2/23/18 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 03/02/2018 - 10:17am

Important Dates

March
5-9 Registration for Kindergarten and First Graders New to FRES - Learn more
6  7:00 PTA Meeting - All are welcome!
7  Interim Reports Issued
16 School Spirit Day - wear your spiritwear or FRES colors
20 Class and Optional Individual Pictures Taken
20 6:30 5th Grade Parent Puberty Ed Meeting
28 School Spirit Day - "Jersey Day" 

Be sure to visit the Counselor's Corner for important information from Mrs. Schuck!

Forest Ridge News and Events...

This year's FRES Spirit Days:
FRES School Spirit Day MARCH 16th
Jersey Day MARCH 28th
Mix and Match/Inside Out Day APRIL 27th
Pajama Day MAY 17th
Simulated Congressional Hearing Day for 5th grade (Red White and Blue) May 23

Last Chick-fil-A Night for this school year:  April 23  (please mention FRES when you order):
These fundraisers help to defray the cost of 4th and 5th grade field trips.  We hope to see you there!

From the Office and Cafeteria

  1. If you received a notice about money owed for lunches, please pay the bill as soon as possible.  Thank you!
  2. Parents/Guardians of 5th Graders:  As we begin to plan for the transition to middle school, our school counselor works closely with our upcoming 6th graders to prepare their classroom schedules. The majority of our 5th graders will be attending Patuxent Valley Middle School for the 2018-19 school year. If you are moving or sending your child to a school other than PVMS, please notify us as soon as possible.  We are available to assist you with transition to the new school, whether it be another HCPSS school, private school or to a school out of the HCPSS district. If you are transferring to another HCPSS school, our guidance departments will partner to make the transition as smooth as possible.
    Questions about the transition to middle school?  Please contact Alyssa Schuck, our school counselor. 
    Questions regarding residency or reassignment to another HCPSS school?  Please contact Rhonda Hill, our registrar.
  3. Want to opt-in to receive weather-related text alerts when school is late or closed?  Text the word "YES" to 67587.

Inclement Weather Make-up Days

  • May 18 is now a school-day, as a half-day for students and half-day for school-based professional learning (articulation activities).
  • April 4, 5 and 6 are also now full days of school.
  • Spring Break will be Friday, March 30-Tuesday, April 3.
  • If there is another inclement weather day off of school this year, June 15 will be the make-up student day.
  • No final exams or end-of-the-year promotion ceremonies may be scheduled on June 15, as June 15 is Eid al-Fitr.  If this day becomes a student day, we will share an updated final exam schedule with high school administrators.
  • Because May 18 moved from a professional learning day to a student half-day, an extra staff day will be added at the end of the school year.
  • Staff days will be June 15 and June 18 (if June 14 remains as the last student day)  OR Staff days will June 18 and 19 (if June 15 is used as an inclement weather make-up day)
Media Moments
Make sure you are FOLLOWING @fres_media on TWITTER!  We tweet out different class and school activities to keep you updated!  Whoever is our 100th follower will win a PRIZE! Also head on over to our website for our Award Winner installment of WHAT ARE WE READING?!   
http://forestridgemedia.weebly.com/wawr
 
From the PE Department
Attention FRES families.  The physical education team is very excited to be receiving the "Whittle" equipment next week!  There are only two sets that travel to all the different HCPSS elementary schools so it will only be at FRES for a limited time.  We do not want any children to miss out on their opportunity to explore movement in relationship to this equipment.  Please remember the safety guidelines that should be followed for EVERY class so everyone may safely participate in ALL classes for the whole school year.
 

The safety guidelines from HCPSS Physical Education Strategies for Safe Learning are listed below. 

