Roadrunner's Digest

Good evening FMS Families and Staff,

We had a fantastic week at FMS! From engaged classrooms to students showing our ROCK values daily, it’s inspiring to see our school community thriving. A big shout-out to our students and staff for their hard work and dedication.

This Wednesday, we’re excited to host International Night in the FMS cafeteria! This special event celebrates the rich diversity of our community with food, music, performances, and cultural displays. Join us from 6:00–7:30 PM for an evening of connection, learning, and fun! It’s a wonderful opportunity for students and families to share their heritage and experience the traditions of others. We encourage everyone to bring a dish, wear cultural attire, and enjoy this vibrant showcase of cultures.

As we head into another great week, let’s continue to support one another and bring our best every day. Thank you for being part of what makes FMS such a special place!

In this newsletter you will find:

• Join us for International Night!
• This week's bell schedules
• This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
• After School Activities Schedule
• NEW: RecXtra Tennis Opportunity
• FMS Counseling Updates
• Support FMS Career Day
• UPDATE: Course Registration for Rising 7th & 8th Grade
• Donate photos to the yearbook!
• Boys and Girls Soccer Tryouts
• FMS Annual STEAM Night
• NJHS Clothing Drive
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

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

📅 Date: Wednesday, March 12

🕕 Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM

📍 Location: Farquhar Middle School Cafeteria

Come celebrate the diverse cultures in our community! Enjoy dances, a fashion show, arts & crafts, and cultural exhibits. 🌎✨ Plus, don’t forget to bring money for Trippy Tacos! 🌮

We can't wait to see you there!

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

• Kristina Mason
• Kara Bonfils
• Charlotte Bond
• Giovanni Roman
• Laurie Rose
• Luana Lopez Icochea
• Roy Lynn
• Angela Williams
• Maiya Alexandre
• Madison Wright
• Natalia Mathinos
• Megan Burt
• Rowan Miller
• Marshall Bruce Mathers III
• Mr. Herman
• Devin Novick
• Annaliese Croseto
• Liana Taddasse
• Candice Morgan
• Helena Awoke
• Jeneba Jah
• Emma Kirpatrick

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.

RecXtra MCTEF Tennis will be offered again this spring at Farquhar MS.

The program will start March 24th and run until May 13th .

Complete the permission slip linked below, or pick up permission slips in the main office, cafeteria, or in Mrs. Rose's room 003. Spots fill up quickly, so please return slips promptly. All permission slips should be turned into Mrs. Rose in room 003. Please do not turn in forms to the main office, as space fills up quickly and admissions is first-come, first-served (however, priority will be given to students who were on the waitlist this fall, if a new permission slip is submitted).

Please email Mrs. Rose with any questions @ Laurie_E_Rose@mcpsmd.org

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

FMS' 2025 Career Day is occurring on Thursday, May 22nd, from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM!

We would love to have FMS parents and community members join us as guest speakers to share insights about careers!

If you are interested in participating as a presenter, please take a moment to fill out the Google Form below by April 2nd so that our Counseling Department can begin organizing the event:

This week, students in grade 6 and grade 7 will receive a paper copy of the course registration process and electives courses available to prepare to make their electives course selections for next school year. Students will bring home the course registration paper copy on Tuesday, March 11th and then they will make their electives course selections electronically in school with their counselor on Thursday, March 13th. Please review the course registration document to provide input on your child’s course selections as they move into 7th and 8th grade next school year.

We are collecting photos for this year’s yearbook and need your help! We’re looking for pictures from school activities, school-sponsored events, and team sports—including basketball, band, orchestra, and more!

If you have great photos showcasing the spirit and excitement of our school, please send them in!

📅 Deadline: March 14
📩 How to Submit: email the pictures to Amber_m_Beil@mcpsmd.org

Let’s make this yearbook one to remember! Thank you for your support! 📸🎉

⚽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! 🥅⚽

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.

The NJHS Annual Spring-Cleaning Clothing Drive is ongoing this week and will end Friday, March 21.

Please bring in gently used or new clothing to your Period 1 class, including shirts, pants, shorts, jackets, shoes, and socks.

Here are the results from the first collection:

• 1st place: Ms. Higley with 162 items
• 2nd place: Mr. Foster with 139 items
• 3rd place: Dr. O with 125 items

Which Period 1 class will claim the donut party and bragging rights? A big thank you to all the students who have already made donations!

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