Roadrunner's Digest
Mrs. Rivas-Smith's Newsletter for the Farquhar Community
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Message from the Principal
I hope you've enjoyed the beautiful weather today. We are looking forward to much nicer weather this week, and more outdoor time to enjoy the sunshine! There is a lot going on this week at Farquhar:
- The third marking period ends on Tuesday, April 9, so now is the time to be checking in with your student about their grades and any outstanding assignments.
- There is no school on Wednesday, April 10.
- On Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12, we will be administering the MCAP ELA (Literacy) test schoolwide. Your support in prioritizing attendance to school both mornings is sincerely appreciated!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership, and have an excellent week!
In this week's newsletter you will find:
- This week's schedules
- This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
- NEW: Roadrunners on Display at Sherwood HS Art Show April 11
- TIMELY: Celebrating the upcoming Solar Eclipse
- TIMELY: 8th Grade Hershey Park materials due April 15
- NEW: Come see Dear Edwina, Jr. @ FMS!
- UPDATE: Community events on teen wellness
- NJHS Clothing Drive April 2-19
- Save the date for FMS STEAM Night May 9
- NEW: Save the Date for Career Day May 23
PTA Corner Updates
- April 9 PTA Meeting Info
- Representation in FMS PTA
- Volunteering with Interfaith Works
- NEC Area Meet and Greet with Board of Ed April 17
- Parent Support for the IXL Initiative
Need to get back to an previous edition of the Digest? Find them in the archive on our school's website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/farquharms/.
Main Bell Schedule: April 8-9
MCAP ELA Testing Schedule April 11
MCAP ELA Testing Schedule April 12
- Includes Open ROCK -
There are NO After-School Activities April 8-12
REMINDER: A note about transportation during after school activities...
Clubs 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.
This Week's Roadrunner Shout Outs!
Thank you to the following Roadrunners who have made a positive impact on our learning community!
- Molly Bowers
- Ava Hardy
- Ms. Molina
- Ms Councilman
- Leah Bartley
- Jenna Ryan
- Mara Ahearn
- Skyler Wiley
- Colton Burnsky
Our 8th grader, Hanna Mesfin, has been working exceptionally hard writing a short story titled "Sweet Dreams." Hanna has been chosen as a finalist for the Inklings Book Contest! Finalists are given the opportunity to be published on the Inklings website. Way to go Hanna!
Would you like to recognize a student, community member, or staff member?
NEW: Roadrunners on Display @ Sherwood HS Art Show April 11
Eight of our talented students’ artwork from Ms. Savage’s Studio Art and Ms. Merchant’s Digital Art & Photo classes have been selected to be on display at the Sherwood Art Show. The reception will occur on April 11th, from 5-7 p.m. Congratulations to Ms. Savage and Ms. Merchant for fostering student creativity and to the following students for their outstanding work:
- Zena Bochkarev (6th Grade)
- Mahider Hailu (6th Grade)
- Natalie Huynh & Teagan Moy (7th Grade-group project)
- Remy Lee (7th Grade)
- Daniel Mesfin (6th Grade)
- Olivia Rupper (8th Grade)
- Morgan Smith (6th Grade)
TIMELY: Celebrating the Upcoming Solar Eclipse
Tomorrow, April 8, Montgomery County will experience a partial solar eclipse beginning approximately 2:04 p.m. with maximum solar coverage at approximately 3:20 p.m.
People outside during this time should review this information on eclipse safety, as looking directly at the sun may cause eye injury. Some children may need supervision and support in practicing eclipse safety. Visit here for a one-pager with safety tips and family activities.
We look forward to welcoming families who RSVP'd to watch the eclipse at FMS after school tomorrow! If you RSVP'd for your student, they will receive a wristband during school tomorrow. Any student who did not RSVP will be required to take their regular transportation home at dismissal.
TIMELY: 8th grade Hershey Park materials due April 15
NEW: Come see Dear Edwina, Jr. @ FMS
Need to know how to properly set a table? How should one deal with a “Frankenguest?” We would like to present “advice-giver extraordinaire” Edwina Spoonapple. Edwina addresses the world’s etiquette challenges in number after hysterical musical number, in the same way Schoolhouse Rock Live!, the musical based on the Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon, teaches history, grammar, math, science and politics through clever, tuneful songs.
Edwina Spoonapple would do just about anything to be a part of the Kalamazoo Advice-A-Palooza Festival. While her siblings all have proof “up on the fridge” of their accomplishments, poor Edwina has nothing. When a talent scout from the festival visits her hometown of Paw Paw, Michigan, she trots out her musical advice-giving show live from the family garage in hopes of finding her place in the spotlight.
