Falcon Flyer - May 5

Mon, 05/08/2023 - 9:44am

Important Dates

  • May 8 - PTSA "Virtual" Meeting - 7:00pm
  • May 8-11 - 8th Grade MCAP SS Testing
  • May 15-16 - MCAP Math Testing - All Students
  • May 16 - Orchestra Spring Concert - MRHS - 7:00pm
  • May 18 - Theater Arts Production
  • May 19 - Schools Closed for Students - Professional Day
  • May 24 - Band Spring Concert - GHS - 7:00pm
  • May 29 - Schools/Offices Closed - Memorial Day
  • May 30 - Choral Spring Concert - RHHS - 7:00pm
Visit our FQMS website for more upcoming news and events.

Folly Quarter News

Falcon Families and Community,

A reminder to all 8th grade families and students that we will begin the week of May 8 with MCAP Social Studies testing.  All 8th grade students will follow their regular schedule and take their MCAP test in their Social Studies class.

 

Spring Testing Dates

Below is a schedule of upcoming spring testing dates.  To avoid  disruptions on testing dates, please help to ensure your student arrives to school on time and please minimize early dismissals during these dates.

  • MCAP Social Studies/8th Grade students only - May 8, 9, 10, 11
  • MCAP Math for all students - May 15 and 16

Important Information for 8th Grade Students:

8th Grade Upcoming Events (A packet with more information for the June events will be coming home soon): 

  • Panoramic Picture - May 1 (Students were given order forms last week...they are due on Monday, May 1)
  • High School Visit - June 6 (Field Trip)
  • Picnic - June 8 (Field Trip)
  • Celebration Stations - June 9 - 6:00-7:00pm
  • Dance - June 9 - 7:00-9:00pm

Thank You from Mrs. Kim and the FQMS Gardening Club

Thank you to our students and community volunteers who worked to create our new Folly pollinator native plants garden!  Mrs. Kim, the FQMS pollinator warrior volunteers, and the Garden Squad students from Glenelg High School have been working on cleaning and mending the garden since November.   A total of 11 different native pollinator plants were planted this past week.

A special thank you to our FQMS PTSA, Lauren's Garden Services and Lowes for their generous contributions for the success of our garden project.  We cannot wait to watch the plants grow and invite all kinds of pollinators to come and visit our garden. Way to go students!  The next gardening club date is Friday, May 12.  Look out for the announcement in Canvas to sign up! 

Register by June 1 for 2023-2024 Bus Service

Reminder:  Bus Transportation for 2023-2024: Families whose children are eligible for bus transportation must register through HCPSS Connect Synergy to receive bus service for the 2023-2024 school year. This new process will take place annually to help HCPSS plan for student ridership and to make routes more efficient. Registration for 2023-2024 bus service is open now through June 1. Visit https://www.hcpss.org/schools/transportation/registration/ for instructions on how to register and more information. Families who reside in non-transportation areas are not eligible for bus transportation and do not need to take any action. Find the new non-transportation areas for your school online. Students who receive transportation as part of their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan do not need to register.

HCPSS Indicators of Educational Equity Survey

The survey allows families to provide input about their equity priorities at our school. Please use the links below to complete the HCPSS Indicators of Educational Equity Survey by May 12th. We will use your input, along with other school data, to refine our school improvement plan for next year. This survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. If you have children at more than one school, please complete one survey per school.   English survey; Spanish survey; Chinese survey; Chin survey; Korean survey.  Thank you for your support.

Student Services News

HCPSS/Howard County Health Department - Student Assistance Community Program

Our school community (in conjunction with other HCPSS schools in our area) will be hosting a Student Assistance Program Community Fair entitled “Drug Use: A Crisis We Can’t Ignore!” on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 6pm-8pm at River Hill High School.  The program will feature a combination of keynote speakers from the Howard County Health Department presenting on vaping and other illicit drugs as well as tables displaying available resources.   The program is open to all families who live in the Glenelg High School and River Hill High School attendance areas. We hope you will join us.  Please see the flier for additional information.

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.” Ziad Abdelnour.

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May since 1949 to raise awareness about mental health across the country. Folly Quarter Middle School and the rest of the country are participating to help fight stigma and educate our youth and families for the month of May. This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is having the More Than Enough Campaign as an opportunity to come together and remember the inherent value we each hold, regardless of our diagnosis, appearance, socioeconomic status, background, or ability. #morethanenough 

Please join Folly Quarter students and others across the country by wearing green on Thursday, May 18, 2023. And please join us for a community resource event to engage students, parents/guardians, and community members regarding the substance abuse crisis impacting our schools on May 10, 2023 from 6:00-8:00pm at River Hill High School! (more information above).  Many mental health providers around our community will be in attendance. 

