We are heading into an exciting week for QOHS; Homecoming weekend is October 4th and 5th.

• Homecoming hallway decorations will be Wednesday, October 3rd. The football game is Friday, October 4th, and the homecoming dance is Saturday, October 5th.
• Homecoming tickets will be sold online and at lunch for $25. You can also pick your Homecoming ticker at the SGA window at lunch if you purchase online.
• Homecoming Blackout Shirts will be sold online and in person after school for $20. You can pick up your shirts during lunch this week at the SGA window.
• Go to SchoolCash Online to make online purchases: https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

Looking ahead, we have several exciting events on the horizon:

- Quince Orchard College Fair: Monday, September 30th - See the College and Career Corner below for more information

- Hispanic College Fair: Friday, October 4th

- PTSA/NAACP Parent Council Meeting: Tuesday, October 15th at 6:00 pm in the

NOTE: There is no school for students on Thursday, October 3rd.

Be sure to check out the full newsletter for more updates, including the return of our Esports team, upcoming PSAT information, and all things athletics!

As a reminder, we are now in full ID requirement mode. Students must have their IDs visible while on campus. If anyone still needs an ID, please visit security to get one as soon as possible.

Announcements:

• First Quarter Interim Reports: Quarter 1 Interims will be available starting on October 4th through ParentVUE.
• Speak Up, Save a Life Video Contest: This contest challenges teenagers to create an original video to promote awareness about the dangers of illicit opioids, fentanyl and risk of overdose. The video contest is open to all 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County. Top prize is $1,000, second place is $750, third place and fan favorite winners will receive $500 all donated by The Magnolia Companies in honor of two young Montgomery County residents lost to fentanyl; Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudon. The 2024 contest is now open and accepting entries. For more information, see the link below: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SAO/other/SpeakUpVideoContest.html All entries are due by midnight on November 8, 2024.

All the best,

Elizabeth (Beth) Thomas

Principal, Quince Orchard High School

Want to avoid the Monday night dinner drama? Order from the Kentlands Chipotle tomorrow, Monday, September 30, from 5 - 9 PM. Use promo code GBL8Y62 or show this flyer, and you'll be supporting QO's student newspaper, The Prowler — and you'll get some good food out of it, too. Now that's what we call GOOD NEWS!

(Our first issue of the year comes out this Friday, October 4, distributed in print during Period 8 and online at qohsjournalism.wordpress.com)

The National Honor Society and National English Honor Society will be briefly re-opening their application window for any students who missed the initial spring application window.

1. The NHS is open to seniors with a GPA of at least 3.5. Students can make a copy of the application found at https://tinyurl.com/593mavnu and return it to Mr. Gifford in Room 228I or email it to him at giffordr@mcpsmd.org. Applications are due 10/11.

2. The NEHS is open to juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 3.0. Students can apply by completing the Google Form at https://forms.gle/EigUwWREpp541XtA9 by 10/3.

QOHS has over 90 Sponsored Clubs that students can be a part of. Please explore the link below to find out what clubs we have, who the sponsor(s) is/are, and the meeting time of the group: https://bit.ly/QOHSClubs24-25

Are you ready for Homecoming?! Homecoming Blackout Shirts will be sold online and in person after school for $20. You can pick up your shirts during lunch this week at the SGA window.

Homecoming tickets will be sold online and at lunch for $25. You can also pick up your Homecoming ticket at the SGA window at lunch if you purchase online.

Go to School Cash Online to make online purchases: https://www.schoolcashonline.com/

QO Theatre's Cabaret will be on October 9th, come see students perform Musical Theatre style music! The Cabaret will start at 7:00 pm, will be in the auditorium, with a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Quince Orchard High School is hosting its annual College Fair on Monday, September 30th, at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. This event is open to the MCPS community. Meet over 60 college representatives and learn about college applications, admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and more! Click HERE to see a list of colleges attending. Contact Ms. Romero at Lisa_D_Romero@mcpsmd.org or (240) 740-3670 with any questions.

Quince Orchard High School celebrará su Feria Universitaria anual el lunes 30 de septiembre a las 6:30 p. m. en la cafetería de la escuela. Este evento está abierto a la comunidad de MCPS. Conozca a más de 60 representantes universitarios y aprenda sobre solicitudes universitarias, requisitos de admisión, oportunidades de becas y más. Haga clic AQUÍ para ver una lista de las universidades que asistirán. Comuníquese con la Sra. Romero a Lisa_D_Romero@mcpsmd.org o al (240) 740-3670 si tiene alguna pregunta.

Last Call!

