January 8, 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.
Happy New Year Falcon Family! We hope that you are all safe and well!
As a school staff and family, we stand together to love and care for your children always, but particularly after the events of this week. If you or your student would like to speak to someone further please reach out to me and I am more than happy to support and coordinate with our amazing counselors. We encourage you to review the resources sent by HCPSS as you engage in any discussion with your children:
https://www.nasponline.org/x37551.xml
JANU”CARE”Y is back!! Last year we started our first annual Janu”CARE”y focus. We challenge ourselves as a school community to complete at least 250 random acts of kindness within our school community. This information was shared at SEL on Monday January 4, and student leaders will review it on Falcon Watch next week. We emphasize that these do not have to cost money and provide students with ideas (send a card to an elderly family member or neighbor, help a sibling with school work, read to a younger sibling, help a family member with chores around the house etc.). We do track progress toward our goal of spreading love and care as a school community and ask you to share here.
IMPORTANT CALENDAR UPDATE: 6th Grade Orientation (for current 5th grade families) is January 19th (via Google Meet) from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
We will host a second semester Back to School Night February 1st beginning at 6:00. We will have a presentation focused on supporting the mental health and well being of students, and an opportunity to meet second semester teachers. Detailed information will be sent closer to the date.
Small Group Updates from HCPSS - On January 8th, Dr. Martirano sent an email to the community outlining updates for expansion of small group programming. Additional information and resources can be found here.
As always, we will update our communication as quickly as possible when we receive additional updates and information.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Megan Chrobak
Principal
FREE! Student Life Skills Classes Returning in January - Free and back by popular demand! HC DrugFree is offering another series of 15 Life Skills classes to begin on Wednesday, January 27. The evidence-based curriculum is for grades 6-9. We encourage siblings and friends to enroll together, so even if your student is younger or older, register them and participation will be confirmed. Classes taught on Zoom by adults and talented college and high school students. Students listen to trusted older students! For more information or to enroll, go here.
Adults, are you IN THE KNOW? - HC DrugFree is dedicated to keeping Howard County youth and adults up to date on community health, medication disposal, drug and alcohol safety, substance misuse information and prevention, educational opportunities, and more. To sign up for the free newsletter, go here.
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!
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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.
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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.