• 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 31              Halloween - We do not celebrate Halloween in school at FRES.  Our PTA held a Halloween event on 10/15.  Please, no costumes.
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 7           1st Grade Field Trip
November 7           Conference Window Opens for Parents to Schedule Conferences (more info to come)
November 8           Election Day - Schools and Offices Closed
November 9           Picture Re-Take Day (see below)
November 14         Chipotle Restaurant Night - View flyer in English.  View flyer in Spanish
November 15         7:00 PTA Meeting
November 21         Schools close 3 hours early (12:45 for FRES) for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 22         Schools close 3 hours early (12:45 for FRES) for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 23         Schools closed for students for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 24-25   Schools and Offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday

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 Families!
Our 2nd and 3rd grade students had a wonderful time on their field trips!  Thank you so much to all of our chaperones. We hope you had as much fun as the students did!

Have an enjoyable weekend, and we'll see you Monday!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

From Ms. Pazornik...

Click here to access the form.

Ivye Pazornik
Assistant Principal

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, or if you have questions.

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

Reminder to Share your Experience!
This year, we are participating in the National PTA School of Excellence Program, which grows partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and well-being of all students.  A foundation of the School of Excellence Program is to gather feedback from families, administrators, and teachers at two points in the school year— now and again in May. Your feedback will help drive priorities and PTA support plans. Please take 5-10 minutes to reflect on your experience at the school and complete the survey. We are hoping to close surveying by Saturday, October 29th so please take a few moments to complete the survey TODAY!  https://forms.gle/8adqma34S4zKunHY8

¡Necesitamos su ayuda! La PTA de Forest Ridge Elementary está participando en un programa nacional para “escuelas de excelencia” (National PTA School of Excellence), lo cual incrementara las colaboraciones entre nuestra PTA y la escuela para enriquecer la experiencia educativa y bienestar general de cada estudiante.  Como parte del proceso, solicitamos la opinión de nuestras familias, los administradores y maestros en dos momentos del año: en octubre, y al final del año escolar, en mayo.  Su retroalimentación nos ayudara en mejorar esta alianza y lograr la excelencia. Por favor tómense entre 5 y 10 minutos para reflexionar sobre su experiencia en la escuela y completar la encuesta antes del sábado, el 29 de octubre. https://forms.gle/skcjoumrpLEqaztb7

Cold Weather Clothes Drive
Some of our FRES families are in need of winter clothes, jackets, hats, and gloves. Please consider donating any cold weather clothes your children may have outgrown. Donations can be given to the front office, dropped off in the car loop, brought to a meeting or event, or given to our Spanish liaison, Ms. Paola.

Movie Night
Save the Date – Friday, Nov. 4th will be our First Movie Night!  Bring the family with blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a movie under the stars in the bus loop.  We will be selling concessions and the movie is still TBD.

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.

In the Community...

From Bread of Life Food Pantry in Savage
Every month the Bread of Life Food Pantry, located at the First Baptist Church of Savage, serves an average of 30 families (112 individuals.)  As we draw closer to the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Season, the Bread of Life Food pantry prepares to fill the shelves and refrigerators of the families that depend on school lunches as well as those that may not qualify for assistance. 

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.

Maryland STEM Festival
The Maryland STEM Festival is a month-long celebration of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that takes place every Fall. This year’s festival theme is Cybersecurity and Information Technology. Join activities from October 14th through November 14th as exciting topics and their associated fields and careers are explored! Students of all grades, along with their families and friends, STEM professionals, teachers, and volunteers can choose from a selection of hundreds of different fun, interactive science learning opportunities taking place throughout Maryland. See event offerings and register here.

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/

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.