Important Dates
- May 7 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal
- May 6, 8, 12 and 13 - MCAP Social Studies/8th Grade students only
- May 12-16 - Spirit Week - (May is Mental Health Awareness Month)
- May 12 - PTSA Meeting (in-person)
- May 13 - PTSA Fundraiser (Five Guys)
- May 15 - FQMS Theater Arts Production (7pm)
- May 16 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal
- May 19-22 - MCAP Math Testing (all students)
- May 26 - Schools/Offices Closed
- May 28 - Choral Concert (GHS - 7pm)
- May 29 - 5th Grade Visit to FQMS
- May 30 - Orchestra Concert (GHS - 7pm)
- June 4 - Band Concert (RHHS - 7pm) (NEW DATE)
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
Student Dismissal
Students should take car or bus transportation home from school as determined by parents and guardians at the start of the school year. It has been observed that there is a growing number of students who are walking off campus toward the Royal Farms/High's traffic circle after school. Because there is no sidewalk connecting the FQMS campus to the overpass bridge, we request that students utilize bus/car transportation at dismissal.
Thank you, FQMS Admin Team
PTSA for Cultural Night
The PTSA Folly Cultural festival was such a wonderful evening for our community. The event was filled with information, performances, delicious food, and so much learning from one another. This was the third annual PTSA event and this would not have been possible without our students in the Cultural Club under the leadership of Ms. Thaker and Ms. Munnaluru. Thank you also to Ms. Petrella and Ms. Bosio for all their support and commitment too. Thank you to everyone who was able to participate and attend. We cannot wait for our next year’s event!
Counselor Corner
Nurturing Well-being: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
As the school year progresses, it's a great time to focus on the overall well-being of our students. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a nationally recognized observance dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing support for mental health. This is a crucial topic, especially during the often-turbulent middle school years, a time of significant social, emotional, and academic transitions. Please read further for more information and resources. Remember, you are not alone, and there is support available. By working together, we can create a school community that prioritizes the mental health and well-being of all our students. Let's use Mental Health Awareness Month as an opportunity to learn, connect, and support each other.
Please encourage your student(s) to participate in our May Spirit Week May 12- May 16 to help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage support for mental health.
FQMS Spring 2025 Testing
Parents/Guardians, 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 6, 8, 12 and 13
- MCAP Math/all students - May 19, 20, 21 and 22
- MCAP Make-ups will be conducted by May 30 (dates to be determined)
Students will need:
- A fully-charged Chromebook and a charger (no personal laptops).
- Wired headphones - wired headphones are required for testing. To eliminate sharing school provided headphones/earbuds, we request students bring their own wired headphones/earbuds from home (must have a plug that works with the chromebook).
Please ensure your student gets a good night’s sleep the night before and receives a good breakfast on the days of the assessments.
2024- 2025 Yearbooks - Now On Sale! (Deadline Date Change)
The 2024-2025 Yearbook is now on sale! Don’t miss out on this historic keepsake! This year Lifetouch is offering different packages or you can create your own. The basic price is $25. Online ordering is available, visit: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=False
The Yearbook ID code is: 5635925
Place your order today! Order Deadline is May 2nd!
Spring Photos
8th Grade Panoramic Photo
Parents may still purchase the 8th Grade Panoramic photo. Please contact the Lifetouch Customer Service office, 1-800-736-4753, to order your Panoramic photo. The current ordering code is being updated by Lifetouch. FQMS will post the new code on our website as soon as the code is available.
Order Your Spring Pictures Today!! ENJOY 10% OFF
It’s not too late to order your photos! Visit Lifetouch.com and use code: EVT2H7WKH
ENJOY 10% OFF your order! CODE: S2510OFF EXPIRES: July 31, 2025
Student Service Learning Update
As part of 6th and 7th grade third quarter science units, students have engaged in a Curricular Embedded Student Service Learning (SSL) experience. When students pass these courses in the third quarter, the 25 hours for SSL will be issued and will appear on the student report card. Similarly, there is a project in grade 8 social studies during the fourth quarter that will be documented this way. This is an updated process to ensure all students who have engaged in these learning experiences in middle school will be issued the hours if they pass that quarter. Students who do not pass the quarter of a course or are not enrolled in SSL embedded instruction will not receive hours. These students will have the opportunity to engage in high school courses that include SSL and/or engage in high school independent SSL projects. 75 Hours of SSL are required by MSDE for graduation and more information can be found on the HCPSS website here: https://www.hcpss.org/academics/service-learning/
News from our Health Room
Important Immunization Requirements for incoming 7th Grade students (school year 2025-2026):
Effective the first day of school, 2025-2026, 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 by the first day of school, 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 or email our nurse at Laura_DelBorrell@hcpss.org. Thank You!
PTSA Messages
Please Sign Up
Staff Appreciation Week
Staff Appreciation Week is Coming! May 5th – May 9th
Let’s celebrate the amazing teachers and staff who make FQMS shine! We’re planning a week full of treats, surprises, and thoughtful touches to show just how much we value everything they do. From the front office to the classrooms, our staff goes above and beyond every day—and now it’s our turn to give back.
Please sign up to contribute and help us make this the best week yet for our wonderful staff!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4FA9A828A6FF2-56210700-fqms
Thank you for your support in showing our staff how much they mean to the FQMS community!
End-of-Year PBIS Raffle – Donations Needed!
The PBIS team, supported by PTSA, is putting together raffle baskets to reward our students, and we need your help! We’re looking for donations to make these prizes extra special. Winners will be announced on the last Monday of the school year, so all donations must be in by May 27. Please drop off donations at the Front Office, labeled for PBIS and from whom, and check the sign-up below to see how you can contribute.
Here is the signup genius for the donations for the PTSA- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4FA9A828A6FF2-55038558-endofyear
Thank you for helping us celebrate our students' hard work!
MSDE Parent Survey
Each year the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) surveys parents of children receiving special education services in the State. The purpose of the survey – The Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey – is to hear from parents about how well they think their child’s school is partnering with them and promoting parent involvement in their child’s education. Surveys were mailed February 14, 2025, and must be returned (mail or online) by May 30, 2025. By completing the survey, you can tell us how your child’s school partners with you. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system.
River Hill High School Summer Camps
The River Hill High School Boosters will be offering summer camps beginning June 9. Please read the attached flier for more information.
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 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