IMPORTANT DATES
- October 13-17: National School Lunch Week
- October 17: Schools Closed for Students
- October 20: Schools and Offices Closed
- October 31: Three-Hour Early Dismissal and Folly’s First Future Fest/Pinktober (still need volunteers- see below)
- November 2: Daylight Savings Ends
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
PTSA NEWSLETTER 10/1/2025
FOLLY’S FIRST FUTURE FEST ON FRIDAY, 10/31
Folly Quarter Middle School is excited to launch a "mini" career fair called Future Fest during the second half of Halloween Friday, 10/31, at Folly Quarter... but we need YOUR help!
To make this happen, we are looking for 15 more career speakers who are available on 10/31 from 9:30am - 11:35am. Here's an informational flyer that breaks down the structure of the day.
If you would be interested in volunteering as a career speaker or have a referral to share, please contact our Career Readiness Advisor, pauline_baek@hcpss.org, or our school counseling intern, olivia_geiger@hcpss.org.
FQMS INTRAMURAL PROGRAMS
- All intramurals begin immediately after school (this does not include the PBIS Student focus group- FQMS Intramural Programs )
- To participate, please return a signed permission slip to the Club advisor or the front office
- It is very important to please read all information (dates and times on the permission slip)
- Spaces in each club are limited so please complete ASAP. (Participation is on a first come, first served basis.)
FROM OUR PTSA
- Falcon Family Ice Cream/ Hot Chocolate Social & Book Fair Evening
We are excited to invite you to the FQMS Falcon Family Ice Cream Social, hosted by Folly Quarter Middle School and the PTSA!
When: Wednesday, November 5, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: FQMS Cafeteria
Cost: $10 per person – Includes ice cream and toppings/ hot chocolate
Purchase Tickets Here or Buy them at the door with cash or Credit Card
This special evening is a great way for families and students to come together, enjoy some sweet treats, and explore the Book Fair’s extended hours (5-8 pm)!
Please Sign Up Here to Volunteer! During the BookFair!
- FQMS Book Fair is Coming!
Mark your calendars—the Book Fair will be held in the Media Center from November 3–7. Students will have the chance to browse and shop during the school day, and we’ll also have extended family hours on Wednesday, November 5, from 5–8 PM so parents and guardians can join in the fun. It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage reading while supporting our school
Sign Up Here to volunteer at the Book Fair—this event will not be possible without you!
- FQMS Ice Cream Social/Hot Chocolate Social Parent Volunteer Sign Up -
Come volunteer at our Ice Cream Social or hot chocolate and enjoy complimentary refreshments courtesy of the PTA! Your help is essential to ensure the event runs smoothly and is a great success. It’s a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community, have some fun, and indulge in delicious treats.
Where- FQMS Cafeteria
Join us in making this event memorable for everyone involved!
- FQMS Pinktober and Future Fest-
This October, PBIS at FQMS is embracing all things fall! Students will have the opportunity to purchase “Fall Falcon Grams” with their Falcon Bucks in order to spread autumn cheer. Each gram will include a positive note (to themselves or a peer) along with a Rice Krispie treat. We will wrap up the month with our very first 2025 Falcon Day, a celebration filled with student choice activities, a Pinktober Fun Run, and Folly’s first Future Fest. These events are designed to recognize and celebrate our students’ hard work and positive behavior. To help make this month’s PBIS events a success, please consider donating—your support makes a big difference!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4FA9A828A6FF2-59019507-copy
HELPING EVERY FAMILY THRIVE IN MATH
Math is a skill that grows stronger with practice! Encouraging your child to spend a few minutes each night reviewing notes, completing homework, or practicing math facts can make a big difference in their confidence and understanding. Just like reading every day helps with literacy, doing math regularly helps build problem-solving skills and number sense.
Families are highly encouraged to explore the HCPSS Mathematics Family Support Center https://hcpssfamilymath.weebly.com/. The Mathematics Support Center helps families better understand their child’s math program, strengthen their own understanding of math concepts and skills, and access free online homework help and other practice resources throughout the school year and beyond. Here’s a Snapshot of a Few Helpful Math Resources that are available on this website.
Grade 6 Resources: Khan Academy's Mathematics 6 Student Resources (by unit and lesson)
Grade 7 Resources: Khan Academy's Mathematics 7 Student Resources (by unit and lesson)
Grade 8 Resources: Khan Academy's Mathematics 8 Student Resources (by unit and lesson)
Pre-Alg GT Resources: Khan Academy's Pre-Algebra GT (Mathematics 8) Student Resources (by unit and lesson) and https://hcpssfamilymath.weebly.com/pre-algebra-gt-gr-6.html
Alg 1/Alg 1 GT Resources: Khan Academy's Algebra 1 Student Resources
HOLIDAY ASSISTANCE
With the holiday season quickly approaching, FQMS would love to offer support to our school families who may be in need of assistance. If you would like to REQUEST assistance for your immediate family, please complete the form below by October 21. We get different resources every year, so a request is NOT a guarantee. We will review each request and get back with you if we are able to offer assistance.
https://forms.gle/mz94t3PnLu2R2VZK6
TELEHEALTH SESSIONS
Folly Quarter Middle School is pleased to offer students the opportunity to participate in telehealth sessions during the school day. This program provides families with convenient access to care while keeping learning on track.
Parameters:
- Appointments are 40 minutes in length.
- Parent/guardian presence is required in the building during the session.
- Written consent from the parent/guardian must be provided in advance.
- Each child may participate in one telehealth session per quarter (up to four per school year).
- Parents/guardians may schedule all four sessions in advance.
- FQMS will provide a private office space for the student.
- Students must use their school-issued Chromebook for telehealth appointments.
- Sessions are offered on Wednesdays during periods 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7
Protocols:
- Parents/guardians must call the school at least 48 hours in advance to schedule a telehealth session (or reserve all four sessions for the year at once).
- On the day of the appointment:
- The parent/guardian signs in at the front office with a government-issued ID.
- The student is called from class. The parent and student are escorted to the private office.
- The parent helps the student log in and start the telehealth session, then exits the office and is escorted back to the front office.
- The parent remains at school until the session ends.
- After the session, the parent and student may speak privately before the student returns to class.
- The student returns to class, and the parent signs out and may leave campus.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a telehealth session for your child, please email telehealth.fqms@hcpss.org.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting student well-being.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CHAPERONING OR VOLUNTEERING?
Each year, volunteers and chaperones must complete the mandatory training. Here is the location for the training and you can drop-off the completed certificates to the front office where they stay on file. We must have them on file prior to volunteering at school or chaperoning during the day.
RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY
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 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.
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
YOUNG AUTHORS’ CONTEST
The Howard County Literacy Association invites students in grades 6-8 to submit their original poems and/or short stories to the annual writing contest called The Young Authors' Contest. Please carefully read the Young Authors’ Contest Guidelines for information about the rules and guidelines. This document contains important contest information, such as word count limits, font requirements, and submission formats. All entries must have a completed YAC Cover Sheet, sent as a PDF. In order to type in the form, you will need to go to the “File” menu dropdown and select, “Make a copy.”
Submissions may be emailed to Lauren Rifkin, TRES Reading Specialist, at Lauren_Rifkin@hcpss.org by December 15, 2025. Feel free to email Mrs. Rifkin with any questions.
All Young Authors’ Contest information can be found on the HCLA website.
Howard County Literacy Association welcomes parents as members. Visit the HCLA Welcome Page for information about joining.
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