Roadrunner's Digest
Mrs. Rivas-Smith's Newsletter for the Farquhar Community
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Message from the Principal
I hope you're having a great weekend. We only have one more week until a well-deserved spring break! Thanks to all the families who came out to our first annual Community Wellness Fair. It was wonderful to see everyone come together to learn about improving wellness for ourselves, each other, and our environment. A huge shout out to our PTA, Ms. Councilman, Ms. Cunneen, and the Counseling Team for sponsoring and organizing the event, and extending our wellness initiatives to the entire Olney community.
Thank you also to all of you for your ongoing communication, support, and partnership toward the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. Enjoy your evening, and have a wonderful week!
In this week's newsletter you will find:
- This week's schedules
- This week's Roadrunner Shout Outs
- NEW: FMS Orchestra is Superior!
- NEW: $35 Yearbook Orders are Due March 31
- NEW: Social Studies Update
- NEW: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party April 8
- NEW: Save the date for FMS STEAM Night May 9
- NJHS Clothing Drive
- 8th Grade Hershey Park materials due April 15
- NEW: Engineering and Robotics Summer Camp Opportunities
- MCPS System Messages
PTA Corner Updates
- April 9 PTA Meeting Info
- Healthy Mind Initiative Update
- TIMELY: Order FMS Swag by March 18
- Thank you! - Pie Day at FMS
- Sherwood Cluster PTA Meeting March 20
- 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: March 18-21
Open ROCK: Friday, March 22
After School Activities March 18-22
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!
- Yianni Rementelas
- Cameryn Touch
- Ellie Fields
- Sophie Dodge
- Ms. Lipford
- Ms. Chaney
- Ms. Affinito
- Ms. Councilman
- Ms. Cunneen
- Ms. Lazaris
- Ms. Hallmark
- Mr. Ford
- Ms. Payne
- Ms. Bronstein
Would you like to recognize a student, community member, or staff member?
NEW: FMS Orchestra is Superior!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS is in order for Ms. Lipford and our FMS Orchestra for earning a 1 (SUPERIOR) Rating with ALL 4 judges at the District II Orchestra Adjudication Festival on Friday, March 15!!
- Andrews, Amelia G.
- Carter, Zora A.
- Cheung, Charlotte E.
- Cheung, Nathan T.
- Cole, Kimmora T.
- Covington, Hesh C.
- Cristo Alvarado, Gabriel E.
- Darrington, Aubryn N.
- Davis, Gabrielle S.
- Gebru, Izana A.
- Geiger, Christopher T.
- Guzman Carino, Benjamin E.
- Havens, AnnaLee G.
- Howell, Amaya R.
- Jean, Adniel A.
- Jones, Anthony R.
- Laliberte, Chloe A.
- Maldonado, Cruz A.
- McGibbon, Lucas M.
- Menditch, Gabriella L.
- Molina Arevalo, Sofia E.
- Osifchin, Emily Y.
- Ottiende, Amani A.
- Ray, Helen S.
- Rupper, Charles E.
- Scepura, Jake R.
- Schwam, Lucy C.
- Taddesse, Liana Y.
- Tang, Amelia K.
- Tang, Wyatt W.
- Thompson, Katherine D.
- Tiu Sonco, Gianna Y.
- Vasquez, Lapis
- Wallace, E'Leeyah W.
- Woldu, Layla A.
- Yi, Erin S.
- Zavala, Victor J.
- Zirkelbach, Alexander J.
NEW: $35 Yearbook Orders Due March 31
We are so excited that our yearbook is going to be published soon! If you would like to purchase a yearbook at the cheapest price please make sure you secure your copy by March 31st for $35. On April 1st they are increasing to $40. Buy your copy now while supplies last 🙂
NEW: Social Studies Update
Ms. Page's classes will attend JA Finance Park on Monday, March 18, 2024
7th Grade Social Studies is working on the Common Writing Task.
Thank you to all the Parent Volunteers for JA Finance Park!
NEW: Solar Eclipse Viewing Party April 8
🌞🌘 Exciting News! 🌘🌞
Mark your calendars for April 8th! At around 3:20 pm, a solar eclipse will reach about 88% totality, and we're hosting a viewing party!
Join us for this unique event on the field. Bring blankets and enjoy the spectacle with your friends and family. To register for the event, please respond on this Google Form by March 31st!
Remember, there are no activity buses, so please plan accordingly. Don't forget to purchase your solar eclipse viewing glasses and watch the video we've prepared to understand why this event is so special! Sunglasses are NOT enough to view an eclipse.
Solar Eclipses | PBS LearningMedia
Every now and then, the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that, when viewed from the Earth, the Moon eclipses the Sun's light. Solar eclipses are fairly common -- the Moon will block out some portion of the Sun at least twice a year. However, a total solar eclipse happens far less frequently. In this video segment adapted from NASA, learn how solar eclipses happen and why they are uncommon to witness. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.
See you there for a day to remember! 🚀🔭
NEW: 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
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!
8th grade Hershey Park materials due April 15
IXL School Store - Thank you!
Thank you to the parents who have graciously donated items to the IXL School Store. Students enjoy seeing the new items and they always look forward to turning in their earned tickets for fun merchandise. We are always restocking the store so please consider looking through the IXL Amazon Wish List and consider donating. Click here to check out the list.
NEW: Engineering and Robotics Summer Camp Opportunities
FIRST Robotics Team 4099 is hosting two summer camps this year: RoboCamps and FalconCamps!
RoboCamps is a week-long summer camp held at Clarksburg High School where students ages 8-14 learn how to design, build, and code their own robot. This interactive camp culminates in a final competition on the last day, where campers can show off their robots and compete for a special prize!
FalconCamps is a virtual one-week camp where experienced members of Team 4099 will teach robotics-focused mechanical design and/or programming. Middle or high schoolers living anywhere in the world can participate!
Visit https://www.team4099.com/programs/camps/ to take a look at our programs’ website. If you or someone you know might be interested in either of these programs, registration is open! If you have any questions, feel free to email Team 4099 at robocamps@team4099.com or falconcamps@team4099.com.
MCPS System Messages
BOE Seeking Community Feedback for the Next Superintendent
The Montgomery County Board of Education is launching a nationwide search for the next superintendent of MCPS, who will assume the role on July 1. The Board invites input from the community to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive search. The vital characteristics of the next superintendent will be collected through multiple channels including a general Feedback Form, a survey to Surveys to students, staff and families, which was released on March 13 and community engagement events during the first week of April on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday April 2, 3 and 4.
BOE busca comentarios de la comunidad para el próximo superintendente
El Consejo de Educación del Condado de Montgomery está lanzando una búsqueda nacional para el próximo superintendente de MCPS, quien asumirá el cargo el 1º de julio.
El Consejo invita a la comunidad a hacer aportaciones para garantizar una búsqueda integral e inclusiva. Las características vitales del próximo superintendente se recogerán a través de múltiples canales, incluyendo un formulario general de comentarios, una encuesta para saber la opinión de estudiantes, personal y familias, que fue lanzado el 13 de marzo y eventos de participación comunitaria durante la primera semana de abril el martes, miércoles y jueves 2, 3 y 4 de abril.
Attention middle and high school students! MCPS is hosting the 3rd annual Youth Climate Summit from 8:30 a.m.–3:35 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Tilden Middle School. Read more.
Ven a la próxima Cumbre de Jóvenes sobre el Clima el 10 de abril
Atención estudiantes de educación intermedia y secundaria! MCPS está organizando la tercera
Cumbre Climática de la Juventud de 8:30 a.m. a 3:35 p.m. el sábado 13 de abril en la Escuela
Intermedia Tilden. Lea más sobre el tema.
PTA Corner
April 9 PTA Meeting Info
On March 12, 2024, FMS and the PTA hosted the first annual community wellness event with a focus on both physical and mental well-being. Over 20 different physical and mental health professionals were on-site to meet and greet our school families and offer their wide range of expertise. This event offered an amazing opportunity to connect with our community, wellness providers, and ourselves.
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
El día 12 de marzo, 2024, la escuela FMS y el PTA organizaron el Primer Evento Anual de Bienestar Comunitario enfocado al bienestar físico y mental. Más de 20 profesionales de la salud física y mental estuvieron en el lugar para conocer, saludar a las familias de nuestra escuela y ofrecer su amplia gama de experiencia. Este evento ofreció una oportunidad increíble para conectarnos con nuestra comunidad, proveedores de bienestar y nosotros mismos.
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.
PTA Healthy Mind Initiative
Based on our recent Healthy Minds family survey and insights from FMS administrators and counselors, proper communication was found to be very important for students and families.
Please read the article for expert advice on discussing difficult situations with your children.
TIMELY: Order FMS Swag by 3/18!
Sales raise money for the FMS PTA and are a great way to show off your school pride.
The store will be open February 14 and closes at midnight on Monday March 18th, 2024!
Here is the link and happy shopping:
https://farquharmiddle2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/
PTA provides funding for student programs from this and other fundraising events.
We thank you for your support!
Thank you!
A tremendous thanks to the families who donated pies, the teachers appreciated the extra sweet treat this week!
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