QOHS Weekly Newsletter
Weekly Updates & Information for Students, Staff & Families
November 27, 2022
Dear Quince Orchard Students, Staff, and Families,
I am hopeful you had a restful holiday break and are as excited as I am to get back to school tomorrow! Before the break, it was awesome to see our Junto's dance team showcasing excellence at the Latin Dance Festival. Our students gave us a glimmer into their culture and traditions through dance and left it all on the dance floor. Thank you to Ms. Mohan and Ms. Gonzales for helping our students prepare for a night on the stage.
On Friday night, our football team beat Broadneck in the state semi-finals to help them clinch another ticket to states! Join us to cheer on our football team as they play CH Flowers in the 4A State Championship game on Thursday, December 1st at 7:00pm at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis. Yes, I said Thursday 12/1. Lets GO QO!!!!
Quince Orchard High School continues to come together to help our families. We are supporting families in need this holiday season by donating to the Giving Tree and we are also supporting families, staff, and community members in the QO area who have been impacted by the devastation of the explosion earlier this month. As a school, we are asking that if you would like to support you can contribute by donating gift cards for the giving tree using the link in the newsletter or to those impacted by the explosion to the main office.
I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support and concern as we rally as a community.
In this week's newsletter, I would like to elevate the following items for your review and attention:
- Our Winter Sports parent meeting will be held tomorrow night, 11/28 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium.
- Auditions for Anastasia, our spring musical, are this week!
- The Class of 2023 Senior Panoramic Photo will be this week on Wednesday, November 30th in the main gym at 11:00 am. Wear Red!
- We now have about 500 students who need to change their passwords, they must be changed once a year and their login will expire on November 30th.
- This is the last week to register for the Seal of Biliteracy Test!
- The NAACP and PTSA will meet on Tuesday, November 29th. Part of the meeting will be to provide an update on safety and security measures being implemented at all schools.
- MCPS and QO offers FREE tutoring, check out the information in the newsletter!
- See you at the Football 4A state championship on Thursday 12/1!
Have a wonderful evening and remember, We Can't Hide our Cougar Pride!
Make It a Great Day,
Elizabeth L. Thomas
Principal
The Giving Tree
It is that time of year again, the Giving Tree is "BACK"! Last year we moved to using Sign-up Genius because we collected only gift cards. And again, this year due to the continuing COVID Pandemic, shipping delays, and limited availability of some items, we will only be collecting gift cards to allow families to purchase items that they are most in need of or greatly want.
Details are linked above and here. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Colleen Adams at colleen_m_adams@mcpsmd.org.
Join the cast, crew or pit orchestra of our Spring play Anastasia!
Anastasia Auditions
Auditions for Anastasia are this week! Prepare a 1-2 minute comedic or dramatic monologue and a 16-32 bar cut of a musical theatre song. Vocal and monologue auditions are either Monday, 11/28 or Tuesday, 11/29. Mandatory dance auditions are on Wednesday and callbacks (invitation only) are on Friday. Sign up with the link in our Instagram bio (@qohstheatre). We can't wait to see you there!Crew Interest Meeting
If you are interested in crew for theatre, there will be an interest meeting on Thursday, 12/1 at lunch in the auditorium! Attend to find out details about joining crew and how the spring show will look.
Pit Orchestra Information
Are you interested in joining the pit orchestra for Anastasia? To find out more information about being accepted or auditioning, talk to Mrs. Kleiner-Vilgos and check the music hallway for more information!
Panoramic Photo, Senior Portraits & Senior Ads!
Senior Panoramic Photo (retake) - This Wednesday 11/30
The senior panoramic photo will be taken on Wednesday, November 30th at the start of lunch in the main gym. Seniors will be dismissed at 11:00 am. No food or drink is allowed in the main gym. Wear your senior t-shirt or red!
