A-to-Z Parent Guide
We've assembled the most common questions into an easy to use guide for parents. Click on a letter below to go to a topic or browse down the page to read them all.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Accidents: Any accidents occurring on school property or at any school event must be reported immediately to the teacher in charge or to the school nurse and an accident report must be filled out. It is very important that emergency cards are on file and updated so that we may reach you in case of an emergency.
Attendance and Absences: School attendance is governed by state law. (Mass. General Laws Relating to Education: Chapter 76, Section 1 & 2). “No child may exceed 7 days absence from school in any six month period except for medical reasons. Legal action against parents who fail to cause children in their charge to attend school is provided by said law.”
Family vacations during the school year are strongly discouraged due to loss of important learning time in the classroom. Parents must assume responsibility that missed work will be made up upon return to school. The student must make arrangements with teachers for make up assignments.
If you are absent school committee policy states that a student may legitimately be absent for one of three reasons: illness, family emergency, or prearrangement with school administration. Any other absence, even with parental knowledge, constitutes an unexcused absence. Upon returning from an absence, students are required to bring in a note from a parent to the homeroom teacher. If a student does not bring in a note by the second day of return, he/she is subject to discipline action by the office.
Please contact the school before 9:00 a.m. when your child is absent. If a student is tardy, he/she must report directly to the main office to sign-in to be admitted. Excused tardiness needs a note explaining why and signed by a parent or guardian. Students whose tardiness is unexcused may be kept after school. Students who are repeatedly tardy may have a suspension hearing with their parents or guardians. A parent's guide to school attendance.
Academic Standards: Want to know what your child is learning? You can read our academic standards from kindergarten through high school online.
After-school programs: We offer a wide range of before- and after-school programs. Click here to read about programs offered throughout QPS. Additional programs are offered on a school-by-school basis to best meet the needs of each school's students. Please visit your child's school page to view the programs offered there.
B
Breakfast Program: We serve breakfast at all schools except NQHS and lunch at all schools every day. Elementary lunches cost $1.50 and secondary lunches cost $1.75. Breakfast costs $.60. Reduced price lunches cost $.40 and reduced breakfasts cost $.25. You can view the current school menus on line and get information about free and reduced meal income guidelines.
Bus Conduct: Whether on a Quincy Public School bus or an MBTA bus, students are expected to behave appropriately. Since bus rides are considered extensions of the school day, students will follow the rules and regulations of the drivers. Misbehavior on them will be treated similar to in school infractions.
Bus Routes and Policy: Bus routes for 2007-2008. School bus transportation is available at designated stops to students living outside specified walking distances. Massachusetts General Laws list the following transportation guidelines (a) students living at least one and one-half miles from school (b) students who live more than one mile from the nearest bus stop (c) students with special needs for whom transportation must be provided. Questions concerning student transportation should be directed to our Transportation Office at (617)984-8964.
C
Calendar: You can also view our online calendar to see events at your child's school, the current lunch menu and event happening district-wide.
Child care: We have free and fee-based preschool and after-school care available in Quincy. Click on the link to find out more.
Concerns: If you have any concerns about how your child is faring either academically or socially in school, we urge you to contact your child's teacher, principal or guidance counselor. Parents are important partners and we would expect parental concerns or complaints to be resolved quickly and carefully. Most complaints are resolved by addressing the persons closest to the situation. Complaints concerning school-related issues, for example, instruction, discipline, or transportation should be first directed to the appropriate person such as a teacher or transportation office. If you are unable to solve an issue at its point of origin, you should attempt to resolve it at the next higher level. Go to the School Page to get the contact information for your child's school or the Contact Us page for a school-wide listing of administrators and departments.
Contact Information: All students must report to the office any change of address, home telephone number or change in contact person so that the correct information will be available, at all times, in case of any emergency. Need a new contact card? Click here and print one out.
D
Daycare: Parents should contact Community Care for Kids a childcare resource and referral service at 617-471-6473.
Dress code: Students should come to school dressed appropriately. Appropriate dress and grooming are primarily the concern of individual students and parents. However, students are not considered appropriately dressed or groomed if their appearance is disruptive to themselves or others, or if it interferes with health and safety.
Dismissals from school: A student is not permitted to leave school grounds during the school day without permission. Failure to follow the correct dismissal procedures will be considered a truancy. Dismissal from school during the school day should be kept at an absolute minimum. The only acceptable dismissals are as follows: doctor and/ or dentist appointments when after school times are not available, family emergency, or illness. The administration reserves the right to deny dismissal requests.
