Greetings QOHS Families and Staff,

I want to express my sincere appreciation to our school community (students, staff, and parents/caregivers) for your patience and understanding during the weather crisis we experienced the past two weeks. The school closings and delays had a significant impact on our daily routines. Your support and understanding made difficult situations better.

It is important to recognize the work of our building service staff in clearing the parking lots and walkways making them safe for students, staff, and visitors. Mr. Kevin Baptiste, building service manager, and our building service staff are considered essential personnel. When schools are closed, they come to work to allow the school campus to open. They are a key component in maintaining excellence in education.

The inclement weather can also cause significant traffic difficulties. Mr. Scott Flemming, security team leader, and dedicated members of his department work tirelessly to ensure safety throughout the campus. Many of you have seen Mr. Rafael Mason, security assistant, directing traffic and guiding parents when they drop students off in the circle. We applaud their service to our school community, especially when inclement weather makes our work with students difficult.

As always, your cooperation and support is greatly appreciated especially during difficult times. Your partnership makes a difference in creating and maintaining a safe school environment.

Please note:

• Tuesday, 1/28/25 marks the end of Marking Period 2

• There is no school for students on Wednesday 1/29/25

• Marking Period 3 kicks off on Thursday, 1/30/25

• We have Swim & Dive and Pom Championship competitions this Saturday 2/1/25 (details are below in the Athletics section of our newsletter)

With appreciation

Dr. Lee Evans

Interim Principal

It was a privilege to see so many caregivers join us for our virtual meeting about registration for incoming ninth-grade students. Thank you for your participation and engagement!

For those who were unable to attend, the meeting recording is available here and will also be posted on the QO website under Registration Materials.

For Rising Ninth Graders:
Eighth-grade students at our feeder middle schools have received information about registration. If you have a rising ninth grader, please ensure they complete their course registration using the Google Form for the Class of 2029 by February 7. We extended the deadline due to recent changes in school schedules.

For Current Grades 9–11:
Registration should have already been completed. If your student has not yet registered, please have them reach out to their counselor as soon as possible.

To assist with the process, please refer to the Student Registration Assistance Document, which includes detailed instructions and access to all necessary registration forms.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact your student’s counselor or email me directly at Kirsten_N_Jackson@mcpsmd.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students!

Are you interested in seeing the process of the SMOB election unfold? Want to attend the annual SMOB Nominating Convention to participate in the democratic process in the selection of our two finalists for the next SMOB? If you are interested, please contact your school’s SGA advisor Ms.Brown in room 138 by February 7th to learn more about the process to becoming a delegate to the SMOB Nominating Convention.

Student Transfer Application Season Schedule from the first school day in February through the first day in April 2025

ROCKVILLE, Maryland – Montgomery County parents/guardians who wish to request a Change of School Assignment (COSA) for their children from their home school may begin the process during the upcoming transfer season; from February 3 through April 1, 2025.

Students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or assigned in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for Change of School Assignment (COSA) from the home school, or the school of assignment through the IEP process, based on the following criteria:

• When a documented unique hardship is shown: Students may apply for a COSA when extenuating circumstances related to their specific physical, mental or emotional well-being or their family’s individual or personal situation could be mitigated by a change of school assignment.

• When a family moved within Montgomery County who wish to continue attending their former home school may request a COSA without demonstrating a unique hardship. Such requests may be considered for a remainder of the current school year only, with the exception that students in Grade 11 or 12 may be granted a COSA to stay through high school graduation.

• When a student seeks to attend the school where a sibling will be enrolled in the regular/general school program, or a special education program, during the year the students wants to enroll.

► When a sibling attends a magnet, language immersion or other application program at elementary level, a COSA may be approved to the regular school program for other sibling on a case-by-case basis. Such approval requires consideration of available classroom space, grade-level enrollment, staffing allocations, or other factors that impact the schools involved.

The criteria above regarding siblings do not apply if a boundary change has occurred or if the sibling is in PreK.

