February 26, 2021
FQMS Attendance Policies & Procedures For Distance Learning
Please email your absence notes/questions to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org. The email should include the child's name, the date(s), or period(s) if absence is a partial day, of the absence, and the reason for the absence. The email must be received within 5 days of the absence. See HCPSS Policy 9010 for attendance policy details.
For Discretionary Absences (up to 3 per school year) see the form here: http://fqms.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/Discretionary%20Absence%20Form%20%28FILLABLE%29.pdf
Please email the completed form to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org.
For Religious Observances see the form attached here: http://fqms.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/religious-absence%20form%20%28fillable%29.pdf. Please forward this completed form to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org.
IMPORTANT From Mrs. Chrobak - please review our video newsletter regarding the schedule change for Monday, March1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xMrDAuebrc6XzcdY48dTiGoE_Ky_Vshg/view
Schedule Details and Information can be found here: http://fqms.hcpss.org/news/2021/02/hybrid-person-model-information
Third Period Teachers shared information about lunch schedules on 2/25 and 2/26
As a reminder ONLY group E students return on 3/1! Details on the phase in - in person hybrid timeline can be found here: https://help.hcpss.org/in-person-students/reopening
THANK YOU PTSA and Families for the MANY treats and supplies dropped off for staff!
Sincerely,
Megan Chrobak
Principal
Restorative Justice Program - March 9 at 6:30 pm Google Meet Code: HCPSSRJ
Call In Information: 1 323-942-0520 PIN: 462 409 469#
Student Guest Author Pieces for Black History Month: Sebastien S.- There was a man on the Lewis and Clark expedition. A man whose name would be remembered for generations. What was his name? It must have been incredible. It must have been given to him for some special reason, and given him the ability and courage to do what he did. This man was the first African-american man to ever vote West of the Mississippi River. What was his name? York, but it doesn’t matter; his actions, his bravery - those matter.
Guest Piece by Will T.- For Black History month I’d like to talk about Trevor Noah. Trevor Noah is a South African comedian born Feb 20th 1984 in Johannesburg,South Africa. He is the current host of the late night show “The Daily Show.”' Now frankly I personally don’t find Trevor Noah funny, but I do agree with what he has to say. Trevor Noah uses his platform to discuss the issues of white people calling the cops on innocent balck people,race in America,and police brutality. Now most late night hosts are white but I don’t think they should talk about racism, because many white people don’t know what it’s like to be treated based on the color of their skin. So I feel it’s appropriate for Trevor to talk about this issue, because until you walk in someone’s shoes then you can understand what it’s like to be them.
Trevor mentions how white people call the cops on black people because they find them “inherently threatening.” I believe this is the perfect term to describe this issue. Just because someone looks different doesn’t mean they are threatening. Looking threatening & being threatening are two totally different things. America has got to learn that black shouldn’t be treated any differently from white people. Black people were freed over 100 years ago yet they’re still enslaved in the chains of racial injustice. So Trevor I’d like to say thank you for doing your best to make America laugh & trying to fix these racial issues, so this country can finally stop being segregated & finally become a whole.
Important Information from the Health Room - To ensure students are healthy enough to attend in-person instruction, parents/guardians are to perform a symptom check every day before the student leaves home. A student having any of the following symptoms should not be sent to school and may continue to access their classrooms virtually if they are well enough to do so:
1 of the following:
2 of the following:
Additionally, student who have been in close contact (within <6 feet for a cumulative of >15 minutes over the past 24 hours with or without a mask) with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is suspected of having COVID-19 (exhibiting COVID- like illness and has not tested negative after exhibiting symptoms) should not enter any HCPSS building.
Parent/guardians will assess their children for symptoms of COVID-19 illness and refrain from sending/transporting them to school until after they have been symptom-free at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms, have no fever for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication, and have continued improvement of symptoms and /or medical consult with their primary care physician.
New HCPSS Chromebook Care Page
Link to HCPSS Frequently Asked Questions
HopeWorks of Howard County (the Youth Leadership Program) is collecting submissions from Howard County students for our 2021 youth arts magazine, Cultivate. cultivateflyer.png
The Council of Elders Family Workshops
BSAP Workshops
If you have any questions regarding any of these events, please contact Nicole Brown, nicole_brown@hcpss.org.
FQMS Staff Shoutout - FQMS PTSA is so appreciative of the FQMS staff and how hard they work on behalf of our students on a daily basis. Please take a minute to share some positive encouragement for staff members that make a positive impact for you or your family. To uplift any FQMS staff member who goes above and beyond to support, show care, connect, build community or anything else that positively impacts students and families, click on this link. This form goes to FQMS Administration for us to celebrate the staff member. Your comments often come at a time when staff needs that virtual hug.
Spiritwear - If you are looking for Falcon gear, visit www.follyquarterspiritwear.com
Used Clothing Donation Shed - The donation shed located in the parking lot at FQMS is open. Please make sure all donations are tied off in bags and deposited inside the shed. If it is full, please do not leave your items outside as they get thrown away. Thank you for your donations!
If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues, please contact:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
The Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
HCPSS Technology Help
Please see our website for technology help resources.
From the Math Team - We are aware of the concerns for students ending their current math course next month and/or students needing a refresher before they begin their math course in February. A resource recommended by our HCPSS math office is the “Getting Ready for…” courses in Khan Academy. If your child is getting ready to start a course, they should complete the “Getting Ready” for that course. These lessons and activities will review their previous math course.
If your child will finish math in January and wants to maintain skills from February to August, they can complete the “Getting ready for” the next course over this time period. This should review and reinforce the skills just taught in their Semester 1 class.
Here is the progression of courses:
Math 6 -> Math 7-> Math 8 (6th gr GT Pre Algebra) -> Algebra 1 -> Geometry -> Algebra II
To access the Getting Ready for … courses, use this link to the HCPSS Family Math Support Center and use the “Middle School Math” drop down menu. For students finishing Geometry, links for getting ready for Algebra II are on the High School drop down.
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In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.”
Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit https://community-programs.hcpss.org/
for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.