Roadrunner's Digest

Good evening FMS Families and Staff,

I hope you all had a restful weekend. As we head into the week, I want to remind everyone that interims are this Friday, February 28. This Friday is also an early release day and marks our Fifth Annual FMS Wellness Day! Students will participate in a variety of activities focused on health and wellness, complete the Maryland School Survey, and enjoy a school-wide Open ROCK. We’re also excited to welcome back the Pacha Mama juice truck—if your student would like a fresh juice, please remind them to bring cash.

Let’s make it a great week, and as always, thank you for being such an essential part of our Farquhar community!

In this newsletter you will find:

• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• After School Activities Schedule
• FMS Counseling Updates
• NEW: College Student Volunteers Needed!
• NEW: 8th Grade MISA Testing 3/3-4
• MD School Survey for Students
• NEW: Congrats to the Cast of Legally Blonde, Jr.!
• Boys and Girls Soccer Tryouts
• MS International Night
• FMS Annual STEAM Night
• NEW: Moco CAP Lunch Bunch 2/24
• NEW: February Media Center Update
• NJHS Clothing Drive
• Has your student lost their chromebook?
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Volunteers needed
• PTA Board Vacancies
• Rescheduled PTA Meeting 3/11
• FMS Course Registration Presentation
• Join the PTA

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

• Makenzie McDaniel
• Manny Burt
• Seela Huleis
• Kelsi Austin
• Ada Nelson, Kristen Nguyen, Vicky Lam, Blen Asegu
• Mr. Lichvar
• Liliana T.
• Mrs Maisonette
• Franco Aleman
• Cameron Vaughan
• Blen Asegu
• Mr. Lichvar

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.

Attention: We are looking for college students to speak to FMS students about their college experience during College Week (March 17th-21st). Interested college students should complete the google form by March 7th to receive additional information. If you have any questions, please contact Julie_C_Lazaris@mcpsmd.org.

On Monday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 4, 8th-grade students will take the MISA assessment during in the morning. MISA stands for Maryland Integrated Science Assessments. This assessment evaluates students’ academic progress in science over the past three years. Following the test, students will participate in regular instruction in the afternoon. Students will receive an email on Friday, February 28, with their assigned testing location and group.

Thank you for prioritizing your 8th grader's attendance to school on these days.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Stephen Katzel at stephen_m_katzel@mcpsmd.org.

On February 28, 2025, all Farquhar students will take the Maryland School Survey, which gathers feedback on school climate to help improve learning environments. The survey covers topics such as student engagement, safety, and interactions with adults and with other students. All responses are confidential, with no personal information collected. Results will be reported at the school and district level. For any questions, parents/guardians can contact Mr. Stephen Katzel at stephen_m_katzel@mcpsmd.org.

Congratulations to all who auditioned for Legally Blonde Jr.! We had such a great turnout of talented students. The cast list has been posted on the musical Google Classroom. We will begin with a cast meeting this Tuesday, February 25th at 3:15pm in the Cafeteria. If you have any questions email Dr. Higley: christine_l_higley@mcpsmd.org

⚽Soccer Tryouts for 7th & 8th Graders

• Who: 7th and 8th-grade students interested in trying out for the Boys' or Girls' Soccer teams.
• Sign-Up: Learn how to sign up online by clicking on the button below.
• When:
• Girls' and Boy's Tryouts
• 3/11, 3/12, 3/13
• Time: After school from 3:10 PM to 4:20 PM.
• What to bring : Cleats, shin guards, water bottle
• Transportation: Activity buses will be available.
• Contact: For any questions, please reach out to Mr. Davis.
• Meeting to take place during rock time in upcoming weeks about more details. If the weather permits, we will be outside if not bring indoor gear for the gym.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the team! Sign up today! 🥅⚽

Farquhar's Student Government Association will be hosting an International night on March 12th, from 6 to 7:30 PM. This is our first International Night since the pandemic, and we are excited for the opportunity to celebrate the rich diversity in the Farquhar community. Please fill out the form below if you want to participate! If you have questions, please email danielle_n_affinito@mcpsmd.org

We are hosting our 4th Annual STEAM Night on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. This extraordinary night features amazing opportunities, activities, and exposure to the world of STEAM to our bright and eager students through an EXPO style format. It is all about community and sparking the curiosity of learning and exploration as our students learn to become future leaders, problem solvers, and outstanding citizens of this world. Meet people from all over the STEAM community including the University of Maryland, Northrop Grumman, NASA, High School Robotics and so much more!

You and your family are invited to interact with the presentations, participate in the activities, and good food from our food trucks! Last year we were BLOWN AWAY when 300+ students, families, and community members came out to take part in this special event. This year, we expect nothing less and want YOU to be a part of it!

Hope to see you here on Thursday, May 1st!

If you are interested in becoming a Presenter/Volunteer to showcase a project, provide a STEAM activity, or share information about STEAM related clubs and activities, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM and save the date for 5/1/25.

Attention all FMS Student Career Advisory Council members! Our monthly Lunch and Learn will be held Today during each grade level's lunch in room 029. If you need a pass, please pick one up from outside room 004 or room 033. We will be doing an exciting art project!

Families, we need your help! We are experiencing an uptick in the number of students requesting Day Loaner Chromebooks for 5 consecutive days or more. If the student’s Chromebook is missing and it’s been 5 or more consecutive days with a day loaner, a School Cash Online (SCO) obligation for a lost Chromebook ($312) will be placed on your student’s account.

To help prevent students from receiving this obligation, we’re asking families to be sure your student brings their Chromebook charged to school every day. If their Chromebook is missing and unable to be found, please have your student tell the main office and a new Chromebook will be issued to them along with the SCO obligation.

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!

FMS PTA Board has the following openings for SY25-26- President, Executive VP/Delegate, Treasurer, Communications and Programs VP. Additional details to follow!

March 11th at 7pm EST (zoom details forthcoming). Please join if you are interested in learning more about the PTA Board Vacancies for SY25-26.

Please review the presentation 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