QHS Presidents Bulletin - 11.25
Dear Students, Families, and Community Members,
Thank you to all who attended our first of two Teacher Conference Nights on Thursday. These conferences are a crucial opportunity to connect with teachers and discuss your student's progress as we head into quarter two at QHS. Our second conference night is this Tuesday, November 18th from 5:30-7:30 PM. There are still teacher time slots available so sign up here!
A reminder that quarter one grades have been posted in Aspen along with student attendance records. There are more details below on how to login to Aspen to view your students report card and attendance report.
Looking ahead we have a jam-packed few weeks as we kick off a major celebration of student talent, spirit, and pride! The John & Abigail Adams Scholarship Ceremony is November 19, Spirit Week begins November 20, and the Drama Fall Production runs November 20, 22, 23.
We hope all students will join us at the Homecoming Dance for a fantastic evening of music, celebration, and memories this Friday, November 21, from 6:00-9:00 PM in the QHS Gymnasium. Reminder: there will be no call-out dismissals on the day of Homecoming and no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets go on sale at all lunches Monday!
We will wrap up this exciting stretch with our annual fall rally on Wednesday, November 26th. We look forward to celebrating our students and school together with fun games, music, and student recognitions! This is a great opportunity to show off our school spirit before the Thanksgiving break. Wear your blue and white and get ready to make some noise!
Thank you so much for your incredible support and active community partnership. It is your collaboration and commitment that makes QHS the best!
Roll Hats!
To access Aspen please go to the QPS Aspen Page 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.
The Quincy High School Drama Club Proudly Presents
The Women of Troy By Euripides
Thursday, November 20 @7:30PM
Saturday, November 22 @ 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Sunday, November 23 @ 2:00 PM
Tickets: $5 for students and $10 General Admission
The Women of Troy is a Greek tragedy which takes place in the immediate aftermath of the Trojan War. The play is critiquing the atrocities committed by the Greek Army. Euripides shifts the perspectives from the male heroes of the epic tales of the Iliad and the Odyssey, to the affected women and children who suffered after the conflict. The play provides the contemporary and modern audience with a unique insight into the true cost of war. Due to the sensitivity of the material, The Quincy High Drama Club suggests The Women of Troy be for audiences 13 years and older.
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.
Please be aware that in Massachusetts, chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 10% or more of school days.
On October 26th, the QNQ Marching Band & Colorguard performed at the MICCA Marching Band State Finals held in Quincy. 15 high schools performed, as well as Umass Lowell and Umass Amherst. Our students had an amazing performance, and received a 5 star rating overall. Additionally they received 5 stars in colorguard, music, visual with a perfect score in percussion.
This year our show is called Quincy400, and It is a historical show about this city. Here is a video of our performance from yesterday for you to enjoy their hard work. This year the group is led by QHS senior and Head Drum Major Miyanna Johnson.
Quincy400:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VHXmaAPW5eVXKMgyDldLMXqpTtmOVUk4/view?usp=sharing
Thank you, students!
The Deans want to remind students to check their class Instagram accounts on any updated class events
Student Expectations/Reminders- Just a reminder that students are to follow the guidelines and expectations in the student handbook. The deans are available to sit down with students and families if they have concerns.
Upcoming Events
The QHS Homecoming Dance is coming up on November 21, 2025! Tickets for the Homecoming Dance will go on sale starting Monday November 17th during lunches. Reminder to students and families that there are no outside guest allowed at the homecoming dance due to large number of QHS Student who attend the dance.
Co-Presidents: Amy Sorensen-Alawad, Joy Lewis
Vice President: Courtney Perdios
Secretary: Anjali Kaul
Treasurer: Carly Bridden
Social Media/Communications: Lori Sartre
Citywide PTO and EDI Representative: Heather McDuffus
Congrats to our new and returning Board members! We look forward to an exciting year ahead.
December 10th is QHS PAC day at Jersey Mike’s! Get lunch or dinner and help the PAC raise money for senior night out all day on December 10th using code “JMGives” online or in person. See attached flyer for details.
