Roadrunner's Digest
Mrs. Rivas-Smith's Newsletter for the Farquhar Community
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Message from the Principal
I hope each of you have enjoyed a restful Thanksgiving holiday with all your loved ones. I am especially grateful for all the Farquhar students, staff, and families who have welcomed me into the community with encouragement and good will. Your partnership and care for Farquhar's success if unmatched. Thank you for everything you do to make this community special!
We are excited to jump into the home stretch before winter break! Thanks to all of you who participated in this year's parent conferences, and to the special parents who donated items to provide dinner for our teachers last Monday! If you have not done so already, share your feedback on the conference structures/processes here. We will be using your voice to design next year's conference structure.
If you haven't yet bought your student's ticket to this Wednesday's SGA Dance, please do so by Tuesday, November 28. See more details below.
We hope you can make it to FMS on Friday night, December 1, to cheer on your favorite teachers from Brooke Grove ES, Sherwood ES, and Farquhar MS as they face off in this year's Staff Basketball Game! Check out the details in this week's PTA corner.
In this week's newsletter you will find:
- This week's bell schedule
- This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
- TIMELY: Come to the SGA Dance November 29
- TIMELY: Make-Up Picture Day November 29
- NEW: IXL Incentive Kick-off November 29
- Yearbook Sale, Early Bird Discount
- Girls' and Boys' Basketball Tryouts are LIVE!
- College Student Volunteers Needed in December
- TIMELY: Instrumental Music Updates
- National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) Info
- POMS Clinic @ Springbrook HS
- Support FMS by shopping at Harris Teeter
PTA Corner Updates
- TIMELY: FMS v. Sherwood & Brooke Grove ES Staff Basketball Game
- NEW: Giving Tuesday Donations
- NEW: Special Thanks to our Parent Volunteers
- NEW: Sign up to support the December Staff Meeting
- NEW: December PTA Special Guest "The Screens Between Us"
- NEW: 12th Annual Olney/Brookeville Toy Drive
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/.
Schedules for November 27 - December 1
We will operate with the main bell schedule this week.
Main Bell Schedule
After School Activities November 27 - December 1
This Week's Roadrunner Shout Outs!
Thank you to the following Roadrunners who have made a positive impact on our learning community!
- Mr. Eisenhower
- Ms. Chaney
- Ms. Moton
- Mr. Foster
- Ms. Bartley
- Ms. Hallmark
- Ms. Rose
- Dr. Abreu
- Ms. Pontes
- Mr. LaCroix
- Ms. Councilman
- Ms. Cunneen
- Ms. Rivas-Smith
- FMS Building Services Team
- Jim Grady
- Ms. Mora
- Ms. Molina Reyes
Would you like to recognize a student, community member, or staff member?
TIMELY: Come to the SGA Dance on November 29!
The Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting a Fall Dance for all students on Wednesday, November 29 from 3:15 - 4:15pm. After-school activity buses will be available for all students as transportation home. Tickets cost $5 and include a provided snack. Buy your tickets on School Cash Online by November 28. We hope to see you there!
TIMELY: Make Up Picture Day November 29
Make Up Picture Day is this Wednesday, November 29. Students will be called by grade level to the cafeteria beginning period one to take their photo.
Order your student's photo online at mylifetouch.com with the student ID or the FMS picture day ID, which is EVT27MRNN. There is no need to return the picture day order form you place the order online.
If you choose to submit the picture day order form in person, it must be filled out completely, with EXACT payment. Your student will hand it directly to photographer.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding orders (either before or after student photos are received), please contact Lifetouch directly at 800-736-4753.
