The Warriors' Call
Greetings QMHS Community!
We have been a busy troop of Warriors this month, and it shows no sign of slowing! In October, our sports teams competed, we celebrated Homecoming, student clubs and activities met, we completed our PSAT and SAT testing, went on some study trips, took care of our student yearbook photos, AND celebrated Book Character Day by dressing up as our favorite book character on Oct. 31.
In the first full week of November, we look forward to a visit from Mr. Ryan Smith (Americas Mid-Atlantic District Superintendent) and Dr. Angelo Barcinas (Americas Mid-Atlantic District Chief of Staff). We follow that with various celebrations for the completion of the fall sports seasons, more study trips, and a Drama presentation right before we break for Thanksgiving.
Please read below for details about some of our upcoming events, and articles about some of our past ones.Â
If you're on Facebook or Instagram, be sure to like/follow our pages. It's a great way to keep up with our events and activities.
Together, we are Warrior STRONG!
Your QMHS Administrative Team,Â
Miles J. Shea, Principal, 703-459-3693
Ben Kolodziej, Assistant Principal, 703-459-3287
Quantico Middle High School - QMHS - Quality Mentoring Hastens Success
QMHS School Website Calendar
The Calendar that is located in the "Calendar" section of this website shows all of our school activities, sports, special events, and days out of school. It is updated regularly and is very reliable.
Click the "See Calendar" button to see the full "live" calendar.
Of note, all Winter and Spring sport events and other activities have been added. Please monitor this calendar for timely updates.
December 2024 At-a-Glance
from the Red/Gold Calendar
| Red = Red day classes Yellow = Gold day classes Orange = Orange day classes (all classes meet except R4) |
| Dec 5 - Accelerated Withdrawal date Dec 9 - No Classes, Teacher Training Dec 23-Jan 3 - No School, Winter Break |
|
Looking ahead... Jan 6 - Instruction Resumes, Orange Day |
Click the "QMHS Red/Gold Calendar" button to download the pdf.
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If your child is absent from school, call (571-660-9555)Â
or email (MHS.Attendance@DoDEA.edu) the QMHS Main Office
When your child or children return to school, please provide the main office with a written explanation. Please note that the written explanation, by itself, does not constitute an excused absence.
Additional Info:
- A doctor's note is required after 3 consecutive days of illness.
- An Extended Absence Form is required for absences of 5 or more days. This includes for isolation periods, planned trips, and emergencies.
If your child is absent from school, call (571-660-9555)Â
or email (MHS.Attendance@DoDEA.edu) the QMHS Main Office.
Parents, be sure to check your child's grades in the SIS (Aspen) Parent Portal. Your access credentials are the same ones you used when you registered your child(ren).Â
In addition to checking grades, the Parent Portal gives you access to your child's attendance information, the public version of our live school Google calendar, and the daily announcements made over the intercom each morning!
Pro-tip: If you don't see this extra information and you're using your smartphone or tablet, try the "View Full Site" link.
Your child has their own access as well.
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Flu Vaccines
The annual Flu Vaccine is required for ALL enrolled DoDEA students. Â Deadline is Dec. 1, 2024! Provide proof of vaccination to the QMHS School Nurse via email, anytime before Dec. 1, 2024.
Naval Health Clinic Quantico (NHCQ)
NHCQ is offering Flu Shots to qualifying individuals aged 6 months to 19 years according to the following schedule.
Dates: Â Nov. 4-6, 2024Â
Time: Â 0630-1100 and 1200-1500
Location: Â NHCQ Immunization Clinic, 1st FloorÂ
         3259 Catlin Ave.
         Quantico, VA 22134
eBooks and Audiobooks Abound
Students have access to eBooks and audiobooks here at QMHS. MackinVIA is our online platform for these resources. Students were introduced to this platform during IC orientation with the ELA classes. Students access through ClassLink with their Google Account using any Internet connected device.  If a student needs a review on how to use MackinVIA, they can sign up  using this link to come to the IC during seminar times during the month of November.Â
These resources are updated as new titles are added, so be sure to check back.
