Important Dates
- April 14-21 - Spring Break - Schools Closed
- April 23 - PTSA Fundraiser - Chick-fil-A (Clarksville)
- April 25 - Report Cards Issued (Synergy - 4:00pm)
- April 30 - 8th Grade Panoramic Picture
- May 1 - PTSA Cultural Festival
- May 7 - 3 Hour Early Dismissal
- May 5, 6, 12 and 13 - MCAP Social Studies/8th Grade students only
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
Happy Spring Break! We hope you and your family can rest, recharge, and enjoy the moments together. We will see our Falcons on April 22nd.
Congratulations to All!
MESA Competition Winners!
The FQMS Community wants to recognize and congratulate the students who are part of the afterschool program Maryland MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement). This year, FQMS had 34 students participate in MESA in an engineering design competition. The best teams from our school then went on to the regional competition to compete against other Howard County middle schools. Each student team took on an engineering design challenge and worked together to find innovative solutions. We are proud of all of the students who have participated this year and are so pleased to announce the results of this year’s competitions!
Two teams from FQMS pursued the Community Clean-up Challenge. In this competition, students developed and built robots that can traverse on land or water to collect trash. The robots needed to be built primarily out of recycled or repurposed materials and incorporate a sustainable energy source, all while staying within a small budget. The FQMS team that advanced from our school to compete in the regional competition against other Howard County schools is Savannah R. and Charlotte H. Great work on your innovative design!
FQMS had four teams compete in the Planetary Lander competition. These teams worked to design and build a structure that is both lightweight and strong and that can fit into a small container until assembled or deployed. The Lander needed to meet a number of stringent criteria and constraints in their design to safely land two passengers from the greatest height possible while minimizing the landing forces. The winning team from Folly Quarter advanced on to compete at the regional competition. Congratulations to our team who won second place in the regional level competition: Omar K., Aarya B., Alec S., and Miklos T. for their excellent design and hard work on this challenging project.
Folly Quarter had four teams who competed in the National Engineering Design Competition (NEDC). These teams had to identify a challenge that was creating inequity in our community and engineer a solution to address it. All of the teams did an excellent job with this challenging task. The winning team from Folly Quarter went on to compete in regionals, and we are pleased to congratulate the team for achieving third place in the county overall.Congratulations to Alaina S., Anshi S., Kiley B., and Sophia G. who demonstrated great dedication and problem solving skills to create their product.
We are proud of all of our students for their dedication and hard work as they took on these very challenging tasks.
FQMS’ Debate Teams
From the FQMS Gifted & Talented Department
On April 7, 2025 at the Johns Hopkins University Kossiakoff Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, the Folly Quarter Middle School 8th Grade Debate Teams effectively debated against other middle schools during this year’s Howard County Middle School GT Debate. This year’s debate resolution was “Be it resolved that the United States should ban the use of animals for scientific or commercial testing”. Congratulations to the following students and many other debate students who helped them prepare for the debate: Introduction: Zane S., Aarya B., Christie H., Connor H., Ivy S., Gacheri W., Crossfire 1: Sreekar N., Somesh A, Saachi S., Miklos T., Rebuttal: Avighna S., Constance Y., Divi P., Pranav B., Crossfire 2: Sreekar N., Somesh A., Saachi S., Miklos T., and Closing: Omar K., Yash C., Alec S., Suhani C.
Debate Seminars, and all G/T Instructional Seminars, are open to all students. Instructional Seminar registration happens at the start of each school year.
AND
We are proud to announce that several of Ms. Welsh’s and Mr. LeDoux’s art students have been selected to showcase their artwork in the Howard County 2025 Mall Show. This annual exhibition runs from April 10th through April 30th where artwork from all Howard County Schools will be on display for public viewing.
An opening reception will be held on April 10th from 5:00–6:30 p.m., and we encourage families to attend to support our young artists. Please join us in congratulating the following students on this outstanding achievement!
6th Grade: Navya K., Eliana N., Tahera H., Ava S., Marielle C., Lily D., Maddie S., and Cecilia G.
7th Grade: Kiley B., Elena W., Palmer G., Casey D., Jasmine K., Tongjia S., Kashvi S., Kellen T.,
Rushank V., Jade P., Ben K., Sike’ F., Ian B., Malin J., Maggie B., Olivia A., and Teagan M.
8th Grade: Sawyer S., Robin C., Neil C., Aaron K., Sophie H., Moksh P., Phoebe S., Jacob F., Valeria R., Ty S., Leia R., Gwyn B., Emilie N., AJ C., Tristan R., Emily P., Leo W., Shellie M.,
Avery R., Fiona L., Dolan E., Lily T., Cole L., Bailey R., and Donnie B.
2024- 2025 Yearbooks - Now On Sale! (Deadline Date Change)
The 2024-2025 Yearbook are 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!
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
Take Our Children to Work Day
Thursday, April 24th is Take our children to Work Day. The program was created as an educational experience for our children. It provides an opportunity for our children to become more aware of their parents’ work day and encourages them to think about their futures. If your child is attending your workplace this week, please email: fqmsabsence@hcpss.org so it can be recorded appropriately. Please also know that instruction will continue on April 24th as normal.
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!
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/
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 5, 6, 12 and 13
- MCAP Math/all students - May 19, 20, 21 and 22
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.
PTSA Messages
Please Sign Up
Falcon Family Cultural Festival
The Falcon Family Cultural Festival has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 1. 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: Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Folly Quarter Middle School Cafeteria and GYM
Do you want to participate or share your culture? Sign up here: Google Form
Join us in making the Cultural Festival another amazing success! We need volunteers to help bring this special event to life. Your support will make a big difference in creating a fun and memorable experience for our FQMS community. Sign up today and be a part of the celebration! Please Sign Up Here
Let’s make this event unforgettable together!
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.
Free Chromebook
As part of a grant from the State of Maryland’s Connected Devices Program, our school is partnering with the Bright Minds Foundation and the Howard County Government to continue to provide qualifying families with one free Chromebook and charger per household. This free new HP Chromebook can be used to connect with schools, access community services, for personal work purposes or for any other reason that benefits your family.
In order to qualify for a free Chromebook and charger, you must meet the following criteria:
- Your family has not already received a free device from one of these organizations: Community Action Council of Howard County, Howard County Office of Children and Families, or Making Change;
- You are the parent or legal guardian of a student currently enrolled in HCPSS;
- You meet one of the income qualifications outlined on the application form And
- The application form is fully completed.
If you qualify for a Chromebook and have completed the Google Form application, you will be notified by Mrs. Taylor when the device is available for pick up. At that time, an adult family member will need to come to the school to receive the device. These are not HCPSS devices and will not come loaded with any HCPSS educational applications. HCPSS is not responsible or liable for the operation, loss, or repair of your Chromebook or charger. Families will be responsible for their own internet service. Families will have 5 days to exchange any non-functioning devices.
Please read the instructions and complete the Free Chromebooks for Eligible HCPSS Parents or Guardians Google Form at this link. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Taylor at 410-313-1506.
River Hill High School Boosters - Summer Camps
The River Hill High School Boosters are sponsoring summer camps at River Hill High School. The camps are designed to help young athletes improve their fundamental athletic skills. Weekly camps begin on June 9th. Over thirty different camps are offered this summer, including football, tennis, soccer, baseball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, weight training, wrestling, “Hawks” Sports camp, and dance. We also offer an Art camp and Video Production camps. Camp schedule and registration can be found at www.riverhill.org.
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