November 3, 2023 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 11/03/2023 - 12:40pm
  • 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

November    6     8:00 a.m. Scheduling opens for parent/teacher conferences (see below)
November    8    4:00 Report cards visible to parents at hcpss.org/connect
November   16   4:00 p.m. Conference scheduling closes

November   18   Joe Corbi’s Pick up
November   20   Staff Dinner
November   21   Turkey Trot

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 have had another great week of school at Forest Ridge and our students are working hard to meet their academic goals! It is so hard to believe it is already 2nd quarter.

The Quarter 1 report cards will be available in HCPSS Connect Synergy at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Instructions on how to access report cards are available online. New this year, HCPSS will use standards-based reporting for grades PreK-2, which includes new performance codes and report card layout. There are no changes to report cards for remaining grades for the 23/24 school year.

Please make sure you are checking your child’s grades in Canvas as the quarter goes on. Teachers will be entering them throughout the quarter. This includes all of the related arts teachers. If you have any questions about grades, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

~ Mrs. Lannon & Ms. Pazornik

Forest Ridge News...

Register for Parent Teacher Conferences
HCPSS elementary and middle schools will hold parent-teacher conferences Nov. 20-22. Parents may register for conferences via HCPSS Connect Synergy Monday, Nov. 6 at 8 a.m. through Thursday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.

From the Media Center:
It's almost time for Book Fair and We Need You!  Please visit this link to sign up to help out at the school book fair with helping with classes or helping to fill orders! We need help so everything runs smoothly and the students get to have so much fun!
Thank you!

From Howard County Recreation & Parks
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

Thank you all for coming out on Saturday to the annual FRES Fall Fest!  We hope you and your family had an amazing time.  Events like this are not possible without the help of our outstanding volunteers and donations. We appreciate the community effort to make this a fun event for all.

Papa John's Cards - Fundraiser
Papa John's cards are back to help support the 4th grade field trip.  Valid at 150 locations around the DC, MD, VA area.  Each card is $15.  This allows UNLIMITED use of a buy 1 get 1 free on regular menu pizzas.  Cards can be purchased via contacting Pratima Lele at pratimalele@gmail.com.  Cash, Venmo or Zelle accepted.

Cards will be available at Joe Corib's pick up on November 18th.

Joe Corbi’s Order pick up – November 18th
Thank you for participating in this fundraiser.  Your orders will arrive on Saturday, November 18th.  Pick up will be 1pm – 3pm in the cafeteria.  If you ordered and are designating someone else to pick up your order, please email contact@frespta.org to let us know who will pick up your order.

Unfortunately, we do not have the space or resources to hold items.  Any unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the day.

Staff Dinner – November 20th
PTA generously feeds the staff on the 1st day of parent/teacher conferences.  Here is the link to sign up to donate or volunteer.  https://frespta.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=umjFZ498SK6mdsOLeXjJy3N___52Nq_8L3___nRu6xd1

FRES Turkey Trot – Volunteers Need
Come out and help our wonderful PE teachers during the annual Turkey Trot on Tuesday, November 21st.  Click here to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4BAAAE2AA6FF2-45606975-fres/14031729#/

Five Guys Restaurant Night – November 27th
Tired of leftover turkey and don’t want to cook anymore??  Save the date to join us at Five Guys in Laurel for dinner on Monday, Nov. 27th

WatchD.O.G.S Sign up
Here is the calendar of remaining dates available.  Please sign up to volunteer today! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090A4EA8AB2CAAFC1-watch3#/

Planet Aid Bin – Big Yellow Bin at the Corner of Gorman Road
Just a reminder - we have our own Planet Aid recycling bin at FRES.  It's a big yellow bin at the corner of Gorman Road and Jeanne Ct.  FRES will receive $0.05 per pound donated.

Planet Aid accepts the following clean items in our yellow bin:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Bedding, towels, and curtains
  • Sleeping bags
  • Socks, underwear and bras

Even items with minor tears, stains, or imperfections may be donated.  The only textiles we cannot accept are those that are tattered beyond repair, dirty, wet, or moldy. We do not accept yarn, thread-bare items, spools of thread or similar cast-offs.

We also do not accept toys, stuffed animals, furniture or electronics in our collection bin.  Please make sure all items are in a garbage bag and tied before dropping it in the bin.  Items left outside of the bin do not count, so please make sure to place all items inside the bin.  We appreciate your support to help us continue to help fund assemblies, field trips, and community events.

Want to stay up to date on PTA information?  Follow us on facebook at Forest Ridge Elementary PTA (FRES) or visit our website at www.frespta.org for more information.

In the Community...

November Resource Navigator Newsletter
Take a moment to read this great newsletter. It has a number of resources in it, including one for clothing giveaway and rental assistance for families.

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.

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.