Students - take a school field trip to meet with over 40 colleges and universities. Learn more about applying to schools, scholarship information, making the most of your college experience, and MORE. Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up to attend the Hispanic College Fair! It’s open to ALL students, in any grade! Stop by the College and Career Center (Room 103) to pick up your permission slip! 📝

Permission Slip Form (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eHTMX7ic_xeyd9HfqjztVZxgHYwRyjhe/view?usp=sharing

Permission Slip Form (Spanish): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wpxB2V4_2a--ta66Mm4MRNzbUrvXFhKK/view?usp=sharing

Families, please encourage your students to sign up for college visits at Quince Orchard High School. For instructions on how to sign up for a college visit or to view a list of colleges coming to Quince Orchard High School, please click on the link below: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/qohs-counseling/the-college-career-center/visits?authuser=0

This contest challenges teenagers to create an original video to promote awareness about the dangers of illicit opioids, fentanyl and risk of overdose. The video contest is open to all 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County. Top prize is $1,000, second place is $750, third place and fan favorite winners will receive $500 all donated by The Magnolia Companies in honor of two young Montgomery County residents lost to fentanyl; Michael Pisarra and Matthew Loudon. The 2024 contest is now open and accepting entries. For more information, see the link below: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SAO/other/SpeakUpVideoContest.html

All entries are due by midnight on November 8, 2024.

Lakelands Park Middle School needs bilingual students to help with translating during their Club Fair and Engagement Expo on October 8th and/or with Parent Conferences on November 25th. Students will earn SSL hours for volunteering. Please see the Sign-Up Genius Links for more information.

10/8 - Lakelands Park MS Club Fair and Engagement Expo

Time: 6:15 - 8:00pm (3 SSL Hours)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D44AEA62EABF85-51752253-lakelands#/

11/25 - Lakelands Park MS Parent Conferences

Time: 1:00 - 6:30pm (7 SSL Hours + dinner provided)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D44AEA62EABF85-51753033-lakelands#/

Quarter 1 Interims will be available starting on October 4th through ParentVUE

The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to qualifying households for over 30 years. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this referral form provide the required information. Resources are limited: please apply only if you and your family are truly in need. Families can only be referred once; please do not complete a referral if you have already been referred from another school or agency. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow. If you need help completing the form please contact Ms. Ruiz Miller at 240-447-8963.

Referral form: https://forms.gle/QC4GCL39awvfbLHa9

El Holiday Giving Project ha brindado asistencia para el Día de Acción de Gracias y los días festivos de diciembre a los hogares que califican durante más de 30 años. Si usted y su familia están en necesidad y les gustaría ser referidos para una posible asistencia durante la temporada de festividades, complete este formulario de referencia para proporcionar la información requerida. Los recursos son limitados: solicite solo si usted y su familia realmente lo necesitan. Las familias solo pueden ser referidas una vez. Por favor no complete este referido si ya le han referido de otra escuela o agencia. Si bien una referencia no es una garantía de asistencia, el Proyecto ayuda a tantas familias necesitadas como lo permitan las donaciones. Si necesita ayuda para completar el formulario, comuníquese con la Sra. Ruiz Miller al 240-447-8963.

formulario de referencia: https://forms.gle/QC4GCL39awvfbLHa9

If your student took school pictures and no longer has the QR code they were given, please scan the one in the photo below to find your school code and purchase pictures.

Also, make-up picture day for students and staff is now Friday, 10/25/24 in the QOHS auditorium.

Please remember students should now be wearing their school ID's at all times.

Registration has ended for this year's PSAT to be held on October 16. If your 9th or 11th grade student opted in to take the test, you should have received an email from Ms. Kirsten Jackson. All 10th grade students are automatically registered and are expected to take the PSAT.

On October 1st and 8th, students will be completing a digital readiness check for the PSAT during school. If you are taking the PSAT, please bring your MCPS charged chromebook to school on Monday, September 30. There is an important update that has been released that needs to be pushed to your computer prior to the digital readiness check. If you are an early college student, or will not be at school on October 1st or 8th, please email Ms. Kirsten Jackson: Kirsten_N_Jackson@mcpsmd.net to make arrangements to complete this digital readiness check.

QO Athletics Full Year, Fall, Winter and Season Passes are now on sale at the link below. These passes are good for regular season home games only!

https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24824?activity=Digital%20Season%20Pass

English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ

Bells Mills, Woodfield Elementary Schools Win National Blue Ribbon Awards

Bells Mill Elementary and Woodfield Elementary Schools have been recognized as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. They are the 44th and 45th MCPS schools to receive this distinction.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding academic performance or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. These two join a select group of 356 schools nationwide and 10 in Maryland to receive this recognition.

