Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? This month is dedicated to helping raise awareness about mental health issues, to promote good mental health practices, and encourage people to support others around them.

This week, May 11^th – May 15^th, the school counseling department is holding its Virtual Mental Health Spirit Week. QMS students and staff are invited to participate in fun activities while also helping them to recognize the impact of healthy lifestyle practices and good self-care. Daily-themed Padlets are designed for students to post pictures and videos to help them feel better, but also to see how and what others in the QMS family are doing. The themes are as follow:

• MISS YOU! Monday: Students will send a picture of themselves holding a sign that shows how much they miss their friends and teachers.
• Show Us Your Talent Tuesday:  Students send a picture of themselves playing an instrument, singing, playing sports, dancing, or display any other talent they possess.
• Griffin Wednesday:  Students will show their school pride by rockin’ their BLUE and GOLD!
• Thoughtful Thursday:  Let us know what you did to make someone’s day better
• Friend Friday:  Share a picture from your phone of you and a friend that you miss.

Bonus – Mental Health Awareness Month:  Take a picture of yourself wearing GREEN, the color of this Awareness Month.

• In addition to these activities, there are numerous resources for students to review in the newly launched “Counselor’s Corner” in Schoology. Thank you for participating and showing your support in recognition of the benefits of overall mental health and wellness.

Congratulations to Ms. Buckler!!!

She is the Three Chopt District Finalist for HCPS Teacher of the Year!

We love you and we are extremely proud of this great accomplishment.

Congratulations to Maxim Avrutin for winning 1st Place in his division in the first ever Virtual Metro Richmond Science Fair!!!  Awesome job and we Griffins are so proud of you!!

Per the VA Standards of Accreditation, a middle school student has the option to expunge/remove a high school course (grade and associated credit) taken in middle school from his/her high school transcript. While the course and grade will remain on the middle school record, neither the course nor the credit will be placed on the high school transcript and the grade will not be included in the high school G.P.A. Please note: Once the course has been removed, it cannot be placed back on the transcript.

To pursue this option, please complete and submit the electronic “High School Credit Removal” form located on the PowerSchool Parent Portal by June 30, 2020 of the year in which the student attempted the course. Requests submitted after this time will not be considered. Directions to access this form can be found here https://educatorpages.com/site/QMSCounseling/pages/high-school-credit-removal-information.  We encourage you to reach out to your school counselor with any questions and to discuss this option with your school counselor prior to making a final decision.

As a reminder, HCPS offers the following high school credit-bearing courses in middle school (this varies by school – the courses listed here are offered at QMS): Earth Science, Algebra I, PSC Geometry, World History and Geography I, Art I Discovering Art, Independent Living, Technology Foundations, Exploring Computer Science, 21^st Century Inquiry and Leadership, French I, Spanish I, French II, Spanish II, Foundations of Spanish Part B and Foundations of French Part B.

Hi Griffins!! This week is Spring Break.  All teachers will be “unplugging” during this week.  All communication will resume Tuesday, April 14.  Enjoy your time with your family and have a wonderful Spring Break!

Hi Students and Parents,

Grade recovery assignments are available in Schoology for each teacher.  If you are interested in raising your grade in a course please check that teacher’s Schoology course page.  Assignments must be completed by April 24.

Hi Griffin Families!  We hope everyone is in good spirits during this time of uncertainty.  Today all teachers have made assignments available to students in Schoology.  This will be the main resource we will use to post assignments and a communication tool between teachers, students, and their families.  This will also be a good time for students to complete any missing assignments prior to our dismissal last Friday, Mar. 13.  Lastly, if students are having log in issues, just get to the nearest HCPS school to access HCPS wifi and that should take care of it.

Stay healthy Griffins!

Concern about COVID-19 (coronavirus) has created a rapidly evolving environment where changes are being made quickly in the interest of public health.

Starting Monday, March 16, Henrico County Public Schools will be closed for students for two full weeks of school (through Friday, March 27). We will continue to assess the situation, and decide later if we need to extend this period of closure.

We realize this creates many questions about how students will continue their learning. We have a thorough plan in place, and detailed information about student learning will be communicated in a separate message.

Our teachers and staff will use Monday, March 16, to continue their preparations. “Virtual learning” experiences (digital and non-digital) will be available to students of all grade levels starting on Tuesday, March 17.

During this unprecedented experience, we will continue to do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our community. The HCPS Facilities and Pupil Transportation departments will conduct additional cleaning of school buildings and buses, and continue to assess the best cleaning practices.

Additionally, for many of our students, the meals provided at our schools are a crucial part of their daily nutrition. Additional plans are being made to address this vital need across the Henrico Community.

Please know that this is not a decision that we make lightly. We realize that any change to educational schedules is disruptive and inconvenient. However, our priority must always be the health and safety of our students, staff members and community.

Again, more details about student learning will be forthcoming in separate communications. Visit the “COVID-19” page on our website for full information from HCPS.

HCPS TV caught up with Gilbert Hall’s 6th grade U.S. History class as they presented their rebellion propaganda exhibition