Important Dates
- September 27- Family Academy Kick-Off
- September 29- MAP Testing (Math)
- October 2- Schools and Offices Closed
- October 3- 6th Grade Team Building (still need volunteers- see below)
- October 8, 9, 10- MAP Testing (Reading)
- 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 (still need volunteers- see below)
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 Picture Day is rescheduled for November 5. Picture retakes will be January 8th.
Student Dismissal
REMINDER–Students should take car or bus transportation home from school as determined by parents and guardians at the start of the school year. Parents- please do not pick your children up at Royal Farms/Highs 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
6th grade Team Building Day- We need Volunteers!
Please sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040549ADAD2AA64-58601317-10325#/
HCPSS Family Academy Kickoff
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: Oakland Mills High School
This districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:
- A session with Superintendent Bill Barnes
- Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
- Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year
- Childcare and language access provided
For additional information, please visit the Family Academy Kickoff HCPSS News Post.
Flier: English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean
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. We are hoping to finalize our guest speakers by October 5th.
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.
MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement)
Do you want to learn about engineering, computer programming, physics and problem solving? Join MESA!
Maryland MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) is an exciting and engaging after-school program that will meet on Wednesdays from 2:35 - 3:45 PM. Students will work in teams to enter one of four Engineering design competitions using technology to solve challenging, real-world problems. Choose from:
- Planetary Lander: Expanding Structures Challenge
- Community Clean-Up Challenge
- The National Engineering Design Competition
- A new competition - information coming!
ALL Students who participate in MESA are required to compete in one of the four competitions and submit all required project components. No prior experience with programming or technology design is required. This is open to students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students of all skill levels are welcome. For more information, go to https://secwww.jhuapl.edu/stem/mesa/ Space is limited to the first 25 students who submit a completed application that is signed by a parent or guardian. Interested students can get an application from their science teachers at school starting Wednesday, Sept. 24th. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 29th after school. Dr. Jessica Bronson (jessica_bronson@hcpss.org) and Ms. Emelia Coonts (emelia_coonts@hcpss.org ) will host MESA weekly. Please contact them with any questions.
MAP Assessment September & October
What is MAP and Why are students taking it?
MAP is the Measures of Academic Progress assessment. Most students in grades 2-8 will take the assessment in the area of reading and math. The data from the MAP assessment will help schools and teachers plan for instruction.
Will my child participate?
Yes. However, students enrolled in 8th grade ELA-GT or a high school assessed math class including: regular or GT Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 and upper level high school math classes are exempt from participating in MAP this school year.
What device should my child use to participate in MAP?
Their HCPSS issued chromebook. Students should bring their HCPSS chromebook and charging cord to school every day.
When will MAP take place?
Math–September 25, 26, 29
Reading–October 8, 9, 10
Will MAP impact my child’s grades?
The MAP assessment does not affect grades and the difficulty of questions adjusts depending on how your child responds. It is expected that students will answer about half the questions correctly.
SY 2025-2026 Free After School Meals
HCPSS Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announces the availability of free afterschool meals (supper & snack) for children who participate in after-school enrichment programs/activities at forty-two (42) eligible schools for school year 2025-2026, commencing October 13, 2025. FNS has updated the flyer that accompanied this announcement in last week’s Digest to clear up confusion as to which students are eligible for this benefit. Please direct questions to Brian Ralph.
PTSA Newsletter (link)
Message From PTSA
With the new school year underway, we are excited about the many activities and events planned for our students. And though we’re thankful for the families and community members who generously give their time, money, and other resources, our PTSA is still facing a budget shortfall for this academic year. As parents ourselves, we understand that it’s exasperating to be constantly bombarded with donation requests—especially if you have more than one student at multiple schools! Therefore, as part of our continual efforts to support our students and faculty while reducing the burden on parents, we are introducing the One and Done donation program this year. You can help fund our PTSA programs for the entire year with one donation: no bake sales, no car washes, no potlucks—just a single donation.
One and Done: Donate Here
(Granted, the occasional school-wide donation request may find its way to your inbox, but you’ll be able to ignore it with a clean conscience.)
PTSA Math Club
Join the FQMS Competitive Math Club! Love solving problems? Enjoy a good challenge? Come join the PTSA-sponsored Competitive Math Club! Meetings are on Thursdays from 6:00–7:15 PM in the FQMS Cafeteria. To sign up, just bring the attached registration form and the MathCounts fee (check made out to Folly Quarter PTSA) to any club meeting and hand it to our awesome Math Club coaches, Ben Wang and Steven Wang. Meeting Dates: Sept. 18 & 25 • Oct. 9, 16, 23 & 30 • Nov. 6, 13 & 20 • Dec. 4, 11 & 18 • Jan. 8, 15 & 29 • Feb. 12, 19 & 26 • Mar. 5, 12, 19 & 26
Come sharpen your skills, work as a team, and have fun competing in math challenges.
Here is the Registration form (bring the form and check made out to Folly Quarter PTSA)
Parenting Classes: Free! On Zoom and open to parents, guardians and grandparents residing in HoCo or with school-age children/grandchildren residing in HoCo. Evidence-based, interactive prevention program that provides families with the skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. The curriculum was written for families with children 9-14 years old, but it is appropriate for K-12 families. Class dates: November 11, 13, 18, 20 and December 2 from Noon to 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit HC DrugFree’s website for more information and register at https://tinyurl.com/GGC-Fall2025
Drive-Thru Medication Disposal: Saturday, October 25 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot near the Swim Center from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medication, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more. Unlike previous events, we will not collect sharps (needles, syringes and EpiPens). Need student, adult, and medically-trained adult volunteers. Earn Community Service Hours! Giving away 100 medication lockboxes. For more information and to volunteer visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/
Teen Advisory Council: Open to Howard County students in grades 8-12. Earn Community Service Hours and make meaningful contributions to the community. Next meeting: Monday September 29, 2025 from 5:30-7:00pm on Zoom. Earn Community Service Hours. Register to receive the meeting link: https://forms.gle/SgMrjdeo11JpNuuV8 For more information, visit HC DrugFree's website: https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/
Free Newsletter: Stay up to date with HC DrugFree's free events offering Community Service Hours to HoCo students, resources, and a variety of substance use and behavioral health information! Sign up for HC DrugFree's free digital newsletter: https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/
Glentutors Program run by NHS
Looking for tutoring or homework help? Glenelg National Honor Society (NHS) offers free tutoring available every day of the week. Simply visit the GlenTutors program on the Glenelg National Honor Society website or click on the link below to sign up with your available schedule, contact information, and desired tutoring subject(s). A tutor will then be provided promptly! NHS Glentutors Sign Up: (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeW_VexuAqkow_1KMoolK4mRU7v_0G8COXPYncj44MBhr5Hyw/viewform?usp=dialog)
Folly Quarter Families Invited to FREE Fall Event at Howard Community College - October 17
Howard Community College is thrilled to be hosting our third annual FREE Fall for All event on Friday, October 17, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on our downtown Columbia campus. With HCPSS schools being closed, we thought this would be a great benefit to the community, especially for those with younger children and those looking for fun, family-friendly, fall activities. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word with the Folly Quarter community! From inflatables to crafts, to games and activities, the event has been structured with community members of all ages in mind. Food will be available for purchase from a variety of local food trucks. New for this year’s event, we are highlighting our dedicated public safety professionals, connecting guests with representatives from Maryland and Howard County law enforcement, fire departments, and other local agencies. More information about the event is available at HowardCC.Edu/FallForAll or on our HCPSS Community Program Listing.
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 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.
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