Interested in getting involved or have questions?
Email the PAC: QHSPAC@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram: @qhspac
Find the PAC group on Facebook: Quincy High Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
As a reminder, in order to maintain an environment where all students are focused and fully engaged in learning, student cell phones must stored away during instructional time. Should you need to reach your student during the day for urgent matters, please call the Main Office or the Deans' Office and we will promptly deliver the message or pull the student from class.
We appreciate your support in reviewing this important policy with your student. Your partnership helps keep distractions low and instructional time effective.
Health classes are beginning their mental health/stress management unit. We will be focusing on relaxation techniques and creating stress bottles and stress balls. Classes will also try some guided meditation and chair yoga! Here is a DIY VIDEO if you would like to make one as well!
PE classes have completed their class badminton tournaments for Q1. The winners are listed below. Congrats to all of our participants!
October was an action-packed month for students in the World Language Department! From hands-on cultural experiences to interactive language games, our classrooms have been filled with excitement and creativity. Students in Ms. Rosenhagen’s AP Italian and Italian 4 classes took a special trip to the Italian Consulate in Boston, where they participated in creative cultural workshops—including a unique activity using silk ink!
Meanwhile, Mr. Tula’s Spanish students sharpened their conversational skills by engaging in real-life chats with Spanish speakers throughout the school. In Ms. Mahoney’s class, students turned conjugation practice into friendly competition through lively games. And in Ms. Wang’s class, students got a taste of Chinese culture by playing an exciting traditional game that uses a bowl and dice.
The Quincy High School Early Education and Care program welcomed preschoolers from the Hale Family YMCA Early Learning Center into their classroom where EEC 10 students designed learning activities and interacted with the little learners.
This partnership will continue throughout the school year, providing a great learning opportunity for all!
On October 21st, Quincy High School Science National Honor Society hosted a group of environmental engineers from the engineering firm Tighe & Bond. Projects about transportation engineering, water testing and environmental science were highlighted and students had the opportunity to hear about different career paths in both the environmental science and engineering fields.
The team's energy, focus, and enthusiasm were outstanding, and everyone is already looking forward to our next meet at Braintree High on December 4th. Please enjoy the attached photos capturing the teams' concentration and collaboration during the team round, as well as a fun post-meet bus picture!
Thank you to advisors Madison Davis and Anna Petcosky who co-chaperoned this trip and mentor and inspire our students daily!
On October 21st, Quincy Police School Resource Officers Callahan and Frasso visited with students in Mr. Torrito's Criminal Justice class. They did a tremendous job and helped students learn about a career in the police force.
They walked students through their path to a career in the police force, their time at the police academy, the various departments within Quincy PD, as well as what the day-to-day of the job entails. Through this presentation, students gained an invaluable glimpse into the life of a police officer.
Thank you, Officers Callahan and Frasso!
Our November Advisory period was a success! Students in grades 9 and 11 explored Native American Heritage Month, learning about Indigenous peoples across the country with a focus on communities here in Massachusetts. Students in grades 10 and 12 looked ahead to the future by building resumes and preparing for life beyond high school. The period allowed students to learn, collaborate, and plan for what's ahead!
On October 9th, QHS senior plumbing students had the opportunity to visit American Plumbing and Heating in Norwell, where they gained valuable insight into the plumbing trade and its many career pathways. During the visit, representatives from the company and the plumbing union spoke with students about the apprenticeship program and the benefits of pursuing a union career.
Students also toured the company’s prefabrication shop, where they observed how plumbing systems are assembled and prepared before being delivered to the jobsites.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
This last month was another great month for the Big Futures Mentorship Program! Last month we hosted our first match event and had over 110+ students, mentors and family members attend!
Our students painted pumpkins, played trivia, and participated in a costume contest. This, month, we are embarking on our first field trip to Franklin Templeton where our students will have the opportunity to learn about careers in finance as well as wealth and financial management from a team of industry experts and leaders!
