Roadrunner's Digest
Mrs. Rivas-Smith's Newsletter for the Farquhar Community
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Message from the Principal
I hope you've enjoyed a relaxing weekend with loved ones. We enjoyed a snowy surprise during Open ROCK on Friday! It was a magical way to end the week and inspired even more excitement to enjoy the holiday season.
We're excited to welcome our parents and caregivers to parent conferences tomorrow from 1-7pm. Please double check your appointment times. If you have signed up for an individual conference and need to switch to a virtual appointment, please notify the teacher ASAP. If you weren't able to get an appointment that works for your schedule, please feel free to reach out and schedule one after Thanksgiving break!
Both Monday and Tuesday are early release days. We will dismiss at 12:30pm. There is NO school for the remainder of the week. Our doors open again on Monday, December 2 on a regular schedule.
As always, thank you for your continued collaboration 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
- NEW: D&D Club Starts in December!
- NEW: Calling all 7th Grade Parents!
- NEW: NJHS Update
- TIMELY: Yearbook discount ends 12/1
- Integirls DC Math Competition
- MCPS Things to Know
PTA Corner:
- Volunteers needed
- Upcoming Events and Winter Social
- Join the PTA
This Week's Bell Schedules
Early Dismissal Monday and Tuesday. School ends at 12:30pm!
There is NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.
This Week's Roadrunner Shout-Outs
Thank you to the following Roadrunners who have made a positive impact on our learning community!
- Jane Vandre
- 6th Grade Team
- Mr. Lichvar
- Mr. Katzel
- Ms. Councilman
- Kris Rhone
- Jessica Gray
- Ronald Ayala Ramos
- Joeliyn Perez
- Samuel Da Rocha
- Raven Maysonet
- Joe Kombe
- Kara B.
- Shelby Almeroth
- Magnolia Sherpardson
- Ronan Zelo
- Ms. White-Steiner
- Carter Van Petten
- Max Rosen
- Cadence Pham
Would you like to recognize a student or staff member?
Thank you for taking a moment to thank a Roadrunner who has made a meaningful difference.
This Week's After-School Activities
There are NO after-school activities this week.
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.
FMS Counseling Updates
Please check out the School Counseling Website for information regarding community events, SSL opportunities and mental health resources.
NEW: D&D Club Starts in December!
We will be starting D&D club in December. D&D or Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) where players create characters and go on adventures in a fictional world. Please fill out the application to be considered for the club. There are limited spaces for the club so make sure to fill it out by 12/6/24. https://forms.gle/Hg1fybLzDsNLxPQN9
NEW: Calling all 7th Grade Parents!
We are getting ready to start our financial literacy program and we will need volunteers to chaperone. Farquhar Middle School will be attending JA Finance Park on:
- January 3: Ms. Rojas' classes
- January 6: Mr. Green's and Ms. Page's classes
NEW: National Junior Honors Society Update
Thank you to all students who submitted their application for Farquhar's chapter of National Junior Honors Society! The NJHS induction letters will be distributed during the first week of December. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Chaney or Mr. Lichvar.
TIMELY: Yearbook Discount Ends 12/1
Yearbooks on sale for $30 until December 1st 2024. After that yearbook prices will go up to $35. You can purchase a yearbook here at https://yearbookforever.com/ . Pre-order a yearbook today!
Integirls DC Math Competition
The D.C. chapter of INTEGIRLS is hosting a beginner-friendly, in-person math competition Saturday, December 14th from 9 am - 4 pm at the Bioscience Education Center at Montgomery College Germantown Campus! Our mission at INTEGIRLS is to encourage girls and non-binaries in STEM fields through math competitions and events. This year, we will have math competition rounds (individual and team), an estimathon, a speaker event, awards ceremony, provided lunch, and lots of fun STEM activities. Teams of up to 4 students will be able to connect with and enjoy math with other girls and non-binaries around the DMV. There will be a lot of prizes and fun swag for all participants.
Register here directly or go to the INTEGIRLS D.C. website (dc.integirls.org) to learn more about the competition. If you have questions, please contact Isha Joshi at isha@integirls.org.
This Week's MCPS Things to Know
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.
PTA Corner
Volunteers Needed for Snacks!
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!
Upcoming Events
- MLK Day of Service- January 2025: More details forthcoming.
- Winter Social- January 31, 2025 from 6-8pm at FMS. We will be seeking volunteers to chaperone the winter social! Stay tuned.
Your donations make the difference!
JOINING, and DONATING, to the PTA directly supports students and our school community.
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
Contact Mrs. Rivas-Smith
Email: Angelica_L_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Phone: 240-740-1200
Twitter: @farquharms