Roadrunner's Digest

Good evening FMS Families and Staff,

Thank you all for another great week of learning and connection. It’s hard to believe, but we now have just 22 school days left before summer break begins on June 17!

Next week is a busy one:
All students will be taking the MAP-R (Reading) assessment on Tuesday, May 20 and the MAP-M (Math) assessment on Wednesday, May 21. Thank you for prioritizing your child’s attendance on these important days—we appreciate your partnership in supporting their growth.

We’re also looking forward to Career Day on Thursday, May 22! A big thank you to all the volunteers who are sharing their time and experiences with our students. Your involvement helps open doors and inspire future dreams.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support, and have an excellent week!

In this newsletter you will find:

• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• FINAL School Activities Schedule
• FMS Counseling Updates
• NEW: Upcoming SSL Deadlines
• REMINDER: Get your yearbook!
• Upcoming MocoCAP Events
• NEW: Culture Week 2025 coming soon!
• Therapeutic Summer Programs Available
• Summer RIASEC Road Trip
• NEW: Additional Boundary Study Engagement Sessions
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Join the PTA

Thank you to the following Roadrunners who have made a positive impact on our learning community!

• Mr. Katzel
• Ms. Bonfils
• Mr. Kamie
• Mrs. Campbell
• Christopher Marquez Cruz
• Alexa Celis Lozano
• Ryan Lahou-Anime
• Giovanni Roman
• Mr. Eisenhower
• Nathalia Dias de Oliveira
• Riyan Singh
• Eliza Hanif
• Lauryn Yoon
• Aurelia Irby
• Irene Balagtas
• Mrs. Gaske
• Dr Higley
• Paulina Ascencio
• Emily Osifchin
• Gwendolyn Templin
• Abigail Skoczdopole
• Ava Hardy
• Ms. Bartley
• Dr. Higley
• Gisele Vergara
• Beth Z.

Would you like to recognize a student or staff member?

Submit a SHOUT-OUT!

Thank you for taking a moment to thank a Roadrunner who has made a meaningful difference.

Activities end at 4:15 and students must be picked up no later than 4:30. Students should take the activity bus if they cannot be picked up by 4:30, as the main office closes at this time.

*****THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. *****

There will be NO activity buses for the remainder of the school year.

Please check out the School Counseling Website for information regarding community events, SSL opportunities and mental health resources.

Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2024-2025 school year and over the summer, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).

The required systemwide deadline for submission of all SSL documentation is FRIDAY, May 30, 2025.

All SSL forms (MCPS Form 560-51: Student Service Learning Activity Verification form - https://bit.ly/SSLReflection) must be turned in to the school’s SSL coordinator (https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsMS or https://bit.ly/SSLCoordinatorsHS) by the systemwide required deadline of May 30, 2025, to be added to students’ SSL records.

SSL forms for service completed during the 2024-2025 school year and the previous summer will NOT be accepted after May 30, 2025.

📣 Yearbook Reminder! 📣

Don't miss your chance to own a piece of this year's memories! 📚✨

Yearbooks are still on sale for $45 each and will be delivered in early June. Quantities are limited — order yours before they sell out!

🖥️ Purchase online at yearbookforever.com
🔍 Search for: Farquhar

Secure your copy today and celebrate the moments that made this year unforgettable!

RIASEC Party (Career Day Event)

• Date: Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
• Time: During grade level lunch periods
• Location: Auxiliary Gym
• Purpose: Support career day with a RIASEC-themed activity.
• Learn about RIASEC Themes

This years Culture Week will be May 26th – 30th. During this week students are encouraged to participate in the different activities to celebrate diversity, unity, and change. The color black represents power, and the students in the Minority Scholars Program wanted their peers to know that they have the ability to make their voices heard now! Culture Week is a space where every culture is honored and every student is invited to share, learn, and connect. Let’s celebrate what makes us unique — and what brings us together.

The Expressive Therapy Center is offering four different summer camps geared towards middle schoolers--

• Planting Mindfulness Nature Based Summer Program (grades 6-9)
• Transition to Middle School Camp (for incoming 6th graders)
• Art and Mindfulness (grades 6-8)
• Unstuck and On Target: Executive Functioning Skills Program

Keep in mind that therapeutic programs carry a higher cost than the typical summer camp, but some insurance companies may reimburse for at least partial coverage. Contact your student's counselor if you would like support accessing any of these programs.

RIASEC Road Trip is an optional half-day (AM) summer programming compliment that is being offered at Farquhar Middle School this summer at no cost to families.

The activities offered will range from RIASEC self-identification review, college and career readiness skill-building, and career exploration.Coaches will lead students through support sessions and activities rooted in experiential future-learning. These sessions build upon MoCo CAP Core Programming.

The RIASEC Road Trip Summer Program at FMS will run based on student interest. If you are interested in this option for your student, please click below for dates, times, and other logistics.

(Sessions will include maps with initial boundary options and a tool to use your home address to discover any changes to school assignments.)

In case you missed it, MCPS will be hosting additional boundary study engagement sessions.

We invite you to participate in the upcoming engagement sessions focused on the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School, the opening of Crown High School and the expansion of Damascus High School. These sessions will cover the initial options for each study and share how potential changes may affect families with middle and high school students beginning in the 2027 school year.

There are multiple dates and ways to engage in these sessions. For more information, dates and locations, visit the boundary study website at mcpsmd.info/BoundaryStudy.

Project staff will share the process and the data that explain the formulation of these initial options. Note: Elementary school assignments do not change as part of this study.

Each week, MCPS shares a community message with helpful system-wide information, reminders, and invitations to events. Though they are sent out via email, we will always link them here.

Direct donations to the FMS PTA are our primary source of fundraising! Help us avoid sales-based fundraisers!

• If you have already joined, but have NOT made a tax-deductible donation, we encourage you to do so. Any amount is appreciated!
• If you have not yet joined, please join, and donate, today!

Your direct donations help the PTA fund:

• Math, English, and STEM materials
• Counseling and wellness initiatives
• Field trips
• Arts, music, and athletic activities,
• Staff appreciation
• Parent/family resources

Feel free to contact me anytime and follow Farquhar on Twitter!

Email: Angelica_L_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Phone: 240-740-1200
Twitter: @farquharms