Dear Students, Families, and Community Members,

May is always a whirlwind of excitement and celebration and this year is no exception! We've had a fantastic spring, filled with academic achievements, artistic expression, and community spirit. We are incredibly proud of our students' hard work and dedication in all areas.

As we move through this month, we want to emphasize the importance of consistent attendance. We are now two weeks into our May Attendance Challenge and encourage everyone to be present and engaged every day. Students who maintain excellent attendance throughout May will be entered into a drawing to win gift cards! Prizes range from $25 to $200, so make every day count!

A reminder that all grade 10 students will be taking the Math MCAS this Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20th and 21st. On these days, 10th grade students should arrive at 7:30 AM with their fully charged QPS chromebook. Student testing locations are posted outside of the main office, student support office, and deans office.

For these important testing days, QHS will follow an adjusted schedule and grades 9, 11, and 12 will have a delayed start to the school day starting at 10:20 on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

This is a busy but exciting time, especially for our seniors as they prepare for graduation. Let's finish the year strong, with high attendance, active participation, and a celebration of all that our students have accomplished.

Keith Ford, Principal @qhsprincipalford

Ed Smith, Assistant Principal @qhsapsmith

Consistent attendance is crucial in high school as it directly impacts academic success, improves understanding of course material, and enhances engagement in class discussions. Regular attendance also helps students develop important life skills, like punctuality and responsibility, which are essential for future success.

Consistent attendance is fundamental for:

• Academic Achievement: Every day in class provides valuable instruction and opportunities to learn. Missed days can significantly impact a student's understanding of key concepts and their ability to keep pace with the curriculum.
• Building Strong Foundations: High school is a crucial period for building essential academic skills and preparing for future success. Regular attendance allows students to develop strong study habits, build relationships with teachers, and participate fully in classroom activities.
• Social and Emotional Growth: School provides a social environment where students develop valuable social skills, build friendships, and learn how to navigate social situations.

Please be aware that in Massachusetts, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days. 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.

Quincy High School students recently showcased their talents and dedication at the 51st SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference. Representing our school with pride, they engaged in various competitive events, demonstrating their expertise and commitment to their respective fields. This valuable experience provided them with opportunities for growth, networking, and recognition of their hard work.

We are excited to announce that QHS PAC raised $3,598 in our QvsNQ fundraiser!
WE DID IT!!! 💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍💙

THANK YOU to the QHS community for supporting this fun initiative and helping us throw an AMAZING send-off event for our seniors!!

The QHS Senior Night Out after prom all night extravaganza is coming up May 31st - June 1st! Next week watch for an email with more information on how to get involved and sign up to volunteer - we need help from the entire school community (not just parents/guardians of seniors) to make it happen, and we can’t wait to see you there! 🎉

🎉🤩🎉VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SENIOR NIGHT OUT (SNO)!

🥳 Thank you to all who have already signed up to help at SNO, we can’t wait to see you there!

🚨 There are still many open timeslots for volunteers. We cannot successfully run this all night, fantastically huge, amazing party for 400+ attendees safely and smoothly without help from the entire school community (especially parents/guardians of students grades 9-11!).

⏰ Volunteers are needed in various timeslots starting at 2pm, Saturday May 31st - 5am Sunday, June 1st.

‼️ Have kids telling you not to sign up? Don’t worry about it! Help set up before they get there, take a “behind the scenes” role in the coat/bag check, or join the early morning clean up crew, they won’t even know you were there.

✅ Unable to volunteer? We are also seeking food and drink donations for the event.

🔗 Please follow this link for more information and to sign up and/or donate!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A49AEA82BAAF94-56711716-quincy

😊 Any time you can spare and all donations are greatly needed and appreciated! We literally can’t do this without you.

🐂 REMINDER for parents/guardians of seniors and their guest who will attend SNO: Please remember to have your child(ren) complete the required waiver for the mechanical bull and bring it to SNO, or they will not be allowed to ride. 18+ can complete their own, under 18 must have a parent/guardian signature. Waivers can be pick up in the Dean’s Office. Thank you!

Questions? Want to get involved but don’t like sign-up genius? Email the PAC: QHSPAC@gmail.com

Connect with us!

Join our Facebook Group! Search for: “Quincy High Parent Advisory Council (PAC)”

Follow us on Instagram: @QHSPAC

Email us: QHSPAC@gmail.com

The Stage Tech Class collaborated with the CVTE programs for the annual Fashion Show. The class designed and built the runway that juts out into the audience allowing for a 360 degree view of all the custom garments. Students in the stage tech class designed, drafted, constructed, and painted the runway structure.