NEW: IXL Incentive Kick-Off
At Farquhar, students improve their proficiency in grade-level Math and ELA skills on the IXL platform. Starting Monday, November 27, your student's Math and English teachers will be distributing tickets to students who have earned proficiency in any skills on the Math and ELA IXL platforms, respectively. Students will have the opportunity to redeem those tickets for rewards in the school store on Wednesday, November 29. Students may also opt to save up their tickets for entry into various raffles:
- 1 White Ticket = 1 skill proficient
- White Ticket Prizes at the school store every two weeks
- Snacks, fidgets, gift certificates
- Blue Ticket = 30 White Tickets (*Students can also earn a Blue Ticket by making it onto the grade level leaderboards)
- Raffle: Once Per Quarter
- Prizes include: Pizza party, Ice cream party, Stanley Mug, FMS Swag, (and for 8th graders only) Free admission on Hershey Park field trip
- Gold Ticket = 2 Blue Tickets
- Raffle: Once at the end of the school year
- Prizes include: A Nintendo Switch, Apple Air Pods, Xbox Gift Card, Amazon Gift Card
- All students who earn a Gold Ticket will also earn VIP access to special attractions at the end of year celebration
Yearbook Sales, Early Bird Discount!
Yearbook sales are up and ready to be sold on the Walsworth Website. They can be purchased at yearbookforever.com , when parents buy them now, they will be cheaper. The price is $35 from now until 12/23/24 when they will be $40.
Girls' and Boys' Basketball Tryouts are Live!
All students interested in participating in the Farquhar Boys' or Girls' Basketball Team can sign up for try outs. Parents can sign their student up for tryouts online through ParentVUE. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Davis (Brent_M_Davis@mcpsmd.org).
- Girls: December 5, 6, and 7
- Boys: December 12, 13, and 14
College Student Volunteers Needed in December!
FMS College Week is coming up December 18-22, 2023. If you have a college student who is home during this time and would like to volunteer to speak to our Roadrunners about their experiences, please encourage them to participate! Interested volunteers can sign up here:
TIMELY: Instrumental Music Updates
6-8th Grade Band Pep Band Performance on 12/1
Band students will be forming a pep band for the community basketball game on Friday, December 1. FMS band students will be joined by advanced band students from Brooke Grove and Sherwood ES as well as faculty members! Permission slips to stay after-school to rehearse and set-up for this performance will be given out in class next week. Also look for an e-mail from Mrs. Lipford for an electronic copy.
6-8th Grade Band Field Trip 12/12
Permission slips went home this week and are due 11/28. You can view and print from this link if you lost your paper copy.
Band & Orchestra Winter Concert is Thursday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. Students report for warm-up at 6:30 p.m. All black concert attire for this performance. Jenny_M_Lipford@mcpsmd.org with questions about this required performance.
National Junior Honors Society Information
NJHS new inductee nominations will be announced after Marking Period 1 grades are processed. New inductees will be contacted after Thanksgiving break. NJHS announcements and updates will be communicated via Synergy to ensure parents and students are aware of information.
The NJHS at Farquhar Middle School is open to 7th and 8th graders who have the following qualifications:
- Scholarship
GPA of 3.7 or higher - Service
This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation. - Leadership
Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. - Character
The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. - Citizenship
The student who demonstrates positive citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement.
7th grade:
- 4 consecutive marking periods with a cumulative GPA. of 3.7 or higher
- At least 20 SSL hours completed by quarter 1 of 7th grade year
- Marking periods that will be considered are MP's 2, 3 & 4 in 6th grade in addition to MP 1 in 7th grade.
8th grade:
- 4 consecutive marking periods with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher
- At least 30 SSL hours completed by quarter 1 of 8th grade year
- Marking periods that will be considered are MP's 2, 3, & 4 in 7th grade in addition to MP 1 in 8th grade.
The difference in SSL hours is due to the fact that students earn 10 hours of service each year, which is embedded in the curriculum.
POMS Clinics @ Springbrook HS
Springbrook Poms will have clinics Thursday, December 21st and Friday, December 22nd from 5-6pm. The cost to participate is $5. Families can pay at the door with cash the day of the event.
An online permission form/emergency form must also be completed for each child participating. This form can be found at:
https://forms.gle/3c85PbX15nBXMucb7
Families should contact Coach S at Nahal_Sojdehei@mcpsmd.org with any questions or concerns. You can also find information with links on our Instagram @Springbrookpoms
We look forward to supporting the Springbrook Community together.
