Office phones answered M-Th 8:30-4:15; Fri 8:30-4:00
Important Dates:
February
7 FRES Culture Fest - 6:30 p.m.
11 PTA Meeting - 7:00 p.m.
13 Schools close 3 hours early for Parent/Teacher Conferences
14 Schools close 3 hours early for Parent/Teacher Conferences
17 Presidents' Day - Schools and Offices Closed
20 FRES Science Fair - 6:30 p.m.
21 PTA Ice Skating Night
26 PTA Blaze Pizza Fundraising Night, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Items of Note:
Student News...
K-Sam R., 1-Ayan P., 2-Isabel F., 3-Owen K., 4-Genesis C., 5-Gus C.
Great job!
From the FRES Administration...
Dear Parents,
We’ve had a busy week here at FRES. Hopefully you saw our tweets about our performances from Hammond High School. We were so fortunate to have the Fine Arts teams from Hammond come to perform for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. It was a great chance for them to see what they can choose to do in high school.
We look forward to seeing many of our families this evening at our Culture Fest. If you haven’t signed up to attend it’s not too late to stop by and learn more about the amazing cultures that make FRES so unique.
Last, we are hoping to see many of you next week at conferences. Don’t forget Thursday and Friday are half days so that our teachers can hold conferences.
We hope everyone has a great weekend!
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
Thank you, Exxon!
The Exxon station at 801 Washington Boulevard in Laurel has donated $500 for STEM activities at FRES! We will put it to good use!
February Conference Scheduling Now Open
Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling window is open! Please log in to your HCPSS.ORG/CONNECT account to schedule your child's conference. The window will remain open until February 11th. The February conference will focus on math. You will see your child's math teacher for conference selection. The following link is helpful if you need a refresher on how to schedule conferences. https://youtu.be/QcMwkkIgkls
From the Media Center
Poster Contest: A Story Called Kindness
Basic Info:
Create an original artwork illustrating acts of kindness. Use your imagination, creativity, and artistic talent to illustrate a scene from your life story where you’ve shown someone kindness or offered a helping hand.
Start by asking yourself a few questions:
Click here for more information: 2020 Poster Contest Summary.docx
Watch DOGS
Many thanks to Mr. Jerome, who came in this week to serve as our Watch DOG!
Attention Parents of Fifth Grade Students
All current Forest Ridge 5th graders are districted to Patuxent Valley Middle School. We assume they will attend PVMS unless we hear otherwise. If you have not already done so, please contact Mrs. Jackson (rebecca_jackson@hcpss.org) if your child will not be attending PVMS. It's very important that we have this information to ensure a smooth transition to middle school.
https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=4817&pg=company&company_id=244900
Change Matters Fundraiser
During the week of February 19th-February 27th, our school is proudly participating in an educational fundraising campaign called -- Change Matters -- to benefit Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center -- Howard County’s only 24-hour homeless shelter and crisis center.
Since 2008 Change Matters has been teaching children about homelessness in Howard County, the services Grassroots provides, and reminding students that they are never too young to make a difference in the lives of people who need help.
To kick off our campaign week, Kim Steffens, an authorized representative of Grassroots, will present the campaign to Kindergarten –grade 5 students during lunch shifts on Wednesday February 19th..
Your child will be asked to share information with you about Change Matters and ask your permission to donate change. There will be a Change Matters collection jar for each grade during our campaign week and your donation will go directly to Grassroots services.
If you are able to donate, please send the change in your child’s lunch bag or backpack during this campaign week February 20th-February 27th.
Green School Info
Straw Free Friday has begun! Fourth grade students on the Green Team know how great an impact just a small act like skipping the straw can have on our environment. Their research has shown that plastic straws do not decompose, they just break down into tiny pieces and eventually end up floating around in our oceans like pieces in a snow globe. These students lead the charge to help FRES become better stewards of our environment. You too can make a difference by skipping the straw!
Lights Out! Small groups of students under Mrs. Dixit’s charge are acting as energy monitors for the Ridge. Are your lights off when you are out of the classroom or office? This is another small change of habit that can have a great impact on energy conservation. These students will be wearing badges and checking up on how consistent we are about turning off the lights. Do your part. Be an energy saver!
Bird Habitat! Did you know FRES has a bird habitat? Check outside the 5th grade classrooms by the pond. PTA is partnering with our 5th grade Green Team to bring additional plants to the bird habitat. The students are measuring area and testing ph levels in preparation for these plants. In addition, another bird feeder will be added to the habitat. Go 5th grade Green Team and PTA!
TGIF FRES families!
