Roadrunner's Digest

Dear Farquhar Families and Staff,

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday! As we head into December, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude for being part of the Farquhar community. Your support and partnership make our school a special place to learn and work together.

With winter break just three weeks away, it’s important for our students to stay focused on their learning and continue demonstrating their ROCK values—being Responsible, Optimistic, Courageous, and Kind—in all they do. These values are central to our success as individuals and as a community.

As the colder weather sets in, please ensure your child has a warm coat each day. We believe in the importance of outdoor time, and students will continue to go outside for lunch and Open ROCK activities when possible. A warm coat helps them stay comfortable and ready to engage.

Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this busy and exciting time of year. Let’s finish 2024 strong, together!

As always, thank you for your continued collaboration and support, and have an excellent week!

In this newsletter you will find:

• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• After School Activities Schedule
• FMS Counseling Updates
• D&D Club Starts in December!
• Calling all 7th Grade Parents!
• NJHS Update
• Yearbook discount ends 12/1
• Integirls DC Math Competition
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Volunteers needed
• Upcoming Events and Winter Social
• Join the PTA

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

• Carter Van Petten
• Dr. Higley
• Jeanann Bowles
• Mr. Eisenhower
• Anthony Padilla
• Mr. McNaboe
• Ms. Gaske
• Kara Bonfils
• Mrs. Lazaris
• Mrs. Bronstien
• Ms. Payne
• Laila Madden
• Elise Madden
• Remy Lee
• Ella Barton
• Mayssem Hachim
• Catie Braham
• Brayden Dorado
• Mr. Green

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.

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

We will be starting D&D club in December. D&D or Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) where players create characters and go on adventures in a fictional world. Please fill out the application to be considered for the club. There are limited spaces for the club so make sure to fill it out by 12/6/24. https://forms.gle/Hg1fybLzDsNLxPQN9

We are getting ready to start our financial literacy program and we will need volunteers to chaperone. Farquhar Middle School will be attending JA Finance Park on:

• January 3: Ms. Rojas' classes
• January 6: Mr. Green's and Ms. Page's classes

Please use the link to sign up to be a volunteer!

NJHS induction letters will be distributed during the first week of December to all eligible 7th and 8th grade students. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Chaney or Mr. Lichvar.

The D.C. chapter of INTEGIRLS is hosting a beginner-friendly, in-person math competition Saturday, December 14th from 9 am - 4 pm at the Bioscience Education Center at Montgomery College Germantown Campus! Our mission at INTEGIRLS is to encourage girls and non-binaries in STEM fields through math competitions and events. This year, we will have math competition rounds (individual and team), an estimathon, a speaker event, awards ceremony, provided lunch, and lots of fun STEM activities. Teams of up to 4 students will be able to connect with and enjoy math with other girls and non-binaries around the DMV. There will be a lot of prizes and fun swag for all participants.

Register here directly or go to the INTEGIRLS D.C. website (dc.integirls.org) to learn more about the competition. If you have questions, please contact Isha Joshi at isha@integirls.org.

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.

VOLUNTEERS: Our FMS staff is AMAZING and we are in need of volunteers to support with snacks for the upcoming staff meetings. Please sign up here. The next staff meeting is Monday, October 7th and we need a volunteer!

• MLK Day of Service- January 2025: More details forthcoming.
• Winter Social- January 31, 2025 from 6-8pm at FMS. We will be seeking volunteers to chaperone the winter social! Stay tuned.

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