November 20, 2020 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 11/20/2020 - 11:51am

To opt-in to receive HCPSS text messges, text "YES" to 67587.
 

November 23        Parent Conferences, schools close 3 hours early

November 24        Parent Conferences, schools close 3 hours early

November 25        Parent Conferences- schools closed for students

November 26-27  Schools and Offices closed for Thanksgiving

December 1          National Family Code Night (see below for more information)

Dear FRES Community,

We can’t believe Thanksgiving is almost here!  Our staff is looking forward to meeting with many families during our conferences next week.  Be on the lookout for a message from Synergy with the Google Meet code on it for your conference.  As a reminder, please do not try to enter the conference early as other families may be finishing up.  Teachers will admit parents into the conference at their assigned time. 

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Don't forget to check out the latest news from Mrs. Schuck, our School Counselor.

Tips for Virtual Conferences on November 23-25 - Parents/guardians must use their student’s login to join a conference:

  1. Go to hcpss.me

  2. Select the Google Meet button

  3. Log in using student credentials

  4. Enter meeting code

Meeting codes were included in confirmation emails for those parents/guardians who selected that option. Google Meet codes also can be found by 

  1. Log in with parent/guardian credentials to HCPSS Connect

  2. Select More Options (Family File, Report Card, etc) from the left navigation

  3. Select Conference Scheduling (View or Schedule ARL/Dig Ed) in the middle

  4. Click on View My Conference Schedule from the left navigation

  5. Copy Google Meet code from applicable conference

Parents/guardians who experience any difficulty logging in to a conference should email their child's teacher.  Parents will be in a virtual "waiting room" until the teacher let's them in.

General information on Google Meet can be found online. Parents/guardians are reminded of privacy guidelines around all Google Meet sessions.

If you need help accessing your teacher’s code for the conference please contact Mrs. Jackson at rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org or Ms. Pazornik at ivye_pazornik@hcpss.org

Do you have a child with an IFSP or IEP?
The HCPSS Family Support and Resource Center (FSRC) offers a weekly email just for you! FSRC communications include helpful workshops, resources and community information specifically geared to supporting your journey. As a parent of a child with an IFSP/IEP, you should already be receiving the email, but if not, let us know so we can include your contact information in our database. You can also email specific questions to FSRC@hcpss.org.

FRES Family Code Night
What do Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs and your FRES student have in common? They are all CODERS! We are inviting each and everyone of our FRES coders and families to participate in National Family Code Night. Whether your coder is just beginning or has been coding for years, each student can participate.  This is a free live-stream family learning event for K-5 schools. Students will pair up with their parent/grown-up or other older partner to complete this fun time of coding together via a live-stream!

Want even more reason to participate? There will be a live prize drawing for a Home Robotics Bundle from Wonder Workshop at each National Family Code Night.  So save the date and get ready for a community learning experience the whole family will love and value, no registration needed.  Join the live stream on Tuesday, December 1st at 7 pm: https://bit.ly/nationalfamilycodenight  Hope to “see” you there!

From the Health Room
Check out this flyer about pediatric eye exams with one year of follow-up for uninsured or under-insured children.

Media Matters and Tech Tidbits

  • Return Media Books- If you still have HCPSS media books (from any school) from LAST YEAR, you may return them at FRES during school hours in the drop-off bin in the main vestibule. 

  • Family Coding Night December 1st at 7 pm - Please see our special announcement above. 

  • If you are in need of assistance with your Chromebook after visiting Student Technology Resources and reviewing the Chromebook self-help information, complete the FRES Community: Tech Support Form for assistance from the FRES Tech Team.  This form is also available on the FRES School Website.

  • Over the holiday break next week, remember to power off your Chromebook and take a much needed break from technology.

School Meals
HCPSS is providing meals at no cost to any HCPSS student, and all children 18 and under, through the entire school year, assuming continued availability of USDA funding.  HCPSS has added a snack and dinner to each weekday meal, in addition to breakfast and lunch already being served. Additionally, weekend meals will be included with meals provided on Fridays, and in pre-ordered meals picked up on Thursdays.
 
