February 10, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Tue, 02/07/2023 - 10:09am
  • 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.
  • Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

Important Dates
February 16               Blaze Pizza Restaurant Night. View the flyer.
February 20                Presidents Day - Schools and offices closed
February 21               7:00 PTA Meeting
February 24               FRES PTA Culture Fest.  View the flyer.
February 28               FRES Paint Night
February 28              11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Red Hot & Blue Restaurant Day.  View the flyer.
March 9                     Class Picture Day - more info to come
March 16                   FRES School-wide Reading Night

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!
It was good to see so many of you at parent/teacher conferences this week.  This is always a great opportunity to check in with the teacher to monitor your child's progress.  A big "Thank You" to FRES PTA for providing "Grab and Go" dinners for staff who worked late. 

We hope you enjoy your weekend!

Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Parents, We Need Your Help!
We have had reports from concerned folks in the neighborhood that some students are crossing Gorman Road further down toward the library, where there is no crosswalk or crossing guard.  This is a very dangerous practice, as there is a hill and a curve in the road where pedestrians cannot be seen.  One caller even described a near-miss.  Please help us keep your students safe by reminding them to only cross at the crosswalk, with the crossing guard.  Thank you!

Red Hot & Blue Fundraiser to Benefit 4th Grade Field Trip!
Mark your calendars!  4th grade is planning a big field trip this spring to complement the 4th grade curriculum.  To help bring down the price, we are holding a fundraiser at Red Hot & Blue in Laurel.  Here's the information:
Tuesday, Feb. 28 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
677 Main Street, Laurel
301-953-1943
Carryout or dine in; Door Dash or Uber Eats is also an option.
No flyer needed, just mention Forest Ridge when ordering!

WatchDOGS
Hey DADS, BONUS DADS, UNCLES, GRANDPAS and MALE ROLE MODELS! Have you signed up for a day to volunteer?! Want another go?! Be sure to sign up for a day to help at school!!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4ea8ab2caafc1-watch3#/"

From Mrs. Walls, our RECC Team Leader
The Forest Ridge Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) preschool programs are making preparations for classes for the upcoming 2023-24 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, applications will be available and accepted in mid February.

In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for the Future, new applications for students turning 4 by September 1 will not be available or accepted.  The Howard County Public School System continues to offer a prekindergarten program for income eligible children who will be four years old by September 1. For additional information contact the school or visit: https://www.hcpss.org/schools/pre-k-programs/ 

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, in person, or class quarantine).   If you have any additional questions , please contact Tricia Walls at tricia_walls@hcpss.org

From our Social Worker, Holly Flanagan
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR THOSE WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical assistance has been automatically renewed since March, 2020. However, automatic renewals will stop on April 30, 2023 so please call the Health Dept Insurance Line at (410) 313-5845 to renew. They will set up an appointment by phone for you to renew. 

After April 30th, you will have to go in person to the Health Department to renew.  If you have questions, please contact our school social worker, Holly Flanagan, at Holly_Flanagan@hcpss.org or (443) 355-9893.

Weather Guidelines
Remember:  Students go out for recess if the temperature including windchill is 20 degrees or higher.  Also, if your student needs to stay inside during recess, you must provide a doctor's note.  Thanks!

Help for FRES Families in Need
We are starting a community support group at school, called Feathers for Families! Here are ways you can help ALL YEAR ‘ROUND:

  • Donate non-perishable food and toiletries (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate clothing or shoes (bagged or boxed, labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate small toy/game/fun items for kids
  • Donate monetary amounts (listed above)

TCOE Social Studies Academy Series
The TCOE is resuming their Black History Social Studies Academy starting February 11, 2023, at 10 a.m. ET.  You may register for the session here.

This workshop series is designed to teach students about African American history and permit them to explore how history is written. Throughout four workshops, students will learn about aspects of 19th and 20th-century African American history while engaging with primary source materials, analyzing texts, formulating critiques, and imagining history from multiple perspectives. We hope participants will walk away with a transformed view of history and a new zeal to investigate their historical curiosities.

The sessions are geared toward middle and high school students, but we gladly welcome anyone interested in exploring African American history. Each session will be held virtually (although there is an in-person option) on the following dates:

  • Saturday, February 11, 2023
  • Saturday, March 11, 2023
  • Saturday, April 15, 2023
  • Saturday, May 13, 2023

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

Spring Musical – Register Today!
Announcing this year's Spring Musical Drama Opportunity! The PTA has partnered with the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA) to bring High School Musical JR. to FRES students. Classes start February 15th. Please see attached flyer for more details. Register soon as the class will fill quickly! https://cctarts.org/elementary-after-school-program-2/

Blaze Pizza Laurel Restaurant Night – February 16th 5 p.m. – 9p.m.
Come out to Blaze Pizza in the Laurel Town Center for this month’s restaurant fundraiser. FRES PTA will receive 20% back. Enter promo code 1037B for pick up, curbside, and carryout orders. Order at www.blazepizza.com

PTA Meeting – February 21st – 7 p.m.
Join us in the cafeteria to learn more about all the wonderful upcoming events we have planned this spring.

CultureFest – February 24th 6:30pm
Did you know that 28 different languages are spoken by our amazing families at FRES? Just imagine learning so much more about our wonderfully diverse community and experiencing the food, music, and more from so many countries! Would YOU and your student like to share your community with our FRES family? Registration deadline is February 15th. To sign up to participate click here: https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=8Gsir6O-SDSAUlO1BS2rZnN_...

To volunteer during the event, please click here. https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=8Gsir6O-SDSAUlO1BS2rZnN_... Please email Khaleda Hasan at kbhschools@gmail.com to join our committee or to share your ideas!

Family Paint Night – February 28th 6:30pm
Join Ms. Allen from the Art Department and the FRES PTA for a family paint night. Each canvas is $12 and the proceeds from this event will go directly to the Art Department. Each attendee will be painting a snowy penguin scene. To register for this event please click here https://frespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=3253&form=5 Registration deadline is Friday, February 17th.
To help prepare for this event, if anyone has an old newspapers they would like to donate please drop them off at a PTA event or the front office before 2/17.

Red Hot & Blue Laurel – 4th Grade Restaurant Fundraiser – February 28th
Come out and support our local Laurel Red Hot & Blue location with an ALL DAY (11am – 9pm) Restaurant Fundraiser.  Carryout, and dine in orders will qualify for a percentage back to our 4th graders.  This will help fund their upcoming spring field trip. Mention FRES when you place your order.

AmazonSmile
Amazon will be terminating their AmazonSmile Program on February 20th.  It is NOW even more important to register for grocery rewards. 

Weis Rewards:
https://weis4school.com/index.php?vica=ctl_schools&vicb=showSchoolPdf&vicc=h&id=86331

Harris Teeter:
https://tie.harristeeter.com/together-in-education#/app/cms

Other ways to help, you can donate to My Coke Rewards – If you send in your bottle caps and codes to school we will even enter them in for you.  Don’t forget your Box Tops, those can be submitted via your receipt and their app.

These rewards help the PTA organize family events, and other activities throughout the school year.  Thank you for your support.

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.

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/

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.