August 30, 2024 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 08/30/2024 - 1:30pm

IMPORTANT DATES
September 2    Labor Day - schools and offices closed
September 5    Individual picture day (see message below under "Forest Ridge News" for more information)
September 6    School Spirit Football Day - wear anything with your favorite team name!
September 6    PTA Back to School Celebration (see below under PTA News)
September 10  6:15-7:30 Back to School Night for grades K-2
September 11  5:30 Gifted & Talented (GT) Information session
September 11  6:15-7:30 Back to School Night for grades 3-5
September 17  Tampico Grill Restaurant Night
September 19  6:30  PTA General Membership Meeting
September 24  6:30 Watch D.O.G.S Kick-Off & Ice Cream Social (see below under PTA News)

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.  FRES parents will need to opt-in from the phone that receives messages on the number we have on file for them.  Text YES to 67587.
  • Will your child be absent?  Email fresabsence@hcpss.org.

From our Administrators...

Hello FRES Families!
We had an outstanding first week at FRES! Your children are doing a fantastic job settling into their daily routines, guided by our wonderful staff.

This Forest Ridge Forerunner is our weekly communication newsletter that we share with parents on Fridays.  Please be sure to read it so you don't miss anything!  We hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!

Mrs. Lannon and Ms. Pazornik

Please Join Our PTA!
We encourage every family to join the PTA. Membership must be renewed yearly, and only active members will have access to emails and meeting minutes. Your dues directly support the FRES community and help make our activities and events possible. Thank you for your support!

HCPSS Strategic Planning Process
As part of the HCPSS strategic planning process, 5th grade students, staff and families are being asked to provide input about their values for our school system. Parents/Guardians: Please complete this HCPSS Strategic Planning Input Survey by 9/20/2024 and share the student version with your Grade 5-12 student(s).
This survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. If you have students at more than one school, please complete the survey one time, and indicate each school your students attend. If your student needs assistance completing the survey, please contact our front office for assistance.
Community members are invited to attend one of these meetings to help inform the system’s new strategic plan by providing their input about stakeholder values during this virtual, hour-long opportunity facilitated by HCPSS staff. No registration is required. 

Forest Ridge News...

Picture Day is Thursday, September 5!
Individual Picture Day is Thursday, September 5!  All students present will be photographed.  Details are below:

  • Attached is a flyer which gives pricing for various packages.  You will get a paper copy coming home Friday or Tuesday.  This flyer also contains the payment envelope.  Your child should bring the envelope to school on picture day and give it to the photographer when their photo is taken.
  • You can also order in advance online.  See this flyer for information.  Follow this link, and use the code FRESF24. 
  • If you don't place an order, you will still receive a wallet-size photo of your child.  There will be a code with the photo that you can use to order additional photos.
  • If your child is absent on September 5, there will be a make-up day to be determined.  We will inform our parents of the date via email and our weekly Forerunner newsletter.

From Mrs. DeOrio, our Orchestra Teacher
Is your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader interested in playing an instrument and/or singing in the chorus? Visit http://forestridgemusic.weebly.com/ to register by September 6th!

¿A tu hijo de 3.º, 4.º o 5.º grado le interesa tocar un instrumento o cantar en el coro? Visita http://forestridgemusic.weebly.com/ para inscribirte antes del 6 de septiembre.

FRES Learning Together Program (LTP)
The Forest Ridge Elementary School Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are still accepting applications for students to participate as peers through the Learning Together Program (LTP). This class includes 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 are being accepted.

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 and/or would like to complete an application, please contact us at jennifer_black@hcpss.org or  (410) 880-5950 .

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

You’re Invited!!! Welcome Back to School Celebration on Friday, September 6th, 6:00 pm

Please mark your calendars for our first major social of the year! The PTA will be hosting a Welcome Back Celebration for ALL students, families and staff to come enjoy pizza, dessert and games together on the playground! When the sun goes down set out your lawn chairs and blankets for an outdoor movie.  Volunteers are needed to help with the event. Click HERE to sign up.

PTA General Membership Meeting: Thursday, September 19th at 6:30 pm
All FRES parents, family members and staff are welcome to attend PTA General Membership meetings. Come meet us, get updates from school leadership, hear an overview of this year's plans and consider your future level of involvement!

Join the Forest Ridge PTA!
The Forest Ridge Parent Teacher Association (FRES PTA) is a non-profit 501-c3 charity organization formed to support the FRES community. Its purpose is to promote collaboration, accountability, commitment, respect and the value of diversity. The goal of the National PTA organization is to engage and empower families and communities to advocate for all children to reach their full potential.

ALL Forest Ridge families and staff are invited to join our PTA and get involved in the community support work that it does. There is no "wrong way to PTA" - however you can participate - a lot or a little or somewhere in-between - is welcome and celebrated!

For a general overview, visit https://frespta.org/ or click MEMBERSHIP to go directly to the membership website to create an account and join! A PTA membership must be renewed each year so if you have joined in the past, please renew your membership for the 2024 - 2025 School Year!

Watch this video to hear why others have joined a local PTA. Why Join PTA? https://youtu.be/xzGtGcYdEFs

Mire este video para saber por qué otras personas se han unido a una PTA local. Por qué Deberías Inscribirse en PTA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TCIZVt2gp4

Watch D.O.G.S Kick-Off Ice Cream Social, Tuesday, September 24th 6:30 pm
Are you a Dad Of Great Students?  Watch D.O.G.S is a family and community engagement program for elementary schools. It helps provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. Bring your child(ren) and join us in the cafeteria at 6:30PM for an Ice Cream social and information session. Activities will be available for the children in attendance. Watch D.O.G.S t-shirts will be available for purchase for $20.00. All dad, granddads, uncles and other male role models of FRES students are welcome to join.

Fall After School Activities
Fall 2024 Howard County Recreation & Parks before & after school classes for students at Forest Ridge ES. These classes provide fun, structured, educational and enriching activities for students, benefitting both the child(ren) and parents!  Click HCRP Student Enrichment to see the flyer.

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.