October 8, 2021 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 10/08/2021 - 3:16pm
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  • Be sure to click on the "Calendar" link at the top of our website for important dates throughout the school year.
  • View the breakfast and lunch menus here.  Please keep in mind that items on the menus are subject to availability.

Important Dates

October 15 Professional Work Day
October 18 Joe Corbi's Pizza Kit Fundraiser Orders due (See information in PTA News below)

October 22 School Spirit Wacky Tacky Day! 
October 23 PTA Halloween/Fall Celebration.  Details to come. (Rain date: October 30)

Forest Ridge News...

Howard County GT Program Parent Academy, October 13 and 14, 2021
HCPSS families interested in the Gifted and Talented (GT) Program are invited to come learn about the advanced-level offerings available and how their students can become involved. The evening will begin with an overview of GT Education Program offerings followed by a question and answer session with Central Office GT Education Program staff. Elementary and Secondary programs will be covered on separate days. Families may attend one or both nights. Registration is required for these events. View the flyer here.

Elementary Focus: Wednesday, October 13, 7-8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams
Secondary Focus: Thursday, October 14, 7-8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams

For more information and to register, please visit the HCPSS GT Program Parent Academy announcement

Fall MAP Testing
The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment is designed to measure a student’s academic achievement and growth over time in reading and mathematics. Together with other classroom-based information, MAP results can help teachers make instructional decisions that match the needs of each child.

MAP is a computer adaptive assessment. In a computer adaptive assessment, as a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down the difficulty of the questions presented to the student. This creates a personalized assessment for every student.

FRES will administer the MAP assessment to all students in 1st through 5th grades in both Reading and Math starting the week of October 18th.  The HCPSS website contains detailed information about MAP testing here

From the Health Room

Flu Clinic Information
Our clinic is on Monday, October 18th.  We are ENCOURAGING parents and staff to please sign up online if possible. Paper consents should only be completed as a last resort.  Sign-ups can be done on phones, tables, computers, ipads...etc.

It's simple to do:  follow the directions on the attached form, click on the link https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021, search for our school in the search bar (by school name, not by zip code), select our school to sign up and complete registration/consent. Note: If no clinic site comes up, try searching by date (October 18, 2021), and then scrolling down to Forest Ridge. If there are any questions or concerns, parents can contact the Health Room at 410-888-8811.   Sign-ups must be completed BY October 8th, 2021 (DUE TODAY).  See the flyers in English and Spanish.

Virtual Community Academy: Navigating HCPSS
There will be a virtual session co-sponsored by HCPSS and The Council of Elders on Saturday, October 9, from 9:00-10:30a.m. This free session will focus on HCPSS resources that are available to help families support their child’s education. Parents/guardians of students at all levels are invited to attend. Register online to receive a confirmation email with login information. Direct questions to Ron Morris.

From the PTA...

Joe Corbi's Pizza Fundraiser
Information about the PTA's Joe Corbi's Pizza Fundraiser went home last week.  We hope you will take a look and find something you and your family will like.  Everyone loves Joe Corbi’s pizza favorites like French Bread Pizza, CheeZEE Bread and Pepperoni Pizza.…how about those awesome treats like the Soft Pretzels, Churros and Cheesecake!.... Don’t forget that Joe Corbi’s has fantastic cookies that come in delicious flavors like M&M’s, Sugar, Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodle. 

Orders are due Monday, October 18.  Ordering online is really easy too!  See the flyer for details.

Here's the link to news from the FRES PTA.

In the Community...

HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2021

  1. Homecoming kicks off with a Pancake Breakfast in the Hammond HS Cafeteria from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM 
    Tickets will be sold at the door. $8 Adults (Age 13 and up), $4 Kids (7-12), Children age 6 and under are free. 
  2. The Hammond Homecoming Parade will take place at 10:00 am.
    Parade participants will gather at Amherst House in the King's Contrivance Village Center at 9:30 and march through portions of the Dickinson neighborhood ending up in the Hammond HS parking lot at 11:00. 
  3. Cheer on the Hammond High Bears at the football game at 12 noon in the Hammond HS stadium.
    The first 100 spectators will receive a gift from your Hammond High School boosters

Bring your family and friends and join in this annual, autumn tradition!  GO BEARS!

Clothing Giveaway and Cold Weather Gear (coats, hats, scarves, gloves) for All Family Members
Saturday, October 16 1:00-3:00
North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel, MD 20723
View the Clothing Giveaway flyer here.
View the Coat Giveaway flyer here.

Food Giveaway
October 25
Salvation Army
3267 Pine Orchard Lane
Ellicott City, MD 
443-656-3376
View the flyer here in Spanish and English.

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.

Receive HC DrugFree's Free Newsletter: To receive HC DrugFree's free electronic newsletter packed with information for parents and opportunities for students, go to https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/