Forest Ridge Forerunner

Important Dates...
October
2    FRES Parent CRASH Course Learn more
3    Professional Work Day - Schools close 3 hours early (12:35)
10  Chick-fil-A Spirit Day (tell them you're with Forest Ridge)
18  6:00-8:00 Family Fit Night Save the Date Flyer  Registration form here

Student News...
Congratulations to the following students, who completed the Howard County Library's Summer Reading Program: Libraries Rock!
Charlotte J., Corey J.

MAP Testing Starts This Week
Due to schedule changes in multiple grades we had to make a few changes to our MAP testing that starts this week:

Grade 1  9:30 AM
ELA - 10/17
Math - 10/18

Grade 2  12:30 PM
ELA - 10/8
Math - 10/9

Grade 3  1:20 PM
ELA - 10/4
Math - 10/5

Grade 4 1:30 PM
ELA - 10/22
Math - 10/23

Grade 5 9:20 AM
ELA - 10/15
Math - 10/16

Counselor's Corner...
Click here for the news from Mrs. Schuck, our counselor.

PTA News...
Click here for the latest on PTA Happenings.

Forest Ridge News...

Reminder from our Principal, Dr. Varlack
Animals in schools or offices, leashed or not, present safety, environmental, and liability issues. Students and staff may be exposed to potential physical hazards, such as bites, and/or allergy related health problems. As a result, animals are prohibited within HCPSS buildings. Animals are also prohibited on school system property during arrival, dismissal, recess or other HCPSS sponsored outdoor activities. Service animals or service animals in training [per MD Annotated Code Section 7-705 (Service Animals) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)] are exempt from this prohibition.

Reminders from the Office

• Before you can volunteer at FRES or chaperone a field trip, you need to complete two trainings: Confidentiality and Child Abuse Reporting.  Please print out the certificates at the end of the trainings and turn them in to the office.  Thank you!
• You must complete the Family File through HCPSS Connect each year.  Your child will not be able to attend a field trip unless the emergency information is completed in the Family File.  Thanks for your help!

From the Media Center
We are in need of small cardboard boxes, plastic containers, cartons, other recyclables for students to use in our makerspace activities in the media center.  Please send in any clean recyclables with your students to drop off in the media center.

FRES Parent CRASH Course
Here at Forest Ridge, parents are essential to "Cultivating Reading At School and Home."  So come for literacy parent workshops on Tuesday, October 2nd from 6 pm-7pm. The PTA meeting for the month is immediately following.  Daycare and light refreshments will be provided. Also, you will have the choice as to what sessions you wish to attend.  Please RSVP no later than Friday, September 28th by completing this RSVP form.   There will be a raffle!!!  You may contact Mr. Matthew Vaughn-Smith at matthew_vaughn-smith@hcpss.org with any questions.

In the Community...

Girl Scouts...
...is hosting a recruitment night at Laurel Community Center on October 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  Any girls interested in joining Girl Scouts should come with a parent.  We will be forming new troops.  Please contact Cathy Lindenmann with any questions.  clindenmann@comcast.net

Family Resource and Transition Fair
Families of all children receiving special education and early intervention services are invited to get connected to services, resources and tools available in the community and school system at the second annual HCPSS Family Resource and Transition Fair on Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at the Cedar Lane School in Fulton.  Learn more...

From HCDrugfree.org
Howard County Parents/Guardians of 9-14 Year Olds: Attend a FREE evidence-based program for parents/guardians of 9 to 14 year olds to gain skills and knowledge to reduce the risk that their children will use drugs. This is a 4 week program on Tuesday evenings from October 9 to October 30 at the Elkridge Branch of the Howard County Library from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Parents will receive a workbook so hurry to register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GGCOct2018 or contact HC DrugFree at Admin@hcdrugfree.org or 443-325-0040 for more information. Program presented by HC DrugFree and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office in partnership with the Health Department.

Teen Advisory Council (High School Students Only): HC DrugFree’s Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets one Monday evening a month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Barn/Teen Center in the Oakland Mills Village Center and is open to all Howard County high school students. Community service hours are available for all meetings and events. TAC’s first 2018-19 meetings will be held on Monday, September 17 and October 22. To register, please visit www.hcdrugfree.org and go to the Teen Advisory Council page. Refreshments provided at meetings so must RSVP to Admin@hcdrugfree.org or call 443-325-0040.

Attached is a flyer with more information. 

From Howard County Recreation and Parks
Halloween Happenings! 

The Haunted Experience
Whether you choose fright or fun, a memorable experience awaits you... an ink black night sets the stage for a spooky hay ride through the eerie trails to the ghostly dwelling deep in the woods. Hear haunting tales of ghosts and goblins and horror that will tingle the spine!

Happy Haunted Hayride
It’s cute, it’s friendly and not so scary. This hayride is for fun – not fright!
$5 at gate (cash only) 2-7 yrs + Rockburn Branch Pk (Montgomery Rd) ; Oct 21 & 28 2-4pm Sunday; Inclement Weather: 410-313-4451

At the North Laurel Community Center

Scarecrow DIY
Get creative at our scarecrow-making event. Bring a baby-footed pajama outfit to dress your scarecrow; we provide the rest! Preregistration is required; children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration/Info: 410-313-0390, 3-12 yrs; $10 center member; $15 nonmember
RP4408 N Laurel Comm Ctr  Saturday Oct 20 from 10-11am
Big Wheel 500
On your mark, get set, and go! Join us for one of the most entertaining and family-friendly events in North Laurel. Children race around an indoor course on big wheels, get their picture taken with a celebratory wreath, and take a swig from a cold bottle of milk. (Just like the pros!) Each child must bring their own helmet and wear closed-toed shoes. We provide the big wheels. Enjoy games, crafts and light refreshments. Preregistration is required.  Info: 410-313-0458.  3-8 yrs; $10 center member; $15 nonmember
RP4407 N Laurel Comm Ctr Saturday, Nov 3 from 10-11:30am
Parent’s Night Out – Holiday Edition
Need a night out to get that last-minute shopping done? Drop off the kiddos for an evening of pizza, laughter and fun. Activities included games, stocking scavenger hunts, a hot chocolate bar, crafts and a movie. Preregistration is required. Info: 410-313-0458.  5-12 yrs $10 center member; $15 non-member
RP4410.101 N Laurel Comm Ctr Friday, Dec 7 from 5:30-8:30pm