QHS Presidents Bulletin - 1.25
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Happy New Year to all our valued students, parents, and families! We hope you all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating holiday season.
On January 8th, we, along with the student council, class advisors, and Deans had the pleasure of meeting with all students during class assemblies. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our students and share important information and expectations about the upcoming school year.
As we embark on a new year, we are excited to share some upcoming events at Quincy High School:
Music Department Winter Recital Night: Please join us on January 22nd for an evening of captivating performances by our talented music students. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their hard work and dedication.
Quarter Two grades close on January 24th. Please encourage your students to check their grades on Aspen, complete any missing work, and start preparing for end-of-term assessments.
Mark your calendars for February 4th for our annual STEM Fair! Students will be presenting their innovative projects that demonstrate their creativity and problem-solving skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our students and staff and look forward to a successful and rewarding 2025!
Keith Ford, Principal @qhsprincipalford
Ed Smith, Assistant Principal @qhsapsmith
The next QHSPAC meeting will be held Thursday, January 23rd at 6:30pm in the cafeteria. The agenda includes updates from Mr. Ford, fundraising, teacher appreciation, and Senior Night Out.
All parent/guardians of QHS students are welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Preschoolers from the YMCA preschoolers have visited QHS twice this year and our EEC sophomores have done a fantastic job interacting with them. They have created a welcoming preschool classroom environment, complete with developmentally appropriate activities that encourage the preschoolers to explore and engage in meaningful play.
Additionally, our high school students have excelled at managing transitions, ensuring the preschoolers move to and from the classroom smoothly and with ease. This initiative provides our students with an interactive, hands-on experience that allows them to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. It’s been wonderful to see how our students demonstrate creativity, patience, and leadership during these interactions, fostering a positive and engaging experience for the young children.
Students in AP Environmental Science and Sustaining the Future classes were given presentations by representatives from the Quincy Climate Action Network (QCAN). Topics relating to climate change causes and effects were discussed along with ways that students can get involved at both the individual and city levels.
As the end of the second quarter approaches quickly (January 24th), we want to emphasize the critical importance of regular school attendance for your child's academic 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.
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.
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.
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.
We are pleased to share Quincy's ECHS Pathway Prep Program Newsletter (linked below). A perfect opportunity for South ~ West Middle School's eligible 7th and 8th grade students to meet Early College High School staff members and participate in a variety of innovative and engaging College and Career Readiness Workshops over 5- Saturdays mornings, this past fall.
Special thanks to Marisa Smith for the design and development of this publication and the facilitation of our successful ECHS Prep Program. Our ECHS staff members who shared their craft, expertise, and Saturday mornings, we appreciate YOU!!!
Quincy College has been instrumental over the past 4 years with the planning, implementation, and reflection of each element of Quincy's ECHS Pathway Program. We are grateful and extremely appreciative of our collaborative partnership!!!
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Early College has provided the guidance, support, and funds to support various Quincy ECHS Pathway elements, ensuring our students succeed beyond high school. Thank you, Phylitia Jamerson!!!
For the second session, on January 22, the committee collaborated with Terrell Johnson and the Student Support Team, as well as School Administration, to develop a script enabling homeroom teachers to facilitate the Start with Hello training from Sandy Hook Promise during Advisory.
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.
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
STEM Sparks brought the holiday spirit to life with a delightful Gingerbread House Contest on Thursday, December 12, in the cafeteria from 3:30 to 5:00 PM. The event was filled with laughter and creativity as participants—ranging from young children to QHS students—had a blast building and even sneaking bites of their delicious gingerbread creations. A special shoutout goes to Ms. Niosis from the Culinary Department for baking the gingerbread and crafting the magical "icing snow," which was a crowd favorite. It was a sweet and memorable way to celebrate the season together!
Congratulations to QHS Seniors: Robert Mbrice, Michael Miranda, and Marcus Pham who were honored at an Eagle Scout Ceremony on December 15th and invited their social studies staff Ms. McMillen and Mr. Bell to attend as guests.
If any questions or concerns, please reach out to us (617-376-3367, martinaryan@quincypublicschools.com, lindsaygardiner@quincypublicschools.com)
- Hats, gloves & coats are available in the nurse’s office for those who need them.
- Visit the nurse’s office or drop your name in one of the “nurse” boxes located around the building and we will call you down anonymously.
Congratulations, Alyssa Hopps!
Congratulations to Senior Captain Alyssa Hopps on reaching the 1,000-point scorer milestone! Alyssa becomes just the 8th player in Quincy High School Basketball history — and the 5th female — to achieve this incredible accomplishment. She is the first player to hit the mark since Allison McMorrow did so in 2020. This milestone is a testament to Alyssa’s hard work, dedication, and leadership on and off the court. We are so proud of her and can’t wait to see what more she’ll accomplish in the season’s final stretch. Way to go, Alyssa!
The National Business Honor Society members, along with many members of the QHS staff and their families, generously donated gifts to Toys for Tots this holiday season! Thanks to everyone who donated! Also, thanks to our annual donation center, Meineke Muffler located on Southern Artery.
On Saturday, December 12th, members of the QHS hockey team and the Athletes for Action club, had the pleasure of assisting with Wreaths Across America Day. We are so proud of these young athletes for giving time on a Saturday to help out! Special thanks to Mrs. Kopp who joined them at the event!
