Greetings Quince Orchard High School Community,

I hope you had an enjoyable and restful holiday season. During this break, I was able to reflect on my first three weeks at Quince Orchard High School. I quickly learned that QOHS is a special place in a very caring community. I have been fortunate to work with a dedicated staff who put students first. I have witnessed a parent community that is very supportive and appreciative of the school staff. This partnership serves as a strong foundation for an effective academic institution.

As we turn our focus to the new year, we are at a critical point as we prepare to move forward. The student scheduling process is an extremely important component of our mission as an academic institution. We have finalized the second semester schedule in an effort to ensure, as best as possible, student course requests. However, as we look to the registration process for the 2025-26 school year, there is much left to do. Less than half (about 40%) of underclass students have completed the registration process. This process started early last month. There is more information below highlighting this process as well as our focus on the senior class. I am reaching out to you for help in getting students to complete this process as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to speak with their counselors or teachers if they have questions or concerns. Your support can make a significant difference in the completion of this critical process.

Also, with the impending winter weather heading our way, make sure you are familiar with

MCPS Operating Status & Color Codes (picture below) and how to receive MCPS emergency information and updates to operating status.

Visit https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/closings/ for all of this information and more!

Please also make note of the following items and schedule changes for this week:

• Wed. 1/8/25: 9th/10th Grade Town Halls (alternate bell schedule)
• Thurs. & Friday 1/9-1/10/25: WIDA Testing Block Schedule
• Friday 1/10/25: QO's Got Talent @ 6:30 pm in the auditorium
• Looking ahead: MP 2 ends Tuesday, January 28, 2025

More information is included in the body of the newsletter!

Sincerely,

Dr. Lee Evans

Interim Principal

On Friday, December 13, students received information and directions for selecting their academic courses for the 2025-2026 school year. Students and families are encouraged to review the linked documents below. Throughout the first weeks of January, students will begin to individually meet with their counselor to finalize their course selections for the 2025-2026 school year. Click this link to view the Student Registration Assistance Document (also available in Spanish): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IkIvnDaE2iZWg-dMowpNFM-CQ5aaLY_RfLtVhPeUhzQ/edit?tab=t.0

Below you will find many important links to help students and caregivers select courses for the 2025-2026 school year. The first document has a checklist of items to complete with links to assist and provide detailed information. Students and caregivers are encouraged to reach out to the Resource Teacher within each department with specific questions and/or the student's counselor.

• Student Registration Assistance Document
• Canva Presentation for Students on how to Register
• AP Signature Presentation
• AP Signature Program Informational Video
• Google Slides Presentation for Caregivers, current students grades 9 - 11 from Dec. 12th Meeting
• Video Recording of the Dec. 12th Presentation
• We will have a Caregiver meeting for incoming 9th grade students on Wed., Jan. 22nd - slides to follow
• Graduation Requirements / Requisitos de Graduación
• 4-year Plan Document (you will be asked to make a copy)
• Registration Google Forms Links
• Current 8th grade - Register for 9th grade
• Current 9th grade - Register for 10th grade
• Current 10th grade - Register for 11th grade
• Current 11th grade - Register for 12th grade
• Counselor Assignments

Join us for a showcase of student talent on January 10th in the QO Auditorium! Doors will open at 6 PM and the show will begin at 6:30 PM. Tickets will be available to purchase at the door for $5.

Follow the link below to view details about Work Based Learning and to complete the interest form.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nr9xxzxRUapgdbXDvDz313VPZ8nMk3Ef/view?usp=sharing

Be part of 24 Hour Theatre!

24 Hour Theatre is a creative, collaborative event for all QO students! In a 24-hour period, small groups will work together to create and perform a small play based on a theme.

For more information, go to the link in the link tree in our bio and fill out the form. If you would like to sign up, the form is due January 28th!

QO Theatre's caregiver meeting will be on, Monday 12/16 at 6:30 in the auditorium. Caregivers whose students are in the production are strongly encouraged to attend to receive important information.

Plan ahead to earn SSL hours during the MLK Day of service! https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/volunteers/MLK.html

Check out all the amazing January SSL Opportunities!! Please email Ms. Miller if you have any questions.

Any 12th grade student attending college or trade school for Fall 2025, this is your friendly reminder to submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA application. Completing the FAFSA gives you access to money to help pay for school. FAFSA includes scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans with low interest rates! Friendly reminder that you will need to have the following information handy when starting the application: https://studentaid.gov/help/info-needed If you need assistance completing FAFSA, check out these upcoming events--- https://docs.google.com/document/d/17LgP-

Attention Seniors! Are you planning to attend college next year? Are your application deadlines rapidly approaching? If this is you, you MUST request your transcript be sent out to all the schools you are applying to! If you have not yet done so, please request your transcript ASAP! It takes several days to process your request and send out your documents! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScR5j16bnD0bf6svKNmLUmM96jGlp6D5YPEksKE3QjUM2qByA/viewform

Seniors! If you are using the Common App to apply to schools, and are getting stuck, we have created a resource document for you! There are very helpful documents, resources and videos! Please check it out, and if you still need help, come see us in the College/Career Center of the Counseling Services Suite!