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MackinVIA is Divided by Grade Levels
|
Grade Levels |
Audiobooks |
eBooks |
|---|---|---|
|
Middle School |
345 |
7,348 |
|
High School |
744 |
9,413 |
Students can preview the items and even check them out for download to a smartphone or tablet through the MackinVIA app.Â
Digital Citizenship
Students know a lot about technology. More specifically, they know how to use a computer or other digital device swiftly and gracefully. This is not surprising since some of them have been using some kind of device since they were able to hold their parent's smartphone. They know how to access content and communicate with their friends. They can record a video or take a picture without skipping a beat, and speaking of beats...they're sometimes listening to those while they should be doing their homework... Â
Where they often lack knowledge is in the topic of Digital Citizenship. Digital Citizenship is everyone's responsibility, and it's up to all the adults to learn along-side our students in this subject. Many of us didn't learn about Digital Citizenship when we were students since there wasn't much networking going on with our calculators or wristwatches! Now, we need to catch up and KEEP UP with the students.
Elements of Digital Citizenship are: Â
- Digital Footprints & Information Bubbles
- Media Literacy
- Cyberbullying
- Social Media and Online Safety
- Kidnapping Content (Stealing the Digital Property of Others)
- Digital Wellness
- Digital Commerce
- Using Tech for Good
As the Educational Technologist, I have a responsibility to facilitate our Digital Citizenship education. To that end, I have placed 3 lessons into the QMHS Students Google Classroom. These are leveled, so our middle school students and high school students are getting information in a way that they can understand it best. The lessons can be completed during first semester. For 2nd semester, I'll be rolling 3 more out (4 for high school), to be completed by the end of the school year. I'm not taking any grades on this, so feel free to take advantage of this learning opportunity along with your child.
Bonus Content: Â Please take a look at this video Does the Internet Make you Meaner? from our friends at Above the Noise
The Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU College Festival Planning Committee is excited to announce that registration is now open for our 22nd Annual HBCU College Festival. The festival will be held Nov. 8-9, 2024, and is a hybrid event.Â
Registration for all attendees is now open. See the link below.Â
Virtual components of the Festival will be held on Nov. 8 from 4-8pm and Nov. 9 from 9am-4pm.Â
In-person components of the Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9am-4pm at:
St. James Sports ComplexÂ
6805 Industrial Road
Springfield, VA 22151)
Since 2003, this one-of-a-kind college fair has connected more than 60,000 attendees to academic institutions. As mentioned in Philanthropy News Digest, in 2022, Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in Alexandria, Virginia, announced a $1 million gift in support of Jackson State University. With this latest gift, ASBC has awarded more than $42 million over the past 20 years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country, which it states makes it the largest faith-based financial supporter of HBCUs. ASBC has given a combination of direct donations, contributions, scholarships, and/or waived fees awarded to students from its annual HBCU College Festival. At the Fall 2022 festival, $4 million in scholarships and waived fees were awarded to thousands of students.
For questions and additional information, please contact the planning committee at hbcufestival@alfredstreet.org. We look forward to you joining us in November.
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QMHS SY 2024-25 Yearbook On Sale
Get your yearbook NOW!!
Early Bird Sale through Nov. 22, 2024
Only $40!
Price goes up after Nov. 22!
Visit:  https://ybpay.lifetouch.com        Â
Use Code: Â 8408425
Â
Questions about the yearbook? Â Email the Yearbook Sponsor.
Â
Senior Ads on Sale
Class of 2025Â
Senior Tribute Ads for the yearbook are available for purchase.
Sales conclude on Jan. 6, 2025
Visit: Â https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
Use Code: Â 8408425
Clubs & Activities
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Senior Night - Fall 2024
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School Procedures
DoDEA School Dress Code
Students MUST wear:
- Tops with sleeves (sleeveless tops/dresses are permitted for school sponsored formal events such as prom)
- Solid clothing (not transparent or translucent) that fully covers the top and bottom from armpit to mid-thigh
- Shoes (shoes must be safe for the school environment)
- Bedroom slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal
- Open toe shoes with a strap across the heel are allowed
Students CANNOT wear clothing with:
- Language or images promoting violence
- Language or images that depict, promote, or advocate the illegal use or sale of drugs, alcohol or tobacco products; violent conduct; curse words; pornography; that contain threats or expressions which are violent, discriminatory, lewd or obscene; or that advocate or promote any other illegal item or activity or the use of same
- Derogatory speech/imagery targeting groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex/gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law
- Headgear that obscures the face (except as a religious observance or health purpose); clothing items with hoods attached can be worn but must not cover the head
* Teachers/courses can require certain attire as part of the curriculum (for example: physical education, culinary) that may include specific dress
* DoDEA issued athletic uniforms and athletic practice attire outside of the DoDEA school dress code is permitted when worn by participants during athletic practices and sports events
Related regulations
QMHS - Dress Code Clarifications
QMHS and DoDEA believe that a student's attire can affect their attitude, behavior, and achievement. Adherence to the DoDEA School Dress Code ensures that student's clothing and overall appearance meets basic standards for health, safety, cleanliness, and decency. Dress or appearance which disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school will not be tolerated. The administration reserves the right to prohibit an item of clothing that may not be specifically covered by this policy if it threatens the wellness, safety, and security of our school. The DoDEA dress code policy also pertains to all after-school activities and school-sponsored events.
