October 27, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 10/27/2023 - 1:08pm
  • 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      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   18   Joe Corbi’s Pick up
November   20   Staff Dinner

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,

We are so excited about the Annual PTA Fall Festival that will be held here tomorrow 4 - 7pm! We hope to see everyone there. It should be a lot of fun.

MAP (Measurements of Academic Progress) scores are now available online. Students in grades 1 - 5 took this assessment in both reading and math. Use the link below to access directions on how to view your student's scores.  https://help.hcpss.org/grades-testing/fall-2020-MAP-scores

The weather these days is all over the place, but this weekend looks to be a great one. We hope everyone finds time to get outside and enjoy the fall colors!

~ 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.

MAP Scores
MAP Scores are available for all students in grades 1 - 5.  Click here for directions.  

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 Howard County Recreation & Parks
As we wrap up the September/October session of Before & After School classes, we wanted to make sure families at Forest Ridge ES are aware of the November/December Before & After school class options. These classes provide fun, structured, educational, and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!
Forest Ridge ES Class Registration Link
Forest Ridge ES Class Flier
Howard County Recreation & Parks Programs

November/December Classes at Forest Ridge ES:

  • Learn Now Music After School - Groovy Guitar
  • Learn Now Music After School - Poppin' Piano
  • Intro to Chess Before School with Magnus Chess Academy

*Some classes have met minimum enrollment; other classes are shy of the minimum number of students needed to run the class.

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

Fall Fest – Saturday, October 28th
Fall Fest is tomorrow!!  Come out for some fall fun!  We will have pumpkins, games, a spooky hallway and the following food trucks: Kona Ice, Tikkas & Tacos and Antojitos Express for purchase.  Event is 4pm-7pm in the car loop.

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

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

Joe Corbi’s Order pick up – November 18th
Additional information to follow, but save the date to pick up your orders.

Staff Dinner – November 20th
PTA generously feeds the staff on the 1st day of parent/teacher conferences.  Please be on the lookout for a sign up to help with donations for this dinner.

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

From the Maryland Family Network
Maryland Family Network is providing a Screening of the documentary ‘Black Boys’ on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 5pm-8pm, at Montgomery Park, Baltimore, MD.

‘BLACK BOYS illuminates the spectrum of black male humanity in America. An intimate, inter-generational exploration, BLACK BOYS strives for insight to black identity and opportunity at the nexus of sports, education, and criminal justice. Come join the film’s director and producers for a live panel discussion that takes a deeper dive in how the film impacts our community.’
There will be snacks (free), there will be drinks, and most importantly there will be open discussion on the documentary itself!!!
Please share this email and information with your colleagues, friends, and community as this is a free event open to the public with limited seating! Registration will be open until Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 11:59pm.

Where: The Montgomery Park Building-Auditorium
1800 Washington Blvd Baltimore MD 21230
When: Wednesday, November 8, 2023

  • 5:00 PM  Live Screening begins
  • 7:00 PM Panel Discussion begins
  • Register here.

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.