Important Dates
- January 8 - Rising 9th Grade Parent Orientation @ RHHS - 6:00 pm
- January 9 - Rising 9th Grade Parent Orientation @ GHS - 6:30 pm
- January 10 - FQMS Spelling Bee
- January 13 - PTSA Virtual Meeting - 7:00 pm
- January 15 - PTSA Fundraiser - Nora’s Kabob (Ellicott City)
- January 16 - Choral Concert @ GHS - 7:00 pm
- January 20 - Schools/Offices Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 21 - Rising 6th Grade Parent Information Night - 6:00 pm
- January 23 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Work Day
- January 29 - Schools Closed - Professional Work Day
- January 31 - PTSA Bingo and Dance (info below)
Visit our FQMS website for more upcoming news and events.
Important Phone Numbers
School Office: 410-313-1506
Student Services: 410-313-1514
Health Room: 410-313-1510
Check out the latest PTSA newsletter
2025-2026 High School Course Registration Opens Dec. 16 for current 8th grade students
Beginning Monday, December 16 at 8:00 AM through Tuesday, January 14 at 4:00 PM, current 8-11th grade students and their parents/guardians may view teachers’ course recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year and submit course requests. Full details on how to view recommendations and submit requests are available online.
Please note:
- Guides on how to complete Course Requests are available online.
- Students and their parents/guardians should use the Catalog of Approved High School Courses to review course selections, taking careful note of descriptions and prerequisites.
- Students and their parents/guardians can adjust a teacher course recommendation by using the dropdown to select the preferred course level.
- Students and their parents/guardians will add electives to ensure they have seven credits of primary requests and three alternates. Alternate selections should be added in priority order.
- If you want to change a course and there is not an option available in the drop down menu, parents/guardians should download and complete the High School Course Change Request Form and submit a paper copy to their child’s school counselor. Forms received during the course registration period will receive priority during scheduling. Requests received after this time will be accommodated if space is available.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor:
Allie_downey@hcpss.org (last names A - L)
Emelia_coonts@hcpss.org (last names M - Z)
Attention Rising 9th Grade River Hill Students
Rising 9th graders, new students, current students, and their families are invited to attend the RHHS Scheduling Extravaganza Night January 8th beginning at 6:00 PM in the Auditorium. From 6:00-6:30 pm, we will have a formal presentation in the auditorium geared to discussing course requirements, scheduling details, and many other items pertaining to the high school experience. From 6:30-8:00pm, we will have an open house style event around the school for parents to talk to various teachers and staff about high school courses and the high school experience. We will also have staff present to discuss GT Research, ARL Academies, Dual Enrollment with HCC, and Apprenticeships. No registration is necessary, just show up!
Attention Rising 9th Grade Glenelg High Students
Glenelg High School will hold their Rising 9th Grade Orientation on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 6:30-8:00pm (Snow date is Tuesday, January 14, 2025 6:30-8:00pm).
Folly Quarter Rising 6th grade Family Orientation
Save the date if you have a current 5th grader or let your neighbors know. We have our Family Orientation on January 21 from 6:00-7:00 PM (Snow date is January 30 from 6:00-7:00 PM). Families can learn about middle school, the academic schedule, and the Gifted and Talented program. We cannot wait to meet our future Falcon families!
High School JROTC Programs for 2025/26
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs are offered at Atholton (Army), Howard (Army) and Oakland Mills (Air Force) high schools. Each JROTC program provides an introduction to career opportunities in the United States Armed Forces and teaches principles of leadership, discipline and civic responsibility.
Any student who wishes to participate in JROTC but does not attend one of the schools that offers the program may apply for participation. Each school has a limited number of additional spaces available. To apply for participation for the 2025-26 school year, students must submit an application by January 3, 2025. Only students who are interviewed during the designated period will be considered for enrollment. Letters of approval/denial/waitlist will be sent home in January. To schedule an interview, contact the JROTC official for the program of interest:
- Air Force JROTC at Oakland Mills High School: Colonel (USAF, Retired) Bradly Scherer, Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, bradly_scherer@hcpss.org or(410) 313-6945
- Army JROTC at Atholton High School: LTC (USA, Retired) William Reinhart, Senior Army Instructor,william_reinhart@hcpss.org or (410) 313-7076
- Army JROTC at Howard High School: Colonel (USA, Retired) William Laigaie, Senior Army Instructor,william_laigaie@hcpss.org or (410) 313-2878
An application essay or other pre-interview materials may be required by each individual program. Contact the above schools for up to date information. More information about the JROTC program is available online.
YEARBOOK COVER CONTEST (Ends January 24, 2025)
All FQMS students are invited to submit their own design for the 2024-2025 yearbook cover. A panel of judges will determine the winner of the Yearbook Cover Contest for artwork SUBMITTED TO MS. BADER BY FRIDAY, January 24th. Please submit to Ms. Bader or the front office. Cover submissions that follow the requirements below will be entered.
