Roadrunner's Digest

Happy New Year Farquhar Families and Staff!

I hope you've enjoyed a relaxing and warm weekend. There are six remaining school days left in the second marking period! Students should be reviewing their grades, turning in missing assignments, retaking any assessments, and checking in with their teachers. If you have any questions about your student's grades, please reach out directly to their teacher. Our 8th grade students will be completing their high school course registration on Thursday, January 23. Attendance for 8th graders on this date is critical, and we thank you for your support.

We have some exciting events coming up in the next two weeks:

1. This week we are honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a week of service at Farquhar! Check out the spirit week details below.
2. The following week, all students are invited to come to our Winter Social on January 31 from 6-8pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance on School Cash Online. We strongly recommend purchasing your student's ticket in advance so they can walk right into the dance and avoid long lines for ticket purchases at the door. Tickets purchased at the door are cash only. If you are interested in chaperoning the dance, we are in need of some more volunteers! Check out the information and link below.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership, 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
• NEW: 8th Grade Course Registration
• TIMELY: It's MLK Service Week!
• NEW: Candygram Fundraiser
• NEW: Media Center Update
• NEW: Kid Museum MS Maker Night
• NEW: BOE Seeking Public Comment
• HBCU College Fair
• COSA Application Process Opens Soon
• Student Delegates for SMOB Election
• NJHS Meetings Coming Up
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Volunteers needed
• New PTA Treasurer Needed
• Winter Social Volunteers Needed
• Join the PTA

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

• Franco Aleman
• Ellen Rahr
• 8th Grade Team!
• Ida-Mae Steppling
• Amy Councilman
• Stephen Katzel
• James Makfinsky
• Kameron Khrizman
• Mr. Herman
• Logan Darrington
• Serenity Lawson
• Natalie Bonilla

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.

On Thursday, 1/23, High School Counselors will be coming to FMS to help 8th grade students begin the course registration process.

Below is course registration information that will be shared for Sherwood, Blake, Springbrook, and Paint Branch High School. For other High Schools, please reach out to 8th grade Counselor, Melanie Bronstein, for more information:

Melanie_E_Bronstein@mcpsmd.org

• Sherwood Course Information
• Blake Course Registration
• Springbrook Course Information
• Paint Branch Course Information

This week, our students will participate in various activities focusing on the themes of kindness, empathy, and social responsibility. These activities will help students understand how they can make a positive impact in their communities and how small actions can contribute to larger changes in the world.

Activities will include: Making hygiene/cleaning kits for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, blankets & friendship bracelets for local hospitals, dog toys for the Montgomery County Humane Society, friendship bracelets for children in hospitals, and cards for our military troops. Off-campus service options will be available to students as well to volunteer at local elementary schools, nursing homes, public libraries, etc. More information about volunteer opportunities at other MCPS schools will be shared via Remind before Winter Break.

Students and staff are encouraged to participate in MLK Spirit Week! See flier below for details.

For questions, email Ms. Mason (Kristina_D_Mason@mcpsmd.org) or Mrs. Page (Miya_V_Page@mcpsmd.org).

We are excited to announce that Farquhar Middle School’s Counseling Department is sponsoring a Valentine’s Day fundraiser! This event is designed to promote kindness, support our school’s programs, and bring the community together during this season of love and appreciation.

Students and families will have the opportunity to purchase $2 Candy Grams and a $5 plushies and send a special message to friends, teachers, and staff. All proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit the Counseling Department, helping to provide important resources and programs for our students. Preorder will begin on Sunday, January 26th.

How You Can Help:

• Send a Valentine’s message: Have your child send a kind note or token of appreciation to a friend or staff member.
• Spread the word: Encourage others to get involved and make this fundraiser a success!

We hope this Valentine’s Day brings joy and a sense of connection to all of our students, staff, and families. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in making Farquhar Middle School a welcoming and caring environment for everyone.

Warm regards,
The Farquhar Middle School Counseling Department

KID Museum's Middle School Maker Night is on Friday, January 24, from 5:30-8 pm at 3 Bethesda Metro Center. Students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 will take over the museum as they try a variety of maker challenges using a wide array of tools and materials.

• Tickets are $10 per student but we also offer scholarships if cost is a barrier.
• Pizza and drinks will be provided to everyone who attends.
• Students will need to provide their own transportation to the museum.

The Board of Education is seeking comments on proposed amendments to two policies:

• Board Policy GAA, Workforce Excellence
• Board Policy GCB, Investigation of Employee Misconduct

Language translations are being posted as soon as they are available.

Important Dates

• Draft amendments to Board Policy GCB have been available for comment since December 10, 2024, and the comment period will close on February 3, 2025. The Board Policy Management
• Committee is tentatively scheduled to review public comments at its meeting on February 27, 2025.
• Draft amendments to Board Policy GAA have been available for comment since January 10, 2025, and the comment period will close on February 3, 2025. The Board Policy Management
• Committee is tentatively scheduled to review public comments at its meeting on February 27, 2025.

Links to Additional Information

• A description of each policy, drafts for review, and public comment questionnaires are available on the Public Comment Page.
• View video presentations on public comment page.

Join Ms. Mason, Ms. Payne, and Mrs. Page to attend the 17th Annual Montgomery County HBCU Fair on Friday, February 14, 2025! Farquhar will provide a bus to and from the fair for students who need transportation. Students should be dropped off at FMS at 5:15 pm to depart to the Universities at Shady Grove. This is for 8th grade students only

This sign-up is for transportation on a first-come, first-serve basis for the first 36 students. If you are interested in learning more about HBCUs and the many other opportunities for students please complete the google form HERE.

Please note, families are welcome to take their student to the fair independently from Farquhar. This sign up is only for those who would like transportation provided.

If you have any questions please reach out to Ms. Kristina Mason (Kristina_D_Mason@mcpsmd.org) or Ms. Payne (Jacqueline_M_Payne@mcpsmd.org).

The MCPS 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Monday, Feb. 3, and ends on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school.

Important changes for the upcoming COSA transfer process:

• Requests submitted after April 1, 2025, will not be considered unless there was a recent move or an emergency event that could not have been foreseen prior to April 1.

All COSA requests will now be submitted online through ParentVue in Synergy. Parents who need support on how to use ParentVue to complete an online COSA request will be encouraged to reach out to a staff member at their child’s assigned school.

• Detailed information related to the COSA process can be found in the 2025-2026 COSA information booklet, which will be available at the end of January. Hard copies will be sent to schools.

**If your 8th grade student is currently at Farquhar on a COSA, you will need to re-apply for the COSA in order to remain in the preferred feeder pattern in high school.**

For questions, call the Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.

Are you interested in seeing the process of the SMOB election unfold? Want to attend the annual SMOB Nominating Convention to participate in the democratic process in the selection of our two finalists for the next SMOB? If you are interested, please contact your school’s SGA advisor Danielle Affinito (danielle_n_affinito@mcpsmd.org) by January 24, 2025 to learn more about the process to becoming a delegate to the SMOB Nominating Convention. Winners will be chosen on January 29th.

Attention Grade 8 NJHS New Inductees & Current Members

Your meeting will be Friday 2/7/25. It will be in Room 004 during the first 10 minutes of Open Rock.

(Due to the Grade 8 Skate Zone trip)

At the meeting we will discuss:

• The 5 Pillars of NJHS
• Valentine's for First Responders
• Clothing Drive Collection

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!

The PTA is looking for a new treasurer, as our current Treasurer's term will be ending. We will be sharing more information in the coming weeks, so if you are interested, 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