Q: How do I find out what bus my child rides to/from school?
A: School and bus locator
Q: What time are students allowed to enter the building?
A: Students are allowed to enter the building at 7:25 a.m. Busses arrive at 7:25 a.m. and students are asked to proceed to their lockers and Period 1 at that time.
Q: What time is the actual school day?
A: The actual school day is 7:40 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.
Q: How much is lunch?
A: Lunch costs $3.50.
Q: Is snack available during lunch?
A: Yes, snack is available during the lunch period (prices vary per snack).
Q: How long do the students have to eat their lunch?
A: The lunch/recess period lasts 30 minutes.
Q: Can my student sit anywhere in the cafeteria at lunch?
A: Yes, the students can sit where they want but will then sign up for that table as their assigned table.
Q: What if my student forgets their lunch money?
A: Students are allowed to borrow money from our cafeteria manager with the understanding that any money borrowed will be returned the next school day.
Q: Do all students have to go outside for recess everyday?
A: No, students do not have to go outside for recess everyday but we do encourage them to do so.
Q: What to do if my child forgot something at home?
A: If you need to drop a forgotten item off at school, please bring it to the Front Office via the Visitor's Entrance. Make sure to put your child's name and grade on the item. Lunches will be delivered to the cafeteria. To minimize disruptions to our classrooms, we will call the student down between classes for all other items. You can bring a forgotten medication dose that you will administer to your student in the Health Room in the Front Office.
Q: Can students bring their coats to lunch in the winter?
A: Yes, the school will continue to have outdoor recess until the temperature drops below 20 degrees.
Q: What outside activities are offered during recess?
A: A number of activities are offered during recess. These activities include basketball, four square, football and field play.
Q: What is the best way to contact my child's teacher?
A: The best way to make initial contact with your child's teacher is by e-mail. E-mail addresses are available through this website at http://fqms.hocoschools.org/school-staff. If e-mail is not available to you, please contact the front office at 410-313-1506 to leave a message for the teacher.
Q: How many times a day can my child visit their locker?
A: Students are allowed to visit their locker multiple times a day (pefore Period 1, before and after lunch and at the end of the day).
Q: What if my child cannot get their locker open?
A: A child who cannot get their locker open should either tell their teacher or come to the front office for assistance.
Q: Can my student get back into the building if they get home and realize they have forgotten something in their locker?
A: Yes, students are permitted in the building until 4:00 p.m.
Q: Can any parents attend the PTA meetings and when are they scheduled?
A: All parents are encouraged to attend PTA meetings. Dates and times will be posted on the front page of our website under "Calendar of Events."
Q: I need to take my child out of school for a family vacation. What do I need to do to accomplish this?
A: Per HCPSS Policy, if you need to take your child out of school for an extended amount of time during the school year, you must complete a "Pre-Arranged Absence" form. Pre-Arranged Absence forms must be completed and turned into the front office a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the absence.
Q: What is Falcon Day?
A: With tremendous support from our PTA, the Folly Quarter staff recognizes the growth and hard work of our students 2 times each academic year with Falcon Day activities. These days are rewards for students who meet established and shared academic criteria and include fun activities, food, and prizes. Students who do not meet the academic criteria work on their academic assignments with teachers during a portion of the Falcon Day.
Q: I have questions using the HCPSS Connect program. Who do I contact to answer my questions?
A: Please contact Laurie Smith, Guidance Secretary, at 410-313-1514.
Q: Does the school have an emergency plan to keep the students safe?
A: Yes. Each Howard County Public School is required to turn in an emergency plan to the central office. All staff are trained with the emergency procedures and students will practice drills, besides fire drills, to make sure that they are also prepared for an emergency.
Q: Do parents have access to the School Improvement Plan?
A: Yes. Please view our documentation on both our school improvement and team improvement plans.
Q: My incoming 6th grade daughter would like to know more about MASH cash. Could you explain it please?
A: The MASH cash program is a positive 6th grade incentive program and will be explained by your daughters teachers in the Fall.
Q: Is there a school map available to the students and parents?
A: Yes. View our school map.
Q: How can my student sign up for Chorus and the school play?
A: You can sign your child up for chorus by contacting Ms. Stacey Sartor, our music teacher. School plays are run as an intramural which are determined on an annual basis based on both student and teacher interest. Intramural information will be shared with both parents and staff in September.
Q: Do you need volunteers in middle school?
A: Yes. Please contact our PTA if you are interested in volunteering.
Q: When will my child receive his/her class schedule and locker information?
A: Incoming 6th grade students and new students to FQMS will receive both their class schedule and locker information at the orientation on the Thursday, prior to the first day of school. All other students will receive their class schedules and their locker information on the first day of school.
Q: Does FQMS offer extracurricular activities such as after-school clubs, sports etc.?
A: Yes, intramurals are offered at FQMS. Intramurals are determined on an annual basis and are based on student and teacher interest. Intramural information will be shared with both parents and staff in September. However, in concert with HCPSS policy, Folly Quarter, like all Howard County middle schools, does not offer competitive sports teams (i.e.basketball). If your child is interested in playing on competitive teams, please work with the local youth sports organizations.
Q: How does my child change his/her class schedule?
A: Your child will need to visit the guidance office and talk with his/her guidance counselor (Ms. Anacker-Maas (last name A-L)/Ms. Coonts (last name M-Z)).
Q: Where is the morning carpool and what are the rules regarding such?
A: Each student is provided bus transportation to school. Please visit the school and bus locator to find a bus that comes to your area.
Q: Is there a master calendar for all school events held during the school year?
A: We list weekly dates on our website and via weekly newsletters sent through HCPSS News.
Q: I would like to walk the building with my child based on his/her schedule and meet the teachers and I do not need the same information repeated that I heard in the Spring. Is this possible?
A: Following the formal orientations, you are more than welcome to tour the building with your child. In addition, you will have a chance to meet the teachers at Back-to-School Night. In the meantime, feel free to contact your child's teachers with specific questions or to schedule a formal conference through our Guidance office.
Q: We have heard that there is a tremendous amount of homework compared to elementary school. Can you give us some ideas of the amount of homework that will be required?
A: Homework guidelines are described in the "Homework Guidelines" section of the HCPSS student handbook.
Q: Can I visit the school and see classes in operation?
A: Current parents are always welcome during American Education Week each year. Other persons must follow the HCPSS guidelines.
While we are very proud of our students' past successes, we are continually striving to do better. As we have done in the past, our staff will diligently monitor student performance and assess progress, making adjustments to instruction when necessary and working collaboratively to address the learning needs of our students.
If you have any additional questions that need to be answered, please contact the school principal, Scott Conroy.