Students should always tell a teacher if they need to see the nurse or are being dismissed for medical reasons. If the student feels ill, he/she must report directly to the nurse. The nurse will make the determination if the student is ill enough to be dismissed and will then call the parent to make transportation arrangements. Students are not to take it upon themselves to call parents in order that they may be picked up without the approval of the nurse or a school administrator.
For other dismissals, a student wishing early dismissal must present a note from a parent to the homeroom teacher during the A.M. homeroom period. The note should state the reason and time for dismissal. The student will then have his/her name listed for dismissal on the daily bulletin. The note will be initialed by the office personnel and returned to the homeroom teacher who will keep it on file with absence notes. Parents or authorized persons, must come to the office and sign out students who are being dismissed. Students will not be dismissed from school by telephone request.
E
Early release days: Early Release Day Calendar for 2006-2007.
Electronic Devices: Students may not bring or use electronic devices such as cell phones, beepers, radios, CD players, MP3, games, toys during school hours. Any devices found will be taken and held for a parent to pick up.
Enrollment: When you enroll your child in school, you will register at the school your child will be attending. Students attend schools based on neighborhood boundaries. Click here for a street directory. It is helpful if you bring documentation showing your child's legal date of birth, immunization records, social security number and name and address of previous school attended. Students are required to have certain immunizations.lick here for complete instructions including printable forms, a list of required documents and registration procedures.
Emergency school closings: Click here to see Weather Emergency or other Emergency Information
Extra Academic Help: Any time a student feels school work is extraordinarily challenging, they should speak with a teacher and ask for extra assistance. This help may be provided during class, before or after school. Students should recognize that everyone needs extra help from time to time. This tutoring by the teacher can assist students to master a given objective and feel better about themselves.
F
Field Trips: Teachers schedule field trips to provide on-site learning experiences. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner at all times. These explorations are considered a part of the regular school day and not a recreational experience.
Standards of behavior are the same as for all school activities. Any student who by his/her prior behavioral record indicates that he/she could be a danger to him/herself or others may be excluded from a field trip. However, in some specific cases the student may need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian as a prerequisite for their participation. Each Principal may determine behavioral and academic prerequisites for students to participate in some field trips. Students will be notified of these expectations in advance of the trip. Students not attending field trips are expected to report to school.
Signed parent or guardian permission slips are required for each field trip. Need a permission slip? Print one out.
G
Graduation requirements: In order to graduate, each student must take a minimum number of courses in the subjects listed below. To be eligible for graduation, students must take sequences in at least 4 major subject areas, or equivalent Technical majors. Sequences are to be selected from Business Technology, English, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, or Technical Programs.
Students must pass the following courses :
- English - 4 years
- Foreign Language - 2 years (during their freshman and sophomore years)
- Math - 3 years
- Science - 3 years
- Social Studies - 4 years
Students enrolled in the Center for Technical Education as Chap. 74 students must meet the requirements for English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and must pass their three (3) year occupational sequence. The proper sequence in terms of years and accumulated points must be taken. If you have questions, please contact your child's guidance counselor.
All students entering at the high school level from grade 8 in the Quincy Public Schools’ ESL/EI program will receive a program of studies which includes ESL/EI courses, ESL content area courses and other courses. They will receive a diploma after completion of the local graduation requirements and successfully passing the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.) The Program of Studies is available in the guidance offices at Quincy High School and North Quincy High School. The booklet outlines which courses must be successfully completed to qualify for a diploma. All records and transcripts from previous schools will be reviewed as part of the graduation and placement process. Age is a factor in determining admission and placement.
Along with the academic requirements, students must pass the State MCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics tests. We have a whole section of MCAS information just for parents.
Guidance Services: Guidance counselors and guidance services are available to assist students, parents, teachers, and the administration with a variety of academic, emotional, social, and psychological student concerns. Students are encouraged to meet with their counselors. Parents can contact the Guidance Office to facilitate teacher conferences, to discuss any school or home issue that might affect their child’s learning, and to plan for the high school experience. Guidance counselors also meet with each teaching team on a regular basis to monitor student progress throughout the year.
H
Health: Please visit our Health Services section for all health related information.