Bells Mill Elementary School

Located in Potomac, Bells Mill serves approximately 610 students. The school's commitment to academic excellence, respect and inclusivity has fostered a supportive and nurturing atmosphere. Students benefit from rigorous curriculum, effective teaching and a collaborative learning environment.

Woodfield Elementary School

Woodfield serves more than 300 students from diverse backgrounds. The school's focus on fostering a sense of community and belonging has created a positive and inclusive learning environment. Students participate in various school activities, including a student garden, leadership programs and peer mentoring.

A Q&A With Karla Silvestre

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. More than 34 percent of MCPS students are Hispanic or of Hispanic descent. This month brings an opportunity to highlight the contributions and rich diversity of the many Hispanic cultures across Montgomery County. It also gives us a chance to celebrate some of our wonderful staff members and leaders who are of Hispanic heritage. Don’t miss this Q&A with Board of Education President Karla Silvestre.

Oct. 9 Hispanic Parent Night Will Discuss Financing College

The Hispanic College Fair is being held from 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. A Hispanic Parent Night: Financing College Information Session is being held in conjunction with that event. The Parent Night will be held from 6–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 15 W. Gude Drive, Third Floor, Potomac Room.

The event will include presentations from Beverly Coleman, director of the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at Montgomery College (MC), and Rhonda McLaren-Scott, financial aid outreach counselor at MC, to discuss options for financing college. Attendees will learn about the Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID) number and have an opportunity to create one during the workshop. Spanish-speaking interpreters from MCPS and MC will be on site.

Hispanic Parent Night Financing College Registration

Hispanic Parent Night—Financing College

Noche de Padres Hispanos - Cómo Pagar por Estudios Universitarios

Collegiate Directions and MCPS will also host a Financial Aid Night on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. Register here. This event will be in Spanish. The Zoom information will be shared after registering. Email questions to Jill Semmens.

In addition, all high schools hold free financial aid nights for MCPS students and families.

Reminder: Apply for FARMS by Oct. 8

The Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMS) application is available for this school year. Families must reapply every year to determine whether they are eligible for the FARMS program, even if their child qualified the previous year. Tuesday, Oct. 8 is the last day that student eligibility from last school year carries over into this year. After Oct. 8, students without a new eligibility will revert to a paid status and be charged for meals. Students/families can request a paper application at any school, but processing is faster online.

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845)

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in English and Spanish.

• http://twitter.com/mcps
  https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd
  https://www.instagram.com/mcps_md

• https://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
  https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
  https://www.instagram.com/mcpsenespanol/

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

Open Registrations

• Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration Open for Income-Eligible Families

More From MCPS

• School calendar
• Parent resource page
• News and Information page/Noticias en Español
• Latest photo galleries
• MCPS TV videos
• MCPS TV español

Email us: ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org

©1995–2024 Montgomery County Public Schools

• 10/1: LGBTQ+ History Month & School Principal Month
• 10/2: Building Service Worker Appreciation Day
• 10/2: Homecoming Class Hallways
• 10/3: Non-Instructional Day—No School For Students And Teachers
• 10/4: Marking Period 1 (MP1) Interims Distributed
• 10/5: Homecoming Dance - 7:00 pm
• 10/15: NAACP-PC Meeting - 6 pm in the Media Center
• 10/15: PTSA Meeting - 7 pm in the Media Center
• 10/16: PSAT Day
• 10/16: Booster Club Meeting - 7 pm in the Media Center
• 10/18: No School for Students - Professional Day for Staff
  
• 10/22: QO Cluster Fall Pyramid Concert - 6 pm in the Auditorium
• 10/23: QO Cluster Fall Pyramid Choral Concert - 6 pm in Auditorium

**11/3 Marks the end of the 1st quarter

Please visit www.qocougars.com for the fall Athletics Calendar!

If you have any questions or concerns about senior year information, please contact 12th Grade Administrator Ms. Eberhart-Bliss at elicia_m_eberhart-bliss@mcpsmd.org or Senior Staff Sponsor, Profe Skeen at emily_m_hoefert-skeen@mcpsmd.org.

If your student has not received a lanyard to carry their student ID, please have them stop by the main office during lunch.

As we open our doors and welcome students back on campus for the 2024-2025 school year, we are continuing our commitment to student well-being, safety and security to ensure that our students feel welcomed, supported and safe.

