Falcon Flyer

Important Dates

  • August 21 - New Student and Family Orientation
  • August 25 - First Day of School (7:50 am-2:35 pm)
  • September 1- Schools and Offices Closed
  • September 4- Back to School Night - 6:00 pm (More Information coming)
  • September 8- PTSA Meeting @ FQMS - 7:00 pm
  • September 17- Schools Close 3 Hours Early
  • September 23- Schools and Offices Closed
  • September 24- Student Fall Picture 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

Student hours: 7:50am-2:35pm

Folly Quarter News

Dear Folly Quarter Families:

We look forward to seeing our new students and families on Thursday, August 21 at our New Student and Family Orientation at 12:45 PM. Returning Falcons, you have the opportunity to travel through our building in an optional Open House format from 4:00 - 5:00 PM. You can look up your schedule and locker information ahead of time in Synergy on August 20 at 8:00 AM. We will not have printed schedules so please print or write down your schedule and locker information ahead of time. The PTSA will also have a snowball truck for students and families to purchase a snowball while at school.

Families, save the date of September 4 for Back to School Night. All parents/guardians are invited to attend Back to School Night at Folly Quarter Middle from 6-7:45 PM. You will be able to travel around the building and attend each of your student’s classes to hear from their teachers. We look forward to seeing you!

Finally, I want to thank the PTSA and our families for the fabulous lunch they provided on our opening day. It was delicious and we appreciate our wonderful families. What a great way to start the year! I also encourage you to join our PTSA as they do so much to support our school!

I wish you all an amazing last week of summer! I cannot wait to see our students next Monday!


Mike Babe

Principal

Welcome to our Newest Falcons

  • Bentley Corbett-Wilson, Band
  • Emily Erickson (DeFrancesco), Math
  • Herjit Jandu, Math Specialist and Math ITL
  • Daniel Pletcher, Social Studies
  • Rob Piche, Math
  • Jessica Rush, Special Education
  • Elizabeth Singo, FACS/CTE
  • Shalini Sottallu, Media Para
  • Jonathan Vissering, CTE
  • Alexis Adame, Principal’s Secretary

School Meals and Free and Reduced Meals

For the 2025-2026 school year, the meal prices are as follows: breakfast $2.00, lunch $3.30, and milk $.50. You can access your student's lunch account here. Students will be given a PIN # to pay for lunch; cash is not accepted. Please ensure your student has this number before the first day of school. 
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits. Families are encouraged to verify their eligibility and submit a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year. Details on Free and Reduced Meals can be found here.

School Supplies

Here is the school supply list for 2025-2026. Students will only need a few items on the first day of school such as: pencils, pens, paper, folder/binder. Students may also bring a water bottle (clear, if possible). As a reminder, students are only permitted to have water in their water bottle; soda, coffee, juice and other drinks are not permitted in the hallways or classrooms, but can be saved for lunch.

Chromebooks

Each student will utilize their county-provided chromebook. Our rising 6th grade students and new HCPSS students will receive their chromebook soon. Information around chromebooks, repair costs, and more are available here.

Family File (homework #1)

PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT(S) FAMILY FILE before August 22.

Family File Update - ALL Families.  This must be completed each year - don't delay!  We need updated information, including emergency contacts.  Phone numbers, addresses and emails can change.  Please do this today! 

Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available via Synergy on August 20 at 8:00am. Please note we are continuing to balance classes based on changing enrollment so please have your child check their schedule again on August 22. We will have printed schedules for our 6th grade students at orientation. We ask our 7th and 8th grade students to use their chromebook to access their schedule (a printed schedule can be provided by request in student services on the first day of school for any student who has difficulty accessing their schedule).

STARTING AUGUST 20:

To see the student class schedule:

  • Log into Synergy > hcpss.me
  • Click on Class Schedule on left side

To see the student locker number & combination as well as Food Service PIN number:

  • Log into Synergy > hcpss.me
  • Click on  Student Info on left side
  • Scroll down to bottom to see locker number, locker combination and Food Service PIN number

From the Gifted & Talented Department

We are looking forward to a wonderful 2025-26 school year full of learning through research!  G/T Instructional seminars are a great way to enrich the Folly Quarter middle school experience. Our research based multi-disciplinary Instructional Seminars are open to all students.  A complete list of seminars, with a link to sign up this academic school year, will be sent out to all students through Canvas in early September.  Seminars will begin meetings at the end of September or early October.  Have a great start to the school year!

Lockers and Backpacks (change for 2025-2026)

Students will no longer be permitted to carry backpacks for the 2025-2026 school year. This change is for the safety of students and staff due to large classes and busy hallways. Backpacks take up too much space and can be a tripping hazard for all.

Each student will have access to their assigned locker the first day of school. We plan to have an extended period 1 so each student has plenty of time to practice using their locker. Students can bring their backpack to and from school but they will not be permitted to carry their backpack with them throughout the day. Students are able to use their locker at the following times or with a pass from a teacher:

  • Before school
  • Before and after Related Arts
  • Before and after lunch
  • After school

As your children are preparing to return to school, we encourage you to help them organize their supplies based on their morning and afternoon classes so that they do not carry all of their materials around all day.  Here are two strategies for helping your child organize their materials:

  • Color-coding items based on morning and afternoon classes
  • Organizing binders for AM and PM classes.

