QPS District Departments

Quincy Public Schools | 159 Burgin Parkway | Quincy | Massachusetts | 02169 | 617-984-8700

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District News

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We continue to add new information and links and work with our schools to populate our new web-based calendars. Check it out! As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, or find any broken links, please email the webmaster.

Photographs this month - Principal induction ceremony and principal recognition for over 800 years of combined service to QPS.

Teacher Appreciation Week - May 4-10

Summer Scene - Download and print catalog or registration form.

School Community Partnership Upcoming Events - Evening at the Pops, Thursday May 8 at 7:00 Historical Walk, Annual Golf Tournament

MCAS - May 2008 MCAS Testing Schedule

 

QPAC Meeting May 28 - Click here for details.

 

A new section of our website is now posted and contains more detail and updates about the  New Quincy High

 

School Contact Information - Click here for a listing of school phone numbers and contact information. 

 

2007-2008 School Calendar - Click here to view/print a copy of the 2007-2008 school Calendar

 

2008-2009 School Calendar Approved 4/9/08 - Click here to view/print a copy of the 2008-2009 calendar. Approved Calendar 0809 Part 2

 

New Students - Welcome and enrollment information for new parents and students.

 

Street Directory - Click here to locate the schools in your district.

 

 

 

 

 

Gifted and Talented

There are many definitions for giftedness. They all have one element in common: A gifted person is someone who shows, or has the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression. Some of these abilities are very general and can affect a broad spectrum of the person's life, such as leadership skills or the ability to think creatively. Some are very specific talents and are only evident in particular circumstances, such as a special aptitude in mathematics, science, or music. Quincy Public Schools provides educational experiences appropriate to the needs of all children, including those who are high-ability, gifted learners. Some of the needs of gifted students can be met in regular classrooms with adequate teacher training and support services. Some needs will be met in separate programs where students can learn beyond the classroom and meet other students who share their abilities.

In-School Academic and Enrichment Programs

Within the Quincy Public Schools teachers, principals, and system-wide administrators strive to meet the needs of talented students within their individual schools and with system-wide opportunities. Although all schools do not have all of the learning/enrichment activities listed, all schools are involved in efforts to infuse critical arid creative thinking throughout the curriculum on a daily basis. In addition, ongoing professional development allows teachers to increase their skills in meeting the needs of the academically talented student in the classroom. Examples of opportunities, available to students are as follows:

All Schools

  • School Choruses
  • In­School cultural events and artists­in­Residence­programs
  • Drama programs linked to the curriculum areas
  • Computer enrichment programs
  • Mathematics, spelling, literature, dramatics, reading and history competition
  • Special guest speakers in the various curriculum areas
  • After-school enrichment programs
  • Summer reading programs, in conjunction with the Thomas Crane Public Library
  • Field trips which enrich curriculum information presented
  • Dramatic Reading Festival
  • Children's Literature Contest
  • Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society
  • Mathematic Leagues
  • Docent Art Program
  • Dance Festivals
  • Partnership with Quincy Historical Society
  • Summer Institute

Elementary

In the elementary schools, we begin to identify and challenge gifted children with an array of academic and arts courses. Our Elementary Laboratory Center (ELC) gives identified gifted grade 5 students a one-day-per-week academic and enrichment program designed to broaden and deepen their academic experience.

 

Middle School

In middle school, gifted students are given greater opportunities to expand their talents. The Advanced Placement Center (APC) teaches specifically identified academically talented students. Students are welcomed directly from the Elementary Laboratory Center or any time in grade 6, 7, or 8 as they are identified. Students enrolled in the APC or in our regular middle school programs also have additional opportunities in the arts and academics throughout the year.

 

High School

At the high school, gifted students have a wide selection of challenging honors and advanced placement courses in everything from the arts to the sciences to languages and more. Students work closely with their guidance counselors and teachers to plan out a program which will challenge them. Beyond academics, there are many opportunities with clubs and after-school programs such as drama, music, robotics and leadership activities to expand and deepen their skills.

  • Advanced and honors courses
  • All­Star Bands
  • First Robotics
  • Citywide Treble Choir
  • Concert, Show, and Jazz Choirs
  • Quincy Public Schools Festival of the Arts
  • The Handel and Haydn Society Vocal Apprenticeship Program
  • Global lab
  • Invention conventions
  • Leadership opportunities (school offices, student councils)
  • School newspapers arid award winning literary magazines
  • Affiliations with universities
  • National Honor Society
  • Foreign Language Honor Society

 

Beyond the Classroom Programs

We recognize that students may be looking for opportunities beyond the school day. Here are a sampling of activities. Speak with your child's school or guidance counselor to get information or to learn about additional opportunities.

Elementary/Middle School Programs

The Saturday Course at Milton Academy

The Saturday Course at Milton Academy provides an opportunity for some fourth graders who have been identified in their home schools as gifted and talented to come together in a learning environment dedicated to the advancement of individual potential.

Established in 1978, the purpose of this program is to provide varied enrichment activities for gifted and talented students from surrounding communities. Emphasis is given to activities that require critical thinking and problem solving strategies.

Students selected by their respective school districts are in the fourth grade. Space in the program is allocated to each community based on fourth grade enrollment figures. Children in the Quincy Public Schools are selected by principals and teachers. Each elementary school has at least two spaces for fourth graders, and students who have been selected may return to participate in the fifth and sixth grade offerings.

Organized in small group settings, children are able to use all the facilities, learning areas, and equipment of Milton Academy. Participants select two courses that are held on Saturday mornings for five or six weeks. Each course period is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes. Course offerings may include the following: independent projects, scientific studies, computer activities, trial courts, mystery and historical writing, photography workshops, laboratory exercises, stock market analysis, plays, art appreciation programs, and chemistry. Opportunities are provided for children to interact in physical education activities. There is a very important sharing session of ideas and projects conducted weekly. Parents, as well as the home school, receive written. assessments of their children's progress.

There is a fee for registration and for the courses. Financial assistance may be given. Transportation is provided by parents. For additional information visit the Saturday Course page.

Summer Institute for Academically Talented Students

For over 17 years, the Quinsy Public Schools has offered The Summer Institute for Academically Talented and Highly Motivated Students. The Summer Institute is an intensive, two­week, half­day enrichment program that is designed to meet and challenge the academic and artistic needs of students entering grades 4 through 8. Participants must lie highly motivated, achieving students who enjoy a challenging and stimulating learning environment.

Students may select courses in the arts (Jazzin' and Jammin', Art Studio Workshop, The Musical Theatre Experience, The Joy of Singing, and Photography), Sciences (Crime Lab, Chemistry Lab, Backyard Explorers), Social Studies/Language Arts (Newscast, Simulation Games), Computers (Software Exploration, Computer Art), and Languages (Hola Amigos I, II, III). In addition, students participate in field trips and/or special interest afternoon sessions.

Other two­week Summer Institutes held recently include Animals Through the Arts and Sense-Sational Science. (for students entering grades K arid 1), Let's Go Beachcombing! (for students entering grades 1­2), Nature Keepers (for students entering grades 2­4), Institute on Marine Ecology (for students entering grades 5­8), Raise the Curtain (for students entering grades 4­8).

A tuition fee is charged thereby enabling the Summer Institute programs to be self­supporting. Brochures are mailed to the homes of all children attending the Quincy Public Schools in March or April.

For further information, contact Dr. Sylvia Pattavina, the Director of the Summer Institute (984­8737).