Farquhar Middle School

SSL Information and Resources

Student Service Learning Graduation Requirement

Middle school and high school students should continue earning SSL hours towards their SSL graduation requirement by engaging in SSL opportunities during the 2021-2022 school year, including traditional in-person opportunities and select virtual/remote opportunities that follow the temporarily amended guidelines posted on the MCPS SSL webpage (www.mcps-ssl.org).

Student SSL Records on Student/ParentVUE

Step-by-step directions for viewing a student’s full SSL record

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c82NiTpcMRzgxzSxaMsHuvtHm7YicrGI/view

MCPS SSL Program Overview

Complete overview of SSL requirements, guidelines, process, awards, and forms

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Zi8WWdJ8d7iBXMYcbiQZdQOsYghk5qQj3TdDXodS0_Y/edit#slide=id.g859f02ae27_1_30

MCPS SSL Hub for Students - NEW!

Find SSL forms, translated resources, SSL guidelines, and much more!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ENnmsEJdDWftWW3cUV87y8lR3QwFNFCYS4M8vJqI5co/edit#gid=0

Nonprofit-Hosted SSL Opportunities

MCPS SSL organizations and opportunities are tagged with the blue MCPS SSL banner and graduation cap icon on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (MCVC) website

https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/index?age=&agency_id=&onDate=&distance=&zip=&need_impact_area=&need_init_id=144&cat_id=&meta[]=&meta[]=&meta[]=&q=&allowTeams=&s=1

Virtual/remote opportunities:

https://montgomerycountymd.galaxydigital.com/need/index?q=&age=&agency_id=&min_available_slots=&dateOn=&distance=&zip=&need_impact_area=&need_init_id=144&qualification_id=&meta[]=&meta[]=&meta[]=virtual_need&meta[]=&allowTeams=&ug_id=&s=1

Laurie Rose

Academic Literacy 6, 7, & 8

After School Activities Coordinator

Student Service Learning Coordinator

Farquhar Middle School

For students/families

• https://bit.ly/SSLonVUE - step-by-step directions for checking SSL hours
• https://bit.ly/SSLOpportunities - all nonprofit-hosted opportunities
• https://bit.ly/VirtualSSL2020 - all nonprofit-hosted virtual/remote opportunities
• https://bit.ly/SSLOverview2020 - SSL program overview slideshow
  
  

Counseling Department Vision

To provide opportunities for positive social-emotional learning, academic growth, and college and career readiness for all students within the framework of the school-wide ROCK (Responsibility, Optimism, Courage, Kindness) core value system so that all students can achieve at high levels.

Enrollment

The Counseling Department wants to work with you to make your child's transition to Farquhar Middle School as smooth as possible. Whether you're coming from another MCPS school, another Maryland county, another state, or another country, we are excited to meet you and your child. The registrar and counselors will familiarize you with "how things work," including activities and procedures at our school. We will be pleased to answer your questions, help your child to be prepared, and create a seven-period-a-day schedule to meet your child's educational requirements.

Please contact Ms. Judy Lucas, School Counseling Secretary/Registrar at 240-740-1210 to make an appointment to enroll. Documents needed for enrollment include:

• Proof of Residency -- Property tax bill or current lease
• Birth Certificate
• Immunization Record
• Report Card
• Withdrawal packet from previous school

Change of Address

In order to change your student's address, MCPS requires documentation, such as a current lease, settlement papers, or a completed Shared Housing form with attachments. Deeds of Trust and changed driver's licenses are not considered adequate documentation. Please call our school counseling office secretary for more information.

Career and College Readiness-Naviance and Family Connection

Middle school students are provided by the county with accounts for Family Connection -- a comprehensive website about colleges and careers. Family Connection is linked with Naviance, a program that has been widely used in high schools. At school, counselors help students activate their accounts and explore various aspects of this program over the course of the year. Students and families can access Family Connection at home using the link below:
https://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/?hsid=williamhfarq
MCPS Career Readiness for Students https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/career-readiness/
College Prep Talk This biannual newsletter is full of helpful information about getting ready for college. From taking tests, planning academic schedules, and improving study skills to paying for college and planning for key deadlines—you’ll find it all in PrepTalk.
College Savings Plans of Maryland https://maryland529.com/

Parent Education

Parent Academy

• Sign up for free MCPS workshops on tips and tools to help your child succeed in school.

• Parent Encouragement ProgramClasses, Programs, and Resourceshttp://pepparent.org/

• Common Sense Mediahttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Group Counseling

FMS counselors run groups depending on interest and need. Groups offered may include friendship, grief, academic success, changing families, stress management, or other topics. If you think your child would benefit from being in a group, contact their counselor.

Anti-Bullying Initiatives

All students receive information during the September classroom counselor visits on how to access their counselor privately to discuss bullying (or any other) concerns. Forms are available in the counseling office for students to request an appointment with their counselor. Finally, parents are urged to contact their child’s counselor and/or administrator with any concerns about bullying.

The following links share information about bullying…

• MCPS Antibullying (contains the Bullying Incidence Form)
• Stop Bullying Now.gov
• MCPS Cybersafe

Character Development/Core Values Program

FMS Roadrunners ROCK!

The ROCK core values were chosen by FMS stakeholders (students, staff and parents) to be highlighted over the course of the school year. The four values are the focus of specific classroom lessons and activities across all grade levels.

• Responsibility
• Optimism
• Courage
• Kindness

Five things to think about before pressing “send”:

1. Don’t assume anything you send or post is going to remain private.
2. There is no changing your mind in cyberspace-anything you send or post may never truly go away.
3. Don’t give in to the pressure to do something that makes you uncomfortable, even in cyberspace.
4. Consider the recipient’s reaction.
5. Nothing is truly anonymous.

Counseling Google Site