High School graduation requirements: Students must achieve a competency determination by passing the State MCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics tests and students must acquire the required number of points to meet local requirements as set by the Quincy School Committee. See the complete graduation requirements.
Homework Policy: The purpose of homework is to improve the learning process, to aid in the mastery of skills, and to stimulate interest on the part of the student. Homework is given, as needed, to reinforce and extend the work done in the classroom. Some long range project assignments and independent study work will be given and enrichment reading is always encouraged. It is the student’s responsibility to see that the homework is turned in on time and to check with teachers for make-up homework that is due as a result of absences. All work missed during an absence should be made up.The amount of homework considered reasonable varies with the age and grade of the student. It is the position of the Quincy Public Schools that homework is assigned consistent with the purpose, criteria, and guidelines outlined in the publication - A Guide to Homework in the Quincy Public Schools
Honor Roll Requirements for Middle and High School:
High Honors: A student must obtain all A’s with an allowance of one B.
Honors: A student must obtain all A’s and B’s with an allowance of one C.
I
Internet Policy: The Quincy Public Schools has an Internet Acceptable Use Policy for both staff and students approved by the Quincy School Committee. You can view or print a copy of the Quincy Public Schools Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
Illness: When you keep your child at home at the first sign of an illness, you protect your child from other health problems and you protect other children from exposure to the illness. If your child should become ill at school, the building principal or school nurse will try to reach you during the day. Please keep the school informed of all emergency contact numbers.
Immunizations: All students K through 12 must be fully immunized against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and such other communicable diseases as may be specified from time to time by the department of public health. Students entering grade 7 MUST have had a second MMR before entrance in the fall. For your convenience, clinics will be held the preceding spring. All new entrants must present evidence of having had a second Mantoux TB Skin Test within the preceding year. Any student who fails to comply with these laws will be excluded from school. Public school students entering school for the first time, whether at kindergarten or through transfer from another school system, will be required to present a physician's certificate attesting to immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, tetanus, measles, The only exception to these requirements will be made on receipt of a written statement from a doctor that immunization would not be in the best interests of the child; or, the student's parent of guardian stating that vaccination or immunization is contrary to the religious beliefs of the student or parent.
J
K
Kindergarten registration and age requirement: Registrations generally take place in March each year. Children must be five years old on or before August 31 of the given school year.
When you enroll your kindergarten child in school, you will register at the school your child will be attending. Students attend schools based on neighborhood boundaries. Click here for a street directory. Please bring documentation showing your child's legal date of birth, immunization records, social security number and name and address of any previous school attended. Students are required to have certain immunizations.
Kindergarten switch: Kindergarteners switch sessions (morning session to afternoon session; afternoon session to morning session) on Monday January 31, 2006
L
Lockers: When appropriate, each student maybe assigned a locker. It is the student’s responsibility to provide a lock and to maintain this locker. Students should not share their combinations with others. The administration reserves the right to examine locker contents where there is a suspicion of a condition which endangers the health, welfare or safety of any student. Students are permitted to use their lockers only at the times designated by their teachers.
Lost and Found: During the course of the year there are many found and lost items. Please label items. Students should secure their belongings in their lockers with a lock. Articles found in and out of the building should be brought to the office. These items may be claimed there by the owner. Students should refrain from bringing unnecessary valuable items to school.
Lunch Program: We serve lunch at all schools and breakfast at all schools except NQHS every day. Elementary lunches cost $1.35 and secondary lunches cost $1.45. Breakfast costs $.60. Reduced price lunches cost $.40 and reduced breakfasts cost $.25. By clicking on our calendar, you can view the current school menus on line. You can also get information about free and reduced meal income guidelines.
M
MCAS: We have a comprehensive MCAS section of our web. You can visit the official Massachusetts Department of Education MCAS site, find out about prep classes and more. Visit our parent MCAS pages.
Medications: Prescription medications will not be given in school except on an emergency basis (such as asthma medication). If it is necessary to receive long-term medication, a Quincy Public School Medication Form must be filled out by a doctor and parent or guardian. This will be kept on file by the school nurse. Please visit our Health Services section for any medical information.
Mid-term Progress Reports/Warning Notices for Middle and High School: At the mid-term of each quarter students will receive an interim report. Teachers may also issue warning notices. Additional reports may be distributed for positive reinforcement or just to inform a parent how their child is doing at that particular time. These reports are to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school the following day.
