Forest Ridge Forerunner - School News
For PTA News, Upcoming Event Dates, Counselor's Corner, and Community News, click here.

Forest Ridge News...

Important:

• Students should arrive to school by 9:10 a.m. so that they are able to put their things away and be ready to start the day when the bell rings at 9:15.
• Students go out for recess when the temperature with wind chill is 20 degrees or more.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.

• Attention 3rd and 5th Grade Families
  Students in Grades 3 & 5 will be taking the CogAT in December.  The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is an assessment that measures learned reasoning abilities that have been developed through both in school and out-of-school experiences.  CogAT is a nationally norm-referenced ability measure that provides feedback on student performance as compared to students across the country. Please mark your calendars with the following dates and times:
  12/3, 12/4, and 12/5 Grade 3:  10:40 AM - 11:40 AM
  12/10, 12/11, and 12/12 Grade 5:  9:20 AM -10:20 AM

From Ms. Pazornik, Our Assistant Principal

Hello FRES families and community,  

We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. It was great to see so many of you for conferences last week. We are excited to be back this week.

Did you know that HCPSS has an Anti-Discrimination policy?  The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for behavior that promote a safe, engaging and supportive school environment and provide direction for students, employees, and third parties in recognizing and reporting discrimination in accordance with this policy and with local, state, and federal requirements.

 Standards

1. It is a violation of this policy for any student, employee, or third party to engage in acts of discrimination in schools, school system offices, or at school-related activities, or at school system sponsored activities.
2. Student, employee, or third party behavior may be severe enough to violate state and/or federal laws prohibiting discrimination in educational institutions and the workplace.
3. This generally occurs when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of the individual’s employment or educational status.
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, which may include online and social media.

4. It is a violation of this policy for any student, employee, or third party to engage in retaliation with regard to allegations or complaints of discrimination.
5. Discrimination on the basis of gender includes harassment, which is addressed in Policy 1020 Sexual Discrimination, and Title IX. Harassment, defamation, and intimidation that are not discriminatory in nature are addressed in Policy 1040 Safe and Supportive Schools, and in Policy 1060 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, or Intimidation.
6. The HCPSS will promote the worth and dignity of all individuals through curriculum, instruction, professional development, and resource selection in accordance with state regulation.

• The HCPSS will provide PreK-12 curricula and instructional strategies that enable students to demonstrate an understanding of and respect for living in a culturally pluralistic society.
• Instructional staff will use strategies that appropriately address students’ identities and learning styles while providing rigorous instruction for all students to increase academic achievement.
• Instructional staff will be provided with curricula that:
     Avoids stereotyping, discrimination, bias, and prejudice;
     Reflects the diverse experiences relating to cultural groups and individuals;
     Is representative of the diversity of society and assist students to demonstrate an understanding of the experiences of individuals & groups.
• The HCPSS will provide professional development to prepare employees to design, manage, implement, and evaluate multicultural education.

7. Discrimination complaints can be filed by those who believe they are being subjected to discrimination and by those who believe they are a witness to discrimination against others.
8. A student will file a discrimination complaint orally or in writing with a teacher, school counselor, school-based administrator, or the Equity Assurance Manager/designee for action in accordance with established procedures. All such reports that allege discrimination by an employee or third party will be filed with or forwarded to the Equity Assurance Manager/designee.
9. An employee or third party will file a discrimination complaint with theEquity Assurance Manager/designee or with a school-based administrator or supervisor as appropriate. All such reports will be forwarded to the Equity Assurance Manager/designee.
10. Staff members and school-based administrators who believe discrimination has occurred will take action promptly in accordance with established procedures as defined in the implementation procedures of this policy.
11. The school-based administrator, supervisor, or the Equity Assurance Manager/designee will commence an investigation of the allegations of discrimination regardless of how the alleged discrimination is reported within two working days, and address any findings of discrimination.
12. Utilization and/or exhaustion of these procedures are not a prerequisite for the filing of an administrative complaint of discrimination with a government agency or taking other legal action.
13. Upon completion of an investigation of a complaint, the individual conducting the investigation will consult with the Equity Assurance Manager/designee. After consultation, that individual will send a written report of the findings and recommended corrective action, if any, within confidentiality guidelines to the complainant and the respondent within thirty calendar days excluding extenuating circumstances.
14. The complainant and the respondent are entitled to appeal the findings and/or recommended corrective action. All appeals will be decided by the Superintendent/Designee.
15. In all phases of complaint resolution, every reasonable effort shall be made to maintain the confidentiality and protect the privacy of all parties. These efforts may be limited by the school system’s legal and regulatory obligation to investigate and address allegations of discrimination.
16. To provide resolution of violations, employees in supervisory or management positions are responsible for taking steps designed to end any existing discrimination by those under their supervision, prevent any recurrence, and remedy any detrimental effects on the complainant and others.
17. Upon the finding of violation, remedies available to complainants include, but are not limited to, counseling, imposition of an order against the guilty party prohibiting further contact with the complainant or others, reinstatement of employment to the complainant, reconsideration of an award of a contract with the school system or any other remedy as is just and services the interest of reinstating the complainant to his/her position prior to the discrimination.
18. Violations of this policy are cumulative; subsequent offenses will affect the nature and severity of the consequences.
19. Students who violate this policy will have consequences that include all appropriate forms of discipline including expulsion from schools. Disciplinary action against a student will be administered in accordance with the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct, Policy 9000 - Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment and Policy 9200 - Student Discipline. In addition, a student who violates this policy may also be required to participate in an appropriate education intervention and/or counseling designated by the school administrator and designed to increase his or her understanding of the offense and the impact on others.
20. Employees who violate this policy will have consequences that include all appropriate forms of discipline including termination of employment. Disciplinary action against school system employees will be administered in accordance with Policy 7030 Employee Conduct and Discipline. A violation of this policy may require, as a condition of continuing employment or other relationship with the school system, participation in counseling and/or other interventions designed to assist in the recognition and correction of the offending behavior/conduct.
21. Action against third parties will be taken in accordance with relevant school system policies and other applicable state and federal laws. Actions may include ceasing further business with the third party, modifying the terms of the contract, discontinuance of the contract, or banning from the property.
22. Notice that acts of discrimination are prohibited in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) will be communicated to all students, families, employees, and third parties, and the community annually by public notifications, school web-sites, school newsletters, faculty handbooks and other customary channels.

