March 11, 2022 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Wed, 03/02/2022 - 10:15am
  • To opt-in to HCPSS Text messages, text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.
  • 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
March 13 (Sun.)  Daylight saving time starts, "Spring Forward" one hour! 
March 15              6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Chick-fil-A Day (proceeds benefit FRES positive behavior program.)  View the flyer here.
March 18              Class & Optional Individual Picture Day.  View the flyer here.
March 23              PTA Restaurant Night at Sushi Nari.  View the flyer here
March 29              FRES Music Concert @ Hammond High School (see more information below)
April 1                   Dental Clinic Permission Slips Due (No late permission slips will be accepted.)

April 19                 Pre-K registration begins (children must be 4 by 9/1/22; families must qualify)

View the HCPSS Calendar in English
View the HCPSS Calendar in Spanish
View the HCPSS Calendar in Korean
View the HCPSS Calendar in Chinese

From Our Principal, Mr. Conroy...

Dear FRES Community,,

As we continue into the second semester, we will be making a shift in how and where HCPSS-issued Chromebooks will be stored.  Beginning on Monday, 3/14/2022, all students in grades 2-5 are required to return their HCPSS-issued Chromebooks and charging cords to school. All students will be keeping their Chromebooks at school. This shift will help reduce the wear and tear of the transport of devices and allow for consistent use in instruction during the school day.  Students will still be using the Chromebook assigned to them throughout the day. If a student has a specific need for the device to go home each day, special permissions may be granted. Students are expected to abide by the HCPSS Code of Conduct and Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology. Please continue to talk with your child about the appropriate use of technology in and out of the classroom.

Sincerely,

Scott Conroy, Principal

Student News...

Congratulations to Owen K. and Lia K. for their performance at this past weekend's Howard County Honors Orchestra concert.  Great job!

Forest Ridge News...

***Want to receive HCPSS text messages regarding weather-related closing info, late bus info, etc.?  You must opt-in.  Text "YES" to 67587 from the device on which you would like to receive messages.***

Important - Students are being dropped off too early...students should not be dropped off before 8:55 a.m.  Also, if students arrive after the bell rings at 9:15, parents need to sign them in.  Thanks for your help!

FRES Chick-fil-A Spirit Day is March 15 at the Johns Hopkins Road Location
To help fund our Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program, Forest Ridge ES is holding a Chick-fil-A Spirit Day all day (6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.) at the Johns Hopkins Road location on Tuesday, March 15!  You must use Drive-Thru, Mobile Curbside and Mobile Drive-Thru only.  Please let them know you're with FRES when you order.  The proceeds will go toward student incentives and activities that promote positive behavior at FRES.  We hope to see you there!  View the flyer here.

Class Picture and Optional Individual Picture Day - March 18
Class pictures and optional individual pictures will be taken on March 18.  View the flyer here.  The flyer should have come home with students today, March 11.  We will send home order envelopes on Thursday, March 17.  Classes will be photographed and parents can opt to have their child's individual picture taken as well. Please be looking for both!  Note: If you want the optional individual picture, your child must give the photographer the order envelope on picture day.  Since not all students will have individual photos taken, no late orders can be accepted for the individuals.  Class picture orders will be accepted through Monday, March 21.

FRES Dental Clinic Information
FRES will be hosting the Smiles Dental program at our school on Thursday, May26th and Friday, May 27th 2​022, and permission slips were sent home with students today.  You can also view the permission slip here, print and complete it, and return it to school.   We are asking that parents review the form and if interested, complete the permission slip in its entirety and return to school or sign up online at www.MySchoolDentist.com  no later than Friday, April 1st  2022.  Please know that late signups will not be accepted after April 1st

FRES organizará el programa Sonrisas Dentales en nuestra escuela el jueves, 26 de mayo y el viernes, 27 de mayo de 2022, y las boletas de permiso se enviaron a casa con los estudiantes hoy.  También puede ver la hoja de permiso aquí, imprimirla y completarla, y devolverla a la escuela.  El formulario está en inglés y español.  Pedimos que los padres revisen el formulario y, si están interesados, completen la hoja de permiso en su totalidad y la regresen a la escuela o se registren en línea en www.MySchoolDentist.com a más tardar el viernes 1 de abril de 2022.  Tenga en cuenta que las inscripciones entregadas tarde no se aceptarán después del 1 de abril.  

Kindergarten Registration for 2022-2023 School Year is Open and On-Going
If you live in the FRES district and have a child who is or will be 5 by September 1, 2022, please register your child for kindergarten. Our staffing for next year depends on our number of expected kindergarten students.  Check out this link for more information.

From the PE Teachers - Kids Heart Challenge
Our Forest Ridge family is fundraising for the American Heart Association in order to help kids with sick hearts!  Our students can win lots of cool prizes along the way and will get to celebrate our donations in PE class at the end of March.  The last day to donate is March 25th, so click this link to get your student registered and let's make a difference!

From the Music Department - FRES Music Concert
Tuesday March 29th @ Hammond High School
Orchestra @ 6pm (musicians arrive at 5:30pm)
Chorus @ 6:45pm (musicians arrive at 6:30pm)
Band @ 7:30pm (musicians arrive at 7:15pm)

Watch D.O.G.S Sign-Up

CALLING ALL MALE ROLE MODELS! Come volunteer at school...JOIN WATCH D.O.G.S.!!!

You may read before hand and bring the signed certificate, or do it when you arrive!

SIGN UP HERE

Learning Together Program
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) Pre-Kindergarten programs are preparing for classes for the upcoming 2021-22 school year.  These classes include children with and without disabilities.  The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills.   Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st or are already 4 may learn more about the program by reviewing the Learning Together Program (LTP) Flyer (English).  Applications are now being accepted and priority will be given to applications received by April 1st.  

If you need assistance to complete the application, please contact Early Intervention Services at earlyinterventionservcies@hcpss.org or at 410-313-7017.

HCPSS is committed to providing instruction based on the statewide Early Learning Standards which are in alignment with Kindergarten Readiness. The fees listed in the application will be collected monthly regardless of the learning model determined by HCPSS throughout the upcoming school year (virtual, hybrid, or in person).   If you have any additional questions, please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_wallls@hcpss.org or 410-880-5950.

HCPSS Summer Programs
2022 Summer Programs Preview: The 2022 Summer Programs Preview, which contains descriptions of HCPSS’ four summer programs and enrollment information, is available to view here.

Gifted and Talented (GT) Summer Institutes for Talent Development
The Gifted and Talented (GT) Summer Institutes for Talent Development offers additional advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year for students entering grades 1-8. Rigorous instruction focusing on talent development is offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology and fine arts.  No testing nor prior GT coursework is required for enrollment in these enrichment offerings.  Students may attend for Session 1, Session 2, or both sessions. While the program is half-day, before and after care is available on site via Howard County Recreation and Parks.

For more information, please visit the HCPSS Summer Programs page.

G/T Course Listing
G/T Course Matrix
Contact: GTSummer@hcpss.org or 410-313-6671.

From the Health Room

Howard County Health Department: Covid facts & testing locations:  http://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19

In the Community...

LGBTQ+ Climbing Days
All kids and teens are invited to come join us on March 19 for free climbing at Movement Columbia Gym. We look forward to seeing you: Sign up here!
For adults attending (family members or volunteers), say “Unmatched” and you’ll get a discounted day pass.
For more information, check out this link.  View the flyer here.

Kids on Campus Summer Registration Open
Brochures are available on the table in the vestibule at FRES, or visit the website here.

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/