Consideration will be given to school capacity and other issues that impact the ability of the requested school to admit new students.

The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents/guardians may request the Change of School Assignment (COSA) Information Booklet through ParentVue. The booklet describes the process, and provides useful information. Beginning the first week of February 2025, the COSA booklet will be available in both English and Spanish. Exempt countywide programs that do not fall under the transfer guidelines are listed in the booklet.

New for the 2025-2026 school year, parents must submit their request for a change of school assignment (COSA) online through their ParentVue portal. The parent making the request will be copied on an email notification sent to the administrative team of the student's current school shortly after the submission; this will serve as their "receipt" of request and will be sent to the email they entered when completing the online form.

For information about assignments for students residing in the Northeast, Downcounty or Middle School Magnet Consortium areas, please contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services

240-740-7800 or visit the website at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice.

For more information about the transfer process, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the principal at their home school. Non-english speaking students and parents/guardians who may require assistance may contact ASK MCPS to get the information they need by telephone at 240-740-3000. Telephone operators who speak English and Spanish are available from 7:30am to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. Parents who speak languages other than English or Spanish who call the ASK MCPS telephone line and identify their language will have their questions answered through a telephone interpreter.

Students requesting a Quince Orchard High School parking space must apply for a permit. This permit is a privilege, not a right, and may be revoked for failure to adhere to school policies not limited to those shown below. Remember, you are not guaranteed a parking permit. Permits are assigned on a semester basis.

All applications will be evaluated based on the following:

-classified as a 12th grader or 11th grader by MCPS criteria

-abbreviated schedules

-participation in-school supervised activities when activity buses are not available

-attendance at other schools requiring private transportation

-residing outside school or bus transportation boundaries

-unusual or imperative need

-satisfactory attendance, behavior, and academic records

-absence of financial obligations, including balances remaining on payment plans

-clear of any obligations

Students, upon satisfying the above criteria, may submit the Google Form below to apply for a permit. Applications will be accepted from Monday, January 20th to Tuesday, February 4th. An email will be sent to your school mcpsmd.net email account letting you know the status of your application by Friday, February 7th.

Semester 2 Parking Permit Application: https://forms.gle/fKbWcPzn1tREDukf7

The Minority Scholars Program (MSP) is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Youth Anti-Racist Film Festival in conjunction with Documentary Film Experts, Listen Tell Media. Cash Prize Awards up to $300 will be given to the top three films, as judged by a panel of professional filmmakers. Students can use their cell phones to create “Street Documentaries” as a method to push for change within their schools and communities. If you have any questions, please see Ms.Justilien in Rm. 232 or rosie_justilien@mcpsmd.org or Mr. Carter in counseling or gregory_a_carter@mcpsmd.org.

SENIORS: don't miss out on your opportunity to submit a senior quote to the 2024-2025 yearbook! Quotes must be 90 characters or less and are due by Monday, 1/27. To submit your quote, please complete this Google form: https://forms.gle/EUcn98x8y4WnokMYA

Please make note of the new email for the attendance office: QOHSAttendance@mcpsmd.org.

Please use this email going forward to send any communications regarding student attendance and/or absences.

QO Theatre is back again with our Cabaret on February 21st with auditions on February 12th!

For your audition, please prepare a song that is high school-appropriate, Musical Theatre style, and performance-ready. Please note this is what you will be performing at the Cabaret.

Auditions will take place February 12th after school from 3:00-4:50. To sign up for an audition time slot, fill out our sign-up genius in our link tree (In our Instagram bio). If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Vogel or us here at QO Theatre. Can't wait to see you there!

See 24 Hour Theatre on February 1st at 7 pm!

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.

Entry is free, but a $5 donation at the door is suggested. Support your fellow students and join the fun!

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

The 2025 HBCU Fair Registration is Open!

Representatives from more than 40 HBCUs will share information and answer questions from students and parents about admissions, financial aid, testing, majors, and more. The event will also feature a college preparation workshop for middle school students and parents, a discussion on college life, FAFSA completion assistance, scholarship information, and more.

