April 30, 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.
Early Dismissal - If you have to take your child out of in person school early, please call in advance. You MUST present your driver’s license when you arrive. A work ID is not valid
Good Afternoon,
We hope that you are all well! As a reminder for all families - we ask that you please review the information sent out by HCPSS this afternoon regarding the remainder of the school year.
Please note that in May - we will have another student guest author takeover! We LOVE sharing our student writing and look forward to uplifting student voice.
As a reminder, next week is Staff Appreciation Week - we would love for you to shout out any staff that make an impact for your student or family here.
THANK YOU to Alice Chen and Ms. Han for their generous work to donate masks to staff and students!
Megan Chrobak
Principal
8th Grade Year End Celebration Information/Survey
To our Wonderful 8th Grade Families: Our 8th Grade Team, PTSA and students are actively planning an outdoor, in-person 8th Grade End of Year celebration option for our 8th graders. Our celebration date is currently set for June 9 from 12pm-3pm (staggered entry times) with a rain date of June 11 at 1pm. At this time, each student can bring two family members. Families will be able sign up in advance to select their time slot to assist with social distancing and safety for all. The event will feature staff and student planned outdoor stations with various activities or recognitions to celebrate and bid farewell to our amazing students. To ensure we can plan our time slots accordingly we are asking each family to share their intent by completing this survey. Sign Up Genius will be used as the "reservation" for students and families for specific time slots for June 9 and will be shared closer to the date of the event and will include all required safety precautions and information. Please note that student speeches, a slide show etc. will be pre-recorded by staff and students and shared electronically to all families to celebrate our students as well.
FROM THE HEALTH ROOM - IMPORTANT IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
Effective the first day of school, 2021-2022, 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. 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/fax in 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!
Laura Smith, Cluster Nurse Laura_Smith1@hcpss.org
Adrian McNeil, Health Assistant Adrian_McNeil@hcpss.org
We are adding additional intramurals for students during Quarter 4 with virtual, in person or hybrid options. A huge thank you to our staff who stepped up to offer these programs for students - details for some of the programs can be found below:
Science Club: This club provides students the opportunity to discuss current science topics, research scientific accomplishments, and compete in science-related current event challenges. This club will be held virtually in the evening, dates TBD. Open to students in grades 6-8. Complete this interest survey to be contacted once dates are confirmed.
ALStar Buddy Program: Ever want to help others and make some new friends? Want to be an ALStar? Join the Academic Life Skills (ALS) program on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays as a learning buddy. You will assist your fellow students as they continue their learning and other fun activities for an hour after school. This is a hybrid program - so you have the option to help virtually or in person. Sessions are from 2:45 – 3:45. Join us for fun, friends, and learning. The program begins April 26 but students can join at any time, once signed up - if you have any questions contact Mrs. Visco or Ms. Chrobak. Students can sign up here.
Book Club: This is a virtual book club for the novel Patina by Jason Reynolds. Patina is the second book in the Track series. The books will be provided to students. The club will run on Monday and Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 from May 10 to June 3. Students will need to read 3 chapters before each session and be ready to discuss. Sign up here: Patina Book Club.
Story Telling Club: Do you want to tell stories with friends or go on an epic quest while remaining seated? Join the story-telling club for an epic quest that takes you from foggy mountains to shady forests. Create a hero and collect epic treasures. Destroy evil and smite the dark, but whatever you chose, hope that fate is on your side. The club will run on Thursdays hybrid (virtual & in-person) from 2:50-3:50 pm. Sign up here: Story Telling Club.
All Sports Club Intramural: Want to get out and moving, have fun and make new friends? Join Mr. Brewer for the All Sports Intramural Club after-school on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 p.m. The program begins on Tuesday, April 27! Students will work with staff to choose fun sports activities and/or games to do together! All health/safety measures in place during the school day apply. Sign up here.
Hybrid Information - PLEASE ensure that Hybrid students do the health check daily. Do NOT, under any circumstances, send sick students to school. If you have a question or concern - don’t hesitate to contact myself or Laura Smith (our nurse).
All family resources and bus information for Hybrid can be found here.
Sincerely,
Megan Chrobak
Principal
Soles4Souls - As part of their Student Service Learning requirement, the student body at FQMS will be collecting new and gently used shoes for the Soles4Souls program from April 22 - May 6. Shoes can be dropped off in the box outside the FQMS Visitor Entrance. More information about the program can be found here.
Sign-Up for the TRES Virtual Retriever Run! - Visit to sign-up for the May 1st Family Walk/Run! https://app.memberhub.gives/392bd4
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!
Spirit Wear - Get ready for back to school with a Folly t-shirt, sweatshirt or facemask! Check it out here.
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.