To support this commitment, all students will be required to carry and show their Quince Orchard High School student ID. For the first two weeks of school, students can utilize their ID from the 2023-2024 school year. Once student pictures have been taken on September 9th and 10th, they will be required to have a 2024-2025 ID. Students will need to have their student identification every day so Quince Orchard staff can ensure only students are accessing campus during the school day.

Key Points

Visibility:

Your ID must be worn around your neck and visible at all times. We will be providing a lanyard for all students during the first week of school.

Replacement:

If you lose your ID or it becomes damaged, you can get a new ID from the Quince Orchard security office for $5 .

Lunch and School Events:

Students must have their school ID in their possession to leave during open lunch, if permitted as an 11th or 12th grade student, AND to attend all school sponsored events (either at Quince Orchard or away)

Quince Orchard High School's lunch policy varies according to a student’s grade level:

• Students in Grades 9 and 10 must remain on QO property for lunch. They cannot leave QO property unless they are signed out by a parent/guardian/caregiver via the attendance office.

• Students in Grades 11 and 12 may leave QO property for lunch. They must have a student ID card that reflects their 11th and 12th-grade level status. If an 11th or 12th grader wants to leave campus during lunch, they MUST show their current year school ID card to school staff. No exceptions.

All students must follow lunch procedures as outlined below:

1. Students have the option to purchase lunch in our cafeteria or bring food from home.

2. Students may sit in the following areas to enjoy their lunch:

• Cafeteria
• On the designated side of most hallways
• In a classroom with a staff member, if given permission and supervised
• Outside near the main entrance, tennis courts, basketball courts, or backfield area

Students may NOT eat in their cars, auditorium, gymnasiums, the Cougar Dome, or stairwells.

3. Students are reminded that when they leave campus and enter the surrounding community, they must follow the MCPS Student Code of Conduct. Open lunch is a privilege. Permission to leave campus during lunch can be revoked.

4. For 11th or 12th graders allowed to leave campus for open lunch, students must:

• show their current year school ID card to check out with staff at the designated exit

• Students may ONLY exit campus at the bus loop/QO library exit along Quince Orchard Rd.

• not leave campus or attempt to leave campus anywhere except the designated exit

• not access vehicles and/or leave campus in a vehicle without staff authorization

• Students with abbreviated schedules must show staff their schedule to leave campus in a vehicle

• Students who have been signed out in the attendance office must show documentation to staff to leave in a vehicle

• return to the building and arrive to class on time

• use the crosswalk and sidewalks only

• follow staff directions when crossing the street

• behave courteously and respectfully to staff, to other students, to the public, and to the business locations in our community

5. Students who attempt to use another person's ID card for open lunch privilege will result in the revocation for both students and/or other consequences as determined by the MCPS Code of Conduct.

6. Visitors are not allowed in the lunchroom or other areas throughout the school without permission. All visitors must sign in at the welcome center and wear an issued visitor badge sticker.

7. Students are not allowed to have off-campus food delivered to the school. Any food delivered will be kept by the welcome center and available for pick up at the end of the school day.

The full lunch policy is linked here and is available in the student handbook. Each family should thoroughly review and become familiar with the lunch procedures and policies.

Scan the QR code below or visit seasonalroots.com/qohs to join for just $25 and support the Boosters Club!

Upcoming meetings/speakers:

• 10/15 – with NAACP, speaker Lisa Romero Lisa Romero, College & Career Information Coordinator (CCIC) at QO (Exact timing TBD)

• 12/11 with Boosters – Greg’s driving school will speak and raffle off a certificate for the driving course worth $425! (Exact timing TBD)

We also still need volunteers to help with the following:

• Recognition of our Students Academic Achievements
• Focused outreach to our families who have not been engaged, specifically our Hispanic/Latin families
• Active engagement of our student leadership as part of the PTSA
• Advocacy for building upgrades/enhancements

If you know anyone who has experience with or interested in any of these areas please have them contact the PTSA! Thank you!

Our PTSA, NAACP-PC, and Boosters Organizations are key to our success. 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, as well as bring families together! Check out the links below to get familiar with our volunteers and see how you can get involved:

Welcome Letters & Organizational Info:

• Boosters President Letter
• NAACP Parent Council Welcome Letter

• Why Join the PTSA?

Membership & Sponsor Information:

• Booster Club Sponsorship Letter
• Booster Club Sponsorship Form
• Booster Membership Webpage
• PTSA Membership Hub

Stay connected throughout the school year with these important links:

• Arrival & Dismissal Bus Routes

• QOHS Website

• Traditional School Year Calendar 2024-25

• QOHS Bell Schedules

• QOHS 2024-25 Student Handbook

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