Farquhar Middle School PTA

Attached is a flyer regarding  Sherwood’s College Readiness Program on Thursday, January 29th (snow date: Feb 5th). This program will discuss the transition to high school; courses offered; and what parents should begin focusing on in regards to college preparation. There will be a general session first followed by break-out sessions specific to each grade.

Before the College Readiness program, there will be a Course Registration Fair for parents to see what courses are available at Sherwood and speak with resource teachers. Outside the Registration Fair will be a Resource Fair with over a dozen companies; Montgomery College, Edison all showcasing local services available to parents and students in regards to college prep; consulting; counseling and additional special courses offered through MCPS.

SHS College Prep Flyer

As a fundraiser, the Sherwood HS Art Department is selling 2009 wall calendars. Each page of the calendar contains original art done by the students, as well as their name, graduation year and a quote that has meaning to the piece. The cost for each calendar is $12.

Please email me directly at picsnppr@aol.com if you are interested in making a purchase - the Sherwood HS Art Department thanks you!!

Laura Rhode
picsnppr@aol.com

Potters at Ross Boddy Community Center in Sandy Spring are organizing an Empty Bowls Supper on Saturday, November 8th from 4-7pm at the Ross Boddy Community Center. With a $20.00 donation you will enjoy a bowl of soup created by Chef Jim Davis, breads and desserts, and take home a hand crafted bowl made by one of the Ross Boddy Potters and keep as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the world.Entertainment will be provided by the Sherwood High School Jazz Combo. All donations will be used to provide holiday food baskets for families in need in the Olney, Sandy Spring, Ashton Area. The event is sponsored by the Ross Boddy Advisory Council and the Montgomery County Recreation Department.

Tickets are available at the Cricket Book Shop 301-774-4242 and the Ross Boddy Community Center 18529 Brooke Road Sandy Spring 240-777-8050.

Go to www.cricketbookshop.com to view some of the bowls that you can choose from.

• Environmentally Friendly! Did you know that printing the newsletter each year uses over 220,000 sheets of paper - that’s over 25 trees we will save every year!
• Saves Money! The PTA spends $2,500 for printing and mailing. By eliminating these costs, an online newsletter will save THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS - yet another way to save our GREEN!
• Timely News! Online is the fastest way to get the news to you! As we finish each edition, you will be able to read it immediately instead of two (2) weeks later after printing and mailing!

So, to continue receiving The Forum in your mailbox, do nothing. If you’d like to opt out of the U.S. Mail delivery and receive The Forum electronically, simply send an email message to farquharpta@yahoo.com. In the message, include your name, your student’s name and your mailing address so we can be sure to remove the correct recipient from our mailing list.

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Abel @ scabel@verizon.net or 301-924-1119

Montgomery County Public Schools developed The Parent Academy, which offers workshops for parents and other family members on topics such as: helping your child succeed in middle school; managing your finances; navigating the school system; computer skills; bullying prevention; high school graduation requirements; and many more.”

Check out the website for more information:  http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy

or contact: 

Nan P. Iuculano
Parent Community Coordinator
Division of Family and Community Partnerships
451 Hungerford Drive Suite 508
Rockville, Maryland 20850
301-279-3100

The PTA is pleased to offer a presentation to parents on Internet Safety by Ms. Shelley Lipton, Program Specialist II with the Sex Offender Registry Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department on Friday, October 24 from 7:15 to 8:30pm in the Media Center. The presentation will include problem prevention strategies, practical tips, and the importance of reporting questionable Internet communications. Ms. Lipton will also discuss the Sex Offender Registry and how the public can access it to learn about convicted sex offenders living in the community.

Ms. Lipton is responsible for the management of the Sex Offender Registry, and she also co-chairs the Sex Offender Management Team. She serves as a community educator and instructor to parents, students, community groups, civic associations, law enforcement, school personnel and other professionals on the
topics of Internet Safety and Sexual Predators. She authored several informational brochures that have been distributed throughout Montgomery County.  In addition, she represents the Montgomery County Police Department and works in close collaboration with the State’s Attorney’s Office and Montgomery County
Public Schools on the CyberSafety Project.

We hope to see you for this informative event.

Plans are underway for this year’s Variety Show to be held on Friday, November 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Does your child like to sing, dance, play a musical instrument or perform comedy skits? Then have them come out and be part of the show. Permission slips are available in the main office or simply click the link below.

Auditions will be held after school on Wednesday, Oct. 29 and Thursday, Oct 30. Rehearsals for ALL acts, WITH sound, on Fridays, November 7 and 14 after school.

If you have questions, contact Sandy Abel at farquharpta@yahoo.com.

Variety Show Permission Slip

On October 28-30, 2008, Farquhar’s TV Production students will be on the MCPS Homework Hotline Live TV show. The students will be giving the introductions that kick off the show, which airs 5:00 – 6:00 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Homework Hotline Live provides students with one-on-one homework help when they call the hotline number at (301) 279-3234. Questions can also be sent via email to HHL@mcpsmd.org The phone lines are open 4:30 -6:00 pm. Homework Hotline Live can be seen on Comcast 33, Verizon, 35, and RCN 88.

Tune in and check them out!

Have you wanted to donate blood at Children’s Hospital but just couldn’t make the time to drive into the city.  Donating has become more convenient and easy because the Bloodmobile is coming to Silver Spring on Election Day, November 4th.  This event was made possible by St. John the Baptist, sponsored by Stonegate PTA. The blood
collected at the blood drive will benefit the many children in need at Children’s Hospital.

Below you will find instructions on how to schedule an appointment on-line. If you have any questions or concerns,  please contact me at BMBridegum@… or 301-774-2594.

Please download the information about donor eligibility and foods rich in iron. If for some reason you are unable to  donate, please consider helping a friend who would like to donate (babysit their children).

Michelle Bridegum

Blood Drive to benefit the children at Children’s Hospital
Date :  Tuesday, November 4, 2008, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Location :  St. Johns the Baptist Catholic Church (sponsored by Stonegate PTA), 12319 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905

To make an appointment, click here https://www.cnmcblooddonor.com/index.cfm? 

Type SGPTA as Sponsor and follow the steps necessary to make your appointment.

In its 23rd year, Homework Hotline Live! kicks off its season in October to help MCPS students solve the daily dilemmas of homework. Teachers will walk students through those difficult math problems and answer questions about any other subject live on the air on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. on Comcast Channel 33, Verizon FIOS channel 35, RCN channel 88 or on the Instructional TV website. Students can call 301-279-3234 to have their questions answered.