N
No School Announcements: If school is canceled for any reason by the superintendent, announcements will be made over AM radio stations WJDA (1300), WRKO (680), WBZ (1030), and television stations 4, 5, and 7. On days when school is in session despite inclement weather, parents are asked to use their best judgment about their child’s ability to attend school during poor conditions.
Nurse: The school nurse is available daily in all of our school buildings. The nurse oversees the health records of each student, insures that each child has the required immunizations, schedules appropriate physical examinations, and supervises the distribution of individual medications for certain students. The nurse also is available to intervene in emergency illnesses and/ or accidents that might occur during the school day.
Various screenings are conducted during the school year. They include: Postural, Vision, Hearing, Blood Pressure, Physical Examinations (Sports, etc.).
The goal of the school nurse is to maximize your child’s potential to learn and grow by providing a climate of health and well being. Please keep in mind that the nurse is always willing to listen to any concerns regarding your child’s health status. Need to contact your child's school nurse? Visit the Health/Nurse page.
O
P
Parent Conferences: Communication between parents and teachers is very important in public education. Parents may set up a meeting or telephone conversation by writing a note to that teacher. Other contacts with teachers may be made by contacting the Main Office or the Guidance Office. Meetings with more than one teacher can be set up by the Guidance Department.
Parental Concerns: If you have any concerns about how your child is faring either academically or socially in school, we urge you to contact your child's teacher, principal or guidance counselor. Parents are important partners and we would expect parental concerns or complaints to be resolved quickly and carefully. Most complaints are resolved by addressing the persons closest to the situation. Complaints concerning school-related issues, for example, instruction, discipline, or transportation should be first directed to the appropriate person such as a teacher or transportation office. If you are unable to solve an issue at its point of origin, you should attempt to resolve it at the next higher level. Go to the School Page to get the contact information for your child's school or the Contact Us page for a school-wide listing of administrators and departments.
Parental Involvement Parent involvement is encouraged and parents and guardians have many opportunities to participate. Parents have the opportunity to serve on advisory boards at individual schools. School councils have parent representatives who help make decisions which affect their school as part of the School Improvement Plan process. Some parents work with staff in classrooms and offices and as tutors or chaperones. Parent groups provide financial support to programs and assist with activities. Concerts, assemblies. school plays, sports activities, science fairs, open houses and many other activities provide opportunities for students to share their talents with parents, families and friends.
Permission slips and forms: You can now download and print out many of the common forms such as permission slips and registration forms right from this web site. Print out a permission slip.
Preschool: QPS runs a free and fee-based preschool. For information on enrollment and requirements, go to the Preschool pages.
Promotion Policy: Any student who fails two or more academic subjects for the year and/ or is absent thirty or more days, shall be retained in his/her current grade, unless the student successfully completes an agreed upon summer school program (as approved by the principal) or in the opinion of the principal extenuating circumstances exist which make the student’s retention inappropriate.
It is the responsibility of the pupil personnel team to provide the principal with the pertinent data and a placement recommendation for any student who is in danger of retention.
It is incumbent upon the principal to notify the student’s parents or guardians as soon as poor classroom performance and/ or attendance indicates that a child is in danger of being retained. The principal has the final responsibility for placement of any retained student.
Q
R
Registration Information: Learn how to register your child for school, including forms you need, where you register and more.
Report Cards (Elementary): Elementary report cards are issued in November, March and June. Parents are contacted to visit the school for parent conferences in November and March so that a child's progress can be reviewed and any concerns of the teacher or parent can be discussed. The final report card in June is sent home with the student on the last day of school.
Report Card and Conference Schedules for 2005-2006: Click here for a schedule.
Report Cards (Middle and High Schools): Computerized report cards are issued to students four times during the school year. Letter grades represent the quality of work a student has produced in each subject. A teacher comment section provides additional information. The report card also serves as a record of conduct, attendance, and tardiness. All report cards, except the last reporting, which is mailed home, must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school. A note from a parent is required if the report card is lost prior to its return to school.
Any 7th to 12th grade student who is in the standard program and would like to challenge themselves by taking courses at an honors level should make these arrangements with their guidance counselor and their subject teacher.
Any student who receives a failing or unsatisfactory grade will be excluded from all extra curricular activities.