REQUIREMENTS
- All cover artwork must be original and created by the student submitting the entry
- 8 x 10 sheet of paper – portrait orientation only
- Folly Quarter Middle School and 2024 – 2025 must be legible and prominent
- You may draw or use Photoshop to create the cover design
- No critical artwork should be in the bottom inch of the page – this area is reserved for student’s names and stickers (if purchased)
- Leave a .25 inch buffer space around the edge of the cover – the buffer space will protect your design during the printing process so it doesn’t get cut-off.
TIPS FOR HAND DRAW COVERS
- Any type of marker works best!
- Avoid using pencils and light-colored crayons.
- Choose bright and bold colors.
- Crayons are accepted if they are bright, but may not print with perfect quality.
- To make your cover design POP, create a thick outline using a sharpie or marker.
- Warning: the use of a pencil may cause your design to blend.
TIPS FOR PHOTOSHOP COVERS
- Artwork must be a minimum of 300 dpi before submission.
- Do not flatten your file - keep it layered.
REMEMBER TO CHECK THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET BEFORE SUBMISSION. Have fun! Be creative! Do your best!
8th Grade Baby Pictures Needed!
In order to complete our yearbook and highlight the 8th graders’ final year at Folly Quarter, we are asking each 8th grade student to provide a baby picture (not a requirement).
FYI…
- The picture will be only of the face, so backgrounds do not matter.
- It MUST be a JPG. Unfortunately, we cannot accept a pdf.
- Please use the instructions below when sending picture:
Please put in Subject Line: Baby_LastName_FirstName
Submit to: fqmsbabypics2025@gmail.com
- All pictures must be submitted by December 20th.
We encourage 100% participation - Note: 8th grade students only
Any Questions? Please email: FQMS2025Yearbook@gmail.com
From the FQMS Gifted & Talented Department
FQMS Spelling Bee
We are looking forward to another exciting FQMS Spelling Bee! Our Folly Quarter Level Scripps National Spelling BEE will take place Friday, January 10th at 7:50 a.m. Our school champion will then compete at the Howard County Level Spelling BEE taking place on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Students can sign up for our school Bee at https://forms.gle/oVC8D69kxtJs6w376
The Howard County Middle School Creative Works Magazine, Our Voice
The Howard County Middle School Creative Works Magazine, Our Voice, is published annually as a showcase of student writing and photography and the editors are currently accepting original poetry, fiction, non-fiction and photography to be considered for publication. Submissions are open to all current 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students attending Howard County Middle Schools. Students can submit their original work (deadline for submissions is January 24) at https://forms.gle/X8t6DABRQdNic7zr6.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Folly Quarter Middle School Presents: PTSA Fundraiser Bingo & Dance Night! Buy your tickets now!
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun and excitement! Join us on Friday, January 31, from 6:00-8:00 PM for a special Bingo & Winter Dance Combo Night! Whether you’re striking a pose in the photo booth, grooving to the latest hits, or shouting "Bingo!" with your friends, this event has something for everyone.
- Tickets are just $15 per person. Your child will get access to the dance floor, bingo, and a 10-game bingo card! Purchase your Tickets here
- Concessions will be available for purchase, including bingo dabbers, baked goods, and soda, each for just $2!
Important Reminder: To keep the energy high and the vibes right, phones are not allowed during the event. Let’s enjoy the moment together!
This awesome night can’t happen without 20+ volunteers and chaperones, so sign up to help us make this evening a success! Sign Up Here:- Bingo and Dance Night Sign Up
AND
Folly Quarter Middle School PTSA Cultural Festival
Join us for a vibrant celebration of diversity at FQMS! Enjoy delicious food, explore fascinating display booths, and experience captivating performances showcasing cultures from around the world.
- Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Folly Quarter Middle School Cafeteria and GYM
Want to participate or share your culture? Sign up here: Google Form
Let’s make this event unforgettable together!
Middle School Art Showcase
Members of the public are invited to attend the Middle School Studio Art B Showcase, featuring artwork by 8th grade students from all HCPSS middle schools. The artwork is on display through Jan. 21 in the main hallway of the Howard County Department of Education building, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City. Showcase hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on days the building is open.
Resources in our Community
Additional Resources/Supports:
After hours mental health support: If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues, please contact:
Call or text 988
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
After hours threat/safety concern: We encourage you to utilize Safe Schools Maryland, an anonymous and free system to report any school or student safety concerns, including mental health concerns. Safe Schools Maryland operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone can call the tip line (1-833-MD-B-SAFE / 1-833-632-7233), complete an online form, or use the Safe Schools Maryland app.
Community Notices
HCPSS’ 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 community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org