“It’s important, real important that you don’t insult your host, but that doesn’t mean you have to eat octopus toast…,” confirms Edwina in the song “Say No Thank You,” “…for in many cases you’ll find it’s right, even if you don’t like something you can be polite,” she counsels.
William H. Farquhar Middle School will present Dear Edwina JR. on Friday, May 3rd at 7pm, Saturday May 4th at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets will be purchased online.
Dear Edwina JR. is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY, (212) 541-4684, mtishows.com.
UPDATE: Upcoming Community Events for Teen Wellness
Please check out the FMS Counseling Website for upcoming community events!
Counseling Website: https://sites.google.com/mcpsmd.net/fms-counseling/home
FMS NJHS Clothing Drive April 2-19
The FMS National Junior Honor Society students are holding their annual clothing drive challenge from April 2 through April 19! Donate gently used clothing and shoes to collection boxes in each advisory classroom. The class who collects the most donations wins an ice cream party! This is a time of great need in our community. Do your part to help!
Save the Date for FMS STEAM Night May 9
Hello FMS Community!
We are hosting our 3rd Annual STEAM Night on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 from
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.This extraordinary night features amazing opportunities, activities, and exposure to the world of STEM 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 STEM 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 9th!
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 activity, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM and save the date for 5/9/24.
Sincerely,
Kristina Mason, Heather Bruns, Shannon Sullivan, and Stephanie Seo Gould
NEW: Save the Date for Career Day May 23
PTA Corner
April 9 PTA Meeting Info
During the April 9, 2024, PTA meeting 7:00-8:00 p.m. via Zoom, Mrs. Rivas-Smith will be providing information on how decisions are made and communicated during school safety-related incidents, as well as her reflections on building trusting relationships between families and administrators. This will be an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the amazing administrators and staff who are working diligently to ensure our kids have a safe place to learn. In addition, this meeting will provide an opportunity to share your hopes and visions for the future of Farquhar Middle School. We hope you can join us.
En Español
Durante la reunión a través de Zoom, que el PTA llevará a cabo el abril 9, 2024 entre las 7:00 a 8:00 p.m. la Sra. Rivas-Smith, brindará información sobre cómo se toman y comunican las decisiones durante los incidentes relacionados con la seguridad escolar, así como sus reflexiones sobre la construcción de relaciones de confianza entre las familias del estudiantado y los administradores de la escuela. Esta será una excelente oportunidad para conocer a los administradores y personal que está trabajando diligentemente para garantizar que nuestros niños tengan un lugar seguro para aprender. Además, esta reunión brindará la oportunidad de compartir sus sueños, ideas y visiones para el futuro los estudiantes en la Escuela Intermedia Farquhar. Esperamos que puedas unirte a nosotros.
Representation in Farquhar's PTA:
Our Farquhar community is a special, engaged, and diverse community. Our students/families identify as Asian (11%), African American/Black (24%), Hispanic (22%), Multi-identities (8%), and White (33%). We are seeking board members who are representative of and interested in supporting our community. We recognize that being on the board takes time and if we have committed board members it lightens the load of each member. Fortunately, we have had some interest in our positions but we are still seeking a President, Executive Vice President, and Communications Secretary. Our PTA cannot exist without a person in the President role. If you would like to learn more about the role of President, Executive Vice President, or Communications Secretary.
Please contact a member of the FMS Nominating Committee by Friday, April 12th:
FMS PTA 2024 Nominating Committee:
Katie Morris kjkharrison96@msn.com
Marcia Munoz mvmunoz3@gmail.com
Kathleen Robergeau Hunt rhunt.k@gmail.com
En Español
Comuníquese con un miembro del Comité de Nominaciones de FMS antes del viernes 12 de abril:
Comité de Nominaciones de FMS PTA 2024:
Katie Morris kjkharrison96@msn.com
Marcia Munoz mvmunoz3@gmail.com
Kathleen Robergeau Hunt rhunt.k@gmail.com
NEC Area Meeting on April 17th
Parent Support for the IXL Initiative
At FMS, teachers utilize the IXL learning platform to provide students with practice opportunities in math and literacy that is tailored to their needs and meets them at their level. FMS has instituted an incentive program that is very popular with students. The students look forward to trading in their earned tickets for fun merchandise. As we begin the new year, the school is planning to restock the store and could use our help. Please consider purchasing incentive supplies for the IXL store through the Amazon Wish List: Amazon.com
Contact Mrs. Rivas-Smith
Email: Angelica_L_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Phone: 240-740-1200
Twitter: @farquharms