Important Dates
- February 17 - Schools/Offices Closed
- February 19 - Vision/Hearing Screening (Information below)
- February 26 - PTSA Cultural Festival - Postponed
- March 10 - PTSA Virtual Meeting (7:00pm)
- March 11 - PTSA Fundraiser - Walker’s Tap and Table
- March 14 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Work Day
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
HCPSS Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media - Use of Personal Devices
The new expectations for student personal devices will take effect on Monday, March 3, 2025. The complete changes and expectations. may be found online. Please take time to review these new expectations with your student to ensure they do not violate the new policy.
Our school will adhere strictly to the policy with hopes that the elimination of the distractions that personal devices cause will result in healthier and more productive learning and social environments during the school day.
Thank you for your collaboration in the successful implementation of these changes.
Hearing and Vision Screening - February 19
On February 19, FQMS will hold our Hearing and Vision clinic for all 8th grade students and those students new to the state of MD. If your child has glasses or contacts, please make sure they wear them on the screening day. Your child will receive these screenings unless you object for religious reasons. Please send a letter to your child's school health room if you choose to opt out of the Health Department screenings.
If your child does not pass either the vision or hearing screen, you will receive a letter from our school notifying you of this result. It is then recommended that you take your child to have their vision evaluated by an eye care specialist or that you contact your child's medical provider for a referral to an audiologist for a complete hearing evaluation. The rescreen date is February 26 for those who were absent or failed the hearing screening on February 19.
Should you have any questions, please contact our school nurse, Laura DelBorrell, 410-313-1510.
From the FQMS G/T Department
Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development
The Gifted and Talented (G/T) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology and fine arts.
No testing nor prior G/T coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.
- Location: Burleigh Manor Middle School
- Session 1: June 30 - July 11 (no class July 4)
- Session 2: July 14-25
- Hours: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Cost: $330 per session (Financial assistance is available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meal Program.)
Students may attend Session 1, Session 2, or both sessions. While the program is half-day, after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks. Snacks are provided.
A few highlights ---
- Bus transportation to area collector stops!
- Exciting courses in Humanities, STEM, and the Arts!
Registration is now open for families of HCPSS students through HCPSS Connect. The first registration request window will close on February 18 at 12 p.m.
For more information on how to register, please see this registration guide, GT Course Listing
Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.
Career Cafes
FQMS is excited to broaden our students' exposure to the breadth of careers in our community by hosting Career Cafes. Once a month, an adult from our community is invited to speak with interested students about the responsibilities, rewards/challenges, required skills, and pathway(s) to their job.
We are looking to build a directory of parents, guardians, family friends, and/or community members that would be willing to volunteer your time once this school year (or next) to speak with a group of students while they eat lunch and engage. The speaker would need to be available from 10:30am-12:50 pm to meet with students during each grade levels' respective lunch shift:
- 8th Grade Lunch: 10:33 - 11:03
- 7th Grade Lunch: 11:26 - 11:56
- 6th Grade Lunch: 12:19 - 12:49
For more details on dates and to indicate interest, please click here.
Feel free to reach out to Folly Quarter's Career Readiness Advisor with any questions: Pauline_Baek@hcpss.org.
Thank you for your consideration!
A Message from our PTSA
The Falcon Family Cultural Festival has been postponed due to ongoing weather conditions and the limited time needed to prepare for this event. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support and want to ensure that this celebration will be a great success for our FQMS community.
The PTSA will share updates soon with future plans, so please stay tuned for more details. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The Howard County Women’s Commission - Student Essay/Poster Contest
The Howard County Women’s Commission is holding a student essay and poster contest to celebrate Women’s History Month. Prizes will be rewarded. The contest is open to all Howard County middle and high school students. Entries are due February 21, 2025. Read the attached flier for more information on contest submission rules.
Glenelg High School Spring Musical
Glenelg High School presents the magical musical, Cinderella! Please read the attached flier for performance dates and times. All tickets are $10 and can be purchased online, in the GHS front office, or at the door. We are anticipating sell-out shows. So, get your tickets in advance! Online ticket purchase link- https://tinyurl.com/2neerbzs
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.
HCPSS provides countless supports for students and families, and recognizes there are times when additional help is needed. Various reputable county, state and national organizations can provide assistance every day and during times of crisis. Visit the the HCPSS website for additional resources: Family Supports and Resources
Additional services for residents in Howard County are available on the Howard County Government website.
The organizations listed are neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, and instead serve to extend resources available for students and families.
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