It's free to attend and is open to students in grades 8-12. You may register to attend by clicking the link here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/familysupport/hbcu/

Contact Ms. Romero in Room 103 or email Lisa_D_Romero@mcpsmd.org with any questions.

ATTENTION 10th and 11th grade students!

Want to learn about a career during the summer? Student registration for the 2025 Summer RISE program will open at 8AM on Monday, January 13, 2025 and will close at 5PM on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 and can be accessed at http://bit.ly/SummerRISE2025. This FREE program gives you a chance to learn about a career during the summer. To learn more about the Summer RISE program, sign up for a Parent/Guardian and Student Information Session, visit the Summer RISE website at www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org, and be sure to visit with program staff here at school to learn more about the program.

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

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

Congrats to Izzy Peluso, Aubry Spadoni and Amirah Abegesah for getting invites to the Maryland Women's Wrestling National team!

Congrats to our Poms team for finishing in 2nd place at the Springbrook Poms Invitational this weekend! Good luck in Counties on Saturday!

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

Changes Coming to School Calendar After Weather-Related Closures

As a result of three weather-related emergency closures on Monday, Jan. 6, Tuesday, Jan. 7 and Wednesday, Jan. 8, MCPS has used the two contingency days built into the 2024-2025 school year calendar. An announcement about how the district will make up the third day will be shared with staff and families on Friday, Jan. 24.

Any further emergency closures will require the district to consider other make-up days that are identified in the school year calendar.

Thank You, MCPS Staff!

Hats off (well maybe not in this cold weather) to our terrific staff for their hard work this week! Dozens of employees from the Office of Facilities Management, the Division of Maintenance and Operations and the Department of Transportation worked tirelessly to remove ice and treat surfaces so MCPS buses could run and schools and offices could open safely for students, staff and visitors.

If you have ice remaining on sidewalks or roadways that you believe are causing a danger for students, staff or buses, please contact Montgomery County's 311 service to report those areas.

Join Us for Community Meetings on Operating Budget

The Montgomery County Board of Education is hosting community meetings to explain the MCPS budget process. Join Board President Julie Yang and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor for a presentation and Q&A about the 2026 operating budget and how it reflects the Board's priorities.

Community Meetings Schedule:

• Tuesday, Jan. 28 – 6:30-8 p.m., Paint Branch High School (RSVP)
• Thursday, Jan. 30 – 6:30-8 p.m., Virtual Meeting (RSVP)

The Board of Education has been holding operating budget public hearings and work sessions. The last will be held on the following dates:

• Public Hearing: 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27.
• Work Session: 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 30.

The Board will tentatively adopt the operating budget at its business meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with final adoption expected at its business meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

Read more and learn more about the proposed FY 2026 budget on this website.

Changes to COSA Process Coming This Year

The MCPS 2025-2026 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Monday, Feb. 3, and closes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school.

Students are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or are assigned based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Learn more about the criteria.

Important changes for the upcoming COSA transfer process:

• Requests submitted after April 1, 2025, will not be considered unless there was a recent move or an emergency event that could not have been foreseen prior to April 1.
• All COSA requests must be submitted online through ParentVue in Synergy. Parents who need support on how to use ParentVue to complete an online COSA request are encouraged to reach out to a staff member at their child’s assigned school.
• Detailed information related to the COSA process can be found in the 2025-2026 COSA information booklet, which will be available at the end of January.

For questions, call the Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.

Winter Parent Academy Schedule Now Available

Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home. The January, February and March webinars are available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.

Walt Whitman Basketball Players Trade Hoops for Aprons and Community Service

The varsity basketball players at Walt Whitman High School are proving they’re more than athletes—they’re community leaders. From volunteering at a D.C. soup kitchen to organizing food drives, the team is making a real impact. To see how they’re developing leadership skills on and off the court, read the full story.

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

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