Parents and Community Members,

There has been a lot of attention in the news and on social media related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This is an evolving situation, and HCPSS will follow the guidance of the Howard County Health Department who will continue to provide updated information and guidance to HCPSS leadership as it becomes available.
 

The school system has posted information on the website related to the Coronavirus. 

Mostly, it is important that we are all doing everything that we can to keep our children and classrooms healthy. The Howard County Health Department officials have shared several recommendations to ensure that we are taking appropriate and effective actions to stay healthy and prevent the spread of all person-to-person viruses. These precautions also have been shared by the CDC, and include:

1. Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
3. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
4. Staying home when you are sick.
5. Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
6. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces.

If you have concerns regarding your child’s health, please contact the school nurse. Thank you for all of your efforts to help us maintain a safe and healthy school.

Sincerely,

Scott Conroy, Principal
Ivye Pazornick, Assistant Principal
 

Student News...

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

K-Inara B., 1-Destiny U., 2-Faraan M., 3-Riley R., 4-Aylin S., and 5-Diana Y.
Great job!

Forest Ridge News...

Kindergarten Registration
Hello parents of students who live in our district and will be 5 by September 1, 2020! Kindergarten registration for the 20-21 school year is open online!  In-person registration is March 9-13, 10:00-2:00; no appointment is necessary.  Here's more information.

Class Picture Day with Optional Individual Pictures
March 3 is class picture day.  There will be optional individual pictures taken as well.  Students new to FRES since our picture make-up day on October 27 will have their picture taken for the yearbook, even if pictures are not ordered.  See the attached flyer for packages and pricing.
 

From the Reading Team
G’Readings FRES Families,

Can you smellllll what our FRES readers are cookin’?!

March is National Reading Month! At FRES, we will be celebrating all month with a “Reading Rumble” theme. We will kick off our Reading Rumble on Monday, March 2nd  with a “Windows and Mirrors” series- students will be exposed to books and reading experiences that allow them to see themselves (mirrors) and learn about others (windows).  The rest of the month will be filled with: a school-wide reading trivia and mystery reader game and listening to (local) celebrity readers. The Media Team is also sponsoring a very special student presentation by acclaimed author, Duncan Tonatiuh! Learn more about him by using this link.

Our March Reading Madness Month will culminate with a family fun reading night on Tuesday, March 31st, from 6:30-7:30. We are inviting FRES family members of all ages to come out for a night of fun activities with our FRES teachers. There will be snacks, LOADS of opportunities to win fun prizes,  AND MUCH MORE! And to really get this “Reading Rumble” night started right, students and teachers will dress as their favorite book character during the day on Tuesday, March 31st. Watch out for more information in upcoming Forerunner editions. 

Let’s get ready for a Reading RUUUUMBLE!

From the PE Department
The Kids Heart Challenge is a great opportunity for your children to help kids with sick hearts while earning cool prizes!  Our PE team will be putting together some awesome activities during school the week of March 9th-13th to celebrate our school's donation to the American Heart Association.  Last year we raised $12,000!!!  All students will be participating in school, but signing up and raising donations is optional.  If your child would like to help kids in need and earn thank-you-gifts, check out the link below for our FRES fundraising site!

March 13th is the last day to donate! 

PTA News...

TGIF FRES families!

It was great seeing FRES families enjoying a night out at Blaze Pizza!  We had a great turnout!  We have several fun family events throughout March leading up to spring break.  Check them out!

Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, March 3 at 7 p.m. in the Media Center.  Please join us to get the latest updates on the PTA and to learn about the Complete Streets and Streets for All initiatives with guest speakers from the Horizon Foundation.  Howard County needs better and safer streets with adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and bus stops.  This can directly impact the walkability to schools from our neighborhoods.  Find out how we can advocate for safer streets and pathways that can help strengthen safety and connectivity within our communities.

