Jan. 3, 2019 Forest Ridge Forerunner

Fri, 01/03/2020 - 3:00pm

*** Office phones answered M-Th 8:30-4:15; Fri 8:30-4:00 ***

Important Dates:

January
4    Dad’s Club – Wizards Game, Capital One Arena – 8pm
7    PTA Meeting – Media Center – 7pm
8    Re-scheduled Band/Chorus Concert (see below)
9    Re-scheduled Orchestra Concert (see below)
10  Skate Night, Laurel Roller Skating Center – 7-10pm
14  Meeting for Parents of Rising PVMS Students (See below)
15  FRES Book Club - The book will be Season of Styx Malone
17  Movie Night – 7-9pm
22  Family Fit Night – 6:30-8pm
23  Math Parent Night – 6:30-8pm
30  5th Grade Fundraiser – Red Robin in Columbia – 5-9pm

February
4   Schools and Offices closed for Special Election Day (see below)

Items of Note:

  • As the weather gets colder, there is the possibility that schools will be closed or open late because of inclement weather.  HCPSS sends out text messages to let parents know.  These messages usually go out between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m.  To receive text messages from FRES or HCPSS, you must opt in.  Please text "YES" to 67587 to receive text messages.
  • The last Chick-fil-A Spirit Day this year will be on March 18.  Proceeds will help to defray the cost of 4th and 5th grade field trips.

Forest Ridge News...

This Week's Concert Information:
 
Wednesday January 8th
4th grade Band and 4th/5th grade Chorus Report to FRES at 6pm, perform at 6:30pm
5th grade Band Report to FRES at 7pm, perform at 7:30pm
 
Thursday January 9th
3rd grade Orchestra Report to FRES at 6pm, perform at 6:30pm
4th/5th grade Orchestra Report to FRES at 7pm, perform at 7:30pm

Parents, We Need Your Help
We can no longer allow students to go back to the classroom after 4:15 to retrieve items left behind.  Thank you for your help!

Watch DOGS
Many thanks to Mr. Gregg, who came in this week to serve as our Watch DOG!

Schools Closed on February 4, 2019
Schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, due to the special primary election to fill the 7th congressional district seat vacated following the passing of Rep. Elijah Cummings. 

From the Media Center
Upcoming reading initiatives presented by the Reading/Media Team:

January/ February

  • Howard County Public Library will be visiting the 2nd and 3rd grades to present their program about fairy tales and tall tales.

  • Book Club is  January 15, 2020 and the selection is Seasons of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon  

March /April Reading Night 

  • March is our annual reading month. This year's theme is "Reading Rumble."  Many activities are planned including

    • Family reading night (learning sessions for parents and reading games for students)
    • DEAR (Drop Everything And Read)
    • Celebrity Readers
  • Read Across America- FRES will be participating in the Read Without Walls Challenge. Learn more by using this link 
  • Author Visits: Author Duncan Tonatiuh will be visiting FRES. Learn more about him by using this link
  • Book Club- April 30, 2020 and the selection is Wishtree by Katherine Applegate 

May

  • Book Swap for all grades
  • Howard County Public Library presentation about summer at your library
Attention Parents of Rising 6th Graders
What: Patuxent Valley Middle School Rising Middle Schooler Parent Night
When: January 14th, 2020* at 6:00pm for Gifted and Talented Information; 6:30pm for Rising Middle Schooler Program
(*Snow Date: January 21st, with the same times listed above)
Who: All parents of current 5th graders planning to attend PVMS in the 20-21 school year. Students are encouraged to attend as well!
Where: PVMS Cafeteria, 9151 Vollmerhausen Rd, Savage, MD 20763
 
Please Join PVMS Staff to learn what you’ll need to know to help your future middle schooler be successful next year. We look forward to meeting with you! 
View the flyer here: PVMS Rising Middle Schooler Parent Night.pdf

Science Fair
This year's FRES Science Fair will take place on February 20, 2020. If your child would like to participate in the fair, and is not participating currently in the Science Fair Seminar, please email Kim Clawson at kimberly_clawson @hcpss.org. to request an electronic or hard copy of our science fair packet.  We also have extra packets available on the bulletin board in front of the media center. Please take one from there if you are in the building. All students are invited to complete a science fair project.

PTA News...

Welcome back FRES families!

Happy New Year!!  Here’s to a new year filled with good health, happiness, and memorable milestones.  I’m thankful for this mini-week back to school before we go full-swing into a busy January!

The next PTA meeting will be Tuesday, January 7 at 7pm in the Media Center.  Please join us to get the latest updates on the PTA and to learn about the Complete Streets and Streets for All initiatives with guest speakers from the Horizon Foundation.  Howard County needs better and safer streets with adequate sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and bus stops.  This can directly impact the walkability to schools from our neighborhoods.  Find out how we can advocate for safer streets and pathways that can help strengthen safety and connectivity within our communities.

The Culture Fest planning committee will be meeting on Wednesday, January 8 at 4pm in the Media Center.  Please join us if you’d like to help plan the event!

Khaleda Hasan, FRES PTA President

More from the PTA

After School Enrichment Activities
The current enrichment classes will continue through the winter.  Flyers for several course offerings were sent home before winter break.  If you have questions, please contact Korin Sharp at iamkorin@gmail.com or Monaca Noble at kojothecat@gmail.com.

Dad’s Club
Tickets were sent home on Thursday for this Saturday’s Washington Wizards game taking on the Denver Nuggets.  We got a great response for this event!!  If there are any questions, please contact Ed Chrzanowski at edmund_chrzanowski@hcpss.org.

5th Grade Committee
The 5th Grade Committee will be hosting a restaurant night fundraiser at Red Robin in Columbia on Thursday, January 30 from 5-9pm.  Funds will be used towards 5th grade activities, including 5th grade dance, field trip, and Simulated Congressional Hearings at the end of the year.

Skate Night
Roll on by for our next Skate Night next Friday, January 10 at Laurel Roller Skating Center on Rt. 1 and Brewers Court.  Skate from 7 – 10pm for $9, which includes skate rental.  Say you’re with FRES to get the special price.  All participants who use the FRES special price must sign a waiver at the door.

Important Upcoming Dates:

January:

4 – Dad’s Club – Wizards Game, Capitol One Arena – 8pm
7 – PTA Meeting – Media Center – 7pm
10 – Skate Night, Laurel Roller Skating Center – 7-10pm
17 – Movie Night – 7-9pm
22 – Family Fit Night – 6:30-8pm
23 – Math Parent Night – 6:30-8pm
30 – 5th Grade Fundraiser – Red Robin in Columbia – 5-9pm

In the Community...

Savage Ukes
On Saturday, January 11, the Howard County Public Library - Savage Branch will have a ukulele play along from 2 - 2:45 PM. The play along is open to everyone ages 8+ and teens and adults. Beginners are always welcome! Bring your ukulele and come join us for some family fun! If you would like more information about the ukulele play along, please contact the Savage Library or David Petro (dpetro1377@gmail.com).