Roadrunner's Digest

Good evening FMS Families and Staff,

I hope you're enjoying the holiday weekend! We have another round of winter weather threatening a potential shift to our regular operations. The MCPS severe weather codes are linked here for your reference. Despite the cold, spring is just around the corner, which means spring sports tryouts will be here before we know it! We’re also looking forward to some of our favorite annual events, including Wellness Day, STEAM Night, and the exciting return of International Night. These celebrations bring our community together and highlight the talents, cultures, and interests that make Farquhar special.

Stay warm, stay safe, and we can't wait to see you at these upcoming events!

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: MD School Survey for Students
• NEW: Boys and Girls Soccer Tryouts
• NEW: FMS International Night
• NEW: FMS Annual STEAM Night
• NEW: February Media Center Update
• WOW: NJHS Valentines for Vets
• NEW: Congrats Mathletes!
• NEW: NJHS Clothing Drive
• Has your student lost their chromebook?
• MCPS Things to Know

PTA Corner:

• Volunteers needed
• New PTA Treasurer Needed
• 2025 OBGC Girls Lacrosse
• Join the PTA

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

• Mr. Herman
• Nikia Williams
• Social Committee
• Ms. Trahern
• Ms. Pignone
• Ms. Steadman
• Ms. McDonough
• Ms. Bruns
• Julian Amadeo
• Mrs. Campbell
• Armaan
• Delilah Kramer
• Angela T
• Mr. Green
• Dr. Higley
• Nataniah P.

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 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.

⚽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.

WOW! A huge shout-out to the current NJHS members and our new inductees! Together, we delivered over 400 Valentine’s thank you notes to first responders. They were thrilled to receive these kind messages! We spread the love to the Olney Fire Department, Sandy Spring Fire Department, Laytonville Fire Department, Arlington VA Fire Department, Arlington Police Station, and Olney Police Station. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

Thank you and congratulations to the students that participated in the AMC8 math competition. The 3 students that scored the highest at FMS were Lauryn Yoon, Farhan Rahaman, and Franco Aleman.

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!

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!

If you have any questions about how our current treasurer manages this role, please reach out to our PTA president, Kristin Menefee, at menefeekristin@gmail.com.

The Olney Girls Lacrosse program was created to offer youth girls the opportunity to learn, play and love the game of lacrosse. We want to be the best recreational program in the area focused on promoting and educating players, coaches and families in the skill, knowledge, sportsmanship and love of lacrosse. NEW AND EXPERIENCED PLAYERS WELCOME! See attached flyer for more details.

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