Important Dates
- August 25 - First Day of School
- 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
Folly Quarter News
Dear Folly Quarter community:
It was so wonderful to see our students and families at our orientation and open house yesterday. We are very excited about an amazing school year. Thank you in advance for your partnership! Also, thank you to our PTSA for organizing the Snow Ball truck!
We wanted to send this issue of Falcon Flyer News to highlight the first day of school. All the information that is included in our Falcon Flyer will also be posted on our website.
School starts at 7:50AM and ends at 2:35PM. The doors to the building open at 7:40AM. Breakfast is available for purchase starting at 7:35AM. As in years prior, students will wait outdoors prior to the opening bell unless we experience heavy precipitation or extreme temperatures. Students who take the bus will need to make sure they are at their bus stop early in case the bus arrives early but be prepared it could also be a few minutes late. We recommend 10-15 minutes prior to the posted time for the first days of school.
Finally, FQMS staff have been working incredibly hard to prepare for the new year. They are an amazing group of educators!
We look forward to seeing all of our students on Monday! Happy New Year!
Mike Babe and Michele Hewitt
Student Reminders for the First Day of School:
Bus Stop and Time Information
Here is the link for bus information. We encourage you to review this again on Sunday evening prior to the first day of school and we also encourage our students to utilize the county-provided transportation (bus) to and from school. We also recommend students arrive at the bus stop prior to listed time to ensure students are on time.
Upon arrival:
Students will enter the building at 7:40AM and go to the first period. We will have an extended first period on the first day of school where students will receive their schedule and their locker information. Students will have plenty of time to unload their belongings, organize their locker, and practice their combination before the end of the extended first period.
At lunch:
Students will attend lunch early so administration can review cafeteria and recess expectations.
Later in the week:
Students will continue with their daily schedule, and each content will have welcome/orientation information, so students are successful for the 25-26 school year. Students will also receive the HCPSS Code of Conduct Information along with the Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, Hate/Bias, Intimidation policy in the Town Hall. The Code of Conduct will be finalized in a Falcon Time during the first two weeks.
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; however, a date has not been determined. Information around chromebooks, repair costs, and more are available here.
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!
From our Career Readiness Advisor
Folly Quarter is excited to continue hosting a monthly Career Cafe during grade level lunch shifts for our 6th-8th graders to expose students to a variety of careers.
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.
Sign-up here to be part of our directory of parents, guardians, family friends, and/or community members that would be willing to volunteer once this school year to speak with a group of students while they eat lunch and engage. The speaker would need to be available from 10:30am-12:50pm to meet with students during each grade level’s respective lunch shift.
Feel free to reach out to Folly Quarter's Career Readiness Advisor with any questions: Pauline_Baek@hcpss.org.
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!
- Link: https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
- Directions: https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions.pdf
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 all students on the first day of school in their first period class. However, we encourage students to bring a copy of their schedule with them so they can practice using their schedule in synergy.
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
Lockers and Backpacks
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/PE
- 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, small case, 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 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 & Electronic Devices
Upon arrival at school, students must put their cell phones and electronic devices 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.
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.
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.
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