_____ Sneakers on

_____ Sneakers tied/secured

_____ Nothing around the neck (necklaces, lanyards)

_____ Nothing around the wrist (watches, bracelets)

_____ Nothing on the hands (gloves, rings)

_____ Nothing dangly on the ears or hard on the head ( no hard, sharp hair holders,  post-type earrings only)

_____ Nothing sharp in the pockets  (pencils, pens, keys, etc.)

_____ No food products in the mouth/ keep all objects out of the mouth

_____ No dangling clothing  (scarves, hooded shirts or clothes that are really big)

_____ Hair kept back out of the face
 

Girls on the Run Registration Open
Girls on the Run® is a life-changing, experiential learning program for girls in 3rd - 5th grade. Teams of 15-20 girls meet twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5pm for 10 weeks. Each lesson focuses on themes that girls can relate to such as making and being friends, recognizing and managing emotions, and working as a team. Our trained coaches use running to inspire and motivate, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. As part of the program, each team creates and executes a local community service project to show girls that they have the power and potential to make a difference in their community and on society. Each season concludes with the girls and their running buddies completing a 5k run, which provides a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The spring season will start the week of March 18, with the season-ending 5k scheduled for June 2 in Columbia, MD. Registration opens on Sunday, February 11th at 12:00 noon. Program registration fee is $175 and includes 5k registration, water bottle, t-shirt, and all program materials. Financial assistance is available. Visit www.gotrcentralmd.org to register.  Questions? Call 443-864-8593.

HERO Boys
HERO Boys is a youth development and engagement program for boys in 3rd-5th grades.  Using running as a base activitiy HERO Boys inspires boys to discover the character and courage that resides inside each one of them to be brave, stand for that which is right, and use their talents and strengths to lead and set the positive example amongst their peers.  The school-based program is 8 weeks long and culminates with the HERO Boys 5K at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, including boys from all schools participating in the program.

FRES Contact:  Sarah Ports at sarah_ports@hcpss.org
Season Begins:  March 27
Days and Times:  Tuesdays 3:45-4:45 p.m. at FRES
Fee:  $75.00
Location of 5k:  Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds on May 20th at 9:00 a.m.
For more information about HERO Boys, visit www.heroboys.org.

ISO FRES ORCHESTRA ALUMNI - Help us celebrate 25 years of FRES music!

To perform at the FRES Orchestra Spring Concert
Tuesday April 17th, 6:30pm @ Hammond HS

Please email Mrs. De Orio at patricia_deorio@hcpss.org
Include your
NAME
SCHOOL/GRADE
INSTRUMENT
EMAIL ADDRESS
 
Deadline is March 16th!!!!!!!!!
 

Calling all FRES Band Alumni!  ~ Celebrating 25 years of FRES music ~
Perform with the FRES band at the Spring Concert on Tuesday April 17th, 7:30pm @ Hammond HS. 

Sign up to play here (https://goo.gl/forms/MvcuKUGLZVQrhBlt1) by March 23.

Please contact Mrs. Pretzello at natalie_pretzello@hcpss.org with any questions. We can't wait to perform with you!  

FRES 25th Anniversary Celebration Information
April 20 will be our 25th anniversary celebration!  An invitation went home with all students this week.  If you didn't see it, click here.

HowGirlsCode Class: Little Techies
Little Techies is an introductory class for girls in grades Kindergarten, First, and Second. Participants will use a variety of programming tools and applications to support basic computer science concepts such as sequencing, functions, loops, and conditionals. Students will develop problem solving skills while participating in engaging activities that encourage their logical and creative thinking.

Prerequisites: None
Audience: Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Girls
Cost: $150.00*
Teacher: Miss Speiser and Ms. Wise
Location: Forest Ridge Elementary School, Miss Speiser’s Classroom                                    
Dates:  Wednesdays, 3:45-5:15 PM, February 28 - April 25, 2018 (no class April 4)                  
Register online: http://www.howgirlscode.com/register-for-spring-2018
Questions? Please contact  Clair_Wise@hcpss.org  or  Lauren_Speiser@hcpss.org
*Scholarships (Tuition Discounts) Need-based scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships cover up to 75% of registration fees.  See website for more details: www.howgirlscode.com

Need Help Finding Daycare?
Parents can visit http://www.marylandfamilynetwork.org/programs-services/locate for help in finding daycare.

Daycare Provider in Our Attendance Area
Christine Hernandez
Christine's Family Daycare
License #130138
I provide care for children 8 weeks & older
I can provide before/after care but I do not transport children to/from school. 
I specialize in teachers' schedules.  Full and Part Time care available
Hours 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location: in the Bowling Brook community
Contact Christine @ 301-221-4055 or tine1975@verizon.net

PTA News...

Link to News from the PTA President and about PTA Happenings

Community News for Parents
Is your child age 8-10 and interested in being part of the largest, long-term study on child development in the U.S.?  Click here for the flyer.

Please visit the Community News and Programs page at:
http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.

Please note:  If the links don't work, simply copy and paste the URL into your browser.

Kennedy Krieger Institute may be able to help with your child's behavior problems.  Click here for more information.