February 19, 2021 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 02/18/2021 - 9:12am

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Important Dates

February 25           3-hour early dismissal (recently added)
February 26           3-hour early dismissal (recently added)
March 13
               Community Clean-up Day
April 27, 28, 29      Picture Days (Save the dates!  More info to come)

From Our Administrators...

Dear FRES Community,

We hope everyone had a great week and managed to dig out after the big ice event over the last couple of days.  Our staff is eager to get back in the building and most staff will be returning to begin setting up their rooms on Wednesday 2/24.  We have also been getting the building ready for students to return beginning March 1, with our Group E students, and then on March 15, with our PreK-2 students, followed by on March 29 our students in grades 3-5.  The county is still finalizing the schedules and we will send them out as soon as possible. 

We know that many of you still have questions about what school will look like.  Please visit hcpss.org, or the links below, where you will be able to find answers to a number of questions. 

https://www.hcpss.org/2020-2021/elementary/ 

https://help.hcpss.org/

This week, we had a walk-through with members of Central Office, including Dr. Martirano. They were able to assess areas of our school and make sure that we are ready to welcome everyone back safely.  We are pleased to share that we are ready to host our children and staff in a safe and socially distanced environment. 

As we head back to the building, I ask that you think about our staff. They are working so hard to make adjustments, get vaccinated, and be there for you and your children. If you could, take a moment to send a thank you to them, or send it to me!  Just hearing your words, and that you are thinking about them makes all the difference! 

We hope everyone has a great weekend,
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

New Chromebook Care Webpage
Please be aware of a new webpage for students, Chromebook Care, which includes tips on caring for and transporting Chromebooks, as well as student mobile technology duties and obligations and additional resources.

The Council of Elders of and Black Student Achievement Program Parent Workshops
Mark your calendars now for these very informative parent workshops brought to you by the Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County and the HCPSS Black Student Achievement Program:

  • TCOE Workshops - Please click here for detailed flyers:

    • February 20 9-10:30 a.m. - Family Financial Education Series

    • March 13 9-10:30 a.m. – TCOE Community Academy– Suicide Prevention & Substance Abuse

    • March 20 9-10:30 a.m. -Family Financial Education Series 

  • BSAP Workshops:

    • February 17 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Virtually Expanding Your Horizons – HBCU Experience with Yard Talk 101 (Please see flyer)

    • March 6 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Re-Entry to School (more details to follow)

    • March 20 6:30-8:00 p.m. - BCAP CCON Webinar – Virtually Expanding Your Horizons – Jumpstart (more details to follow)

Forest Ridge News...

News From Mrs. Schuck
Don't forget to check out Mrs. Schuck's Guidance Page Here!

Virtual Lunch Bunches
Unfortunately, due to the staff's return to the building next week, we needed to make Thursday, 2/18 our last day for Virtual Lunch Bunches.  We hope you enjoyed them as much as we did.  Thanks to all who participated!

Picture Day Will Look a Little Different This Year
The pandemic can't stop us from having Picture Day!  Students who attend on "A" day will have their photographs taken on April 27; students receiving virtual-only instruction will be photographed on April 28; and those students attending on "B" Days will have their pictures taken on April 29.  All orders will be placed online and mailed to parents.  Details will be shared as the dates get closer.

Media Matters and Tech Tidbits
CODING CLASSES: Attention all 2nd through 5th grade students. Take a break from virtual learning and make the most of your time with HowGirlsCode’s Virtual Classes taught by certified teachers and experts. These courses for boys and girls consist of eight one-hour sessions presenting a variety of coding and robotics experiences and opportunities. Learn more by visiting : http://www.howgirlscode.com/

From our GT Teachers and the Green Team
Virtual learning can't stop us from Going Green! Members of the FRES Green Team have created a reminder sign that you can use at home. We all know how important it is to be frequently washing our hands. Well, we can also use best practices to save energy while washing our hands. This reminder sign will help you to remember to save energy while practicing good hand washing. Included with this at home reminder sign is a challenge from our Green Team. Can you create an at home reminder sign of your own? Send you creative, colorful energy saving reminder signs to susan_hogan@hcpss.org or kimberly_clawson@hcpss.org. The winner will be posted in March. Check out the reminder signs and challenge HERE! 

Have fun and Go Green!!

  1. Check out this flyer about pediatric eye exams with one year of follow-up for uninsured or under-insured children.
  2. If your child is returning to the school building this spring and requires medication to be given during school hours, please have your child's doctor complete the appropriate medication administration form(s) attached.  Medications must be brought to the health room by a parent in the original container with a prescription label with your child's name and correct medication information.  Parents must also sign the doctor order form. If you have already emailed Mrs. Morris (margaret_morris@hcpss.org) your child's medication forms, only medication needs to be brought to the health room.
Thank you,
Mrs. Morris and Ms. Nowell

Is your Family File up to date?
In preparation for the return of students on March 1, please make sure your emergency information is up to date in the Family File.  Follow these instructions:

1.  Visit www.hcpss.org/connect
2.  Log in to your account. (User name = your email address)
3.  You will see a list of options on the left side of the screen.  At the bottom of the list, choose "More Options" and then "Family File."
4.  Follow the prompts to update the information. 
5.  You will receive a confirmation upon successful completion of the Family File.

Notes:
* If it is not allowing you to click "Next" on a particular page, there is information missing. 

* If you have more than one child at FRES, please be sure to update information for all of your children.
Thank you for your help!

K-5 2021-22 New Student Registration Open Now and PreK Registration Coming Soon
Registration is online.  Visit www.hcpss.org/enroll for information and to register.  Note:  If your child is currently enrolled at FRES and will continue to attend next year, you do not need to re-register.  Your child will automatically be "rolled over" into the new school year.

Families are encouraged to visit the Grade K Family and Community Resources page for more information about the kindergarten instructional program and ways families can support their children at home.

Pre-K Registration begins the week of March 15, 2021.

The Prekindergarten Family and Community Resources page also contains resources for families and providers for children currently in their prekindergarten year.

Inclement Weather Policy for 2020-21 School Year
Please take a look here to get familiar with this school year's inclement weather procedures.

Interested in a Tutor?
My name is Enny Ayo-Gbenjo and I am a senior at Reservoir High School. I am currently one of the chairpersons of the Goal-Setting Committee in Reservoir's Scholars Leadership Program. We are planning to offer a tutoring opportunity at the start of the second semester (February). This program will be at no cost to students! Students and families who are interested can fill out this Google Form for more information:

If you have any questions, please reach out to e.ayogb1102@gmail.com or denise_thomas@hcpss.org.

NEED FOOD SUPPORT? 
The North Laurel/Savage MutliService Center (9900 Washington Blvd, Laurel) is running a food pantry weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12-4, and every third Saturday of the month from 9-1. Please reach out to Ms. Schuck if you need assistance with transportation or have other needs at this time!
View the flyer in English
View the flyer in Spanish

From the PTA...

Chalk the Walk to Welcome Back Teachers and Staff: Please stop by the front of FRES after 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 to draw a picture or write a message to welcome teachers and staff back. Please remember to wear a mask and keep social distance. Please bring your own chalk if possible. A limited supply will be provided.

Spirit Wear: We are still working to get our special winning design added to a shirt, but we have a new Spirit Wear shop up and running in the meantime. Get some gear to show your FRES pride! Order here and save 20% off $50 now with code LAYER21. Purchases will be shipped directly to homes.

Black History Month: Want to test your knowledge and celebrate inspirational Black role models? Try this Kahoot!

NEW Reflections Arts Awards Opportunity: Reflections artists of color and their allies are invited to share artwork that expresses and affirms their beliefs and identities—as well as the importance of Black lives. Select works will be used to help the National PTA celebrate diversity in the arts.  Submit your student’s art by March 1 at this link. Categories include: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

Variety Show:  The FRES Variety Show is on for this year! Stay tuned for more information and let your students know so they can start preparing if they wish to participate.

Grocery Rewards: Please remember our rewards programs while you are shopping. 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.

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 and is for current FRES families.

Membership: We seem to be holding steady at 78 members. If you have not yet joined, you can do so at www.frespta.org/membership and it's only one $10 payment for the entire year! By joining, there are no obligations and you can participate as much as you wish.

Volunteers Needed: We are looking for volunteers and leaders for several committees. Please check out the list and comment with your name and email address so we can contact you with more information.

Save the Date:

  • Upcoming General PTA Meetings: March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. 
  • PTA Board Meeting: February 22 at 7 p.m.
  • Spirit Nights: March 3 - Kloby’s, May 3 - Sweet Frog

Feedback: Please let us know if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions either by email or via our suggestion box. Suggestions are anonymous, so if you would like a reply, please include your email address. Please email Korin Sharp at president@frespta.org if you have any questions on this week’s update. Thanks and have a great weekend!

In the Community...

New HCPSS Community News and Programs Site: 
In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.”

Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.