Last Senior Portrait Session Dec. 7,8 and 9
Attention Seniors and Senior Caregivers: The LAST opportunities to have senior portraits taken will be Dec. 7, 8, and 9 in QO's Media Center. Seniors who do not have their portraits taken will not be featured in the senior section of the yearbook. Contact Prestige Portraits' office ahead of time to schedule an appointment. Call 1-800-736-4753 or schedule at https://prestigeportraits.com/. Select the state as Maryland, the city as North Potomac, leave the "code" blank on this page, then select Quince Orchard.
Recognize Your Senior with a Senior Recognition Ad in the Yearbook!
Celebrate your seniors and their accomplishments by placing an ad in the 2022-2023 QO yearbook! You may purchase and design your own ad at jostens.com, or by scanning the QR code below.
Stay up to date on all the Senior Things:
- Important dates and information can be found here!
- Senior dues are now $80 (November 1 - January 31) Submit your payment as soon as possible to avoid paying higher fees. Click the following link or scan the QR code below https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productDetail/1066851/Quince-Orchard-High-School/-/1759645432/CATALOG_REPOSITORY/Cap-and-Gown-Unit/1802992375/
MCPS Tutoring at Quince Orchard
For additional support, a limited amount of QO staff members serve as MCPS tutors who help students with content recovery, IEP goals & preparation for upcoming learning in their classes. The best candidates for this program are those who are available after school for an hour 2-3 times a week (provided we have a tutor available).
MCPS provides free online homework help through FEV and Tutor Me, platforms that run through Clever and have 24/7 access. Students can book virtual sessions with certified tutors with or without cameras to get their questions answered.
Note: MCPS tutoring is not homework help. Students can obtain homework help from our external vendors Tutor Me and FEV. These vendors are open 24/7, so they are a great option for students who can’t typically meet with a tutor after school. They can also help across subject areas, whereas our QO tutors only tutor in the subject areas that they teach or support, so a general referral cannot be honored by our in-house structure.
Please contact Skyra Blanchard or Melissa Brown know if you have any questions
Expiring Passwords
Red Army Shirts for Sale!
Yearbook
The last batch of yearbooks available at discounted prices is going fast! A limited number of yearbooks is still available at $95. Once these books are gone, the price will increase. ORDER TODAY to have the best chance of getting the best deal! https://tinyurl.com/ds75ads7
Seal of Biliteracy Test Information - Last Week to Register!
Attention QO Juniors and Seniors! Are you able to speak, read, write, and understand a language other than English? Did you know that you can take a test that will certify that you are biliterate? That’s right! If you pass the test, the State of Maryland will apply a special seal to your diploma as proof that you are proficient in two languages. The Seal of Biliteracy appears on both your diploma and final transcript as a graduating senior and is an impressive statement of ability and accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions!
At Quince Orchard, on December 6th, we will be offering the opportunity for you to take the Seal of Biliteracy test. There is a cost of $21 for Juniors, but Seniors may test for NO FEE! That’s right! Seniors pay nothing! More information, including how to sign up can be found here.
Register to take the test using this link: https://bit.ly/SealRegisterMCPS23
Counseling Corner
CTE Applications - there's still time to apply!
The open house dates have passed, but you can still learn more about these programs by visiting: tinyurl.com/MCPSSpecialPrograms
If you are ready to apply, please go to the link below and click on the grade level that you, the student, are currently in: tinyurl.com/MCPSSpecialProgramsApp.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to your school counselor!
Holiday Food Support
The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households for over 30 years. A network of social workers, school counselors, and human service professionals refer families in need of assistance. Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, and public agencies serve Holiday Giving recipients, as donations are available. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete the referral form below to provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need.
https://forms.gle/jjJ1v7MbEUeWRFJ87
While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow.
College and Career Center Updates
Senior Transcripts
Please make sure that you are using the Google link to request your transcript and that you are submitting your request on time to meet college application deadlines (open link to view submission deadlines).
Transcript Request Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea7PAtFZcWyKswyC7uRJ0VgPOQARgD1RcfKeGHnwnVWd3_pw/viewform.
