHS Senior
A student at Quakertown Community High School, Aiden Myers, a dedicated member of several musical ensembles, recently received an extraordinary opportunity—an invitation to perform at an event honoring the Governor. Although the Governor was unable to attend, the experience became one of the most memorable moments of Aiden’s musical journey.
Aiden was first invited by his friend, Jeet, who asked if he wanted to play at the event. “I was ecstatic,” Aiden said. “I’ve had this goal of playing a gig somewhere since my freshman year and I finally got the opportunity.” Surrounded by accomplished musicians—including Temple University jazz student Gabe Dechellis, All-Eastern trombonist Sean Peters, drummer Jeet Satpute, and bassist Sam Olden—Aiden admits he felt nervous stepping into a group of such high-level performers.
To prepare, he relied on his usual method: “Listen, transcribe, and play.” The ensemble performed a set of jazz standards during the cocktail hour, including some of Aiden’s favorites: “Autumn Leaves,” “Well You Needn’t,” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street"........
*Do you have a student success story? Know an amazing teacher? Or a staff member who knocks it out of the ballpark? We want to hear from YOU! Share your Panther Pride story with us, and you could be featured in our next Panther Pride Post! Share your story here: https://shorturl.at/uW9Te
Did you know....
78% of our Biology students have shown positive growth on the Classroom Diagnostic Test (CDT) toward the Biology STEELS standards since the beginning of the year.
91 students are already on track for success, with many maintaining performance at the advanced and/or proficient level.
Based on current growth trends, we project that approximately 80% of students will score proficient or advanced on the Keystone Biology assessment aligned to the STEELS standards if they continue to grow at the same rate.
