October 20, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Thu, 10/19/2023 - 9:55am
  • 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.
  • Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

Important Dates

October      26    After School Reflections Arts Student Help Session.  Permission form here.
October      28    PTA Fall Fest
October      31    End of 1st marking period - schools close 3 hours early
November    2    PTA Meeting 7pm
November    2    Picture re-take day.  View the flyer
November    8    4:00 Report cards visible to parents at hcpss.org/connect

November  27    Five Guys Fundraiser

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.***

School Spirit Days for 23/24
We are excited to share our school spirit days calendar for the 23/24 school year! We hope this helps families plan ahead. There may be spirit days that pop up here and there based on activities that are going on in the building, but this calendar is what we will be following. You may want to print it out, put the dates on your personal calendar, hang it on the fridge - whatever works for you to remember these fun days!

From our Administrators...

Forest Ridge Family and Friends,

It was another great week at Forest Ridge ES! We have really enjoyed having the many Watch D.O.G.S. volunteers in our building. The students truly love seeing all the male role models in their classrooms and at lunch/recess.

We are getting close to the end of the first quarter of school (October 31st) and teachers will be working on report cards. Please remember that you can see your child’s grades in Canvas at any time. If you have any questions or concerns about how your child is doing, please reach out to your child’s teacher. Related arts teachers are taking grades and should be posting them in Canvas, but they only put grades on the report card at the end of quarter 2 and quarter 4. You can always email or call them to discuss your child's progress.

As always, we are here to serve the FRES community. If you need to speak with either of us, feel free to send an email or make a phone call.

~ Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Picture Re-take Day is November 2, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Picture Retake Day is for:

  • Students new to FRES since September 7
  • Students absent on September 7
  • 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.

CAPA Tech Girls
The CAPA Tech Girls program began on 10/17, but registration is still open!  TechGirls is an after-school enrichment program dedicated to promoting gender and social equity in STEM. The program will cultivate young girls’ interests and confidence in STEM. It offers 10 free STEM workshops for 4th and 5th-grade girls throughout the school year.  View the flyer.  The program meets on Tuesdays in the FRES media center.  Digital registration link for Fall 2023 is here.

Good News Club
Your child is invited to the Good News Club, a FREE, exciting, fun-filled, weekly after-school club that meets in schools across America. Good News Clubs emphasize respect for authority, moral values and character development based on Biblical principles.  Link for more information about the organization: https://www.cefonline.com/ministries/goodnewsclub/

Time: Every Tuesday from 4:00-5:30pm, Room: 102B, Mrs. Owens' Art Room (next to the Music Room) at FRES
Contact: Savannah Elkins 410-979-1062 or sgdoehne@hotmail.com

Please use this link or the attached QR code to register your child:  https://forms.gle/2s6q67FBogRMCCCa6

From Our School Counselors
Dear Families of FRES ~

Are you able to support a family for the upcoming holidays (meals, gifts etc)? Please consider spreading the love to those who need it most.

Donate a monetary gift to help a family:

  • Gift cards (Weis, Walmart, VIsa) in $10 increments to the front office staff
  • Any amount in cash to our front office staff
  • Any amount to our donation collection using Ms. Norris' Venmo (@MsAlyssaNorris) or use the QR code found here.

Fund our community support group, Feathers for Families! Here are ways you can help ALL YEAR ‘ROUND:

  • Be on the lookout for alerts when we need non perishable food (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Be on the lookout for requests for certain sizes of clothing/shoes (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)
  • Donate small toy/game/fun items for kids (boxed and labeled “Feathers for Families”)

Questions? Ask alyssa_norris@hcpss.org or the front office!

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

Sign Up to Attend the After School Reflections Arts Help Session!
The Reflections Arts Competition is available at FRES this year! This national program offers students the opportunity to earn recognition for original artwork they create in response to a theme. This year’s entries interpret the theme: I am Hopeful Because... Students can choose from six categories: dance, film, literature, musical composition, photography or visual arts.  The registration form can be found here https://frespta.org/resources/fres-reflections-program/  Additionally, FRES students are invited to a free, after-school help session on Thursday, October 26th; parent permission form MUST be completed to attend: https://forms.gle/CfBcz4xiEYLcqDFb6  All final artwork is due to Reflections@frespta.org by Monday, November 27th but please register ASAP to get more details!

Fall Fest – Saturday, October 28th
Fall Fest is 10 days away and we need your help to make this a successful event.  Please sign up for a volunteer spot or donate a pie/dessert.

Volunteer sign up: https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?signup=umjFZ498SK6mdsOLeXjJy3N___52Nq_8L3___nTUsBpB

Pie or Dessert Donation: https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=umjFZ498SK6mdsOLeXjJy3N___52Nq_8L3___nT_fJjn

Purchase Tickets: https://frespta.ptboard.com/formvw?store=4292&form=3

Donate candy/allergy friendly toys or candy: Have your child feed the candy monsters.  We have 2 this year and they will be out in the car loop next week! Check out the flyer!

Donate or Loan - Items Needed
During our annual Fall Festival there will be a spooky hallway throughout the halls of Forest Ridge. We are in need of supplies and decorations.  If you can donate or loan any of the following items please email Barbara at ssgumes@gmail.com

  • Black or dark colored sheets, curtains, and fabric
  • Decor for any of the following themes:  Frankenstein, Graveyard, Witches, and Spiders
  • White, orange or purple string lights
  • Black lights
  • Decorative lanterns with or without lights
  • Black tables clothes - plastic or cloth
  • For the Touch & Feel Mystery Boxes we need:  Grapes, olives, spaghetti, cauliflower, raisins, cotton balls, gauze or cotton bandages, nuts & bolts, large tomatoes, cocktail sausages. 

PTA Monthly Meeting - November 2 at 7pm
Save the date for this monthly meeting in the media center.

Five Guys Restaurant Night – November 27th
Additional information to follow!

In the Community...

Moderate Income Housing Program
The moderate income housing unit (MIHU) homeownership program is currently open for enrollment until 10/31/23.  Information, eligibility, and applications for homeownership possibility can be found online here:  https://www.howardcountymd.gov/DHCD-MIHU-Open-Enrollment

October Resource Navigator Newsletter
Take a moment to read this great newsletter. It has a number of resources in it, including one for coats/winter wear and some food resources for families.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12kuSBviyvS2bHunZahTlhupshwVhP_EDPUEeQ9gQalY/edit

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
Free Parenting Classes - As educators, we are well aware of the ever-increasing pressures placed on students. The academic demands, social challenges, and rapidly changing world can be overwhelming. Our Guiding Good Choices parenting classes can equip parents and/or grandparents with the knowledge and skills to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs and alcohol or engage in other dangerous behaviors. These classes are for families with children 9 - 14 yrs. old and held over Zoom.  View the flyer.

Medication and Sharps Disposal Take Back Day - October 28 in the Wilde Lake Village Center Parking Lot from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Safely dispose of prescription medication, over-the-counter meds, sharps, vitamins, pet meds, vape devices, inhalers, and more!  Also, 100 medication lockboxes purchased by HCPSS will be given away for FREE!  View the flyer.

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.