QHS Presidents Bulletin - 12.24
test
Quincy High School Students and Families,
As we approach the end of another calendar year, we want to take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments of our students and the hard work of our dedicated staff. The last month has been filled with festive activities, tremendous school spirit, and a strong focus on learning.
We are excited to share our plans for the new year ahead and are committed to providing a high-quality education that fosters academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and a love of learning. On Wednesday, November 20th, we presented the 2024-2025 School Improvement Plan to the Quincy School Committee which will highlight the numerous outstanding achievements we have accomplished over the last year and outline areas in which we can improve.
Our plan can be found online here: 2024-2025 QHS School Improvement Plan.
On December 2-4, Quincy High School also hosted a team of seven local educators as part of our NEASC Decennial Visit for accreditation. The visiting team was very impressed with everything QHS had to offer including academic programs, extracurricular activities, and unlimited evidence of student learning and achievement. Over the past three years, we have made significant strides in improving Quincy High School; from enhancing our curriculum to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, teachers and staff have consistently placed our students at the center of everything we do. We look forward to sharing the full NEASC report in the coming weeks.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Keith Ford, Principal @qhsprincipalford
Ed Smith, Assistant Principal @qhsapsmith
The PAC extends a huge THANK YOU to all who donated food, drink, money, and time to help make this year’s Homecoming dance a great success! If you were there volunteering you know we had a blast making sure everyone was fed and hydrated, and no one’s jacket or bag got lost! We couldn’t have done it without your contributions and help, and we greatly appreciate your support!
The next PAC meeting will be held Thursday, January 23rd, at 6:30pm. The agenda will include a focus on planning for Senior Night Out, the overnight after prom event held at QHS.
We wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday Season and New Year.
The Quincy High School Math Team is off to a great start this year. Our third year as part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Math League, the competition season consists of 32 teams across 7 divisions competing in four meets. Already two meets in, the team has earned our current 8th place position. Our goal this year… to be one of the top ten teams earning a place at this year’s March playoffs!
We are now at the half way point of quarter two at QHS and hope you will emphasize the importance of regular school attendance with your student(s).
The Quincy School Committee Policy on attendance states that students who have more than six (6) absences in a term without a medical or professional note will automatically fail all their courses with a grade no higher than 62.
Your student’s up to date attendance report can be viewed on Aspen. Medical or Professional notes should be delivered to the QHS Health/Nurses Office in order to have the absences excused.
Consistent attendance is crucial for academic achievement, social development, and overall well-being. Please be aware that in Massachusetts, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days.
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, Quincy High School's History Bowl team won first place at the Greater Boston History Bowl varsity championships. The event was unprecedented for several reasons: 1. Quincy High hosted the competition for the first time ever, 2. Quincy High fielded two teams (A and B) and both made it to playoffs and 3. There was an historic Quincy A versus Quincy B matchup during playoffs. Both the A team and the B team qualified for the national competition in Washington, DC this April--the first time two QHS teams have qualified since the 2014-2015 season--and the A team re-qualified for the International History Olympiad in Paris this summer.
Additionally, juniors Eddie Giza and Ramona Bentzel made playoffs in the individual History Bee competition, with both qualifying for the national competition. Eddie, who ultimately took silver during finals, also qualified for internationals.
Quincy A (winner): Eddie Giza, Ramona Bentzel, Konrad Brown
Quincy B (semifinalist): Henry Purchase, Cherlin Chen, Bridget Kelley, Michael Miranda, Robert Mbrice, Lucinda Bentzel, Abheri Chanda
Team Manager: Toby Ramiz
To access Aspen please go to https://ma-quincy.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do or go to www.quincypublicschools.com and click on Aspen from the main page.
If you have any questions or encounter any issues, please do not hesitate to contact Quincy Public Schools Aspen support team via email at aspensupport@quincypublicschools.com or contact your student's school main office.
Students are participating in a Socratic seminar: “What is the American dream and does the notion still matter?” This discussion contextualizes readings Of Mice and Men, and A Raisin in the Sun.
Students in Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Chin 11th grade English class discussed the philosophies of Henry David Thoreau and how a relationship with nature can foster creativity. They spent time outside observing their environment and writing about the experience.
A group of Quincy High School vocational students recently took a field trip to American Plumbing and Heating’s headquarters in Norwell as part of outreach efforts to introduce more high school students to the plumbing craft. Full article here: QHS Students Visit American Plumbing and Heating
At the City of Quincy's 71st Annual Christmas Parade, 10 bands competed in the parade over 3 divisions separate divisions. The QNQ band took best percussion, music, and first place in Div 3. The students also won best overall band for the 4th year in a row with a historic score of 97.4!
Congratulations to all the members of the QNQ Band & Colorguard on this huge accomplishment!
This year’s 'Tis The Season event featured performances by students from the John Adams Orchestra, the Combined North Quincy High and Quincy High Concert Choirs and Select Choir, and the Merry Minstrels. The John Adams Orchestra, under the direction of Mrs. Judy Lai, played three pieces with the orchestra. Members of the choir, under the direction of Mr. Timothy Carew, performed two works with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra including four a cappella songs. In addition to the student performers, our music teachers, the Merry Minstrels, also took the stage with the orchestra to perform A Yuletide Fantasy, a new work composed by Mr. DeMarco. It was a lovely evening of music and song that brought festive cheer to the season.
QHS/NQHS Art Show/Fundraiser
This past Thursday, Quincy High School hosted a combined show of QHS/NQHS artwork. Proceeds from all artwork and raffle tickets sold at the event are being donated to Boston Children's Hospital. While this fundraiser has taken place every December since 2010, this year’s was truly special as it was the first time in the history of this event that the art students from both high schools displayed work together. The result was an outstanding showcase of our students' talent and an example of the power their artwork has to positively impact others!
On December 11th, we had our fourth advisory period, and all our students took the Culture and Climate Survey. This bi-annual survey was first administered two years ago and allows students to anonymously answer questions about their day-to-day experiences at Quincy High School so that we may develop and implement appropriate, sustainable initiatives to make targeted improvements for the QHS community.
Attendance in school for the entire day is extremely important for student success and while parents and guardians always have the right to dismiss students, we strongly encourage all students to remain in school and attend classes until the end of each and every school day.
More information on dismissals can be found here: QHS Student Dismissal Information
Listed below are the dates for the remainder of the year that day-of notes and call out dismissals will not be allowed at Quincy High School. Thank you for your attention to this important, updated, policy.
December 20 - Friday before Holiday Break
January 17 - Friday before MLK Jr Weekend
February 14 - Friday before Winter Break
March 25, 26 - ELA MCAS Testing
April 4 - Junior Prom
April 17 - Thursday before Spring Break
May 20, 21 - Math MCAS Testing
May 23 - Friday before Memorial Day Weekend
June 4, 5 - Biology MCAS Testing
If any questions or concerns, please reach out to us (617-376-3367, martinaryan@quincypublicschools.com, lindsaygardiner@quincypublicschools.com)
