Take 5 with Dr. Friedman

Welcome to this week’s Take 5 with Dr. Friedman. Fall is in full swing, and there’s a lot happening in QCSD.

First, the K–12 Parent Informational Math Session has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 21. This is a key opportunity for families to learn about our math curriculum, course sequences, and how to support student learning at home.

This Sunday, don’t miss the 56th Annual Quakertown Halloween Parade, featuring our Quakertown Panther Marching Band and Senior Homecoming Court—be sure to cheer them on!

Our next QCSD School Board meeting is Thursday, October 23 at 7 PM. Your presence and voice are important as decisions are made that impact our schools.

We’re also proud to celebrate Mr. Nelson’s African American Literature students, who received a $1,000 grant from the Quakertown Community Education Foundation to attend a live performance that brings their studies to life.

Finally, please talk with your students about our Northern Star: The Portrait of a Graduate, which highlights the essential skills and values that prepare every Panther for success beyond graduation.

Have a great weekend, Panthers!

Dr. Matthew Friedman, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

Our teachers and administrators are committed to making this event a valuable experience for all QCSD families. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose and structure of our math curriculum, learn about the course sequence, and discover practical ways to support your student’s learning at home. Don't miss it!

Date: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST
Time: 6pm - 7:30pm
Where: Quakertown Community High School - Commons

The 56th Annual Quakertown Halloween Parade will take place this Sunday, October 19, at 2:00 PM, bringing festive fun and community spirit to downtown Quakertown. This beloved tradition will showcase a variety of local organizations, creative floats, and costumed participants. In addition to the excitement of the parade, attendees can look forward to a special appearance by the Quakertown Panther Marching Band, whose performance is always a highlight of the day, as well as our Senior Homecoming Court, proudly representing our high school. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community pride and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with family and friends.

Next Thursday, October 23rd, the QCSD administrative building will host our monthly School Board Meeting at 7pm. All members of the Quakertown community and QCSD community are welcome!

These meetings provide a great opportunity to:

• Stay informed about district initiatives, budget decisions, curriculum changes, and upcoming projects that impact students and schools.

• Have a voice by offering public comment, sharing feedback, and asking questions that can influence priorities and decisions.

• Build trust and transparency by seeing firsthand how Board members discuss issues, make decisions, and address community concerns.

• Support students and staff by showing engagement in their education and the policies that affect their daily experiences.

• Strengthen the community by fostering collaboration and shared understanding among families, educators, and district leaders.
  
  

Mark your calendars and please join us in person or online. Please visit to watch past and current board meetings:
https://www.youtube.com/@qcsdboard4511

Congratulations to Mr. Nelson and his African American Literature students on receiving a $1,000 grant from the Quakertown Community Education Foundation!

This grant will fund an immersive learning experience: a live performance of The Dutchman by Amiri Baraka at Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton, NJ. Aligned with QCHS’s Dual Enrollment curriculum, this opportunity will deepen students’ study of the Black Arts Movement and Larry Neal’s influential essay.

Following the performance, students will participate in a talk-back with the director and cast, connecting literary theory to lived artistic expression. This experience will enrich their understanding of how Black art has shaped cultural identity, social change, and political consciousness.

Thank you to the Quakertown Community Education Foundation for supporting meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Congratulations, Mr. Nelson!

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

Quakertown Community School District is excited to share our work on the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG)—a shared vision of the essential skills and qualities every student should develop by the time they graduate. Created with input from students, families, staff, and community members, the PoG identifies five key competencies our graduates will carry into college, careers, and life:

• Effective Communicators
• Problem Solvers
• Relationship Builders
• Critical Thinkers
• Self-Directed Leaders

Over the past two years, QCSD has collaborated with partners such as Battelle for Kids to design the Portrait of a Graduate framework and integrate it into classrooms across all grade levels. Teachers have been exploring what these skills look like in practice, students are learning how to apply them in real-world contexts, and principals are using them to guide instructional decisions.

By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, our goal is full implementation so that every student graduates from QCSD not only academically prepared but also equipped with the durable skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

• Expansion: QCSD partners with BCIU and Lifespan to offer four early learning classrooms (PreK Counts and Head Start), serving 60 learners—with just 1 spot still available!

• Lexia Literacy Success: So far this year, our earliest learners have earned an impressive 370 certificates in Lexia, a research-based program that supports foundational reading skills. This early success reflects their dedication and the strong support of our teachers and families.

• First in Math Milestone: QCSD K–6 students have earned a remarkable 483,394 stickers in First in Math so far this year! This engaging program supports fluency, problem-solving, and a lifelong love of mathematics. Kudos to our students for their focus and effort!