On Friday, November 14th, the QHS HOSA Club (Health Occupations Students of America), led by Emily Chen, Nathan Nguyen, Olivia Nguyen, Winnie Huang and Youhong Zheng, hosted a Zoom session with two medical students, Elisa & Simran, from UMass Medical School.
The guests shared pathways to health careers starting in high school and discussed options for financing post-secondary education. QHS students (about 40 students) especially enjoyed the Q&A portion, where they asked questions about medical school, coursework, and clinical experiences.
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.
November 21st - Homecoming Dance
November 26th - Rally/Day before Thanksgiving
December 23rd - Day before Winter Recess
January 16th - Friday before MLK weekend
February 13th - Friday before February Recess
March 24-25th - ELA MCAS testing
April 2nd - Thursday before Good Friday long weekend
April 17th - Friday before April Recess
May 1st - Junior Prom
May 19-20th - Math MCAS testing
May 22nd - Friday before Memorial Day Weekend
June 2-3 - Biology MCAS testing
On Friday, November 7th, QHS hosted the Tufts Beelzebubs, a nationally recognized collegiate a cappella group from Tufts University, for a performance at Quincy High School. The Choral Boosters generously funded the event for all music/coir and 9th grade students.
The Beelzebubs are known for their engaging and high-energy performances that emphasize teamwork, creativity, and the joy of choral music and did not disappoint! Thank you to teachers Mr. Carew, Ms. Compitello, and Mr. Demarco for organizing this event.
Attached is our bulletin board about the difference between headaches and migraines and some tips on how to help!
If any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at 617-376-3367 or through email martinaryan@quincypublicschools.com, lindsaygardiner@quincypublicschools.com
Football
The Quincy High School football team put together a tremendous season, highlighted by earning their first home playoff game since 2005. In a thrilling first-round matchup of the Division 2 tournament, the Presidents battled a tough Chelmsford team in a game that went down to the wire. Quincy came agonizingly close to capturing the program’s first-ever MIAA playoff win, but the Lions escaped with an 18-13 victory after a late trick play set up the winning touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. Despite the heartbreaking finish, it was an incredible showing for the team and a season filled with pride, grit, and growth. The Presidents will now turn their attention to the highly anticipated Thanksgiving Day clash against crosstown rival North Quincy.
QNQ Girls Cross Country:
The QNQ Girls Cross Country team captured the Patriot League Fisher Division Championship this fall season with an outstanding 4-0 record! Led by Quincy High School student-athletes Ada Cote and Caroline Zuffante, the team pushed each other to be their best, showing amazing teamwork and heart throughout the season. We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and the way you represented Quincy High School. Congratulations on a terrific season!
On Friday, October 17th, the Center for the Advancement of STEM Education at Bridgewater State University hosted our junior and senior IT students for a hands-on cybersecurity challenge.
Students were tasked with investigating and resolving a simulated ransomware attack on a video game release system. At the end of the event, they presented their findings and proposed preventative measures to their peers.
The History Docent Program at Quincy High had their first training on November 7th and will continue with their second training on December 16th. They have 80% of new members this year, and they jumped right in doing real history interpretation as shown in the pictures. Very impressive!
Quincy Public Schools’ History Docent Program takes advantage of one of the country's richest Historical Cities: our very own Quincy, MA--The City of Presidents. Each year history docents work with the city’s historian Bob Damon and various experts in the field, to research and rework an interpreters script for a local historical site. They then present to History students from both High Schools and the public. Over the past year, the History Docents have been active participants in various Quincy 400 Celebrations. They were interpreters during the Family History Walk and have helped develop curriculum for elementary students who will visit the Quincy 300 exhibit at City Hall. This year docents will be working with multiple historical sites and organizations to curate a gallery that will be viewable by the general public in addition to presenting to History classes.
Please see Ms. Twomey in Room D123 and Dr. Simmons in D312 for an application to join the club!
