Please click on this link to learn about summer school opportunities for rising 8th and 9th graders to take virtual courses this summer for acceleration: https://educatorpages.com/site/QMSCounseling/pages/acceleration-courses-summer-options. These course offerings are offered through Longwood University (Dual-Enrollment Economics & Personal Finance course for rising 9th graders) and additional acceleration courses for rising 8th and 9th graders offered through Virtual Virginia.  These courses have required tuition and are only appropriate for highly motivated students who can dedicate several hours per day this summer for virtual courses.

Attachments: Summer School 2021 – Virtual Virginia QMS and Longwood University flyer (Economics & Personal Finance course)

Una Pérdida Desgarradora; Apoyo para la Comunidad de QMS

Dear Griffin Family:

With her family’s permission, I am heartbroken and devastated to share news that has shocked and saddened our community. As you may know, our 8th grade student Lucia Bremer died on Friday. Words can barely begin to describe the tragedy and loss for our community and beyond, but I will try.

Lucia was funny. She loved to tell jokes and made people laugh. She was an amazing public speaker, and you would just listen in awe as she spoke. Lucia was wise beyond her years. Talking to her didn’t feel like talking to a middle schooler. Lucia was exceptional; truly one-of-a-kind. She was brave, hardworking, and kind to everyone. Her smile would light up the entire room. In fact, her mother told me that Lucia’s name means “light”, which is just the perfect way to describe her. She radiated happiness, and she loved our school.

Earlier today, the QMS faculty met to hear this news together, and to continue forming our plans to meet everyone’s needs for this weekend, and when we return to school on Monday.

In this time of physical distancing, the impact of grieving alone can increase the chances of anxiety, depression, and complicated grief, so it is even more critical to make connections for our students and families. We don’t have to pretend that we’re not tremendously affected by this.

On Sunday (March 28), we plan to have an opportunity for our staff, students and families to grieve and support one another in a safe, virtual space. Please show your support by wearing gray and white, two of Lucia’s favorite colors. Please check your email for the link.

In addition, I would like to share these resources with you which may be helpful in speaking with your student(s): check your email for the link.

I will continue to provide updates on the student and staff supports that will be available for school on Monday. Also, our school will have an additional police presence on Monday, which we appreciate to ensure that everyone feels safe on what we know will be a most difficult day.

I am so sorry to be sharing this heartbreaking message. Thank you for keeping Lucia, her family and those involved in this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is something you’d like me to know.

With Griffin love,

Melanie Phipps

Principal

During this challenging year, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help.  This program will be provided to all eighth-grade students virtually through their Health/PE class and will be conducted during the weeks of April 12th, 19th, and 26th. Your child’s Health/PE teacher will inform your child of the exact day and week prior to the lesson.  Your child will be required to keep his/her video on during the entire lesson.  If you do not wish for your child to participate in the SOS lesson please sign and submit the attached form to your child’s Health/PE teacher or email Mrs. Tammy Mizelle, 8th-grade school counselor @ tbmizelle@henrico.k12.va.us.  Please review the letter below for more details, resources and to indicate if you wish to opt your child out of this lesson.

QMS SOS Information and Opt Out Letter

Do you miss the Spring Sports Informational Meeting?  No worries.  Click on the link below to view the PowerPoint or watch the recording.

Meeting PowerPoint| Video from the meeting

Spring Sports will be played in Middle School this spring, but we will have to work together for this to be a success. Over the next 7 weeks, you will be receiving a lot of information through emails, and Athletic Website located on the School Website. It is important that you read to understand all the information and rules. I believe this is an opportunity to start getting things back to somewhat normal and I look forward to working with you and your children.

Below are items you can start working on to get ready for tryouts at Quioccasin Middle for Spring Sports.

Important Information:

• Spring Sports Tryouts: Begin Tuesday, April 13, 2021 @ 3:30pm until 5:15pm.

  • Please fill out the interest form by March 12th if you plan on trying out.   INTEREST FORM

• Sports offered: Baseball, Boys Tennis, Girls Soccer, Softball, and Track

• Eligibility: Students must pass all core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) during the third marking period with a 65% or higher.

• FORMS YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED BEFORE TRYING OUT:

  • PHYSICAL FORM: Must be on Henrico County Public Schools Middle School Form, signed by a Doctor, All insurance information filled out, signed by both Athlete and Parent, and Dated May 1, 2020 or later.

  • STUDENT ACTIVITIES CONTRACT: signed by both Athlete and Parent.

  • CONCUSSION FORM: signed by both Athlete and Parent.

  • COVID-19 FORM: signed by both Athlete and Parent.

  • Click here to access the packet of all forms

• Join BAND to keep up with QMS Athletics: By joining “BAND” you will know how to turn in all forms, when to turn all forms, and practice and game changes.

• Click here to join “BAND” https://band.us/n/a9a745te812bi

• Forms mentioned in number 4 are also located on the Athletic Website on the school website under extracurricular activities or just click https://atsemo.wixsite.com/qmsgriffins

• All forms can be turned in to Coach Semo (C-26) if your child is returning to in-person learning. You may also drop them off in the main office, or we may have 1 or 2 days of drive-up and drop-off after school sometime towards the end of March. Forms may be sent back home if not filled out correctly (Areas on the forms will be highlighted where corrections are needed).

• We hope to have a Spring Sports information meeting for all people interested in trying out. The date and time to be determined.

Did you miss the Town Hall meetings that took place last week?  Please click on the link below to view these recordings.

Town Hall for Virtual Instruction/Learning

• MEETING LINK

Town Hall Meeting for In-Person Instruction/Learning

• MEETING LINK

Gil Hall tries to make every class fun at Quioccasin Middle School. He even holds after-school ZOOM meetings with video games so that students can spend time getting to know each other. Watch as Dr. Amy Cashwell presents Gil with the Yay of the Day award.

QMS Picture Day 20-21 Flyer

Click here to schedule an appointment

Rising 6^th Grade Families:

Please review our new “QMS Curriculum Fair” website, containing information for rising 6^th grade students!  We are excited to offer this comprehensive tool to help you support students through the course selection process: link to website.

Rising 6th students and families can participate in a virtual Q/A Session on February 9th, from 6:00-7:00 PM.

For more details, please click on the graphic or click the link to the website.

The window for selecting courses in PowerSchool will take place between February 15th – 26th.

Summer Online PE Information:

• Please refer to this website for all the information you will need: www.tinyurl.com/hcps-ohpe2021
• Lottery Sign-Up will take place from February 3^rd – 26^th
• The presentation recording and slides can be found on the webpage above, as well as the link to enter the lottery
• Two Q&A Sessions will be held on February 2^nd and February 9^th, @ 7:00 PM (Microsoft Team meeting links are on the webpage above)
• Acceptance notification will take place on March 5^th
• Online registration will take place March 8-19