Please note that the Virtual Open House and Information Session for RECC/Pre-K has been changed to Thursday, September 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Important Upcoming Dates
September 1-3: Student Materials pick up and drop off (see below for more information)
Thursday, September 3: Virtual Open House and Information Session for RECC/Pre-K 3:00 p.m. (This is a change from what was previously shared.)
Friday, September 4: Virtual Open House and Information Sessions
Kindergarten 9:00-9:50 am
1st Grade 10:00-10:50 am
2nd Grade 11:00-11:50 am
3rd Grade 12:00-12:50 pm
4th Grade 1:00-1:50 pm
5th Grade 2:00-2:50 pm
** Links will be shared closer to the date**
Tuesday, September 8: K-5 First Day of Virtual School 9:00 - 3:50
Thursday, September 10: PreK and Preschool First Day of Virtual School
Wednesday, September 16: FRES Virtual Wellness Night 6:00 - 8:00
Wednesday, September 23: Pre-K - 2 Back to School Night 6:30 - 8:00
Thursday, September 24: Grades 3 - 5 Back to School Night 6:30 - 8:00
Dear FRES Community,
This has been a busy week for us! On Tuesday we welcomed back our amazing staff and were able to reconnect. Our staff are very excited to begin this year’s journey - and to welcome back our Eagles in the coming weeks! The staff spent time in virtual sessions, learning about the framework, changes, and expectations for the upcoming fall virtual learning. We spent time discussing our students and the goals we have for our school community, as well as our work around racial equity, digital teaching, and learning that ties directly to the HCPSS Strategic Call to Action.
This pandemic has been especially difficult for families. Many of you are navigating jobs, child care and other family matters. There is helpful information on the HCPSS website for supporting instruction at home and family best practices and we want you to know that the staff in our school are here to support you and your child. We may not be in a traditional in-school environment, but we still have numerous supports in place, and we encourage you and your child to take advantage of them whenever they are needed.
Please know that we miss our students very much and we are counting down the days until we open our virtual classrooms. We are eager to spend the next week collaborating and planning, in order to ensure that we connect and engage our young learners, as well as prepare to welcome them with open arms on Tuesday, September 8th.
We look forward to reconnecting with all of our students and families.
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
Pickup/Dropoff of Student Learning Materials
All students have something to pick up.
Materials Pickup:
All Students will pick up a bag of learning materials
Students who weren't issued an HCPSS-issued computer last year will pick up a Chromebook.
Spring class and individual pictures which weren't picked up in June.
Materials Dropoff:
Media books, Media books, Media books
Textbooks/other classroom books
School-owned instruments if not being played this year
Chromebooks if you are moving out of Howard County
Remember…
Kindergarten and Pre-K Only (Siblings of Kindergarten and Pre-K are welcomed) - Tuesday September 1, 2020
|
Last Name / |
Times |
|
A - G |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
H - M |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
N - S |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
T - Z |
6:15 - 7:00 |
Grades 1 - 5 - Wednesday, September 2, 2020
|
Last Name / |
Times |
|
A - G |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
H - M |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
N - S |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
T - Z |
6:15 - 7:00 |
Grades 1 - 5 - Thursday September 3, 2020
|
Last Name / |
Times |
|
T - Z |
4:00 - 4:45 |
|
N - S |
4:45 - 5:30 |
|
H - M |
5:30 - 6:15 |
|
A - G |
6:15 - 7:00 |
Current # of Forest Ridge Classes - Updated
Kindergarten: 4 classes (This is a change from when we last shared)
1st Grade: 6 classes
2nd grade: 5 classes
3rd grade: 4 classes
4th grade: 5 classes
5th grade: 4 classes
Introducing New Teachers to Forest Ridge
Ashley Kurdziolek (Grade 4 Teacher) - Miss Kurdziolek will be joining our fourth grade team. You may remember her as she completed her internship last year and was our permanent sub as well as a long-term substitute in fourth grade.
Michelle Dukes (PT Art Teacher) - Ms. Dukes is new to HCPSS but not new to teaching Art. She has taught Art in several other states and we are excited to have her with us two days a week.
Annamarie Skinker (PT Speech Teacher) - Ms. Skinker is new to FRES but not new to HCPSS. She will be split with FRES and PLES.
Current Forest Ridge Teachers Transitioning to New Roles Within FRES
Avery Black (1st Grade Teacher) - Due to the loss of a Kindergarten class, Miss Black will now teach first grade.
Sarah Durkin (4th Grade Teacher) - Miss Durkin will be going back to fourth grade where she taught two years ago.
Sarah Ports (5th Grade Teacher) – Mrs. Ports will be staying in 5th grade where she taught last year.
L’oreal Edmondson (0.5 Media teacher and 0.5 Technology teacher) - Mrs. Edmondson will now be with us full time.
Virtual Open Houses on September 4th
Forest Ridge Elementary will hold a Virtual Open House on September 4th. Grade levels will meet at scheduled times throughout the day for a brief team orientation and opportunity for students to meet their teacher. (Schedule above)
Using Canvas in the Classroom
We strongly encourage all families to view the following videos on the use of Canvas in the classroom. Even if you used Canvas last year, these videos would be a great refresher. We will be using Canvas much more this year than we did in the Spring.
From our Instrumental Music Teachers, Mrs. De Orio and Mrs. Yeager - Attention 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade families
Will there still be instrumental music while we are in a virtual learning setting? YES!!!! Instrumental music has always been an important part of our culture at Forest Ridge, and being virtual will not change that. Visit forestridgemusic.weebly.com to learn more about the Band & Orchestra programs and to REGISTER ONLINE. All new and returning students will need to register. We hope your student chooses to join us and make music together in the Band & Orchestra.
From the FRES Health Room
Is your child in need of immunizations? Free immunization clinics are being offered around Howard County.
View the flyer in English here.
View the flyer in Spanish here.
Family File
Every year HCPSS parents must complete a Family File for each child. HCPSS utilizes Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information. Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging in to HCPSS Connect and selecting the Family File tab on the left and then clicking on Family File.
Once logged in, you will be asked to update or provide the following information:
Student Information
Parent/Guardian Contact
Emergency Contacts
Medical Information
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Photo Approval
Data Confidentiality
PTA/PTSA Directory
Please note if a parent completes the Family File prior to August 10th, the information entered will be attached to the 2019-2020 school year and the Family File will be considered incomplete. Also, parents new to HCPSS in 2020-2021 will not have access to their children in HCPSS Connect until August 10th.
Schedules for Virtual Learning
The 2020-2021 virtual instruction model provides students with, on average, 3 hours of synchronous learning with their teachers four days each week. The remaining instructional time is designated for students to complete asynchronous learning activities and assignments.
Students also have daily opportunities to access additional synchronous supports. Click here to see the schedules for each grade level.
Daycare Provider in our Community
Jigna Bhatt(Just Like Mom Daycare)
Loving and caring Just like mom
Licensed day care in Stone Lake community
Care available for toddler
No virtual learning pod
Jignabhatt@gmail.com
301-776-8624 Home
301-377-4317 Cell
www.justlikemom.org
Lic# 16-0504
Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals
HCPSS participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs which provide families with significant benefits to help save money. Qualification is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential. All children in households receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can get free meals regardless of income, and students from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals. If financial circumstances have changed for your family due to Covid-19, please check to see if you are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Meals program.
Families currently eligible must submit a new application each year.
For more information and to apply on-line. Click here.
The HCPSS website provides a list of the benefits provided to children who are eligible for FARMs.