The Quincy High School Drama Club has been meeting afterschool and experimenting with playwrighting. A group of 10 to 15 students have been writing scenes revolving around the theme of "Relationships". Students will brainstorm prompts that will then be used to influence the writing process. The group of young playwrights hope to share some of their work with the rest of the club in the near future.

Harvard’s Program for International Education (HPIE) brought their college undergrads to Quincy High School to offer students an opportunity to consider, and collaborate-to- solve, current world concerns. This semester’s program, Beacons of Hope: Those Who Aid a World in Need, highlighted the “inspiring stories of people who provide hope and help during challenging times.” During history class, students learned about such organizations including the World Central Kitchen, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the White Helmets.

Students were tasked to work in groups to identify a local or global concern, and to develop a program (including funding) to bring about the needed change. The program culminated with a full-day field-trip to Harvard’s campus where students fine-tuned their projects and presented them to HPIE staff and their peers. Very thoughtful and creative responses to making the world better included ways to help the homeless. The winning presentation addressed “Distributing Feminine Hygiene Products to Those in Need.” Team members were Faiha Chaani, Misty Ly, Samantha Patten, Chris Romeo, and Hiranshi Shah.

While at Harvard, students also participated in a hands-on research activity at the Schlesinger LIbrary. Students viewed archived documents including mission statements, press releases, and budgets for non-profit organizations including Boston’s First Night and the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail. Students also got to meet Sasha, Harvard’s Community Engagement Labrador Retriever.

The familiar buzz of the high school greenhouse is back this year, a vibrant hub of green thanks to the dedicated efforts of the horticulture classes. Under the guidance of their science teacher, Mr. Imhoff, students have breathed new life into the space, tending to seedlings and cultivating growth. It's wonderful to see this valuable learning environment thriving again this year.

The QHS freshman Life & Physical Science students, under the instruction of special education science teacher, Ms. Murphy, participated in a hands-on field study exploring native and invasive species around the Quincy High School campus. During the activity, students identified and recorded various insects, plants and animals, researched whether each species was native or invasive to the area, and discussed the important roles these species play in our local ecosystem. This outdoor investigation gave students the opportunity to apply concepts learned in class to real-world observations, helping to deepen their understanding of environmental science.

Mock Interviews with Welding and Metal Fabrication Senior students were completed with the help of Community partners, Cannistraro & Cox Engineering. This is an awesome experience that has worked out great in the past, as these interviews have turned into career opportunities for students. Than you to Brendan Cunningham for assisting with this and helping us get these community members who have been vital to us over the past couple years.

On Friday, May 2nd, seniors from our plumbing program had a unique opportunity to visit the construction site of the new Quincy Police Department, thanks to an invitation from Suffolk Construction and the City of Quincy.

Students toured the jobsite and got a firsthand look at the progress being made. They also learned about the construction process, from foundational work to plumbing installation and overall building systems. It was a great experience for our students to understand how these projects come together.

This past month has been a busy month for our Big Futures Students! On April 30th, we took 23 students to Google to explore career opportunities, tour the office space and meet a variety of individuals employed in different capacities within Google. These students got to meet some of the engineers that work on the most ubiquitous features of our lives including the status bar on their Android phones as well as Google Flights! They also were provided with a delicious lunch during which Google employees rotated between their tables and talked to them about how they got to work at Google, the details of their day to day, and much more! It was a great day, and we have a few more exciting events to come!

On Thursday, May 15th we are taking another career exposure field trip to Blueprint Medicines in Cambridge! On this trip students will engage in a variety of activities including an exploration of Blueprint’s state of the art labs and facilities, a game of “Jeopardy!”, individual time with scientists and other stakeholders, as well as a collaborative activity centered around the scientific work Blueprint engages in.

We are also having our End of Year Celebration on June 5th at QHS! Like each of our events, we will provide food and engaging activities for all of our students, families, and mentors who choose to come! We are looking forward to seeing you there!

If your student is not currently enrolled in the Big Futures Program, but is interested in having caring adult role model, going on fun and explorative field trips, and participating in program wide community building events please contact Program Coordinator Aaron Gordon at agordon@emassbigs.org.