Reminder - The 2023-24 FAFSA Application is available now! Please contact Briana Jones in the College & Career Center if you need assistance.
Fall College Visits
We are excited to welcome college admissions representatives to Quince Orchard this fall to share more information about their university with students. Information regarding college visits can be found on Naviance.com. Naviance can easily be accessed through the following methods:
- Students can access Naviance from their Chromebooks by clicking on MCPS Resources in the top left-hand corner, then click Clever Portal, and then by clicking the Naviance icon.
- Visit Naviance.com and enter their login information.
View all the QO College Visits here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ao7_Pz2v_nRpbtWqXkC-UT-MENBE7VgH1cFawJf4Mw4/edit?usp=sharing
PTSA & Booster Club Updates
Upcoming Meetings
NAACP Parent Council: Join us on Tuesday November 29th from 6-7 PM in the Media Center and on Zoom for the monthly QOHS NAACP Parent Council Meeting. Ms. Jones will be sharing information on the college application process and on FAFSA.
Zoom Link:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/82531716199?
pwd=MEtxb2xwbTFaOC9xVk10SjFXZjF0UT09
PTSA: The next PTSA meeting will take place on 11/29/22 at 7 pm. See the flyer below for details.
Zoom Info:
Meeting ID: 825 3171 6199
Passcode: 203001
JOIN THE TEAM!
The PTSA needs your help! If you are interested in joining the team as a Membership Chair, Fundraising Chair, or Volunteer Coordinator, please email us at qohsptsa@gmail.com.
Membership Information
Our PTSA and Boosters Organizations are key to our success. This year our amazing organizations are offering a joint membership option that allows for a 20% discount. Membership forms can be found below or at qohsboosters.com and at https://qohsptsa.memberhub.com/store. I urge you to support these worthy organizations which do so much to support our school and help us provide the best education possible to our students. You will find your involvement with one of our parent groups will help increase your student’s sense of belonging and pride in Quince Orchard High School.
Booster/PTSA Membership Form - Sign up for both and get a 20% discount on the PTSA Membership
Booster/PTSA Membership Form - Spanish - Regístrese para ambos obtenga un 20% de descuento sobre la membresía de PTSA
MCPS 8 Things to Know - November 17, 2022
Here are eight things to know for Thursday, Nov. 17. Get information about vital steps taken to support our school buses, another chance to learn about the budget process, the 2022-2023 winter athletics safety plan, how to make sure your voice is heard on the upcoming school calendar, upcoming ESL classes for parents, a call for more crossing guards, exciting wins for our students in sports and music, and reminders about the upcoming school closure.
New Measures Announced to Support School Bus Routes
Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight announced new efforts this week to ensure student safety in the midst of the national challenge of recruiting bus operators. The district will reinstate a driver pay benefit for any bus operator who drives extra routes during a morning or afternoon shift, provide a “sweeper bus” to pick up any students remaining at bus stops experiencing cancellations, and partner with Community Engagement Officers who will receive notification of canceled or delayed routes, patrol those areas and help coordinate transportation. Read the full messageJoin Us Virtually to Learn About the District’s Budget Process
MCPS will host the second of three community budget information sessions Monday, Nov. 28. This is an opportunity to learn about how Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight plans to build her recommended operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024. The meeting will be held virtually from 6:30–8 p.m.Join us on Zoom
Dial-in Option: 3017158592
Webinar ID: 858 0599 3380
Passcode: 551492Learn About the MCPS Athletics Safety Plan for the Winter 2022-2023 Season
This plan provides appropriate modifications of the initial Athletics Safety Plan to account for factors specific to large, indoor events. This season’s plan continues to address guiding principles, actions the department can take and the decision-making process. Read the Winter Athletics Safety Plan.Provide Your Input on the 2023–2024 School Calendar
We want to hear from you! Please share your input for next year’s school calendar. This quick survey seeks to gauge the community’s opinions on the calendar scenarios developed for the 2023–2024 school year. Staff will use your feedback to develop a final recommendation to be presented at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Share your input by Wednesday, Nov. 30. Access the survey.MCPS to Host Virtual Conversations about ESL Classes for Parents