Common App Resource Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17N5y6PKFMRo2KwlDtT1osKqxkjV3fU9gfkybxBtjoJc/edit

This weeks athletics schedule is posted below. Any updates due to system-wide cancelations or school closures will be posted on our Quince Orchard Athletics webpage.

QO Athletics Full Year, 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

Attention Seniors! Are you planning to attend college next year? Are your application deadlines rapidly approaching? If this is you, you MUST request your transcript be sent out to all the schools you are applying to! If you have not yet done so, please request your transcript ASAP! It takes several days to process your request and send out your documents! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScR5j16bnD0bf6svKNmLUmM96jGlp6D5YPEksKE3QjUM2qByA/viewform

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.

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

Join Us for Operating Budget Public Hearings

Superintendent Thomas Taylor has proposed a $3.61 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, designed to stabilize the school system and prioritize resources for student learning and school support. The recommendation reflects a “Focus on Fundamentals” approach that targets investments directly to schools, supports student success and addresses structural deficits within the system.

The Board of Education will now hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget. The timeline follows:

• Public Hearings: Thursday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
• Work Sessions: Tuesday, Jan. 14, Thursday, Jan. 23, and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
• Board Approval: Tentative adoption of operating budget; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
• Final Adoption: Adjustments based on revenue projections will follow, with final adoption expected Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget website

Stay Informed About Weather-Related Changes

With winter weather just around the corner, updates to school schedules and operations may sometimes need to be made. To receive the latest information on delays, closures and operational changes, Stay Connected, subscribe to Alert MCPS, and monitor our color-coded status system.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

To ensure you receive timely notifications, please update your contact details via the ParentVUE link on the MCPS Community Tech Support website.

Learn more about the color codes.
MCPS Operating Status Inclement Weather, 2024-2025

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events

The Special Education Resource Fair: Set for 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the auditorium at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. This event is open to all parents who have children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). MCPS families can learn more from community organizations about after-school activities, summer programs and tutoring.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair: Will be held from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). This event offers an opportunity for students in Grades 8 through 12 and their parents/guardians to meet with representatives from more than 50 HBCUs and participate in workshops. More information

FAFSA/MHEC One Application Completion Event: Set for 6–8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at USG, this event is open to all high school seniors and their parents. More information

Dine with Dignity Seeks Donations

MCPS provides meals to all students, ensuring they are ready and prepared to learn in school. The Dine with Dignity program fundraises to address and pay off debt accrued by students while their families wait for approval to receive free meals. A donation to Dine with Dignity supports students continuing to receive nutritious meals and learn alongside their peers. Donate today.

Student Opportunities

SMOB Candidate Filing Period: Students interested in running for the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) may begin filing their nominations at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The filing period ends on Thursday, Jan. 23. Students are eligible to run for the SMOB if they are a current Grade 10 or Grade 11 student, enrolled in an MCPS high school, and a Montgomery County resident. Candidate nomination forms can be found on pages 31-32 of the SMOB Election Protocols. Completed forms should be scanned and emailed to Shella Cherry, director, Student Leadership & Extracurricular Activities. More information

Save A Student Summit: High school students are invited to attend from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, in the Walter Johnson High School auditorium. The summit will educate students on the impact of opioid and fentanyl use and train them on how to use Narcan in an overdose emergency. Students can earn three Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating. RSVP. Walter Johnson is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda.

SSL Hours Due Jan. 3, 2025

Students who have completed Student Service Learning (SSL) hours since June 1, 2024, should submit the required SSL Activity Verification Form to their school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of Jan. 3, 2025.

All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. To learn more, click here. Translated information can be found here.

Students may also access their SSL record, forms, guidelines and other resources at the MCPS SSL Hub for Students/Families.

Stay Connected

• 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

The next QOHS PTSA fundraiser is at Chipotle, Wednesday, January 8th, from 4-8 PM! The online ordering code is: FGHY6ND.

Join us for the first meeting of 2025! January 21st, 6pm in the Media Center!

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

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:

• MCPS Student Handbooks (Code of Conduct, Rights & Responsibilities etc.)

• QOHS events calendar can be found on the myMCPS Classroom webpage.

• Arrival & Dismissal Bus Routes

• QOHS Website

• QOHS 2024-25 Student Handbook (Here you'll find our lunch policy, ID policy & much more.)

• QOHS Bell Schedules

• Traditional School Year Calendar 2024-25

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/qohs/
Location: 15800 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
Phone: 240-740-3600