HCPSS also has adjusted the pre-order process. Meals for multiple days need to be pre-ordered at least two days in advance for pickup on Mondays and Thursdays. Pre-order meal pickups will be offered only on those two days, to enable Food and Nutrition Services to improve service and efficiency while balancing staffing and food resources.
 

From the PTA...

We made it through the first quarter! I can't believe it is already time for parent teacher conferences and Thanksgiving. While the holiday will look different for many of us this year, we can still practice thankfulness and showing gratitude. I have been doing a #30daysofthanks challenge online and it has been helpful in keeping things in perspective. I've also found many free games and activities for the kids including a printable if you want to make a gratitude jar, a thankful tree, or a coloring sheet. I'm grateful that Zoom is waiving their 40 minute limit on Thanksgiving so families can still get together virtually.  Finally, I'm especially thankful for the great teachers, staff, administrators, and families we have at FRES.
 
Don't forget our Fall Fundraiser with See's Candies! Here is information to share or visit tiny.cc/frescandy  Prices are the same as retail and there is flat rate shipping available or free shipping on orders $70+. Ordering is open through Dec. 4. Products will be shipped directly to recipients. FRES PTA will receive approximately 20% of sales. See's Candy is high quality, delicious, and makes a great gift.

Reflections Arts Competition: The Reflections Arts Competition is now open through Dec. 4! Students in PreK-12 can submit a work of art in categories such as visual art, music, and more, under the theme "I Matter Because." Prizes will be awarded. Here is more information. You can also visit www.pta.org/reflections. Please email treasurer@frespta.org with any questions or if your child needs help accessing supplies to create their art project. Our friends at Clemens Crossing PTA made a really nice video explaining the program.

Grocery Rewards: As grocery and holiday shopping ramp up, please remember our rewards programs. We are participating in Weis, Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal), BoxTops, and Coke Rewards. Please visit https://frespta.org/ways-to-support/grocery-storeshopping-programs/ for more information on these programs that provide financial support to FRES based on purchases you already make.

To Participate in the Weis program, follow these steps:

IT’S EASY!

1.    REGISTER  *Your school’s barcode only needs to be scanned one time to register. 

2.    SCAN your Weis Club Card each time you shop on participating products.

3.    EARN cash for your school based upon your qualifying purchases.

Wellness Kits: If your child hasn't received one yet, it is still possible to arrange a time to pick one up at the school during free breakfast or lunch pick up. Please send an email to Ms. Schuck to coordinate a time.

Upcoming PTA Meetings: (Via Zoom) December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14

Volunteer Opportunity Spotlight: 

1. Do you like to write? We are looking for volunteers to help with short grant applications for National PTA. The application deadline has been extended to November 24.

2. Do you like planning events? The Wellness Committee could use help with a virtual bingo night.

3. Do you like facilitating discussions? We are also looking for volunteers to help set up social Google Meets, like lunch bunches, a game, trivia, or discussion, to help students get to know their classmates outside of class time. We can help provide the ideas!

If you wish to volunteer for any of these opportunities, please email president@frespta.org for more information.

Communication: There are several ways to receive communications including www.frespta.org, the FRES PTA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA/, and Twitter @frespta. There is also a group that was formed for discussion and support https://www.facebook.com/groups/2135313649893726/ and is for current FRES families.

Community: If you are looking for a free and fun family outdoor activity, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/hocopirates for details on the new community treasure hunt "The Code of Kittamaqundi" that runs until November 29.

Feedback: Please let us know if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions. 

Have a wonderful weekend and a safe Thanksgiving!

Korin Sharp

In the Community...

Community News and Programs
Be sure to check out the Howard County Community News and Programs page here!

Reservoir High School Young Activists Toy Drive
This group of young people at RHS is dedicated to doing good works in the community.  Check out the flyer here.