October 14, 2022 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Mon, 10/03/2022 - 11:06am
  • 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
October 15             Fall Festival at 5:30 pm.  View the flyer.
October 18             Five Guys in Laurel Restaurant Night Fundraiser from 5 - 9 pm.  View the flyer.
October 20             2nd Grade Field Trip
October 21             Professional Work Day - No School for Students
October 22             10:00-12:00 Clothing Giveaway at North Laurel Community Center.  View flyer in English.  View flyer in Spanish
October 24             Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School for Students
October 28             3rd Grade Field Trip
November 2           End of First Marking Period - Schools Dismiss 3 Hours Early (12:45 for FRES)

November 4           4th Grade Field Trip
November 4           7:00 Movie Night
November 9           Picture Re-Take Day (see below)
November 14         Chipotle Restaurant Night
November 15         7:00 PTA Meeting

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

***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.***

From our Administrators...

Hello FRES Community,
We were so impressed with the turnout at our Watch D.O.G.S. event this past Wednesday!  We had many dads and other male role models sign up for a day of helping at FRES.  It's so good to see them get involved! 

Tomorrow is the PTA's Fall Festival, 5:30-7:30.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful.  We hope to see you there!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Parents, We Need Your Help!

  • Please help your children remember to have all the items they will need for their school day when they arrive in the morning.
  • No one should be dropping their student off in the inner car loop lane.  That lane is for parents who have already dropped off their children in the outer loop and want to go around the other cars.  It is very dangerous to drop off children in the inner loop.
  • School starts at 9:15.  Students should be in their seats, ready to learn at 9:15 when the bell rings.  We are experiencing large numbers of students being dropped off at or after 9:15.  Please help your child start their school day in a positive way by dropping them off by 9:08 to give them time to get to their class, put their belongings away, and be in their seat by 9:15. 

Picture Retake Day is November 9
Picture Retake Day is for:

  • Students new to FRES since September 8
  • Students absent on September 8
  • Students whose parents did not like the original photo and want it re-taken.  Note:  You must return the entire original pack of pictures in order to get a photo retaken.

Please email christin_traini@hcpss.org for a picture money envelope/order form.

Parent Reminders:

  • Family File must be completed each year so that we have updated information in case of emergency.  Before your child can attend a field trip, you must complete the Family File.  Log in here
  • Before anyone comes to volunteer or chaperone a field trip, they must complete the two trainings here, and return the training certificates to the office.  Note:  The trainings are Confidentiality and Child Abuse Reporting.  The link takes you to the Confidentiality page, and at the top of the page is a link to the Child Abuse Training.

School Meals
Families are reminded that the federal government has NOT extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price

Student Breakfast - $2.00
Student Lunch - $2.80

FARMS Online Application Link:  https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

Please contact the front office if you have any questions or need assistance with applying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program or help with Family File.

From the PTA...Get More PTA Info at the PTA Website

Fall Festival is TOMORROW!

The FRES PTA Fall Festival will take place on Saturday, October 15th beginning at 5:30 pm! Activities, games, and pumpkin decorating will be outdoors.  There will be a food truck, pie walk, and a “spooky hallway” with a Halloween theme will be available at the breezeway for those that would like to participate. Children are invited to wear their costumes!

Parents we need your help!  Please donate candy and other treats or toys to give out to the kids.  These donations can be given to staff in the car loop or sent in with your child.  For student tickets or to sign up to volunteer, please visit https://frespta.ptboard.com/calendar  We hope you will join the fun!

Mark your Calendar – Five Guys Restaurant Night!
Five Guys in Laurel is hosting a restaurant night on Tuesday, October 18th from 5pm – 9pm.  Make sure to mention FRES so we get credit for 20% of your sale.

Planet Aid Bin – Drop your donations today!
Exciting News!  We now have our own Planet Aid recycling bin at FRES.  It's a big yellow bin at the corner of Gorman Road and Jeanne Ct.  FRES will receive $0.05 per pound donated.

Planet Aid accepts the following clean items in our yellow bin:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Bedding, towels, and curtains
  • Sleeping bags
  • Socks, underwear and bras

Even items with minor tears, stains, or imperfections may be donated.

The only textiles we cannot accept are those that are tattered beyond repair, dirty, wet, or moldy. We do not accept yarn, thread-bare items, spools of thread or similar cast-offs.  We also do not accept toys, stuffed animals, furniture or electronics in our collection bin. 

Please make sure all items are in a garbage bag and tied before dropping it in the bin.  Items left outside of the bin do not count, please make sure to place all items inside the bin.  We appreciate your support to help us continue to help fund assemblies, field trips, and community events.

Volunteer Opportunities!
Do you enjoy helping out and volunteering when you can but can’t make a regular, on-going, big commitment? We have opportunities for you! First, join the FRES PTA; visit https://frespta.ptboard.com  to create a PTA account then select your membership (individual or family for two adults) from the “Forms & Payments” section. Then check out the listings already under “Volunteer Signups”! https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw  As a member, you’ll receive an email alert each time a new opportunity is posted.

The PTA Committee for Fine Arts Support is looking for additional members! The Fine Arts Support Committee will be implementing the "Reflections National Arts Competition Program" for FRES students this semester and bringing a drama performance opportunity to FRES during the second semester. If you are interested in volunteering or providing support for FRES Fine Arts programs, please email Amy Hamilton at vp1@frespta.org. This video provides an excellent overview of the Reflections Program: https://www.youtube.com/embed/F30WEbPSYIs

In the Community...

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.

SAVE THE DATE AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Howard Lions' Pride Second Annual Craft Fair:  Sunday, November 6th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Howard High School. Our 100+ vendors will be selling crafts, books, candles, kitchen goods, jewelry, home decor, clothing, accessories, and much more! General Info link: https://tinyurl.com/3tzxuhme.

We are still accepting craft and food truck vendors, so please spread the word and this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdfuta49.

HC Drug Free Events
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/

8th – 12th Grade Students: HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council is open to all Howard County students in grades 8 through 12. This is a great opportunity to help prepare younger students for success in high school while allowing older students to develop their leadership and mentoring skills. The registration form is available at https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/ . Community service hours available. Email your registration to admin@hcdrugfree.org or mail a hard copy the office. To register for the upcoming meetins on Monday, October 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. click on the TAC Registration links next to each date https://hcdrugfree.org/teen-advisory-council/

Medication and Sharps Collection: Clean out your unwanted and expired medicines and sharps!  The next convenient drive-thru collection will be held on Saturday, October 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the Swim Center). Community service hours available. HC DrugFree and the Howard County Police invite families, student/adult groups, scout troops, religious organizations, and sports teams, etc. to volunteer to join us. Medically-trained adult volunteers are needed (nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, chiropractors, etc.) to help safely handle the medication and sharps collected. For more information and to volunteer,  visit https://hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/ , contact   Admin@hcdrugfree.org  or leave a message at 443-325-0040.

Stay Informed about What’s Happening in Howard County: Sign up for HC DrugFree’s newsletter at https://hcdrugfree.org/enews-signup/ to get updates on events as well as information to keep your family safe and informed.