About Us
Squantum Elementary School is named after Tisquantum (also known as
Squanto), who was a native of the Patuxet tribe, a part of the Wampanoags. In 1605, Captain George Weymouth was exploring the South Shore.
Thinking that his English investors might want to see some natives,
Weymouth kidnapped several Native Americans, among them Tisquantum.
Taken to England, Tisquantum lived with Sir Ferdinando Gorges, an investor in the
Plymouth Company. Gorges taught Tisquantum some English, eventually hiring him as a
guide and interpreter. During the next 15 years, he returned to New England, was kidnapped and taken to Spain as a slave and then eventually was freed and sent to Plymouth to act as an interpreter. Tisquantum
negotiated a peace treaty between the Wampanoags and the Pilgrims. Tisquantum lived out the rest of his life in the Plymouth Colony. He befriended the
Pilgrims, taught them how to plant and fish, and acted as their interpreter and guide.
Without Tisquantum's help, the Pilgrims would probably have starved, and would have
lived in constant fear of their peaceful Wampanoag neighbors.
The Squantum settlers tried to separate from Dorchester several times and in 1792, the area was divided- half of the settlement remaining with Dorchester and half with the new town of Quincy. In 1855, all of Squantum became part of Quincy. The beauty of Squantum attracted many people from outside of Quincy, and the area became a summer resort with many inns. It was during the twentieth century when Squantum changed from vacation spot to a residential area. In 1919, the Squantum School opened with four rooms grades one through eight.
Message from the Principal of Squantum
The motto of the Squantum School is "A Great Place to Start." I
believe that our school is the ideal place for a child to begin his
educational journey. The teachers are dedicated to their
profession and provide a warm, nurturing environment where each student
can reach his maximum social, emotional, physical, and academic
development.
Our goals are to recognize and enhance a positive attitude toward learning by nurturing each student's interests and talents. Each child will learn that he is responsible for his actions and that he is a part of a community of learners.Begin your child's educational journey at the Squantum School. It's a Great Place to Start." Click here to view/print a copy of Squantum's 2009-2010 School Improvement Plan approved by the Quincy School Committee.
Steve Sylvia, Principal
Webmaster for Squantum Elementary School: Rebecca Cordero
Academics
Elementary School is an important first step in your child's education. Quincy Public Schools are there from the first time your kindergartener picks out a book at the school library to the first grader having success in math to upper grades where students take their basis of knowledge and expand it to more advanced thinking, Want to know more? You can read about the elementary curriculum and standards which detail exactly what your child is learning at every stage of their educational careers.
You can can find the page of Mrs. Tella, the school librarian by clicking this link: http://teacherweb.com/MA/Squantum/MrsTella-LibraryTeacher
Programs
At Squantum Elementary School, we recognize that great learning can take place outside the classroom. Reading can be the portal for a fun exploration of space. Science can be found in growing flowers. We host a number of academic, remedial, and enrichment programs for our students. Quincy Public Schools also has a comprehensive list of programs available for all elementary students.
Academic Remedial Programs
- MCAS Tutoring
- Homework Club
- Prep for Success
- Summer Scene
Enrichment Programs
- Computer Club
- Junior Gardeners
- Math/Science Nights
- Summer Library Club
- Walking Club
- Holiday Arts and Crafts
- Grade One Story Hour
- Board Games & Puzzles
- School Store
Quincy Public Schools Elementary Programs
Academic, Enrichment, and Remedial Programs available for all Quincy Public Schools students.
Parents
Parent Teacher Organization
The Squantum School Parent Teacher Organization plays an active role in the life of the school. General meetings are scheduled throughout the year. The Board of Directors meet every month. The P.T.O. sponsors many activities and fund raisers during the school year. The funds are used to buy extra learning materials and pay for the cost of field trip transportation. Here is a list of some areas that the P.T.O. takes an active role in.The PTO welcomes all parents to join the organization.
