Mar. 8, 2019 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 03/07/2019 - 3:52pm

For PTA News, Upcoming Event Dates, Counselor's Corner, and Community News, click here.

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Forest Ridge Forerunner - School News...

From Ms. Pazornik, Our Assistant Principal
The 5th grade students will be taking the MISA (Maryland Integrated Science Assessment) next week.  Students will be engaged in taking this assessment between 9:20 - 10:20 on March 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th.  For more information about MISA, please visit the HCPSS website at https://www.hcpss.org/academics/testing/misa/.

Important Things to Know:

  • Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend.  Remember to "spring forward!"
  • The office phones are answered 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
  • 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.
  • To get text alerts from FRES or HCPSS, you must opt in to receive those alerts. Text "YES" to 67587 from the cell number that is on file in HCPSS/Connect.
  • If your child's dismissal changes, due to a change in transportation, an after school class, etc., please email the teacher, and copy Dr. Varlack, Ms. Pazornik, Ms. Traini, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Farrell.  All the emails can be found in the "Our Staff" section of our website.  We want to make sure the message is received!
  • If you received a Federal Impact Aid form, please return it ASAP.  Thanks!

Did you know that New Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration begins Monday, March 11 through Friday, March 15 at Forest Ridge Elementary School?  Children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2019 must enroll in Kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year.  ***ALL CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO RE-REGISTER.***   If your child attends an HCPSS Pre-K program, they will automatically "roll over" into kindergarten at the school that serves their area of residence.

Registration will take place daily from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the FRES office area.

No appointment is necessary.

You will need to bring the following documents (if you haven’t already uploaded them during online registration):

  1. Birth certificate, birth registration or passport showing parental relationship.

  2. Current immunization record - must be a print out from the pediatrician and signed.

  3. Deed or lease to your home

  4. Current utility bill

  5. Photo ID of registering parent/guardian - this MUST be shown at time of registration.

Online registration is also available.  Please visit the Howard County Public School System website (https://www.hcpss.org/enroll/) for complete information about enrollment and registration. You can follow steps 1-4 at home and online before finalizing the process in step 5.  Be sure to select the 2019-2020 school year.

March is National Reading Month!
Week 2 (March 11 - 15) - FRES Parent CRASH Course (3/12 @ 6:00 - 7:00) and Grade Swap Reading
Week 3 (March 18 - 22) - Semi-final round of reading competition & Celebrity Readers in Media Classes
Week 4 (March 25 - 29) - Championship of reading competition and March Madness Reading Night (3/28 @ 6:00 - 7:30)  March 28th will be amazing at FRES!  We will have dress like a book character day and we will have March Madness Reading  Night!  https://youtu.be/fayV_jOqu7I

Did you know that parents can update their child’s family file at any point during the year?  Now would be a great time to go on and check to be sure nothing has changed. To review your child’s family file, go to https://www.hcpss.org/connect/.

From Mrs. Morris, Our Cluster Nurse in the Health Room

  1. Parents, please put a change of clothes in your child's backpack for unexpected needs.
  2. If your child was given clothing from the health room, please launder and return to the health room as soon as possible.
  3. Please let the health room know if your child is absent due to a high fever.

Choose Civility 2019 Poster and Video Contest
Design a poster or create a video illustrating the theme. Use your imagination, creativity, and artistic talent to show how everyone is welcome in our school, neighborhood, and entire community. For full details, use this link http://choosecivility.org/2484-2/

Winter FRES Parent CRASH Course is Coming...
Here at Forest Ridge, parents are essential to "Cultivating Reading At School and Home."  Come join us to learn ways to keep reading fun at home!  We will host our winter literacy parent workshops on Tuesday, March 12th from 6pm-7pm.  The PTA meeting for the month is immediately following.  Childcare and light refreshments will be provided.  Keep an eye out for the full invite with the RSVP for session options coming next week.  You may contact Ms. Nikia Darden at nikia_darden@hcpss.org or Mr. Matthew Vaughn-Smith at matthew_vaughn-smith@hcpss.org with any questions.

Summer Camp
Looking for a fun and active camp this summer for your son and/or daughter?  Come out to Reservoir High School for Rankers Sports camp with Howard County teachers/coaches Phil Ranker (phys ed), Erika Lupo (phys ed) and Tom Dougherty (math).  We play many different sports throughout the week including: capture the football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tseg ball, tag games, tennis, scooter games and many many more. If your child likes PE class, they will absolutely LOVE this camp.  Dates for camp: July 1-5 (no camp on July 4-prorated cost) and July 15-19.  Half day and full day options are available.  Please email phillip_ranker@hcpss.org or visit www.rankerssportscamp.weebly.com for any questions. 

The Kids Heart Challenge is Underway!
Help us in reaching our goal to raise $9,000 for the American Heart Association.  Information on how to sign up online or collect donations in an envelope went home in your folders, but here is an easier way to go straight to our school's donation site! http://www2.heart.org/goto/forestridge

Mary Poppins, Jr., at Murray Hill Middle School - View the Flyer
 
Watch DOGS
Our Watch DOGS dads this week were Mr. Goodman, Mr. Keller, Mr. Nickens, and Mr. Pandohie.  Thank you so much!  If you are interested in supporting this awesome program by signing up for a day, or even part of a day, we are looking for YOU!! Simply copy the links included and paste them into your browser.   Keep in mind, you will also need to complete the Howard County child abuse and confidentiality training online, complete the certificate for each, and turn it in. Those links are also provided below.  Finally, to help make the Watch DOGS stand out while you are here, we encourage you to purchase a Watch DOGS t-shirt.  When you arrive at the school, you will be able to purchase one for $12 sizes S-XL, $14 for 2XL and $16 for 3XL  If we are out of that size we will order and and it will be sent home with your child as soon as it comes in.   You are also welcome to send in your money ahead of time and we will send your shirt home with your child right away.  Send your payment in an envelope with your name, child's name, teacher, and your shirt size.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact Craig Dorsey at dorseypremier@gmail.com or Jen Renkevens at trenkev@juno.com.

For Child Abuse- https://www.hcpss.org/f/employees/childabuse_ppt.pdf

From Howard County Recreation and Parks:
For Complete information on Before & After School classes, including how to Register, please go to  www.howardcountymd.gov/afterschool