4/28/17 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 05/05/2017 - 3:01pm

Important Dates

May
1-5 Teacher Appreciation Week
1 Last Chick-fil-A of the Year - All Day, you must mention FRES when you order
6 Forest Ridge Carnival
9 Rescheduled Class Picture Day
16 Field Day
17 2:20 5th Grade Panoramic Picture
18 6:30-8:00 School-wide Enrichment Fair
23 Field Day rain date

Forest Ridge News and Events

Fidgets
Fidget spinners are all the rage, specifically with elementary school kids! If you haven’t heard of them yet, it’s not overly complicated. Fidget spinners are exactly what they sound like — little metal gears that spin in your fingers to either help with anxiety or focus a wandering mind. Students should not bring fidget items, such as a fidget spinner or cube, a stress ball, putty, slime, or any other store-bought or homemade fidget/stress item to school unless it is specified as an accommodation in their IEP or 504 plan.  They will be confiscated.  Thank you for your support regarding this matter.

5th Grade Trip to Philadelphia
Wow!  With your help, the Chick-fil-A, Bunny Gram, and Chipotle Night fundraisers we held this year along with a generous PTA donation of $3 per child helped us bring the cost of the 5th grade Philadelphia trip from $49 down to $27!  Thanks so much!

Field Day is Coming!
Field Day is going to be held on Tuesday, May 16th.  The rain date is Tuesday, May 23rd.  We need adults to volunteer.  Volunteers may begin to select stations on the Sign Up Genius site.  The Forest Ridge Field Day has always been fun for all those involved, won't you join us?

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040D4DA5A62EAA8-field

The students in grades K-2 will be participating in the morning from 9:45-11:30. 
Grades 3-5th will be in the afternoon from 1:30-3:15.
Volunteers must arrive at least 15 minutes before and sign in by the gym.
 
If you are having difficulty accessing the sign up please email janice_goodwin@hcpss.org.
 
***  All volunteers must complete the HCPSS  volunteer training online and bring in the certificate of completion into the front office by Monday, May 15th.
 
5th Grade Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH)
The Fifth Grade Team is looking for judges for their Simulated Congressional Hearing (SCH) on Wednesday, May 24th.  During SCH students will assume the role of constitutional experts. The students will present prepared oral testimony before a panel of simulated congressional committee members (“judges”).  Training will be provided the morning of the 24th.  This opportunity is open to all community members, especially those with a connection to our local or national government.  If you would like to be a judge, please sign up using the link: https://events.membersolutions.com/event_register.asp?content_id=65754 or contact Mrs. Azzarello at melissa_azzarello@hcpss.org.  Thank you!

Green School Supports the FRES Carnival
While visiting the FRES Carnival on May 6th, please look for the Green School Booth. Participate in a Scavenger Hunt and find out all the ways FRES strives to be a Green School! Explore nature at our “Touch and Feel” table! Check out our Recycled Crafts activities and find out how to turn an old t-shirt into a tote bag! If you have an old t-shirt, bring it with you. Join us for fun and adventure at the FRES Carnival!

Spring Testing Schedule
Hello FRES Families,
Students in grades 1 - 5 will be testing throughout the next few weeks. Grades 1 and 2 will take the MAP assessment for reading and math. Grades 3, 4 and 5 will take the MAP assessment and the PARCC assessment for reading and math. The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is an assessment to measure student achievement in English Language Arts and Mathematics for grades 3-8 and high school. The PARCC tests are designed to match the Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards.  In contrast to other assessments, the PARCC is an extension to regular instruction, because students experience engaging, real-life texts and solve meaningful problems based on high-quality classroom work. PARCC assessments are designed for online administration, will mainly occur in the morning and are given in 1-1.5 hour units. Please take a look at the testing schedule below.Testing has been spaced out so that there is minimal impact on instruction. For specific testing times please contact your child's homeroom teacher. As you plan for spring doctor appointments and other events that may cause absences, we ask you to please keep these dates in mind and not schedule any time away from school during testing. Thank you.

PTA News...

From the President

Hello FRES Families!!!

Tonight is the night!!!!! Our LAST skate night of the year! Roll on over to Laurel Skate Center from 7-10 p.m. and enter with $9, which includes skate rental. Wear your FRES gear or school colors, and let's make it a BIG BASH!!! I happen to know a few teachers will be joining us for the night. The grade with the most attending will win a PJ day!

Learn more from the PTA President and about PTA Happenings

Community News for Parents

SATURDAY! Collection of Medication, EpiPens, Needles and Syringes - HC DrugFree
Don't miss this opportunity to dispose of medications, needles, syringes, or old/recalled EpiPens all in one quick trip without getting out of your vehicle? Come to the convenient (semi-annual) drive-thru collection on Saturday, April 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot near The UPS Store and Slayton House. Howard County Police will receive and secure your medications for proper disposal. Help keep these items out of the hands of our youth, water supply and landfills. For more information about this event, how to dispose of medications throughout the year, how to receive a free storage lock box for your home, contact HC DrugFree at 443-325-0040, Admin@hcdrugfree.org, or visit the Events-Take Back Day page at http://www.hcdrugfree.org/drug-take-back-day-1/.

HCPSS G/T Summer Institutes for Talent Development
Looking for an engaging learning experience for your children this summer?  The HCPSS G/T Summer Institutes for Talent Development still has a few spots remaining in the following courses:

Session I: June 26-July 7

  1. Building, Forming, and Inventing: Work in Clay and All Things 3-D (Students entering grades 3-5)
  2. Code Crackers: Unlocking Mathematical Secrets (Students entering grades 4 and 5)
  3. Mystery Writing Get a Clue (Students entering grades 4 and 5)
  4. 3, 2, 1, Blast Off into Outer Space (Students entering grades 4 and 5)
  5. The Painter's Studio (Students entering grades 4-6)

Session II: July 10-21

  1. Around the World: Exploring Far-Away Lands (Students entering grades 1 and 2)
  2. Drawing and Painting (Students entering grades 1 and 2)
  3. Construct and Sculpt (Students entering grades 1 and 2)
  4. Talking Tangrams: Integrating Geometry and Writing (Students entering grades 2 and 3)
  5. Totally Mad About Science (Students entering grades 3 and 4)
  6. Building, Forming, and Inventing: Work in Clay and All Things 3-D (Students entering grades 3-5)
  7. The Painter's Studio (Students entering grades 4-6)

    The registration forms can be found at http://www.hcpss.org/f/summer/gt-summer-course-catalog.pdf

Registration Deadline: May 2nd.