The Warrior's Call

Vol 5 - 2025 February
January 31, 2025
Teacher of the Year logo. The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding educators with more than three years of teaching experience at a DoDEA school who exemplify the qualities of professionalism and excellence in our teaching workforce.

Nominate a DoDEA Teacher for Teacher of the Year!

This month we would like to highlight the DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teacher of the Year Program is designed to recognize and honor outstanding educators with more than three years of teaching experience at a DoDEA school who exemplify the qualities of professionalism and excellence in our teaching workforce.

The DoDEA Teacher of the Year Program is modeled after the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Program, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). This program provides an avenue for all State Teachers of the Year (STOYs) to be nationally recognized and compete for the NTOY. The NTOY and all STOYs are presented at the White House. The DoDEA Teacher of the Year travels to all NTOY activities and takes a semester-long sabbatical to design and implement a project of their choice.

Anyone may nominate a DoDEA teacher for this award.

Nominations are open from Jan 6 - Feb 14, 2025. 

Click here if you would like to nominate a DoDEA teacher.


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

DoDEA's official photo of Mr. Miles J. Shea.

Mr. Miles J. Shea

3307 Purvis Road
Quantico, VA 22134-2198
United States

571-660-9555
DoDEA's official photo of Mr. Ben Kolodziej.

Mr. Ben Kolodziej

3307 Purvis Road
Quantico, VA 22134-2198
United States

571-660-9555

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.

See Calendar

February 2025 At-a-Glance

Red = Red day classes
Yellow = Gold day classes
Orange = Orange day classes (all classes meet except R4)
Feb 5 - Early Release, Students attend R1-R3 only
Feb 12 - No Classes, Teacher Training
Feb 17 - No School, Presidents' Day
Feb 26 - No Classes, Teacher Training
Looking ahead...
Mar 5 - Early Release, Students attend R1-R3 only

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 Information Center News

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DoDEA Library Services QMHS Library Info Ctr
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Starting February 3, the Information Center is open on Orange Days for HS Lunch! - This is in addition to being open during the MS lunches.  Students have access to puzzles, games, Legos, and a coloring station to provide some down time after finishing their lunch—no food in the IC. 

Book Lovers’ Blind Date: Discover the Unexpected - Choose a wrapped book based solely on a brief description, without knowing the title or author. It's a fun way to discover new genres and authors, adding an element of surprise to your reading experience. Unwrap a literary adventure and learn why it's important to never judge a book by its cover! 

Yearbook Info

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Buy Your Yearbook Like, NOW!

Winter Sale Price:  $50

Winter Sale ends on Feb. 28, 2025

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

Questions about the yearbook? Please email the yearbook sponsor.

Community News

If you have any community events questions, please contact the School Liaison Officer, Penny Rowley at penny.l.rowley.civ@usmc.mil 
 

Ed Tech Bits

Adobe Express

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What a fun and useful tool!

You may be aware that access to Canva.com is now not permitted on our student devices. The reality is that it's never been on our DoDEA Approved Resources list, and it likely won't be since we already have a premium version of Adobe Express available.

Adobe Express has some powerful image and video editing features and a wide variety of templates and free-to-use assets.

If your teen or tween is running out of things to do over the winter break, perhaps you could point them in this direction. As they discover the powerful integrated text-to-image generative AI, they'll be busy for a while. 

Students gain access to Adobe Express through ClassLink and can log in with their school google credentials. Teachers can also gain access through ClassLink. Just find the Adobe Express icon that says "Azure" in the title. There's even a promotion running right now for the "12 Days of Creativity" in which students can learn many of the things they can do in Adobe Express. 

It's a great tool to use for class projects or creative expression!

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.

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/imagery targeting groups based on race/color, ethnicity/national origin, sex, 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

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:

  • College and Career Family Night
  • International Festival
  • Dances*
  • Talent Show
  • Sporting and Athletic Events*
  • Homecoming
  • Family Reading Night
  • National History Day
  • AP and Honors Night
  • Music Concerts
  • Drama Productions
  • Art Shows
  • Inductions into Honor Societies
*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. 
    • 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
  •  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. 
  • 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 games 

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
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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