Finally, students are able to carry a small purse, fanny pack, or belt bag with them throughout the day for small personal items.  The bag should be small enough to fit inside of a student desk. Students are permitted to use chromebook cases as well.  We ask that students do not use string bags/cinch bags for this purpose, as they are a tripping hazard.

We know lockers are a big deal and also can be scary for students; our staff will be ready to show patience and care as your child works on remembering their combination and how to open their locker.

Cell Phones

Upon arrival at school, students must put their cell phones away in their locker/backpack. Phones are not to be used or seen/heard. Per HCPSS Policy 8080, student use of cell phones is not permitted in Howard County schools during the school day. Families are reminded that students must abide by Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media. Additionally, a dedicated phone is available for students in the main office to use during the day.

Student Absences

If your student has to be absent from school, please submit a note to fqmsabsence@hcpss.org  or send a note in with your child to submit to Student Services.  Absence notes must be received within 5 days of your student’s return to school or the absence will remain unlawful.

  • Students who are absent due to lawful reasons per HCPSS Policy 9010 will be considered Absent Excused.

When emailing a note, you will receive an automated message to verify that your email was received.

Please do not send attendance notes to your child's teachers. If you have any questions about your child's attendance, please email fqmsabsence@hcpss.org.

If you would like to request a discretionary absence, please complete the form found here: Discretionary Absence Request and email it to fqmsabsence@hcpss.org.

Please review the HCPSS Attendance Policy for further information.

Late Arrivals:

  • Students will report to the front office to sign in and receive a pass when arriving late to school.
  • Parents must send students in with a note or provide an email explaining the reason for the late arrival.  Students who arrive late due to lawful reasons per HCPSS Policy 9010 will be considered Tardy excused.

Early Dismissals:

  • We ask all early dismissals to occur by 2:00 PM to reduce disruptions to the end of the school day as our clerical staff are preparing for student dismissal.
  • Parents/ Guardians will sign students out from the front office for early dismissals.
  • Parents/Guardians are to show their photo ID upon arrival to confirm their eligibility to pick up the student in the family file.
  • If you know that your student will have an early dismissal ahead of time, please send in a note or an email letting us know the time of the dismissal and  the name of the person picking the student up. All attendance communications/questions should be sent to fqmsabsence@hcpss.org.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Car Riders- Please have your student inside the building by 7:45 AM

Link to information We have provided a map to follow the procedures. We want all students in class before 7:50 am to start their academic day on time. Please ensure that you arrive to school early so your student is not late to period 1.

News from our Nurses

Medication Drop off reminder:

If your child will need medication during the school year, the attached medication form must be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner.  Additional forms can be found on the HCPSS website. If your child will be in band, orchestra, or chorus next year, consider requesting the doctor to include a "self-carry/self-administer" order for your child's emergency medications (epipens, inhalers) for extended day and weekend field trips. Orders for each new school year must be dated on or after July 1.  All medications must be in containers properly labeled with the following information:

  • Student Name
  • Medication name
  • Dosage to be given
  • Time and frequency of medication
  • Date of medication order
  • Prescriber's name
  • Expiration date of medication

 

Over-the-counter medications such as cold, allergy, and headache medications should be brought to the health room in new, unopened containers.

*Medications should be delivered to school by a parent/guardian to assure safe arrival.  Students should not transport medications.

HCPSS BULLYING INFORMATION

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal.  HCPSS Policy 9460 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy as well as preventative and responsive measures.

We know how important your role is in not only supporting your children, but also reporting possible incidents as you become aware of them. The Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation (BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report all alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur at school or have a connection back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. An online version is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. Hard copies of this form are available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office.  If you believe your child has been bullied, please complete and submit this form as soon as possible and/or assist your child in doing so.

Once the form is submitted, school administrators will ensure the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged offender are aware of the report and will begin an investigation within two school days of receiving the report. Parents/guardians can expect a school administrator to reach out to them during the investigation.  Once the investigation is completed, parents/guardians will be provided written notice of the outcome of the investigation within fifteen days of receiving the compaint, excluding extenuating circumstances.

There are times when incidents of peer conflict or code of conduct offenses may occur that may not be bullying, but may need follow up action. If you become aware of something that falls under conflict and/or a code of conduct offense, please notify a school administrator via email or phone call so that they can become aware and follow up as needed.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to specifically lift up cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic media like computers, cell phones, and game systems. Our digital interconnectedness makes bullying different and more damaging than it’s ever been before. It allows hatred and publicly humiliating gossip or photos to be instantly far-reaching and inescapable as electronic media is everywhere. It can NOT simply be ignored. In October 2013, the State of Maryland enacted Grace’s Law, making misuse of interactive computer services a criminal offense. Its purpose is to prohibit anyone from using electronic media (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) to maliciously engage in conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor and/or places that minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines.

While all of this information will be reviewed with students at school, we are asking you to do the same at home. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring all of our students feel a sense of safety and belonging in their school communities! More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

News from our PTSA

PTSA newsletter- please get involved by joining and/or volunteering!

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