Are you anxious about your 5th grader leaving FRES and moving on to middle school?  We understand how intimidating it can be and we are working with PVMS and the PVMS PTA to help ease this major transition.  On Monday, March 2, PVMS Principal Mr. Robb and PVMS PTA invite you and your 5th grader to join us in the FRES media center and cafeteria for an informal Q & A session about middle school.  This is also a great opportunity for your students to ask current PVMS and FRES alumni questions about PVMS and what to expect next year.  It’s a big transition and we’re all here to support you through it!

Stay warm!

Khaleda Hasan, FRES PTA President

More from the PTA

PTA Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will help recruit a slate of candidates for next year’s PTA Board.  If interested, contact me at president@frespta.org by Tuesday, March 3.  Please note that you cannot serve on the Nominating Committee if you’d like to be considered as a candidate for serving on the PTA Board.

After School Enrichment
Registration is open for spring Chess Club. Fridays, 3/27 to 5/29, 3:50 to 4:50 PM. Club does not meet on 4/3, 4/10, and 5/15. Grades K – 5.  We are looking for a parent/guardian volunteer for this class.

Registration is also open for spring Spanish session. Tuesdays/8-week session: March 24, 31, April 14, 21, May 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2020. No classes: 4/7 and 4/28.  Grades K-4.  A parent volunteer is also needed for this class.

Pongos Learning Lab will be offering two new classes for the spring.  Registration will be opening soon for:

Introduction to Animation – on Mondays, March 30-May 18 (No class April 6 or 13)

Robotics – on Tuesdays, March 31-May 19 (No class April 7 or 28)

A parent volunteer is needed in both of these classes. 

Please contact Korin Sharp at iamkorin@gmail.com or Monaca Noble at kojothecat@gmail.com with any questions on these classes.

Movie Night
Get your singing voices ready, the next movie night will be featuring Frozen 2 on Friday, March 13 from 7-9pm and admission is free!!  Concessions (popcorn, drinks, nachos, hot dogs, and candy) will be available for purchase.  Children must be accompanied by adults!

Skate Night
Roll on by for our next Skate Night next March 20 from 7-10pm at Laurel Roller Skating Center on Rt. 1 and Brewers Court.  Skate from 7 – 10pm for $9, which includes skate rental.  Say you’re with FRES to get the special price.  All participants who use the FRES special price must sign a waiver at the door.

Box Tops Spring Incentive Contest – Deadline is April 30
Students will earn a small incentive prize for any Box Tops turned in by April 30. For every 5 Box Tops submitted, your child's name will be placed in a drawing for a prize (to be announced), one winner per grade. You can send Box Tops in a baggie or envelope with your name, grade, and teacher’s name on it. We’re including all Box Tops submitted or scanned since November for this contest. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents and they add up fast for FRES. Visit btfe.com to learn more about Box Tops. Download and use the Box Tops app and have it count toward our FRES contests too! Buy Box Tops products and scan your store receipt within 14 days. To let us know about your digital earnings, you can "Give Credit" within the app upon scanning (please include name, teacher, and grade when prompted). Or you can take a screen shot or forward the email(s) showing earnings to BoxTops@frespta.org. Please email us with any questions. Thank you for your support!

Mark Your Calendars for the PTA Variety Show on Friday, March 27!
Auditions are Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 immediately after school. New this year, 4th and 5th graders can audition as emcees and for speaking roles in the live show.  Find out more details about the show on our website.

Community News...

Need a Tutor?
Howard County Libraries offers free tutoring in math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing from teachers using Brainfuse Online Homework Assistance for students from kindergarten through college. English- and Spanish-speaking tutors are available seven days a week from 2:00 pm until 11:55 pm. http://hclibrary.org/research/homework-help-and-practice-tests/

Community News and Programs
Please visit the Community News and Programs webpage for all announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations. Organizations requesting distribution to Public Information at 410-313-6682 or publicinfo@hcpss.org.
 

Basketball Skills Academy
Nick Durant, a staff member at Patuxent Valley Middle School, is running a basketball skills academy which starts on March 21 at PVMS.  Please contact Mr. Durant for information.  His contact information is on this flyer.