MCPS will host a series of virtual conversations with the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) to discuss English as a Second Language classes available for adults. The conversations will be hosted in English, Chinese and Spanish. The LCMC is offering English as a Second Language classes free to MCPS parents and guardians. There will be virtual and in-person options for all levels of English speakers. They are available to any parent for whom English is not their first language. Interest form for ESL classesCrossing Guards Needed to Help Keep Our Community Safe
The Montgomery County Police Department has openings for crossing guards. The position involves helping schoolchildren and other pedestrians cross the street, and providing traffic control at designated crossings. Click Here for hours, benefits and how to apply.GOOD NEWS
A Winning Fall Season for Student Athletes
The Poolesville HS boys cross country team and the Damascus HS cheerleading team won their respective 2A State Championship titles over the weekend. This is the first-ever cheerleading championship title for MCPS. Congratulations to teams who also made it to the championship finals – Winston Churchill HS boys’ cross country and girls’ field hockey, Walter Johnson HS girls’ cross country, Poolesville girls’ cross country, and Sherwood High School’s cheerleading team which came in third. Walt Whitman girls soccer will play Quince Orchard at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Loyola University in the first-ever all-MCPS 4A state championship!!Marching Bands Win Top Honors at Regional/State Championships
Thomas S. Wootton HS won the Maryland Marching Band Association (MMBA) Western Regional Championship in the Open-Small Class, while also earning awards for Best Color Guard, Best Overall Effect, Best Music Performance and Best Visual Performance. Quince Orchard HS won the Class 1A State Championship and Clarksburg HS won the Class 3A State Championship at the MMBA State Championships on Nov. 6. Quince Orchard also won the award for Best Music Performance in its class, while Clarksburg won Best Percussion, Best Color Guard, Best Visual Performance and Best Overall Effect in its class. Congratulations to all MCPS marching bands that competed this year: Montgomery Blair, Clarksburg, Quince Orchard, Rockville and Wootton!Reminder: Schools and Offices Will be Closed Nov. 23, 24 and 25
Also, a reminder that Nov. 21–22 are early release days. The Things to Know Thursday message will return on Dec. 2. In the meantime, visit our website for information you may need.
Ongoing Reminders
- Stay Connected with MCPS During Inclement Weather
MCPS offers numerous ways to learn about your student’s school closures, delayed openings and early dismissals when there is inclement weather. Learn more about weather decisions and how to stay in touch with MCPS here:
Stay Connected
How To Receive Emergency Information
Athletics
Athletics Schedule for the Week of 11/28/22
Thursday 12/1/22 Football 4A State Championship vs. CH Flowers at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis 7:00 pm
QO vs. Flowers Football State Finals Game Information
The Quince Orchard football team will play CH Flowers in the 4A State Championship game on Thursday, December 1st at 7:00pm at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis. Gates will open at 6:00pm.
All tickets for the game can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/events/807237?schoolId=MD24824 . There will be no cash accepted at the gate. The MPSSAA all digital! MCPS AND SEASON PASSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Tickets are $10 (plus $1 service charge) for ages 7 and up.
More details will be posted here when they are released.
Go Cougars!
Winter Sports Parents Meeting
The Winter Sports Parents Meeting will take place on Monday, November 28th at 7pm in the QO Auditorium. All parents of winter athletes should attend to find out important information about the winter season. After the main session, we will break out into each individual team and you will hear from the coaching staff.
MCPS Athletics Safety Plan
Please see the MCPS Athletics Safety Plan in place for ALL athletic events!
Season Passes
Season Passes for the 2022-23 school year are now on sale through GoFan. You can purchase Season Passes for the Full Year, Fall, Winter or Spring. Click on the type of season pass you would like to purchase and from there you can select Adult (ages 19-62) and/or Student (ages 11-18). All season passes are good for REGULAR SEASON HOME GAMES ONLY!
This method will be the ONLY way to purchase season passes. We will not accept cash or checks. All Season Tickets will be sold through GoFan.
Please see this link below!
https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24824
Please contact QO AD Jeff Rabberman at Jeffrey_L_Rabberman@mcpsmd.org with any questions!
Go Cougars!
Please Review these Important Lunch Expectations & Rules
Lunch Policy
We've had a major increase in lunch policy violations over the past couple of weeks. It's important that students and families review the following rules & expectations:
- 9th and 10th-grade students are not permitted to leave campus during lunch. There are still many outdoor options (tennis courts, basketball court, courtyard & in front of the school), but leaving campus is a direct violation of our QOHS lunch policy and will result in disciplinary action.
11th and 12th-grade students leaving the QO campus during open lunch are expected to:
ALWAYS use the crosswalk when leaving school grounds. Safety is a priority and we can't control traffic but the crosswalks are there to support a safe transition.
Show their student ID when leaving campus.
Always showcase Cougar Pride and know that they represent QO in all settings.
Return to school prior to the start of 6th period (or at the end of the lunch block when schedules are changed) and must be in their next class on time.
Students are not permitted to sit in their car, nor can they drive off in a car during lunch. Students with a half-day schedule that are leaving campus for the day, may not drive others off campus for lunch. Students permitted to leave campus for open lunch must walk.
A number of community merchants have expressed their concern regarding stealing, skipping & disrespect. These behaviors are unacceptable, do not showcase our Cougar Pride, and will result in a loss of open lunch privileges.
Our purpose is to inform and explain these norms so open lunch will be a positive and safe experience for everyone: students, staff, parents, merchants, and the community. Always remember, open lunch is a privilege, not a right. It will be taken away from students who do not adhere to norms or showcase Cougar Pride. Students who have been assigned lunch detention are to remain on campus. Parents or Guardians may rescind their child’s open lunch privilege. However, remaining on campus is the responsibility of the student just as attending class is the responsibility of the student. If the student is found off campus, parents will be notified and consequences will be applied.
Ordering Food During the School Day
MCPS Tutoring at QO
For additional support, a limited number of QO staff members serve as MCPS tutors. They help students with content recovery, IEP goals & preparation for upcoming learning in their classes. The best candidates for this program are those who are available for in person, after school tutoring. Sessions run for one hour two/three times a week (provided we have an available tutor). Additionally, MCPS provides free online homework help through FEV and Tutor Me, platforms that run through Clever and students have 24/7 access. Students can book virtual sessions with certified tutors with or without cameras to get their questions answered. Lastly, there are four CRS/MCPS Tutoring sites that provide weekend tutoring for students with IEPs. If this is a better fit for students' schedules, refer the student via email to Ms. Skyra Blanchard (Skyra_C_Blanchard@mcpsmd.org) for next steps.
Free English Language Learner Classes for MCPS Parents
Saturday School Information
Saturday School provides academic tutoring and instruction with certified teachers in a nurturing and supportive environment. The program is aligned with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) curriculum.
The fee for the entire year of Saturday School remains the same at $40 for FARMS students and $85 for all others.
Each Saturday morning, we have motivational sessions that focus on mindfulness and wellness within each center. In addition, students will have two additional hours with the MCPS curriculum (Benchmarks and Eureka) for additional support or acceleration. Each center serves the entire cluster of schools, but students have the capability of attending the center of their choice or participating virtually.
For more details and the Saturday School calendar please click here. Information is available in multiple languages.
To register visit: saturdayschool.org
Important Links:
Stay connected throughout the school year with these important links:
Elizabeth L. Thomas
Email: Elizabeth_L_Thomas@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/qohs/
Location: 15800 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
Phone: 240-740-3600
Twitter: @QOHSPrin_Thomas