Roadrunner's Digest

Good evening FMS Families and Staff,

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding success of Legally Blonde, Jr. this weekend! Congratulations to the cast, crew, and staff whose talent, dedication, and teamwork brought this production to life. Your months of preparation culminated in a truly memorable performance—bravo!

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the many parents and PTA members who helped make Teacher Appreciation Week so meaningful. Your kindness, creativity, and thoughtfulness reminded our staff just how valued they are.

As we look ahead, a reminder that students will be taking the Math MCAP assessment on Tuesday 5/13 and Wednesday 5/14 (bell schedules below). Please ensure your child gets a good night’s rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives to school on time each day. These steps go a long way in helping students feel confident and ready to do their best.

Finally, happy Mother’s Day to all who nurture, support, and guide our students with the heart of a mother. Your love, strength, and dedication make a lasting difference in the Farquhar community—thank you for all you do.

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
• After School Activities Schedule
• FMS Counseling Updates
• REMINDER: Get your yearbook!
• NEW: Upcoming MocoCAP Events
• NEW: Therapeutic Summer Programs Available
• Summer RIASEC Road Trip
• Color Wars 2025
• Parent Workshop Opportunity
• NEW: MCPS Boundary Study Update
• 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. Lynn
• Melanie Bronstein
• Michelle Moton
• Mrs. Page
• Michelle Moton
• Gianna Conroy
• Jordyn Allen
• Abby Skoczdopole
• Dr. Higley
• Ms. Williams
• Mrs. Moton
• Dr. Higley
• Nicholas Davis
• Gabrielle Davis
• Taylor Williams
• liliana tran
• Charlotte Bond
• Madi Persak
• Devin Novick
• Dominic Miller
• Joeliyn Perez
• Sonia Weaver
• Adira Ibraheem

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.

📣 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!

Event 1: Meet A Pro (Financial Literacy)

• Date: Tomorrow Monday, May 12th, 2025
• Time: During grade level lunch period
• Location: Room G029
• Purpose: Financial literacy for students.

Get pass from room 004 or room 033

Event 2: 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

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.

COMING SOON… Color Wars 2025 is right around the corner! We are so excited to host our fourth annual Color Wars for the 6th and 7th graders on Thursday, June 12, 2025. All students will be participating. Please be on the lookout for a donation list to help FMS make this a memorable event! Thank you for your continued support!

For many families, the high cost of higher education is a daunting proposition. Parents lie awake at night trying to figure out how to afford sending their children to college and still have enough of their hard-earned money to retire one day. Some families have children attending college next year and others have 12 years to plan; but the fears of tackling these monumental and rising costs are the same. The College Funding Coach® is here to help families figure out HOW to pay for it! Through our educational workshop, Little-Known Secrets of Paying for College parents can expect to learn the following:

• College funding strategies for parents with students who DO and DO NOT qualify for financial aid
• Strategies for parents who are looking to fund their student’s college education without destroying their plans and dreams for retirement
• The 13 most popular college funding financial vehicles explained and debunked
• How to implement strategies that may allow students to attend out-of-state or private colleges for a lower cost than attending an in-state public
• Ways to maximize and increase financial aid eligibility
• …and so much more

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is reviewing high school academic programs to ensure all students have equitable access to high-quality options. Some programs are available at students' home schools, while others require travel. This survey collects the community's input to help decide which programs should be available to all students within a reasonable distance. Please take a few minutes to share your input. This survey will close May 15, 2025.

Read about high school programs in MCPS here. You may learn more about the study and the Academic Programs Analysis website.

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