January 29, 2021
FQMS Attendance Policies & Procedures For Distance Learning
Please email your absence notes/questions to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org. The email should include the child's name, the date(s), or period(s) if absence is a partial day, of the absence, and the reason for the absence. The email must be received within 5 days of the absence. See HCPSS Policy 9010 for attendance policy details.
For Discretionary Absences (up to 3 per school year) see the form here: http://fqms.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/Discretionary%20Absence%20Form%20%28FILLABLE%29.pdf
Please email the completed form to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org.
For Religious Observances see the form attached here: http://fqms.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/religious-absence%20form%20%28fillable%29.pdf. Please forward this completed form to: FQMSabsence@hcpss.org.
Congrats to all of our amazing students for their hard work in completing Semester 1! We are so proud of the grit, perseverance and hard work this semester. We are in this together and here to continue to support you.
I’m very proud to share that in an effort to uplift and support student voice, our students will be taking over my written portion of the February newsletters for Black History Month. Each week we will have a student guest author who will highlight an African American who has inspired them. I look forward to celebrating with our students!
Please note that a lot of information will be shared over the next few weeks regarding the transition to hybrid learning and current 6/7 grade course selection. Please note that we will send those items in stand alone emails and also include reminders in the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Megan Chrobak
Principal
REQUIRED SEL/HOMEROOM for 6/7 Graders Monday 2/1 - On Monday 2/1 6th and 7th Grade teachers will share important information about course options and how to put in course requests for the 2020-21 school year. We will also share the video with parents and offer office hours to support. The course request window for current 6/7th grade students is February 3-February 15.
Back to School Night is Monday February 1. We will send out additional reminders with detailed login directions.
Course Recommendation Window Opens February 3-15 (for current 6/7 graders). Detailed information was sent in a grade specific letter this week and additional insights were shared in an email on Wednesday. We will post detailed directions, student lessons and resources on our website as well, beginning Monday. Further, admin. and counselors will offer office hours to support you directly the week of February 8.
Several families have asked about access to resources for Semester 1 courses. The following include some wonderful resources and tools for various contents:
These sites include the curriculum standards, links to a variety of resources, including videos and practice/extension activities, that students and families can use to review concepts and skills.
From the Math Team - We are aware of the concerns for students ending their current math course next month and/or students needing a refresher before they begin their math course in February. A resource recommended by our HCPSS math office is the “Getting Ready for…” courses in Khan Academy. If your child is getting ready to start a course, they should complete the “Getting Ready” for that course. These lessons and activities will review their previous math course.
If your child will finish math in January and wants to maintain skills from February to August, they can complete the “Getting ready for” the next course over this time period. This should review and reinforce the skills just taught in their Semester 1 class.
Here is the progression of courses:
Math 6 -> Math 7-> Math 8 (6th gr GT Pre Algebra) -> Algebra 1 -> Geometry -> Algebra II
To access the Getting Ready for … courses, use this link to the HCPSS Family Math Support Center and use the “Middle School Math” drop down menu. For students finishing Geometry, links for getting ready for Algebra II are on the High School drop down.
T-shirts are on sale this month! Use code JAN21W and get 15% off a Folly t-shirt (select styles). Check out this deal and all the other Spiritwear items through our online store. Free shipping on all orders over $50. www.follyquarterspiritwear.com
Used Clothing Donation Shed - The donation shed located in the parking lot at FQMS is now open! Please make sure all donations are tied off in bags and deposited inside the shed. If it is full, please do not leave your items outside as they get thrown away. Thank you for your donations!
From HCDrugFree - Contact HC DrugFree for Your Medication Storage Box
Free medication storage boxes available to Howard County residents!
HC DrugFree's team thanks the Howard County Health Department's Bureau of Behavioral Health for purchasing medication storage boxes for HC DrugFree to distribute to Howard County families.
These FREE boxes are the same size/style that HC DrugFree has been distributing for the past several years.
If you need other sizes or shapes (e.g., for refrigerated medication or for larger pill bottles), please send HC DrugFree an email and we can tell you how to purchase those on your own.
Help keep friends and family from having easy access to your medications and don't be their drug dealer.
Please email Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040 for more information or to schedule a time to visit HC DrugFree's office for pickup.
=================================================================
If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues, please contact:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
The Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255
HCPSS Technology Help
Please see our website for technology help resources.
======================================================================
Please visit the Community News and Programs page (http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/) on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.