2011-2012 FQMS FAQ's
Q: How do I find out what bus my child rides to/from school?
Q: What time are students allowed to enter the building?
A: Students are allowed to enter the building at 7:25 a.m. Busses arrive at 7:25 a.m. and students are asked to proceed to their lockers and homerooms at that time.
Q: What time is the actual school day?
A: The actual school day is 7:40 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
Q: What time does homeroom start?
A: Homeroom starts at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 7:50 a.m.
Q: When are school pictures?
A: School pictures will be taken on October 25, 2011.
Q: How much is lunch?
A: Lunch costs $3.00.
Q: Is snack available during lunch?
A: Yes, snack is available during the lunch period (prices vary per snack).
Q: How long do the students have to eat their lunch?
A: The lunch/recess period lasts 35 minutes.
Q: Can my student sit anywhere in the cafeteria at lunch?
A: Yes, the students can sit where they want but will then sign up for that table as their assigned table.
Q: What if my student forgets their lunch money?
A: Students are allowed to borrow money from the administration with the understanding that any money borrowed will be returned the next school day.
Q: Do all students have to go outside for recess everyday?
A: No, students do not have to go outside for recess everyday but we do encourage them to do so.
Q: Can students bring their coats to lunch in the winter?
A: Yes, the school will continue to have outdoor recess until the temperature drops below 20 degrees.
Q: What outside activities are offered during recess?
A: A number of activities are offered during recess. These activities include basketball, four square, football and field play.
Q: What is the best way to contact my child's teacher?
A: The best way to contact your child's teacher is by e-mail. Each teacher has an e-mail account (found on the "Department" link of this website).
If e-mail is not available to you, please contact the front office at 410-313-1506 to leave a message for the teacher.
Q: How many times a day can my child visit their locker?
A: Students are allowed to visit their locker multiple times a day (before homeroom, before and after lunch and at the end of the day).
Q: What if my child cannot get their locker open?
A: A child who cannot get their locker open should either tell their teacher or come to the front office for assistance.
Q: Can my student get back into the building if they get home and realize they have forgotten something in their locker?
A: Yes, students are permitted in the building until 4:00 p.m.
Q: Can any parents attend the PTA meetings and when are they scheduled?
A: All parents are encouraged to attend PTA meetings. Dates and times will be posted on the front page of our website under "Calendar of Events."
Q: I need to take my child out of school for a family vacation. What do I need to do to accomplish this?
A: Per HCPSS Policy, if you need to take your child out of school for an extended amount of time during the school year, you must complete a "Pre-Arranged Absence" form. This form is available under the "Forms" link of this website. Pre-Arranged Absence forms must be completed and turned into the front office a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the absence.
Q: How do I find out if my child's school is closed due to inclement weather?
A: There are a number of ways that you can find out about school closings. You can click on the "Schools Out" item on the front page of our webpage or get the information from a
number of local TV or radio stations.
Q: I have questions using the Aspen program. Who do I contact to answer my questions?
A: Please contact Laurie Smith, Guidance Secretary, at 410-313-1514.
Q: Does the school have an emergency plan to keep the students safe?
A: Yes. Each Howard County Public School is required to turn in an emergency plan to the central office. All staff are trained with the emergency procedures and students will
practice drills, besides fire drills, to make sure that they are also prepared for an emergency.
Q: Do parents have access to the School Improvement Plan?
A: Yes. Information regarding the School Improvement Plan can be found under the "School Improvement" link on our website.
Q: My incoming 6th grade daughter would like to know more about MASH cash and K-cash. Could you explain it please?
A: Both the MASH cash and K-cash programs are positive incentive programs and will be explained by your daughters 6th grade teachers during the first week of school.
Q: Is there a school map available to the students and parents?
A: Yes. You can find a detailed map of the school on our website, just click on the "School Map" link.
Q: How can my student sign up for Chorus and the school play?