P.T.O. Board 2010-2011
- President: Andrea Coughlin
- Vice President: Lori Marsters
- Recording Secretary: Laurie Higgins
- Corresponding Secretary: Catharina Enbar
- Treasurer: Tanya Adamson
- City-wide Representatives: Deirdre Small and Kathy Brink
- Fundraising Chairpersons: Maureen Geary
- Box Tops: Maura Mayo
- School Pictures
- Book Fair
- Docent Art
- Media Center Volunteers
- Computer Volunteers
- Room Mothers/Special Days
- Field Trip Chaperones
- Math/Science Night Volunteers
- Kids Vote
- Read-A-Loud Volunteers
- School Wear Sales
- Candy Bar Bingo
- Holiday Fund Raisers
Visit the Citywide Parents' Council website
Find Us
Squantum Elementary School is located in North Quincy on the Squantum peninsula. Our address is 50 Huckins Ave. Huckins Ave. is off East Squantum St. near the junction of East Squantum and Dorchester Street. We are located on Huckins Ave. between Mayflower Rd. and Standish Road. Use the maps below to find us!
Partners
Our Partnership Program allows businesses to bring their strengths directly to our students. Each school has their own partner(s). Please read about their programs below....
Smith & Brink, P.C.
A partnership has been established with Smith and Brink, P.C., a local law firm, which pledges monetary support for the Squantum School, earmarked for technology education. In addition, career awareness will be fostered through visits to the fifth grade classrooms by members of the firm. We welcome this alliance and support.
Marina Bay on Boston Harbor
Fifth grade students enjoy taking a field trip to visit Marina Bay at Boston Harbor. The students learn how to tie knots and key points about boat safety. The highlight of the visit is a journey on the Boston Belle, a Coast Guard certified passenger boat usually used for lunch and dinner cruises on the harbor.
Ayers Handicap Conversion, Inc.
Ayers Handicap Conversion, Inc., has a long-standing relationship with the students of the Squantum School. Each year, company representatives visit the school in a specially equipped van converted to accomodate a wheelchair. Students in the second grade classes and the Special Needs Learning Centers see the van operate and hear how it has been converted. Our business partner also works with our school to organizea toy drive during the holiday season. In the spring, second grade students also enjoy a trolley ride on the Beantown Trolley, compliments of Ayers Handicap Conversion.
Browning and Ferris Industries (B.F.I.)
Our partner provides funding for a school-wide writing and poster contest dealing with environment awareness. Students learn about recycling and keeping the environment clean. Prizes from a local book store are given out to students from each grade level. Winning posters and essays are hung in the lobby of Brown and Ferris Industries' Quincy location on Nightingale Avenue. The school also is involved in a school-wide recycling effort to save on paper, cardboard, glass, and plastic.
C21 Network/Richmond Associates
Our partner provides funding for special projects and supports technology. One special project was to beautify the exterior grounds of the school including a new school sign to mark the main entrance of the building. Century 21 Network/Richmond Associates provided funds to help with the cost of graphics designing, manufacturing, and installation. C21 Network/Richmond Associates also supports day to day technology costs of Inkjet print cartridges, printers, and fax machine supplies.
Marina Bay at Boston Harbor
Fifth grade students enjoy taking a field trip to visit Marina Bay at Boston Harbor. The students learn how to tie a few nautical knots and learn some key points about basic boat safety. The highlight of the visit is a journey out on the Boston Belle. The Boston Belle is a Coast Guard certified passenger boat, which is usually used for lunch and dinner cruises on the harbor. The Captain’s favorite morning adventure is taking Squantum School students to see a close up view of the many wonderful islands in Boston Harbor.
Ayers Handicap Conversion, Inc.
Ayers Handicap Conversion, Inc. has had a long-standing relationship with students at the Squantum School. Every year, company representatives visit the school. They drive a specially equipped van that was converted to accommodate a wheelchair to the school. Students in the second grade classes and the Special Needs Learning Center students see the van operate and get to ask questions about how it was converted. Students learn that handicap people are very active and energetic individuals. Besides our students becoming more aware of handicap issues, our business partner works with our school by organizing a Toy Drive during the holiday season. Students learn to think of people and children less fortunate by donating children’s gifts during this Community Service activity. In the spring, second grade students enjoy a trolley ride in the Beantown Trolley, compliments of Ayers Handicap Conversion.
Smith & Brink, P.C.
A partnership has been established with Smith & Brink, P.C., a local law firm. Attorney Brink has pledged monetary support for the Squantum School, earmarked for technology. In addition, career awareness will be fostered through visits to the fifth grade classrooms by members of the firm. We welcome this wonderful alliance and support.