Forest Ridge Forerunner - School News
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Forest Ridge News...

Important Things to Know:

• Students should arrive to school by 9:10 a.m. so that they are able to put their things away and be ready to start the day when the bell rings at 9:15.
• Students go out for recess when the temperature with wind chill is 20 degrees or more.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.
• This week is National Handwashing Week.  Handwashing is the number one way to keep kids and adults healthy.  Learn more by clicking on these links for families: Handwashing Info; Handwashing Activity Book.  Keep Calm and Stay Healthy -- FRES Health Room
• Attention 5th Grade Families - Students in Grade 5 will be taking the CogAT next week.  Please mark your calendars with the following dates and times: 12/10, 12/11, and 12/12  9:20 AM -10:20 AM

We need your help!
FRES would love for the community to be involved in helping to give to our less fortunate families this year for the winter holiday!  Mrs. Schuck has created a "giving wall" with snowflakes describing items our families in need are looking for. If you are able, please sign up for an item(s), using this link. All items should be wrapped and labeled with the ITEM NUMBER that is in the description, and brought to school by December 18.

From Dr. Varlack, our Principal

Greetings FRES Community,

The winter weather and break is creeping up on us. Excitement is in the air as our students gear up for this much-loved time of year. Please be sure that your student dresses appropriately for the weather.

We wanted to share a few items with you that you may not be aware of:

Did you know that: This week, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released a “2017-2018 School Report Card” containing data about your child’s school as part of the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed into law in 2015. This is the first year this school data report will be issued and we wanted to provide you with a basic understanding of what to expect, how your child’s school will use the data it receives, and how to find more information.

Though MSDE will refer to the data as a report card, please note that it bears no relation to the report card that your child receives. Data is reported on the school as a whole and not for individual students.The report provides a snapshot of how the school is performing based on the ESSA indicators, which include academic achievement, academic progress (for elementary and middle schools), rate of chronic absenteeism, access to a well-rounded curriculum, graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators (for high schools).

The report provides insight into areas in which the school is doing well and areas where improvement is needed. The results that our schools receive will provide valuable insights that will be used as a measuring stick for school growth, and as a baseline measure from which to assess improvement in subsequent years. Information on ESSA can be found on the HCPSS website. When the MSDE data is released, a link to the results will be posted on our site. Please do not hesitate to contact your school administrator or Timothy Guy, HCPSS Coordinator of Assessments, at 410-313-6802 with any questions.

Did you know that: Our students enjoyed coding activities this week in technology class? They worked with robots and coded directions for them to follow and were able to test the coding that they did. It was great to see their involvement.  Coding is a pathway to future careers and our students are really excited about engaging in and with this.

Finally, did you know that: There is a policy for Student Dress Code *(Policy 9210)? After reviewing the policy, please let us know if you have any questions. The policy is below:

Student Dress Code

The purpose of this policy is to outline acceptable standards for student dress during the school day and during other school-related activities and to outline disciplinary actions taken in response to violations of these standards.

IV. Standards

1. Students will wear attire that contributes to a safe school environment conducive to learning.
2. Students will not wear attire that is disruptive to the school environment, that promotes illegal or harmful activities, or that could endanger the health or safety of that student or others during school hours and school-related activities. Prohibited attire includes, but is not limited to, that which:
   
   1. Depicts profanity, obscenity, the use of weapons, or violence.
   2. Promotes use of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or other illegal or harmful products.
   3. Promotes, implies or contains sexually suggestive messages.
   4. Unduly exposes or reveals skin or undergarments.
   5. Depicts gang affiliation.
   6. Contains language or symbols that demean an identifiable person or group or otherwise infringes on the rights of others.
   7. Causes or is likely to cause a material disruption, a substantial disorder to school activities or the orderly operation of the school, or an invasion of the rights of others.
   8. Contains rude, disrespectful, or discourteous expressions inconsistent with civil discourse and behavior.
   9. May damage school property.
3. Headcoverings will not be worn in the school building or during indoor school-related activities. However, headcoverings required for medical reasons or religious obligations may be worn.
4. If a parent or student believes that the student, for religious obligations or medical reasons, must wear attire prohibited by this policy, the parent or student will consult with the principal. The principal may consult with the Administrative Director or legal counsel in rendering a final decision.

Genée A. Varlack, Ed.D.
Principal, Forest Ridge Elementary
9550 Gorman Rd, Laurel, MD 20723

(410) 880-5950 phone; (410) 880-5956 fax

Did you know that: The Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FARMs) program provides access to an array of services for qualified families including:  free and reduced-priced breakfasts and lunches; free SAT and ACT registrations; free tuition to take college courses at Howard Community College while still enrolled in high school; free college applications and reduced AP exam fees; reduced costs for a number of services provided by Howard County Parks and Rec, Columbia Association and Comcast; and much more. Visit the HCPSS website for more information and to apply.

Music Department Evening WINTER Concerts
(performers must wear concert attire, white tops and black bottoms)
ORCHESTRA- Thursday December 20th, 6:30pm @ Hammond HS, please arrive at 6pm
CHORUS/BAND- Thursday December 20th, 7:30pm @ Hammond HS, please arrive at 7pm

Music Department Daytime WINTER Concerts
(performers must wear concert attire, white tops and black bottoms)
CHORUS- Thursday December 13th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria
BAND- Thursday December 20th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria
ORCHESTRA- Thursday December 20th, 9:30am in the FRES cafeteria

Watch DOGS
Calling all dads, uncles, grandpas or other male role models!!  We had such a GREAT turn out for our kick off in early October and have had many Watch DOGS in our school as a result. This week, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Malloy, Mr. Talibi, and Mr. Vissers visited our students.  Thank you!

If you are interested in supporting this awesome program by signing up for a day, or even part of a day, we are looking for YOU!! Simply copy the links included and paste them into your browser.   Keep in mind, you will also need to complete the Howard County child abuse and confidentiality training online, complete the certificate for each, and turn it in. Those links are also provided below.  Finally, to help make the Watch DOGS stand out while you are here, we encourage you to purchase a Watch DOGS t-shirt.  When you arrive at the school, you will be able to purchase one for $12 sizes S-XL, $14 for 2XL and $16 for 3XL  If we are out of that size we will order and and it will be sent home with your child as soon as it comes in.   You are also welcome to send in your money ahead of time and we will send your shirt home with your child right away.  Send your payment in an envelope with your name, child's name, teacher, and your shirt size.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact Craig Dorsey at dorseypremier@gmail.com or Jen Renkevens at trenkev@juno.com.