Hello FRES families and community,

Spring is finally here and we are hopeful that the weather stays nice so our students can enjoy outdoor recess.  As the weather is getting warmer, we have more students walking to and from school. Just some reminders about arrival and dismissal procedures: 

AM Reminders

• Drivers should follow directions of the crossing guards and staff.

• NO cell phone use in the loop.

• ALL cars should bear to the right to enter the car loop and stay single file.  

• Children should stay secured in their seat belts/car seats until the car comes to a complete stop!  Maryland Law:)

• Children should exit the vehicle curbside anywhere along the red fire lane.  The more cars that unload at one time, the faster the loop moves along.

• Drivers should wait until everyone is on the sidewalk before moving.

• If you need help please lower your window and politely ask a staff member.

• DO NOT park in the handicap spaces unless there is a person in the car who has/needs the legal use of the space.

PM Reminders

• Parking and walking from the parking lot causes chaos and safety concerns as people cross in front of cars. Once we have started our dismissal it is very difficult to get in and out of parking spaces.  Please plan accordingly if you need to visit the school after 3:30.

• Once you have picked up your child(ren) please wait in line and follow the teachers' directions and wait your turn for the safety of everyone.

• Please merge politely to allow more cars into the line to zipper together so the traffic does not stick out onto Gorman Rd.

• If you have to drive in the carloop it is easiest to approach from the east (Savage Library direction) so you don't have to turn left into the school.

• Pay attention to the crossing guards at the exit to Gorman Rd.

Please share these procedures with anyone who may assist you in delivering your child to or from school. The first step to having a great day at Forest Ridge is getting everyone into the building safely.  Let's work together to make this happen.

Did you know that our PTA Carnival is tomorrow from 12 - 3?  We hope to see as many families there. What a great day to celebrate spring and visit with friends! 

Did you know that our very own second grade teacher, Michelle Robinson is being honored by the Bright Minds Foundation at the 2019 Night of Honor?   This event will recognize outstanding HCPSS staff and alumni and will be held on Tuesday, May 7, from 6:30-9 p.m., at Long Reach High School. The event will recognize the Principal of the Year and Teachers of the Year, as well as the inaugural winners of the Work Hard Be Kind Award and the Work Hard Be Kind Outstanding Alumni Award. Tickets are available at $15 through the BrightMinds Foundation.   Congratulations to Mrs. Robinson!

Did you know that next week is Teacher Appreciation week?  Our staff here at FRES works incredibly hard and are so dedicated to their jobs.   If you are trying to think of an easy way to show your appreciation, a card or note is a great way.  Let’s shower our staff with kind notes and messages to show our appreciation.

Last Day of School
The last day of school is now June 21.  The last three days of school, June 19, 20, and 21 are 3-hour early dismissal days.  FRES will dismiss starting at 12:34 p.m.

Field Day is Coming!
Hello FRES Parents!  Our Field Day is being held Thursday, May 16th during the entire school day (the rain date is Wednesday, June 5th).  If you have had a child here in the past, you know that Field Day is one of our students' favorite days that is full of exciting activities.  However, this event does not succeed without the support of parent volunteers!  Field Day has been broken into an AM and PM schedule, so you can choose to give half a day of your time, or the whole day to help!  More information on the day and the volunteer sign up list are in the link below:

Patuxent Valley Middle School PTA Needs Board Members
The PVMS PTA is still looking to fill Vacant Board positions for the upcoming school year.  Please consider volunteering for Treasurer or Secretary.  Without these positions filled, we will need to dissolve the PVMS PTA. The PTA is involved in so many fun things at school, and we support our students and staff in a variety of ways as well. While it may seem that PTA “just raises money”, we do this to help our students and families defray costs/expenses for education field trips and class activities. We will need to present the names/nominations to the PTA membership on May 9th (our next PTA meeting), and vote in the new board members on June 6th (our last PTA meeting of the year).  If you want to be apart of something fun and know what’s going on at school, please consider volunteering to fill the President, Secretary or Treasurer positions. Please contact Marci Isaacs at marci.isaacs@gmail.com  or Katie Schneider at pulver222@gmail.com

Good News!
The Gorman Road and Skylark Boulevard intersection will become a multi-way traffic stop!  The project will involve the addition of a stop sign on westbound Gorman Road and one on eastbound Skylark Boulevard at the intersection to create a new traffic pattern.  Recent studies have shown that traffic volume continues to increase in the area, making the change necessary to improve safety for turning traffic at that intersection.  Signs will be posted in the area a week prior to the change to alert motorists of the reconfiguration.  For questions or concerns about the new traffic pattern, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or by email at publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.