The Warriors' Call

Vol 2 - 2024 November
October 31, 2024

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. 

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, 
Miles J. Shea, Principal, 703-459-3693
Ben Kolodziej, Assistant Principal, 703-459-3287

Quantico Middle High School - QMHS - Quality Mentoring Hastens Success

Calendars? We've got them!

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.

See Calendar

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
Jan 10 - No Classes, Teacher Training

Click the "QMHS Red/Gold Calendar" button to download the pdf.
 

QMHS Red/Gold Calendar

Attendance Requirements

If your child is absent from school, call (571-660-9555) 
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) 
or email (MHS.Attendance@DoDEA.edu) the QMHS Main Office.

DoDEA SIS (Aspen) - Checking Grades AND Daily Announcements

Aspen for Grades

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). 

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.
 

QMHS Nurse News

Flu Vaccines

The annual Flu Vaccine is required for ALL enrolled DoDEA students.  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:  Nov. 4-6, 2024 
Time:  0630-1100 and 1200-1500
Location:  NHCQ Immunization Clinic, 1st Floor 
                  3259 Catlin Ave.
                  Quantico, VA 22134

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QMHS Information Center News

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DoDEA Library Services QMHS Library Info Ctr
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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. 

These resources are updated as new titles are added, so be sure to check back.

 

MackinVIA is Divided by Grade Levels

Grade Levels

Audiobooks

eBooks

Middle School
Gr 6-8

345

7,348

High School
Gr 9-12

744

9,413

Students can preview the items and even check them out for download to a smartphone or tablet through the MackinVIA app. 

Ed Tech Bits

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DoDEA Chromebook Info

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...  

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.

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Elements of Digital Citizenship are:  

  1. Digital Footprints & Information Bubbles
  2. Media Literacy
  3. Cyberbullying
  4. Social Media and Online Safety
  5. Kidnapping Content (Stealing the Digital Property of Others)
  6. Digital Wellness
  7. Digital Commerce
  8. 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:  Please take a look at this video Does the Internet Make you Meaner? from our friends at Above the Noise

AVID News

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. 

Registration for all attendees is now open. See the link below. 

Virtual components of the Festival will be held on Nov. 8 from 4-8pm and Nov. 9 from 9am-4pm. 

In-person components of the Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9am-4pm at:
St. James Sports Complex 
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.
 

Register for Festival

Yearbook Info

Facebook Early Bird Yearbook Sale 08282024

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               
Use Code:  8408425
 

Questions about the yearbook?  Email the Yearbook Sponsor.
 

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Senior Ads on Sale

Class of 2025 

Senior Tribute Ads for the yearbook are available for purchase.

Sales conclude on Jan. 6, 2025

Visit:  https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
Use Code:  8408425

Clubs & Activities

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Featured Pages

Activities

Sports Physical Requirement - All QMHS athletes must have a sports physical each school year from May of the current school year through June 30 of the succeeding year in order to try out for QMHS athletics.

See our DoDEA & QMHS School Handbook (link in the top banner) for information on Eligibility to Participate in Athletics and Clubs.

Click the Flyer button to access the QMHS Athletic Policy Handbook.

Senior Night - Fall 2024

Pics from the Senior Night Football Game halftime.

Follow us on Social Media

DoDEA School Dress Code

Image showing dress code and location of armpit and mid-thigh

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 and/or imagery that targets groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex, 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

School Administrators

Name Position Details Phone
School Webmaster School Webmaster

School Hours

  Start Time End Time
Office Hours 7:00 am 3:30 pm
Student Hours 7:20 am 2:20 pm
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