Take 5 with Dr. Friedman

Happy October, Panther Nation:

This week’s edition of Take 5 with Dr. Friedman highlights several important topics for our QCSD community. We celebrate Principal Appreciation Month, recognizing the dedication and leadership of our school principals, and how you can share words of thanks with them; exciting updates on academic programs and community partnerships that are helping to enrich our learning opportunities for our students. And finally, practical guidance on protecting your child’s device from damage, ensuring students can safely and effectively use technology to support their learning.

Have a great weekend!

Dr. Matthew Friedman, Ed. D.

Superintendent of Schools

You can find more information and sign up at the following link:

https://www.qcsd.org/page/computer-insurance-protection-for-2025-26

Our two transition-aged programs, designed to support students in developing independent living and career readiness skills, are off to a strong start this year. Both the newly launched EXCEL Program and the long-standing ASPIRE Program have already begun their community-based work experiences, with exciting partnerships with additional businesses and organizations currently being developed.

We are proud to see our students actively building connections that bridge the transition from school to adult life, while also strengthening the relationship between our district and the broader community. Their efforts exemplify the value of real-world learning and the importance of collaboration in preparing for future success.

I'm excited to share that I will be a part of the League Learning Collaboratives (LLCs), a six-month initiative bringing together superintendents and Digital Promise leaders to address critical issues in education. Grounded in the Plan-Do-Study-Act improvement cycle, LLCs provide an interactive space for district leaders to test strategies, share best practices, and scale successful approaches.

For 2025–26, the group I will be leading will focus on career readiness and workforce development - one of QCSD's strongest attributes we want to continue to strengthen.

To learn more visit:

https://digitalpromise.org/initiative/league-of-innovative-schools/league-learning-collaboratives/

The Quakertown Community School District is partnering with Jeri Thompson, a nationally recognized expert in text-dependent analysis (TDA), to enhance teaching and learning for students in grades 3–8.

TDA lessons focus on helping students closely read texts and develop strong comprehension skills, with an emphasis on understanding key elements such as characterization and theme. Teachers are guided through each lesson with a detailed Instructional Plan, which includes step-by-step support for teaching the lesson and modeling responses to TDA prompts. These lessons serve as a clear example of how to teach students to analyze texts deeply and thoughtfully.

Through hands-on professional development and coaching, Jeri works with the Office for Teaching and Learning to support teachers in designing and delivering lessons that are rigorous, engaging, and tailored to students’ needs. This helps students think critically, communicate ideas effectively, and strengthen their analytical skills.

Principals are also receiving guidance to recognize and promote high-quality analytical instruction in their schools. By creating a consistent approach across classrooms, QCSD is ensuring that students develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills essential for success in school and beyond.

Our principals play a vital role in shaping the culture of our schools, supporting students and staff, and leading with dedication every single day. This month, we want to celebrate them—and we’d love your help!

Take a moment to share a thankful note, words of encouragement, or even a lighthearted story about your favorite QCSD principal. Throughout October, we’ll make sure these messages are delivered to remind our principals just how much they are valued and appreciated by our community.

Just click HERE to share your Principal Appreciation!

• Curriculum in Action: Our educators have authored 265 courses in Atlas, delivering aligned, high-quality learning experiences for students.