Related regulations
QMHS Activities Outside of School Hours
School Sponsored Nights
QMHS sponsors several programs and activities that occur outside of normal school hours. Often these are referred to as After-School Activities or School Sponsored Nights. These programs and activities are for current QMHS students and are supervised by the administration, staff members, parent volunteers, and the School Resource Officer. If a student is assigned Out of School Suspension, they remain ineligible to attend any School Sponsored activity until 7:20am on the following school day. This time period spans the weekend if the Out of School Suspension is assigned for a Friday. Examples of QMHS School Sponsored Nights could include:
|
|
| *See below for details | |
QMHS Dances
QMHS Dances are open to current QMHS students only. No other students may attend unless special permission is given by the administration. A student wishing to bring a guest must obtain a guest pass from the dance sponsor at least one week prior to the date of the dance. QMHS administration will issue final approval. Further rules include:
- All school rules, regulations, and policies are in effect while students attend dances
- Students who attend a dance must have been present at school on the day of the dance unless a waiver is granted by the administration.
- Transportation to and from the dance is to be provided by the parents or students have permission to drive to school.
- Students who attend a dance must be picked up (or leave) within 15 minutes of the ending time of the dance.Â
- Students who are picked up late will be restricted from attending the next dance.
- Parents who wish to retrieve their child early from the dance must either,
- Pick them up in person, by entering the dance venue and verifying with a chaperone
- Provide written permission in advance to the dance sponsor
- Â Students who are removed from a dance for any reason will be ineligible to attend future dances unless approved by administration
- Inappropriate dancing is not allowed. Always be courteous and considerate of fellow students and chaperones.
- Middle school students may not attend high school dances and high school students may not attend middle school dances.
QMHS Activities and Athletics
All middle school and high school sports, clubs, and organizational meetings will be advertised during the school year.
Eligibility to Participate in Athletics and Clubs
Besides being present at school on the date of the Athletic or Club event, students must meet grade eligibility. Students who meet eligibility requirements have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and no more than one "F" as a course grade. Grades are checked and eligibility is met according to the following procedure:
- Student grades will be checked by a school counselor every Wednesday morning at 0700.Â
- The eligibility period is from that time (Wednesday morning) through the following Wednesday morning. Students will not be removed from the list mid-week.
- Students with grades that do not meet these criteria (above) are considered "Ineligible." Until the student brings their grade into compliance, ineligible student athletes:
- Cannot be in uniform
- Cannot participate in any game
- Cannot travel with the team to away gamesÂ
Eligibility for athletic and club activities occurring in Semester 1 is determined by student grades from Quarter 4 of the previous school year. Students who complete summer school may use those grades to count toward eligibility.
Related regulations
QMHS - Portable Electronic Media Devices (PEMD)
PEMD are electronic devices that are small enough to be considered portable, and are not owned by the school or by DoDEA. PEMD includes any personally owned devices that can be used by an individual to store and/or maintain digital information, such as: mobile (cell) phones, smart phones, digital cameras, iPads, tablet devices, watches, fitness trackers, and laptops.
All PEMD (including phones) must be stored in lockers during school hours (7:15am-2:15pm). PEMD may not be visible upon entry into the school building.
PEMD are subject to confiscation by any QMHS staff member if they distract from or interfere with students' academic activities, extracurricular activities, or overall safety, health, and socio-emotional wellness.
PEMD violations will result in the device being confiscated and turned in to the main office. Consequences are:
- 1st Offense: Student will be issued a warning and this infraction will be logged into the Student Information System. Student may pick up device from the main office after dismissal.
- 2nd Offense: Infraction will be logged into the Student Information System as a subsequent offense. Parent will be contacted to come to the school to retrieve the PEMD.
Related regulations
Contacts
| Name | Position Details | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| School Webmaster | School Webmaster |
