Roadrunner's Digest

Dear Farquhar Families and Staff,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We're inching closer to the mid-way point of marking period 1. This Friday, interim reports will be downloaded and sent to families via USPS on October 4. Last Tuesday was also picture day. If your student missed picture day, our photographers will be returning on October 29 for retakes, so there’s still an opportunity to capture those school memories.

I’d also like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your ongoing communication and support. This past week has been a testament to the strength of our school community, as we worked together to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Your cooperation and diligence in staying informed and following safety protocols have been instrumental in helping us maintain a positive, secure environment for everyone.

Your partnership is invaluable, and I truly appreciate your dedication to keeping our community strong and safe. Thank you for all your continued support, and have an excellent week!

In this newsletter you will find:

• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• NEW: MAP-R Testing is Tuesday 9/24
• NEW: School Counseling Updates
• NEW: Career Coaching Opportunity
• Geometry Students: PSAT Registration Deadline 9/25
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Family Recipes
• NEW: After-school Activities Permission Slips
• NEW: Caregiver chaperones for Outdoor Education
• NEW: MCPS Annual Compliance Notifications
• NEW: Upcoming Events for NEC 8th Graders
• Regional and Countywide HS Programs
• Social Studies Curriculum Events
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Order FMS Spiritwear!
• Save the date: October 8
• Support Restaurant Night 10/24
• Join the PTA

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

• Aerys Hernandez
  
• Brooklyn Markwood
• Kim Soriano
• Latii Jebessa
• Heather Bruns
• Mrs. Moton
• Mr. Eisenhower
• Lauryn Yoon
• Helen Ray

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.

Students will be taking the MAP-M (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment on Tuesday, September 24th. This test is an important tool that helps us understand each student’s academic strengths and areas where they may need additional support. To help your child perform their best, please encourage them to get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the test. Additionally, make sure their Chromebook is fully charged the night before to avoid any technical issues. It is crucial for students to give their best effort! See schedule below.

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

Mr. Mark Kamie is our career advising coach with the Montgomery County Career Advising Program (MocoCAP). He is now available to meet with students interested in one-on-one career coaching! If your student is interested in exploring career options that match their interests/strengths, creating short- and long-term career goals, or in meeting a professional in an industry they're interested, they can complete this interest form. The interest form is also located on the FMS Counseling website.

Attention Geometry Students and Parents: The final deadline for turning in PSAT registrations and payments is THIS WEDNESDAY, September 25. College Board will not accept late registrations. Please turn in all materials to Ms. Bowles. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Mason at Kristina_D_Mason@mcpsmd.org.

As part of our ongoing Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Farquhar, we are creating a recipe book to honor the stories and traditions of our Hispanic families. If you or a family member have a recipe from your Hispanic roots that you would like to share, we would love to add it to the book! Please complete this digital recipe card in Spanish or English. If you prefer, we also have paper copies available to students and families. Students can pick up a paper copy from Mr. Lynn in the main office, or from Dr. Abreu in room 220.

Also, please save the date for our Hispanic Heritage Night celebration on Thursday, October 10th from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. We will have opportunities for students and families to enjoy:

• Food trucks
• Storytelling
• Wax museum historical presentations
• Dance performances
• Recipe exchange, and more!

We hope you can join us for a wonderful of highlighting, elevating, and celebrating the rich culture of our Hispanic students and communities.

On September 18th students learned about our fall after-school activity program and had the opportunity to pick up permission slips for the numerous activities. If your student was unable to pick up permission slips during that time, forms are still available in the cafeteria, or they can be printed from the link below. Students should return forms directly to the sponsors noted on each form or to the main office. More activities will be opening up throughout the year. Please email Mrs. Rose with any questions: Laurie_E_Rose@mcpsmd.org

Attention Caregivers,

We're starting to collect names of caregivers of students who are interested in chaperoning for our Outdoor Education sessions this year.

Session Details:

• Session 1 (Last Names A-K): November 11-13
• Session 2 (Last Names L-Z): November 13-15

Any individuals interested in chaperoning Outdoor Education this year should reach out to Mr. Eisenhower, 6th grade Team Leader, at Mark_A_Eisenhower@mcpsmd.org. You will follow the MCPS fingerprinting process and MCPS Volunteer training.

Thank you for your support!

All families of sixth grade students are invited to our Outdoor Education parent info meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 6:30 - 7:15pm.

• This meeting will be in HYBRID format. Come in-person to the Cafeteria, or join us on Zoom (link forthcoming)
• Spanish translation will be available in person
• Learn about the curriculum and experiences of Outdoor Ed
• Participate in the Q&A session

Please review the annual notices regarding MCPS asbestos management and integrated pest management.

Non-Asbestos Notice:

• AHERA Non-Asbestos Annual Notification (FY 2025) English | Español | 中文 | Portuguese | Français | Tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ

Integrated Pest Management Notice:

• Secondary Schools & Admin offices (FY 2025)
  español | 中文 | portuguese | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ

Do you have 8th grade students and live in the NEC? Please see below for upcoming events!

Not sure if you live in the NEC? Please use this link: https://gis.mcpsmd.org/SchoolAssignmentTool2/AddressInput.xhtml

In addition to the various academic programs in the local schools, Grade 8 students who live in Montgomery County may be eligible to apply to MCPS High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs (criteria-based/selective and interest based/lottery). For more information, visit the MCPS regional/countywide high school application programs website (below). Application season is expected to open in early October with a deadline of November 1, 2024.

Is your child interested in attending a Regional/Countywide program? Please check out this video for more information about available programs!

Parents mark your calendars:

MCPS Social Studies Office is having another Curriculum Night Webinar about how Asian American History is taught at MCPS K-12 on September 26, 2024 6:30pm. To register http://bit.ly/3yZsvZm

October 9, 2024 is Common Writing Task (CWT) Night at Farquhar! Come and learn how to support your student with this assignment. We will be meeting in the Media Center at Farquhar from 5:00 - 6:00pm.

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.

There are amazing options for you and your family to choose from! Check out the flyer below or use the QR Code below. The store closes on September 22nd.

Our first full (virtual) PTA meeting on Tuesday, 10/8 at 7:00 PM. We look forward to seeing you there! Stay tuned for Zoom details.

We will have our first Restaurant Night scheduled at Chipotle on Nov. 4th from 4-8pm.

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