A: You can sign your child up for chorus by contacting Ms. Stacey Sartor, our music teacher. School plays are run as an intramural which are determined on an annual basis based
on both student and teacher interest. Intramural information will be shared with both parents and staff in September.
Q: Do you need volunteers in middle school?
A: Yes. Please contact our PTA (by using the "PTA" link on our website) if you are interested in volunteering.
Q: When will my child receive his/her class schedule and locker information?
A: Incoming 6th grade students and new students to FQMS will receive both their class schedule and locker information at the orientatation on August 25th. All other students will
receive their class schedules on August 29th and their locker information when all necessary paperwork has been returned to their homeroom teacher.
Q: Does FQMS offer extracurricular activities such as afterschool clubs, sports etc.?
A: Yes, intramurals are offered at FQMS. Intramurals are determined on an annual basis and are based on student and teacher interest. Intramural information will be shared with
both parents and staff in September.
Q: What are the dates of Outdoor Ed for the 2011-2012 school year?
A: 6th grade students will be participating in Outdoor Ed on October 12th-14th.
Q: My son will participate in band this year but is also a talented singer and wants to be in chorus. Is this possible and if it is, how much does it disrupt his schedule?
A: Your son can participate in both band and chorus during the school year. Both of these classes will take place during CORE time and both his band and chorus teachers will work
together to work the schedule out.
Q: How does my child change his/her class schedule?
A: Your child will need to visit the guidance office and talk with his/her guidance counselor (Ms. Anacker-Maas (last name A-L)/Ms. Coonts (last name M-Z)).
Q: Where is the morning carpool and what are the rules regarding such?
A: Each student is provided bus transportation to school. Please visit the HCPSS website to find a bus that comes to your area.
Q: Is there a master calendar for all school events held during the school year?
A: Yes, we are working on it. In the meantime, we list weekly dates on both the front page of our website (under "Calendar of Events") and via weekly newsletters sent through
HCPSS News.
Q: We would love to have the incoming 6th grade/new student orientation scheduled for the evening. I am a teacher, so having orientation during the day is difficult for us. Is this
possible?
A: Please talk to your principal about this conflict. We have several staff members who face the same issue and our belief is that families come first. However, please be sure to
attend our Back-to-School Night on September 6th.
Q: I would like to walk the building with my child based on his/her schedule and meet the teachers and I do not need the same information repeated that I heard in the Spring. Is
this possible?
A: Following the formal orientations on August 25th, you are more than welcome to tour the building with your child. In addition, you will have a chance to meet the teachers at
Back-to-School Night on September 6th. In the meantime, feel free to contact your child's teachers with specific questions or to schedule a formal conference through our
Guidance office.
Q: We have heard that there is a tremendous amount of homework compared to elementary school. Can you give us some ideas of the amount of homework that will be required?
A: Homework guidelines are described in the "Homework Guidelines" section of the HCPSS student handbook which can be found by clicking here.
Q: It would be really helpful to get a list, on one sheet only, that incorporates e-mail addresses for each teacher/administrator/other key personnel, etc. and/or how to contact them
if they do not prefer to have an e-mail as the first point of contact. I would always seem to get them separately from each teacher which was not efficient so I would incorporate
each e-mail address into one sheet myself. Is this possible?
A: Yes. All teachers e-mail addresses are available for your child's specific grade under the "Departments" link on our webpage.
Q: Can you clearly explain how the schedule rotations/colors work?
A: The school class schedule rotates over a 5 day period. Students see their core academic teachers 3 days out of 5 each week and alternate their related arts teachers every other
day. The CORE+ class is an extension of block 3 which accommodates students who take additional classes such as band, orchestra, chorus or a world language.
Q: Can I visit the school and see classes in operation?
A: Current parents are always welcome during American Education Week each year. Other persons must follow the HCPSS guidelines which can be found by clicking on the following document: GUIDELINES FOR A SCHOOL VISIT.pdf
If you have any additional questions that need to be answered, please contact the school principal, Rick Wilson by clicking here.
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