February 24, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 02/24/2023 - 12:42pm
  • 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 28              FRES Paint Night
February 28              11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Red Hot & Blue Restaurant Day.  View the flyer.
March 6                     Kindergarten Registration for 2023-2024 School Year Opens (Online: www.hcpss.org/enroll)
March 9                     Class Picture Day.  View the announcement.  View the flyer/order envelope.
March 13                   Applications for Income Eligible Pre-K Students will be available. 
March 14                   PTA Meeting 7:00 p.m.
March 15                     Staff Work & Wellness Day.  3-hour early dismissal for students (12:45 for FRES)
March 15                   Read-a-thon Begins
March 16                   FRES School-wide Reading Night
March 28                   Chick-fil-A Spirit Day Fundraiser to benefit the 4th grade field trip
March 29                   Reading Night at Savage Library
March 31                     End of 3rd Quarter.  Schools dismiss 3 hours early (12:45 for FRES)
April 1-10                    Spring Break!
April 11                      Staff and students return

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 Mr. Conroy, our Principal

Subject: New School Start Times for the 2023-2024 School Year

Dear FRES community,
During its Feb. 23 meeting, the Howard County Board of Education adjusted the start times of schools for the 2023-2024 school year. There is no impact to the current school year. All changes will take effect in August.

The exact start time for each school will be determined this spring and shared with the community as transportation routes are finalized. However, Forest Ridge is part of Tier 3, which means our school start time will be approximately 9:15 a.m. next school year. If your child will attend a different school next year, the start times for all schools can be found on the HCPSS website. I want to reiterate the words that HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano shared: “finalizing and fully implementing this plan will be a months-long process.” Much more information will be provided to students, staff and families from HCPSS and our school throughout that process.

I encourage you to read more about the process to evaluate school start times on the HCPSS website. I know you may have questions; however, please note that there are many impacted pieces as a result of this decision and all details will not be available right away. We are working with HCPSS central office staff on the logistics related to the implementation, and additional information will be provided to you as it becomes available.  

Thank you for your continued care and support of our students.

Sincerely,
Scott Conroy, Principal

Forest Ridge News...

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!

Class Picture Day is Thursday, March 9, 2023
Picture Day is coming soon!  Class pictures and optional individual pictures will be taken.  The flyer/order envelope will be coming home with your child the week before picture day.  The flyer/picture envelope may be previewed here. To order spring individual photos, you must return the flyer/order envelope on Picture Day. Online pre-ordering is NOT available for spring photos – the envelope must be returned on Picture Day.

Class group photos will also be taken on Picture Day for all classes. For individual portraits, only students who bring in their envelopes on Picture Day will be photographed.  Note: There is no make-up picture day for spring pictures.  Please look for the flyer/order envelope that will be sent home with your child soon!

Grade 5 The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA)
Grade 5 students will take the MISA Assessment on March 14th & 21st.

The Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) is administered to all students in fifth grade, eighth grade, and high school. The MISA is aligned to the Maryland Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The NGSS integrates three dimensions necessary to understand science. The dimensions are the Science and Engineering Practices, the Crosscutting Concepts, and the Disciplinary Core Ideas. To assess the three dimensions of the NGSS, a set of interrelated items is required. All items on the MISA are part of an item set.

Test Preparation and Practice
The following link provides resources that can help students prepare for the MISA:  Grades 5 and 8 Practice Tests - No username and password required. Click the “Practice Tests” link.

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

Girls on the Run Registration is Open!
Who: Girls in grades 3-5.
When:  Program Runs March 21 - June 1; 5K on June 3
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays after school
4:00-5:15 p.m.
To register:  Visit gotrcentralmd.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)

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

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 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) 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.

PTA Meeting – March 14th – 7:00 p.m.
Join us in the cafeteria for our monthly meeting. We will have a sitter available for this meeting.

Read-a-thon – March 15th
Your child will be bringing packets home soon with additional about the school wide read-a-thon occurring in March.

Family Reading Night – March 16th
Joins us in the FRES Media Center for a family reading night. Additional information will be provided soon.

Savage Library Reading Night – March 29th
Come out to Savage Library and join the FRES community in Reading Night. Additional information will be provided soon.

In the Community...

Media Production Summer Camp at River HS
Attention aspiring filmmakers! Have you always been interested in the movie-making process? Do you dream of being a YouTube vlogger? There’s a week-long summer camp just for you!

Sign up for Video Production camp either in the morning or afternoon (or both) to learn how to improve your filming and editing skills and how to work as part of a video production team. View the flyer here.

When: Weeks of July 10 and July 24 from 9am to 12pm and/or 1pm to 4pm, Monday - Friday
Where: River Hill High School media center
Who: videographers age 9 to 17
How: Go to https://riverhill.membershiptoolkit.com/camp2023 and find the session(s) of your choice
Why: Because it will be a lot of fun!

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.