May 31, 2019 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 05/30/2019 - 11:14am

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

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Forest Ridge Forerunner

From Dr. Varlack
Greetings Forest Ridge Families,

The last few weeks have provided us with 5 eventful end-of-day dismissal experiences. We use these experiences as opportunities to make adjustments to our response plan. As a staff, we have reflected and made some adjustments and hope that you too have done that for yourself and your family.

Remember to ensure:

  • That you received weather related and emergency alerts.  To opt in to receive text alerts, text the word "YES" to 67587.
  • That your family has and knows your response plan.
  • That you do not call the school seeking information (clogged phone lines takes away our ability to communicate with our staff and students).
  • That you follow the school's protocols ( eg.- student dismissal during a tornado warning in the school vicinity is prohibited. An individual demand during any event/emergency places all other FRES community members, staff, and students in harm's way while that demand is addressed or distracts from the focus of safety for all).
  • That you present as a model of civility in the car loop since emergency events generate more cars and traffic.

A resounding note of appreciation is extended to our parents who provided input and insight during any of these latest events. We love how you help us to be our best FRES!

RETURNING TO FRES? / MOVED? 
If you are planning to move or have moved, please contact the front office as soon as possible.  Your new address may impact whether or not you receive the year-end report cards, testing results and/or summer notifications. Students who start the year and move out of the school district but within the county, can remain at FRES until the end of the school year unless there are behavior or attendance concerns. Students who move over the summer must register with their new school.  Out of district placements are approved on a case by case basis if there are extenuating circumstances.

OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS
Attention Parents: Does your child have any outstanding obligations for lost or media center books?  How about his/her lunch account? If so, it is important that those items be taken care of as soon as possible.  Please .....

LOST & FOUND
Our lost and found is full! Whatever is not claimed by the last day of school will be donated to the needy.

MEDICATIONS
Health room medications must be picked up by dismissal on the last day of school.  Whatever is not claimed will be disposed of.  New medication orders for next year will be coming out before the end of the school year.  If a student needs medication for next year, the new order must be dated after July 1.

SUMMER MEALS
We are pleased to inform you that our 2019 Open Site Summer Meals Program will begin on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 and run through Wednesday, August 21, 2019. The program hours will be noon to 1:30 at the North Laurel Community Center All children 18 years of age and younger who drop in at any of the sites may receive free meals. Parents or guardians do not need to apply to get these summer meals for their children.  View the county-wide summer meal flyer here.

Student News...

Congratulations to the following students, who were our Eagle Egg winners this week: 

Blake M., Sean L., Camilla G., Constantine G., Edwin G.

Great job!

Forest Ridge News...

Last Day of School
The last day of school is now June 21.  The last three days of school, June 19, 20, and 21 are 3-hour early dismissal days.  FRES will dismiss starting at 12:34 p.m.
 

Girls On The Run Community Service Project

Every session of GOTR, our runners come up with a project to better serve our community.  This session, our runners have decided to have a canned food drive to help Grassroots.  We are asking for donation of non-perishable canned foods to be donated towards this cause. Each grade level pod area will have a decorated box where the donations can be placed. Our drive will run from May 28th-June 13th.  Thank you for your support.
 

Important Things to Know:

  • 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!
  • Want to get a head start on next year's school suppliesClick here for the list.

From the Office

  • If you are sending money to school for field trips, lost books, etc., please understand that the school does not supply change.  Please write a check or send exact change.  Thank you!
  • Please be mindful when parking in our lot.  There are spaces reserved for our Principal and Assistant Principal.  There are also 15-Minute parking spaces for parents coming in to pick up students. And please don't park in a handicapped parking space without a handicapped sticker or plate.  Thank you!

Important Dates
June
4    Professional Work Day - Schools dismiss 3 hours early
6    2:00 1st Grade Author's Tea
14  10:00 Kindergarten Closing - 2 tickets issued per student
       2:00 5th Grade Closing - 2 tickets issued per student
17   Volunteer Luncheon
19, 20, 21 Schools dismiss 3 hours early (dismissal starts at 12:34)
21   Last Day of School!!

Volunteer Luncheon
Our annual Volunteer Luncheon will take place on Monday, June 17.  See the invitation below:
 

Volunteer Luncheon Invite

Watch DOGS

Our Watch DOGS dad this week was Mr. Edmondson.  Thank you so much!

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

Space Telescope Science Institute Summer Events
The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore will present "Family Night at the Institute" summer events to promote STEM in the community.  Learn more.