The QNQ Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, and the Quincy High School Junior Choir recently participated in the highly esteemed Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) Concert Festival. This prestigious event brings together over 10,000 music students from across Massachusetts, with performances from bands, choirs, and orchestras at multiple locations throughout the weekend. The festival provides students with the invaluable opportunity to perform, receive constructive feedback, and celebrate their passion for the arts.

The QNQ Symphonic Band, directed by Mr. Cavanaugh, and the QNQ Wind Ensemble, led by Mr. DeMarco, both earned Silver Medals for their performances. The Quincy High School Junior Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Compitiello earned a Bronze Medal.

These achievements reflect the dedication and hard work of all the students involved. Congratulations to each of these talented ensembles for their performances and well-earned success at this prestigious event!

This April, Quincy and North Quincy High Schools came together to celebrate the season with two incredible nights of music. The Spring Choral Concert on April 8 at Quincy High featured performances by the Quincy High School Junior Choir and Soprano/Alto A Cappella (directed by Mrs. Compitiello), as well as the North Quincy High School Junior Choir, Quincy High Concert Choir, North Quincy Concert Choir, Tenor/Bass A Cappella, and the Quincy/North Quincy Select Choir, all under the direction of Mr. Carew. The concert also featured several talented soloists, including many of our seniors, whose standout performances added an extra layer of excitement and emotion to the evening.

Then on April 10, the spotlight shifted to North Quincy High for the Spring Band Concert, where the QNQ Symphonic Band (directed by Mr. Cavanaugh) and the QNQ Wind Ensemble (directed by Mr. DeMarco) delivered a powerful night of music. Both events showcased the students' talent, teamwork, and months of hard work—and left the audience cheering for more!

Students from Quincy High School and North Quincy High School in the TEACH program recently participated in a field trip at the Museum of Science where they were recognized for their outstanding contributions through the "Students in Service" initiative. During the event, students proudly presented on the meaningful work they accomplished in collaboration with QCARE and Raising Multicultural Kids. Their presentations highlighted efforts to support community engagement, promote diversity, and foster inclusive environments for youth. This event served as a celebration of their dedication, leadership, and commitment to making a positive impact.

From left to right: Kim Connolly (Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Lola Kelly (NQHS), Henry Tang (QHS), Samantha Chen (NQHS), Elly Yang (NQHS), Niliany Tejeda-Diaz (QHS), Sianna Tucker (QHS), Bushra Shah (QHS), Benjamin Nguyen (QHS), Hamaad Ansar (QHS), Hadiya Saquib (QHS), Jenna Tenaglia (TEACH Advisor/Special Education Teacher Snug Harbor)

On Wednesday, May 14, we held our final Advisory Period of the 2024–2025 school year. The focus was on celebrating each other and reflecting on our time at Quincy High.

Seniors marked the occasion by gathering in circle discussions to reflect on their QHS journey, watch a special video, and write letters of gratitude, bringing their two years of Advisory to a meaningful close.

Meanwhile, grades 9-11 watched a live, student-led panel featuring seniors Josue Silva, Henry Tang, Madison Miller, Joyce Lukelo, Ashling Byrne, Aimma da Silva, Cameron Lynch, and Timothy Long. They shared thoughtful advice on academics, extracurriculars, social life, and planning for the future. The panel included plenty of laughs—and a show-stopping solo performance from Joyce, who took song requests to close out the panel! Sophomore Elizabeth Cordero and Freshman Vishnu Charan Kodalavuru moderated the panel.

It was a memorable way to end Advisory for the year and to celebrate the connections, growth, and spirit that make QHS such a special place.

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.

May 20, 21 - Math MCAS Testing

May 23 - Friday before Memorial Day Weekend

June 4, 5 - Biology MCAS Testing

We are pleased to share Quincy's ECHS Pathway Prep Program Newsletter. Congratulations to the 44 students from Point Webster Middle School who successfully completed Quincy’s ECHS Pathway Prep Program, a groundbreaking initiative! Over five Saturdays this March, selected 7th and 8th graders participated in various sessions focused on college and career readiness and the promotion of Early College High School, covering topics such as communication, leadership, statistics, STEM, and technology, all tied together by a theme of community service learning. Students acquired essential skills in leadership and teamwork while building connections with reliable and knowledgeable ECHS staff.

We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work shown by all the students involved! Quincy’s Early College High School Pathway Prep Program was launched thanks to our partnership with Quincy College and grant funding from the Early College Department of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Special thanks to Marisa Smith, ECHS Prep Program Facilitator and ECHS Staff, including Roger Bacchieri, Christopher Comer, Matthew Edgerly, Daniel Gould, Edward Merrigan, Corey Spellman, and Eli Stewart who made this initiative what it is...A TRUE SUCCESS!!!

Allergy Season:

Quincy High School Health Office has seen many students who are suffering from seasonal allergies. We are unable to give any allergy medication (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc) at school. Please remind your student to take their seasonal allergy medication before school.

10th Grade: Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulation (M.G.L. chapter 71, section 57) requires a recent physical examination and updated vaccine record for 10th grade students. The physical exam must be completed within the current school year.

If your child has had a physical examination, you can please send it into the Quincy High Health Office along with the updated vaccine record. You may have your child bring it to school in the fall, have it faxed to 617-376-1236 or email it to martinaryan@quincypublicschools.com at any time.

Field Trips:

If your student has a medical condition such as diabetes, seizures, asthma, or allergies that require medication, there should be a current action plan on file in the nurses’ office. Any time the student leaves school for a field trip, the student should have their medical supplies (inhaler, EpiPen, Insulin, etc.) on them. Approval for students with diabetes and/or seizure disorders will be made individually with their doctor and school nurse.

If a student does not have their medication when leaving the building, 911 will be called by a staff member in response to any emergency during this time.

Prom:

Senior prom is May 30th and the nurse's office has some prom dresses and suits available. Stop by the office if you need one!

If any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at 617-376-3367 or martinaryan@quincypublicschools.com, marcquigley@quincypublicschools.com

As we approach the end of the Spring season, it’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. With just a few weeks remaining, the Quincy High Athletic Department would like to take a moment to thank all of our senior student-athletes. Your dedication, leadership, and commitment have left a lasting impact on our programs, and we wish you nothing but success in all of your future endeavors. You've made Quincy proud—on and off the field.

We would like to extend a big Congratulations to Quincy High’s Patriot League Scholar Athletes of the Year: Destiny Francis and Gabriel Gentil! Both Destiny and Gabriel have truly exemplified what it means to be student-athletes, excelling in competition and in the classroom. Your hard work and character have set the standard for others to follow.

Gabe will be heading off to UMass Boston next year to study Pre-Dental, we know he’s going to make a great dentist someday, and we can’t wait to get our teeth cleaned by him! 😄

Destiny will be continuing her volleyball career at Tufts University next year we know she’ll be an All-Conference player in no time! where she’ll be studying Biology Chemistry and she will pursue becoming a Doctor.

Quincy High School proudly honored two outstanding young student athletes, David Dema and Abdul Kurdi, for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to the tennis program. Both athletes have exemplified what it means to be committed teammates and positive role models on and off the court. Their hard work, sportsmanship, and passion for the game have left a lasting impact on the team and the Quincy High community. The Quincy High School Athletic Department would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to David and Abdul for all the effort they have put in throughout their time with the program. We wish you nothing but the best of luck in all your future endeavors—you will always be part of the Quincy Athletics family.

As the Spring season hits its final stretch, you can follow the latest Power Rankings and team progress by checking out the link below. Stay updated and cheer on your Presidents as we finish strong!

[MIAA Power Rankings here: https://www.miaa.net/tournaments/tournament-central/power-rankings]

Updated MIAA Power Rankings: as of May 16th

· Boys Tennis - #30 in D1 · Girls Lacrosse - #33 in D1 · QNQ Boys Lacrosse - #41 in D2 · Boys Volleyball - #42 in D1 · Girls Tennis - #48 in D1 · QNQ Softball - #43 in D1 · Baseball - #59 in D1

For this school year we will be live streaming our home games using Hudl TV (link below) we will no longer be on YouTube. Hudl TV is where many of our opponents will also be live streaming their games so you can follow you favorite teams even on the road!

https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ma/quincy/organization/10723/quincy-high-school

Schedules and Scores: View the schedules and scores for all of our teams

Live Streaming: Watch our home games live on Hudl TV

Register for Athletics: Register for athletics in the upcoming season.

QHS Athletics Team Store: Shop online to support your favorite Presidents' teams!

On May 14th, representatives from Lan Tel Communications stopped by QHS to speak with our senior students about careers opportunities in technology integration and emergency response systems.

As part of the visit, students were given a tour of Lan Tel's state-of-the-art mobile command vehicle. The vehicle, typically used for emergency operations and large events, is equipped with communication equipment and surveillance systems. Students were able to step inside this high-tech unit, ask questions, and learn how such vehicles are used in real-world situations to ensure public safety.

Quincy High School is filled with before and after school clubs and activities and we hope your student will get involved! Below is a sample of all that is already happening at QHS this fall. Here is a list of the QHS Clubs and Activities for 2024-2025.

The Class of 2025 students are excited to finish out their senior year strong! In addition to the posted dates, they are looking forward to: commitment shirt day on the 23rd followed by prom on the 31st! Make sure to follow our Instagram for details about senior spirit week coming soon!

Saturday, May 31st 6:00-10:00pm

The Marriott - 1000 Marriott Dr. Quincy MA, 02169

Sr Prom 2025:

• Entry time: 5:15pm QHS Rotunda Entrance - students will check-in at QHS. Doors open at 5:15 and buses will begin leaving at 6:00pm.

• End time: 10:00pm - students will begin being transported back to QHS by bus

• Transportation: students must take the buses to and from prom

• Bags/coat check: backpacks and overnight bags will be checked upon arrival at QHS

Senior Night Out:

• Seniors who do not wish to attend prom are still welcome to attend SNO

• Event time: 10:30pm-5:00am

• Make sure to bring a change of clothes

• Students attending SNO will go directly from the buses into QHS

• Guardians will be contacted for any students leaving prior to 5:00am.

Student Expectations:

• All vehicles are subject to inspection

• All students will be searched prior to admittance

• Quincy High School Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced

• If a student violates handbook policy they will need to be picked up by a guardian

  • If a student’s outside guest violates the handbook policy both the guest and QHS student will need to be picked up by a guardian

Junior Prom was an absolute blast this year! From start to finish, the energy was high and everyone seemed to be having an amazing time. DJ Tuck kept the dance floor packed all night with a fantastic mix of music that had everyone on their feet. A big thank you goes out to the dedicated security team, the deans, and the chaperoning teachers who ensured everything ran smoothly and safely, allowing us all to enjoy such a memorable night.

Thank you to: Deans Mr. Ramponi, Mr. Carey, and Ms. Torpey. Security Team: Mr. Spendlove, Mr. McInnis, Ms. Kelly, and School Resource Officers Callahan and Frasso. Class Advisors: Mrs. Anderson and Mr. Lane. Teachers: Mr. Yu, Ms. Cahill, Ms. Halverson, Ms. Hoyt, Ms. Golden, Ms. Clifford, Mrs. Ryan, Ms. Broughton, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Alzened, Ms. Melter

The Class of 2027 has been hard at work planning fundraisers and already starting to plan Junior Prom next year! Stay tuned for more updates, and follow us at @qhs_2027 for more information!

The Class of 2028 is wrapping up an awesome freshman year - and what a ride it's been! We showed up during Spring Spirit Week, taking over the A1 hallway with orange and dominating in scavenger hunt musical chairs, showing everyone that the Class of 2028 is making its mark! Our candy fundraiser was a sweet success, and we're already making plans for one final fundraiser to celebrate the end of the year in early June. Follow us on Instagram @qhs.2028 for more details! Roll Hats!

Earlier this month, you likely saw many QHS students participating in Cleaner, Greener Quincy, the annual city clean up event! Our student have also been busy helping with middle school sports and spring music events across the city.

Class of 2025-With only a few days to go for our seniors, we down to 62 students who have not yet fulfilled the graduation requirement. We hope all of those students have a plan to complete their hours before senior sign out! All together the class of 2025 has work for 12879.5 hours of service! We have a new leader for the seniors, Ali Gouty with 378 hours! WOW!

Class of 2026-Senior sign out for the Class of 2026 will be here before we know it! Hopefully, the 162 members of this group who have no hours have a plan to work on them this summer. In this group, 114 students have already completed the 30 hours needed for graduation. In total, the class of 2026 has finished 7,639 hours. Our Community Service Leader for 2026 is Audrey Tallent with 168 hours of service! Impressive!

Class of 2027-Our Sophomores have also been busy helping the community this month. As a group they have already finished 5,127 hours. The leader for the 10th graders is still Winnie Huang with 261 hours! Way to go Winnie!

Class of 2028-Many of the freshmen class has gotten a great jump on community service. We would love to see our 9th graders work this summer at an opportunity and get some job experience and (hopefully) a great reference for future employment. So far, this group has finished 1228.5 hours and the leader is Joshua Chen with 161 hours! Way to make us proud Joshua!

Any students who have questions or need help finding a place to complete hours should check the google classroom or see Ms. Matthews in D219.