Wednesday, September 16: FRES Virtual Wellness Night 6:00 - 8:00 (see below)
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
Monday, September 28: Schools and Offices Closed
Wednesday, September 30: GT Information Night 5:00
Dear FRES Community,
Our first week was a huge success! Our students learned their new virtual routines and worked on establishing relationships. We enjoyed visiting each classroom and seeing our wonderful students. It was great seeing our students back and engaged in learning. We know this new virtual school is different but, together we will thrive. Please reach out to your child’s teacher and/or administration team if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing our families at Back to School Night on 9/23 & 9/24. (More information to come).
Thanks,
Mr. Conroy and Ms. Pazornik
FRES Wellness Night: Navigating Change in an Unfamiliar School Year!
Wednesday, September 16th 6-8 pm
Presented by PTA's Wellness Committee
Please join us for a parent/guardian event focused on improving our own wellness in these difficult times! Hear information from:
Leave with tips, stress relief and a refocused energy on how to thrive this school year!
NEED CHILDCARE FOR THE EVENT?
We've got you covered, virtually! FRES staff will be hosting a synchronous session for your students! They can log on to see familiar staff read stories, meet an art therapist, try physical fitness challenges, have a dance party and more (encourage your student/s to log in on their Chromebook using Google Meet! (Codes coming soon!)
Recovery of Learning Packets
Recovery of Learning Packets (ROL) were mailed to students who received an "Incomplete" on their 4th quarter report card last school year. Students/Families must confirm packet submission by completing this Google form https://bit.ly/HCPSSROLreturn (Links to an external site.) or by calling 410-313-1526 to confirm submission. Families and students needing language support to submit the Google form may call the HCPSS Call Center.
Completed packets can be submitted one of three ways:
Family File
76 % of our families have completed the Family File. 156 students to go. Our goal is 100% by next Friday 9/18.
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.
Spanish Directions:
https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions-spanish.pdf
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
Do you need help with technology or resources?
The Student Technology Resources Canvas page includes guides, resources, and videos for HCPSS student technology. Below are some direct links for commonly used resources:
Canvas Orientation includes information on how to navigate Canvas.
Google Meet includes a video overview of how to login.
Chromebook provides a variety of resources for using a HCPSS Chromebook.
Password and Username Self-Service allows families to request a password reset or student's username.
The HCPSS.me website also includes user directions.
If you experience issues after reviewing these resources, please complete FRES Tech Help Form and one of our staff members will reach out to you as soon as possible. If you cannot access the online form, please call 410-880-5950 to leave a message. A staff member will attempt to resolve this issue, and if unsuccessful, will provide directions for exchanging the broken device for a working one at the school system's Online Technology Center.
Absences
Forest Ridge Elementary has a new email address dedicated to reporting your student’s absences. If your child will miss class for any reason, please use FRESAbsence@hcpss.org to inform us.
This mailbox will be monitored by front office staff so please include the following information:
Your child’s first and last name
Grade
Homeroom teacher
The dates your child is absent
The reason for the absence (if it is an illness, please list the symptoms so we can inform the health room)
Lunch Service
Forest Ridge will be serving lunch during the designated lunch time in the schedule. It will be served at the front of the building. If you need to access other schools for lunch service, here is the link.
Support for Families in Need
The Maryland Department of Human Services is the state’s human service provider. The agency provides a wide range of services that are administered by local departments of social services in each of the 24 local jurisdictions across the state. These services assist low-income individuals and families in their communities. See below flyer and share.
Supporting Maryland's Families in Need - English
Supporting Maryland's Families in Need - Spanish
Google Meet Safety Measures
Adhere to HCPSS Policy 8080 Responsible Use Technology and Social Media and other relevant HCPSS policies.
Follow the school’s values - Focus, Respect, Effort, and Safety
Students will only be permitted into a Google Meet session with an HCPSS email account. All students can be identified through their HCPSS email account.
Inappropriate/offensive/threatening comments, misrepresentation of identity, and/or disruptive participants (invited or uninvited) during Google Meet sessions will not be tolerated.
Sharing login information violates the confidentiality rights of other students and places them at risk of having to witness disruptive behaviors from students who are not members of the class or school community.
Students who are disruptive and/or “trespass” Google Meet sessions will be immediately reported to administration and will receive appropriate consequences in accordance with the HCPSS Code of Conduct. Consequences may result in temporary or permanent loss of technology access, which will also result in a student's inability to participate in Google Meet sessions; arrangement for receiving instruction and assignments will be established by administration communicated and arranged with parents.
Additional information can be found in the Safety Measures During the Google Meet Session on 20-21 HCPSS Virtual Teaching and Learning Page
Virtual Cheerleading!
After school cheerleading (virtual while schools are closed) starts soon for the Fall Semester! Contact www.supersquads.org, supersquadsinfo@verizon.net or 410-796-2244 to join!
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
From the PTA President, Korin Sharp
A big WELCOME to our new Eagles and a WELCOME BACK to our returning Eagles. Hopefully distance learning is going smoothly for all. While this is an unprecedented time in education, I am excited to serve as your new PTA president along with the rest of the Board. We will be working with you to creatively honor our FRES traditions in a virtual and socially distanced world, as well as devising new opportunities for community, connection, and support. We will also be continuing with the process for National PTA's School of Excellence designation. Some important info for this year:
Membership: We are now primarily using MemberHub for processing memberships and donations. Please visit www.frespta.org/join to join. Membership dues are $10 for one membership or $16 for two members in the same household, plus a small processing fee. Of these membership dues, $2.25 goes to the National PTA and $2.00 goes to the Maryland PTA. In addition to their resources and support, we also get access to some fun discounts.
Upcoming Events:
Monday, September 14th - 1st PTA Meeting 7-8:30 p.m. (meetings will be the 2nd Monday of each month)
Wednesday, September 16th - Virtual Wellness Night from 6-8 p.m. hosted by the FRES PTA Wellness Committee
Volunteering: Committee members and leaders are still needed for this year. Please consider volunteering. A list of all committee openings will be provided as part of the meeting agenda for Monday and on the website.
Communication: There will be several ways to receive communications including school communications, www.frespta.org, the FRES PTA Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/FRESPTA/, and Twitter @frespta. Last year, there was a group formed for discussion and support. That can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2135313649893726/ and is for current FRES families. New this year, we will also be utilizing Band groups. These can be accessed via web or mobile app. Join via the following links:
All FRES Families https://band.us/n/a7a143d9Lac5h
HS Class of 2035 https://band.us/n/afa64fd4L4ecD
HS Class of 2034 https://band.us/n/a7aa42d9KeGff
HS Class of 2033 https://band.us/n/a7ae4ddeK4h2g
HS Class of 2032 https://band.us/n/a1ae4dd9K2i1f
HS Class of 2031 https://band.us/n/a6ac41d3K9j1A
HS Class of 2030 https://band.us/n/a9a04ad0M3g4N
HS Class of 2029 https://band.us/n/aaac42d9K7R1c
HS Class of 2028 https://band.us/n/aba74cdbKbodG
Grocery Rewards: We are participating in Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter (requires annual renewal), BoxTops, and Coke Rewards. Please visit https://frespta.org/ways-to-support/grocery-storeshopping-programs/ for more information on these programs that provide financial support to FRES based on purchases you already make.
Questions and Suggestions: Please email contact@frespta.org with any questions, feedback, or suggestions or contact me directly at president@frespta.org
Thanks very much and I hope to “meet” many of you on Monday. We will soar through this together!
With warm regards,
Korin Sharp, FRES PTA President