LINK YOUR VIC CARD - LET'S GET 50 FAMILIES!
The Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter.
Any VIC member can link their card to a school.
Link your VIC card to support Farquhar Middle School. Simply sign in to your account, search for Farquhar, and you're done!
Harris Teeter donated $376 to FMS last year with only 26 families participating. Thank you for helping us reach our goal of 50 families this year!
PTA Corner
Staff Basketball Game: Farquhar MS vs. Brooke Grove and Sherwood ES!
Come and be a part of the excitement at the community basketball game on Friday, December 1st, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at FMS. Witness the incredible showdown as our outstanding FMS staff faces off against your beloved former teachers from Brooke Grove and Sherwood Elementary Schools. Bring along your younger siblings and be the loudest cheerleader for your teachers! The vibrant beats of our FMS Pep Band will amplify the excitement. Admission is free, and you can purchase snacks, drinks, and pom-poms available to support our PTAs! Don't miss the thrill – come cheer on our teams and enjoy the incredible tunes!
We need your help to make the game a success, so please consider volunteering using the Sign-Up Genius link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FAEAE2EA0F8C34-46182726-faculty
Giving Tuesday, November 28
For Giving Tuesday, on Tuesday, 11/28, please consider donating to the FMS PTA. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the PTA prior to December 31st.,Tax ID number 23-7077043. Visit here to donate.
Special Thanks to our Parent Volunteers
Special thank you to everyone who contributed to the dinner for FMS staff during the parent-teacher conferences: Karishma Choksi, Mayran Reyes, Sahar Zafar, Eliza Hanif, Diana Smith, Cindy Mayorga, Mara Pensy, Stacey French, Jackie Tust, Rokeya Alam, Jennifer Kelly, Angel Marshall, Juliana Piucco, and Monica Payne. The teachers enjoyed the dinner and desserts and we appreciate your efforts and commitment to the FMS community!
Support the December Staff Meeting for National Cookie Day
PTA will be providing cookies (store-bought or homemade) for the December 4 Staff Meeting in honor of National Cookie Day. A sign up to donate cookies will be sent in a separate Connect Ed message soon.
Special Guest Speaker in December: The Screens Between Us
Please join the December 12, 2023 PTA meeting at 6PM via ZOOM (link below)
Lisa B. Cline, the creator of the Student Data Privacy Project, will discuss parenting challenges in the internet, social media and technology era and present “The Screen Between Us”.
Please bring your questions and be ready to participate in a lively discussion!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86378978703
Meeting ID: 863 7897 8703
NEW: 12th Annual Olney/Brookeville Toy Drive
Click here to learn more about a local Toy Drive to support some foundations that are near and dear to our Olney Community.
The Olney/Brookeville Toy Drive is being held on December 9th from 2pm-4pm at 18706 Ashbourne Place, Olney. Come drop your unwrapped donations, take a picture with Santa, Mrs. Claus & Frosty and grab some hot chocolate! Please read below to learn more about these amazing organizations where your donation is going.
MasonStrong Village (MSV) https://www.masonstrongvillage.org/ - We are donating to MSV’s JOY boxes that will be given to the children (and their siblings) who are patients at Children’s and Hopkin’s hospitals. The goal of the JOY boxes is to have the children feel Joy and be able to entertain themselves – a little escape from their difficult journeys. The boxes will be filled with small items (think 5 below!!).
For 3 Sisters https://www.f3s.org/ - We are supporting For 3 Sisters Bundles of LOVE program where they provide care packages full of goodies to a breast cancer patients or survivors in need of a pick-me-up. Any gift cards leftover will be used either to purchase any additional patient needs (e.g. - gifts for kids) or gifted directly to a breast cancer patient with an expressed need. This year, their biggest need is focused on holiday meals.
Olney HELP http://www.olneyhelp.org/ - The donations collected for Olney HELP will go directly to children in need within our community.
Contact Mrs. Rivas-Smith
Email: Angelica_L_Smith@mcpsmd.org
Phone: 240-740-1200
Twitter: @farquharms