Allied Arts/Specialist Course Grading (for Middle and High School Students) uses only the following grades:
E = Excellent, S = Satisfactory, and U = Unsatisfactory
Records: Student records are confidential to protect the rights and privacy of both students and parents. Parents have the right to review any and all student records with the principal. Please schedule an appointment with your principal if you wish to review your child's records. A more extensive explanation concerning student records is available in our Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
S
SARS: A respiratory illness that has recently been reported. Read more...
School assignments: Not sure which school your child will attend? Click here for QPS Street Directory for School Assignments
School Calendars: When are the school vacations? Click here to view or print the QPS school calendar. Individual school calendars are also available as a link on our main page or on the main page of each school.
School Councils: School Councils operate at every school, and staff and parents are involved in an ever-increasing number of decisions. Shared decision-making helps to enhance educational opportunities for students and allows for improved assessment of school programs. School Council members include parents, teachers, administrators and support staff. Members are elected by their peers and work together to develop the School Improvement Plan. Visit your child's school page to learn more.
School Hours: Hours vary depending on the school. See a complete list of school hours.
Street Directory: Click here for the Quincy Public Schools Street Directory.
School Office Personnel/Procedures: The Main Office is essentially the business operations center for the entire school. One secretary, an office aide and two building administrators are located here. The secretary, with the assistance of her aide takes phone messages, processes tardy students, admits visitors, greets visitors, answers teacher concerns, keep student and financial records, completes all clerical work assigned by the administration, and does a variety of other tasks. All visitors and parents who need to contact students, teachers, or the administration must always report to the main office directly upon entering the building. The office staff will assist in establishing the correct procedures for contacting the appropriate person. Students who are waiting in the Main Office to meet with an administrator or to be picked up by a parent should be seated quietly and politely until the meeting occurs.
Special Programs: We recognize that students learn in many different ways. Some programs are offered year-round and other programs are offered as needed. Please visit our programs page and read about all the programs offered. You can also visit your child's school page and read about programs each school offers.
Student Activities: Beyond our core academic programs, Quincy Public Schools offers a variety of activities before, during, and after school. Students are encouraged to participate in these programs so that they have a chance to meet new friends, experience new initiatives, exhibit their talents, and enjoy the complete school experience. Click here for a list of programs.
Student Records: Student records are confidential to protect the rights and privacy of both students and parents. Parents have the right to review any and all student records with the principal. Please schedule an appointment with your principal if you wish to review your child's records. A more extensive explanation concerning student records is available in our Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. The policy regarding student records is consistent with the "Regulations Pertaining to Student Records" issued by the Department of Education.
Summer School/Scene: Summer programs will be posted here in the spring.
Suspensions:
T
Tardiness: If a student is tardy, he/she must report directly to the main office to sign-in to be admitted. Excused tardiness needs a note explaining why and signed by a parent or guardian. Students whose tardiness is unexcused may be kept after school. Students who are repeatedly tardy may have a suspension hearing with their parents or guardians.
Technology and the Internet: Technology resources are available for students in both classroom and lab settings. Schools are fully networked, allowing all students in every school to access computers and other technology as tools for learning. Instructional staff receive training to integrate the use of technology into instruction so that students can use these resources to access data, conduct research, compile data. Instructional staff are expected to supervise student use of computers and the Internet. In order for a child to access the Internet, parents must sign and Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
Telephone Numbers: click here to view our phone list
Telephone Use: Personal messages to students must be limited to emergencies only. The office and guidance telephones may be used only for emergencies (with permission). A pay telephone is available in the main entrance hallway. During school hours, this phone may be used only with permission of a faculty member.
Transition Guide for Parents - Information for parents about how the school system prepares our students to move from elementary to middle and middle to high school.
U
V
Vacations: Click on our school calendar to get the most up to date information on school vacations.
W
Weather or Other Emergencies: If school is canceled for any reason by the superintendent, announcements will be made over AM radio stations WJDA (1300), WRKO (680), WBZ (1030), and television stations 4,5, and 7. On days when school is in session despite inclement weather, parents are asked to use their best judgment about their child’s ability to attend school during poor conditions.
Due to unforeseen emergencies (usually weather), it may be necessary to close school early to insure the safety of our students. Parents and students should discuss what to do when/if this situation occurs. This is especially important when parents are away from home during the school day. It is not possible for the schools to notify parents in advance of such an emergency.
Winter Scene: Programs will be posted here when they are announced.