This year, the PTA and the school worked together increasing access to the arts for our students at FRES. Yesterday, grades 3-5 were treated to an assembly showcasing the fine and performing arts programs at one of our feeder high schools, Hammond High School. Students were dazzled with music from orchestra, jazz band, chorus, and theater, with skits from the drama club, with dance performances, and a presentation on the fine arts offerings, including photography and art! This assembly was free to FRES students and cost the PTA less than $500 (for bus transportation for Hammond students). That’s the equivalent of profits from about two restaurant nights or two skate nights. It was so sweet seeing our FRES teachers reunite with so many former FRES students who are doing amazing things at Hammond High School!
FRES PTA also partnered with the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts (CCTA) to bring an after school drama club and student production of Aladdin Jr! Thanks to a generous private donation, support from the PTA and the FRES community through ticket sales and concessions, the cost to participate was only $40. All grades K-5 were invited to participate and the club was so popular that we reached maximum enrollment within nearly a week and are now accepting wait list registrants! We invite all FRES families to come out and enjoy the final production on Friday, May 8. Mark your calendars and look out for more details on purchasing tickets for the show.
Your generous support of our PTA affords us the resources to arrange for these types of events and we appreciate you!
Reminder that next Tuesday, February 11 is our next PTA meeting. You are invited to learn more about Summer Camp options during the parent information session and catch up on PTA events leading up to the summer.
Last but not least, tonight is Culture Fest at FRES from 6:30-8:30pm! We have over 30 families representing countries and cultures from all over the world. Children will receive a passport book to collect stamps as they learn about countries, sample food, and check out cultural displays. This year, we’ve added performances and henna! No need to pre-register. Stop on by for some great learning and fun! See you tonight!
Khaleda Hasan, FRES PTA President
More from the PTA
After School Enrichment Registration Deadlines and Waived Fee Option
The registration deadline for Intro to Programming on Tuesdays has been extended to end of day Friday. We still need 2 more students and a parent volunteer to run the class.
Flyers are also being sent home this week for the next session of Spanish and cooking classes.
Please contact Monaca Noble at kojothecat@gmail.com if you would like more information on volunteering.
Staff Appreciation
The PTA will be providing dinner for the teachers and staff of Forest Ridge during conferences on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 4 - 5 p.m. We graciously ask your help preparing a nice spread for FRES staff since many will be working long hours. This year's theme will be Breakfast After Dark. Check the sign up to see where you can contribute. Many thanks!
Mark Your Calendars for the PTA Variety Show on Friday, March 27!
Now is the time to plan your act and sign up to audition! We are looking for a variety of acts from singers, dancers, magicians, actors and gymnasts. Variety Show applications are due Friday, Feb. 14, 2020! Keep those applications coming. You have one week left. Complete the form online for greater convenience! Auditions are Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4 immediately after school. New this year, 4th and 5th graders can audition as emcees and for speaking roles in the live show. Find out more details about the show on our website.
Ice Skating Night
Our next event is ice skating at the Garden's Ice House on Friday, February 21 . For this event tickets are $8, skates included. You can purchase wrist bands directly from the PTA - look for the PTA table to the left of the check-in counter. Cash only please - if you forget there is an on-site ATM.
Community News...
Ukelele Play Along
On Saturday, February 8, 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+; 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).
Super STEAM Saturday
Description: Enjoy hands-on robotics, LEGO, experiments and more! Preregistration encouraged to save your space. Registration/Info: 410-313-0458.
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Location: North Laurel Community Center (9411 Whiskey Bottom Road Laurel MD, 20723)
Course Number: RP4411.601
Registration Link: https://apm.activecommunities.com/howardcounty/Activity_Search/new-super-steam-saturday/91930
See the flyer here: super steam saturday flyer 2020.pdf
Learning Together Program – Prekindergarten
Howard County Regional Early Childhood Center (RECC) prekindergarten programs are making preparations for classes for the 2020-2021 school year. These classes include children with and without disabilities. The program’s focus is helping all children develop communication, literacy, math, problem solving, motor, and social skills. Parents of children who will be 3 by September 1st or 4 by September 1st may obtain an application packet at the Gorman Crossing Elementary school office for an application package beginning January 31, 2020. All classes are part time programs. The application package will give detailed information regarding prices, locations and hours available for this county-wide program.
All applications must be returned by February 28, 2020. A limited number of openings are available for children without disabilities. Children are selected based upon screening information given on the application form, completion of the “Ages and Stages Questionnaires,” and observations of the child’s participation in a playgroup.
If you have any questions, please contact Rae Ann Kaylie at rae_kaylie@hcpss.org
Community News and Programs
Please visit the Community News and Programs webpage for all announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations. Organizations requesting distribution to Public Information at 410-313-6682 or publicinfo@hcpss.org.
Have a wonderful weekend!