Farquhar Middle School PTA

Do you know of an A student who recently completed 8th grade Algebra who’d be willing to help my son, Alex, prepare for 2 make-up tests on quadratic equations?   He was out sick for the month of May and missed some important instruction related to quad equations.   Mr. Gitchell will administer the make-up tests (county-required) when Alex has had a chance to learn and practice that particular material.   We’re hoping to take the exams before July 20th.   So, we need someone who is around for the next couple of weeks.   Shouldn’t take much time because it’s just one particular area (related to quad equations).   Can fill in more off line.

Thanks!

The PTA is in the process of setting up an account with Paypal to add a “shopping cart” to our website. The shopping cart will allow you to pay for membership dues, make a donation, purchase spirit wear and/or add your information to the directory all at once. No more writing checks and/or completing tons of paperwork. It is fast, safe and easy.

More details to come…. keeping checking our website and messages from Yahoo.

Principal Mr. Murphy and members of the leadership team are inviting all parents to provide input on school priorities and the school improvement plan for 2009-10.  The summer is a great opportunity for parents to learn about new school initiatives, to provide input on action plans and implementation for the next school year, to support parent involvement, and to get to know Mr. Murphy and the leadership team. Mr. Murphy will also be discussing new initiatives such as MCPS advanced courses, middle school reform, emergency preparedness, school climate and bullying, and more.

In an attempt to accommodate more parents, the summer meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Additional opportunities will be held later in August and at PTA meetings and Principal Coffees throughout the school year.

All parents are invited.  If you plan on attending on August 5, please RSVP to Claudette_K_Hamerski@mcpsmd.org.

Additional information on the SIP action plans can also be found on the school website at:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/farquharms/admin/SIP%202008-09.pdf

The FMS Counseling Department worked hard to bring anti-bullying messages to our students throughout the school year. The counselors visited every grade level on a regular basis this year to convey the Roadrunner Way and our core values (Respect, Kindness, Self Control, Honesty and Responsibility). Regardless of the lesson topic, anti-bullying messages were a part of every discussion. Students in all grade levels learned about the different types of bullying, the emotional affects of bullying, what to do if you are bullied, the MCPS bullying policy, strategies for the bystander in a bullying situation, and cyber bullying. We also held a Blue Ribbon Campaign which included an anti-bullying pledge, a bullying poster contest, Mix It Up day at lunch, and “Stick up Your Hair up Against Bullying “ wacky hair day .

If you would like to keep the anti-bullying message going over the summer here are some MCPS-approved books for you to read along with your children:

Social Bullying

• Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons
• Mean Chicks, Cliques and Dirty Tricks by Erika Shearin Karres
• Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman
• Reviving Ophelia by Mary Bray Pipher

Physical and Verbal Bullying

• Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander by Barbara Colorso

Cyber Bullying

• Mean Behind the Screen, What You Need to Know About Cyber bullying by Toney Allman

Be sure to check out the Seven Keys to College Readiness
website, a series of web pages designed to provide parents with important information and resources about the pathway to college readiness.

The website includes video and text explanations of the Keys, samples of reading levels, questions for parents to ask their children’s teachers, parent-to-parent video tips offering advice on advocacy, and much more.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/keys/

MCPS Drive for Supplies (7/20-22)
Middle and high school student volunteers are needed to sort, box and weigh donated supplies for the Drive for Supplies project. This is a preapproved Student Service Learning activity. Sorting will be done in the cafeteria at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville, on July 20-22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If needed, sorting will continue on July 23 and 24. Students may volunteer for all or part of the days. Parents are required to supervise elementary school student volunteers.

Supplies come from MCPS students and staff, who collect and donate their gently used school supplies as they clean out their lockers, desks and closets at the end of the school year.

Questions? Contact Karen_L_Crawford <Karen_L_Crawford@mcpsmd.org> at 301-670-1419.

MGH Picnic & Bazaar (7/28)
Earn the hours you need by volunteering at the Montgmoery General Hospital Picnic & Bazaar. Lots of opportunities such as helping to set-up and take down equipment, working with kids activities, helping at book sale, baked goods, flowers and plants booth and many other activities.

You will have lots of fun while earning your SSL hours. Tuesday, July 28, 2009, 10am-8pm, at 2805 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney.

Call 301-854-2378 or 301-774-3236 for information.

Today, Friday, June 12, the main telephone lines to Farquhar Middle School are not functioning. The problem has been identified as a Verizon issue and repair is underway. In the meantime, the Farquhar main office can be reached directly by calling (301) 924-3102 or 3103. Thank you for your understanding.

Make it  a tradition and eat out at least once a week.  This time, come to Cheeburger Cheeburger on Monday, June 15, between 5PM and 9PM and support FMS.  Special appearance by our own Roadrunner.  Beep!  Beep!

 Please bring the attached flyer with you so FMS will receive credit.

Cheeburger-Cheeburger Flyer

June 2009 Exam Schedule

Take the night off and eat out on Tuesday, June 9, at California Tortilla between 5PM and 8PM.  Twenty-five (25%) of all proceeds will go to FMS plus you can enter a drawing for a free Nano Ipod.  Just say “Beep Beep” when placing your order.  Hang out with family and friends and just relax.  See you there!