QUINCE ORCHARD High School

Important Start of the Year Information!

Details about many items were included in the Summer Mailing that went out on August 13th through ParentSquare.  If you did not receive the information, please check the settings on your account.  Details in the letter include:

• Safety and Security Updates - Staying on Campus, Building Access, Consequences, and Visitor Procedures
• Student ID Expectations - Students and staff are required to wear school IDs throught out the day and students will need to show badges when entering the building.
• Arrival, Lunch, and Dismissal - Doors will open at 7:25am, students arriving before 7:25am will report to the cafeteria.  Students can ONLY enter through the main entrance or the cougar wing entrance, where IDs will be checked.  Students arriving late without a pass, a parent/guardian will be notified.
• Cell Phone Policy - Away ALL DAY Policy in alignment with he Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective the first day of school, August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds (including AirPods) during the instructional day.
• Class of 2027 - Senior Class Updates - including Senior Sunrise, t-shirts, and dues!
• Class of 2030 & New Students - Transition Day & Ninth Grade Caregiver Night - details about the entire day and all the events on Monday, 8/24.  Students will be at school from 7:45am - 2:30pm and should bring a backpack, lunch, water bottle, and pen or pencil.
• Counseling Assignments and Counseling Website
• Digital Student and Family Handbook - This digital student handbook contains many of the policies and procedures in place at Quince Orchard High School as well as valuable resources. Please encourage your student(s) to read the handbook carefully. We also encourage parents to become familiar with the information provided as well.
• Emergency Contact Information - every year carefivers are required to complete the Annual Verification of Information through ParentVue.
• Grading and Reporting - regulations and policy information as well as an FAQ for the 26-27 school year.
• Health Room Information - our School Community Health Nurse is Eden Whitman and our School Health Room Technician is Brenda Hartwig.  They have included some important reminders for the school year in the mailing.
• Information and Communication Platforms - QO Website, ParentVue, and the Weekly Newsletter.
• Locker Request Form - Students who would like a locker for the 2026–2027 school year must complete the Locker Request Google Form.
• Meals - FARMS Application, Pricing, My School Bucks and more - details and links available in several languages.
• Student Parking Information
• Picture Days - Grades 9-11 will take pictures on September 2nd and 3rd.  Seniors need to sign-up with Victor O'Neill for senior photos.
• PTSA, NAACP-PC, & Booster Club Information - join these amazing groups today and help support QO while getting involved.  Details about each organization and volunteer needs are in the mailing.
  • Booster Club Welcome Letter
  • Booster Club Membership
  • Booster Club Store
• Safety Day is August 28th!
• School Hours & Bell Schedules
• School Drop-Off Procedures
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Student Ambassador Opportunities
• Testing Accommodations

Top News & Upcoming Events

• Weekly Callout from Dr. LaGrange on 8/13/26 - Lots of important Summer and Start of the Year Information
  • Weekly Athletics Newsletter - First for 2026-27 Coming Soon
• Monday, 8/20 - Wednesday, 8/22 - Senior Photo Sessions at Ridgeview MS - book online through Victor O'Neill studios - all seniors need to take a photo, there are free sessions and extended sessions available.
• Friday, 8/21 - Chromebook Pick-up for New Students from 10am - 2pm
• Saturday, 8/22 - Back to School Fair for our Region will be at Gaithersburg HS from 9am - Noon - Designed to make it easier and more fun for families to get connected and ready for the first day of school. The fair will feature easy-to-navigate zones where families can find exactly what they need, whether it’s student registration, technology support, school meal information, communication tools, school supplies, schedules, or an opportunity to meet school staff and learn more about their school community.
• Monday, 8/24 -
  • Transition Day for New to QO Students - 7:45am - 2:30pm
    • Chromebook Pick-up during their scheduled day
  • 9th Grade Caregiver Meeting - 6 - 7pm
• Tuesday, 8/25 - First Day of School for ALL Students
  • 6:45am - Senior Sunrise with Senior Walkthrough at & 7:30am
• Wednesday, 8/26 - First Day of School
• Thursday, 8/27 - Back to School Night - details and times coming soon!
  • Senior Caregiver Meeting - 5:30 - 6:15pm
  • Table Fair and Info Stations - 6 - 6:45pm
  • Welcome Session & Classroom Visits - 6:30 - 8:40pm
• Friday, 8/28 - Safety Day
• Tuesday, 9/1 - Parking Permit Applications Due - details in the news event above.
• Tuesday, 9/1 - Friday, 9/4 - MAP-R and MAP-M Testing
• Monday, 9/7 - No School for Students and Staff
• Thursday, 9/10 & Friday, 9/11 - Clubs Fair (During Lunch)
• Tuesday, 9/15 -
  • First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month
  • First Booster Club & PTSA Meeting - 7pm in the Media Center
• Friday, 9/18 - Early Release Day for Students - Interim Grades Submitted by Teachers
• Monday, 9/21 - Non-Instructional Day - No School for Students and Teachers
• Caregivers wishing to volunteer to support the Project Lead The Way program should apply here and contact Mr. Omari Sarjeant

Summer Assignments & Information

• Art - AP Classes Summer Work
• French - Level 5 or AP French Summer Work
• Math Summer Work - Multiple Classes
• Summer Reading Program - The QOHS Media center encourages you to “Join the summer reading program!"  Link to more information

FARMS - It's more than free lunch!

Apply online at MySchoolApps.com (translations available) TODAY! Families are required to submit this form each year.

• Click here for an English video tutorial.
• Vea aquí un vídeo paso a paso en español sobre cómo completar la solicitud de FARMS.

If you need assistance completing the online FARMS application, please contact your student’s counselor.  More information on eligibility requirements can be found here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/free-reduced-meals/

• Breakfast for All Schools $1.60
• Elementary Lunch $2.85
• Secondary Lunch $3.10

• Meals are free for students who qualify for Free And Reduced-price Meals; students who are approved for reduced-price meals eat for free. Students receive one complete breakfast meal and one complete lunch meal per school day at no charge.

For more information & school menus visit: Division of Food & Nutrition Services - Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD (montgomeryschoolsmd.org)

Athletic Event Info

• Athletics Website - get all your information, schedules, rosters, and more!
• Athletes participating in All-Year Conditioning/Workouts and school year workouts must register via ParentVue.  This registration is good for the entire 2026-2027 school year as long as the athlete has a valid physical.
• The Fall season is now in full swing, please read through all the information below about policies and procedures for our events.  And remember that ALL season tickets and single game tickets MUST be puchased online via GoFan.  There are no cash purchases at the gate for events.  Please be advised that there are new protocols and procedures in place at ALL Athletic events.  Please read through the MCPS Athletics Safety Plan, read the highlighted specific protocols below and watch this important video from the Student-Athlete Leadership Council.
  • Season Tickets can still be purchased, all online through GoFan.
  • All tickets must be purchased online through GoFan, tickets must be on your digital device and redeemed by Athletic Department Staff at the entrance gate.
  • No screenshots, images or already redeemed tickets will be accepted.
  • Everyone age 11+ must purchase a ticket to attend and event.
  • High School students must show Student ID along with their ticket to enter ALL events.
  • All Elementary and Middle School students MUST be accompanied and supervised by an Adult Chaperone during the entire event.
  • NO Re-Entry into the game and NO Entry after Halftime
  • NO Outside Food or Drink

Summer SSL

Summer is a wonderful time for students to engage in SSL opportunities and earn SSL hours towards meeting the 75-hour state graduation requirement!

Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the summer, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).

MCPS - June 2026 Upcoming SSL Opportunities

If you have any questions about the SSL program, please email your school’s SSL coordinator kelly_p_miller@mcpsmd.org or the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Thank you!

SSL Opportunities

If you have any questions about the SSL program, please email Mrs.Kelly P. Miller , Kelly_P_Miller@mcpsmd.org, or the MCPS SSL office at SSL@mcpsmd.org. Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2025-2026 school year and over the summer, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org). 

SSL Reminders - A reminder that all MCPS students must earn 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours to graduate from high school.

• Middle school and high school students can participate in virtual/remote and/or in-person SSL opportunities on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center website.
• Students will also find SSL forms, guidelines and resources, and more at the SSL Hub for Students/Families 

Technology and Cell Phone Policy

This school year all Montgomery County Public Schools will be restricting the use of cell phones during school hours. These restrictions are in alignment with the Maryland Phone-Free School Act (HB 525). Effective the first day of school, August 24, 2026, all students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, e-readers, personal laptops, smart watches, smart glasses, and anything with a microphone, camera, speaker, or headphones/earbuds (including AirPods) during the instructional day. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class.

We believe that by restricting personal mobile devices it will reduce distractions to your child’s learning, support their social development through increased engagement in discussions with their peers and teachers, and promote a safer school environment. For more information, including how you can support your child, please visit the MCPS Family FAQ - Personal Mobile Devices.

Gaithersburg Student Union

Gaithersburg Student Union (GSU) will be back at QOHS on select days at lunch! Join the GSU Staff for more information on Tuesday & Friday in the Small Gym, and on Wednesday in Room 102 for information and snacks. The Student Union is a club for high school students that provides enrichment programs for students in grades 9 - 12. Activities include fitness and sports programs, arts and music, field trips, and volunteer opportunities. Follow them on Instagram @COGStudentUnion. Ask Ms. Ashman for the registration information, or email Mr. Vera at StudentUnion@gaithersburgmd.gov.