Important Mental Health Resources

Need to Talk? Call or text 988

 

Student Transfer/Withdrawals for the 2023/24 School Year

If you are moving and will need to transfer your student to a new school for the next school year, please contact our Registrar, Ranita Knight, ranita_knight@hcpss.org or   call 410-313-1514.
 

PLEDGE SUMMER CAMP for Rising Howard County 9th Graders 

This free leadership camp for rising Howard County 9th graders helps to prepare students for high school by teaching communication and leadership skills while participating in many fun activities throughout the week.   For more information, please read the camp flier  and camp website to register. 

GT News

G/T Instructional Seminar information can be found on our FQMS GT website.

Health Room News

Important News from the Nurse

Important Immunization Requirements for Rising 7th and Graduating 8th grade students

Effective the first day of school, 2023-2024, 1 dose of Tdap vaccine and 1 dose of Meningococcal vaccine will be required by the state of Maryland for all students entering Grade 7.  ALSO, any graduating 8th grade student entering 9th grade will need proof of a second dose of varicella vaccine.  If we do not receive proof of these immunizations, your child will be excluded from school.  Many students may have already received these immunizations, but the Health Room may not have the updated immunization record.  Please contact your child’s doctor and send, via email or fax, an updated copy of your child’s immunizations to the Health Room.  Our fax # is (410) 531-2473. If you have further questions, please call our Health Room at (410) 313-1510​.  Thank You!

Notifications/Concerns to our School Nurse

Parents/Guardians, we always appreciate communication about your child's health conditions and illnesses. Please ensure that you're directing any questions, concerns, or notification of illness to our school nurse, Laura Smith, 410-313-1510, or email laura_smith1@hcpss and not only your student's teacher. Our nurse is the gatekeeper for health and illness protocol and will be able to help you navigate your specific situation. Thank you!  

Media Center News

Overdue Books

Please remind students to bring in their overdue books from home.  Some have been checked out since September/October and other students would like to read those books, too!  Thank you.  

Chromebook Loaners

A friendly reminder to ensure your student is bringing their charged Chromebook to school every day.  Starting in the new year, if a student forgets to bring their Chromebook to school, they will no longer receive a loaner.  Instead, they will use a desktop in the media center when they have a digital assignment.  HCPSS has changed the process for receiving replacement Chromebooks and the FQMS loaner inventory is often low.  We need to prioritize loaners for those students with broken devices awaiting repair.

Thank you, Mrs. Taylor

Parent Resources

HCPSS News

Last Day of School for the 2022/23 School Year

Having used one inclement weather day, the last day of school for students in full-day Pre-K through grade 12 is now scheduled to be Wednesday, June 14. The last day for half-day Pre-K/RECC students is scheduled for Friday, June 9.

HCPSS Rainbow Conference - Register Now!

The HCPSS Rainbow Conference will be held on Saturday, May 6, from 9am - 5pm.  The conference will be hybrid with opportunities for both virtual and in-person participation.  Read further for more information on the Rainbow Conference.

Social Media Awareness Events for Parents

The Howard County Health Department is offering sessions on Social Media Guides for Parents: Guide to Healthy Summer Habits. The sessions are virtual, and you can register and see more details here.  Each event is from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and will start with a presentation, and end with a Question and Answer session:
  • May 9 - Parents of Children ages 3-8
  • May 10 - Parents of Children ages 9-12
  • May 11- Parents of Children ages 13-17

Register for 2023 Summer Programs

Online enrollment requests for current HCPSS students are open for the following programs.
  • Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes for Talent Development (Entering Grades 1–8) has availability for four middle school classes; all other classes can be requested for the waitlist.
  • Innovative Pathways High School (Entering Grade 9 and Current Grades 9–12) has availability for most courses. Credit recovery and Gear Up for Grade 9 course requests may only be made by a school counselor.
  • Summer Math Scholars Program (Entering Grades 6–8)
  • STARTALK Chinese Language Summer Camp (Entering Grades 6–8)
Enrollment requests can be made by a parent, guardian, school counselor or school achievement liaison via HCPSS Connect Synergy.

"The Essence of Us" Workshop Series

The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County and the HCPSS Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have partnered present  "The Essence of Us: Chronicling the African American Experience," a workshop series geared toward middle and high school students that will provide a better understanding of African American history and how it is written. Workshops will be held both virtually and in-person. Participants will receive an email with details upon registering.  Virtual and in-person Workshops will take place on Saturdays (February. 11, March 11, April 15 and May 13) from 10-11:00 a.m.

River Hill High School Summer Dance Camp

Calling all dancers! Are you looking for a way to improve your flexibility, technique, and ability to learn and retain choreography all while making new friends and having a blast!!! If so, this summer dance camp  will be perfect for you! Camp will be hosted by RHHS Dance Director, Sallie Byrd. Follow this link for more information and to register!!

High School Boosters - Summer Camps - Registration Now Open

Community News and Events

Please visit the Community News and Programs page for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.

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13500 Triadelphia Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042