To read the complete policy, click here.  

Did you know that HCPSS will be celebrating National Inclusive Schools the week of 12/3?  This national campaign recognizes the meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities in academics, athletics, clubs, and all facets of our school community. While we recognize the importance of inclusion across gender, race, ethnicity, and culture, this particular campaign will focus primarily on celebrating the abilities of all students.

Did you know that over 50 of our FRES students were recognized this past week at the Celebration of Academic Achievement, presented by the Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County?  Congratulations to the following students who were recognized at the event:

Dorrian A., Demi A., Josh-Jaffah A., Fred A., Praise A., Daniel A., Abena A., Eden A., Jolessa B., Sanu B., Jaliana D., Makayla D., Millana E., Kayo E., Grace E., Rina E., Ian F., Marie-Louise F., Zyelle G., Emerie G., Taj G., Ethan G., Tavia G., Richard G., Lyana H., Jai'len J., Roshell J., Dominic J., Angel J., Gloria D., Adanya L., Kalen M., Talan M., Victoria M., Elena N., Marylin N., Chloe-Theresa N., Isaiah N., Omolola O., Kemi O., Danielle O., Carlisle P., Carrington P., Evan R., Ryleigh S., Jamison S., Afo S., Wendell S., Sanaya S., Cruz T., Aaliyah U., Andwele W., Divah Y.

Did you know that the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program provides access to an array of services for qualified families including:  free and reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches; free SAT and ACT registrations; free tuition to take college courses at Howard Community College while still enrolled in high school; free college applications and reduced AP exam fees; reduced costs for a number of services provided by Howard County Parks and Rec, Columbia Association and Comcast; and much more. Visit the HCPSS website for more information and to apply.

Have a great weekend and stay warm,

Ivye Pazornik

From Ms. Yost and Ms. Wise, our Technology Teachers
Next week, we will be kicking off our fifth annual Hour of Code. The Hour of Code is a global movement introducing tens of millions of students worldwide to computer science. Why computer science? Computer science is foundational and is changing every industry on the planet. Computer science concepts also help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills to prepare students for any future career. Students also love it!

We invite the parents and community to participate with us in encouraging students to consider a future in computer science. If you are interested in participating with us during the school year, please contact either Dawn Yost or Clair Wise.

To support your child in learning to code, there are many programs online that teach and reinforce coding. HCPSS has partnered with www.code.org to provide free lessons and activities to support learning to code. It is a wonderful resource! Happy Coding!

Music Department Evening WINTER Concerts

(performers must wear concert attire, white tops and black bottoms)
ORCHESTRA- Thursday December 20th, 6:30pm @ Hammond HS, please arrive at 6pm
CHORUS/BAND- Thursday December 20th, 7:30pm @ Hammond HS, please arrive at 7pm

Music Department Daytime WINTER Concerts 

(performers must wear concert attire, white tops and black bottoms)
CHORUS- Thursday December 13th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria
BAND- Thursday December 20th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria
ORCHESTRA- Thursday December 20th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria